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In this study, benzoin oleogum resin (BOGR) loaded antioxidant gelatin/pectin (GEPE) based films were developed and characterized for various parameters including mechanical, barrier, optical, film hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, surface roughness, chemical, thermal, morphological and antioxidant properties. The incorporation of BOGR decreased water solubility, moisture content, tensile strength, and elongation at break. However, water permeability, opacity, thickness, and water hydrophobicity were increased. Moreover, SEM and AFM analysis confirmed that the films loaded with BOGR showed heterogeneous and rougher surfaces in comparison to blank film. The intermolecular interactions between GEPE and BOGR was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the prepared BOGR loaded films was improved. Additionally, antioxidant activities of the film were significantly increased with increase in concentration of BOGR as indicated by ABTS and DPPH assays. Our findings indicate that BOGR loaded composite films could be used as an active material for food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionTo determine the Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional status dyspnea and quality of life among post-COVID-19 patients.The study utilized an experimental study design with a total of 120 participants to examine the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation. The participants were divided into two groups: Group A (experimental group) and Group B (control group). Demographic variables such as age, weight, and height were collected. Health-related quality of life (HRQL), post-COVID-19 functional status, and perceived exertion were assessed before and after the intervention.Group A demonstrated a higher mean age than Group B, indicating a significant age difference between the two groups, with no significant difference observed in weight and height. Following the intervention, Group A exhibited significant improvement in HRQL, post-COVID-19 functional status, and perceived exertion compared to Group B.Pulmonary rehabilitation had positive effects on health-related quality of life, post-COVID-19 functional status, and perceived exertion. The experimental group benefited from improved HRQL, suggesting an overall enhancement in their well-being. The study provides preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation as an intervention for improving outcomes in individuals post-COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing antibiotic resistance complicates H. pylori eradication, posing a public health challenge. Inconclusive research on sociodemographic and clinical factors emphasizes the necessity for further investigations. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the correlation between demographic and clinical factors and the success rates of H. pylori eradication. A group of 162 H. pylori-positive patients were allocated randomly to receive either a ten-day moxifloxacin-based triple therapy or a levofloxacin-based sequential therapy. Eradication success was determined through the stool antigen test. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to figure out potential factors that contribute to H. pylori eradication success. Significantly higher H. pylori eradication rates were observed in the middle age group (COR: 3.671, p = 0.007), among females (p = 0.035), those with BMI ≥ 25 (COR: 2.011, p = 0.045), and non-smokers (COR: 2.718, p = 0.018). In multivariate analysis, age and smoking emerged as significant predictors (p < 0.05). Patients with comorbidities, excluding diabetes and hypertension (COR: 4.432, p = 0.019), dyspepsia (COR: 0.178, p < 0.001), and moxifloxacin triple therapy (COR: 0.194, p = 0.000), exhibited higher chances of eradication (p < 0.05). Further research is vital for tailored approaches to enhance eradication success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the early stages, osteoporosis is relatively a silent disease characterised by low bone density with microarchitectural deterioration of the bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age, body mass index, oral signs, and osteoporosis among postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods: The study included postmenopausal women who were divided into two groups of subjects. The osteoporotic group comprised 30 patients with osteoporosis who were diagnosed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the non-osteoporotic group (control group) comprised 30 subjects with no evidence of osteoporosis. Panoramic radiography was performed, followed by the acquisition of two direct digital intraoral periapical radiographs from the mandibular premolar-molar region.Results: Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) in the mandibular cortical shape index between the two groups. However, a statistically non-significant difference in cortical width, the panoramic mandibular index, mandibular alveolar bone resorption degree, fractal dimension, and mean number of teeth was found between the two groups. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean age between the osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic groups.Conclusion: The mandibular cortical index findings (MCI) on panoramic radiograph are effective indicators of osseous changes in postmenopausal osteoporosis, thereby determining early prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk and reducing its related morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolics of Prunus avium, Cydonia oblonga & Malva neglecta and carotenoids of Taraxacum officinale of the selected indigenous fruits & vegetables of Indian Himalayan region (IHR) have been characterized and analysed for the first time. Phenolics & carotenoids were determined by LCMS/MS using a reverse phase C18 column. In Prunus avium, the phenolics like cyanidins, rutin, epicatechin & catechin were found. In Cydonia oblonga, the caffeoyl quinic acids were abundant. A total of 24 carotenoids were identified in Taraxacum officinale. The most important identified were (all-Z)-ß-cryptoxanthin, antheraxanthin, (all-E & Z)-lutein, (all-E)-zeaxanthin and (all-Z)-violaxanthin. Hydrocarbon carotenoids found were (all-E)-ß-carotene, (9Z)-ß-carotene & (13Z)-ß-carotene. In Malva neglecta, the major phenolics were quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, & gallic acid. This work will contribute to the development of scientific research about the bioaccessibity and bioavailabity of phenolics & carotenoids for better understanding of the phenolics and carotenoids impact on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 24 new 1H-1,2,3-triazole hybrids of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (β-AKBA (1)) and 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (β-KBA (2)) was designed and synthesized by employing "click" chemistry in a highly efficient manner. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between β-AKBA-propargyl ester intermediate 3 or β-KBA-propargyl ester intermediate 4 with substituted aromatic azides 5a–5k in the presence of copper iodide (CuI) and Hünig's base furnished the desired products—1H-1,2,3-triazole hybrids of β-AKBA (6a–6k) and β-KBA (7a–7k)—in high yields. All new synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H-, 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and HR-ESI-MS spectrometry. Furthermore, their α-glucosidase-inhibitory activity was evaluated in vitro. Interestingly, the results obtained from the α-glucosidase-inhibitory assay revealed that all the synthesized derivatives are highly potent inhibitors, with IC50 values ranging from 0.22 to 5.32 µM. Among all the compounds, 6f, 7h, 6j, 6h, 6g, 6c, 6k, 7g, and 7k exhibited exceptional inhibitory potency and were found to be several times more potent than the parent compounds 1 and 2, as well as standard acarbose. Kinetic studies of compounds 6g and 7h exhibited competitive and mixed types of inhibition, with ki values of 0.84 ± 0.007 and 1.18 ± 0.0012 µM, respectively. Molecular docking was carried out to investigate the binding modes of these compounds with α-glucosidase. The molecular docking interactions indicated that that all compounds are well fitted in the active site of α-glucosidase, where His280, Gln279, Asp215, His351, Arg442, and Arg315 mainly stabilize the binding of these compounds. The current study demonstrates the usefulness of incorporating a 1H-1,2,3-triazole moiety into the medicinally fascinating boswellic acids skeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]