Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Blended Hydrogels for Transdermal Delivery of Donepezil HCl.

Transdermal delivery systems are emerging platforms for the delivery of donepezil hydrochloride (DH) for treating Alzheimer's disease. The primary aim of this study was to develop polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone blended hydrogels and to evaluate their feasibility for delivering DH via a transdermal route. Physicochemical properties, such as gel fraction (%), swelling ratio (%), weight loss (%), mechanical strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus of the prepared hydrogels were evaluated.

Does Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Aggravate Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Objectives: To investigate the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) according to the sleep stage in more detail after control of posture.

Methods: Patients who underwent nocturnal polysomnography between December 2007 and July 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age >18 years, sleep efficacy >80%, and patients who underwent polysomnography only in the supine position (100% of the time).

Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of celecoxib eutectic mixtures with adipic acid/saccharin for improvement of wettability and dissolution rate.

Celecoxib (CEL) is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor therapeutically indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, acute pain, and inflammation. However, its poor solubility and dissolution rate significantly hinders its broader application. In this study, eutectic mixtures, as binary pharmaceutical compositions of CEL with adipic acid (ADI) and saccharin (SAC), were identified through a phase diagram and Tammann's triangle intended to improve the wettability and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble CEL.

Correction of Short Nose.

To correct an Asian short nose with low dorsum, short columella, and poorly defined nose tip, augmentation rhinoplasty has been popularized. A simple augmentation no longer is considered an efficient rhinoplasty approach for Asians aesthetically; most surgeons simultaneously perform nasal elongation and augmentation during rhinoplasty. To extend the nose length successfully, important factors are cartilages, mucosal and skin conditions, and presence and degree of fibrotic changes.

Enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs using supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process.

Poor water solubility and poor bioavailability are problems with many pharmaceuticals. Increasing surface area by micronization is an effective strategy to overcome these problems, but conventional techniques often utilize solvents and harsh processing, which restricts their use. Newer, green technologies, such as supercritical fluid (SCF)-assisted particle formation, can produce solvent-free products under relatively mild conditions, offering many advantages over conventional methods.

Cyclosporine Amicellar delivery system for dry eyes.

Background: The objectives of this study were to develop stable cyclosporine A (CsA) ophthalmic micelle solutions for dry-eye syndrome and evaluate their physicochemical properties and therapeutic efficacy.

Materials And Methods: CsA-micelle solutions (MS-CsA) were created by a simple method with Cremophor EL, ethanol, and phosphate buffer. We investigated the particle size, pH, and osmolarity.

Surgical Techniques for the Correction of Postrhinoplasty Depressed Scars on the Nasal Tip.

Importance: Augmentation rhinoplasty is common in the Asian population and the lack of suitable autologous material for augmentation has led to the use of alloplastic materials. Many of these patients develop complications, including a depressed dimple-like scar of the nasal tip. Causes of such dimpling include the use of large implants, infection, extrusion, and surgeon incompetence.

The Seesaw Technique for Correction of Vertical Alar Discrepancy.

Alar vertical discrepancy including alar base has been viewed as one of the most challenging reconstructive problems in rhinoplasty. The authors have created a simple technique that consistently gives aesthetically acceptable results. The authors have designed the seesaw technique to correct alar discrepancy (type 1 to 3).

Treatment outcomes of saddle nose correction.

Importance: Many valuable classification schemes for saddle nose have been suggested that integrate clinical deformity and treatment; however, there is no consensus regarding the most suitable classification and surgical method for saddle nose correction.

Objectives: To present clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of saddle nose deformity and to propose a modified classification system to better characterize the variety of different saddle nose deformities.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The retrospective study included 91 patients who underwent rhinoplasty for correction of saddle nose from April 1, 2003, through December 31, 2011, with a minimum follow-up of 8 months.

Normative diameters and effects of aging on the cochlear and facial nerves in normal-hearing Korean ears using 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives/hypothesis: To assess the normative size of the cochlear nerve (CN) and facial nerve (FN) in normal-hearing ears and to determine whether nerve size varies with age.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: We included 169 ears with normal hearing between 2005 and 2010.

Impact of combined prophylactic unilateral central neck dissection and hemithyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Background: Lymph node metastases occur frequently in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and the central compartment of the neck is the most frequently involved site. Some authors advocate prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) during total thyroidectomy. However, little is known about the effects of prophylactic unilateral CND in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients who undergo hemithyroidectomy.