Development of a novel direct compressible co-processed excipient and its application for formulation of Mirtazapine orally disintegrating tablets

Introduction Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are designed to dissolve in the oral cavity within 3 min, providing a convenient option for patients as they can be taken without water. Direct compression is the most common method used for ODTs formulations. However, the availability of single composite excipients with desirable characteristics such as good compressibility, fast disintegration, and a good mouthfeel suitable for direct compression is limited. Objective This research was proposed to develop a co-processed excipient composed of xylitol, mannitol, and microcrystalline cellulose for the formulation of ODTs. Methods A total of 11 formulations of co-processed excipients with different ratios of ingredients were prepared, which were then compressed into ODTs, and their characteristics were thoroughly examined. The primary focus was on evaluating the disintegration time and hardness of the tablets, as these factors are important in ensuring the ODTs meet the desired criteria. The model drug, Mirtazapine was then incorporated into the chosen optimized formulation. Results The results showed that the formulation comprised of 10% xylitol, 10% mannitol and 80% microcrystalline cellulose demonstrated the fastest disintegration time (1.77 ± 0.119 min) and sufficient hardness (3.521 ± 0.143 kg) compared to the other formulations. Furthermore, the drug was uniformly distributed within the tablets and fully released within 15 min. Conclusion Therefore, the developed co-processed excipients show great potential in enhancing the functionalities of ODTs, offering a promising solution to improve the overall performance and usability of ODTs in various therapeutic applications

Understanding consumers’ intentions to use QR code menus in the post-COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose This study aims to examine the factors influencing consumers’ intentions to use QR code menus in the post-COVID-19 pandemic using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and rational choice theory as the theoretical foundations. Design/methodology/approach Using a survey method, 200 data are collected from consumers who had used QR code menus in the past. Partial least squares structural equation modelling is used to analyse the data. Findings Our findings show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, habit and perceived privacy protection have a significant positive influence on intentions. However, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and perceived privacy risk do not have a significant influence on intentions. Originality/value This study further extends the work of previous studies by using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, with additional two new predictors, namely perceived privacy protection and perceived privacy risk, to understand consumers’ intentions to use QR code menus

Movement magic: how sports can help empower kids with intellectual disabilities.

Having a child with intellectual disability (ID) is, more often than not, viewed negatively. It comes with a sense of dread, hopelessness and even helplessness. The narrative that having a child with ID is pitiful and to some people, disastrous, is often the single psychological barrier that prevents the child and his or her family from living a more fulfilling life. While it is undeniable that life becomes more difficult when a child is diagnosed with ID, living under the cloud of pity doesn’t help. What is important is to understand that there are many things parents can do to facilitate their child’s development into a healthy and valuable member of the community. Such efforts should also be carried out together, in collaboration with professionals, industries and the community

Prevalence and factors associated with probable obstructive sleep apnea among patients with hypertension in two primary care clinics in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been increasingly recognized as an important factor contributing to medical morbidity and mortality. It was reported that more than half of the population with hypertension had OSA. Limited studies have been done on assessing OSA in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, and factors associated with probable OSA in hypertensive patients in primary care clinics in Sarawak. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a systematic random sampling method in hypertensive patients who attended two government primary care clinics in Sarawak. The STOP-Bang questionnaire was used to screen for OSA, and social-demographic data was captured with a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the determinants of the OSA. Results: A total of 410 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of study population patients was 56.4 years, with more than half being female. The mean blood pressure was 136/82. The prevalence of probable OSA among patients with hypertension was 54.4%. According to multiple logistic regression analyses, smoking (odds ratio [OR] 14.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.335-61.947), retirees (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.675-6.113), and being Chinese (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.262-3.863) had a significant positive association with probable OSA. Conclusions: Because of the high prevalence of probable OSA among patients with hypertension, primary care physicians should be more vigilant in identifying hypertensive patients with OSA risk. Early detection and intervention would reduce disease complications and healthcare costs

QSAR modeling approaches to identify a novel ACE2 inhibitor that selectively bind with the C and N terminals of the ectodomain

Due to the high rates of drug development failure and the massive expenses associated with drug discovery, repurposing existing drugs has become more popular. As a result, we have used QSAR modelling on a large and varied dataset of 657 compounds in an effort to discover both explicit and subtle structural features requisite for ACE2 inhibitory activity, with the goal of identifying novel hit molecules. The QSAR modelling yielded a statistically robust QSAR model with high predictivity (R2tr=0.84, R2ex=0.79), previously undisclosed features, and novel mechanistic interpretations. The developed QSAR model predicted the ACE2 inhibitory activity (PIC50) of 1615 ZINC FDA compounds. This led to the detection of a PIC50 of 8.604 M for the hit molecule (ZINC000027990463). The hit molecule's docking score is -9.67 kcal/mol (RMSD 1.4). The hit molecule revealed 25 interactions with the residue ASP40, which defines the N and C termini of the ectodomain of ACE2. The HIT molecule conducted more than thirty contacts with water molecules and exhibited polar interaction with the ARG522 residue coupled with the second chloride ion, which is 10.4 nm away from the zinc ion. Both molecular docking and QSAR produced comparable findings. Moreover, MD simulation and MMGBSA studies verified docking analysis. The MD simulation showed that the hit molecule-ACE2 receptor complex is stable for 400 ns, suggesting that repurposed hit molecule 3 is a viable ACE2 inhibitor

Atopic dermatitis-associated genetic variants regulate LOC100294145 expression implicating interleukin-27 production and type 1 interferon signaling

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex inflammatory disease with a strong genetic component. A singular approach of genome wide association studies (GWAS) can identify AD-associated genetic variants, but is unable to explain their functional relevance in AD. This study aims to characterize AD-associated genetic variants and elucidate the mechanisms leading to AD through a multi-omics approach. Methods GWAS identified an association between genetic variants at 6p21.32 locus and AD. Genotypes of 6p21.32 locus variants were evaluated against LOC100294145 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Their influence on LOC100294145 promoter activity was measured in vitro via a dual-luciferase assay. The function of LOC100294145 was then elucidated through a combination of co-expression analyses and gene enrichment with g:Profiler. Mendelian randomization was further used to assess the causal regulatory effect of LOC100294145 on its co-expressed genes. Results Minor alleles of rs116160149 and rs115388857 at 6p21.32 locus were associated with increased AD risk (p = 2.175 × 10−8, OR = 1.552; p = 2.805 × 10−9, OR = 1.55) and higher LOC100294145 expression in PBMCs (adjusted p = 0.0182; 8.267 × 10−12). LOC100294145 expression was also found to be increased in those with AD (adjusted p = 3.653 × 10−2). The genotype effect of 6p21.32 locus on LOC100294145 promoter activity was further validated in vitro. Co-expression analyses predicted LOC100294145 protein's involvement in interleukin-27 and type 1 interferon signaling, which was further substantiated through mendelian randomization. Conclusion Genetic variants at 6p21.32 locus increase AD susceptibility through raising LOC100294145 expression. A multi-omics approach enabled the deduction of its pathogenesis model comprising dysregulation of hub genes involved in type 1 interferon and interleukin 27 signaling

AI Integration In Nursing Education: Empowering Student Nurses For The Future

AI is not just transforming nursing education, it is also empowering a new generation of nurses to navigate an increasingly complex health care landscape with skill and compassion. In the dynamic landscape of health care, where technology continues to reshape traditional practices, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative force in nursing education

Operating Room Nurse Burnout: A Global Challenge With SDG Solutions

Building a support network, sharing best practices, and crafting collective solutions can pave the way for reducing burnout rates and improving health care. In the high-stakes world of health care, operating room nurses play a pivotal role in safeguarding lives. Yet, these unsung heroes are facing a silent crisis: occupational burnout

Value co-creation research in tourism and hospitality management: a systematic literature review

The sustainable growth of the tourism industry is attributed to the involvement of tourists in the process of value co-creation. This research aims to systematically review the existing literature on value co-creation practices in tourism and conduct a comprehensive analysis of this research area. The paper synthesizes past studies on value co-creation in tourism, encompassing theories, context, methods, and characteristics, to analyze the progress made in value co-creation research over the past two decades. Furthermore, this study investigates the role of value co-creation as an antecedent, mediator, and control variable, as well as its outcomes in the context of tourism management. The findings of the study propose an integrated framework for tourism value co-creation. Additionally, the study identifies key themes present in the current literature on value co-creation and highlights overlooked areas, suggesting new research directions to advance this field. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are also discussed

A review on non-economic legacies of business events

The global expansion of business events has led to an increase in organizations hosting events, attracting participants from around the world, and promoting the host countries as travel destinations. While past research has primarily focused on the economic impact of these events, this paper seeks to address the gap in understanding the non-economic legacies of business events. Through a review of related literature from 2010 to 2020, the paper examines a sample of 37 articles and identifies emerging themes related to social, cultural, and environmental legacies that extend beyond the management period of the business event. The paper contributes an initial conceptual framework that highlights the impact of non-economic legacies on social, economic, and environmental factors, and proposes future research avenues for different stakeholders