Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel Film.

A new fusidic acid-loaded hydrogel film was prepared via the solvent casting technique using alginate and Aloe vera. The hydrogel films were optimized using different ratios of sodium alginate, Aloe vera, and glycerin. The films containing 10% glycerin (w/w of alginate) exhibited the best appearance.

Synthesis of Black Seed Oil-loaded-, Alginate-based, pH-sensitive Beads Using Electrospraying Technique.

Black seed oil (BSO), derived from the seeds of the Nigella sativa plant, has garnered attention for its potential anti-cancer properties, particularly in the context of colon cancer. Its active compound, thymoquinone, may help inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Additionally, black seed oil's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects could contribute to a healthier gut environment, potentially reducing cancer risk.

Pilot scale manufacturing of black seed oil-loaded alginate beads; process development, and stability of thymoquinone.

The approach of ionic gelation was employed at the pilot scale of the 50 kg batch size to manufacture black seed oil (BSO)-loaded alginate (ALG) beads as a natural source supplementing the main bioactive compound of BSO, i.e., thymoquinone (TQ).

Using biothesiometer, Neuropathy Symptom Score, and Neuropathy Disability Score for the early detection of peripheral neuropathy: A cross-sectional study.

Patients with peripheral neuropathy could have damaged peripheral nerves, which leads to sensory and motor dysfunction. Diabetes, infections, and trauma are the major causes of peripheral neuropathy. Vibratory perception threshold (VPT) tools are commonly used to detect peripheral neuropathy.

Current strategies to address data scarcity in artificial intelligence-based drug discovery: A comprehensive review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a vital role in computer-aided drug design (CADD). This development has been further accelerated with the increasing use of machine learning (ML), mainly deep learning (DL), and computing hardware and software advancements. As a result, initial doubts about the application of AI in drug discovery have been dispelled, leading to significant benefits in medicinal chemistry.

HIV Stigma, Sexual Identity Stigma and Online Coping Strategy of Gay, Bisexual and Queer People Living with HIV: A Moderated Mediation Study.

Introduction: Living with HIV/AIDS is more difficult for gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) people as they face stigma on both the disease and sexuality, which puts significant stress on coping with stressors, and online platforms have become an alternative coping channel.

Methods: This study investigated the use of online coping strategies in moderating the HIV stigma mediated by sexual identity stigma on mental health in Malaysia. 123 GBQ people living with HIV between the ages of 20 and 39 participated in the study, responding to the HIV Stigma - Short Form Scale, adapted China MSM Stigma Scale, Online Coping Inventory, and DASS-21.

Scanning electron microscopic investigation on Chicory tribe (Compositae) botanical sources and their antimicrobial potential.

This study discusses the micro-level structural details of Cichorieae pollen sources elucidated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and explains their symmetry and morphometry. The in-depth knowledge from the electron ultrastructure of Asteraceae pollen has provided insights into enhanced pollen morphology, and the antimicrobial significance of species under study presents novel avenues for their natural defense mechanisms in the development of antimicrobial agents. In this research, both quantitative and qualitative features of pollen were examined.

Combined Effect of Dietary Acid Load and Cardiometabolic Syndrome on Bone Resorption Marker among Post-Menopausal Women in Malaysia.

Background: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with bone resorption status and determine the independent and interactive effects of dietary acid load (DAL) and cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) on bone resorption in post-menopausal women.

Methods: Overall, 211 community-dwelling post-menopausal women were recruited from the National Council of Senior Citizens Organization, Malaysia. DAL was estimated using the potential renal acid load from the food frequency questionnaire.

Assessment of burnout, resilience, and thriving among academic health professionals: findings from an international study.

Introduction: Burnout, resilience, and thriving significantly impact academics, particularly in health professions, where responsibilities are extensive. This study aimed to explore these constructs among academic health professionals, examining sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among academic health professionals via web-based professional networks from August 2022 to February 2023.

Genetic Susceptibility Variants of Vascular Dementia among Asians: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Vascular dementia (VaD), a neurocognitive impairment directly related to vascular injury, is the second most common cause of age-related dementia. Although numerous studies have investigated candidate genetic polymorphisms associated with VaD in Asia, the genetics of VaD remains unclear.

Methods: This review provides an updated meta-analysis of genetic polymorphisms associated with VaD in Asians, using the PRISMA guidelines.

Assessment of the botanical origin of Saudi Arabian honey samples to identify pollen with chromatographic tools and packing and storage.

The increasing demand for honey purification and authentication necessitates the global utilization of advanced processing tools. Common honey processing techniques, such as chromatography, are commonly used to assess the quality and quantity of valuable honey. In this study, 15 honey samples were authenticated using HPLC and GC-MS chromatographic methods to analyze their pollen spectrum.

Alginate-Based Encapsulation Fabrication Technique for Drug Delivery: An Updated Review of Particle Type, Formulation Technique, Pharmaceutical Ingredient, and Targeted Delivery System.

Alginate is a natural biopolymer widely studied for pharmaceutical applications due to its biocompatibility, low toxicity, and mild gelation abilities. This review summarizes recent advances in alginate-based encapsulation systems for targeted drug delivery. Alginate formulations like microparticles, nanoparticles, microgels, and composites fabricated by methods including ionic gelation, emulsification, spray drying, and freeze drying enable tailored drug loading, enhanced stability, and sustained release kinetics.

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with gastric cancer.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with gastric cancer (GC), published in late 2022 and the updated ESMO Gastric Cancer Living Guideline published in July 2023, were adapted in August 2023, according to previously established standard methodology, to produce the Pan-Asian adapted (PAGA) ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of Asian patients with GC. The adapted guidelines presented in this manuscript represent the consensus opinions reached by a panel of Asian experts in the treatment of patients with GC representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), Indonesia (ISHMO), India (ISMPO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO), coordinated by ESMO and the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO). The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of the current treatment practices, drug access restrictions and reimbursement decisions in the different Asian regions represented by the 10 oncological societies.

A dataset of microstructure features of electro-hydrodynamic assisted 5-fluorouracil-grafted alginate microbeads and physicochemical properties for effective colon targeted carriers drug delivery.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the primary drug used in chemotherapy for colorectal carcinoma, and localizing the drug would be effective in avoiding its side effects and improving therapeutic outcomes. One approach to achieve this is by encapsulating the drug in microbeads. Alginate microbeads, in particular, exhibit promising pH-sensitive properties, making them an attractive option for colon targeting.

Generative artificial intelligence in drug discovery: basic framework, recent advances, challenges, and opportunities.

There are two main ways to discover or design small drug molecules. The first involves fine-tuning existing molecules or commercially successful drugs through quantitative structure-activity relationships and virtual screening. The second approach involves generating new molecules through drug design or inverse quantitative structure-activity relationship.

Larvicidal and anti-termite activities of microbial biosurfactant produced by Enterobacter cloacae SJ2 isolated from marine sponge Clathria sp.

The widespread use of synthetic pesticides has resulted in a number of issues, including a rise in insecticide-resistant organisms, environmental degradation, and a hazard to human health. As a result, new microbial derived insecticides that are safe for human health and the environment are urgently needed. In this study, rhamnolipid biosurfactants produced from Enterobacter cloacae SJ2 was used to evaluate the toxicity towards mosquito larvae (Culex quinquefasciatus) and termites (Odontotermes obesus).

Modulating Effects of Zingiberaceae Phenolic Compounds on Neurotrophic Factors and Their Potential as Neuroprotectants in Brain Disorders and Age-Associated Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Review.

The Zingiberaceae family possess various phenolic compounds that have significant systemic bioactivities in the brain, including in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Neurotrophins are growth factors that protect neurons from oxidative stress, and dysregulation of the neurotrophic system may result in neurocognitive disease. Phenolic compounds from the Zingiberaceae family have been used in traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) to improve cognitive functions.

Relationship of sleep quality, chronotype, and obstructive sleep apnea with migraine in the elderly population.

Purpose: Disturbances of sleep have frequently been reported in individuals with migraine. On top of this, an elderly patient with migraine also suffers from sleep disturbances due to changes in physiologic and mental health associated with aging. This study aimed to compare several sleep factors, namely sleep quality, chronotype, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk, between elderly people with and without migraine.