Gallic acid protects against the COPD-linked lung inflammation and emphysema in mice

Inflammation Research - Gallic acid (GA) a naturally occurring phenolic compound, known to possess antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present work was to investigate the...     

Clinical and microbiologic effects of commercially available dentifrice containing aloe vera: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Certain plants used in folk medicine serve as a source of therapeutic agents that have antimicrobial and other multipotential effects. This prospective, randomized, placebo, and positively controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the clinical and microbiologic effects of a commercially available dentifrice containing aloe vera on the reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis. Methods: Ninety patients diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into three groups: group 1, placebo toothpaste; group 2, toothpaste containing aloe vera; and group 3, toothpaste with polymer and fluoride containing triclosan. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using a gingival index, plaque was assessed using a modification of the Quigley‐Hein index, and microbiologic counts were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. A subjective evaluation was also undertaken by questionnaire. Results: Toothpaste containing aloe vera showed significant improvement in gingival and plaque index scores as well as microbiologic counts compared with placebo dentifrice. These improvements were comparable to those achieved with toothpaste containing triclosan. Conclusion: Toothpaste containing aloe vera may be a useful herbal formulation for chemical plaque control agents and improvement in plaque and gingival status.     

Barriers and Facilitators of Addiction Treatment: a Qualitative Study

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Addictive disorders affect a considerable proportion of the population worldwide and in India. Treatment-related barriers and facilitators...     

Precision medicine in chronic disease management: The multiple sclerosis BioScreen

We present a precision medicine application developed for multiple sclerosis (MS): the MS BioScreen. This new tool addresses the challenges of dynamic management of a complex chronic disease; the interaction of clinicians and patients with such a tool illustrates the extent to which translational digital medicine—that is, the application of information technology to medicine—has the potential to radically transform medical practice. We introduce 3 key evolutionary phases in displaying data to health care providers, patients, and researchers: visualization (accessing data), contextualization (understanding the data), and actionable interpretation (real‐time use of the data to assist decision making). Together, these form the stepping stones that are expected to accelerate standardization of data across platforms, promote evidence‐based medicine, support shared decision making, and ultimately lead to improved outcomes. Ann Neurol 2014;76:633–642     

An efficient and environmentally sustainable domino protocol for the synthesis of structurally diverse spiroannulated pyrimidophenazines using erbium doped TiO2 nanoparticles as a recyclable and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst

An efficient and environmentally sustainable domino protocol has been presented for the synthesis of structurally diverse spiroannulated pyrimidophenazines involving a four component reaction of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione, benzene-1,2-diamine, cyclic ketones and amino derivatives in the presence of erbium doped TiO₂ nanoparticles as a recyclable and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst. The present synthetic protocol features mild reaction conditions with operational simplicity, excellent yield with high purity, short reaction time and high atom economy with the use of a recoverable and reusable environmentally sustainable heterogeneous catalyst.

An efficient and environmentally sustainable domino protocol has been presented for the synthesis of structurally diverse spiroannulated pyrimidophenazines using erbium doped TiO₂ nanoparticles as a recyclable and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst.     

Completely Linear Stapled Versus Handsewn Cervical Esophagogastric Anastomosis After Esophagectomy

Very limited data is present which compares completely linear stapled to handsewn cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. Primary objective was to determine whether linearly stapled (LS) anastomosis has lower clinically apparent leaks, when compared to handsewn anastomosis (HS). Secondary objectives were morbidity, mortality, overall leak and stricture rates, and presence of a symptomatic cervical stricture. This is a comparative study of 77 patients who underwent LS (n?=?29) and HS (n?=?48) cervical anastomosis. Anastomotic leak was found to be 19.4% (15/77). In the HS group, 27.08% (13/48) and in the LS group, 6.89% (2/29), respectively, leaked (p?=?0.03), relative risk (RR)—3.93 (95% CI 1.21–15.25). 32.5% (23/77) patients remained admitted for more than 14 days. 52.1% (25/48) patients in the HS group were discharged within 14 days of surgery; whereas; 93.1% (27/29) were discharged in LS group (p?=?0.001), RR—6.95 (95% CI 2.13–25.94). Overall, 90-day mortality was 7.8% (6/77). In the HS group, 8.3% (4/48) patients died while in the LS group, 6.8% (2/29) patients died (p?=?0.82), RR—1.21(95% CI 0.27–5.53). In the HS group, 6.25% (3/48) patients were diagnosed with stricture compared to 6.8% (2/29) patients in the LS group (p?=?0.9), RR—0.91 (95% CI 0.19–4.44). Overall stricture rate was 6.4% (5/77). Cervical anastomosis done with linear staplers has less leak rates compared to handsewn anastomosis.