The effectiveness of automated digital health solutions at successfully managing obesity and obesity-associated disorders: A PICO-structured investigation.

Most adults in the UK and USA are classified as overweight or obese. Recent studies suggest that the prevalence of obesity has further increased during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and associated lockdowns. Digital technologies may be effective at managing obesity and related comorbidities, a potential further justified by social isolation and distancing circumstances.

Beyond Fish Oil Supplementation: The Effects of Alternative Plant Sources of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids upon Lipid Indexes and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers-An Overview.

Cardiovascular diseases remain a global challenge, and lipid-associated biomarkers can predict cardiovascular events. Extensive research on cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs) is geared towards fish oil supplementation and fish-rich diets. Nevertheless, vegetarianism and veganism are becoming more popular across all segments of society, due to reasons as varied as personal, ethical and religious values, individual preferences and environment-related principles, amongst others.

The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on body composition and blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation has been anecdotally considered as a tool to improve body composition and health status. We aimed to verify the impact of DHEA supplementation on traditional measurements of body composition and blood pressure (BP) due to their clinical applicability. A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

A Biographical Journey Through the History of Ear Reconstruction.

This historical literature review of ear reconstruction differs from much of the published literature in that it focuses on the biographies of the innovators and evangelists of ear reconstruction rather than specific techniques. A biographical account of ear reconstruction demonstrates the importance of surgeons as artists, scientists, technicians, politicians, and most importantly carers of this special and fascinating group of patients who benefit from this technically challenging form of reconstruction.

Formulation parameters and release mechanism of theophylline loaded ethyl cellulose microspheres: effect of different dual surfactant ratios.

Altering the combined hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (CHLB), by varying the ratio of dual surfactants, on formulation parameters and in vitro drug release of ethyl cellulose microspheres was examined. Theophylline, a xanthine bronchodilator was used to model controlled release owing to its narrow therapeutic index. Microspheres were prepared using different ratios of dual surfactant in an emulsion-solvent evaporation process.

Transdermal permeation of novel n-acetyl-glucosamine/NSAIDs mutual prodrugs.

The current investigation reports skin permeation of three novel mutual prodrugs (MP) which couple n-acetyl-glucosamine with an NSAID, either ketoprofen or ibuprofen. They were evaluated for transdermal permeation using shed snakeskin, and to our knowledge represent the first MPs synthesized for this purpose, although they also could be used for subcutaneous delivery. MPs are defined as two active drug compounds usually connected by an ester linkage.

Accelerated dissolution testing for controlled release microspheres using the flow-through dissolution apparatus.

Theophylline controlled release capsules (THEO-24 CR) were used as a model system to evaluate accelerated dissolution tests for process and quality control and formulation development of controlled release formulations. Dissolution test acceleration was provided by increasing temperature, pH, flow rate, or adding surfactant. Electron microscope studies on the theophylline microspheres subsequent to each experiment showed that at pH values of 6.

Preparation and evaluation of Eudragit S 100 microspheres as pH-sensitive release preparations for piroxicam and theophylline using the emulsion-solvent evaporation method.

Microencapsulation of the anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam and the anti-asthmatic drug theophylline was investigated as a means of controlling drug release and minimizing or eliminating local side effects. Microspheres of both drugs that are different in the chemical nature and size were successfully encapsulated at a theoretical loading of 25% with the pH sensitive Eudragit S 100 polymer using the emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Solvent composition, stirring rate and the volume of the external phase were adjusted to obtain reproducible, uniform and spherical microspheres.

Evaluation of the relationship of the molecular aggregation state of amphotericin B in medium to its genotoxic potential.

This work analyzes the genotoxicity potential, in the G2 phase of the cellular cycle, of an amphotericin B (AmB) commercially available form (Fungizone), and correlates it with the physicochemical properties of this product in aqueous media. The genotoxic studies were performed using peripheral blood lymphocytes from human donors. The chromosome aberrations and mitotic index were determined.

Amphotericin B/emulsion admixture interactions: an approach concerning the reduction of amphotericin B toxicity.

Mixing Fungizone with a fat emulsion used for nutritional purpose (Intralipid or Lipofundin ) was reported to decrease Amphotericin B (AmB) toxicity in clinical use. In an effort to understand the reason for this phenomenon, spectral and morphological analyses were done for the Fungizone and Fungizone /Lipofundin admixture (FLmix). The absorption spectra analyses showed that not only Fungizone but also FLmix presented spectra that were concentration dependent.

Investigation of potential ionic interactions between anionic and cationic polymethacrylates of multiple coatings of novel colonic delivery system.

The objective of this work was to investigate potential interactions between anionic (Eudragit FS) and cationic (Eudragit RL) polymethacrylates of multiple coatings of a novel colonic drug delivery system. Aqueous films of pure polymers Eudragit FS (FS) and Eudragit RL (RL) and their superimposedfilm (FS-RL) were cast on glass slabs. The potential ionic interactions were studied by analysing the dried films using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).