Elstin Anbu Raj

Functional food is that which provides additional health benefits along with the usual nutritional value of the food.[1] Bananas are considered functional foods because of their nutritional, phytoc...

Background: Aging and diabetes mellitus are associated with structural and biochemical changes in dentin, including altered collagen organization, dentinal sclerosis, tubule occlusion, mineral changes, and, in some contexts, increased non-enzymatic collagen glycation. These substrate changes may influence the performance and durability of adhesive restorative materials. However, the extent to which bonding outcomes can be directly attributed to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) remains uncertain, as AGE levels are rarely measured in adhesive studies. Methods: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and was reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched from inception to December 1, 2025. Eligible studies evaluated bond strength, interfacial morphology, microleakage, mineral content, or remineralization in dentin affected by aging, diabetes, or experimental glycation. Study selection and data charting were independently conducted by two reviewers. Results: Of the 2615 records identified, 16 primary experimental studies met the inclusion criteria, most of which were in vitro investigations using extracted human teeth. Fifteen studies reported bond strength outcomes, and two assessed microleakage. Only four of the included studies directly evaluated diabetic dentin, and these studies generally reported reduced bond strength, particularly in type 1 diabetes. Most of the included studies evaluated age-related dentin, and the findings were heterogeneous, with many contemporary adhesives showing minimal differences between young and aged dentin. None of the included studies directly quantified AGE levels in dentin before adhesive testing. Conclusion: Dentin alterations associated with aging and diabetes may influence adhesive performance; however, the available evidence is heterogeneous and does not allow these effects to be directly attributed to AGE accumulation. Therefore, aging and diabetes should be interpreted as distinct dentin-modifying contexts rather than equivalent AGE-mediated substrates. Further studies incorporating biochemical assessment of dentin, participant-level clinical variables, and standardized durability testing are needed. Scoping review registration: The protocol for this scoping review was registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF) on 16th January 2026 ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JWA6H ).

Globally, counterfeit medications present a significant threat to every individual’s health and well-being because they may include hazardous materials, the wrong dosage, or no active ingredients. To address the problems caused by substandard, spurious, falsely labelled, falsified, and counterfeit (SSFFC) medications, this study set out to assess the evidence on the efficacy of strategies comprehensively. Several information sources, including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature, were thoroughly reviewed from January 2004 to July 2024. The accepted PICO (problem, intervention, comparator, and outcomes) tool served as the foundation for the inclusion criteria. SSFFC medications were among the issues considered during the review. Analytical methods, quality control, the pharmaceutical supply chain, and technical tools were among the initiatives. Only 25 of 10,489 studies met our eligibility criteria. Analytical approaches accounted for most of the investigations (84%), followed by drug surveillance (8%) and new development products (8%). Efficiency, dependability, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to identify lower-quality medicines have all been studied analytically; most of this research has reported several findings. Tracking counterfeit medications outside legitimate channels is difficult for drug surveillance. However, with numerous regulatory clearances still pending, product development faces problems such as tablet coating, complicated sample preparation, and limitations of 3D QR codes. There is little data regarding the efficacy, reliability, and ability of an intervention to recognize these variables. To improve post-market surveillance, policymakers and stakeholders must implement supply chain technologies and enhance quality checks through a regulatory framework.

Background: Adolescent suicidality and associated behaviours are an alarming global public health concern. Understanding its underlying causes and trajectories necessitates the urgent development of targeted prevention strategies. Psychological autopsy (PA) methods provide an in-depth understanding of the complex risk factors leading to suicide in this vulnerable population. Objective: This scoping review aims to explore and synthesise the major risk elements contributing to adolescent suicide and to propose a synthesis of the trajectories leading to adolescent suicide. Methods: A methodological search was carried out to find psychological autopsy studies centered on adolescent subjects. The selection criteria were fulfilled by 15 papers, which were scrutinized with the help of a thematic synthesis method and extracted the main themes to create an overview of the scope and character of the risk factors found. Results: Four major themes emerged: (1) Individual risk factors, including psychiatric disorders, substance use, and previous self-harm; (2) Familial factors, such as parental mental illness, abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction; (3) Life events, including academic failure, interpersonal conflicts, and childhood trauma and (4) Environmental risk factors, such as access to lethal means, media influence, and lack of mental health support. The findings highlight the complex interplay of psychological, social, and contextual variables in adolescent suicide. Conclusion: Psychological autopsy studies offer valuable insights into the risk factors for adolescent suicide. A multidimensional approach addressing individual vulnerabilities, family dynamics, and broader social environments is essential for effective prevention efforts. Further research is needed to strengthen the evidence base and guide policy and intervention development.

Tacrolimus is a first-line immunosuppressant used in renal transplant patients but exhibits a narrow therapeutic index and high inter-individual variability. Although therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) using trough concentrations (C₀) is common, it may not consistently reflect true drug exposure. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) is a more realistic metric, and Bayesian estimation methods often improve the precision of AUC estimations using prior pharmacokinetic knowledge. We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase from inception to August 2024 for studies utilizing Bayesian approaches for estimating tacrolimus exposure in renal transplant patients. Studies were included if they employed Bayesian techniques for AUC estimation, dose adjustment using population pharmacokinetic (PopPk) models, or limited sampling strategies. Data were extracted, appraised using the Critical Appraisal of Clinical Pharmacokinetic Studies (CACPK) tool, and summarized. Most studies reported that Bayesian methods, particularly Maximum a Posteriori Bayesian Estimation (MAP-BE), provided superior AUC prediction compared to traditional methods. Tools such as Immunosuppressants Bayesian dose Adjustment (ISBA) and softwares such as NONMEM were frequently used. Most studies support the inclusion of trough and post-dose samples for >2 h for accurate predictions. Bayesian approaches demonstrate enhanced accuracy in tacrolimus dose adjustment for renal transplant patients, outperforming conventional TDM strategies, and showing potential for broader clinical applications.

Introduction: Childhood obesity has become a critical global health issue, raising concerns for public health systems. Early intervention is essential to curb its long-term impact. Objective: This umbrella review aims to assess the effectiveness of digital health interventions in controlling and managing obesity among children and adolescents. Methods: Following Cochrane methodology, comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and ProQuest Health and Medical Library, EPISTEMONIKOS, and the Joanna Briggs Institute Database. Eligible reviews included studies targeting individuals aged ≤18 years children who were overweight or obese based on BMI-for-age percentiles or z -scores. Interventions explored include mobile health (mHealth), electronic health (eHealth), mobile apps, SMS, telehealth, and wearable technologies. No restrictions were placed on comparators. Primary outcomes included BMI, BMI z -scores, BMI-for-age percentiles, and related anthropometric indicators. Screening was independently conducted by two reviewers using Rayyan software. The methodological quality of each review was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool, with findings synthesized narratively. Results: Out of 242 records screened, 27 systematic reviews were included. Ten reviews examined mHealth interventions, four explored eHealth or web-based strategies, while others focused on telehealth, wearable devices, or multicomponent approaches. A combination of mobile and SMS-based tools consistently demonstrated greater potential in supporting BMI reduction and promoting behavioral change. Conclusion: Mobile and SMS-based digital interventions show promise in managing childhood obesity. Their integration into public health strategies could enhance the effectiveness of weight management efforts among children and adolescents.

Polypharmacy is very common among older adults and is associated with poor health outcomes. This scoping review aimed to understand the underlying factors for poor medication taking by older patients and potential solutions to mitigate these risks. The ability to take medications and adherence are affected by various factors related to patients, treatments, health conditions and socio-demographics, healthcare providers and the healthcare systems. Educational and behavioural interventions are used alone or in combination for the optimisation medication use. Medication review and deprescribing, including regimen simplification, by trained practitioners has the potential to enhance patient safety and reduce healthcare costs. Engaging the patient and family may bring about additional benefits. Various technology-based interventions to promote self-efficacy are evolving and are used to support consumer self-management.

Background/Objectives: Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patient caregivers is paramount in the surgical waiting area, particularly during periods of heightened stress and emotional vulnerability. Globally, communication practices exhibit considerable variability, from traditional face-to-face interactions to integrating advanced digital technologies. Despite innovations, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of diverse communication strategies on patient caregiver satisfaction remains underdeveloped. This scoping review was designed to systematically map the existing literature on healthcare communication practices and identify strategies that may influence satisfaction among patient caregivers. Methods: A thorough search of multiple databases—Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, ProQuest, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and clinical trial registries—was conducted. Only studies published in English or those for which an English full text was accessible were included. Eligible studies were those undertaken in hospital settings, including operating theaters, surgical units, surgical waiting areas, postoperative intensive care units, emergency departments, and other clinical areas focusing on patient caregivers. The review adhered to the methodological framework recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews and was reported following the most recent PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: Ultimately, five studies met the inclusion criteria. The selection process involved a structured search utilizing Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), keywords, and index terms, supplemented by manual reference list screening. Initial screening was performed based on titles and abstracts, followed by full-text evaluation using a standardized selection form. Data extraction focused on the communication methods, study designs, and outcomes related to patient caregiver satisfaction. The findings are synthesized narratively and presented through tables and figures, offering a comprehensive overview of global communication practices and their influence on patient caregiver satisfaction in surgical environments. Across the five included studies, digital communication interventions such as SMS, mobile apps, or video updates reported improved patient caregiver satisfaction (e.g., 70.8% in Canada and 97% in Switzerland) and also reduced patient caregiver anxiety (e.g., STAI score ≥ 44) in 74.2% of Ethiopian patient caregivers. Worldwide evidence highlights the practical importance of tailored digital communication practices to support providing timely and accessible information to patient caregivers, while also revealing gaps linked to insurance status, digital literacy, and various communication approaches in healthcare systems. Conclusions: The five studies included showed considerable variation in communication practices across surgical settings. The main findings reveal that structured, timely, and transparent communication, mainly via digital tools such as SMS updates and mobile applications, enhanced patient caregiver satisfaction and alleviated their emotional distress too. Nevertheless, gaps were identified in postoperative communication, and challenges, such as technological accessibility, digital literacy skills of patient caregivers, and inconsistent methods for measuring satisfaction outcomes, were noted across studies. This scoping review identified the different types of healthcare communication practices adopted globally in surgical care settings and also demonstrated their influence on patient caregiver satisfaction. Traditional and digital communication practices both have their significant impact on patient caregiver experiences in surgical healthcare settings, focusing more on timely and consistent real-time updates and culturally sensitive information. Addressing the existing communication gaps and having tailored communication approaches to specific contexts may lead to improved patient caregiver support and surgical outcomes.