Bupleurum turcicum: A Rich Source of Saikosaponin A and D with Potential Use as Adjunct for the Management of Acute Respiratory Diseases: A Meta Review

COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in unprecedented havoc worldwide with significant morbidity and mortality. Till now, no effective antivirals are at disposal prompting researchers to explore potential lead molecules including from bioactive phytochemicals. An extensive literature search was carried out utilizing online resources; Google Scholar and PubMed to collect published reports on pharmacological potential of saikosaponin particularly in underexplored Bupleurum species. A number of molecular docking studies have reported promising antiviral effects of saikosaponins particularly of saikosaponin A, D, U and V with tremendous potential to be developed as anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapy. The search for potential sources of saikosaponin A and D led to the identification of Bupleurum turcicum; an unexplored, underutilized and endemic Bupleurum species. The observation that B. turcicum root extract contains highest amount of SSa and SSd among endemic Bupleurum species found in Turkey (Bupleurum sulphureum, Bupleurum lycaonicum, Bupleurum turcicum, Bupleurum heldreichii, Bupleurum pauciradiatum) and presence of significant amounts of antioxidant compounds led to the proposition of using B. turcicum extracts as adjust therapy in the management of COVID-19. The proposal also relies on the evidence of SSa and SSd being effective against a number of viruses including SARS-CoV. This review discusses phytochemical composition of B. turcicum root, antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potential of saikosaponins in view of its plausible usefulness in the management of COVID-19. B. turcicum is an underutilized species rich in saikosaponin A and D with potential antiviral properties which could be effective alternative therapy in COVID-19 management.

Surveying the Bright Stars by Optical Interferometry. III. A Magnitude-limited Multiplicity Survey of Classical Be Stars

We present the results of a multiplicity survey for a magnitude-limited sample of 31 classical Be stars conducted with the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer and the Mark III Stellar Interferometer. The interferometric observations were used to detect companions in 10 previously known binary systems. For two of these sources (66 Oph and β Cep) new orbital solutions were obtained, while for a third source (υ Sgr) our observations provide the first direct, visual detection of the hot companion to the primary star. Combining our interferometric observations with an extensive literature search, we conclude that an additional four sources (o Cas, 15 Mon, β Lyr, and β Cep) also contain wider binary components that are physical companions to the narrow binaries, thus forming hierarchical multiple systems. Among the sources not previously confirmed as spectroscopic or visual binaries, BK Cam was resolved on a number of nights within a close physical proximity of another star with relative motion possibly suggesting a physical binary. Combining our interferometric observations with an extensive literature search, we provide a detailed listing of companions known around each star in the sample, and discuss the multiplicity frequency in the sample. We also discuss the prospects for future multiplicity studies of classical Be stars by long-baseline optical interferometry.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE CONSERVATION MARKETING FOR RELATIONSHIP MARKETING BETWEEN CONSERVATION ORGANISATIONS AND BUSINESSES

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, marketing for online conservation was increasingly used by conservationists to appeal for funds from businesses and to improve public awareness on the need to reduce the loss of biodiversity. Yet, uncertainty remains in the academic literature about the effectiveness of online conservation marketing. Given that the potential impact of online conservation marketing in the corporate sector is evident (i.e., with a clear reduction in management and maintenance costs, and an increase fund collection), knowledge of online conservation marketing is important for building and maintaining a conservation group -to-business relationship. This study serves as an exploratory inquiry and aims to understand whether Environmental Education Centers (EECs) in Malaysia use electronic platforms for conservation marketing purposes. Based on an extensive literature search on conservation marketing and a search for EEC background information, from 2015 to 2020 many EECs in Malaysia have either used, or are using (i.e., WWF Malaysia) or will soon be using (i.e., Taman Hidupan Liar Gua Musang) online conservation marketing as one of their marketing strategies. The findings hold true even for the EECs with poor Internet connections (i.e., National Elephant Conservation Centre Kuala Gandah). This exploratory study underscores the need for more research in this area, especially with regard to the effectiveness of online conservation marketing among EECs since many of the EECs are situated in locations with poor Internet connectivity. Without an understanding of electronic marketing strategy used by the EECs, the conservationists’ role will likely be limited to that of conservation research, improving the standards of animal welfare and describing the loss of biodiversity.

Non-conventional therapies for analgesia

Purpose: Third molar surgery is a quite common procedure. Some patients experience pain associated with this situation. The aim of this article aims to discuss non-conventional therapies for the management of postoperative pain associated with third molar surgery. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted with the keywords “third molar” + “pain” and all articles that excluded already established drugs as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, or therapies such as laser therapy and ozone therapy whereas non-conventional drugs and therapies were retained. Results: The article rated bromelain, honey, hyaluronic acid, nicotine patches, Kinesio tape, TENS, anticonvulsants, curcumin, and melatonin. Some therapies are efficient and safe, while others have not shown promising results. Conclusions: Bromelain and Kinesio tape are considered the most effective non-conventional therapies for controlling postoperative pain, and even with few studies on them, they are therapies with promising results.

Implementation of the WHO’s collaborative framework for the management of tuberculosis and diabetes: a scoping review

ObjectiveTo map evidence on the implementation of the WHO’s collaborative framework for the management of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) comorbidity, globally.DesignScoping review.MethodsGuided by Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, this review mapped literature on the global implementation of the framework for the management of TB and DM comorbidity, globally. An extensive literature search for peer-reviewed studies, theses, studies in the press and a list of references from the selected studies was conducted to source-eligible studies. PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, the EBSCOhost platform (academic search complete, health source: nursing/academic edition, CINAHL with full text), Scopus and the WHO library were used to source the literature. We performed title screening of articles using keywords in the databases, after which two independent reviewers (RS and PV) screened abstracts and full articles. Studies from August 2011 to May 2021 were included in this review and the screening was guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings were analysed using the thematic content analysis approach and results presented in the form of a narrative report. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension was used as a checklist and for explaining the scoping review process.ResultsThis review found evidence of the WHO TB-DM collaborative framework’s implementation in 35 countries across the globe. TB-DM comorbidity was identified in patients through bidirectional screening of both patients with TB and patients with DM in rural and urban settings.ConclusionDue to the paucity of evidence on mechanisms of collaboration, we recommend further research in other implementing countries to identify techniques used for diagnosis and integration of TB and DM services, in order to ensure that effective and joint management of TB-DM comorbidity in populations is achieved.

COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis (CAM): An Updated Evidence Mapping

Mucormycosis, a serious and rare fungal infection, has recently been reported in COVID-19 patients worldwide. This study aims to map all the emerging evidence on the COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) with a special focus on clinical presentation, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes. An extensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, and WHO COVID-19 database till 9 June 2021. The primary outcome was to summarize the clinical presentation, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes of CAM. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and presented in tabular form. This evidence mapping was based on a total of 167 CAM patients with a mean age of 51 ± 14.62 years, and 56.28% of them were male. Diabetes mellitus (73.65% (n = 123)), hypertension (22.75% (n = 38)), and renal failure (10.77% (n = 18)) were the most common co-morbidities among CAM patients. The most common symptoms observed in CAM patients were facial pain, ptosis, proptosis, visual acuity, and vision loss. Survival was higher in patients who underwent both medical and surgical management (64.96%). Overall mortality among CAM patients was found to be 38.32%. In conclusion, this study found a high incidence of CAM with a high mortality rate. Optimal glycemic control and early identification of mucormycosis should be the priority to reduce the morbidity and mortality related to CAM.

Liver injury in COVID-19: A Direct hit or Collateral damage?

: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and since becoming a worldwide pandemic with far-reaching impacts on global human health and socio-economic activity. Worldwide there are over 2 million Covid-19 related deaths. Recently published case studies have reported that Covid-19 patients develop different degrees of liver dysfunction. Inevitably, in hospitalized Covid-19 patients who develop acute liver derangement, there are a plethora of potential pathogenic causes such as direct-viral, immune-driven, and drug-induced and/or ischaemic liver injury. Patients with advanced chronic liver diseases (e.g. cirrhosis) and/or autoimmune liver disease have a poor immune function and associated poorer outcomes compared to other critically ill cohorts. However, largely any immediate liver derangement tends to be relatively mild, and as such any de novo liver injury may not be a significant feature of Covid-19. There is an immediate necessity, therefore, to better understand the liver-specific pathophysiology of COVID-19. This review focuses on the up-to-date information about Covid-19 and associated indices for liver dysfunction, possible mechanisms, and potential drug targeted therapies in Covid-19 patients with and without liver dysfunction. PubMed database was used to perform an extensive literature search using the keywords liver and SARS-CoV-2, liver and Covid-19, Covid 19 and treatment etc.

Enteric Nervous System in Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Background: The pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is not clear, but increasing information suggests that the risk and severity of NEC may be influenced by abnormalities in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Objective: The purpose of this review was to scope and examine the research related to ENS-associated abnormalities that have either been identified in NEC or have been noted in other inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs) with histopathological abnormalities similar to NEC. The aim was to summarize the research findings, identify research gaps in existing literature, and disseminate them to key knowledge end-users to collaborate and address the same in future studies. Methods: Articles that met the objectives of the study were identified through an extensive literature search in the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. Results : The sources identified through the literature search revealed that: (1) ENS may be involved in NEC development and post-NEC complications, (2) NEC development is associated with changes in the ENS, and (3) NEC-associated changes could be modulated by the ENS. Conclusions: The findings from this review identify the enteric nervous as a target in the development and progression of NEC. Thus, factors that can protect the ENS can potentially prevent, and treat NEC and post-NEC complications. This review serves to summarize the existing literature and highlights a need for further research on the involvement of ENS in NEC.

The state of biodiversity in Kuwait

This report is based on extensive literature search to reveal the elements of animal and plan biodiversity in the State of Kuwait, and points out missing information on other little-known groups. Despite its small area, Kuwait enjoys a rich fauna, given its desert and marine habitats. Hundreds of published scientific papers and reference books were reviewied to amass all species, fauna and flora, that were reported from Kuwait. Conservation status for several groups according to the IUCN listing are included.

Aspergillus niger as a Secondary Metabolite Factory

Aspergillus niger, one of the most common and important fungal species, is ubiquitous in various environments. A. niger isolates possess a large number of cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and produce various biomolecules as secondary metabolites with a broad spectrum of application fields covering agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical industry. By extensive literature search, this review with a comprehensive summary on biological and chemical aspects of A. niger strains including their sources, BGCs, and secondary metabolites as well as biological properties and biosynthetic pathways is presented. Future perspectives on the discovery of more A. niger-derived functional biomolecules are also provided in this review.