Method Of Administration Research Articles

Protective effect of resveratrol on retinal damage in glaucoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies

IntroductionResveratrol, a polyphenolic compound commonly found in natural plants and fruits, exhibits potential in preventing optic nerve damage in glaucoma, as indicated by several animal studies. However, there is presently a dearth of relevant evidence available for comprehensive summarization.MethodsIn this study, we conducted an extensive search across 7 electronic databases, encompassing all pertinent animal studies for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methodological quality was evaluated using SYRCLE’s bias risk tool, with statistical analysis performed using Stata 17.0. The primary outcome measures included the survival of retinal ganglion cells and retinal thickness.ResultsThe comprehensive analysis of the 30 included studies revealed that resveratrol can enhance the expression of Sirtuin 1(SIRT1) protein in retinal tissue (SMD: 3.00, 95% CI: 2.46, 3.53, P = 0.095), boost the survival rate of retinal ganglion cells (SMD: 4.33, 95% CI: 3.28, 5.38, P < 0.05), decelerate the thinning of retinal thickness (SMD: 4.26, 95% CI: 2.77, 5.75, P < 0.05), and enhance visual function. Its potential mechanism of action may involve the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and cell apoptosis.DiscussionResveratrol emerges as a promising agent for mitigating glaucoma-related retinal damage. However, given that the animal research models utilized in the study may not fully reflect the intricate scenarios of multiple coexisting diseases in clinical settings, and the administration methods in animal models may differ from those in clinical practice, future studies should aim to provide higher levels of evidence to facilitate the clinical translation of these findings.Systematic Review Registration:identifier [CRD42024535673].

Ocular drug delivery systems and nanotechnology

Drug delivery to certain eye tissues has long been a major challenge for ocular scientists. Some problems with the standard formulations of drug solutions given as topical drops led to the introduction of various carrier systems for ocular dispersion. A lot of work is being done on ocular research to create safe, novel, and patient-friendly methods of pharmaceutical administration. After being enclosed in nanoscale carrier systems or devices, drug molecules are administered using invasive, non-invasive, or minimally invasive techniques. In the years to come, drug delivery may be greatly enhanced by the creation of non-invasive sustained drug delivery devices and studies into the viability of topical application to deliver medications to the posterior region. The difficulties related to a number of anterior and posterior segment diseases may be significantly reduced by recent advancements in the administration of ocular medications.

Approaches and applications in transdermal and transpulmonary gene drug delivery

Gene therapy has emerged as a pivotal component in the treatment of diverse genetic and acquired human diseases. However, effective gene delivery remains a formidable challenge to overcome. The presence of degrading enzymes, acidic pH conditions, and the gastrointestinal mucus layer pose significant barriers for genetic therapy, necessitating exploration of alternative therapeutic options. In recent years, transdermal and transpulmonary gene delivery modalities offer promising avenues with multiple advantages, such as non-invasion, avoided liver first-pass effect and improved patient compliance. Considering the rapid development of gene therapeutics via transdermal and transpulmonary administration, here we aim to summarize the nearest advances in transdermal and transpulmonary gene drug delivery. In this review, we firstly elaborate on current delivery carrier in gene therapy. We, further, describe approaches and applications for enhancing transdermal and transpulmonary gene delivery encompassing microneedles, chemical enhancers, physical methods for transdermal administration as well as nebulized formulations, dry powder formulations, and pressurized metered dose formulations for efficient transpulmonary delivery. Last but not least, the opportunities and outlooks of gene therapy through both administrated routes are highlighted.

Role of insulin in the management of diabetic foot

Despite insulin's well-documented benefits in wound healing over the last 70 years, challenges remain regarding the optimal method of administration. While systemic insulin therapy has significant side effects, topical insulin faces challenges with consistent delivery. This study aims to test the hypothesis that local insulin injections can provide sustained high concentrations in wounds, promoting healing with minimal systemic impact, combining the benefits of both systemic and topical insulin therapies.This study investigates the effect of local insulin injections on wound healing, focusing on enhancing the healing process in a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer. The objective is to determine whether insulin injections at the wound site can accelerate healing by promoting key processes like keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis.Conducted at a tertiary care center in South India, this study involved a 69-year-old male patient with a non-healing ulcer over the lateral aspect of the left foot due to Charcot's joint. The wound area was treated with a mixture of Insulin Isophane and Human Insulin (70/30) in a 4-unit to 10 ml saline ratio per 10 cm². The treatment was followed by a two-layer regenerative scaffold dressing and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) to support recovery.The insulin application significantly enhanced wound healing by promoting keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis. These effects led to a noticeable reduction in the time required for wound closure and improved tissue regeneration.The use of local insulin injections effectively improves wound healing by targeting key processes such as inflammation, re-epithelialization, and angiogenesis. This study underscores the potential of insulin as a promising therapeutic agent for chronic wound management. Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore its application across diverse wound types.

A clinical study of the immunogenicity and protective potency of a live recombinant GamLPV vaccine for intranasal use for the prevention of whooping cough in adult volunteers

Introduction. The increase in incidence rate of pertussis worldwide, short-term insufficient immunity induced by acellular pertussis vaccines (TDaP) and their failure to provide antibacterial protection and to prevent transmission of infection in human population dictate the development of new pertussis vaccines. A new live recombinant pertussis vaccine for intranasal use (GamLPV) has completed preclinical studies in experiments on nonhuman primates and 2 phases of clinical trials involving adult healthy volunteers, in which the safety, immunogenicity and protective activity of the GamLPV were proven. Method and scheme of vaccine administration have been worked out. Aim. Confirmation of the immunogenicity and protective antibacterial potency of GamLPV in a randomized multicenter clinical trial on adult volunteers. Materials and methods. In this multicenter, clinical, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study 260 healthy adults aged 18–65 years were divided into 2 groups: G1 — 210 volunteers (GamLPV) and G2 — 50 volunteers (placebo). 0.25 ml GamLPV delivered to each nostril (5 × 109 CFU) 60 days apart. Levels of Bordetella pertussis-specific IgG, IgA antibodies in blood serum and levels of B. pertussis-specific secretory IgA antibodies in nasopharyngeal aspirates were measured by ELISA method and agglutination test. The dynamics of elimination of attenuated B. pertussis bacteria after the first and second intranasal administration of GamLPV to volunteers was estimated by using qPCR. Results. Significant seroconversion of B. pertussis-specific IgG and IgA antibodies and growth of B. pertussis-specific secretory IgA antibody levels in nasal aspirates of volunteers were demonstrated. The dynamics of changes in the levels of IgG and IgA antibodies indicates a booster effect after second vaccination. Attenuated B. pertussis bacteria persist in the nose/oropharynx of vaccinated volunteers. The period of elimination after second vaccination is more than 2 times shorter than the period after the first one. The number of persistent B. pertussis bacteria after the second vaccination is less than 3% of the values after the first vaccination. Conclusion. High immunogenicity and the formation of antibacterial protection after single and double intranasal vaccination of GamLPV have been proven.

Efficacy of Subcutaneous, Sublingual and Oral Immunotherapy for Allergens: A Comparative Study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous, sublingual, oral specific immunotherapy in patients who suffer from allergic conditions to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, house dust mites and Alternaria alternata spores. A literature search was performed separately for each type of allergen and each administration route of the drug. As a result, it was found that all administration routes were quite effective. However, each type of immunotherapy was most effective for certain allergens. Subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy have proven effective for aeroallergens such as pollen from grass, trees, weeds and house dust mites. Despite this, subcutaneous immunotherapy had a number of disadvantages in the form of the duration of treatment and a greater prevalence of side effects. Some authors suggest that for allergies to house dust mites, the most effective method of immunotherapy was the subcutaneous method of administration, compared with sublingual and nasal. Sublingual therapy was safe enough for all types of allergens under study, however, to achieve the same effect as the subcutaneous method of administration. In addition, oral immunotherapy has been shown to be effective for food allergies with obvious symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, oral immunotherapy is the only approved treatment for allergies in the elderly, due to the low risk of side effects. The time-accelerated and dosage-enhanced immunotherapy was also effective and safe. These data prove the effectiveness and safety of each administration route of specific allergens for specific immunotherapy in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and even atopic dermatitis.

Effectiveness for remission maintenance rate and safety of different rituximab regimens for treating anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in Japan: a J-CANVAS study

Rituximab (RTX) has been reported to effectively maintain remission in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). In this multicenter study involving 57 patients who achieved remission after 24 weeks, we evaluated the effectiveness of RTX in maintaining remission in patients with AAV. Patients were divided into three groups based on RTX administration: continuous, induction phase-only, and maintenance phase-only groups. The continuous group had a remission maintenance rate after 48 weeks of treatment compared with the induction phase-only group (100% vs. 88.2%, p = 0.29). More patients in the continuous group received three or more RTX doses during the induction period (82.4% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.06), and this group had a lower incidence of infection (5.9% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.08). Compared with the maintenance-only group, the continuous group had a numerically higher proportion of patients in remission after 48 weeks of treatment (100% vs. 83.3%, p = 0.26) and a lower incidence of infection (5.9% vs. 50%, p = 0.04); however, the N in the maintenance phase was small and suspected to have low power. Regardless of the method of RTX administration (induction phase-only or continuous), administering RTX during the induction phase may be crucial for achieving remission.

Analysis of pharmaceutical interventions related to outpatient treatment of chronic heart failure

Our aim was to analyze pharmaceutical interventions related to heart failure (HF) outpatient treatment. An observationnal study was carried out over 6 months at the Abidjan Institute of Cardiology (ICA). Data were collected using a survey form that focused on, therapeutic adherence, drugs related-problems (DRP) and pharmaceutical interventions (PI). DRP and PI coding tool of French Society of Clinical Pharmacy was used. Therapeutic adherence was assessed using the GIRERD tool. Prescription review made by Algorithm of Calop. Clinical, economic and organizational impacts of PI accepted by the physician were rated using the CLEO tool. Study population had a mean age of 51.4 years. DRP prevalence was 59%. These DRP were essentialy adherence problem (43%) and drug-drug interactions (39.7%). The PIs were mainly "optimization of administration methods" (43.6%) and "therapeutic monitoring" (38.1%). The acceptance rate of PIs intended for prescribers was 80.8%. Mainly of these PIs were rated "PI with minor clinical impact" (60.2%), "PI without economic impact" (83.8%) and PI with "positive organizational impact" (63.2%). DRPs and more specifically adherence problems and drug-drug interactions are common in HF outpatient management. The pharmacist can contribute to improve this care through regular assessment of therapeutic adherence and management of DRPs.

Microneedles as a Promising Technology for Disease Monitoring and Drug Delivery: A Review.

The delivery of molecules, such as DNA, RNA, peptides, and certain hydrophilic drugs, across the epidermal barrier poses a significant obstacle. Microneedle technology has emerged as a prominent area of focus in biomedical research because of its ability to deliver a wide range of biomolecules, vaccines, medicines, and other substances through the skin. Microneedles (MNs) form microchannels by disrupting the skin's structure, which compromises its barrier function, and facilitating the easy penetration of drugs into the skin. These devices enhance the administration of many therapeutic substances to the skin, enhancing their stability. Transcutaneous delivery of medications using a microneedle patch offers advantages over conventional drug administration methods. Microneedles containing active substances can be stimulated by different internal and external factors to result in the regulated release of the substances. To achieve efficient drug administration to the desired location, it is necessary to consider the design of needles with appropriate optimized characteristics. The choice of materials for developing and manufacturing these devices is vital in determining the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drug delivery. This article provides the most recent update and overview of the numerous microneedle systems that utilize different activators to stimulate the release of active components from the microneedles. Further, it discusses the materials utilized for producing microneedles and the design strategies important in managing the release of drugs. An explanation of the commonly employed fabrication techniques in biomedical applications and electronics, particularly for integrated microneedle drug delivery systems, is discussed. To successfully implement microneedle technology in clinical settings, it is essential to comprehensively assess several factors, such as biocompatibility, drug stability, safety, and production cost. Finally, an in-depth review of these criteria and the difficulties and potential future direction of microneedles in delivering drugs and monitoring diseases is explored.

Applications and latest research progress of liposomes in the treatment of ocular diseases.

The special structure of eyes and the existence of various physiological barriers make ocular drug delivery one of the most difficult problems in the pharmaceutical field. Considering the problems of patient compliance, local administration remains the preferred method of drug administration in the anterior part of eyes. However, local administration suffers from poor bioavailability, need for frequent administration, and systemic toxicity. Administration in the posterior part of the eye is more difficult, and intravitreal injection is often used. But intravitreal injection faces the problems of poor patient compliance and likely side effects after multiple injections. The development of nanocarrier technology provides an effective way to solve these problems. Among them, liposomes, as the most widely used carrier in clinical application, have the characteristics of amphiphilic nanostructure, easy surface modification, extended release time, good biocompatibility, etc. The liposomes are expected to overcome obstacles and effectively deliver drugs to the target site to improve ocular drug bioavailability. This review summarized the various controllable properties of liposomes for ocular delivery as well as the application and research progress of liposomes in various ocular diseases. In addition, we summarized the physiological barriers and routes of administration contained in eyes, as well as the prospects of liposomes in the treatment of ocular diseases.

Efficacy of Curcuma longa in relieving pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Osteoarthritis (OA), particularly knee OA, affects 24% of adults and is a significant cause of disability. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used but have many adverse effects. Antioxidant and anti-iflammatory properties of Curcuma longa might decrease pain thus improving joint function. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Curcuma longa efficacy for knee OA. We reported mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous outcomes and evaluated Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) total score over 4 to 6 weeks for treatment effects. Ten RCTs with 786 patients were included. Curcuma longa significantly improved VAS for pain than placebo (MD 18.25, 95% CI 7.79 to 28.72, p=0.0006). It was not inferior to NSAIDs in WOMAC total score improvement (MD -11.99, 95% CI -39.21 to 15.23, p=0.39). Both dosages (<1,000 and ≥1,000 mg/day) of Curcuma longa demonstrated similar improvement in VAS for pain compared to placebo (MD 27.02, 95% CI 1.45 to 52.60, p=0.04; MD 21.48, 95% CI 1.78 to 41.18, p=0.03). Curcuma longa benefits knee OA pain and function, being more effective than placebo and comparable to NSAIDs. Despite positive results, limitation and heterogeneity of the studies necessitates further research to explore optimal dosages and administration methods of Curcuma longa as therapeutic option for knee OA.

Pharmacokinetic validation of a new protocol of chronic oral administration of aripiprazole in male C57 Bl/6 mice through drinking solution.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness, with a prevalence of about 1%. The symptoms are classified in three categories: positive symptoms, negative symptoms and deficits in cognitive function. Regarding the pharmacological treatment, current antipsychotics mainly improve positive symptoms while negative and cognitive symptoms remain inadequately treated. Among them, aripiprazole, through its pharmacological properties results in regulation of positive symptoms and, to a lesser extent, to negative and cognitive ones. Drug treatment studies in animals typically employ administration methods such as injection or gavage, which is time-consuming over long periods, does not reflect route of administration used in patients, and cause substantial stress in animals. We assessed herein the pharmacokinetic properties and behavioural effects of aripiprazole after chronic administration via drinking solution in C57Bl/6 mice. Results show that subchronic administration of 1 and 10 mg/kg doses of aripiprazole via drinking solution present significant blood concentrations, without any significant effect on the spontaneous activity of mice (between 10 am and 3 pm). Furthermore, we described for the first time to our knowledge the main pharmacokinetic parameters of aripiprazole after gavage acute administration (10 mg/kg). Collectively, all of these data will be very useful in future projects including chronic administrations (several months) of this antipsychotic.

Hyperglycemia Risk Evaluation of Hydrocortisone Intermittent Boluses Vs Continuous Infusion in Diabetic Patients with Septic Shock: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background &amp; Objectives: Septic shock is a serious condition associated with a high mortality rate because of the multiorgan dysfunction caused by dysregulated host immune responses to infection. Giving low dose steroids in septic shock patients has been shown to hasten the reversal of shock and current Surviving Sepsis Guidelines (SSG) also suggest using low dose steroids for the same. Also, the use of steroids causes hyperglycaemia particularly in diabetic patients. The current SSG does not specify the method of administration. The primary objective of our study was to compare continuous infusion vs intermittent boluses of hydrocortisone to obtain a better glycaemic control. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in diabetic patients with septic shock admitted in Multi Disciplinary Intensive Care Unit (MDICU) of PRS hospital from July 2022 to February2023. Hydrocortisone was given as continuous infusion in 55 subjects and the remaining 55 received intermittent boluses of hydrocortisone and average blood glucose values were measured in both the groups. Results: Among 110 patients, 55 patients each received continuous infusion and intermittent boluses of hydrocortisone respectively. The mean blood glucose values in continuous infusion group were 161.1 ± 22.7 and 172.5 ± 21.0 (mg/ dl) in intermittent boluses group which was statistically significant with a p value of 0.007. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in 28-day mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, or other secondary safety outcomes. Conclusions: This study infers that giving hydrocortisone as continuous infusions in septic shock patients leads to better glycaemic control when compared to intermittent boluses of hydrocortisone, without any difference in 28-day mortality.

Elemental Profile of Selected Plant Species used for the Treatment of Epilepsy in Idah Local Government, Kogi State, Nigeria

Epilepsy is a disorder in the brain, in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, occasionally signal abnormally and cause strange emotions, sensations, and behavior, or sometimes muscle spasms, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. The study was conducted to identify the effect of medicinal plants used for the treatment of epilepsy in Idah LGA of Kogi State. To determine the mode of treatment, their mode of treatments, plant parts used for treatments, and the appropriate dosage, as well as to analyze the phytochemical constituents of the plants and the demographic status of the respondents indicated that Twenty (20) herbal practitioners were interviewed. The male respondents were 13 while the women were 7. The disease was more prevalent among the males than in females in the study area, only a few of the respondents (3) acquired tertiary education. Most of the respondents (15) were rural residents. Majority of the respondents (10) were Muslims, while only 2 were Christians. Four (4) plants (Ocimum gratissimum, Solanum physalifolium, Asplenium scolopendrium and Spathodea companulata) were identified. Only the leaves of the plants were used for the treatment of epilepsy. The best mode of treatment was established to be boiling and compressing to extract the liquid (juice) from the leaves across the plant tested. The phytochemical constituents of the plants studied revealed the presence of alkaloids recorded the highest phytochemical constituents (9.250), followed by saponin (2.370) while tannins recorded the lowest (0.528). It can be concluded that Idah LGA has a diverse plant species with antiepileptic properties that could be used holistically for the treatment of several diseases notably epilepsy. The various methods of administration of these plants for possible treatment of epilepsy will be discussed.

От «азиатского способа производства» к «политаризму»: становление историософской концепции Ю.И. Семенова

The article examines the origin of the concepts of ‘politarism’ and its derivatives ‘political mode of production’, ‘political society’, which are quite often used in the Russian domestic socio-historical and socio-philosophical literature. It is shown that the immediate predecessor of this concept was the ‘Asian mode of production’ and its various analogues (‘Eastern despotism’, ‘the era of Asian kings’ etc.) in the works of K. Marx, which remained mainly in manuscript form. The fi rst discussion around the Asian mode of production (AMP), which unfolded in the USSR in the 1920s, although it was suppressed by harsh administrative methods, nevertheless brought a significant revival to the Soviet social philosophy, which was already under the powerful pressure of the dogmas of the ‘historical materialism’ and the so-called five-term scheme of socio-economic formations. A second similar discussion, which took place in the 1950s and 1960s, also played such a role, prompting, among other things, a significant part of professional orientalists to large-scale and conceptual socio-historical generalizations. The activities and works of the recently deceased professor Yu. I. Semenov, whose name is directly related to the appearance of the term ‘politarism’ in Soviet and then Russian social philosophy, are specially considered. Y.I. Semenov’s original historiosophical concept, created and developed by its author in the conditions of his conscious opposition to the aggressive ideological environment and administrative dictate, has become a valuable component of the conceptual and scientific understanding of the historical process, retaining its heuristic significance to this day. The concepts used by Y.I. Semenov and, in general, his very approach to understanding social and political reality deserve attention as one of the versions of non-dogmatic, creative Marxism, which occupies a noticeable niche in modern domestic and foreign academic discourse.

Study of the efficacy of implementing a protocol of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis using digital technologies

Introduction. Following the modern method of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is one of the ways to reduce the likelihood of developing antibiotic resistance and decrease the cost of pharmacological prevention of surgical infection. However, even now the real clinical practice of PAP often differs from the scientifically based one; there is often an excessive prescription of antibacterial agents or the choice of suboptimal drugs. Implementation of the PAP procedure using an intelligent program, chatbot, can increase the commitment of doctors to follow modern PAP. Purpose of the study. To develop and implement a mobile application, a chatbot for choosing a decision on the method of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis based on the local PAP protocol of a multidisciplinary emergency hospital. Materials and research methods. A clinical and economic method: studying medical records of patients in emergency hospitals of surgical departments (trauma, surgery, neurosurgery, gynecology, urology, otorhinolaryngology). Python programming method, web application development. An administrative and documentary method: preparation and publication of orders and instructions for the medical institution on the procedure for implementing the protocol, monitoring compliance with the protocol. Results and discussion. Based on the existing local PAP protocol, standard solutions for choosing the PAP method have been compiled. Applications (Telegram chatbots) have been developed to facilitate this choice for a doctor making a decision on the PAP regimen. It has been established that commitment to the implementation of the PAP protocol continues to grow. This may be due to the lack of increased incidence of infection of the surgical wound despite a multiple reduction in the use of antimicrobial agents. The clarity and ease of use of algorithms for selecting PAP modes using digital technology were also revealed. The implementation of the PAP protocol was carried out with consistent information and administrative support. Conclusions. The implementation and maintenance of local protocol is effectively carried out using digital technologies. Following an evidence-based PAP protocol can achieve significant cost savings while maintaining the effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis.

التحديات المعاصرة لرجل الأمن العربـي

This study includes some contemporary challenges for the Arab man, created by modern models such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity crimes, and digital evidence. This is a man who challenges John to the Arab policeman to advance workers invested through society and interact with absorbing and partnering in some activities of the security services, and the security partnership in various social activities, public benefit committees, volunteer work and sports activities. Some of the modern Arab security men in the security services have rushed - in the past decades - to implement perfection in security work, until electronic work has become dominant over the entire path of the security security method, such as the trust path, the researcher, the intelligence path, and others, and all of them are an administrative method within these agencies, and in At the same time, there are Arab devices that men may suffer from weakness in applying full electronic services. Because of the challenges they face in some of the accelerating technologies on a daily basis, The study provided several recommendations to enhance security personnel abilities to utilize modern technologies.

A mixed methods study of zootherapy practices and associated risks for zoonotic disease spillover in Rwanda

Abstract Background Zootherapy, the use of animals for human medicine and related cultural purposes, is an important component of traditional medicine, which is used by 80% of the global population. Human-animal interaction within zootherapy practices is a potential pathway for zoonotic disease spillover, and understanding these interactions is integral to the One Health approach. The objectives of this study were to assess and document zootherapy practices in Rwanda and identify sociocultural factors driving zootherapy use. Methods Using a mixed methods approach, 12 traditional healers were interviewed, 11 focus group discussions with community members were held, and 75 people were surveyed in 4 sectors of the Nyagatare District, Rwanda. Methods of preparation and administration of zootherapies were detailed and analyzed, highlighting methods that pose a risk for zoonotic transmission and calculating salience and fidelity levels. The demographic, educational, and cultural factors that shape human-animal interactions in Rwanda were evaluated via thematic analysis and chi-squared testing. Results This study identified 60 animal species used in zootherapy, including high-risk taxa for zoonoses, for a total of 336 zootherapeutic practices divided into 273 medical uses and 63 cultural uses. Of the survey participants, 57.1% reported the use of traditional medicine involving zootherapies, indicating that the general population partakes in self-treatment using animal parts/products. Cattle, the species identified as most salient by traditional healers, were used in the greatest number of zootherapies and were rated as the most important by focus group discussion participants. There is a significant relationship between sex and knowledge of zoonotic disease, with men more likely to declare knowledge of zoonotic disease (p = 0.0095). Preparation and administration methods are highly variable and generate diverse opportunities for zoonotic spillover. Across the survey and key informant populations, 85.1% indicated knowledge of zoonotic disease but nearly all participants had a desire to learn more about disease prevention. Conclusions Zootherapy use is a potential pathway for zoonotic spillover due to high-risk behaviors dictating usage. Interventions aimed at mitigating zoonoses should consider the risk of zootherapy practices and create policies that take into account sociocultural contexts.

Ketamine's Altered States Meta-Analysis: The Relationship Between Psychomimetic and Clinical Effects With Focus in Depression.

In recent years, there has been a significant focus on exploring the potential therapeutic impact of altered states of consciousness on treatment outcomes for mental illness, with the goal of enhancing therapeutic strategies and patient results. This meta-analysis was designed to investigate the potential link between the psychomimetic effects of ketamine and clinical outcomes in mental health, which adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eleven studies were selected for meta-analysis, and the main result did not find a significant correlation between the psychoactive effects of ketamine and clinical outcomes either in mental illness (n = 11; n's = 27; r = 0.06 [-0.05, 0.17]; P = 0.268) or depression exclusively (n = 10; n's = 25; r = 0.03 [-0.07, 0.13]; P = 0.561). High heterogeneity was found for general analysis (I2 = 80.78). Egger's regression did not indicate publication bias (intercept = 1.57; SE = 1.49, P = 0.30). No significant Kendall's rank correlation coefficient was observed (τ = 0.02, P = 0.88) indicating funnel plot symmetry. The sub-analyses, aimed at minimizing study variability by specifically examining factors such as patient disorders (limited to depression), methods of administration (exclusively intravenous), types of assessment instruments, and the timing of evaluations, also yielded no significant findings. This meta-analysis suggests that the altered states of consciousness experienced during ketamine sessions are not directly linked to clinical outcomes. However, it is important to acknowledge that the limited number of studies and their heterogeneity render this conclusion preliminary, warranting further investigation over time.

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) Extract as a Potential Anti-Photoaging Agent: A Literature Review

Tropical countries worldwide are frequently subjected to high levels of sunlight year-round. This leads to concerns about potential harmful effects, including skin damage resulting from oxidative stress caused by free radicals due to prolonged sun exposure. This results in extrinsic skin aging, or photoaging. Sunscreen, as a primary photoprotection, is commonly recommended to protect the skin from sunlight. However, even sunscreens with high SPF cannot provide 100% protection from damage caused by free radicals generated by UV rays. Therefore, secondary photoprotection such as natural antioxidants are needed. Goji berry is a natural antioxidant known as a superfruit because it contains many compounds with high antioxidant activity, such as lycium barbarum polysaccharides, flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenols. The antioxidant compounds in goji berries can act as scavengers or neutralize excess free radicals on the skin, and they can also stimulate the production of endogenous antioxidants in the skin to prevent oxidative damage caused by sunlight. This literature review utilized electronic databases on Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink using the keyword "Goji Berry”, “Lycium barbarum”, “Photoaging”, “Skin Aging” and “Photoprotection”. We found six studies on the treatment using goji berry extract related to skin aging caused by UV radiation (photoaging). In conclusion, the studies suggest that goji berry extract has great potential as an antioxidant in combating photoaging. Further research is needed to determine the best method of administration and the optimal dosage as an anti-photoaging agent.