Brain insulin resistance as a mechanistic mediator links peripheral metabolic disorders with declining cognition.

Background And Aims: Studies continue to investigate the underlying mechanism of the association between the increased risk of different types of cognitive decline and metabolic dysregulation. Brain insulin resistance (BIR) has been suggested to explain this association. The vital role of insulin in the body has been examined intensively and extensively; however, its role in the brain requires further investigation.

The prognostic significance of lysosomal protective protein (cathepsin A) in breast ductal carcinoma in situ.

Aims: Cathepsin A (CTSA) is a key regulatory enzyme for galactoside metabolism. Additionally, it has a distinct proteolytic activity and plays a role in tumour progression. CTSA is differentially expressed at the mRNA level between breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive breast carcinoma (IBC).

Stable increased formulation atomization using a multi-tip nozzle device.

Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) is an emerging technique for the production of micron and nano-scaled particles. The process often involves Taylor cone enablement, which results in a fine spray yielding formulated droplets, which then undergo drying during deposition. In this work, novel multi-tip emitter (MTE) devices were designed, engineered and utilized for potential up-scaled EHDA, by comparison with a conventional single-needle system.

Thinking about brain insulin resistance.

Introduction: Dementia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two of the epidemics of our time; in which insulin resistance (IR) is playing the central role. Epidemiological studies found that different types of dementia development may be promoted by the presence of T2DM.

Objectives: We aimed in this review to highlight the role of insulin and the IR in the brain as a pathophysiological factor of dementia development and also to expand our understanding of T2DM as a mediator of IR in the brain and to review the possible mechanisms of action that may explain the association.

Liposomal Drug Delivery Systems and Anticancer Drugs.

Cancer is a life-threatening disease contributing to ~3.4 million deaths worldwide. There are various causes of cancer, such as smoking, being overweight or obese, intake of processed meat, radiation, family history, stress, environmental factors, and chance.

Electrosprayed mesoporous particles for improved aqueous solubility of a poorly water soluble anticancer agent: in vitro and ex vivo evaluation.

Encapsulation of poorly water-soluble drugs into mesoporous materials (e.g. silica) has evolved as a favorable strategy to improve drug solubility and bioavailability.

Association between complement component C3 and body composition: a possible obesity inflammatory biomarker for insulin resistance.

Background And Objectives: The C3 complement component (C3) is increasingly recognized as a cardiometabolic risk factor. We aimed to examine the role of C3 in insulin resistance (IR) and its association with adiposity.

Methods And Study Design: Sixty-seven obese (18-35 years) participants were matched with normal weight participants from the University of Jordan.

Vitamin D Insufficiency Predicts Elevated Levels of Complement 3 Independent of Insulin Resistance and BMI.

This study was to determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the complement 3 (C3), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and their association with the risk of insulin resistance (IR). A case-control study was carried out among 134 participants with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m and BMI=18.5-24.

Approaches in topical ocular drug delivery and developments in the use of contact lenses as drug-delivery devices.

Drug-delivery approaches have diversified over the last two decades with the emergence of nanotechnologies, smart polymeric systems and multimodal functionalities. The intended target for specific treatment of disease is the key defining developing parameter. One such area which has undergone significant advancements relates to ocular delivery.

Electrically atomised formulations of timolol maleate for direct and on-demand ocular lens coatings.

Advances in nanotechnology have enabled solutions for challenging drug delivery targets. While the eye presents numerous emerging opportunities for delivery, analysis and sensing; issues persist for conventional applications. This includes liquid phase formulation localisation on the ocular surface once administered as formulated eye-drops; with the vast majority of dosage (>90%) escaping from the administered site due to tear production and various drainage mechanisms.

Porous Inorganic Drug Delivery Systems-a Review.

Innovative methods and materials have been developed to overcome limitations associated with current drug delivery systems. Significant developments have led to the use of a variety of materials (as excipients) such as inorganic and metallic structures, marking a transition from conventional polymers. Inorganic materials, especially those possessing significant porosity, are emerging as good candidates for the delivery of a range of drugs (antibiotics, anticancer and anti-inflammatories), providing several advantages in formulation and engineering (encapsulation of drug in amorphous form, controlled delivery and improved targeting).

Complement 3 serum levels as a pro-inflammatory biomarker for insulin resistance in obesity.

Introduction: Obesity is frequently characterized by chronic inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). Obesity-associated inflammation is responsible for the complement system activation of which the third component (C3) plays the central role.

Objective: to discuss several aspects of the central component of the complement system in relation to obesity and obesity-associated IR.

Pharmaceutical and biomaterial engineering via electrohydrodynamic atomization technologies.

Complex micro- and nano-structures enable crucial developments in the healthcare remit (e.g., pharmaceutical and biomaterial sciences).

Influences of copolymers (Copovidone, Eudragit RL PO and Kollicoat MAE 30 DP) on stability and bioactivity of spray-dried and freeze-dried lysozyme.

Protein stability is the most crucial factor in protein pharmaceutical preparations. Various techniques were applied for producing stable protein formulations such as spray-drying and freeze-drying. However, heating and freezing stresses are disadvantages for proteins using these methods, respectively.

Polymeric Based Therapeutic Delivery Systems Prepared Using Electrohydrodynamic Processes.

The development of therapeutic dosage (e.g. pharmaceutical) systems is an ongoing process which, in recent times has incorporated several emerging disciplines and themes at timely intervals.

Formulation and evaluation of anti-rheumatic dexibuprofen transdermal patches: a quality-by-design approach.

Dexibuprofen (DXIBN) transdermal patches were formulated using various concentrations of selected polymeric excipients (matrix material; ethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone, plasticizer (di-N-butyl phthalate), and a conventional permeation enhancer (almond oil)). Initial patch formulations were evaluated for their physiochemical properties (thickness, moisture uptake, final moisture content, and DXIBN content). Also, impact of patch components on resulting tensile strength and in vitro permeation were used to predict an optimal patch formulation using a quality-by-design (QbD) approach, which was subsequently evaluated and further compared with a commercial oral tablet dosage form for in vitro and in vivo release (rabbit model).

Microneedle Coating Techniques for Transdermal Drug Delivery.

Drug administration via the transdermal route is an evolving field that provides an alternative to oral and parenteral routes of therapy. Several microneedle (MN) based approaches have been developed. Among these, coated MNs (typically where drug is deposited on MN tips) are a minimally invasive method to deliver drugs and vaccines through the skin.

EHDA Spraying: A Multi-Material Nano-Engineering Route.

Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) enabling platform technologies have gathered significant momentum over the last two decades. Utilisation of the underpinning jetting process in tandem with desired materials (including polymers, ceramics, metals and even naturally occurring compounds such as peptides, DNA and cells) provides the basis for novel engineered therapies. Through EHDA processes, the generation of a variety of nano-meter and micro-meter scaled structures with control on surface and encapsulation features is attainable in a single step.

In vitro characterisation of Span 65 niosomal formulations containing proteins.

Proteins can be encapsulated in niosomes as they are known to protect proteins against the surrounding environment. Niosomes of Span 65/cholesterol/pluronic F -127 were prepared by thin film hydration method. Insulin and lysozyme were chosen as model proteins.

Compare and contrast the effects of surfactants (PluronicF-127 and CremophorEL) and sugars (β-cyclodextrin and inulin) on properties of spray dried and crystallised lysozyme.

The stabilisation of proteins using different excipients in dried forms for possible therapeutic use is extensively studied. However, the effects of excipients on proteins in crystallised forms are sparsely documented. Therefore, the influences of PluronicF-127 and CremophorEL (as surfactants) and β-cyclodextrin and inulin (as sugars) on stability and biological activity of lysozyme, a model protein, in spray dried and crystallised forms were investigated.