scholarly journals Engaging in a Conversation with Synthetic Agents along the Virtuality Continuum

Author(s):  
Elisabeth Andre
Keyword(s):  
2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanoo Suroowan ◽  
Fawzi Mahomoodally

Background: Common auto-inflammatory disorders (CAIDs) constitute a wide array of ailments ranging from acute allergies to chronic conditions. Globally, CAIDs remain one of the leading causes of disability and morbidity. Despite playing a leading therapeutic role, the vast profusion of anti-inflammatory synthetic agents have not been able to fully resolve a panoply of CAIDs. Additionally, contemporary synthetic therapy approaches remain bounded by a wide array of limitations essentially being adverse effects and unaffordable costs. In this advent, the use of herbal products provides an interesting avenue to explore in view of developing such treatment regimens. Objective: This review article endeavors to highlight potential herbal products and isolated phytochemicals which can be of benefit in the prophylaxis, management, and treatment alongside avoiding the relapse of CAIDs. Conclusion: This review article has highlighted that herbals, herbal products, and isolated metabolites hold a huge potential in the prophylaxis, management, and treatment of CAIDs. Herbals can act on various targets involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. In addition, novel approaches for the management of CAIDs are numerous. Indeed, nanoparticles loaded with phytochemicals have been developed to specifically target the colon for IBD treatment. In silico approaches using herbals also offer unlimited avenues to decipher new pharmacophores. Investigating the potential of polyherbal formulations is another unique approach which can be investigated. Given the inefficacy of conventional medicines, the concomitant use of conventional and herbal medicines can also be explored.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 716
Author(s):  
Simona Delle Delle Monache ◽  
Fanny Pulcini ◽  
Roberta Frosini ◽  
Vincenzo Mattei ◽  
Vincenzo Nicola Talesa ◽  
...  

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a potent precursor of glycative stress (abnormal accumulation of advanced glycation end products, AGEs), a relevant condition underpinning the etiology of several diseases, including those of the oral cave. At present, synthetic agents able to trap MG are known; however, they have never been approved for clinical use because of their severe side effects. Hence, the search of bioactive natural scavengers remains a sector of strong research interest. Here, we investigated whether and how oleuropein (OP), the major bioactive component of olive leaf, was able to prevent MG-dependent glycative stress in human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). The cells were exposed to OP at 50 µM for 24 h prior to the administration of MG at 300 µM for additional 24 h. We found that OP prevented MG-induced glycative stress and DPSCs impairment by restoring the activity of Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), the major detoxifying enzyme of MG, in a mechanism involving the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2. Our results suggest that OP holds great promise for the development of preventive strategies for MG-derived AGEs-associated oral diseases and open new paths in research concerning additional studies on the protective potential of this secoiridoid.


2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 15-27
Author(s):  
Magnus Söderlund

Purpose This study aims to examine humans’ reactions to service robots’ display of warmth in robot-to-robot interactions – a setting in which humans’ impressions of a service robot will not only be based on what this robot does in relation to humans, but also on what it does to other robots. Design/methodology/approach Service robot display of warmth was manipulated in an experimental setting in such a way that a service robot A expressed low versus high levels of warmth in relation to another service robot B. Findings The results indicate that a high level of warmth expressed by robot A vis-à-vis robot B boosted humans’ overall evaluations of A, and that this influence was mediated by the perceived humanness and the perceived happiness of A. Originality/value Numerous studies have examined humans’ reactions when they interact with a service robot or other synthetic agents that provide service. Future service encounters, however, will comprise also multi-robot systems, which means that there will be many opportunities for humans to be exposed to robot-to-robot interactions. Yet, this setting has hitherto rarely been examined in the service literature.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chairi Kiourt ◽  
Dimitris Kalles ◽  
George Pavlidis
Keyword(s):  

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-France Demierre ◽  
Larry Nathanson

The incidence and mortality of melanoma has continued to increase steeply—faster than most other preventable cancers in the United States. Current sun protection strategies have yet to reduce this increased incidence and mortality. Chemoprevention, defined as the use of natural or synthetic agents to delay, reverse, suppress, or prevent premalignant molecular or histologic lesions from progressing to invasive cancer, has become an important area in cancer research. Melanoma, with its associated risk factors and its known precursors or premalignant lesions, should lend itself well to chemoprevention. Prerequisites for this research should include determination of the molecular mechanisms of ultraviolet (UV) melanomagenesis; use of animal models to test candidate prevention agents; use of molecular and histologic markers as surrogate end point markers; collection of epidemiological, basic science, or in vitro data on potential chemoprevention candidate drugs; and selection of a high-risk patient population in which to carry out clinical chemoprevention trials. Preliminary data available in all these areas are reviewed. Possible mechanisms and molecular targets for the chemoprevention of UV-induced melanoma are discussed. This recent information should stimulate research in the chemoprevention of melanoma.


Author(s):  
Nazia Hoque ◽  
Choudhury Mahmood Hasan ◽  
Md. Sohel Rana ◽  
Amrit Varsha ◽  
Md. Hossain Sohrab ◽  
...  

As a part of our ongoing research on endophytic fungi, we have isolated a sesterterpene mycotoxin, fusaproliferin (FUS), from Fusarium solani strain associated with the plant Aglaonema hookerianum Schott. FUS showed rapid and sub-micromolar IC50 against pancreatic cancer cell lines. Time dependent survival analysis and microscopy imaging showed rapid morphological changes in cancer cell lines 4 hours after incubation with FUS. This provides a new chemical scaffold that can be further developed to obtain more potent synthetic agents against pancreatic cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-37
Author(s):  
Paribha Vashist ◽  
Santanu Basak ◽  
Wazed Ali

Bark extracts are important sources of natural dyes. They possess many functional properties of potential interest to the textile industry. Currently, textiles with eco-friendly functional finishing are increasingly sought for in medical and protective clothing due to stringent environmental laws and the associated toxicity of synthetic agents. In view of this, recent studies on bark extracts for multi-functional finishing of textiles, particularly for antimicrobial and UV protective finishing, is reviewed. Bark extracts from various trees are able to effectively impart antimicrobial resistance and UV protection properties to treated fabrics; however, their long-term sustenance and strength depend on a multitude of factors. However, the application of bark extracts on several types of textile fabrics have no significant impact on textile quality.


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