Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Plantago major L., commonly known as plantain, waybread, or dooryard plantain, is a versatile medicinal plant with multiple therapeutic applications. Traditionally, various parts of the plant have been formulated into syrups, drops, ointments, vaginal suppositories, gargles, and roasted preparations to treat diverse ailments, such as liver disorders, earaches, epilepsy, asthma, stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation, polymenorrhea, and uterine disorders. The plant contains clinically valuable bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, lipids, iridoid glycosides, caffeic acid derivatives, terpenoids, alkaloids, and organic acids. These bioactive constituents are the primary contributors to the plant’s broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, hepatoprotective, antiviral, antiphage, antinociceptive, antiulcerogenic, antigenotoxic, and immunomodulatory effects of the plant. This review comprehensively summarizes the phytochemical composition, traditional medicinal applications, and biological properties of this multifunctional medicinal plant.

Despite the sizable advances and extensive deployment of modern Artificial Intelligence (AI), current models are restricted by their narrow, domain-specific application. They lack the general intelligence and adaptability needed to tackle novel tasks, specifically the complex real-world problems. This survey paper argues that achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which is a system with human-level cognitive capabilities, is the necessary evolution in the field of AI. This study delivers a comprehensive overview of AI history as well as its current advancement, emphasizing the need to shift toward scalable, human-cognitively inspired models. Some of the advanced research directions are identified in this article that intend to serve as stepping-stones toward AGI including multi-modal learning, brain-inspired architectures and hybrid models combining the strengths of different AI paradigms. Furthermore, critical concerns such as safety features in AGI are highlighted too; ensuring AGI is safe, trustworthy and aligned with human values. This survey aims to guide AI professionals, researchers and developers by outlining the foundational challenges and highlighting emerging growth areas in the pursuit of AGI.

Nearly 300 million people globally require humanitarian assistance, primarily due to conflicts and complex emergencies (CE). Modern conflicts are increasingly prolonged, deadly and frequent, severely disrupting health systems and hindering the provision of quality tuberculosis (TB) care. Managing drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in these settings is particularly challenging. War and post-war conditions could potentially amplify resistance. However, evidence on DR-TB in CE-affected countries remains scarce. A scoping review, including grey literature and consultation with implementing agencies, was conducted to analyse published experiences worldwide in delivering DR-TB care in CE. The review included 16 peer-reviewed articles and 11 reports. Countries affected by war exhibit multiple risk factors for amplifying TB resistance. DR-TB management in CE is ongoing, yet diagnostic access is limited, with notification rates below 20% of estimated cases. Treatment success rates among those diagnosed are comparable to global averages. Innovative approaches, such as molecular tests, shorter regimens and patient-centred approaches, have achieved higher success rates. Information on vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons, prisoners and children, remains minimal. Only one country had reliable information on DR-TB in prisoners (Iraq), accounting for one-third of the national resistant cohort. Most CE countries rely on external funding for DR-TB programmes. Like in other infectious diseases, war significantly alters DR-TB dynamics in affected countries and bordering or refugee-hosting countries, threatening progress towards TB elimination and exacerbating the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. While innovations have improved the feasibility of DR-TB care in CE, access remains severely constrained. Identified risk factors, challenges and priorities underscore the need for expanded TB support and targeted research, particularly for vulnerable populations in CE scenarios.