Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterial organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pose a major threat to public health, especially in middle and low-income countries. Worldwide in 2018, approximately 10 million new cases of TB were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). There are a limited number of medications available to treat TB; additionally, multi-drug resistant TB and extensively-drug resistant TB strains are becoming more prevalent. As a result of various factors, such as increased costs of developing new medications and adverse side effects from current medications, researchers continue to evaluate natural compounds for additional treatment options. These substances have the potential to target bacterial cell structures and may contribute to successful treatment. For example, a study reported that green and black tea, which contains epigallocatechin gallate (a phenolic antioxidant), may decrease the risk of contracting TB in experimental subjects; cumin (a seed from the parsley plant) has been demonstrated to improve the bioavailability of rifampicin, an important anti-TB medication, and propolis (a natural substance produced by honeybees) has been shown to improve the binding affinity of anti-TB medications to bacterial cell structures. In this article, we review the opportunistic pathogen M. tuberculosis, various potential therapeutic targets, available therapies, and natural compounds that may have anti-TB properties. In conclusion, different natural compounds alone as well as in combination with already approved medication regimens should continue to be investigated as treatment options for TB.
Traumatic brain injuries occur in a variety of accidents, which may become the subject of personal injury claims or litigation. A competent clinical neuropsychologist can provide convincing evidence of the reality of brain injury deficits. In this article, the forensic applications of neuropsychology are discussed, and the roles played by clinicians as expert witnesses are described. Because the outcome of a particular case often depends on the quality of neuropsychological evidence presented, the relationship between neuropsychologists and neurolawyers receives special attention.
Anxiety buffer disruption theory posits that a systemic breakdown of the psychological system that manages anxiety plays an important role in the etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic life events undermine the capacity of one’s cultural worldview, self-esteem, and close relationships to manage anxiety, rendering people unable to cope with the distress produced by these events and thus leading to the hyperarousal, intrusive thoughts and emotions, negative alterations in cognitions or mood, and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli that are the defining features of PTSD. Evidence linking disrupted anxiety-buffer functioning to this disorder and implications for therapy are discussed.
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