Studie zdůrazněných teplotně závislých elektrických vlastností vyrobených nanokompozitních filmů ZnO/PVA/PANI

Polyvinyl alcohol-Polyaniline composite films with different amounts of zinc oxide (ZnO) (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 1%)were prepared by in situ polymerization followed by film casting and drying. The samples, ZnO and PPZ films, were characterized by various techniques. The presence of ZnO in PPZ films was confirmed by the X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD). The surface morphology of the ZnO and PPZ films were examined by the Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy(FESEM). The formation of absorption bonds corresponding to the PPZ films were illustrated by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIR)analysis. The films were found to be stable up to 150 ◦C, which was confirmed from the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo-Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) technique. The absorption peaks of PPZ, around visible and UV region, was studied by the UV–Vis spectra. The electrical conductivity plots obtained from the impedance analyzer, between frequency ranges of 10 Hz to 100 kHz, show that the increase in concentration and temperature of the samples resulted in the higher conductivity of the PPZ films. For 1% ZnO concentration at 150 ◦C, the AC conductivity of PPZ1 was found to be 20.06 S/m. Such conductivity behavior samples render the applicability of the PPZ films.Polyvinylalkohol-polyanilinové kompozitní filmy s různým množstvím oxidu zinečnatého (ZnO) (0,2 %, 0,4 %, 0,6 % a 1 %) byly připraveny in situ polymerací následovanou odléváním filmu a sušením. Vzorky, ZnO a PPZ filmy, byly charakterizovány různými technikami. Přítomnost ZnO v PPZ filmech byla potvrzena rentgenovým difraktometrem (XRD). Morfologie povrchu ZnO a PPZ filmů byla zkoumána pomocí Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Tvorba absorpčních vazeb odpovídajících PPZ filmům byla ilustrována analýzou Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIR). Bylo zjištěno, že filmy jsou stabilní až do 150 ◦C, což bylo potvrzeno technikou diferenciální skenovací kalorimetrie (DSC) a termogravimetrického analyzátoru (TGA). Absorpční píky PPZ kolem viditelné a UV oblasti byly studovány pomocí UV-Vis spekter. Grafy elektrické vodivosti získané z analyzátoru impedance mezi frekvenčními rozsahy 10 Hz až 100 kHz ukazují, že zvýšení koncentrace a teploty vzorků mělo za následek vyšší vodivost PPZ filmů. Pro 1% koncentraci ZnO při 150 ◦C byla zjištěna střídavá vodivost PPZ1 20,06 S/m. Takové vzorky vodivosti poskytují použitelnost PPZ filmů

Development and validation of a neonatal physical maturity score for low- and middle- income countries.

Currently available gestational age scoring systems are complex and inaccurate for wider use in low and middle-income countries(LMIC), particularly in infants with neonatal encephalopathy. Here we developed a scoring system based on physical characteristics for identifying late preterm infants from term infants. In the first phase, we examined the accuracy of 10 objective physical characteristics in a prospective cohort of 1006 babies recruited from three hospitals in South India. A weighted scoring system and a photo card were then developed based on the six best performing characteristics, which was validated in another prospective cohort of 1004 babies. The final score had a sensitivity of 66.0%, (95% Confidence intervals (CI), 58.4%-73.8%), specificity of 80.0%, (95% CI, 77.2%-82.7%) and a negative predictive value of 93.0%, (95%CI, 90.5%-94.5%). This scoring system may have wider applications in low and middle-income countries, particularly in community settings and in infants with neonatal encephalopathy

Development of Nanocrystal Compressed Minitablets for Chronotherapeutic Drug Delivery

The present work aimed to develop a chronotherapeutic system of valsartan (VS) using nanocrystal formulation to improve dissolution. VS nanocrystals (VS-NC) were fabricated using modified anti-solvent precipitation by employing a Box–Behnken design to optimize various process variables. Based on the desirability approach, a formulation containing 2.5% poloxamer, a freezing temperature of −25 °C, and 24 h of freeze-drying time can fulfill the optimized formulation’s requirements to result in a particle size of 219.68 nm, 0.201 polydispersity index, and zeta potential of −38.26 mV. Optimized VS-NC formulation was compressed (VNM) and coated subsequently with ethyl cellulose and HPMC E 5. At the same time, fast dissolving tablets of VS were designed, and the best formulation was loaded with VNM into a capsule size 1 (average fill weight—400–500 mg, lock length—19.30 mm, external diameter: Cap—6.91 mm; Body—6.63 mm). The final tab in cap (tablet-in-capsule) system was studied for in vitro dissolution profile to confirm the chronotherapeutic release of VS. As required, a bi-pulse release of VS was identified with a lag time of 5 h. The accelerated stability studies confirmed no significant changes in the dissolution profiles of the tab in cap system (f2 similarity profile: >90). To conclude, the tab in cap system was successfully developed to induce a dual pulsatile release, which will ensure bedtime dosing with release after a lag-time to match with early morning circadian spikes

Development of Novel Unfolding Film System of Itopride Hydrochloride Using Box-Behnken Design—A Gastro Retentive Approach

Currently, gastro-retentive dosage forms achieved a remarkable position among the oral drug delivery systems. This is a broadly used technique to hold the drug delivery systems for a long duration in the gastro intestine (GI) region, slow drug delivery, and overcome other challenges related to typical oral delivery such as low bioavailability. The current work aimed to formulate and characterize a new expandable gastro-retentive system through Itopride Hydrochloride (IH)’s unfolding process for controlled release. The IH-loaded unfolding film formulation was optimized using the Box-Behnken design for folding endurance and length of tested layer (LTL). Initially, the formulation was made using several anti-adhesive additives to promote the unfolding mechanism. Citric acid and sodium bicarbonate were selected as anti-adhesives based on these results. The enfolded film in a capsule shell was shown to unroll in the stomach fluids and render drug delivery up to 12 h in acidic conditions. A fabricated system should have dimensions more than the size of the relaxed pyloric sphincter, and as required, >20 mm LTL was identified. This further confirms that the residence period in the stomach is irrelevant to the fed or fasted condition. Based on desirability criteria, the formulation containing 143.83, 0.7982, and 14.6096 Eudragit L100, PEG, and sodium bicarbonate are selected as optimized formulations (O-IH-UF). The optimized formulation was further analyzed for various parameters such as tensile strength, mechanical strength, unfolding nature, degradability, and in vitro release studies. The pharmacokinetic study revealed greater AUC (area under the curve) and long half-life with the designed O-IH-UF formulation, confirming that the unfolding film type can be a favorable drug system for enhancing the bioavailability of low soluble drugs. The results showed that unfolding types of gastro retentive systems could potentiate the drugs with stability issues in an alkaline medium or those with absorption in acidic conditions

The Race to Replace PDE5i: Recent Advances and Interventions to Treat or Manage Erectile Dysfunction: Evidence from Patent Landscape (2016–2021)

For a few decades, globally, erectile dysfunction (ED) has become more prominent even in young adults and represents a mounting health concern causing a significant effect on men’s quality of life. There is an expectation that by the end of 2025, the number of ED cases can rise to 322 million. We aimed to comprehensively analyze the scientific output of scholarly articles and studies in the field of ED (2016–2021). Data from scholarly articles were collected using Pubmed, and clinical trials-related information was accessed from the clinical trials website. An extensive patent search was conducted using databases such as USPTO (United States patent and trademark office) and EPO (European patent office), WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), etc. Owing to the high market value of ED drugs, considerable interest was attained to grab the opportunities. The race to replace the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5 inhibitor-PDE5i) can be identified as evident from the significant number of patents filed and the inventions cleared with clinical trials. Some other intriguing interventions are identified for ED treatment but have yet to gain public acceptance. The current analysis confirms the overall evolution and unexplored corners of research on ED treatment strategies with a current global projection