Advances in bio-polymer coatings for probiotic microencapsulation: chitosan and beyond for enhanced stability and controlled release.

This review paper analyzes recent advancements in bio-polymer coatings for probiotic microencapsulation, with a particular emphasis on chitosan and its synergistic combinations with other materials. Probiotic microencapsulation is essential for protecting probiotics from environmental stresses, enhancing their stability, and ensuring effective delivery to the gut. The review begins with an overview of probiotic microencapsulation, highlighting its significance in safeguarding probiotics through processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit.

Chitosan and its derivatives: A novel approach to gut microbiota modulation and immune system enhancement.

Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from the deacetylation of chitin found in crustacean shells and certain fungi, has attracted considerable attention for its promising health benefits, particularly in gut microbiota maintenance and immune system modulation. This review critically examines chitosan's multifaceted role in supporting gut health and enhancing immunity, beginning with a comprehensive overview of its sources, chemical structure, and its dual function as a dietary supplement and biomaterial. Chitosan's prebiotic effects are highlighted, with a focus on its ability to selectively stimulate beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, while enhancing gut barrier integrity and inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

Evaluation of right ventricular functions in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy by speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Background: It is widely recognized that the right ventricle plays a significant role in the prognosis of numerous diseases. However, the assessment of right ventricular function (RV) has not been given much attention until recently. This study used speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) to assess RV functions in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients.

Risk assessment based on spectrophotometric signals used in eco-friendly analytical scenarios for estimation of carvedilol and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical formulation.

Special attention is given to the pharmacological treatment of combined medication of Carvedilol and hydrochlorothiazide which is the most effective and the most beneficial therapy for hypertensive patients with diabetes and various metabolic comorbidities. This work represents spectrophotometric platform scenarios based on factorized spectrum (FS) using interpoint data difference resolution scenarios (IDDRS) coupled with spectrum subtraction method (SS) for the concurrent quantification of carvedilol (CAR) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) when present together in a combination without the need for any initial physical separation steps. This IDD resolution scenario based on manipulating the zero-order spectra (D) of both drugs in the mixture with various spectral features at different wavelength regions (200-400 nm), region I (220-250 nm), region II (240-300 nm) and region III (270-320 nm) via absorbance resolution (AR) and induced absorbance resolution (IAR) methods coupled with corresponding spectrum subtraction (SS).

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induced Testicular Toxicity Through Inflammation and Reducing Testosterone and Cell Viability in Adult Male Rats.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have wide applications in daily life. Therefore, there is growing interest in the potential harmful impacts of these particles on human health. The present study was conducted to investigate the potential toxic effects of ZnO NPs (40 and 70 nm) compared to ZnO on the testes of rats.

Correlation between cone-beam computed tomographic findings and the apnea-hypopnea index in obstructive sleep apnea patients: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the correlations of cone-beam computed tomographic findings with the apnea-hypopnea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Materials And Methods: Forty patients with obstructive sleep apnea were selected from the ear-nose-throat (ENT) outpatient clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University. Cone-beam computed tomography was performed for each patient at the end of both inspiration and expiration.

Protective effect of astaxanthin on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcerations in mice.

Gastric ulcer disease remains one of the common medical burdens affecting millions worldwide due to its prevalent risk factors with the chronic usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at the top, reportedly through the stimulation of oxidative stress and triggering of inflammatory and apoptotic cascades in the gastric mucosa. Astaxanthin, a dietary keto-carotenoid derived from marine organisms is gaining a wide interest as a nutraceutical for its pronounced antioxidant properties. Here, we aim to examine the potential modulatory role of astaxanthin on indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in experimental mice.

A novel green spectrofluorimetric method for simultaneous determination of antazoline and tetryzoline in their ophthalmic formulation.

A novel spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for determination of antazoline (ANT) and tetryzoline (TET) in their pharmaceutical formulation. A combined application of synchronous spectrofluorimetry and second derivative mathematical treatment was developed. The proposed method depends on reacting the cited drugs with dansyl chloride (DNS-Cl) being a suitable derivatizing agent generating highly fluorescent derivatives measured at emission wavelengths of 703.

A Novel Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Antazoline and Xylometazoline in their Ophthalmic Formulation; Green Approach and Evaluation.

A green developed spectrofluorimetric method has been applied for Antazoline (ANT) and Xylometazoline (XLO) determination in both pharmaceutical formulation and pure form. The developed method is synchronous spectrofluorimetry coupled with the second derivative mathematical tool for the determination of antazoline and xylometazoline in their dosage form. The developed method depends on reacting the cited drugs with dansyl chloride, a suitable derivatizing agent, to generate highly fluorescent derivatives.

The role of cone-beam computed tomography in the radiographic evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea: A review article.

The apnea-hypopnea index is widely regarded as a measure of the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by recurrent episodes of apnea or hypopnea during sleep that induce airway collapse. OSA is a catastrophic problem due to the wide range of health issues it can cause, including cardiovascular disease and memory loss. This review was conducted to clarify the roles of various imaging modalities, particularly cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), in the diagnosis of and preoperative planning for OSA.

Exquisite integration of quality-by-design and green analytical approaches for simultaneous determination of xylometazoline and antazoline in eye drops and rabbit aqueous humor, application to stability study.

This work implements a stability indicating HPLC method developed to simultaneously determine xylometazoline (XYLO) and antazoline (ANT) in their binary mixture, rabbit aqueous humor and cited drug's degradates by applying analytical quality-by-design (AQbD) combined with green analytical chemistry (GAC) experiment for the first time. This integration was designed to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impacts, as well as energy and solvent consumption. Analytical quality-by-design was applied to achieve our aim starting with evaluation of quality risk and scouting analysis, tracked via five parameters chromatographic screening using Placket-Burman design namely: pH, temperature, organic solvent percentage, flow rate, and wavelength detection.

Pendant Modification of Poly(methyl methacrylate) to Enhance Its Stability against Photoirradiation.

Photostabilization of functional polymeric materials is important for protection against aging and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. There is, therefore, the impetus to modify polymers to increase their resistance to photodegradation and photooxidation on extended exposure to UV light in harsh conditions. Various polymeric additives have been designed and synthesized in recent years, and their potential as photostabilizers has been explored.

Green TLC-Densitometric Method for Simultaneous Determination of Antazoline and Tetryzoline: Application to Pharmaceutical Formulation and Rabbit Aqueous Humor.

Ophthalmic pharmaceutical preparation containing antazoline (ANT) and tetryzoline (TET) is prescribed widely as an over the counter medication for allergic conjunctivitis treatment. Development of a selective, simple and environmentally friendly thin-layer chromatographic method established to determine both ANT and TET in their pure forms, pharmaceutical formulation and spiked aqueous humor samples. By using silica gel plates and means of a developing system consists of ethyl acetate:ethanol (5:5, by volume), the studied drugs separation was achieved, and scanning was carried out at 220.

Spectrophotometric platform windows' exploitation for the green determination of Alcaftadine in presence of its oxidative degradation product.

This study presents the determination of Alcaftadine (ALF) in its oxidative degradation product presence by applying comprehensive study comparative of four different green stability indicating spectrophotometric approaches through successful exploitation of different spectrophotometric platform windows. Window I; based on absorption spectrum zero order data manipulation using the newly developed extended absorbance difference (EAD). Window II; based on derivative spectra by second order derivative (D) data manipulation.

Novel solid-contact ion-selective electrode based on a polyaniline transducer layer for determination of alcaftadine in biological fluid.

Fabrication of a novel ion selective electrode for determining alcaftadine was achieved. The glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was utilized as a substrate in fabrication of an electrochemical sensor containing polyaniline (PANI) as an ion-to-electron transducer layer. A PVC polymeric matrix and nitrophenyl-octyl-ether were employed in designing the ion-sensing membrane (ISM).

Efficacy and Safety of Carboxytherapy versus Combined Microneedling with Topical Glutathione in the Treatment of Patients with Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: An Evaluator-Blind, Split-Face, Controlled Pilot Clinical Trial.

Background: Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is a common skin condition that presents as infraorbital darkening. POH has a multifactorial etiology. Studies evaluating POH treatment are several with varying satisfaction results.

Enhancement of Photostabilization of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) in the Presence of Tin-Cephalexin Complexes.

Poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, has many attractive properties, including low cost of manufacture, resistance to acid and alkali corrosion, and ease of molding. However, PVC suffers from aging in harsh conditions, leading to the shortening of its useful life. Stability to irradiation, for example, can be improved through the incorporation of additives to PVC.

Synthesis of Methyldopa-Tin Complexes and Their Applicability as Photostabilizers for the Protection of Polyvinyl Chloride against Photolysis.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a ubiquitous thermoplastic that is produced on an enormous industrial scale to meet growing global demand. PVC has many favorable properties and is used in various applications. However, photodecomposition occurs when harsh conditions, such as high temperatures in the presence of oxygen and moisture, are encountered.

Synthesis and Application of Levofloxacin-Tin Complexes as New Photostabilizers for Polyvinyl Chloride.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic polymer with a wide range of applications with impact on our daily life. It can undergo photodegradation with toxic products that are hazardous to both human health and the environment. In addition, photodegradation shortens the useful lifetime of the material.

Synthesis of New Norfloxacin-Tin Complexes to Mitigate the Effect of Ultraviolet-Visible Irradiation in Polyvinyl Chloride Films.

Polyvinyl chloride is used in the manufacturing of a wide range of products, but it is susceptible to degradation if exposed to high temperatures and sunlight. There is therefore a need to continuously explore the design, synthesis, and application of new and improved additives to reduce the photodegradation of polyvinyl chloride in harsh environments and for outdoor applications. This research investigates the use of new norfloxacin-tin complexes as additives to inhibit the photodegradation of polyvinyl chloride to make it last longer.

Forced Degradation Studies and Development and Validation of HPLC-UV Method for the Analysis of Velpatasvir Copovidone Solid Dispersion.

Analytical methods for the drug substance and degradation products (DPs) are validated by performing forced degradation studies. Forced degradation studies of Velpatasvir (VEL) drug substance and Velpatasvir copovidone solid dispersion (VEL-CSD) were performed under the stressed alkaline, acidic, oxidative and thermal conditions according to ICH guidelines ICH Q1A (R2). VEL is labile to degrade in stressed alkaline, acidic, and oxidative conditions.

Early predictors of colchicine resistance in familial Mediterranean fever.

Objective: To explore early features that can predict colchicine resistance in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients.

Methods: It included FMF cases who fulfilled the Yalcinkaya-Ozen criterion and were on colchicine for at least 6 months. Data were collected from medical files and interpreted with respect to clinical parameters, incluing the auto-inflammatory diseases activity index (AIDAI) and FMF severity score.

Serum Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone, and Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 in Egyptian Patients Six Months after Undergoing Living-donor Kidney Transplantation.

End-stage renal disease is a major health problem with many complications. Previous studies emphasized the relationship of cardiovascular disease and mortality among these patients to dysregulated phosphate homeostasis. Even after successful renal transplantation, the risk is not eliminated.

Sticking - pulling strategy for assessment of combined medicine for management of tough symptoms in COVID-19 Pandemic using different windows of spectrophotometric Platform-Counterfeit products' detection.

This study presents a comprehensive comparative study of different green spectrophotometric approaches without any physical separation on processing a ternary mixture of Aceclofenac (ACE), Paracetamol (PAR) and Rabeprazole (RAB) in combined medicine for managing tough symptoms in the COVID-19 Pandemic. The different univariate complementary resolutions according to the response used for the assay of the cited drugs after applying the processing steps were implemented using successive in-silico sample enrichment for resolving the ternary mixture via different windows of spectrophotometric platform using sticking - pulling strategy (SPS). Window I; based on manipulation of the data of zero order absorption spectrum of the mixture using novel Extended absorbance difference (EAD) and Absorbance difference (AD) methods coupled with corresponding spectrum subtraction method (SS).

Fabrication of Highly Photostable Polystyrene Films Embedded with Organometallic Complexes.

Polystyrene is a common thermoplastic and is produced in different shapes and forms. The scale of manufacture of polystyrene has grown over the years because of its numerous applications and low cost of production. However, it is flammable, brittle, has low resistance to chemicals, and is susceptible to photodegradation on exposure to ultraviolet radiation.