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Post Reproductive Health Dec 2023
Topics: Humans; Estradiol; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Drug Implants
PubMed: 37997701
DOI: 10.1177/20533691231214870 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Controlled drug delivery in the oral cavity poses challenges such as bacterial contamination, saliva dilution, and inactivation by salivary enzymes upon ingestion.... (Review)
Review
Controlled drug delivery in the oral cavity poses challenges such as bacterial contamination, saliva dilution, and inactivation by salivary enzymes upon ingestion. Microneedles offer a location-specific, minimally invasive, and retentive approach. Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs) have emerged for dental diagnostics and therapeutics. HFMs penetrate the stratum corneum, undergo swelling upon contact, secure attachment, and enable sustained transdermal or transmucosal drug delivery. Commonly employed polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone are crosslinked with tartaric acid or its derivatives while incorporating therapeutic agents. Microneedle patches provide suture-free and painless drug delivery to keratinized or non-keratinized mucosa, facilitating site-specific treatment and patient compliance. This review comprehensively discusses HFMs' applications in dentistry such as local anesthesia, oral ulcer management, periodontal treatment, etc., encompassing animal experiments, clinical trials, and their fundamental impact and limitations, for example, restricted drug carrying capacity and, until now, a low number of dental clinical trial reports. The review explores the advantages and future perspectives of HFMs for oral drug delivery.
PubMed: 37445119
DOI: 10.3390/ma16134805 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews Aug 2023Unlike orthopedic implants, dental implants require the orchestration of both osseointegration at the bone-implant interface and soft-tissue integration at the... (Review)
Review
Unlike orthopedic implants, dental implants require the orchestration of both osseointegration at the bone-implant interface and soft-tissue integration at the transmucosal region in a complex oral micro-environment with ubiquitous pathogenic bacteria. This represents a very challenging environment for early acceptance and long-term survival of dental implants, especially in compromised patient conditions, including aged, smoking and diabetic patients. Enabling advanced local therapy from the surface of titanium-based dental implants via novel nano-engineering strategies is emerging. This includes anodized nano-engineered implants eluting growth factors, antibiotics, therapeutic nanoparticles and biopolymers to achieve maximum localized therapeutic action. An important criterion is balancing bioactivity enhancement and therapy (like bactericidal efficacy) without causing cytotoxicity. Critical research gaps still need to be addressed to enable the clinical translation of these therapeutic dental implants. This review informs the latest developments, challenges and future directions in this domain to enable the successful fabrication of clinically-translatable therapeutic dental implants that would allow for long-term success, even in compromised patient conditions.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Dental Implants; Nanotechnology; Osseointegration; Bacteria; Dental Implantation; Titanium; Surface Properties
PubMed: 37263543
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114900 -
Transgender Health Dec 2023We assessed the efficacy and short-term adverse effects of testosterone pellet use in transgender men to broaden therapeutic options.
PURPOSE
We assessed the efficacy and short-term adverse effects of testosterone pellet use in transgender men to broaden therapeutic options.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of 30 transgender men who started testosterone pellets between 2018 and 2020.
RESULTS
Testosterone pellets were started at dosages 675-825 mg per cycle and dose was adjusted according to testosterone levels obtained 1 to 6 months post-testosterone pellet insertion. Pharmacokinetics of testosterone pellet in transgender men was similar to those in cisgender men. Total testosterone levels reached a peak in 1 month and remained in the therapeutic range for ∼4 months in the range of 300-800 ng/dL. After switching over to testosterone pellets, 100% of patients continued to achieve amenorrhea and deepening of their voice. Most of the patients noticed increased hair growth in androgen-dependent regions (96.3%) and improved libido (70%). Adverse events were notable for a rate of polycythemia that was unexpectedly high at 46.67%. Pellet extrusion was found in 13.33% of patients. There was a low rate of pellet site hematoma (6.67%) and cellulitis (3.33%). No thromboembolic or cardiovascular events occurred in any of the patients.
CONCLUSION
This study reveals that testosterone pellets are a reasonable alternative to other testosterone modalities in transgender men but would use caution in patients with a history of polycythemia or higher risk for thromboembolic events.
PubMed: 38130978
DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2021.0205 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023The increased application of drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in their increased concentration in wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment plants do...
The increased application of drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in their increased concentration in wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment plants do not remove such pollutants effectively. Adsorption is a cheap, effective, and environmentally friendly method that can accomplish this. On the other hand, maintaining organic waste is required. Thus, in this study, plant waste-derived pelletized biochar obtained from different feedstock and pyrolyzed at 600 °C was applied for the adsorption of nitazoxanide, an antiparasitic drug used for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. The adsorption was fast and enables one to remove the drug in one hour. The highest adsorption capacity was noted for biochar obtained from biogas production (14 mg/g). The process of NTZ adsorption was governed by chemisorption (k = 0.2371 g/mg min). The presence of inorganic ions had a detrimental effect on adsorption (Cl, NO in 20-30%) and carbonates were the most effective in hindering the process (60%). The environmentally relevant concentration of DOM (10 mg/L) did not affect the process. The model studies were supported by the results with a real wastewater effluent (15% reduction). Depending on the applied feedstock, various models described nitazoxanide adsorption onto tested biochars. In summary, the application of carbonaceous adsorbents in the pelletized form is effective in nitazoxanide adsorption.
Topics: Humans; Wastewater; Adsorption; Pandemics; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Charcoal; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Kinetics
PubMed: 37570889
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155919 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Jan 2024Mini pigs are engaging, intelligent animals that require different management than other pet species. Published nutrient requirements for production pigs are a good... (Review)
Review
Mini pigs are engaging, intelligent animals that require different management than other pet species. Published nutrient requirements for production pigs are a good reference, but they must be critically evaluated in the context of pet mini pigs' needs to prioritize longevity and healthy weight. A balanced diet includes a pelleted feed, vegetables, and roughage, with minimal fruit or other treats. Mini pigs easily gain weight, and a balanced, high-fiber diet helps maintain healthy body condition to reduce the risk of metabolic and joint diseases.
Topics: Swine; Animals; Swine, Miniature; Diet; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animal Feed
PubMed: 37625943
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2023.07.005 -
The European Journal of Neuroscience Aug 2023We studied the role of rat whisker/snout tactile sense during oral grasping, comparing control data with those obtained, respectively, 1-3 and 5-7 days after bilateral...
We studied the role of rat whisker/snout tactile sense during oral grasping, comparing control data with those obtained, respectively, 1-3 and 5-7 days after bilateral long or short whisker trimming and 3-5 and 8-10 days after bilateral infraorbital nerve (ION) severing. Two behavioural phases were identified: whisker-snout contact by nose-N or lip-L and snout-tongue contact. The second phase involved either: snout passing over stationary pellet (Still pellet); pellet rolling as the snout passed over it (Rolling pellet); pellet being pushed forward by the snout (Pushed pellet); or pellet being hit and pushed away (Hit/Lost pellet). In controls, success was 100%, with N-contact prevailing over L-contact in the first phase and Still pellet in the second. In long whisker-trimmed versus controls, success was still 100%, but L-contact increased in frequency, Pushed pellet prevailed and the second phase duration increased. In short whisker-trimmed versus controls, success remained 100%, with increased L-contact frequency; the first phase duration did not change, but the second phase increased since in pushed trials, the pellet rolled around the snout. In ION-severed versus controls, both phases changed drastically: L-contact frequency increased, Pushed pellet prevailed and contact was persistently maintained; Hit/Lost pellet emerged, Still and Rolling pellets disappeared and the oral-grasping sequence was not triggered. These results suggest that long and short whiskers, respectively, optimize the first and second phases of snout-pellet interaction and that whisker/snout sense is necessary to trigger oral grasping. Kinematic trajectory analysis supports the conclusion that movement from whisker to snout contact is an orientation response.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Vibrissae; Movement; Touch; Touch Perception; Physical Stimulation; Somatosensory Cortex
PubMed: 37434443
DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16086 -
IEEE Pulse 2023In 2023, Brain implants got a big boost. Neuralink, Elon Musk's startup, began recruiting for its first clinical trial for paralysis patients; Precision Neuroscience...
In 2023, Brain implants got a big boost. Neuralink, Elon Musk's startup, began recruiting for its first clinical trial for paralysis patients; Precision Neuroscience received breakthrough designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing it to fast-track its own trials. Meanwhile, scientific advances are revealing promising new applications for such devices, including more comprehensive restoration of speech, sight, hearing, and movement to people who have lost those abilities, as well as help for psychiatric conditions, such as eating disorders and depression.
Topics: Humans; Brain; Prostheses and Implants; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; Device Approval; Clinical Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38386566
DOI: 10.1109/MPULS.2024.3353668 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... Jun 2024In recent years, tremendous effort is devoted to developing platforms, such as implantable drug delivery systems (IDDSs), with temporally and spatially controlled drug... (Review)
Review
In recent years, tremendous effort is devoted to developing platforms, such as implantable drug delivery systems (IDDSs), with temporally and spatially controlled drug release capabilities and improved adherence. IDDSs have multiple advantages: i) the timing and location of drug delivery can be controlled by patients using specific stimuli (light, sound, electricity, magnetism, etc.). Some intelligent "closed-loop" IDDS can even realize self-management without human participation. ii) IDDSs enable continuous and stable delivery of drugs over a long period (months to years) and iii) to administer drugs directly to the lesion, thereby helping reduce dosage and side effects. iv) IDDSs enable personalized drug delivery according to patient needs. The high demand for such systems has prompted scientists to make efforts to develop intelligent IDDS. In this review, several common stimulus-responsive mechanisms including endogenous (e.g., pH, reactive oxygen species, proteins, etc.) and exogenous stimuli (e.g., light, sound, electricity, magnetism, etc.), are given in detail. Besides, several types of IDDS reported in recent years are reviewed, including various stimulus-responsive systems based on the above mechanisms, radio frequency-controlled IDDS, "closed-loop" IDDS, self-powered IDDS, etc. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of various IDDS, bottleneck problems, and possible solutions are analyzed to provide directions for subsequent research.
Topics: Humans; Drug Delivery Systems; Animals; Drug Implants; Drug Liberation
PubMed: 38376369
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312530 -
ACS Applied Energy Materials Sep 2023Cryoadsorption on the inner surface of porous materials is a promising solution for safe, fast, and reversible hydrogen storage. Within the class of highly porous... (Review)
Review
Cryoadsorption on the inner surface of porous materials is a promising solution for safe, fast, and reversible hydrogen storage. Within the class of highly porous metal-organic frameworks, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) show high thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability. In this study, we selected ZIF-8 synthesized mechanochemically by twin-screw extrusion as powder and pellets. The hydrogen storage capacity at 77 K and up to 100 bar has been analyzed in two laboratories applying three different measurement setups showing a high reproducibility. Pelletizing ZIF-8 increases the packing density close to the corresponding value for a single crystal without loss of porosity, resulting in an improved volumetric hydrogen storage capacity close to the upper limit for a single crystal. The high volumetric uptake combined with a low and constant heat of adsorption provides ca. 31 g of usable hydrogen per liter of pellet assuming a temperature-pressure swing adsorption process between 77 K - 100 bar and 117 K - 5 bar. Cycling experiments do not indicate any degradation in storage capacity. The excellent stability during preparation, handling, and operation of ZIF-8 pellets demonstrates its potential as a robust adsorbent material for technical application in pilot- and full-scale adsorption vessel prototypes.
PubMed: 37771502
DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.2c03719