Serum uric acid: an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Pakistani Punjabi patients.

Background: It is well-known that serum uric acid (SUA) can increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia. However, its independent association with the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is controversial particularly in different populations. Hence, this study was aimed to assess an independent association of SUA with CVD risk in a Punjabi Pakistani cohort.

Modelling the Nexus of municipal solid waste sector for climate resilience and adaptation to nature-based solutions: A case study of Pakistan.

Municipal solid waste management is a major concern in developing economies, requiring collective international efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by diverting waste from disposal facilities. This study aims to highlight the importance of the waste sector as it has the potential to significantly contribute to climate change and its toxicity impact on the local ecosystem. Out of the total municipal solid waste generated, only 78 % is collected, either open dumped or thrown in sanitary landfills.

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Association of hyperuricemia with metabolic syndrome and its components in an adult population of Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Background And Aims: The rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a matter of serious concern worldwide. Hyperuricemia has been observed as an independent risk factor in the development of MetS and each of its individual components in different populations. This study aims to determine the association of hyperuricemia with MetS and its individual components in a Pakistani cohort.

Phytochemical characterization and anti-arthritic potential of leaves extract: In-vivo and in-silico approach.

, a natural source traditionally used for treating various illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis, was evaluated in this study. The effects of ethanolic extracts (CBEE) and aqueous fractions (CBAF) of leaves on arthritis-induced inflammation were studied using an albino rat model of inflammation induced by Freund's complete adjuvant. Eight test groups (n = 5 per group) and one vehicle control were used to evaluate the antiarthritic effects of different doses of CBEE and CBAF (125 mg.

Pharmacist-led interventions in optimising the use of oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation in general practice in England: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is the mainstay of treatment for the prevention of strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) account for increasing OAC in patients with AF. However, prescribing DOACs for patients with established AF poses various challenges and general practice pharmacists may have an important role in supporting their management.

Empirical analysis of cost-effective and equitable solid waste management systems: Environmental and economic perspectives.

The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality.

Development of a Nanoemulgel for the Topical Application of Mupirocin.

Mupirocin (MUP) is an effective topical antibiotic with poor skin permeability; however, its skin permeability can be improved by a nanoemulsion formulation based on eucalyptus oil or eucalyptol. Despite this improvement, the nanoemulsion has limitations, such as low viscosity, low spreadability, and poor retention on the skin. To overcome these limitations, the aim of this study was to develop a nanoemulgel formulation that would enhance its rheological behaviour and physicochemical properties.

(Combretaceae): Pharmacological Effects, LC-ESI-MS/MS Profiling and In Silico Attributes.

In folklore medicine, is used to treat various illnesses. The main objective of this study was a comprehensive investigation of leaf aqueous extract (CLAE) for its antioxidant, cardioprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing capabilities by using different in vitro, in vivo and in silico models. The in vitro experimentation revealed that CLAE consumed an ample amount of total phenolics (67.

Personalised 3D-Printed Mucoadhesive Gastroretentive Hydrophilic Matrices for Managing Overactive Bladder (OAB).

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptomatic complex condition characterised by frequent urinary urgency, nocturia, and urinary incontinence with or without urgency. Gabapentin is an effective treatment for OAB, but its narrow absorption window is a concern, as it is preferentially absorbed from the upper small intestine, resulting in poor bioavailability. We aimed to develop an extended release, intragastric floating system to overcome this drawback.

Development of Nanoemulsions for Topical Application of Mupirocin.

Mupirocin (MUP) is a topical antibacterial agent used to treat superficial skin infections but has limited application due to in vivo inactivation and plasma protein binding. A nanoemulsion formulation has the potential to enhance the delivery of mupirocin into the skin. MUP-loaded nanoemulsions were prepared using eucalyptus oil (EO) or eucalyptol (EU), Tween 80 (T80) and Span 80 (S80) as oil phase (O), surfactant (S) and cosurfactant (CoS).

Electrically Tunable Lens (ETL)-Based Variable Focus Imaging System for Parametric Surface Texture Analysis of Materials.

Electrically tunable lenses (ETLs) are those with the ability to alter their optical power in response to an electric signal. This feature allows such systems to not only image the areas of interest but also obtain spatial depth perception (depth of field, DOF). The aim of the present study was to develop an ETL-based imaging system for quantitative surface analysis.

Piperine phytosomes for bioavailability enhancement of domperidone.

The markedly low oral bioavailability of domperidone (anti-emetic drug) is associated with rapid first-pass metabolism in the intestine and liver. To counteract such affects, there is a need to devise a strategy to enhance absorption and subsequently bioavailability. Thus, the current study was aimed at synthesizing phytosomes consisting of phosphatidylcholine and piperine (a P-glycoprotein inhibitor).

Drug Delivery Approaches for Managing Overactive Bladder (OAB): A Systematic Review.

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is characterised by urgency symptoms, with or without urgency incontinence, usually with frequency and nocturia and severely affects the quality of life. This systematic review evaluates the various drug delivery strategies used in practice to manage OAB. Advanced drug delivery strategies alongside traditional strategies were comprehensively analysed and comparatively evaluated.

Topical Antiseptic Formulations for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are usually acute conditions of inflammatory microbial occupation of the skin layers and underlying soft tissues. SSTIs are one of the most frequent types of infection, typically requiring medical intervention and contribute to morbidity and mortality in both primary care and hospitalised patients. Due to the dramatic rise of antibiotic resistance, antiseptic agents can be potential alternatives for the prevention and treatment of SSTIs.

Personalised 3D Printed Fast-Dissolving Tablets for Managing Hypertensive Crisis: In-Vitro/In-Vivo Studies.

Hypertensive crisis (HC) is an emergency health condition which requires an effective management strategy. Over the years, various researchers have developed captopril based fast-dissolving formulations to manage HC; however, primarily, the question of personalisation remains unaddressed. Moreover, commercially these formulations are available as in fixed-dose combinations or strengths, so the titration of dose according to patient's prerequisite is challenging to achieve.

Electrospun Gelatin Nanocontainers for Enhanced Biopharmaceutical Performance of Piroxicam: In Vivo and In Vitro Investigations.

Background: Piroxicam exhibits low oral bioavailability, due to its meager solubility in water. The intent of this study was to ameliorate the bioavailability of the drug by employing a solubility-enhancing encapsulation technique.

Methods: Seven samples were formulated with piroxicam and gelatin using both solvent evaporation and electrospraying together.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant and antiproliferation potential of var.: Experimental analysis and in-silico validation.

This study was aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of () using an exquisite combination of phytopharmacological and advanced computational techniques. The chloroform fraction (Em-C) of methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC: 6.41 ± 0.

Formulation and characterization of lornoxicam-loaded cellulosic-microsponge gel for possible applications in arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with severe joint pain. Herein, we report lornoxicam loaded cellulosic microsponge gel formulation with sustained anti-inflammatory effects that are required to manage arthritic pain. The microsponges were formulated using quasi emulsion-solvent diffusion method employing four different surfactant systems, namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Tween80, Gelucire 48/16 and Gelucire 50/13.

Onychomycosis: Current Understanding and Strategies for Enhancing Drug Delivery into Human Nail Tissue.

Background: Onychomycosis is by far the most common finger or toe nail fungal infectious disease caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophytic molds or yeast. It accounts for 50% of the total nail disorders, and affects patients physically, socially, and psychologically and can seriously influence their quality of life.

Objectives: Oral antifungals are routinely used to treat the nail fungal disease; however oral therapy is associated with severe side effects and longer treatment times.

Global Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD): Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Although gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common medical complaint, there is currently no consensus on the global prevalence of GORD. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on GORD prevalence and risk factors at a global level. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar were systematically searched, without language restrictions, for studies on the prevalence and risk factors of GORD.

Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) gum based hydrophilic matrices for controlled drug delivery applications: Estimation of percolation threshold.

This study aims to explore the potential of gum extracted from okra fruit (Hibiscus esculentus) in developing hydrophilic matrices for controlled drug release applications, including determination of its percolation threshold. Flurbiprofen (poorly soluble), theophylline (sparingly soluble) and metformin (freely soluble) were employed as model drugs and incorporated using direct compression into matrices containing 40% w/w of three drugs with different physicochemical properties. Atomic force microscopy was used to study the surface texture properties of developed matrices; the surfaces of the flurbiprofen-based matrices were comparatively rough most likely as a consequence of its poor compactability.

Use of Central Nervous System (CNS) Medicines in Aged Care Homes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Both old age and institutionalization in aged care homes come with a significant risk of developing several long-term mental and neurological disorders, but there has been no definitive meta-analysis of data from studies to determine the pooled estimate of central nervous system (CNS) medicines use in aged care homes. We conducted this systematic review to summarize the use of CNS drugs among aged care homes residents.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA) databases were searched (between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2018) to identify population-based studies that reported the use of CNS medicines in aged care homes.

Plasticiser-Free 3D Printed Hydrophilic Matrices: Quantitative 3D Surface Texture, Mechanical, Swelling, Erosion, Drug Release and Pharmacokinetic Studies.

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, HPMC, a hydrophilic polymer, is widely used for the development of extended release hydrophilic matrices and it is also considered as a good contender for the fabrication of 3D printing of matrix tablets. It is often combined with plasticisers to enable extrusion. The aim of the current project was to develop plasticizer-free 3D printed hydrophilic matrices using drug loaded filaments prepared via HME to achieve an in vitro (swelling, erosion and drug release) and in vivo (drug absorption) performance which is analogous to hydrophilic matrix tablets developed through conventional approaches.