Correlation between polymer properties, extrusion process parameters and permeability of etonogestrel in ethylene vinyl acetate films.

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers have been extensively used in controlled drug delivery systems due to its good biocompatibility and tunable applicability based on simple variations in vinyl acetate (VA) content. We investigated impacts of polymer properties and extrusion process parameters of EVA on permeability of etonogestrel in EVA films. Among all factors studied, the VA content was the most dominant factor that controls drug permeability by affecting crystallinity of EVA.

Manufacture, characterization, and elucidation of drug release mechanisms of etonogestrel implants based on ethylene vinyl acetate.

In this work, etonogestrel implants were manufactured using coextrusion. The purpose of the study was to correlate changes in microstructure and transport properties that occurred in etonogestrel implants to drug release mechanisms. The implants consisted of an EVA 28 (28 % vinyl acetate) core containing dispersed and dissolved etonogestrel, and an EVA 15 (15 % vinyl acetate) skin.

Factors that influence health service access in deaf and hard-of-hearing children: a narrative review.

Objectives: Early diagnosis and intervention of deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children leads to improved language and psychosocial outcomes. However, many child, parent and provider related factors can influence access to early intervention services, including hearing devices. This narrative review aims to explore factors that influence health service access in DHH children.

Twin-Screw Continuous Mixing Can Produce Dry Powder Inhalation Mixtures for Pulmonary Delivery.

The feasibility of twin-screw corotating extruder as a continuous process mixer to prepare dry powder inhalation (DPI) powders was investigated. Interactive mixtures of 1% micronized budesonide, 0.3% magnesium stearate and 98.

The peri-Sylvian cortical network underlying single word repetition revealed by electrocortical stimulation and direct neural recordings.

Verbal repetition requires the coordination of auditory, memory, linguistic, and motor systems. To date, the basic dynamics of neural information processing in this deceptively simple behavior are largely unknown. Here, we examined the neural processes underlying verbal repetition using focal interruption (electrocortical stimulation) in 58 patients undergoing awake craniotomies, and neurophysiological recordings (electrocorticography) in 8 patients while they performed a single word repetition task.

Lipoprotein(a) for risk assessment in patients with established coronary artery disease.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic utility of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: Data regarding an association between Lp(a) and cardiovascular (CV) risk in secondary prevention populations are sparse.

Methods: Plasma Lp(a) was measured in 6,708 subjects with CAD from 3 studies; data were then combined with 8 previously published studies for a total of 18,978 subjects.

Gecko toe and lamellar shear adhesion on macroscopic, engineered rough surfaces.

The role in adhesion of the toes and lamellae - intermediate-sized structures - found on the gecko foot remains unclear. Insight into the function of these structures can lead to a more general understanding of the hierarchical nature of the gecko adhesive system, but in particular how environmental topology may relate to gecko foot morphology. We sought to discern the mechanics of the toes and lamellae by examining gecko adhesion on controlled, macroscopically rough surfaces.