Metabolic profiling of Verbena bonariensis L. extract by LC/MS and evaluation of the hepatoprotective potential with isoniazid- and rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The study explored the hepatoprotective activity and metabolic profile of Verbena bonariensis L. methanol extract (VBM) and fractions using isoniazid as well as rifampicin-triggered liver toxicity in Wistar albino rats. Metabolite profiling of VBM using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS identified 12 compounds, mainly iridoids, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids, where verbascoside represents the major compound. Different biochemical parameters such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, and total protein levels were used to assess liver functions. All the evaluated samples exhibited hepatoprotective potential, but VBM exhibited maximum activity and a notable decline in ALP (p < 0.05, significant), even better than the standard drug (silymarin). VBM significantly reduced the elevated ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin. It also triggered a significant elevation in total proteins compared with diseased animals. This was further consolidated by histopathological studies. Verbena bonariensis L. could serve as a potent hepatoprotective agent and may alleviate liver ailments.

Characterization and gastroprotective effects of Rosa brunonii Lindl. fruit on gastric mucosal injury in experimental rats - A preliminary study.

Gastric ulcer is the most prevalent disorder affecting a large population. Rosa brunonii Lindl. fruit (RBF) has traditionally been used to treat stomach pains. Therefore, the current work aimed to isolate, characterize, and investigate the gastro-protective effect of Rosa brunonii Lindl. fruit chloroform extract (RBFCE) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Quercetin 3-O-glucoside (QUE-G) was isolated and characterized by modern spectroscopic techniques. RBFCE was orally administered at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 750 mg/kg doses for ten days. Gastric ulcer was induced by a single dose of absolute ethanol (5 ml/kg) on the last day of the study. Histological changes were calculated, along with ulcer inhibition and the ulcer index (UI). Gastric juice volume, pH, acidity, mucus content, and protein content were evaluated to understand the mechanism underlying its gastroprotective effect. Omeprazole (OMP) was used as the positive control. RBFCE at a dose of 750 mg/kg significantly (p<0.01) reduced the UI (3.54) and increased the protection rate (67.63%) compared to the negative (ulcer) control group. Treatment with RBFCE in a dose-dependent manner increased the gastric pH, mucus content, and total protein while decreasing gastric juice volume and total acidity. Histopathological studies showed severe gastric mucosal injury and edema in ulcer control animals compared to extract-treated groups. This study demonstrated that oral administration of RBFCE possesses a significant gastroprotective effect due to its anti-secretory and cytoprotective mechanisms. Our findings support the traditional use of RBF to treat the gastric ulcer.

Deepfakes Generation and Detection: A Short Survey.

Advancements in deep learning techniques and the availability of free, large databases have made it possible, even for non-technical people, to either manipulate or generate realistic facial samples for both benign and malicious purposes. DeepFakes refer to face multimedia content, which has been digitally altered or synthetically created using deep neural networks. The paper first outlines the readily available face editing apps and the vulnerability (or performance degradation) of face recognition systems under various face manipulations. Next, this survey presents an overview of the techniques and works that have been carried out in recent years for deepfake and face manipulations. Especially, four kinds of deepfake or face manipulations are reviewed, i.e., identity swap, face reenactment, attribute manipulation, and entire face synthesis. For each category, deepfake or face manipulation generation methods as well as those manipulation detection methods are detailed. Despite significant progress based on traditional and advanced computer vision, artificial intelligence, and physics, there is still a huge arms race surging up between attackers/offenders/adversaries (i.e., DeepFake generation methods) and defenders (i.e., DeepFake detection methods). Thus, open challenges and potential research directions are also discussed. This paper is expected to aid the readers in comprehending deepfake generation and detection mechanisms, together with open issues and future directions.

Rosa brunonii Lindely fruit as a new protective agent evaluated against Rif/INH induced toxicity in rats.

Rosa brunonii L., a less investigated plant contains flavonoid glycosides and is used to treat stomach ailments, heart problems, and diabetes in folk. The crude extract of the plant possesses antioxidant activity. The current work was aimed to investigate the presence of phytochemicals, antioxidative stress and protective potential of chloroform extract of the Rosa brunonii L. fruits (RBFCE) against liver and kidney toxicity induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs, rifampicin/isoniazid (Rif/INH) in Wistar albino rats. Animals were divided into six groups, each comprising 6 rats and fed with a standard pelleted diet. Normal control group was given only a standard pelleted diet. The vehicle control group received 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) aqueous solution (vehicle). Negative and positive control groups were given Rif/INH (50+50 mg/kg, p.o) and silymarin (SILM) (200 mg/kg, p.o) in 0.5% vehicle for 30 days, respectively. Extract treated groups received low and high doses of RBFCE (500 mg/kg, p.o and 1000 mg/kg, p.o respectively) in 0.5% vehicle for 30 days. At a higher dose, animals showed significantly reduced Rif/INH induced toxicity in liver and kidney tissues as indicated by the normalized serum biochemical markers and histopathological investigations. The present exploration reveals the presence of strong antioxidant phytochemical constituents, antioxidative stress and protective potential of RBFCE against Rif/INH induced hepatic and renal damage.

Quality of Life Framework for Personalised Ageing: A Systematic Review of ICT Solutions.

Given the growing number of older people, society as a whole should ideally provide a higher quality of life (QoL) for its ageing citizens through the concept of personalised ageing. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are subject to constant and rapid development, and can contribute to the goal of an improved QoL for older adults. In order to utilise future ICT solutions as a part of an age-friendly smart environment that helps achieve personalised ageing with an increased QoL, one must first determine whether the existing ICT solutions are satisfying the needs of older people. In order to accomplish that, this study contributes in three ways. First, it proposes a framework for the QoL of older adults, in order to provide a systematic review of the state-of-the-art literature and patents in this field. The second contribution is the finding that selected ICT solutions covered by articles and patents are intended for older adults and are validated by them. The third contribution of the study are the six recommendations that are derived from the review of the literature and the patents which would help move the agenda concerning the QoL of older people and personalised ageing with the use of ICT solutions forward.

Comparison of accuracy of diagnostic modalities for evaluation of breast cancer with review of literature.

This study was conducted to confirm which of these modalities [mammography (MG), fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), core-needle biopsy (CNB), or intraoperative touch imprint cytology (IOTIC)] is useful to detect breast cancer and to compare the accuracy of these modalities for the diagnostic setting. One hundred seventy-five, 85, 78, and 25 patients were selected who underwent FNAC, MG, IOTIC, and CNB, respectively. Histopathology was used as a gold standard for comparison of the results of all diagnostic modalities. Twenty-five patients with combinations of three preoperative tests (MG, FNAC, CNB) showed 100% accurate results when compared with histopathology, while the overall accuracy for MG, FNAC, and CNB was 91.7%, 91.5%, and 96%, respectively. Both touch and scrape imprints' sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were 100% for class V and class II smears, while sensitivity, accuracy, and NPV were 87, 95, and 83% for IOTIC and 94%, 96%, and 89% for IOSC for class III and IV smears. On comparison of the results of all these procedures, the difference was nonspecific (P = 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.55, and 0.6 for MG, FNAC, IOTI, IOSC, and CNB, respectively). Combinations of preoperative tests (MG, FNAC, CNB) were more accurate, reliable, and acceptable when compared with individual diagnostic procedure, but these have their own technical limitations. The accuracy of CNB was much higher than that of MG and FNAC. IOTP and IOSC are simple and cost effective diagnostic tests with better accuracy that can be used as an alternate to frozen section in diagnostic settings and margin assessments.