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Veterinary Medicine and Science Jan 2021Basal diets supplemented with 4 kg Ca-LS/ton of diet. Pellet quality characteristics (per cent fines, the present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of wheat...
Basal diets supplemented with 4 kg Ca-LS/ton of diet. Pellet quality characteristics (per cent fines, the present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of wheat middlings (WM) and calcium lignosulfonate (Ca-LS) as pellet binders on the pellet quality characteristics, growth performance, blood parameters, nutrients digestibilities, lipid peroxidation and muscle fatty acids profile in Egyptian broiler strain. A total of 3,120 broiler chicks at 1-day of age were divided randomly into three experimental treatments with eight replicates (130 each). The first treatment was fed the basal pelleted diets without any additives, the second treatment was fed diets including 50 kg WM/ton of diet and the third treatment was fed per cent pellets, and pellet durability index) were significantly improved in WM and Ca-LS treatments compared with the control. Body weight gain was significantly increased, while feed intake was significantly decreased resulting in improving of feed conversion ratio significantly in WM group in comparison with control and Ca-LS groups (p < .05). Nutrients apparent digestibility (dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre) were significantly improved by inclusion of WM compared with control and Ca-LS. Plasma total cholesterol, and uric acid concentrations were significantly decreased by dietary WM in comparison with control and Ca-LS experimental groups. Furthermore, linoleic, alpha-linolenic and arachidonic acids contents in breast muscle were significantly increased by WM and Ca-LS, while, muscle malondialdehyde concentration was significantly decreased. It could be concluded that inclusion of WM and Ca-LS can improve pellet quality characteristics, and WM (at a level of 50 kg/ton) had positive effects on growth performance, nutrients digestibilities, lipid peroxidation and fatty acids profile in Egyptian broiler strain.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Lignin; Lipid Peroxidation; Random Allocation; Triticum
PubMed: 32815323
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.344 -
Contraception Nov 2021To determine the safety of etonogestrel contraceptive implant use among reproductive-age women who are solid organ transplant recipients.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the safety of etonogestrel contraceptive implant use among reproductive-age women who are solid organ transplant recipients.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a retrospective cohort study with matching of reproductive-age women (14-45 years) who were solid organ transplant recipients and received care at a tertiary medical center in Denver, Colorado between 2011 and 2019. We identified cases who used an etonogestrel contraceptive implant post-transplant and then matched controls (no hormonal contraceptive use) in a 1:1 ratio according to age, transplant type, and institution. We compared pregnancy patterns, post-transplant infections, immunosuppressant therapy adjustments, and graft complications between cases and controls. We also evaluated implant-related side effect profiles and continuation rates among cases only.
RESULTS
We identified 24 cases and 24 matched controls. When compared to age and transplant organ-matched controls, contraceptive implant users were not at increased risk for adverse transplant-related outcomes. Graft rejection was the most common transplant-related complication in both groups (n = 11, 45.8% cases; n = 10, 41.7% controls). Additionally, outcomes concerning pregnancies, infections and immunosuppressant therapy changes showed no statistically significant difference between either group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides the first data that the etonogestrel contraceptive implant is likely a safe contraceptive option for reproductive-age women who are solid organ transplant recipients. Given the solid organ transplant recommendations to avoid pregnancy during the first 1 to 2 years post-transplant, healthcare providers should continue to counsel solid organ transplant recipients at risk of pregnancy on the etonogestrel contraceptive implant as an effective and safe method of pregnancy prevention.
IMPLICATIONS
Reproductive age women who are solid organ transplant recipients face additional health risks with unintended pregnancies. The etonogestrel contraceptive implant remains a safe and effective method of contraception for this specific population, with no increase in graft-related complications among contraceptive implant users.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Desogestrel; Drug Implants; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Organ Transplantation; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 34147509
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2021.06.007 -
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal : SPJ :... Aug 2023Lisinopril (LIS) is antihypertensive drug, classified as a class III drug with high water solubility and low permeability. To overcome the low permeability, 3 factorial...
Lisinopril (LIS) is antihypertensive drug, classified as a class III drug with high water solubility and low permeability. To overcome the low permeability, 3 factorial designs aimed to formulate LIS as a sustained-release (LIS-SR) matrix pellet by extrusion/spheronization. Matrix pellets were composed of wet mass containing Avicel® and polymeric matrix polymers (sodium alginate (SA) and chitosan (CS)). Evaluation of the effect of two independent variables, matrix-forming units (SA and CS) on mean line torque, on pellet size, dissolution rate after 6 h, and mucoadhesion strength of the pellets were assessed using Statgraphics software. The tested formulations (F1-F9) showed that mean line torque ranged from 1.583 to 0.461 Nm, with LIS content in the LIS-SR pellets ranged from 87.9 to 103%, sizes varied from 1906 to 1404 µm and high percentages of drug released from pellets formulations (68.48 to 74.18 %), while the mean zeta potential value of mucoadhesive range from -17.5 to -22.9 mV. The selection of optimized formulation must have the following desirability: maximum peak torque, maximum pellets' particle size, and minimum % LIS release after 6hr. LIS optimized sustained release pellet formula composed of 2,159 % SA and 0.357 % CS was chosen as optimized formula. It's showed a 1.055 Nm mean line torque was responsible for the increased pellet size to 1830.8 μm with decreased release rate 56.2 % after 6 hr, and -20.33 mV average mucin zeta potential. mucoadhesion studies revealed that that the optimize formulation, exhibited excellent mucoadhesive properties, after 1 h, about 73% of the pellets were still attached to the mucus membrane. Additionally, permeation determination of LIS from the optimized LIS-SR formulation was found to be significantly higher (1.7-folds) as compared to free LIS. In conclusion: LIS-SR matrix pellets, prepared with an extrusion/spheronization have desirable excellent characteristics sustained-release pellet formulation of LIS-SR was able to sustain the release of LIS for up to 8 h.
PubMed: 37457369
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.06.023 -
Experimental Eye Research Nov 2020Bio-engineering technologies are currently used to produce biomimetic artificial corneas that should present structural, chemical, optical, and biomechanical properties... (Review)
Review
Bio-engineering technologies are currently used to produce biomimetic artificial corneas that should present structural, chemical, optical, and biomechanical properties close to the native tissue. These properties are mainly supported by the corneal stroma which accounts for 90% of corneal thickness and is mainly made of collagen type I. The stromal collagen fibrils are arranged in lamellae that have a plywood-like organization. The fibril diameter is between 25 and 35 nm and the interfibrillar space about 57 nm. The number of lamellae in the central stroma is estimated to be 300. In the anterior part, their size is 10-40 μm. They appear to be larger in the posterior part of the stroma with a size of 60-120 μm. Their thicknesses also vary from 0.2 to 2.5 μm. During development, the acellular corneal stroma, which features a complex pattern of organization, serves as a scaffold for mesenchymal cells that invade and further produce the cellular stroma. Several pathways including Bmp4, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, retinoic acid, and TGF-β, in addition to EFTFs including the mastering gene Pax-6, are involved in corneal development. Besides, retinoic acid and TGF- β seem to have a crucial role in the neural crest cell migration in the stroma. Several technologies can be used to produce artificial stroma. Taking advantage of the liquid-crystal properties of acid-soluble collagen, it is possible to produce transparent stroma-like matrices with native-like collagen I fibrils and plywood-like organization, where epithelial cells can adhere and proliferate. Other approaches include the use of recombinant collagen, cross-linkers, vitrification, plastically compressed collagen or magnetically aligned collagen, providing interesting optical and mechanical properties. These technologies can be classified according to collagen type and origin, presence of telopeptides and native-like fibrils, structure, and transparency. Collagen matrices feature transparency >80% for the appropriate 500-μm thickness. Non-collagenous matrices made of biopolymers including gelatin, silk, or fish scale have been developed which feature interesting properties but are less biomimetic. These bioengineered matrices still need to be colonized by stromal cells to fully reproduce the native stroma.
Topics: Animals; Bioengineering; Collagen; Corneal Stroma; Drug Implants; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Recombinant Proteins
PubMed: 32971095
DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108256 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Nov 2023Different types of ibuprofen-loaded, poly (D,L lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based implants were prepared by 3D printing (Droplet Deposition Modeling). The theoretical...
Different types of ibuprofen-loaded, poly (D,L lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based implants were prepared by 3D printing (Droplet Deposition Modeling). The theoretical filling density of the mesh-shaped implants was varied from 10 to 100%. Drug release was measured in agarose gels and in well agitated phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The key properties of the implants (and dynamic changes thereof upon exposure to the release media) were monitored using gravimetric measurements, optical microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Gel Permeation Chromatography, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Interestingly, drug release was similar for implants with 10 and 30% filling density, irrespective of the experimental set-up. In contrast, implants with 100% filling density showed slower release kinetics, and the shape of the release curve was altered in agarose gels. These observations could be explained by the existence (or absence) of a continuous aqueous phase between the polymeric filaments and the "orchestrating role" of substantial system swelling for the control of drug release. At lower filling densities, it is sufficient for the drug to be released from a single filament. In contrast, at high filling densities, the ensemble of filaments acts as a much larger (more or less homogeneous) polymeric matrix, and the average diffusion pathway to be overcome by the drug is much longer. Agarose gel (mimicking living tissue) hinders substantial PLGA swelling and delays the onset of the final rapid drug release phase. This improved mechanistic understanding of the control of drug release from PLGA-based 3D printed implants can help to facilitate the optimization of this type of advanced drug delivery systems.
Topics: Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Drug Liberation; Polyglycolic Acid; Sepharose; Lactic Acid; Gels; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Drug Implants
PubMed: 37714435
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.020 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2020Many solid-dose oral drug products are engineered to release their active ingredients into the body at a certain rate. Techniques for measuring the dissolution or...
Many solid-dose oral drug products are engineered to release their active ingredients into the body at a certain rate. Techniques for measuring the dissolution or degradation of a drug product in vitro play a crucial role in predicting how a drug product will perform in vivo. However, existing techniques are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, irreproducible, require specialized analytical equipment, and provide only "snapshots" of drug dissolution every few minutes. These limitations make it difficult for pharmaceutical companies to obtain full dissolution profiles for drug products in a variety of different conditions, as recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, for drug dosage forms containing multiple controlled-release pellets, particles, beads, granules, etc. in a single capsule or tablet, measurements of the dissolution of the entire multi-particle capsule or tablet are incapable of detecting pellet-to-pellet variations in controlled release behavior. In this work, we demonstrate a simple and fully-automated technique for obtaining dissolution profiles from single controlled-release pellets. We accomplished this by inverting the drug dissolution problem: instead of measuring the increase in the concentration of drug compounds in the solution during dissolution (as is commonly done), we monitor the decrease in the buoyant mass of the solid controlled-release pellet as it dissolves. We weigh single controlled-release pellets in fluid using a vibrating tube sensor, a piece of glass tubing bent into a tuning-fork shape and filled with any desired fluid. An electronic circuit keeps the glass tube vibrating at its resonance frequency, which is inversely proportional to the mass of the tube and its contents. When a pellet flows through the tube, the resonance frequency briefly changes by an amount that is inversely proportional to the buoyant mass of the pellet. By passing the pellet back-and-forth through the vibrating tube sensor, we can monitor its mass as it degrades or dissolves, with high temporal resolution (measurements every few seconds) and mass resolution (700 nanogram resolution). As a proof-of-concept, we used this technique to measure the single-pellet dissolution profiles of several commercial controlled-release proton pump inhibitors in simulated stomach and intestinal contents, as well as comparing name-brand and generic formulations of the same drug. In each case, vibrating tube sensor data revealed significantly different dissolution profiles for the different drugs, and in some cases our method also revealed differences between different pellets from the same drug product. By measuring any controlled-release pellets, particles, beads, or granules in any physiologically-relevant environment in a fully-automated fashion, this method can augment and potentially replace current dissolution tests and support product development and quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry.
Topics: Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Liberation; Gastric Juice; Humans; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Tablets
PubMed: 33184351
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76089-z -
Ulusal Travma Ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi =... Nov 2020In this study, a 35 years old man was killed with the ricocheted shotgun pellets wounds from the asphalt road surface. The Public Prosecutor to define the ricochet point...
BACKGROUND
In this study, a 35 years old man was killed with the ricocheted shotgun pellets wounds from the asphalt road surface. The Public Prosecutor to define the ricochet point requested the ricocheted pellet pattern examination in two different ricochet distances.
METHODS
The ten ricochet tests were performed for at 2 meters (point A) and 1 meter (point B) from the target, and the pellet distribution and pattern area were calculated using the gauss method. Then, the test and autopsy results were compared in the pellet number, calculated pellet pattern area and ricocheted angle. Furthermore, the similarity of the pellet number and the pellet pattern areas were examined using the two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS
In this study, 81 pellets recovered from the victim's body and the distribution pattern of pellets area was 2134 cm2. At the ricochet point A, the average number of pellets on the target was 82.1 and the distribution pattern of pellets area was 2700 cm2. At the ricochet point B, the average number of pellets on the target was 132.6 and the distribution pattern of pellets area was 4928 cm2. According to the two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test, there was low-level similarity (p<0.05 level Sig. 0.023; z=-2.424) on the pellet pattern area between autopsy and the ricochet point A. However, as regards the pellet number on the target, there was a similarity (p<0.05 level Sig. 0.481; z=-0.808) between autopsy and the ricochet point A.
CONCLUSION
Test results showed that the pellet ricochet occurred two meters from the victim.
Topics: Adult; Autopsy; Fatal Outcome; Forensic Sciences; Humans; Male; Wounds, Gunshot
PubMed: 33107968
DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2020.76960 -
Journal of Women's Health (2002) Dec 2019Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is highly effective at preventing pregnancy. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, LARC education for clients is relatively...
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is highly effective at preventing pregnancy. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, LARC education for clients is relatively limited and providers are often not skilled in their insertion. Before 2009, only 1% of family planning clients in Rwanda received an LARC. We trained Rwandan government clinic nurses to promote, insert, and remove copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants. Training started in two large urban clinics, and those nurses trained three successive waves of clinic nurses. Initial LARC promotions were clinic based, but in 2015 included community-based promotions in eight clinics. We compare IUD and implant insertions by year and clinic and discuss implementation successes/obstacles. From 2009 to 2016, 222 nurses from 21 government clinics were LARC trained. The nurses performed 36,588 LARC insertions (19% IUD, 81% implant). LARC insertions increased over time, peaking at 8,897 in 2013. However, in 2014, the number dropped to 4,018 after closure of one large clinic, funding discontinuation, and supply stock-outs. With new funding in 2015, insertions increased reaching 8,218 in 2016. Catholic and non-Catholic and rural and urban clinics performed similarly, whereas clinics affiliated with community-based promotions performed better ( > 0.05). Between 2012 and 2014, 13% of family planning initiators chose the implant and 4% the IUD. LARC supply-demand services increased the proportion of family planning initiators choosing LARC to 17%. Challenges included inconsistent funding, irregular supplies, and staff turnover. Rural and Catholic clinics performed as well as urban and non-Catholic clinics. Concerted efforts to improve IUD uptake are needed.
Topics: Contraceptive Agents, Hormonal; Drug Implants; Family Planning Services; Female; Humans; Intrauterine Devices, Copper; Long-Acting Reversible Contraception; Nurses, Community Health; Rwanda
PubMed: 31274397
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2018.7423 -
PloS One 2021The innovative Pratt pouch could optimize dispensing nevirapine prophylaxis to HIV-exposed infants in pre-measured single dose pouches to increase completion of the full...
INTRODUCTION
The innovative Pratt pouch could optimize dispensing nevirapine prophylaxis to HIV-exposed infants in pre-measured single dose pouches to increase completion of the full 6 week infant nevirapine regimen.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nineteen health facilities with highest HIV positivity rates among pregnant women across 9 districts in southwest and central Uganda were assigned to control and intervention groups. HIV-positive women enrolled at intervention facilities received pouches filled with premeasured single doses of nevirapine using Uganda national guidelines, which were integrated into the existing drug distribution system. During antenatal care (ANC) women received 14 pouches to cover time until the 6 day postpartum visit, with an additional 8 pouches if women were delayed in returning to the facility, and 28 pouches after delivery. Women enrolled at control facilities received standard nevirapine syrup following delivery for postnatal infant prophylaxis. In a select number of intervention facilities, during ANC, women received all 42 pouches needed to complete the 6 weeks regimen. Medical record data from enrolled women were extracted; interviews with HIV-positive women during postnatal care visits were conducted. Data were collected January to August 2018 (control sites) and October 2019 to February 2020 (intervention sites). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with facility delivery, postnatal care follow-up visit, and completion of the full 6 weeks infant nevirapine regimen.
RESULTS
Significantly more women in the intervention (n = 320) versus control (n = 340) group had facility delivery (292/316, 92.4% versus 169/340, 49.7%, p<0.0001), postnatal visits within 2 weeks postpartum (295/297, 99.3% versus 133/340, 39.1%, p<0.0001) and reported their infants completing the full 6 weeks infant prophylaxis regimen (299/313, 95.5% versus 210/242, 86.8%, p = 0.0002). Dispensing 42 versus 14 pouches during ANC did not have negative effects on these outcomes. Among out-of-facility deliveries, a higher proportion of infants received nevirapine within 72 hours of birth in the intervention versus control group, 95.8% versus 77.9%. In multivariate models, the intervention group was the only significant factor associated with facility delivery or completion of the full 6 weeks infant prophylaxis.
CONCLUSIONS
Use of the Pratt pouch resulted in an increase in HIV-exposed infants completing the full 6weeks prophylaxis regimen and associated benefits including increasing facility delivery and women's adherence to postnatal care services.
Topics: Adult; Anti-HIV Agents; Drug Implants; Drug Packaging; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Nevirapine; Postnatal Care; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Retrospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uganda; Young Adult
PubMed: 33690610
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247507 -
Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers & Imaging... Mar 2023To better understand the level of agreement among retina specialists on the role of inflammation in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and the...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
To better understand the level of agreement among retina specialists on the role of inflammation in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and the use of 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant in DME treatment, a consensus survey was drafted and disseminated to retina specialists across the United States.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using the modified Delphi method, a list of 12 consensus statements were generated by the coauthors based on short-answer responses to an initial survey. In total, 56 retina specialists completed the entire consensus survey. Except for two multiple-choice questions, there were 10 consensus statements that used a modified Likert scale to indicate their level of agreement to the statement: Agree = 3, Mostly Agree = 2, Mostly Disagree = 1, Disagree = 0. Percentage agreement and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and a consensus threshold was set at > 80% agreement for each statement.
RESULTS
Seven of 10 consensus statements using the modified Likert scale reached consensus, including those on the role of inflammation in pathophysiology of DR/DME, injection burden and patient adherence, and efficacy and safety of the FAc implant. The remaining three statements displayed high agreement with average scores > 80%, but the 95% CIs were below threshold. These included the impact of the FAc implant on DR progression, FAc as baseline therapy for DME, and the effectiveness of the steroid challenge to mitigate intraocular pressure risk after FAc use. Two multiple-choice questions focused on clinical situations in which corticosteroids would be used as baseline therapy for DME (pseudophakic eye [73%], recent stroke/myocardial infarction [66%], and pregnancy/breastfeeding [66%]) and which delivery route satisfies the steroid challenge for the FAc implant (intravitreal [100%], sub-tenon/periocular [73%], and topical [57%]).
CONCLUSIONS
Physicians highly agreed on the role of inflammation in pathophysiology of DR/DME, injection burden and patient adherence, and efficacy and safety of the FAc implant. However, full consensus was not found on the impact of the FAc implant on DR progression, FAc as baseline therapy for DME, and the effectiveness of the steroid challenge to mitigate intraocular pressure risk after FAc use. .
Topics: Humans; Fluocinolone Acetonide; Glucocorticoids; Diabetic Retinopathy; Macular Edema; Drug Implants; Inflammation; Intravitreal Injections; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 36944067
DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20230215-01