On the Intricacies of Facial Hyperpigmentation and the Use of Herbal Ingredients as a Boon for Its Treatment: Cosmeceutical Significance, Current Challenges and Future Perspectives

Facial hyperpigmentation is the term used to express areas on irregular pigmentation in the skin. It appears as darkened patches on the face that make the facial skin look uneven. Facial hyperpigmentation is not physically debilitating but has been associated with enhanced psychosocial complications including anger, depression and frustration. These psychosocial burdens, in turn, have inference on quality of life and self-esteem. So, the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation seems to be a growing concern to the dermatologists today and they have been practising several treatment modalities including chemical peeling, laser therapy, dermabrasion, etc. But, those are found to be associated with various after-effects. Hence, the use of plants and its products is highly recommended as they are reported with either none or fewer after-effects. The present chapter draws attention to the forms of facial hyperpigmentation with their aetiologies and available treatment options for them with associated side effects. Furthermore, we have discussed about the other side of treatment with herbal ingredients which are safe and have less or no side effects. This chapter will be of value to the dermatologists who are searching for naturally derived ingredients for treating facial hyperpigmentation, in line with consumer expectations and preferences

Optimization of Cultural Conditions for the Production of Antibiotic by Streptomyces sp. VRY-1

Streptomyces sp. VRY-1 was screened for its bioactive potentials against various pathogenic microorganisms and was found to possess antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium  (drug resistant strain of bacteria) and various other pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Optimization of cultural conditions for production of antibiotic showed that maximum antibiotic production occurred on 10th day in stationary cultural, 28Ëš C, 8.0 pH, liver extract, 1.5%(w/v) glucose. The bioactive compound was found to be soluble in water and ethyl acetate

Comparison of Conventional and Newer Iron Preparations for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Children

Introduction: Commonly used iron salt, ferrous sulphate for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, has several gastrointestinal side effects. Nowadays new iron salts such as ferrous bisglycinate are marketed with claims of raising hemoglobin faster with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Objective: To compare the efficacy of ferrous sulphate with ferrous bisglycinate for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was carried out at Children Hospital, PIMS, Islamabad from July 2015 to June 2016. A total of 136 children were selected through systematic sampling and randomized into 2 groups using a computer-generated table of random numbers; ferrous sulphate as group 1 and ferrous bisglycinate as group 2. Clinical outcome was assessed on the basis of a mean increase in hemoglobin after 12 weeks of therapy in both groups. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.   Results: The baseline characteristics i.e. mean age, mean hemoglobin levels were similar in both study groups. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean increase in hemoglobin was 1.8  ±1.59 g/dl in ferrous sulphate group as compare to 2.5  ±1.31g/dl in ferrous bisglycinate group showing the higher level of rising with ferrous bisglycinate than ferrous sulphate, P =0.0033. Conclusion: Newer iron preparation, ferrous bisglycinate is a better treatment option than conventional preparation of ferrous sulphate for increasing hemoglobin in iron deficiency anemia in children

Worldwide Disparities in Recovery of Cardiac Testing 1 Year Into COVID-19

BACKGROUND The extent to which health care systems have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide necessary cardiac diagnostic services is unknown.OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the pandemic on cardiac testing practices, volumes and types of diagnostic services, and perceived psychological stress to health care providers worldwide.METHODS The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing alterations from baseline in cardiovascular diagnostic care at the pandemic's onset and 1 year later. Multivariable regression was used to determine factors associated with procedure volume recovery.RESULTS Surveys were submitted from 669 centers in 107 countries. Worldwide reduction in cardiac procedure volumes of 64% from March 2019 to April 2020 recovered by April 2021 in high- and upper middle-income countries (recovery rates of 108% and 99%) but remained depressed in lower middle- and low-income countries (46% and 30% recovery). Although stress testing was used 12% less frequently in 2021 than in 2019, coronary computed tomographic angiography was used 14% more, a trend also seen for other advanced cardiac imaging modalities (positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance; 22%-25% increases). Pandemic-related psychological stress was estimated to have affected nearly 40% of staff, impacting patient care at 78% of sites. In multivariable regression, only lower-income status and physicians' psychological stress were significant in predicting recovery of cardiac testing.CONCLUSIONS Cardiac diagnostic testing has yet to recover to prepandemic levels in lower-income countries. Worldwide, the decrease in standard stress testing is offset by greater use of advanced cardiac imaging modalities. Pandemic-related psychological stress among providers is widespread and associated with poor recovery of cardiac testing. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation