An Overview of the Potential of Food-Based Carbon Dots for Biomedical Applications

Food-based carbon dots (CDs) hold significant importance across various fields, ranging from biomedical applications to environmental and food industries. These CDs offer unique advantages over traditional carbon nanomaterials, including affordability, biodegradability, ease of operation, and multiple bioactivities. This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in food-based CDs, focusing on their characteristics, properties, therapeutic applications in biomedicine, and safety assessment methods. The review highlights the potential of food-based CDs in biomedical applications, including antibacterial, antifungal, antivirus, anticancer, and anti-immune hyperactivity. Furthermore, current strategies employed for evaluating the safety of food-based CDs have also been reported. In conclusion, this review offers valuable insights into their potential across diverse sectors and underscores the significance of safety assessment measures to facilitate their continued advancement and application.

A comprehensive review on ayurvedic herb Leptadenia reticulata (Jeevanti): a phytochemistry and pharmacological perspective

Leptadenia reticulata is a vital Ayurvedic medicinal herb, commonly known as Jivanti or Jiv, and contains revitalising, rejuvenating, and lactogenic activities. It has been used in traditional medicine for treating respiratory disorders, wounds, inflammation, cough, dehydration, tuberculosis, colitis, chickenpox, dysentery, eye diseases, night blindness, fever, and snake bites. It is a perennial herb of Indian origin belonging to the Asclepiadaceae family and has been utilised for its therapeutic properties since ancient times. It is a key ingredient in several marketed herbal drugs, including chyawanprash, speman, and leptaden. Several potent compounds, including β-sitosterol, γ-sitosterol, phytol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, apigenin, reticulin, deniculatin, leptaculatin, diosmetin, and rutin are present in this herb and attributed various pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-abortifacient, anticancer, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiulcer properties. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the distribution, ethnobotanical use, botanical description, phytocompounds, and pharmacological activities of Leptadenia reticulata.

Molecular docking studies, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antidiabetic, and anti-acute myeloid leukemia potentials of narcissoside

In this research, we explored their capacity for Narcissoside antioxidant and anticholinergic, antidiabetic, and anti-acute myeloid leukaemia. Narcissoside's antioxidant activities were elucidated by the use of various bioanalytical assays. Narcissoside's radical scavenging activities were evaluated by DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ scavenging activities. On the other hand, IC₅₀ values were calculated for DPPH^•, and ABTS^•+ scavenging, acetylcholinesterase, and α-glucosidase inhibition effects of narcissoside. IC₅₀ values narcissoside, as 11.54 nM for AChE and 65.58 nM for α-glucosidase were calculated with % Activity-[Inhibitory] graphs. Then, ADME/T analysis of narcissoside molecule was performed to calculate the drug becoming parameters.

Evaluation of the biological activities of β-glucan isolated from Lentinula edodes

Lentinula edodes (shiitake) is an edible mushroom that contains many constituents and β-glucan is considered a major polysaccharide. This study, therefore, aimed to characterize β-glucan and evaluate its activities. Fresh fruit bodies of L. edodes were used for β-glucan extraction and followed by analyses via Fourier transform infrared, Nuclear magnetic resonance, and High Performance Liquid Chromatography confirming its characteristic structure. For evaluating biological activities of β-glucan, different concentrations (0.1-3.5 mg ml^-1 ) were assessed. The optimal dose was 3.5 mg ml^-1 that showed the highest scavenging radical ability (75.3%) confirms antioxidant activity, strong inhibition of the peroxyl radical (80.9%) to inhibit lipid peroxidation, elevation the inhibition percentage of both α-amylase (73.4%) and α-glucosidase (70.3%) indicates the antidiabetic properties, and highest AFB1 reduction (88%) which ensured the aflatoxin-detoxifying ability. In addition, antifungal activity of β-glucan was evaluated to inhibit sporulation process in Aspergillus niger and recorded with minimum inhibitory concentration of 2.5 mg ml^-1 and minimum fungicidal concentration of 3 mg ml^-1 . In a dose-dependent manner, higher concentration of β-glucan affects viability of tumor cells concomitant induces potent anti-cancer immune responses and inhibited the activity of topoisomerase I which are considered an important target for cancer chemotherapy. Therefore, L. edodes-β-glucan has the potential to act as a suggestive agent for antioxidant, antidiabetic, antifungal activity, and aflatoxin detoxification.

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus: An Underused Species with Multiple Potential Uses

Natural products, particularly those extracted from plants, have been used as therapy for different diseases for thousands of years. The first written records on the plants used in natural medicine, referred to as “medicinal plants”, go back to about 2600 BC. A thorough and complete understanding of medicinal plants encompasses a multiplex of overlapping and integrated sciences such as botany, pharmacognosy, chemistry, enzymology and genetics. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, a member of Fabaceae family also called winged bean, is a perennial herbaceous plant characterized by its tuberous roots and its winged pod twinning and a perennial legume rich in proteins, oils, vitamins and carbohydrates. Besides nutrients, winged bean also contains bioactive compounds that have therapeutic activities like anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antibacterial, antifungal, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, a few of which already been reported. This plant can also be used as a medicinal plant for future benefits. With this concept in mind, the present review is designed to shed the light on the interests in the various phytochemicals and pharmacological pharmacognostical aspects of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus.

Biological, nutritional, and therapeutic significance of Moringa oleifera Lam

The genus Moringa Adans. comprises 13 species, of which Moringa oleifera Lam. native to India and cultivated across the world owing to its drought and frost resistance habit is widely used in traditional phytomedicine and as rich source of essential nutrients. Wide spectrum of phytochemical ingredients among leaf, flower, fruit, seed, seed oil, bark, and root depend on cultivar, season, and locality. The scientific studies provide insights on the use of M. oleifera with different aqueous, hydroalcoholic, alcoholic, and other organic solvent preparations of different parts for therapeutic activities, that is, antibiocidal, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, neuro-protective, tissue-protective, and other biological activities with a high degree of safety. A wide variety of alkaloid and sterol, polyphenols and phenolic acids, fatty acids, flavanoids and flavanol glycosides, glucosinolate and isothiocyanate, terpene, anthocyanins etc. are believed to be responsible for the pragmatic effects. Seeds are used with a view of low-cost biosorbent and coagulant agent for the removal of metals and microbial contamination from waste water. Thus, the present review explores the use of M. oleifera across disciplines for its prominent bioactive ingredients, nutraceutical, therapeutic uses and deals with agricultural, veterinarian, biosorbent, coagulation, biodiesel, and other industrial properties of this "Miracle Tree."

Exploring consumer functioning in High Dependency Units and Psychiatric Intensive Care Units: Implications for mental health occupational therapy

BACKGROUND/AIM

Consumers admitted to High Dependency Units (HDUs) or Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) experience very significant functional difficulties. These can make it challenging to deliver targeted occupational therapy interventions. This study was established to analyse previously collected data to better understand consumer functioning in HDUs and PICUs.

METHOD

The Hyperacute Screening Tool (HST) includes descriptors of increasing functional skills in three domains of functioning (task performance, social performance and task initiation). Data were extracted from 360 HSTs from 70 individuals admitted to a male HDU and a PICU in a mental health facility in metropolitan Sydney and analysed using the Rasch analysis program Facets.

RESULTS

The hierarchy of category descriptors in each domain of the HST was correctly ordered, suggesting that the pattern of regaining functional abilities in the HST is accurate. Results suggested that there may be some conceptual overlap between adjacent categories and that the pattern of regaining functional abilities as described in the HST may not be applicable to a minority of individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first description of functional abilities of consumers admitted to an HDU and PICU. Results were used to develop an initial conceptualisation of 'stages' of regaining functional abilities and a set of initial guidelines to support targeted occupational therapy interventions. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the functional abilities of individuals admitted to HDUs and PICUs and will support the development of optimal occupational therapy interventions in these settings.

The relationship between apathy and participation in therapeutic activities in nursing home residents with dementia: Evidence for an association and directions for further research

Apathy is one of the most frequent and early symptoms of dementia. Because apathy is characterised by lack of initiative and motivation, it leads to considerable burden being placed on carers to ensure that the person living with dementia has a reasonable quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between apathy and participation in therapeutic activities for older people with dementia living in nursing homes. Ninety residents were recruited into the study, and apathy was measured by nursing home staff using the Apathy Evaluation Scale Clinician version. Staff also compiled data on each resident's involvement in therapeutic activities. Among this sample, the mean age was 84.8 years, and mean length of stay in the nursing home was 1.8 years. The mean apathy score was 50.4, indicating that on average the residents had a moderate level of apathy. Overall, residents participated in six activities per week and those residents who were involved in the most activities had the lowest levels of apathy. This paper provides evidence that residents involved in therapeutic activities have lower levels of apathy. Further research should be conducted on the direction of causality, whether apathy levels can be changed through participation in therapeutic activities, the relationship between dementia severity and modifiability of apathy, and the intensity of therapeutic activities required to maintain functioning.

Comparing responses to horticultural-based and traditional activities in dementia care programs

Engaging persons with dementia in meaningful activities supports well-being; however, care staff are challenged to implement age- and ability-appropriate activities in a group setting. We compared a randomly assigned treatment group, who received horticultural therapy-based (HT-based) programming to a comparison group, who engaged in traditional activities (TA) programming, on engagement and affect. Horticultural therapy-based programming was implemented twice weekly at 4 treatment sites for 6 weeks, while regular TA were observed at comparison sites. Results revealed no differences between groups on affective domains. Levels of adaptive behavior differed between the groups, with the treatment group demonstrating higher levels of active, passive, and other engagement and the comparison group demonstrating higher levels of self-engagement. Our results highlight the value of HT-based programs and the importance of simultaneously capturing participants' affective and behavioral responses. Theoretical and practical considerations about the facilitation of and context in which the programming occurs are discussed.

Keeping the beat: use of rhythmic music during exercise activities for the elderly with dementia

Involving people with dementia in group exercise activities often presents a challenge. The effects of a recorded instrumental musical accompaniment was evaluated on participation in a series of 14 exercise activities with a group of nursing home residents with dementia. All exercise sessions, specifically designed by physical therapists for older adults, were lead by an activity aide and consisted of a series of seated exercises. Direct observations of resident behavior were conducted over a 25-week period in a reversal experimental design. Results showed increased levels of participation during the experimental condition observations where rhythmic music accompanied the exercise activities. The music intervention was most successful on those generally most willing to participate in social activities.