Formulation of pH-responsive highly swellable hydrogel scaffolds for controlled release of tramadol HCl: characterization and biocompatibility evaluation.

Introduction: The objective of current project was to formulate a system for controlled delivery of Tramadol HCl (TRD), an opioid analgesic used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Methods: For this purpose, a pH responsive AvT-co-poly hydrogel network was formulated through free radical polymerization by incorporating natural polymers i.e., aloe vera gel and tamarind gum, monomer and crosslinker. Formulated hydrogels were loaded with Tramadol HCl (TRD) and evaluated for percent drug loading, sol-gel fraction, dynamic and equilibrium swelling, morphological characteristics, structural features and in-vitro release of Tramadol HCl. Results and Discussions: Hydrogels were proved to be pH sensitive as remarkable dynamic swelling response ranging within 2.94g/g-10.81g/g was noticed at pH 7.4 as compared to pH 1.2. Percent drug loading was in the range of 70.28%-90.64% for all formulations. Thermal stability and compatibility of hydrogel components were validated by DSC analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Controlled release pattern of Tramadol HCl from the polymeric network was confirmed as maximum release of 92.22% was observed for over a period of 24 hours at pH 7.4. Moreover, oral toxicity studies were also conducted in rabbits to investigate the safety of hydrogels. No evidence of any toxicity, lesions and degeneration was reported, confirming the biocompatibility and safety of grafted system.

Effect of commercially pure titanium implant coated with calcium carbonate and nanohydroxyapatite mixture on osseointegration.

In this research, rabbit femurs were implanted with CP Ti screws coated with a combination of CaCO3 and nanohydroxyapatite, and the effect on osseointegration was assessed using histological and histomorphometric examination at 2 and 6 weeks. CaCO3 and nanohydroxyapatite were combined with the EPD to coat the surfaces of the CP Ti screws. The femurs of five male rabbits were implanted with coated and uncoated implant screws. Healing time was divided into two groups (2 and 6 weeks). After 2 and 6 weeks of implantation, the histological examination revealed an increase in the growth of bone cells for coated screws, and the histomorphometric analysis revealed an increase in the percentage of new bone formation (after 6 weeks, 5.08% for coated implants and 3.66% for uncoated implants). In addition, the uncoated implant, the CP Ti implant coated with a combination of CaCO3 and nanohydroxyapatite, stimulated early bone development after two weeks and mineralization and maturation after six weeks.

A successful management of left-sided posterior congenital diaphragmatic hernia of the jejunum, ileum, colon and left kidney: a case report.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare developmental anomaly in which abdominal contents herniate into the thoracic cavity due to underdevelopment of the diaphragm, possibly leading to pulmonary hypoplasia. Whereas surgery is not the first priority in treatment, it must be performed within a window of 2 weeks and after hemodynamic stability has been achieved. The patient described in this case report had a CDH of the jejunum, ileum, colon and left kidney diagnosed in a boy of South Asian origin who presented with tachypnea in the third hour of life. Imaging studies conducted included chest X-ray, chest ultrasound including echocardiogram, and abdominal and pelvic ultrasound. Treatment and management were successful despite complications. Future research on CDH is warranted in the populations in the Middle East, and local guidelines must be generated in order to improve diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Fabrication of pH responsive hydrogel blends of chondroitin sulfate/pluronic F-127 for the controlled release of ketorolac: its characterization and acute oral toxicity study.

OBJECTIVE: Ketorolac tromethamine (KT), selected as a model drug, is used in management of moderate to severe acute pain. It has a short half-life (∼5.5 h) and requires frequent dose administration when needed for longer period of time. In our current project, we designed pH responsive hydrogel blends of chondroitin sulfate/pluronic F-127 (CS/Pl) for the controlled release of ketorolac. METHODS: Hydrogel blends were fabricated using free radical polymerization reaction technique utilizing different ratios of chondroitin sulfate (CS) (polymer) and pluronic F-127 (polymer), acrylic acid (monomer), N,N'-methyl-bisacrylamide (MBA) (cross-linker), initiator ammonium persulfate (APS) and tween-80 (surfactant). The fabricated hydrogel blends were studied and evaluated for pH responsiveness, swelling, water absorbency, in vitro drug release, and morphological characteristics such as SEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA/DSC. Acute toxicity study was performed on rabbits. RESULTS: Maximum swelling and water absorbency were shown by CS/Pl blends being significantly greater at 7.4 (basic pH) than in 1.2 (acidic pH). In vitro dissolution demonstrated pH responsive controlled KT release following zero order at higher pH (7.4) medium up to 36 h. FTIR studies confirmed the structures of our blends; SEM results showed porous framework; thermal studies revealed higher stability of hydrogels than the individual polymers; and XRD confirmed the nature of our blends. Toxicity study revealed the nontoxic nature of the hydrogel blends. CONCLUSION: The prepared CS/Pl hydrogels demonstrated stimuli-controlled release with delivery of drug for prolonged period of time and thus can minimize dosing frequency, safe drug delivery, increased patient compliance and easiness.

Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in an Adolescent with Intellectual Disability.

Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) experience various psychiatric comorbidities including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a rate that is equivalent or higher than individuals without ID. Unfortunately, these cooccurring conditions are often missed during the evaluations due to various reasons, including their atypical presentation. In this case report, we present the clinical symptoms of an adolescent with mild ID who presented with irritability and was diagnosed with OCD following a comprehensive assessment. The treatment course is also summarized as well as the positive outcome to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication. In this report, we discuss potential factors that increase the rate of psychiatric comorbidities including OCD in individuals with ID. Furthermore, in the context of limited research in this area, we recommend additional studies in order to build a detailed understanding of the clinical presentation of psychiatric cooccurring disorders in individuals with ID with the goal of enhancing assessment tools in the future.

Pre-induction cervical assessment using transvaginal ultrasound versus Bishops cervical scoring as predictors of successful induction of labour in term pregnancies: A hospital-based comparative clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between transvaginal ultrasound scan of cervix and Bishop's score in predicting successful induction of labour, cut-off points and patients' tolerability and acceptance for both procedures. DESIGN: A comparative clinical trial. SETTING: A tertiary hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. PARTICIPANTS: 294 women planned for elective induction of labour for various indications were included. All women had transvaginal ultrasound to assess the cervical length and digital vaginal examination to assess the Bishop cervical scoring by separate investigators before induction of labour. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: To evaluate the association of the cervical length by transvaginal ultrasound scan and Bishop score in predicting successful induction of labour. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Variables associated with successful induction of labour and patients' tolerability and acceptance for transvaginal ultrasound scan of cervix. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference among the vaginal and Caesarean delivery groups in terms of mean maternal age, height, weight, body mass index, ethnicity and gestational age at induction. Vaginal delivery occurred in 207 women (70.4%) and 87 women (29.6%) delivered via Caesarean section. There was a high degree of correlation between the cervical length and Bishop score (r-value 0.745; p <0.001). Sonographic assessment of cervical length demonstrated a comparable accuracy in comparison to Bishop score. Analysis using ROC curves noted an optimal cut-off value of ≤27mm for cervical length and Bishop score of ≥ 4, with a sensitivity of 69.1% vs 67%, specificity 60.9% vs 55%, and area under the curves (AUCs) of 0.672 and 0.643 respectively (p <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that parity (OR 2.70), cervical length (OR 0.925), Bishop score (OR 1.272) and presence of funnelling (OR 3.292) were highly significant as independent predictors of success labour induction. Women also expressed significantly less discomfort with transvaginal ultrasound compared with digital vaginal examination. CONCLUSION: Sonographic assessment of cervical measurement predicts the success of induction of labour with similar diagnostic accuracy with conventional Bishop score.

The effect of the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak on social relationships: A cross-sectional study in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Social relationships refer to the existing associations between family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and other associates. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has been imposed by the curfew program in Jordan. AIM: To evaluate the effects of social distancing on the social relationships of the Jordanian population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Jordan between the 6th and the 30th of May, 2020. Our questionnaire was constructed to explore the population's perception of the quarantine period, how it is affecting their relationship with others, and the characteristics of their social relationships and communication with various population categories, including family members and work colleagues. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of better social relationships and communication. RESULTS: A total of 4,301 participants were involved in this study. The average score of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on social relationships among the whole study population was 5.68 (SD: 2.33) out of 10 (equal to 56.8%), which indicates the marginal strength of the social relationships. Around 31.6% of the participants reported that their social relationships were affected to a high degree by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants who were aged 36-45 were positively affected in terms of their social relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively affecting social relationships, which could ultimately lead to negative health implications. Decision-makers are advised to provide educational campaigns that improve the sociological health of the general population.

Corrigendum to "Evaluation of Some Mechanical Properties of a Maxillofacial Silicon Elastomer Reinforced with Polyester Powder".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2019/2948457.].

Ultra rapid direct heating synthesis of ZnO nanorods with improved light trapping from stacked photoanodes for high efficiency photocatalytic water splitting.

An ultra rapid growth method for vertically aligned ZnO nanorod (NR) thin films on metal meshes was developed using a direct heating synthesis technique. A typical NR growth rate of 10 µm h-1 was achieved. The effects of the applied heating power and growth duration on the morphologies of ZnO nanostructures were examined. High density surface defects were formed on the ZnO NRs, which is responsible for slow charge recombination and high efficiency in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting process. The light absorption for a photoanode was significantly improved by light trapping using a 3D stacked metal mesh photoanode structure. With the internal reflection between the stacked photoanodes, the final light leakage is minimised. The light absorption in the stacked photoanode is improved without restricting the charge transportation. In comparison with a single mesh photoanode and a chemical bath deposition grown flat photoanode, the PEC water splitting efficiency from the stacked photoanode was increased by a factor of 2.6 and 6.1 respectively.

The influence of hydroxide on the initial stages of anodic growth of TiO2 nanotubular arrays.

Understanding the mechanism for growing TiO(2) nanotubes is important for controlling the nanostructures. The hydroxide nano-islands on the Ti surface play a significant role at the initial stage of anodization by forming the very first nano-pores at the interface between hydroxide islands and substrate and eliminating the H(2)O electrolysis. A quantitative time dependent SEM study has revealed a nanotube growth process with an initial linear increase of pore diameter, film thickness and number of pores. During the anodization of titanium, different current transient curves are observed for Ti samples with or without hydroxide on the surface. The transient current profile has been quantitatively analyzed by fitting several distinctive stages based on a growth mechanism supported by SEM observations. It is found that a saturated cubic dependent equation is appropriate to fit a short current upturn due to the increase of the surface area.