Objective: Memory loss is universal and is the first symptom to manifest in majority of the patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This study is designed to investigate the effect of Ferula asafoetida linn. (F. foetida) extract on learning and memory in rats. Materials and Methods: Learning and memory were evaluated using elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm after the oral administration of two doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) of F. foetida aqueous extract with rivastigmine as positive control. Brain cholinesterase activity, serum thiols and cholesterol were also estimated. Results: Extract produced significant improvement in memory score i.e. step through latency at 400 mg/kg dose in passive avoidance model (P< 0.05) and dose-dependent improvement of transfer latency in elevated plus maze model (P< 0.001). Dose-dependent inhibition of brain cholinesterase (P< 0.001) and significant improvement in antioxidant levels (P< 0.05) were also noted. Conclusions: Memory enhancing potential of F. foetida can be attributed to acetylcholinesterase inhibiting and antioxidant properties. Hence, dietary usage of F. foetida is beneficial and can also be employed as an adjuvant to existing anti-dementia therapies.

Background: Smoking, which is an important risk factor for periodontitis, induces oxidative stress in the body and causes an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). In the present study, the influence of smoking on the periodontium was determined by estimating the levels of SOD in light and heavy smokers with periodontitis.Methods: Seventy subjects in the age range of 20 to 55 years, including 60 smokers and 10 non‐smokers (controls), were selected. Clinical parameters recorded were plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and attachment loss (AL). Smokers were divided into light smokers (<10 cigarettes/day) and heavy smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day) and into three subgroups: healthy, mild periodontitis, and moderate periodontitis. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva samples were collected. SOD levels were analyzed using spectrophotometric assay.Results: The mean levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of smokers were decreased compared to controls. Intra‐ and intergroup analyses showed a significant reduction in the levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of heavy smokers compared to light smokers and the control group.Conclusions: There was a progressive reduction in SOD levels from healthy non‐smokers to light smokers to heavy smokers. These findings highlight the need to augment the efforts of smoking‐cessation programs. The benefits of reduced smoking and improved antioxidant levels may motivate smoking cessation.

Background: The focus in caries management has shifted to early detection of caries lesions and targeted noninvasive management of incipient lesions using novel remineralizing agents. Aim: This study aimed to compare and evaluate the remineralization potential of commercially available agents containing nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF), and Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) on artificially induced white spot lesions in primary teeth. Settings and Design: This is an in vitro double-blind randomized study. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted or exfoliated primary teeth were selected and randomized as follows: Group I: FTCP, Group II: fluoridated dentifrice, Group III: CPP-ACPF, and Group IV: Nano-HA. DIAGNOdent readings and scanning electron microscope (SEM) energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were carried out at baseline. The samples were subjected to the test agents after inducing white spot lesions. The readings were repeated postdemineralization and postremineralization. Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 software with one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey's HSD, and paired t-test. Results: SEM evaluation showed favorable surface changes in all the four study groups after remineralization therapy. Intragroup comparison of DIAGNOdent and EDX readings showed a highly significant difference between baseline, postdemineralization, and postremineralization values. However, the intergroup comparison was statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion: All test agents were comparable in their remineralization potential.

The consumption of a high-fat high-calorie diet with or without fructose (western or cafeteria diet) increases body mass due to calorie excess, inducing glucolipid metabolism dysfunctions culminating in development of unhealthy obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Understanding the sequelae of events that translates caloric excess to the development of MetS symptoms interlinking metabolic interrelationship between organs is paramount in the development of new treatment strategies. This review aims to create a compendium of evidence from mammalian studies (rodents, humans) to elucidate the metabolic changes induced by overnutrition. This review explores gut microbiome alterations, gut barrier dysfunctions, and immune dysregulation induced by a high-fat diet that changes gut tryptophan and biliary metabolism, which, with concomitant elevations in free fatty acids and ceramides, promote insulin insensitivity. Immunometabolic alteration induce adipose tissue dysfunction, which alters the secretion of adipokines and lipid metabolites that contribute to dyslipidemia, hepatosteatosis, cardiovascular dysfunction, and endocrine disruption. This review provides insights into the mechanism underlying unhealthy adipose expansion, shedding light on some of the exosome-mediated epigenomic alterations affecting obesity or MetS pathogenesis, which may help in the future design of microRNA biomarkers. The review also highlights areas where more supportive evidence may be needed to elucidate metabolic syndrome pathogenesis.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as a marker of kidney function is important in health and disease management because decreased kidney function is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, progression of kidney disease, predisposition to acute kidney injury (AKI), and for drug dosage modification. While measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) is acknowledged as the most accurate method for evaluating kidney function, it is at present not feasible to be applied in the clinical arena. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is preferred due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and seamless integration into standard clinical practice for kidney function evaluation. The presence of multiple equations for eGFR with applications to differing populations makes their use challenging for clinicians. We reviewed available estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equations and their application in different clinical settings both in normal and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. These formulae incorporate serum creatinine and/or serum cystatin C levels and correlate them with measured kidney function. Among the many available equations, the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation is the most recommended due to its robustness and accuracy across diverse patient populations. Strengths and limitations of different eGFR equations are discussed emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate equation based on specific patient demographics and clinical scenarios. There is need for regional validation studies to ensure the global applicability of these equations, considering the variations in population characteristics.