The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L., Grossulariceae), a small, perennial shrub native to central Europe and northern Asia, is cultivated throughout the world, including the United States. In addition to its anecdotal use in traditional herbal medicine, modern laboratories have demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of blackcurrant constituents on a myriad of disease states. The properties of the blackcurrants are conferred from its biochemical constituents, some of which include anthocyans (specifically delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside), flavonols, phenolic acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. A plethora of studies have been published with regards to its various therapeutic applications. This article attempts to summarize these studies, providing a general overview of the research in this field. Several studies focus on the therapeutic potential of blackcurrants with regards to hypertension and other cardiovascular-associated illnesses, neoplastic, neurodegenerative and ocular diseases, nephrolithiasis, and diabetic neuropathy. Safety concerns and future directions are also mentioned, suggesting the critical examination of the exact mechanism of action, specific radical-scavenging capabilities of the blackcurrants and the crucial need for well-designed clinical trials to ensure the successful use of blackcurrants in a clinical setting.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women in the United States and the rest of the world. About 8% of women develop breast cancer during the course of their lives. Dietary habits are closely associated with both the risk and progression of breast cancer. Dietary agents have accumulated increasing importance with regards to the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. One such manner by which these compounds can target breast cancer development and progression is through interference with the angiogenic pathways. Angiogenesis is an intricate process that involves the development of new capillaries from previously existing blood vessels. Disruption of this pathway, therefore, provides a novel and effective avenue for therapeutic intervention of breast cancer. Various phytochemicals found in the diet kill breast cancer cells in vitro and prevent as well as suppress breast cancer progression in various preclinical animal models. This review examines the value of dietary phytoconstituents in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer through modulation of the intricate and complex process of angiogenesis. In addition, the potential benefits, challenges, and future directions of research on anti-angiogenic dietary phytochemicals in the prevention and intervention of breast cancer are also addressed.

Selective crystallization of polymorphs is highly sought after in industrial practice. Yet, state-of-the-art techniques either use laboriously engineered solid surfaces or strenuously prepared heteronucleants. We propose an approach where surfactants in solution self-assemble effortlessly into mesoscopic structures dictating the polymorphic outcome of the target solute. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant is used as a tailored additive to crystallize different polymorphic forms of a model active pharmaceutical ingredient, d -mannitol. Different mesoscopic phases of SDS template particular polymorphs: packed monolayers, micelles, and crystals favored the β, α, and δ forms of d -mannitol, respectively. A synergistic effect of topological templating and molecular interactions is proposed as the rationale behind the observed selective crystallization of polymorphs. This crystal engineering technique suggests that surfactant self-assemblies can be used as tailored templates for polymorphic control.

Background: The Global Pandemic Coronavirus disease, was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan and in March 11, 2020, got declared as global pandemic by  World Health Organisation (WHO) . The morbidity and mortality of the disease have been rising with second wave of pandemic hitting worldwide. Objectives: To study the clinical profile of children under 18 years of age with COVID-19 infection and to study the IgG antibody response in covid infected children. Materials and Methods: Children under 18 years of age except neonates who had COVID-19 infection and recovered from MMC Covid hospital were included for the study. After discharge blood samples were tested for COVID-19 IgG Antibody using SARS-CoV-2 IgG Reagent Kit 6R86 by Abbott Ireland diagnostics division. Data was entered into Microsoft excel   sheet and statistical analysis done with SPSS VERSION 21. Results: Children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were taken up for the study. Median age in this study was 10 years. All affected   children got infection from their family members. Fever as the presenting symptom were found in 62% children. Ninteen children showed positive IgG antibody  and 2 out of 21 children showed negative IgG antibody level . There is significant association between IgG titre and timing of  antibody testing after infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus Conclusion: Clinical profile and spectrum of COVID-19 infection were similar in all family members. Measures to prevent transmission of infection from family members to children will decrease infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in children. Antibody following infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus will last only for few months, making children susceptible to covid infection again. Vaccination among children is necessary to prevent rapid spread of covid   infection.

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