Twin Screw Melt Granulation of Simvastatin: Drug Solubility and Dissolution Rate Enhancement Using Polymer Blends.

This study evaluates the efficacy of twin screw melt granulation (TSMG), and hot-melt extrusion (HME) techniques in enhancing the solubility and dissolution of simvastatin (SIM), a poorly water-soluble drug with low bioavailability. Additionally, the study explores the impact of binary polymer blends on the drug's miscibility, solubility, and in vitro release profile. SIM was processed with various polymeric combinations at a 30% / drug load, and a 1:1 ratio of binary polymer blends, including Soluplus (SOP), Kollidon K12 (K12), Kollidon VA64 (KVA), and Kollicoat IR (KIR).

Enhancing security and efficiency in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks using a hybrid deep learning model for flooding attack detection.

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are increasingly replacing conventional communication systems due to their decentralized and dynamic nature. However, their wireless architecture makes them highly vulnerable to flooding attacks, which can disrupt communication, deplete energy resources, and degrade network performance. This study presents a novel hybrid deep learning approach integrating Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) architectures to effectively detect and mitigate flooding attacks in MANETs.

The long-term impact of vaccine clinical research on national stakeholders involved: Experience from a low-income Country.

Clinical trials are the most rigorous scientific and regulated method to investigate the safety and efficacy of vaccines or drugs in pre-licensure stage. Clinical trial design and implementation are complex, time-consuming and involves close engagement with country's regulatory authority, clinical trial sites, investigators, and the healthcare system. Over the past few decades, a significant number of clinical trials have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in resource-limited settings.

Formulation, Development, and Characterization of AMB-Based Subcutaneous Implants using PCL and PLGA via Hot-Melt Extrusion.

The hot-melt extrusion process is currently considered a prominent manufacturing technique in the pharmaceutical industry. The present study is intended to develop amlodipine besylate (AMB)-loaded subcutaneous implants to reduce the frequency of administration, thus improving patient compliance during hypertension management. AMB subcutaneous implants were prepared using continuous hot-melt extrusion technology using poly(caprolactone) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) with dimensions of 3.

Polycomb group protein Mel18 inhibits hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal through repressing the transcription of self-renewal and proliferation genes.

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins play important roles in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal. Mel18 and Bmi1 are homologs of the PCGF subunit within the Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1). Bmi1 (PCGF4) enhances HSC self-renewal and promotes terminal differentiation.

Quality by Design (QbD) Approach to Develop Colon-Specific Ketoprofen Hot-Melt Extruded Pellets: Impact of Eudragit S 100 Coating on the In Vitro Drug Release.

Background: A pelletizer paired with hot-melt extrusion technology (HME) was used to develop colon-targeted pellets for ketoprofen (KTP). Thermal stability and side effects in the upper gastrointestinal tract made ketoprofen more suitable for this work.

Methods: The pellets were prepared using the enzyme-triggered polymer Pectin LM in the presence of HPMC HME 4M, followed by pH-dependent Eudragit S 100 coating to accommodate the maximum drug release in the colon by minimizing drug release in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Development of Mathematical Function Control-Based 3D Printed Tablets and Effect on Drug Release.

Purpose: The application of 3D printing technology in drug delivery is often limited by the challenges of achieving precise control over drug release profiles. The goal of this study was to apply surface equations to construct 3D printed tablet models, adjust the functional parameters to obtain multiple tablet models and to correlate the model parameters with the in vitro drug release behavior.

Methods: This study reports the development of 3D-printed tablets using surface geometries controlled by mathematical functions to modulate drug release.

Advancements in Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery: A Comprehensive Review on Recent Techniques with Emphasis on Hot-Melt Extrusion and 3D Printing Technologies.

This review investigates the progression and effectiveness of colon-targeted drug delivery systems, offering a comprehensive understanding of the colon's anatomy and physiological environment. Recognizing the distinctive features of the colon is crucial for successfully formulating oral dosage forms that precisely target specific areas in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) while minimizing side effects through mitigating off-target sites. This understanding forms the basis for designing effective targeted drug delivery systems.

Revisiting the etiology and clinical characteristics of hemorrhagic polyps of the vocal fold.

Objective: Benign phonotraumatic lesions of the vocal folds (BVFLs) are typically seen in younger female patients with high vocal loads. Hemorrhagic polyps (HPs) do not fit the classic paradigm of most BVFLs, as they tend to occur in an older population, have a male predominance, and report to result from a vocal accident. We present one of the largest cohorts of HPs, to reexamine their etiology and clinical features.

Baseline single institutional retrospective review of body mass index (BMI) as a prognostic indicator in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM).

Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer in adults with a very poor prognosis. Metabolic drivers of tumorigenesis are highly relevant within the central nervous system, where glucose is the critical source of energy. The impact of obesity on survival outcomes in patients with GBM is not well established.

Neuromuscular Junction Development Differs Between Extraocular and Skeletal Muscles and Between Different Extraocular Muscles.

Purpose: To determine whether development of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) differs between extraocular muscles (EOMs) and other skeletal muscles.

Methods: Mouse EOMs, diaphragm, and tibialis anterior (TA) were collected at postnatal day (P)0, P3, P7, P10, P14, and P21, and 12 weeks. Whole muscles were stained with α-bungarotoxin, anti-neurofilament antibody, and slow or fast myosin heavy chain antibody, and imaged with a confocal microscope.

Safety and immunogenicity of the Euvichol-S oral cholera vaccine for prevention of Vibrio cholerae O1 infection in Nepal: an observer-blind, active-controlled, randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial.

Background: In October, 2017, WHO launched a strategy to eliminate cholera by 2030. A primary challenge in meeting this goal is the limited global supply capacity of oral cholera vaccine and the worsening of cholera outbreaks since 2021. To help address the current shortage of oral cholera vaccine, a WHO prequalified oral cholera vaccine, Euvichol-Plus was reformulated by reducing the number of components and inactivation methods.

Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Chronic Rhinosinusitis Management.

Objectives: To investigate whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) impacts health care resource utilization in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in older women.

Methods: Using the TriNetX US health record database, women 55 years or older with a diagnosis of CRS were included and followed for 3 years. The cohort was stratified into two groups: women who received HRT at the beginning of the study were compared to women who did not receive HRT.

Formulation Development of Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems of Quetiapine Fumarate via Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology: Optimization Using Central Composite Design.

Quetiapine fumarate (QTF) was approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic episodes. QTF can also be used as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorders. QTF oral bioavailability is limited due to its poor aqueous solubility and pre-systemic metabolism.

A Case of Acupuncture Induced Pneumothorax.

With various forms of alternative medicinal practices gaining popularity, there is an increase in complications arising from these practices. Acupuncture, which originated in China, and now practiced worldwide as a form of traditional medicine, is generally considered safe; however, rare life-threatening complications can occur following its practice. Here we present the case of a 63-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of pneumothorax.

Hot-Melt Extrusion: from Theory to Application in Pharmaceutical Formulation-Where Are We Now?

Hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a globally recognized, robust, effective technology that enhances the bioavailability of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients and offers an efficient continuous manufacturing process. The twin-screw extruder (TSE) offers an extremely resourceful customizable mixer that is used for continuous compounding and granulation by using different combinations of conveying elements, kneading elements (forward and reverse configuration), and distributive mixing elements. TSE is thus efficiently utilized for dry, wet, or melt granulation not only to manufacture dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, or granule-filled sachets, but also for designing novel formulations such as dry powder inhalers, drying units for granules, nanoextrusion, 3D printing, complexation, and amorphous solid dispersions.

Development of multiple structured extended release tablets via hot melt extrusion and dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling 3D printing.

The study aims to fabricate extended release (ER) tablets using a dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling (FDM) three-dimensional (3D) printing technology based on hot melt extrusion (HME), using caffeine as the model compound. Three different ER tablets were developed, which obtained "delayed-release", "rapid-sustained release", and "release-lag-release" properties. Each type of tablet was printed with two different formulations.

Conversion to faricimab after prior anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for persistent diabetic macular oedema.

Background: To assess the anatomical and functional outcomes in eyes with persistent diabetic macular oedema (pDME) on chronic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy switched to intravitreal faricimab.

Methods: Patients with pDME on chronic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy that were switched to faricimab and received at least three injections at our institution between April 2022 and May 2023 were included in this study. Patients were excluded if they had complete response to previous treatment but were switched to extend treatment intervals if they had steroid or laser treatment for DME within 6 months prior to switch.

3D printing in vaginal drug delivery: a revolution in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Introduction: The Food and Drug Administration's approval of the first three-dimensional (3D) printed tablet, Spritam®, led to a burgeoning interest in using 3D printing to fabricate numerous drug delivery systems for different routes of administration. The high degree of manufacturing flexibility achieved through 3D printing facilitates the preparation of dosage forms with many actives with complex and tailored release profiles that can address individual patient needs.

Areas Covered: This comprehensive review provides an in-depth look into the several 3D printing technologies currently utilized in pharmaceutical research.

PD-1 Expression on Intratumoral Regulatory T Cells Is Associated with Lack of Benefit from Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Purpose: Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression on CD8+TIM-3-LAG-3- tumor-infiltrating cells predicts positive response to PD-1 blockade in metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC). Because inhibition of PD-1 signaling in regulatory T cells (Treg) augments their immunosuppressive function, we hypothesized that PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating Tregs would predict resistance to PD-1 inhibitors.

Experimental Design: PD-1+ Tregs were phenotyped using multiparametric immunofluorescence in ccRCC tissues from the CheckMate-025 trial (nivolumab: n = 91; everolimus: n = 90).