Optimizing Formulation Conditions of PLGA Microparticles to Enhance Indomethacin Encapsulation

Drug delivery systems can avoid the drawbacks of Indomethacin (IND), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat osteoarthritis and arthritis, which requires high doses to reach therapeutic plasma levels leading to significant systemic side effects. This study aims to optimize poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs) for intra-articular IND administration. MPs are prepared by solvent evaporation and freeze-dried for stability. Initial formulations with Tween 80 yield rubbery samples with low drug loading (1%); replacement of Tween 80 with Gelatin produces a stable powder with syringable MPs (particles size: 7 mu m), although, DL (3%) and EE (30%) remain suboptimal, due to IND polymorphic transformation. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy demonstrate a molecular dispersion of IND in PLGA. Adjusting the aqueous phase to pH 3 in the formulation process, i.e below IND pKa, significantly enhances EE (90%) due to the reduction of drug solubility in the external aqueous phase. In vitro release study shows prolonged IND release over several days, confirming an effective drug encapsulation. This study provides a foundational framework toward the optimization of the successful encapsulation of IND in PLGA MPs, potentially advancing future clinical applications of such drug delivery systems.This study aims to optimize PLGA microparticles for intra-articular delivery of Indomethacin (IND). The use of Gelatin as a surfactant in place of Tween 80 limited the plasticizer effect on the polymer, improving stability. Adjusting pH to 3 in the external phase enhanced encapsulation efficiency (90%), leading to prolonged IND release, demonstrating effective drug encapsulation for potential clinical use. imag

GALEX J201337.6+092801: The lowest gravity subdwarf B pulsator

We present the recent discovery of a new subdwarf B variable (sdBV), with an exceptionally low surface gravity. Our spectroscopy of J20136+0928 places it at Teff = 32100 +/- 500, log(g) = 5.15 +/- 0.10, and log(He/H) = -2.8 +/- 0.1. With a magnitude of B = 12.0, it is the second brightest V361 Hya star ever found. Photometry from three different observatories reveals a temporal spectrum with eleven clearly detected periods in the range 376 to 566 s, and at least five more close to our detection limit. These periods are unusually long for the V361 Hya class of short-period sdBV pulsators, but not unreasonable for p- and g-modes close to the radial fundamental, given its low surface gravity. Of the ~50 short period sdB pulsators known to date, only a single one has been found to have comparable spectroscopic parameters to J20136+0928. This is the enigmatic high-amplitude pulsator V338 Ser, and we conclude that J20136+0928 is the second example of this rare subclass of sdB pulsators located well above the canonical extreme horizontal branch in the HR diagram.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Pengaruh Lereng dan Pupuk Organik Terhadap Kehilangan Hara Pada Areal Tanaman Kentang (Solanum tuberosum L.) di Kecamatan Atu Lintang Kabupaten Aceh Tengah

Abstract : This study was conducted in Atu Lintang Sub-district Aceh Tengah Regency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of slope and organic fertilizer application on nutrient lossesin potatoes plant area. The measurement of nutrient losses was conducted in slope 8 – 12% and 12 – 16% and the application organic fertilizer by using compost, coffee bean skin compost and non-fertilizer. The treatments were placed in the standard erosion plots. The result of the study showed that in slope of 8 – 12%,  the nutrients losses on compost treatment were total organic C 517,67 kg ha-1, total N 39,79 kg ha-1, available P  0,0051 kg  ha-1, and exchangeable K 0,710 kg ha-1, the nutrients losses on coffee bean skin compost treatment were total organic C 621,43 kg ha-1, total N 44,40 kg ha-1, available P 0,0082 kg ha-1, and exchangeable K 1,094 kg ha-1, and the nutrients losses onnon-fertilizerwere total organic C 653,63 kg ha-1, total N 48,23 kg ha-1, available P 0,0039 kg ha-1, and exchangeable K 0,852 kg ha-1. In the 12 – 16% slope,the nutrients losses on compost treatment were total organic C 678,05 kg ha-1, total N 51,55 kg ha-1, available P 0,0174 kg ha-1, and exchangeable K  1,736 kg ha-1, the nutrients losses oncoffee bean skin compost treatment were total organic C 798,92 kg ha-1, total N 60,21 kg ha-1, available P 0,0201 kg ha-1, and exchangeable K 2,275 kg ha-1, and the nutrients losses onnon-fertilizerwere total organic C 886,95 kg ha-1, total N 67,11 kg ha-1, available P 0,0146 kg ha-1, and exchangeable K 1,857 kg ha-1. Abstrak : Penelitian ini dilakukan di Balai Benih Induk (BBI) Hortikultura Kecamatan Atu Lintang Kabupaten Aceh Tengah. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk melihat  pengaruh kelerengan dan pemberian pupuk organik terhadap kehilangan hara pada sareal tanaman kentang. Pengukuran kehilangan hara dilakukan pada kelerengan 8 - 12 % dan 12 – 16 % dan pemberian pupuk organik dengan menggunakan pupuk kompos, kompos kulit merah kopi dan tanpa pupuk dengan membuat petak baku Wischmeier. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada  kelerengan 8 – 12 % kehilangan hara pada perlakuan pupuk  kompos yaitu C organik 517,67 kg ha-1, N total 39,79 kg ha-1, P tersedia 0,0051 kg ha-1, dan K dapat dipertukarkan 0,710 kg ha-1, kehilangan hara pada perlakuan kompos kulit merah kopi yaitu C organik sebesar 621,43 kg ha-1, N total 44,40 kg ha-1, P tersedia 0,0082 kg ha-1, dan K dapat dipertukarkan 1,094 kg ha-1 dan kehilangan hara pada perlakuan tanpa pupuk adalah C organik 653,63 kg ha-1, N total 48,23 kg ha-1, P tersedia 0,0039 dan K dapat dipertukarkan 0,852 kg ha-1. Pada kelerengan 12 – 16 % kehilangan hara pada perlakuan pupuk  kompos yaitu C organik 678,05 kg ha-1, N total 51,55 kg ha-1, P tersedia 0,0174 kg ha-1, dan K dapat dipertukarkan 1,736 kg ha-1, kehilangan hara pada perlakuan kompos kulit merah kopi yaitu C organik sebesar 798,92 kg ha-1, N total 60,21 kg ha-1, P tersedia 0,0201 kg ha-1, dan K dapat dipertukarkan 2,275 kg ha-1 dan kehilangan hara pada perlakuan tanpa pupuk adalah C organik 886,95 kg ha-1, N total 67,11 kg ha-1, P tersedia 0,0146 dan K dapat dipertukarkan 1,857 kg ha-1

Pengaruh Kompos dan Dolomit Terhadap Beberapa Sifat Kimia Ultisol dan Hasil Kedelai (Glycine max l. Merril) pada Lahan Berteras

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the effect of compost and dolomite to some chemical properties of Ultisol and soybean yields on terraced land. The study used a randomized block design (RBD), which consists of two factors, namely the provision of compost and dolomite. The parameters observed were two aspects, namely: (1) soil chemical properties, and (2) soybean yields. The results of the study composting as well as the very significant effect on the increase in P-available, real effect on C-organic, N-total, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation (BS). Giving dolomite as well as significant effect on total N, CEC, BS, did not significantly affect the C-organic. Interactions giving compost and dolomite very significant effect on the increase in soil pH H2O. Giving compost very significant effect, productive branches, empty pods, pod contains, seed weight per plant, yield per hectare, and a significant effect on weight 100 grains. Giving dolomite very significant effect on the productive branches, empty pods, pod contains, yield per hectare, seed weight per plant and weight of 100 seeds. Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pengaruh kompos dan dolomit terhadap beberapa sifat kimia Ultisol dan hasil kedelai pada lahan berteras. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok (RAK), yang terdiri dari 2 faktor, yaitu pemberian kompos dan dolomit. Parameter yang diamati meliputi dua aspek yaitu : (1) sifat kimia tanah, dan (2) hasil kedelai. Hasil penelitian pemberian kompos berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap peningkatan P-tersedia, berpengaruh nyata terhadap C-organik, N-total, kapasitas tukar kation (KTK), dan kejenuhan basa (KB). Pemberian dolomit berpengaruh nyata terhadap N-total, KTK, KB, dan tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap C-organik. Interaksi pemberian kompos dan dolomit berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap peningkatan pH H2O tanah. Pemberian kompos berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap cabang produktif, polong hampa, polong berisi, berat biji per tanaman, hasil per hektar, dan  berat 100 biji. Pemberian dolomit berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap cabang produktif, polong hampa, polong berisi, hasil per hektar, berat biji per tanaman dan berat 100 biji

Blunt trauma as a suspected cause of delayed constrictive pericarditis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Constrictive pericarditis is a heterogeneous disease with many causes. Traumatic hemopericardium is an uncommon initiating cause. We report the case of a man developing constrictive pericarditis after blunt chest trauma, in order to highlight an approach to diagnosing the condition and to raise awareness of the possibility of this condition developing after blunt trauma.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 72-year-old Caucasian man presented initially to our outpatient clinic with a one-year history of progressively worsening dyspnea, and recent onset of edema of the legs. He was later taken to the emergency department and admitted to hospital. He had previously received unsuccessful treatment from his local primary physicians for suspected respiratory disorder and cellulitis of his legs. Echocardiography showed evidence of pericardial constriction, and computed tomography revealed nodular, lobulated thickening of the pericardium and pleura bilaterally. Interventional biopsies were taken, but gave inconclusive results. Thus, as pericarditis and/or advanced malignancy were suspected, diagnostic video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed to take biopsies from the abnormal lung and pericardial tissue. Examination of these supported the diagnosis of pericarditis, as acute and chronic inflammation and fibrous thickening were found, with no evidence of malignancy. Our patient underwent cardiac catheterization, which revealed three-vessel coronary artery disease. Emergency total pericardiectomy and coronary bypass were performed. Having excluded other common initiating factors, we considered that a blunt trauma that our patient had previously sustained to his chest was the potential cause of the constrictive pericarditis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This was an interesting case of blunt chest trauma followed by progressive pericardial and pleural thickening. Subsequent development of chronic constrictive pericarditis occurred, requiring treatment by surgical pericardiectomy, as the clinical course of constrictive pericarditis is usually progressive without surgical intervention. Diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis remains challenging. Although uncommon, blunt trauma should be considered as a possible initiating cause. Delayed presentation of constrictive pericarditis should also be considered as a possible morbidity in a patient who has sustained blunt chest trauma. Our case also highlights the importance of performing echocardiography promptly in patients experiencing ongoing symptoms of congestive heart failure to allow earlier diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis or other cardiac disorders, and avoid unnecessary treatments.</p

Sex steroid hormones and epilepsy: Effects of hormonal replacement therapy on seizure frequency of postmenopausal women with epilepsy—A systematic review

Background and purpose: Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is used for symptomatic treatment of menopause. Some evidence suggests a proconvulsant effect of estrogen and an anticonvulsant role of progesterone. Thus, the use of exogenous sex steroid hormones might influence the course of epilepsy in peri- and postmenopausal women with epilepsy (WWE). We conducted a systematic review on the impact of HRT on the frequency of seizures of WWE. Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched for articles published from inception until August 2022. Abstracts from the past 5 years from the European Academy of Neurology and European Epilepsy Congresses were also reviewed. Article reference lists were screened, and relevant articles were retrieved for consultation. Interventional and observational studies on WWE and animal models of estrogen deficiency were included. Critical appraisal was performed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials and ROBINS-E tool. Results: Of 497 articles screened, 13 studies were included, including three human studies. One cross-sectional study showed a decrease in seizure frequency in WWE using combined HRT, a case–control study showed an increase in comparison with controls, and a randomized clinical trial found a dose-dependent increase in seizure frequency in women with focal epilepsy taking combined HRT. Ten studies addressing the impact of HRT in rat models were also included, which showed conflicting results. Conclusions: There is scarce evidence of the impact of HRT in WWE. Further studies should evaluate the harmful potential, and prospective registries are needed for monitoring this population