To improve medical care and rehabilitation algorithms for patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it is important to evaluate and summarize the available data on the effect of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the endocrine system. The purpose of this review was to study the effect of COVID-19 on the endocrine system. The scientific novelty of this study is the evaluation of the effect of coronavirus infection on the endocrine system and the potential effect of hormones on susceptibility to COVID-19. The results of this review show that the endocrine system is vulnerable to disorders caused by COVID-19, mainly thyroid dysfunction and hyperglycemia. The information in the published literature mentioned here contains some unclear aspects and contradictory data, but much remains to be studied and clarified regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the endocrine system. In particular, this concerns the study of the hyperglycemic status of patients who have had coronavirus infection, which is extremely important for the future metabolic health of COVID-19 survivors. This review contributes to the scientific discourse by systematically synthesizing disparate studies to identify patterns, gaps, and emerging trends in the literature concerning the effects of COVID-19 on the endocrine system. By integrating these findings, this study offers a novel perspective on potential hormonal interactions influencing COVID-19 susceptibility and outcomes, proposing new hypotheses and frameworks for future research.

Gastric ulcers can result from oxidative stress, which generates free radicals. Amorphophallus oncophyllus (A. oncophyllus) has been reported to possess strong antioxidant activity. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidative stress potential of A. oncophyllus tuber extract in preventing indomethacin‐induced gastric ulcers in rats. In this study, 40 male rats were divided into five groups. The negative control group received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solvent, while the positive control group was given a single dose of indomethacin at 50 mg/kg BW. The remaining three groups were designated as treatment groups, where rats were administered A. oncophyllus tuber extract orally at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW, once daily for 14 days. On the 14th day, the treatment groups received a single dose of indomethacin at 40 mg/kg BW, 1 hour after administering the A. oncophyllus tuber extract. Four hours following indomethacin administration, the rats were euthanized for further analysis. Gastric tissues were collected for histological analysis and quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. Phytochemical screening of A. oncophyllus tuber extracts showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, and tannins. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, which had an IC50 value of 157.21 μg/mL. A single dose of indomethacin at 50 mg/kg BW caused the formation of hemorrhagic lesions in the gastric mucosa, elevated MDA levels, and decreased SOD and GPx levels and led to necrosis of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. In contrast, the administration of A. oncophyllus tuber extract at a dosage of 400 mg/kg BW showed significant improvements in gastric ulcers, including reduced MDA levels, increased SOD and GPx levels, and decreased necrosis of gastric mucosal epithelial cells compared to the positive control group. However, no significant effects were observed at dosages of 100 mg/kg BW and 200 mg/kg BW. In conclusion, the findings indicate that A. oncophyllus tuber extract possesses strong antioxidant activity and has the potential as a gastroprotective agent for mitigating indomethacin‐induced gastric ulcers in rats.

Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud and Lemna minor L. are non-native aquatic weeds. They disturb the habitat dynamics by competing with native flora for water and nutrition, deplete oxygen in water bodies, destroy water quality, and create habitat for mosquitoes and other parasites. Valorization of this huge biomass into biochar is a sustainable approach to address both environmental and agricultural challenges. It not only mitigates the climate issues by proper management but also sequesters carbon and improves soil quality. The current study manifests the utility of Phragmites australis and Lemna minor biomass as a feedstock for pyrolysis, at 400°C, 500°C, and 600°C, to design Lemna minor biochar (LMBC400, LMBC500, and LMBC600) and Phragmites australis biochar (PABC400, PABC500, and PABC600). These biochars were added as a soil conditioner to estimate the productivity of test crops. The results demonstrate that ash content, pH, electrical conductivity (ECe), and fixed carbon are directly proportional to pyrolysis temperature, whereas oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, volatile contents, and bulk density (BD) are inversely proportional to pyrolysis temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses proved that high pyrolysis temperature increases the porosity and phenolic compounds in biochar, which improves the surface quality. The percentage of nutrients such as Mg, Fe, N, Ca, N, P, K, and Zn increases by elevating pyrolysis temperature due to unlocking and release under the influence of heat. Soil quality parameters (viz. pH, BD, ECe, water holding capacity [WHC], total dissolved solids [TDS], and soil organic matter [SOC]) improved in favor of plant growth conditions, so the yield of test crops increased. So, LMBC600 and PABC600 had great potential to improve soil and productivity. It is a promising approach to manage this colossal volume of P. australis and L. minor through green technology by recycling this biowaste into a worthy product biochar, which is an alternative to chemical fertilizer in agronomical practices, which leave eco-toxic footprints and play havoc to the environment.

Background: Pain is a significant symptom in cancer patients that is frequently not effectively treated, and managing it is seen as a crucial aspect of caring for these patients. This severe pain frequently causes a significant disturbance in their quality of life. At present, there are different challenges in utilizing a range of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments for managing pain in cancer patients. Recent technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, have improved the management of pain in cancer patients. Artificial intelligence and its algorithms offer potential solutions for pain relief in cancer patients with reduced side effects. Study Design: The current review aimed to assess the validity of studies on using artificial intelligence in pain management for cancer patients. Four databases have been used to review all published studies from the start of 2023: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search mechanism for articles was mainly using valid and mesh-based keywords, asking experts, and reviewing the literature and including "Pain," "Pain management," "Cancer," and "Artificial intelligence." During the initial search, a total of 450 articles were found, and after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria and reviewing the abstract and content of the articles, 15 articles were finally included in the study. Results: AI-based solutions can provide individual pain relief plans. When AI analyzes large patient data such as physiological signals, responses to treatment, and symptoms of patients who have been diagnosed with pain, it is possible to accurately adjust therapeutic measures. Conclusions: AI enables healthcare providers to offer timely care and assistance to cancer patients through remote monitoring and telehealth services, even when they are not physically present. Despite the presence of hurdles such as ensuring ethical AI practices and protecting data privacy, the integration of AI in oncology pain management brings optimism for the future.

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as therapeutic compounds to address various health issues. Their rich phytochemical composition offers diverse bioactive substances with potential health benefits. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of Podophyllum hexandrum root extract by investigating its chemical composition and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The phytochemical profiling of P. hexandrum root was conducted using GC-MS analysis, which identified 26 compounds in the extract. The ethanolic root extract displayed strong inhibitory effects in the well diffusion assay against all tested microbes, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 64 to 256 μg/mL. Candida albicans exhibited the lowest MIC value of 64 μg/mL. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was compared to standard antioxidant, revealing a dose-dependent response with a notable radical scavenging activity of 59.23% at 100 μg/mL. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated strong cytotoxic effects against the human cancer cell line HT-29, with IC50 values of 38.20 and 32.5 μg/mL for 24 and 48 h. Overall, this study emphasizes the remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of P. hexandrum root extract.

Alternative medicine is pursued as a preference to conventional medicine due to growing resistance to antimicrobial medications. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the antifungal activity and phytochemical content of Aloe vera growing in the Palestinian region, with a particular emphasis on the bioactive potentials of this plant against Candida albicans. Extracts from whole leaves and gel were evaluated against C. albicans using MIC and broth microdilution methods. Findings revealed that the whole leaf extract demonstrated superior antifungal activity compared to the gel, with maximum efficiencies of 35.17% and 8.57%, respectively. Notably, the MIC50 values for whole leaf and gel extracts were approximately 75.42 mg/mL and 184.93 mg/mL, respectively. Phytochemical analysis exhibited considerable levels of bioactive proteins, sugars, and starch in whole leaf extracts, regardless of the extraction method, whereas gel extracts displayed lower quantities of these substances. The total phenol content was 1.278% in the entire leaf extract and 1.015% in the gel, while total flavonoid content was measured at 0.238% in the whole leaf extract compared to 0.1875% in the gel. The presence of phenols effective against C. albicans indicates its potential utility in alternative medicine for treating diseases caused by this fungus. Our study demonstrated that A. vera grown in the Palestinian region has significant levels of bioactive content, highlighting the importance of investigating distinct parts of A. vera for their antifungal therapeutic attributes. While many of these plants have been studied globally, a localized inquiry is necessary due to their unique qualities and potential differences within the Palestinian context. Climate, soil, and ecological conditions can influence a plant’s extract chemical composition and potency, leading to various therapeutic or pharmacological effects.

Magnesium (Mg) is a crucial mineral that is required for maintaining many of the physiological processes, including immune regulation. The immune system is a protective strategy against pathogenic infection, allergic reaction and tumour development. Dysregulation of immune functions results in different pathological conditions, including autoimmune disease, allergic diseases and infectious diseases. Mg plays a role in the modulation of immune responses through the regulation of the activation, proliferation and differentiation of immune cells. Moreover, research has shown that Mg participates in the treatment and prevention of different diseases, so it may serve as a therapeutic drug. Mg immunoregulatory activity and its applications in prevention and treatment of immune-related disorders are discussed herein. Immunosuppression, reduced phagocytosis and suppressed natural killer cell function were associated with low concentrations of Mg, and these are critical for protection against viruses. Mg further affects inflammatory cytokine release and modulation of NF-κB, a key immune signalling cascade. Evidence corroborates that supplementation with Mg might alleviate symptoms of immune diseases like SLE, bronchial asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and microbial infection. However, it is critical to conduct trials for establishing optimum dosing paradigms as well as the long-term impact of Mg supplementation in the frame of immune disease.

Iron deficiency (ID) and ID anemia (IDA) are global health concerns that tend to affect vulnerable populations, including women, children, and those living in areas disproportionately affected by environmental health hazards. A review of the literature was conducted using the top ten chemicals of public health concern as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, in combination with the terms “iron deficiency” and “anemia.” Both epidemiological and controlled experimental studies were considered. Eight contaminants or exposure classifications were ultimately considered to be within the scope of this review: lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, indoor and ambient air pollution, asbestos, dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and fluoride. Lead, cadmium, indoor and ambient air pollution, and fluoride are reliably linked to higher IDA prevalence and lower hematological parameters, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count, all indicators of anemia. Direct measures of ID are less frequently reported. Further research studies, particularly controlled exposure studies, are needed to determine the importance of arsenic and mercury in contributing to the global ID and IDA burden. There is limited evidence that supplemental or dietary iron fortification can ameliorate the effects of lead, but not fluoride, and the efficacy of fortification has not been widely studied in the context of the remaining contaminants. Asbestos, dioxin, and dioxin-like PCBs are linked to anemia; however, the role of iron homeostasis is more complex and tends to include iron bioaccumulation. The narrative review has identified a need for renewed effort to address environmental factors beyond diet and nutrition when implementing ID and IDA interventions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is currently considered the gold standard of treatment, with its evidence-based framework widely used in healthcare. However, its implementation in real-world settings faces numerous challenges. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of CBT implementation is essential to improving its accessibility and effectiveness. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases from 20/9/2024 to 10/10/2024, including PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Web of Science. Studies published in English from 1994 to 2024 were included. This systematic review was reported using the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Registered No. CRD42024570477). Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies were analyzed to identify key implementation challenges and enablers. Data extraction and quality assessments were performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the JBI critical appraisal tools. A total of 32 studies with 2082 participants were included in this review. Common barriers to CBT implementation included limited training opportunities for clinicians, high caseloads, organizational constraints, resistance to change, and inadequate funding. Digital literacy challenges and technical issues further hindered the adoption of internet-based CBT (iCBT). Facilitators included strong leadership support, structured training programs, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of digital and step-care approaches to enhance accessibility. The findings highlight the importance of addressing systemic, organizational, and individual-level barriers to improve the implementation of CBT. Strengthening clinician training, increasing institutional support, and leveraging digital solutions can enhance the accessibility and sustainability of CBT interventions. This review provides practical insights for policymakers, mental health professionals, and researchers working toward optimizing CBT implementation in diverse settings.

The combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in drug discovery has significantly transformed traditional pharmaceutical research by enabling data-driven decision-making, accelerating the identification of hits, and improving the efficiency of lead optimization. This review provides a comprehensive overview of AI/ML models, including supervised, unsupervised, semisupervised, deep learning, and reinforcement learning approaches and their applications across various stages of drug development, from target identification and virtual screening to de novo molecule design and ADME/T prediction. We highlight widely used ML algorithms, performance evaluation metrics, and AI-driven tools that have become instrumental in modern drug discovery pipelines. Despite rapid advancements, challenges such as limited data availability, heterogeneity, bias, lack of model interpretability, reproducibility concerns, clinical translational barriers, and regulatory uncertainties continue to hinder full-scale adoption. The review also discusses emerging trends, including explainable AI, federated learning, and integration with high-throughput experimental platforms, which offer promising directions for overcoming current limitations. Emphasis is placed on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge computational predictions with experimental validation, ensuring robust, ethical, and clinically translatable AI applications in drug development.