RECENT RESEARCH based on the modified Ellman ’ s method . The most potent EO was candidate for the investigation of its beta-secretase 1 ( BACE1 ) inhibitory activity and neuroprotectivity .
Results : Among all EOs , C . verum demonstrated the most potent activity toward AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 453.7 and 184.7 µ g / mL , respectively . It also showed 62.64 % and 41.79 % inhibition against BACE1 at the concentration of 500 and 100 mg / mL , respectively . However , it depicted no neuroprotective potential against β-amyloid ( Aβ ) -induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells . Also , identification of chemical composition of C . verum EO was achieved via gas chromatographymass spectrometry ( GC-MS ) analysis and the major constituent ; ( E ) - cinnamaldehyde , was detected as 68.23 %.
Conclusion : Potent BChE inhibitory activity of C . verum EO can be considered in the development of cinnamon based dietary supplements for the management of patients with advanced AD .
Complementary medicine
Nathan AS , Levi JR , O ' Reilly R . Complementary / Integrative Medicine for Pediatric Otitis Media . Otolaryngol Clin North Am . 2022 ; 55 ( 5 ): 1055-1075 . doi : 10.1016 / j . otc . 2022.06.018
Complementary / integrative medicine can be used in treating otitis media , especially during the watchful waiting phase . Elimination of risk factors can be important . Products such as echinacea , xylitol , and probiotics may help in prevention . Herbal eardrop formulations can relieve symptoms in some patients . Other modalities such as homeopathy can lead to faster relief of symptoms in combination with conventional therapy . Chinese , Japanese , and other forms of traditional medicine have varying formulations with unclear safety , but initial results are promising . Most studies are limited by methodological failures and small sample sizes , emphasizing the need for continued research in this area .
Elkhateeb OM , Badawy MEI , Noreldin AE , Abou-Ahmed HM , El-Kammar MH , Elkhenany HA . Comparative evaluation of propolis nanostructured lipid carriers and its crude extract for antioxidants , antimicrobial activity , and skin regeneration potential . BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies . 2022 ; 22 , Article number : 256 .
Background : Propolis extracted from beehives has been conferred with natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties . Hence , it has been recommended as a wound healing therapy . This study investigated the additive value of nanotechnology to the herbal extract , ( propolis rebuts ), after which we examined its efficacy in wound healing .
Methods : Propolis nanostructured lipid carriers ( NLCs ) were first prepared using the emulsion-evaporation-solidification method at three concentrations . Then , we compared their flavonoid and phenolic contents and phenolic contents . Their antioxidant , antibacterial , and antifungal effects were also investigated after which , the skin regenerative capacity of propolis- NLCs was assessed using full-thickness skin wounds in rabbits .
Results : This study showed that propolis-NLCs had increased the phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to the raw propolis extract ( EXTR ) ( 9-fold and 2-fold , respectively ). This increase was reflected in their antioxidant activities , which dramatically increased by 25-fold higher than the propolis-EXTR . Also , propolis- NLCs exhibited a 2-fold higher potent inhibitory effect than propolis-EXTR on Gram-positive bacteria ( Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus ), Gramnegative bacterium ( Salmonella spp .), and fungus ( Candida albicans ) microbes ( p < 0.0001 ). Investigations also revealed that treatment of full-thickness skin injuries with propolis-NLCs resulted in significantly higher wound closure compared to propolis-EXTR and the control after two weeks ( p < 0.0001 ).
Conclusion : With a prominent broadspectrum antibacterial effect propolis- NLCs exhibited higher skin regenerative potency than propolis-EXTR . We also highlighted the additive impact of nanotechnology on herbal extract , which accounted for the increased flavonoid content and hence a better antioxidant and antimicrobial effect and propose it as a potential therapy for wound healing .
COVID-19 studies
Cowger TL , Murray EJ , Clarke J , Bassett MT , Ojikutu BO , Sánchez SM , et al . Effect of Universal Masking Policies on the Incidence of COVID-19 in Schools . N Engl J Med . 2022 ; 387:1935-1946 . DOI : 10.1056 / NEJMoa2211029
Background : In February 2022 , Massachusetts rescinded a statewide universal masking policy in public schools , and many Massachusetts school districts lifted masking requirements during the subsequent weeks . In the greater Boston area , only two school districts - the Boston and neighboring Chelsea districts - sustained masking requirements through June 2022 . The staggered lifting of masking requirements provided an opportunity to examine the effect of universal masking policies on the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 ( Covid-19 ) in schools .
Methods : We used a difference-indifferences analysis for staggered policy implementation to compare the incidence of Covid-19 among students and staff in school districts in the greater Boston area that lifted masking requirements with the incidence in districts that sustained masking requirements during the 2021-2022 school year . Characteristics of the school districts were also compared .
Results : Before the statewide masking policy was rescinded , trends in the incidence of Covid-19 were similar across school districts . During the 15 weeks after the statewide masking policy was rescinded , the lifting of masking requirements was associated with an additional 44.9 cases per 1000 students and staff ( 95 % confidence interval , 32.6 to 57.1 ), which corresponded to an estimated 11,901 cases and to 29.4 % of the cases in all districts during that time . Districts that chose to sustain
JATMS | Summer 2022 | 227