bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Determination of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interleukin-8,
Interleukin-10, and C-X-C Chemokine Receptor-2 Genetic Variations and
their Association with Disease Susceptibility and Mortality in COVID-19
Patients
Authors: Alsayed Badr A. , Mir Rashid , Mir Mohammad M. , Alnour Tarig M.S. , Fawzy Shereen , Ahmed Mesaik M. , Amle Dnyanesh
Published: January 2024

Background:

Altered cytokine levels have been associated with poor outcomes among
COVID-19 patients. TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10 are key cytokines in COVID-19 pathogenesis, and
CXCR-2 is a major chemokine receptor involved in inflammatory response. Polymorphisms in the
genes of these proteins are proposed to influence disease outcomes. In this study, we aimed to find
out the association of genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10 and CXCR-2 genes with susceptibility
to and mortality of COVID-19.

Methods:

The present case-control study was conducted on 230 subjects, among whom 115 were
clinically diagnosed and RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and 115 healthy control subjects.
The polymorphisms in TNFα -308 G>A (rs1800629), IL-8 -251T>A (rs4073), CXCR2 +785 C>T
(rs2230054) genes were detected by ARMS -PCR assay whereas for IL-10 (-1082 G>A),
rs1800896 G>A allele-specific PCR assay was used and their association with COVID-19 susceptibility
and mortality was estimated by multivariate analysis. The results were analyzed for risk
of infection and mortality through different inheritance models.

Results:

Frequencies of TNF-α rs1800629 GA, AA, IL-8 rs4073 TA, AA, IL-10 (-1082 G>A),
rs1800896 GA and GG, and CXCR2 rs2230054 CT genotypes were significantly higher in
COVID-19 patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, COVID-19 patients
had a higher frequency of the polymorphic A allele of TNF-α, the A allele of IL-8, the G allele of
IL-10, and the T allele of CXCR2. The risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 was significantly associated
with TNF-α rs1800629 GA, GA+AA genotypes and the A allele, IL-8 rs4073 TA, AA genotypes
and A allele, IL-10 rs1800872 GA and CC genotypes and C allele, and CXCR2 rs2230054
CT and CT+CC genotypes. TNF-α-GA and AA genotypes and A allele, IL-8 TA and AA genotypes
and A allele and CXCR-2 CC and CT genotypes have significant associations with mortality
risk in COVID-19 patients, while GA and GG genotypes of the IL-10 are shown to confer significant
protection against mortality from COVID-19.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study provide important insights into the COVID-19 disease and
susceptibility risk. The polymorphisms in TNFα -308 G>A (rs1800629), IL-8 -251T>A (rs4073),
IL-10 (-1082 G>A), rs1800896 and CXCR2 +785 C>T (rs2230054) are associated with the risk of
susceptibility to COVID-19 and with mortality in COVID-19 patients. Further studies with larger
sample sizes are necessary to confirm our findings.
Neurokinin B Administration Induces Dose Dependent Proliferation of
Seminal Vesicles in Adult Rats
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad Haris , Shah Mohsin , Ramzan Faiqah
Published: January 2024

Background:

Neurokinin B; an endogenous decapeptide, mediates its reproductive physiological
actions through gonadotropin releasing hormone. Despite the potential role of Neurokinin
B on seminal vesicles, its effects on seminal vesicles in adult male mammals remain elusive.
We aimed to investigate the potentials of variable doses of Neurokinin B, its agonist and antagonist
on histomorphology and expression of NK3R on seminal vesicles, and secretory activity of
seminal vesicles in adult male rats.

Methods:

Adult male Sprague Dawley rats (n=10 in each group) were administered intraperitoneally
with Neurokinin B in three variable doses: 1 μg, 1 ηg and 10 ρg while, Senktide (Neurokinin
B agonist) and SB222200 (Neurokinin B antagonist) in 1 μg doses consecutively for 12
days. After 12 days of peptide treatment, half of the animals (n=05) in each group were sacrificed
while remaining half (n=05) were kept for another 12 days without any treatment to investigate
treatment reversal. Seminal vesicles were dissected and excised tissue was processed for light microscopy,
immunohistochemistry and estimation of seminal fructose levels.

Results::

Treatment with Neurokinin B and Senktide significantly increased while SB222200
slightly decrease the seminal vesicles weight, epithelial height and seminal fructose levels as compared
to control. Light microscopy revealed increased epithelial height and epithelial folding as
compared to control in all Neurokinin B and Senktide treated groups while decreased in
SB222200. Effects of various doses of Neurokinin B, Senktide and SB222200 on seminal vesicles
weight, epithelial height, seminal fructose levels and histomorphology were reversed when rats
were maintained without treatments. Immuno-expression of Neurokinin B shows no change in
treatment and reversal groups

Conclusion::

Continuous administration of Neurokinin B and Senktide effect positively while
SB222200 have detrimental effects on cellular morphology, epithelial height and seminal fructose
levels in seminal vesicles. Effects of peptide treatments depicted a reversal towards control group
when rats were kept without any treatment.
Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery: A Bibliometric Analysis and
Literature Review
Authors: He Baoyu , Guo Jingjing , Tong Henry H.Y. , To Wai Ming
Published: January 2024

Drug discovery is a complex and iterative process, making it ideal for using artificial
intelligence (AI). This paper uses a bibliometric approach to reveal AI's trend and underlying structure
in drug discovery (AIDD). A total of 4310 journal articles and reviews indexed in Scopus were
analyzed, revealing that AIDD has been rapidly growing over the past two decades, with a significant
increase after 2017. The United States, China, and the United Kingdom were the leading countries
in research output, with academic institutions, particularly the Chinese Academy of Sciences
and the University of Cambridge, being the most productive. In addition, industrial companies, including
both pharmaceutical and high-tech ones, also made significant contributions. Additionally,
this paper thoroughly discussed the evolution and research frontiers of AIDD, which were uncovered
through co-occurrence analyses of keywords using VOSviewer. Our findings highlight that
AIDD is an interdisciplinary and promising research field that has the potential to revolutionize drug
discovery. The comprehensive overview provided here will be of significant interest to researchers,
practitioners, and policy-makers in related fields. The results emphasize the need for continued investment
and collaboration in AIDD to accelerate drug discovery, reduce costs, and improve patient
outcomes.
Dextran-based Drug Delivery Approaches for Lung Diseases: A Review
Authors: Kumari Manisha , Sharma Sanyam , Kanwar Navjot , Naman Subh , Baldi Ashish
Published: January 2024

:

Respiratory disorders, such as tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, asthma, lung cancer, and pulmonary inflammation, are among the most prevalent ailments in
today’s world. Dextran, an exopolysaccharide formed by Leuconostoc mesenteroides (slimeproducing
bacteria), and its derivatives are investigated for several therapeutic utilities. Dextranbased
drug delivery system can become an innovative strategy in the treatment of several respiratory
ailments as it offers numerous advantages, such as mucolytic action, airway hydration, antiinflammatory
properties, and radioprotective effect as compared to other polysaccharides. Being biocompatible,
flexible hydrophilic nature, biodegradable, tasteless, odourless, non-mutagenic, watersoluble
and non-toxic edible polymer, dextran-based drug delivery systems have been explored for a
wide range of therapeutic applications, especially in lungs and respiratory diseases. The present article
comprehensively discusses various derivatives of dextran with their attributes to be considered for
drug delivery and extensive therapeutic benefits, with a special emphasis on the armamentarium of
dextran-based formulations for the treatment of respiratory disorders and associated pathological
conditions. The information provided will act as a platform for formulation scientists as important
considerations in designing therapeutic approaches for lung and respiratory diseases.

:

With an emphasis on lung illnesses, this article will offer an in-depth understanding of dextran-based
delivery systems in respiratory illnesses.
Tectorigenin Inhibits Glycolysis-induced Cell Growth and Proliferation by
Modulating LncRNA CCAT2/miR-145 Pathway in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Xing Ying , Lin Bofan , Liu Baoxinzi , Shao Jie , Jin Zhichao
Published: January 2024

Background:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) places a heavy burden on global health. Tectorigenin
(Tec) is a type of flavonoid-based compound obtained from the Chinese medical herb Leopard
Lily Rhizome. It was found to exhibit remarkable anti-tumor properties in previous studies.
However, the effect and molecular mechanisms of Tec in colorectal cancer have not been reported.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to explore the action of Tec in proliferation and glycolysis
in CRC and the potential mechanism with regard to the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)
CCAT2/micro RNA-145(miR-145) pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Methods:

The anti-tumor effect of Tec in CRC was examined in cell and animal studies, applying
Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay as well as xenograft model experiments. Assay kits were utilized
to detect glucose consumption and lactate production in the supernatant of cells and animal
serum. The expression of the glycolysis-related proteins was assessed by Western Blotting, and
levels of lncRNA CCAT2 and miR-145 in CRC tissue specimens and cells were assessed by realtime
quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

Results:

Tec significantly suppressed cell glycolysis and proliferative rate in CRC cells. It could
decrease lncRNA CCAT2 in CRC cells but increase the expression of miR-145. LncRNA CCAT2
overexpression or inhibition of miR-145 could abolish the inhibitive effects of Tec on the proliferation
and glycolysis of CRC cells. The miR-145 mimic rescued the increased cell viability and glycolysis
levels caused by lncRNA CCAT2 overexpression. Tec significantly inhibited the growth
and glycolysis of CRC xenograft tumor. The expression of lncRNA CCAT2 decreased while the
expression of miR-145 increased after Tec treatment in vivo.

Conclusion:

Tec can inhibit the proliferation and glycolysis of CRC cells through the lncRNA
CCAT2/miR-145 axis. Altogether, the potential targets discovered in this research are of great significance
for CRC treatment and new drug development.
Stimuli-induced NOergic Molecules and Neuropeptides Mediated Axon
Reflexes Contribute to Tracers along Meridian Pathways
Authors: Ma Shengxing
Published: January 2024

An abundance of studies from different international groups have demonstrated tracers
along linear pathways resembling meridians over the body surface of humans. All experiments of
the studies have been conducted by injection of a radiotracer solution or tracer dyes in a volume of
solution into acupuncture points (acupoints). The solution injected into acupoints produces much
stronger mechanical stimuli than acupuncture, which causes axon reflex. Anatomical studies have
demonstrated that acupoints/meridians exist higher number of small nerve fibers and blood vessels
with rich nitric oxide (NO) and neuropeptides in the cutaneous tissues as structures for the biomolecules
mediated axon reflexes. Recent advances have determined that NO and calcitonin generelated
peptides play crucial roles in the comprehension of the axon reflex. The stimuli-evoked axon
reflex and NOergic biomolecules/neuropeptides increase local blood flow with higher levels in
acupoints/meridians, which move radioactive substances or tracer dyes in the skin and subcutaneous
tissue under a linear path resembling acupoints and meridians, the important phenomena of
meridians induced by the stimuli. The evidence and understanding of the biomolecular processes
of the tracers along linear pathways resembling meridians have been summarized with an emphasis
on recent developments of NO and neuropeptides mediating stimuli-evoked axon reflexes to increase
local blood flow with higher levels in acupoints/meridians, which move radioactive substances
or tracer dyes in the skin and subcutaneous tissue contributing to tracers along linear pathways
resembling meridians in this mini-review.
Recent Advances in Metallic Nanostructures-assisted Biosensors for
Medical Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Tiryaki Ecem , Zorlu Tolga
Published: January 2024

The field of nanotechnology has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, particularly
in its application to medical diagnosis and therapy. Metallic nanostructures-assisted biosensors
have emerged as a powerful and versatile platform, offering unprecedented opportunities for
sensitive, specific, and minimally invasive diagnostic techniques, as well as innovative therapeutic
interventions. These biosensors exploit the molecular interactions occurring between biomolecules,
such as antibodies, enzymes, aptamers, or nucleic acids, and metallic surfaces to induce
observable alterations in multiple physical attributes, encompassing electrical, optical, colorimetric,
and electrochemical signals. These interactions yield measurable data concerning the existence
and concentration of particular biomolecules. The inherent characteristics of metal nanostructures,
such as conductivity, plasmon resonance, and catalytic activity, serve to amplify both
sensitivity and specificity in these biosensors. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the
latest advancements in metallic nanostructures-assisted biosensors, highlighting their transformative
impact on medical science and envisioning their potential in shaping the future of personalized
healthcare.
In-silico, in-vitro and in-vivo Biological Activities of Flavonoids for the
Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Dash Jyoshna Rani , Kar Biswakanth , Pattnaik Gurudutta
Published: January 2024

In spite of the fact that many medicinal plants have been truly utilized for the management
of diabetes all through the world, very few of them have been reported scientifically. Recently, a
diverse variety of animal models have been established to better understand the pathophysiology of
diabetes mellitus, and new medications to treat the condition have been introduced in the market.
Flavonoids are naturally occurring substances that can be found in plants and various foods and may
have health benefits in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Flavonoids have also been shown to have
an anti-inflammatory impact that is significant to neuropathic pain, as indicated by a decrease in
several pro-inflammatory mediators such TNF-, NF-B IL-6, and IL-1. Flavonoids appear to be a viable
novel therapy option for macrovasular complications in preclinical models; however, human
clinical data is still inadequate. Recently, several in silico, in-vitro and in-vivo aproaches were made
to evaluate mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of diabetes in a better way. Screening of
natural antidiabetic agents from plant sources can be analysed by utilizing advanced in-vitro techniques
and animal models. Natural compounds, mostly derived from plants, have been studied in
diabetes models generated by chemical agents in the majority of research. The aim of this work was
to review the available in silico, in-vitro and animal models of diabetes for screening of natural antidiabetic
agents. This review contributes to the scientist's design of new methodologies for the development
of novel therapeutic agents having potential antihyperglycemic activity.
Development of Morphea Following Treatment with an ADA Biosimilar:
A Case Report
Authors: Venetsanopoulou Aliki I. , Mavridou Konstantina , Pelechas Eleftherios , Voulgari Paraskevi V. , Drosos Alexandros A.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a pivotal cytokine involved in the
pathogenesis of certain inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathies,
and inflammatory bowel diseases. In the last two decades, TNFα inhibitors (TNFi) have
revolutionized the treatment and outcome of the above disorders. However, the use of TNFi has
been associated with the development of many autoimmune phenomena and paradoxical skin manifestations
that may present as the same type of clinical indications for which the TNFi effectively
used. Thus, they may display as arthritis, uveitis, colitis, psoriasis, and several other cutaneous
clinical manifestations, among them the development of morphea, a localized scleroderma skin lesion.

Case Presentation:

We describe a 58-year-old woman with seronegative RA, refractory to
methotrexate, who was treated with ABP-501 (Hefiya), an adalimumab (ADA) biosimilar and developed
an oval-shaped, deep skin lesion of approximately 3.5cm in size, affecting the left part of
her back compatible with morphea 3 months after the initiation of therapy. ADA biosimilar was
discontinued and two months later, she had substantial skin improvement.

Conclusion:

This is the first report of morphea manifestation during TNFi biosimilar since the patient
had no other trigger factors for morphea development like trauma and infections. Physicians
dealing with patients treated with TNFi biosimilars should be aware of paradoxical skin reactions,
among them morphea; thus, close monitoring, a minute and careful clinical examination, and a follow-
up check are required.
Predictors of Clinical Benefit with Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid in
Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis - A Narrative Review
Authors: Chevalier Xavier , Sheehan Brendan
Published: January 2024

Background:

There is conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of viscosupplementation
with intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections in knee osteoarthritis. One possible explanation
for the inconsistent findings on its efficacy is that only certain subpopulations of patients benefit
from this therapy.

Objective:

The purpose of this narrative review is to succinctly summarize the existing data on the
predictive factors of clinical response to intra-articular hyaluronic acid to identify the patient profile
most likely to benefit from this therapy.

Methods:

For this narrative review, a PubMed search was conducted in January 2023, with no
date limits, to identify publications reporting predictive factors of response to viscosupplementation
using the following terms: hyaluronic acid OR viscosupplem* AND osteoarthritis AND knee
AND predict*. Searches were limited to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-
analyses, or observational studies written in English. Other relevant references were identified
by searching the references of retrieved articles.

Results:

The disease severity was found to reliably predict response to intra-articular hyaluronic
acid injections; patients with less severe disease consistently had a more robust therapeutic response
than those with more severe disease. Other clinical variables such as level of baseline pain
did not reliably predict response. Body mass index, and possibly age, may also be independent predictors
of the response.

Conclusion:

A review of the existing literature suggests that patients with less severe clinical
symptoms and radiological findings, who are younger, and with a lower or normal body mass index
are the best candidates for intra-articular hyaluronic acid therapy.
Association and Mechanisms of Proton Pump Inhibitors Use with Type-2
Diabetes Mellitus Incidence in Adults: A Systemic Review and
Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chenchula Santenna , Sharma Phulen , Ghanta Mohan Krishna , Amerneni Krishna Chaitanya , Rajakarunakaran Padmavathi , Saggurthi Pavani , Chandra Madhu Bhargavi , Gupta Rupesh , Chavan Madhavrao
Published: January 2024

Background:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are an extensively prescribed class of
anti-ulcer drugs. This systematic review aimed to investigate the association between PPI use and
the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) incidence.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov using the search terms “proton pump inhibitor,” “proton pump inhibitors,” “PPIs,” “diabetes mellitus,” and “type 2 diabetes” from inception to February 2023.
Statistical analyses were performed using the “Review Manager 5.4” version, and a statistically
highly significant P value <0.05 was set.

Results:

This systematic review identified 12 studies (8 cohort, 1 RCT, and 3 case-control) with a
total of 12, 64, 816 population, and the median age ranged from ≥18 yrs to ≤ 75 yrs. The pooled
relative risk (RR) observations of a random-effects meta-analysis model showed that chronic
exposure to PPI use has a significant association with T2DM risk incidence (RR, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–4.54; I
2 = 99%, P < 0.00001). The systematic review findings of the three
case-control studies also supported an association of dose-dependent and chronic use of PPIs with
an incidence of T2DM among chronic users.

Conclusion:

The systematic review concludes that chronic PPI exposure increases the risk of
T2DM incidence. The authors recommend the shortest possible duration of PPI use and not prescribing PPIs to high-risk prediabetics and those without a compelling indication for PPI use.
Regular education to patients regarding adverse reactions with prolonged use may decrease the
risk of adverse effects associated with PPIs. The authors suggest that gut dysbiosis, hypergastrinemia, hypomagnesemia, decreased pancreatic secretions and IGF-1 levels, and PXR activation
associated with chronic acid suppression among chronic PPI users and the potency of PPIs might
explain the association between abnormal glucose metabolism and T2DM incidence. Finally, the
authors recommend further randomized controlled trials to investigate the association between
PPIs and the risk of new-onset T2DM incidence.
Physiological Evidence and Therapeutic Outcomes of Vitamin D on
Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Zendehdel Abolfazl , Shakarami Amir , Moghadam Ehsan Sekhavati
Published: January 2024

Vitamin D hormone is an important regulator of various physiological functions, and
its deficiency is characterized by an imbalance in parathyroid hormone and calcium homeostasis.
The role of vitamin D in cardiovascular physiology is well demonstrated in animal and humanbased studies. In this context, hyperlipidemia, increased atherogenic plaques, cardiac inflammation, hypertension, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure are some of the commonest known conditions connected with vitamin D deficiency. Supplementation of vitamin D is recommended to achieve normal serum vitamin D concentrations, nonetheless, in clinical trials often
seen discrepancies concerning the supplementation effects and effectiveness. This review summarizes the data on the role of vitamin D in cardiovascular health along with some recent clinical
findings regarding the effects of vitamin D supplementation.
Intravaginal Delivery of Herbal Pharmaceutical Interventions for Uncomplicated UTIs in Women
Authors: Semwal Nidhi , Joshi Deepika , Sharma Priya , Rautela Archana , Singh Bhavana
Published: January 2024

Background:

Urinary tract infection (UTIs) is the most common infection in women affecting
approximately 75% of women worldwide during their pregnancy, and in pre and postmenopausal
women. Typical symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency, suprapubic discomfort, and
dysuria.

Method:

An introduction to the epidemiology of UTIs and detailed herbal nanoformulation treatment
approach through novel intravaginal route is intended through this narrative review. UTIs
are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and they affect the quality of life of the affected
patients. Multidrug-resistant bacteria and recurrent UTIs are becoming more common. Development
of resistance, adverse effects of antibiotics, and other associated problems lead to establishing
the research framework to find out the alternative approaches in controlling UTIs. Antibiotic-
free treatments for uncomplicated urinary tract infections UTIs should be used, saving drugs
for severe infections. Herbal medication might be used instead of antibiotics for uncomplicated
UTIs, in addition to analgesics for purely symptomatic treatment.

Conclusion:

This review identifies the pathophysiology of UTI, distinguish the intravaginal route
as an alternative to oral delivery route, summarizes the management of urinary tract infections and
highlights the anti-uropathogenic and anti-bactericidal effects of herbal approaches to prevent or
treat urinary tract infections.
Natural Polysaccharides Derived from Fruits and Mushrooms with
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
Authors: Singh Taranjit , Kaur Gagandeep , Singh Amandeep , Mathur Harshita , Sandal Pallavi , Singh Rajveer , Bhattacharya Arka
Published: January 2024

:

A large class of substances known as polysaccharides have a wide range of advantageous
therapeutic and nutritional properties. Polysaccharides found in plants and plant components
are extracted for the use in treating a number of diseases. Since ancient times, these polysaccharides
have been utilized for human wellness. With no or minimal adverse effects, the polysaccharides
that were extracted and refined from the fruits exhibit strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory,
immunoregulatory, and hepatoprotective action. These fruit polysaccharides are
isolated and purified using numerous chromatographic methods. In this review, the polysaccharide
obtained from sources such as Rubus chingii, Mulberry, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Lilium davidii,
Flammulina velutipes, Angelica sinesis, and Diospyros kaki have been discussed along with their
biological activities including DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS free radical scavenging
assay, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and assay for oxygen free radical absorption capacity
(ORAC) listed in various studies.
Artificial Intelligence Integration with Nanotechnology: A New Frontier for Sustainable and Precision Agriculture
Authors: Ashique Sumel , Raikar Amisha , Jamil Sabahat , Lakshminarayana Lavanya , Gajbhiye Shilpa Amit , De Sneha , Kumar Shubneesh
Published: January 2024

Addressing the challenges posed by climate change, surging population, rival demands
on land for renewable fuel manufacturing, and adverse soil conditions is crucial for ensuring
global food security. Achieving sustainable solutions necessitates the integration of multidisciplinary
knowledge, such as materials technology and informatics. The convergence of
precision agriculture with nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising prospects
for sustainable food production. Through real-time responsiveness to crop growth using
advanced technologies, such as nanotechnology and AI, farmers can optimize resource allocation
and make informed decisions. Newer opportunities for sustainable food production arise
through the integration of precision agriculture, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. This
convergence enables farmers to dynamically respond to crop growth variations using advanced
techniques. By combining nanotechnology and informatics methods with existing models for
nutrient cycling and crop productivity, it becomes possible to enhance critical aspects, such as
precision targeting, efficient absorption, effective distribution, optimized nutrient assimilation,
and long-term effects on soil microbial communities. This integration offers significant potential
for improving agriculture and addressing sustainability challenges in food production. Ultimately,
this synergy allows for the development of nanoscale agrochemicals that offer a balance
between safety and functionality, ensuring optimal performance in agricultural systems.
Exploring the Efficacy of Herbal Medications in the Treatment of Parkinsonism: A Mini Review
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Chaudhary Ritik , Ashawat Mahendra Singh
Published: January 2024

Background:

Over 10 million people worldwide are affected by the chronic neurodegenerative
condition of Parkinson's disease. Dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra area of the
brain are gradually lost as a result. Herbal medicine, which have its roots in ancient cultures, uses
medicinal herbs to treat illnesses and advance general health. There is considerable interest in researching
the possibilities of herbal medicine for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's
disease because they are thought to be safer than synthetic medications.

Objective:

The objective of this article is to investigate the potential of herbal medications as a treatment
option for Parkinsonism, and to provide a clear understanding of the current state of research
on this topic.

Conclusion:

This review focuses on herbal treatments and components that have demonstrated promise
in Parkinson's disease in vitro and animal models. This information can be used to identify prospective
traditional medicine prescription therapies. New therapeutic treatments for Parkinson's disease
may result from further study of pharmaceutical components with well-established therapeutic
potential.
Analysis of Clinical Pharmacsology Research Publication in Doping and Anti-Doping: A Scientometric Study
Authors: Katiyara Vikas , Velmurugan Hemasri , Chandu Himanchu Nirmal , Subramanian Muthathal , Thangaraju Pugazhenthan , Venkatesan Sajitha , Thangaraju Eswaran
Published: January 2024

The importance of medical professionals like clinical pharmacologists in the field of sport
medicine lies in their expertise in doping and anti-doping. There is a need to identify the expertise
globally and understand the pattern of research being done in this area. This helps for future collaborative
and combined policies, irrespective of any borders. The purpose of this study was to conduct a
scientometric examination of bibliographic facts linked to clinical pharmacology in doping and antidoping,
and data from PubMed was retrieved between January 2012 and January 2021. This study
looked at scientometric approaches such as frequency distribution, percentage analysis, relative
growth rate and doubling time, and level of collaboration. During the research period, we acquired a
total of 65 articles, and a maximum of 13 (20%) were contributed in the year 2021. The relative
growth rate is declining, and the doubling time was increasing between 2014 and 2021. This will be
the first scientometric analysis done on the topic to best of our knowledge, and this study will act as
a document for further research on the topic.
Chemistry, Isolation, and Pharmaceutical Applications of Inulin
Authors: Dangre Pankaj V. , Kotkar Kunal S. , Pimple Awadhut D. , Meshram Satish S.
Published: January 2024

:

Inulin (IN) is a prebiotic oligosaccharide reported in diverse sources of nature. The major
sources encompass chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, onions, barley, garlic, rye, and wheat. The literature
also reported its promising biological activities, e.g., antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, immuneregulator
and prebiotic for improving intestinal function, regulation of blood lipids, and so on. IN’s
molecular flexibility, stabilization, and drug-targeting potential make it a unique polymer in pharmaceutical
sciences and biomedical engineering. Further, its nutritional value and diagnostic application
also widen its scope in food and medical sciences. The hydroxyl groups present in its structure offer
chemical modifications, which could benefit advanced drug delivery such as controlled and sustained
drug delivery, enhancement of bioavailability, cellular uptake, etc. This work reviews the isolation
and purification of IN. The study also provides glimpses of the chemistry, chemical modification, and
applications in pharmaceutical sciences and drug delivery.
Single-cell Technology in Stem Cell Research
Authors: Golchin Ali , Shams Forough , Moradi Faezeh , Sadrabadi Amin Ebrahimi , Parviz Shima , Alipour Shahriar , Ranjbarvan Parviz , Hemmati Yaser , Rahnama Maryam , Rasmi Yousef , Aziz Shiva Gholizadeh-Ghaleh
Published: January 2024

Single-cell technology (SCT), which enables the examination of the fundamental units
comprising biological organs, tissues, and cells, has emerged as a powerful tool, particularly in
the field of biology, with a profound impact on stem cell research. This innovative technology
opens new pathways for acquiring cell-specific data and gaining insights into the molecular pathways
governing organ function and biology. SCT is not only frequently used to explore rare and
diverse cell types, including stem cells, but it also unveils the intricacies of cellular diversity and
dynamics. This perspective, crucial for advancing stem cell research, facilitates non-invasive analyses
of molecular dynamics and cellular functions over time. Despite numerous investigations into
potential stem cell therapies for genetic disorders, degenerative conditions, and severe injuries,
the number of approved stem cell-based treatments remains limited. This limitation is attributed to
the various heterogeneities present among stem cell sources, hindering their widespread clinical
utilization. Furthermore, stem cell research is intimately connected with cutting-edge technologies,
such as microfluidic organoids, CRISPR technology, and cell/tissue engineering. Each strategy
developed to overcome the constraints of stem cell research has the potential to significantly
impact advanced stem cell therapies. Drawing on the advantages and progress achieved through
SCT-based approaches, this study aims to provide an overview of the advancements and concepts
associated with the utilization of SCT in stem cell research and its related fields.
Curcumin Inhibits the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via the MARCH1-mediated Modulation of JAK2/STAT3 Signaling
Authors: Su Jiaqi , Liu Xianbing , Zhao Xiaoyue , Ma Hongjie , Jiang Yuzhu , Wang Xu , Wang Peiyuan , Zhao Mingdong , Hu Xuemei
Published: January 2024

Background:

Curcumin has been reported to have anti-hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC) effects, but the underlying mechanism is not well known.

Objectives:

To investigate whether membrane-associated RING-CH 1 (MARCH1) is involved
in the curcumin-induced growth suppression in HCC and its underlying molecular mechanism.
A few recent patents for curcumin for cancer are also reviewed in this article.

Methods:

The effect of curcumin on growth inhibition of HCC cells was analyzed through in
vitro and in vivo experiments, and the expression levels of MARCH1, Bcl-2, VEGF, cyclin B1,
cyclin D1, and JAK2/STAT3 signaling molecules were measured in HCC cells and the xenograft
tumors in nude mice. Cell transfection with MARCH1 siRNAs or expression plasmid was
used to explore the role of MARCH1 in the curcumin-induced growth inhibition of HCC cells.

Results:

Curcumin inhibited cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and arrested the cell cycle at
the G2/M phase in HCC cells with the decrease of Bcl-2, VEGF, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 expression
as well as JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation, resulting in the growth suppression of
HCC cells. MARCH1 is highly expressed in HCC cells, and its expression was downregulated
after curcumin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The knockdown of MARCH1 by siRNA
decreased the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 and inhibited the growth of HCC
cells. In contrast, opposite results were observed when HCC cells overexpressed MARCH1. A
xenograft tumor model in nude mice also showed that curcumin downregulated MARCH1 expression
and decelerated the growth of transplanted HCC with the downregulation of
JAK2/STAT3 signaling and functional molecules. The ADC value of MRI analysis showed that
curcumin slowed down the progression of HCC.

Conclusion:

Our results demonstrated that curcumin may inhibit the activation of JAK2/STAT3
signaling pathway by downregulating MARCH1 expression, resulting in the growth suppression
of HCC. MARCH1 may be a novel target of curcumin in HCC treatment.
Identification of Spatial Domains, Spatially Variable Genes, and Genetic Association Studies of Alzheimer Disease with an Autoencoder-based Fuzzy Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Cui Yaxuan , Wei Leyi , Wang Ruheng , Ye Xiucai , Sakurai Tetsuya
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Transcriptional gene expressions and their corresponding spatial information
are critical for understanding the biological function, mutual regulation, and identification of various
cell types.

Materials and Methods:

Recently, several computational methods have been proposed for clustering
using spatial transcriptional expression. Although these algorithms have certain practicability, they
cannot utilize spatial information effectively and are highly sensitive to noise and outliers. In this
study, we propose ACSpot, an autoencoder-based fuzzy clustering algorithm, as a solution to tackle
these problems. Specifically, we employed a self-supervised autoencoder to reduce feature dimensionality,
mitigate nonlinear noise, and learn high-quality representations. Additionally, a commonly
used clustering method, Fuzzy c-means, is used to achieve improved clustering results. In particular,
we utilize spatial neighbor information to optimize the clustering process and to fine-tune each spot to
its associated cluster category using probabilistic and statistical methods.

Result and Discussion:

The comparative analysis on the 10x Visium human dorsolateral prefrontal
cortex (DLPFC) dataset demonstrates that ACSpot outperforms other clustering algorithms. Subsequently,
spatially variable genes were identified based on the clustering outcomes, revealing a striking
similarity between their spatial distribution and the subcluster spatial distribution from the clustering
results. Notably, these spatially variable genes include APP, PSEN1, APOE, SORL1, BIN1, and PICALM,
all of which are well-known Alzheimer's disease-associated genes.

Conclusion:

In addition, we applied our model to explore some potential Alzheimer's disease correlated
genes within the dataset and performed Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and gene-pathway
analyses for validation, illustrating the capability of our model to pinpoint genes linked to Alzheimer’s
disease.
Monkeypox Virus (MPXV) Infection: A Review
Authors: Kumari Rosy , Arya Pooja , Yadav Surya Prakash , Mishra Ratish Chandra , Parkash Yadav Jaya
Published: January 2024

Monkeypox is a viral disease; its outbreak was recently declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization. For the first time, a monkeypox virus (MPXV)-infected
patient was found in India. Various researchers back-to-back tried to find the solution to this
health emergency just after COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the current outbreak status of
India, its transmission, virulence factors, symptoms, treatment, and the preventive guidelines
generated by the Indian Health Ministry. We found that monkeypox virus (MPXV) disease is
different from smallpox, and the age group between 30-40 years old is more prone to MPXV
disease. We also found that, besides homosexuals, gays, bisexuals, and non-vegetarians, it also
affects normal straight men and women who have no history of travel. Close contact should be
avoided from rats, monkeys and sick people who are affected by monkeypox. To date, there are
no monkeypox drugs, but Tecovirimat is more effective than other drugs that are used for other
viral diseases like smallpox. Therefore, we need to develop an effective antiviral agent against
the virulence factor of MXPV.
A Comparison of the Decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate between
Elderly Patients with Diabetes and those without Diabetes in Southwest
China
Authors: Yi Qing-Hua , Wang Hong-Liang , Hou Yun , Xu Lang , Tian Wei-Li , Zhang Yi-Xuan , Xu Yu-Shan , Shi Jia-Bin
Published: January 2024

Objective:

To investigate the effect of high blood glucose on the decline in the estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the elderly.

Methods:

We compared the decline in eGFR of diabetic and non-diabetic groups in the noninterventional
state and analyzed the effect of hyperglycemia on the decline in eGFR among the
elderly in a retrospective analysis of 1,223 cases of elderly people aged 65 years or older with a
4-year follow-up period.

Results:

The prevalence of diabetes in the elderly increased significantly from 12.67% in 2017
to 16.68% in 2021. The rate of decline in eGFR in patients with diabetes was higher than in the
population without diabetes, at 9.29% and 5.32%, respectively (both p <0.05).

Conclusion:

The results of this study revealed that the prevalence of diabetes in the elderly increased
significantly, and there is a more rapid decrease in the eGFR levels in those with diabetes
than those without diabetes.
Moroccan Antihypertensive Plants and their Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Amtaghri Smail , Slaoui Miloudia , Eddouks Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Background:

The use of herbal remedies, medicinal plants, and their derivatives for
the treatment and control of hypertension is well-known and widespread throughout Morocco.

Aims:

The aim of the study was to review the antihypertensive and vasorelaxant medicinal
plants of the Moroccan pharmacopeia.

Objective:

To date, no review on Moroccan medicinal plants exhibiting antihypertensive effects
has been performed, and their mechanism of action has not been specified. The objective
of this review was to collect, analyze, and critically assess published publications on experimental
and clinical research that explored the blood pressure-reducing abilities of Moroccan
medicinal plant extracts.

Materials and Methods:

This study collected, processed, and critically analyzed published studies
related to experimental and clinical research that investigated Moroccan herbal derivatives'
blood pressure-lowering abilities using a number of scientific databases, including ScienceDirect,
Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and others. Plantlist.org was used to validate the right
plant names.

Results:

The results revealed 22 species of Moroccan medicinal plants belonging to 13 different
groups with recognized antihypertensive properties. The species were abundant in a variety of
chemical elements. Asteraceae (08 species), Lamiaceae (3 species), Apiaceae (2 species), and 1
species each from the following families: Parmeliaceae, Fabaceae, Cistaceae, Malvaceae, Polygonaceae,
Brassicaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, Amaranthaceae, Rosaceae, and Lauraceae were
the most frequently mentioned families for their antihypertensive properties. The most used
parts were the leaves and the aerial parts. The two main methods of preparation among Moroccans
were decoction and infusion. This study demonstrated the known antihypertensive and
vasorelaxant properties of Moroccan medicinal plants in vivo and in vitro, as well as their
mechanisms of action. Interestingly, phytochemicals can operate on blood vessels directly via a
vasorelaxant impact involving a range of signaling cascades or indirectly by blocking or activating
multiple systems, such as an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), renin-angiotensin system
(RAS), or diuretic activity.

Conclusion:

The review of the available data reveals that more work needs to be done to examine
all the Moroccan medicinal plants that have been suggested as antihypertensive in published
ethnopharmacological surveys. A review of the literature in this area reveals that methodologies
of the experimental study need to be standardized, and purified molecules need to be studied. In
addition, mechanistic investigations, when they exist, are generally incomplete. In contrast, only
a few advanced clinical investigations have been conducted. However, all studies fail to determine
the efficacy/safety ratio.
An Intelligent Medical Q&A System based on Natural Language Processing
Authors: Tongke Fan
Published: January 2024

Aim:

To improve the accuracy of Chinese word splitting.

Background:

With the development of Internet technology, people want to get some effective medical
information from the Internet, but there are still technical difficulties for non-specialists. At the
same time, the level of medical construction can not keep up with the demand of patients for medical
treatment, the phenomenon of doctor-patient conflicts has not been fundamentally solved, and the
problem of difficult consultation prevails. With the arrival of the era of big data and artificial intelligence,
medical Q&A has been applied.

Objective:

In order to meet the user's need to get the correct answer as soon as possible, medical
Q&A needs to have high execution efficiency. The accuracy of Chinese participle directly affects the
execution efficiency of Q&A. Improving the accuracy of Chinese participle can fundamentally improve
the accuracy of medical Q&A and shorten the answering time.

Methods:

Improvement of the Chinese Segmentation Algorithm based on BI-LSTM-CRF using natural
language processing technology. Based on the same medical Q&A dataset, the medical Q&A is
trained and tested under three commonly used segmentation algorithms and the segmentation algorithm
designed in this paper.

Results:

The experiments show that the Chinese Segmentation Algorithm studied in this paper improves
the accuracy of medical Q&A and can improve the execution efficiency of medical Q&A.

Conclusion:

Based on the calculation and matching process of the same similar answers, different
word-splitting methods directly affect the effect of medical Q&A in the later stage. The better the
effect of segmentation, the higher the accuracy of the correct answers in medical Q&A. The improved
LSTM-CRF split word accuracy designed in this paper achieves a good split word effect in
the training process. Compared with the HMM segmentation algorithm, which has the best segmentation
performance among the other three algorithms, the segmentation accuracy is improved, and
the accuracy of the Q&A that delivers the correct answers is relatively high. Despite the improved
accuracy in segmenting the medical dataset, the time complexity did not decrease much. The LSTMCRF
combined network segmentation algorithm designed in this paper performs better in medical
Q&A compared to other commonly used segmentation algorithms in terms of subject operating characteristics
and larger regions surrounded by coordinate axes.
Recent Patents on Artificial Muscle Actuators
Authors: Xu Chenhao , Xie Baocheng
Published: January 2024

Background:

With the development of automation technology, various actuators are
widely used in fields such as robotics and biomedical equipment. However, traditional mechanical
actuators have some problems, such as poor movement flexibility and insufficient movement flexibility, because of the characteristics of the mechanical structure. As a new driving mode, artificial
muscle actuators can provide enough power and speed while remaining light and flexible, making
them highly adaptable in various applications. As a result, artificial muscle actuators are gaining
increasing attention.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to give an overview of the patents related to artificial muscle actuators and introduce their principles, classifications, latest progress, and future development.

Methods:

This paper reviews the current representative patents related to artificial muscle actuators, such as fluid pressure artificial muscle actuators, thermal deformation artificial muscle actuators, and electrical deformation artificial muscle actuators.

Conclusion:

The optimization of artificial muscle actuators is beneficial to make the output of artificial mechanical devices more stable and more convenient for human-machine combinations.
More related patents will be invented in the future.