Kitozan male molekulske mase kao nosač hidrodinamički uravnoteženog sustava za usporenu isporuku ciprofloksacin hidroklorida

Chitosan has become a focus of major interest in recent years due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. Although this material has already been extensively investigated in the design of different types of drug delivery systems, it is still little explored for stomach specific drug delivery systems. The objective of the present investigation was to explore the potential of low molecular mass chitosan (LMCH) as carrier for a hydrodynamically balanced system (HBS) for sustained delivery of water soluble drug ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CP). Various formulations were prepared by physical blending of drug and polymer(s) in varying ratios followed by encapsulation into hard gelatin capsules. All the formulations remained buoyant in 0.1mol L1 HCl (pH 1.2) throughout the experiment. Effect of addition of xanthan gum (XG) or ethyl cellulose (EC) on drug release was also investigated. Zero order drug release was obtained from the formulations containing LMCH alone or in combination with XG, and in one instance also with EC. Our results suggest that LMCH alone or in combination with XG is an excellent material for stomach specific sustained delivery of CP from hydrodynamically balanced single unit capsules.Zbog svoje biokompatibilnosti, biorazgradljivosti i netoksičnosti kitozan je vrlo interesantan istraživačima u području farmaceutske tehnologije. Najviše se upotrebljavao u dizajniranju različitih sustava za isporuku lijekova ali vrlo malo za sustave za specifičnu isporuku u želucu. Cilj ovog rada bio je ispitati mogućnost upotrebe kitozana male molekulske mase (LMCH) kao nosača u hidrodinamički balansiranom sustavu (HBS) za usporenu isporuku vodotopljivog lijeka ciprofloksacin hidroklorida (CP). Pripravljene su različite formulacije stvaranjem fizičke smjese lijeka i polimera u različitim omjerima, koje su potom kapsulirane u želatinske kapsule. Svi su pripravci za vrijeme cijelog eksperimenta ostali plutati u 0,01mol L1 HCl (pH 1,2). Ispitivan je i učinak ksantan gume (XG) ili etilceluloze (EC) na oslobađanje lijeka. Oslobađanje lijeka nultog reda postignuto je iz formulacija koje sadrže samo LMCH ili LMCH u kombinaciji sa XG i u jednom slučaju s EC. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da je LMCH, sam ili u kombinaciji sa XG, izvrstan materijal za sustave za specifičnu isporuku CP iz hidrodinamički balansiranih kapsula

Composite Solutions for Construction Sector

FRP composite materials have been successfully used for several decades in the aerospace industry, while their use in Civil Engineering is relatively recent and generally in the form of sheets and strips employed to strengthen existing reinforced concrete structures. Since the construction of the first all‐FRP‐composite bridge in 1982, in Miyun, China, FRP composites have been gradually gaining acceptance as a new construction material for bridges and footbridges with some notable applications in Spain. Their use offers a number of advantages with respect to traditional materials:Since FRP composite members are lighter than those built using concrete and steel, they need less powerful equipment for their transport and installation;Their lightweight fosters prefabrication, speeding up construction processes, thus helping in the reduction of the impact of worksites on their surrounding areas;FRP composites can curb maintenance cost of infrastructures since they do not suffer from galvanic corrosion

Factors affecting outcome in posterior fossa EDH: An analytical study at tertiary referral hospital

Introduction. Posterior fossa extradural hematomas (PFEDHs) are uncommon as compared to supratentorial EDH and these patients can deteriorate very rapidly due to compression over brainstem. Thus early identification and intervention can save the lives of these patients. Methods. We prospectively studied 114 patients of posterior fossa injury for mode of injury, neurological status during admission, radiological findings, management, and outcomes of patients suffered posterior fossa extradural hematoma. All statistical analyses were determined using the SPSS 22.0.0.0 version. Statistical analysis was conducted utilizing Chi-square test. Results. Out of 114 posterior fossa trauma patients 28 patients (24.56%) having posterior fossa EDH. GCS on admission (p value=0.002), volume of posterior fossa EDH (p value= 0.000) were significant factors for the outcome of posterior fossa EDHs. On comparing the data patients who survived and those who did not survive, the GCS on admission (p value=0.004) and brain stem compression (p value=0.000) were two factors found to affect the mortality significantly. Conclusion. Early detection with high degree of suspicion and immediate evacuation of PFEDHs should be done if causing fourth ventricle, basal cistern or brain stem compression

The Capacity of Multi-Hop Wireless Networks with TCP Regulated Traffic

We study the capacity of multi-hop wireless networks with TCP regulated traffic. We study the dependence of the capacity on the transmission range of nodes in the network. Specifically, we examine the sensitivity of the capacity to the speed of the nodes and the number of TCP connections in an ad hoc network. By incorporating the notion of a minimal acceptable QoS metric (loss) for an individual session, we argue that the QoS-aware capacity is a more accurate model of the TCP-centric capacity of an ad-hoc network. We study the dependence of capacity on the source application (Telnet or FTP) and on the choice of the ad-hoc routing protocol (AODV, DSR or DSDV). We conclude that persistent and non-persistent traffic behave quite differently in an ad-hoc network

Psychiatric comorbidities among people with epilepsy: A population-based assessment in disadvantaged communities

Psychiatric disorders are frequent among people with epilepsy but often under-recognized. The diagnosis and treatment of these disorders in low- and low-middle-income countries (LMICs) are challenging. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included people recruited during a community epilepsy screening program involving 59,509 individuals from poor communities in Ludhiana in Northwest India. Adults (age ≥18 years) with confirmed epilepsy on antiseizure medications were screened for depression and anxiety using the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) twice over two years of follow-up. They were later interviewed for symptoms using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, which was then confirmed by assessments by an experienced psychiatrist. RESULTS: Of the 240 people with confirmed epilepsy, 167 (70%) were adults, of whom, 116 (70%) eventually participated in the study. The NDDI-E with a cut-off of 15 identified depression in 14 (12%) of 116 people after one year of follow-up and 17 (15%) at two years. The GAD-7 using a cut-off of 6 identified 22 (19%) at one year and 32 (28%) with anxiety at two years. The area under the curves for NDDI-E was estimated as 0.62 (95%CI, 0.51-0.73; SE: 0.06; p = 0.04) and for GAD-7 as 0.62 (95%CI, 0.46-0.78; SE: 0.08; p = 0.12). Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale identified 63 (54%) people with psychiatric symptoms, for whom, a psychiatric diagnosis was confirmed in 60 (52%). A psychiatric diagnosis was associated with education below high school [Odds Ratio (OR): 2.59, 95%CI, 1.12-5.1; p = 0.03], later age of seizure onset (OR, 1.05, 95%CI: 1.0-1.10; p = 0.04), seizure frequency of at least one/year at enrolment (OR, 2.36, 95%CI: 1.0-5.58; p = 0.05) and the use of clobazam (OR, 5.09, 95%CI, 1.40-18.42; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety are common in people with epilepsy. Our findings underscore the low yields of screening instruments, NDDI-E and GAD-7, and comparatively better professionally-administered diagnostic assessments in resource-limited settings in LMICs. Moreover, previously established cut-offs do not apply to the community studied

Healthcare Seeking Behaviour of Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients During Second Wave in Tertiary Care Hospital of Northern India

Background: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues its deadly reign all over the world. Devising effective strategies for detecting and controlling the infection has become ever more critical. Effective prevention and control of the pandemic is entirely dependent on human behavior in terms of practicing preventive and curative measures. During the second wave of COVID-19, people’s perceptions of preventive and curative measures changed. Objective: To study healthcare-seeking behavior of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: Hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 in the month of March, April and May of 2021 were included in the study. Their attendants/close relatives were contacted telephonically to know about the admitted patients’ healthcare-seeking behavior. Verbal consent was taken from attendants before the commencement of the interview, followed by informing them about the purpose of the interview. Results: Amongst the subjects, there were more males than females (67.5 vs 32.4%), age ranged between 18 to 88 with a mean value of 56.61 ± 14.7 years. Self-medication was significantly associated with study subjects’ mortality (p=0.03). Conclusion: Elderly people were having higher mortality rate than their younger counterparts. People were hesitant to visit primary care physicians after having symptoms of COVID-19

Quinolinic Acid and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 in Depression: Role in Neuroprogression

Depression is an incapacitating neuropsychiatric disorder. The serotonergic system in the brain plays an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. However, due to delayed and/or poor performance of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating depressive symptoms, the role of the serotonergic system in depression has been recently questioned further. Evidence from recent studies suggests that increased inflammation and oxidative stress may play significant roles in the pathophysiology of depression. The consequences of these factors can lead to the neuroprogression of depression, involving neurodegeneration, astrocytic apoptosis, reduced neurogenesis, reduced plasticity (neuronal and synaptic), and enhanced immunoreactivity. Specifically, increased proinflammatory cytokine levels have been shown to activate the kynurenine pathway, which causes increased production of quinolinic acid (QA, an N-Methyl-D-aspartate agonist) and decreases the synthesis of serotonin. QA exerts many deleterious effects on the brain via mechanisms including N-methyl-D-aspartate excitotoxicity, increased oxidative stress, astrocyte degeneration, and neuronal apoptosis. QA may also act directly as a pro-oxidant. Additionally, the nuclear translocation of antioxidant defense factors, such as nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), is downregulated in depression. Hence, in the present review, we discuss the role of QA in increasing oxidative stress in depression by modulating the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 and thus affecting the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes

Innovative Circular Economy Models for the European Pulp and Paper Industry: A Reference Framework for a Resource Recovery Scenario

According to recent literature in the field of sustainability, the circular economy (CE) appears to be a thriving opportunity for creating new businesses, although less attention has been paid to the form in which its principles fit into a comprehensive framework that enables companies to design it in a practical way. This paper presents the methodology that has been adopted to pave the way to a coherent reference framework for circular business model innovation and its outstanding design and implementation, taking into consideration the entire value and supply chain. A unique analysis of recent innovations in circular economy models is provided herein, together with an exhaustive analysis of those elements that enable or hinder their implementation. The main interactions among all those critical elements influencing how organisations innovate and operate cooperatively within a CE ecosystem are also evaluated. In addition, a study of five industrial cases in the pulp and paper industry allowed searching for industrial insights and empirical evidence of the relevance of those elements, including observation, document analysis, and interviews. Lastly, the main outcomes of this research are illustrated using the CE reference framework designed when applied to the aforementioned industrial cases, and relevant insights into future improvements are also provided.This research was funded by European Union, grant number 730305, a collaborative research project entitled “New market niches for the pulp and paper industry waste based on circular economy approaches (paperChain)” from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme

Preparation and characterization of gellan-chitosan polyelectrolyte complex beads

The purpose of the present investigation was to prepare gellan-chitosan polyelectrolyte complex beads in one step and to explore the potential of the prepared beads in the oral delivery of metronidazole (log P = 0.0) and metronidazole benzoate (log P = 2.19). Beads were prepared by extruding aqueous solution of gellan gum (with or without drugs) into chitosan solution in acetic acid pH adjusted to 3.5. Prepared beads exhibited poor encapsulation and burst release for metronidazole, while very high encapsulation and extended release was observed for metronidazole benzoate in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2). Incorporation of type A & B gelatin significantly improved the metronidazole encapsulation in the beads but the release pattern remained the same. Overall, gellan-chitosan beads showed poor retardant capacity of drug release for metronidazole whereas good retardant capacity was observed for metronidazole benzoate.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire