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Introduction: In the modern world, owing to rapid urbanisation and changes in lifestyles and dietary habits, obesity has emerged as a leading problem. As a result, various morbid conditions have come into the picture which have severe effects on an individual's life expectancy. Visceral fat plays an important role in causing fatty liver. Aim: To determine the relationship between visceral fat area and liver fat using Computed Tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analytical study was conducted at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital, and Research Centre Pune, Maharashtra, India. The CT scans of 134 patients who underwent CT scans of the abdomen pelvis and CT KUB/CT IVU between January 2022 and June 2022 were assessed by two experienced body imaging medical doctors. Subjects aged between 18 and 75 years were included without any co-morbidities like diabetes or hypertension. Waist circumference, subcutaneous fat area, and visceral fat area were calculated at the umbilical level. The CT attenuation value was measured in the right hepatic lobe, devoid of focal lesions and vessels, using a standard ROI of approximately 200 mm2. Similarly, as an internal control, splenic attenuation was also recorded. Statistical tests were employed to determine the significance of the obtained values, including Spearman's coefficient and Cohen's criteria. Results: The CT attenuation of the liver (fatty liver) showed a moderate correlation with visceral fat (Spearman's coefficient: 0.329). The association was statistically significant (p-value=0.0001). The CT attenuation of the liver (fatty liver) showed a weak correlation with subcutaneous fat (Spearman's coefficient: -0.269). The association was statistically significant (p-value=0.0016). The CT attenuation of the liver (fatty liver) demonstrated a weak-moderate correlation with waist circumference (Spearman's coefficient: -0.305). The association was statistically significant (p-value=0.0003). Conclusion: Visceral fat area has a stronger correlation with fatty liver than waist circumference and subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat should be considered a risk factor in the development of fatty liver, which may further lead to metabolic syndrome, in order to reduce mortality and morbidity related to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disorder which mainly affects older people and effects of quality of life. In this condition, brain cells get degenerated leading to dementia characterized by memory and learning impairment with significant decline in thinking process. It is estimated that around 107 million people will be affected with this disease by the year 2050 worldwide. The current treatment options for this disease are able to provide modest symptomatic relief and most of the drugs act by reducing symptoms by counter balancing neurotransmitter disturbance. The medicinal mushrooms are known to have a number of beneficial effects and are used as a part of traditional medicine system for many years. Medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris contains a number of bioactive compounds which has tremendous health effects. Cordycepin is the major component of these mushrooms which is well known for its anticancer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. This compound helps in the improvement of antioxidant enzymes level and demonstrated anti neuroinflammatory effects in various studies. Due to the protective role of Cordyceps militaris, this mushroom could help in the development of novel treatment strategies against Alzheimer disease. These review insights the pathogenesis mechanisms, current therapy and protective role of Cordyceps militaris against Alzheimer disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the fastest-growing fields in various industries, including engineering, architecture, medical and clinical research, aerospace, and others. AI, which is a combination of machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and human intelligence (HI), is revolutionizing drug discovery and development by making it more cost-effective and efficient. It is also being used in fields such as medicinal chemistry, molecular and cell biology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, formulation development, and toxicology. AI plays a crucial role in clinical testing by enhancing patient stratification, patient sample evaluation, and trial design, assisting in the identification of biomarkers, determining efficacy criteria, dose selection, trial length, and target patient population selection. The primary objective of this study is to emphasize the importance of AI in clinical trials and drug development, while also exploring the existing challenges and potential advancements in AI within the healthcare industry. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, covering the period from 1998 to 2023. The Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant information. A variety of publications, including Research Gate, Nature, MDPI, and Springer Link, provided pertinent data. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the use of AI in clinical research and drug development, as well as its potential and limitations. We also discuss the benefits and main data limitations of the traditional trial and drug development approach. AI approaches are currently being used to overcome research obstacles and eliminate conceptual or methodological limitations. After discussing possible obstacles and coping mechanisms, we provide several recommendations to help individuals understand the challenges and difficulties associated with clinical research and drug development. It is essential for pharmaceutical companies to have a cutting-edge AI strategy if AI is to become a routine tool for clinical research and drug development., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)