Concept Of Delivery Research Articles

Relationship between endogenous plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration and reproductive performance in Thoroughbred broodmares.

BackgroundPituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is an endocrine disorder the clinical signs of which include infertility, but few reports have examined the relationship between PPID and reproductive performance in broodmares.Hypothesis/ObjectiveBroodmares with infertility of unknown etiology were screened for PPID using baseline endogenous plasma ACTH concentrations, and its relationship with subsequent reproductive performance was analyzed.AnimalsSixty‐seven Thoroughbred broodmares.MethodsAdrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations were measured in autumn. The broodmares were divided into 3 groups based on endogenous plasma ACTH concentration (low, <50 pg/mL; intermediate 50‐100 pg/mL; and high >100 pg/mL) as recommended by the Equine Endocrinology Group. We compared these results with those of other blood tests, clinical examinations, subsequent conception, and frequency of normal delivery.ResultsThe numbers of horses per group (percentage) were 22 (32.8%), 20 (29.9%), and 25 (37.3%). The mean ± SD ages (years) were 11.1 ± 3.4, 12.1 ± 4.5, and 13.0 ± 4.3, with no significant difference among groups. Mean ± SD plasma cortisol concentrations (μg/dL) were 4.0 ± 1.6, 7.1 ± 1.4, and 7.6 ± 1.9, with the intermediate and high ACTH groups having significantly higher results than the low ACTH group (P < .001). Conception rates were 77.3%, 89.5%, and 56.5% and normal delivery rates were 77.2%, 84.2%, and 43.5% with the percentage of each significantly lower in the high ACTH group (P = .02, P = .008, respectively).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe study group of infertile broodmares may include horses with PPID. The reproductive performance of the high ACTH group was significantly lower than the other groups. Early diagnosis and treatment of infertile broodmares by screening plasma ACTH concentrations could help improve reproductive performance.

Evaluating the role of commercial parking bays for urban stakeholders on last-mile deliveries – A consideration of various sustainability aspects

In this contribution, we assess the traditional last mile delivery concept and a framework with commercial parking bays for carriers in terms of their sustainability value for urban stakeholders. We evaluate the potential advantages and disadvantages of commercial parking bays and provide routing solutions based on the given context and stakeholder objectives. To ensure the needs of the stakeholders and the possibility of a near future implementation in the dynamic real-world system, we chose a combined approach of simulation and mathematical optimization, which allows us to investigate the concept efficiently and with a high reliability. By means of an agent-based simulation model as well as a mixed-integer linear model, we establish a heuristic routing solution for minimizing both emissions and delivery durations. We consider different scenarios in which customers are visited in a delivery radius, around a specific commercial parking bay. Outside this radius, delivery operations are conducted through second-row parking activities. Our results for the area of investigation show that the investigated scenario featuring a 200-m delivery radius around the parking bays has a 29.8% emission savings potential compared to traditional parcel delivery procedures. Moreover, optimizing the delivery routes with our green vehicle routing approach has indicated an additional savings potential of 26.4% in terms of delivery duration and 16.4% in terms of emission output for traditional parcel deliveries. Concerning the individual evaluation of the logistics context, our results indicate that dedicated commercial parking bays could be attractive to most urban stakeholders when employed utilizing a hybrid approach, combining traditional delivery activities with commercial parking bay fulfillment.

AminoBODIPY Conjugates for Targeted Drug Delivery Systems and Real-Time Monitoring of Drug Release.

In this work, we report two concepts of drug delivery based on small-molecule drug conjugates with the ability of specific targeting and drug release monitoring via ratiometric fluorescence. The functionality of these concepts has been verified by two model systems consisting of three parts: (i) fluorescent aminoBODIPY for real-time detection of conjugate cleavage, (ii) a c(RGDfK) peptide specific for αvβ3 integrin receptors targeting angiogenesis in most solid tumors or redBODIPY for conjugate cleavage monitoring via FRET, and (iii) pegylated-2-phenyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolinone (3HQ) as a model drug. The model drug release is based on a self-immolative disulfide linker sensitive to environments containing thiols, especially glutathione, which is overexpressed in cancer cells. The results show effective thiol-mediated cleavage of the fluorescent reporter and the subsequent liberation of the drug in a tube. The conjugate with c(RGDfK) was confirmed to penetrate the cells via interaction with integrin receptors. Drug release from this conjugate is possible to monitor inside the cells. Further, the synthetic approach to the conjugates and the method of fluorescence monitoring of the drug release have also been described.

The use of Facebook in a community pharmacist-led weight management programme – a London-based proof of concept study

IntroductionIn the United Kingdom (UK), 63% of adults are overweight,(1) costing the NHS £6.1 billion/year. With the public using digital technology over healthcare professionals (HCPs) for health advice, this warrants an investigation of technology use in community pharmacy, given its previous successful use.(2)AimTo determine the feasibility and perceptions of a community pharmacist (CP)-led weight management programme (WMP), enhanced by a Facebook support group (FSG).MethodsA proof of concept study was conducted between January-March 2020. Recruitment was via a pharmacy, the university and a community Facebook group. Inclusion criteria: over 18 years; overweight; no medical conditions. Participants attended face-to-face meetings (ftf) with a CP and final year pharmacy student (PS) on two occasions (0 (baseline) and 4 weeks). At baseline, participants were given the NHS weight loss programme and set weight loss goals. During ftf, participants had height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) measurements by a CP/PS and discussed eating habits, exercise and alcohol. In between ftf, participants accessed the FSG (created (December 2019) and moderated by a CP). Here, they received posts about diet, exercise and motivation. Participants were to have their measurements taken ftf at 8-weeks, however, COVID-19 meant participants had to self-declare these via video call. Following the 8-week programme, participants completed a 4-section survey about their experience (signing up to the service; comparison to previous weight loss attempts; the FSG and overall perceptions). Question types included multiple choice, Likert scale and free text comments. Data were analysed in Excel (Microsoft Corporation 2016) with changes in height, weight, waist circumference, alcohol and exercise being calculated.ResultsFifty-five participants were recruited. 18 were lost to follow-up, most (n=12/18) citing COVID-19. Of the 37 participants remaining (70.3% female, mean age=37 years), 22 were obese, the rest overweight. Mean weight loss, mean percentage weight loss and mean WC reduction at 4-weeks was 1.6 kg (SD+/- 1.7 kg), 1.8% (SD+/- 1.9%) and 2 cm (SD+/- 1.96 cm) respectively. At week 8 measurements were self-declared. Mean weight loss at 8-weeks from baseline was 2.7 kg (SD +/- 2.6 kg) and mean percentage weight loss was 3% (SD+/- 3%). Only five participants’ self-declared WC measurements at 8-weeks with mean reduction being 3.6 cm. Five participants moved to healthier BMI classifications by week 8. All participants accessed the FSG at least weekly with 13 accessing it daily. Diet posts were the most popular (n=20/37). Participants learned about portion control and increasing fruits/vegetables intake. All participants would recommend the programme to their friends/family.ConclusionAn 8-week CPWMP, enhanced with FSG, supported participants to lose a mean of 3% body weight. Participants accessed the page regularly and were positive about its usefulness. One limitation was that the COVID-19 lockdown prevented the 8-week ftf, therefore, self-declared measurements were used. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of pharmacy embracing technology for service delivery, particularly when in-person contact is limited. The implication of this study is that it provides proof that the concept of digital service delivery could work in practice.

Surface modified receptor mediated delivery systems for site specific treatment of cancer

The treatment of the cancer has many challenges now a days due to side effects of the treatment. However, in the modern formulation development the concept of the site specific drug delivery for disease treatment in the body is considering as continuous challenges. Observing the challenges in convectional technique site specific drug delivery system has good potential to reduce adverse side effects, efficiently improve the human body health with very low toxicity. This review article elaborates the current challenges and prospective of surface modified drug carrier systems for delivery of protein for site-specific treatment of cancer and anti-cancer drug.

Emissions Performance of Staged Premixed and Diffusion Combustor Concepts for an NH3/Air Flame With and Without Reactant Humidification

Abstract Renewably generated ammonia offers a form of carbon-free chemical energy storage to meet the differences between uncertain supply and fluctuating demand and has the potential to support future energy requirements. The storage/transportation characteristics of NH3 are favorable compared with H2; however, there are combustion research challenges to enhance fuel reactivity while reducing harmful emissions production. The purpose of this work was to evaluate different fuel delivery concepts for a representative gas turbine combustor. An experimental and numerical comparison was made between swirl-stabilized premixed and diffusion NH3–air flames at elevated inlet temperature (473 K). The exhaust NOx and NH3 emissions generated from each concept were quantified to optimize combustor performance. High-speed OH* and NH2* chemiluminescence was employed to characterize the change in flame topology with variation in fuel–air equivalence ratio, and the resultant influence on measured emission concentrations. Chemiluminescence intensities were shown to elucidate changes in sampled exhaust emissions, enabling detailed analysis of intermediate chemistry. A comparison was made between experimental data and kinetic simulations, demonstrating the sensitivity of NOx emissions to premixed fuel–air equivalence ratio. A comparison was also made between exclusive primary airflow, and the staged introduction of secondary air, to quantify the change in NOx production between each configuration and improve fuel burnout. Secondary air loadings were incrementally increased through the combustor. Finally, reactant humidification was employed as a secondary process for NOx reduction, having shown favorable performance with NH3–H2 mixtures, with the efficacy compared for both premixed and diffusion configurations.

The medical mind of Ibn Kholdoun in Al Mogademah (The Prefacet)

The title of this research paper is “Ibn Khaldoun’s Medical Mind. This paper discusses two general concepts related to medicine , the concept of delivery and medicine in general.&#x0D; Ibn Kaldoun discusses the nature of science as viewed by Ibn Khaldoun, the anatomy and physiology of digestive system and its accessories , the liver,ducts m secreation, diagestive gland as well as food digestion and absorption, delivery process and some issues related to the delivery and dilevery process as well as the role of the Midwife. Ibn Khaldoun defined the "Medicine"and medical profession and delivery . He also discussed some other concepts as disease, and the causes of illness. Ibn Khaldoun stressed the importance of exercise, diet and environmental factors on healthy living.Ibn Khaldoun functioned these factors in treatment of diseases.

Cyclodextrin/Adamantane-Mediated Targeting of Inoculated Bacteria in Mice.

Cyclodextrin (CD)-based host–guest interactions with adamantane (Ad) have demonstrated use for functionalizing living cells in vitro. The next step in this supramolecular functionalization approach is to explore the concept to deliver chemical cargo to living cells in vivo, e.g., inoculated bacteria, in order to study their dissemination. We validated this concept in two rodent Staphylococcus aureus models. Bacteria (1 × 108 viable S. aureus) were inoculated by (1) intramuscular injection or (2) intrasplenic injection followed by dissemination throughout the liver. The bacteria were prefunctionalized with 99mTc-UBI29–41-Ad2 (primary vector), which allowed us to both determine the bacterial load and create an in vivo target for the secondary host-vector (24 h post-inoculation). The secondary vector, i.e., chemical cargo delivery system, made use of a 111In-Cy50.5CD9PIBMA39 polymer that was administered intravenously. Bacteria-specific cargo delivery as a result of vector complexation was evaluated by dual-isotope SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies (111In), and by fluorescence (Cy5); these evaluations were performed 4 h post-injection of the secondary vector. Mice inoculated with nonfunctionalized S. aureus and mice without an infection served as controls. Dual-isotope SPECT imaging demonstrated that 111In-Cy50.5CD9PIBMA39 colocalized with 99mTc-UBI29–41-Ad2-labeled bacteria in both muscle and liver. In inoculated muscle, a 2-fold higher uptake level (3.2 ± 1.0%ID/g) was noted compared to inoculation with nonfunctionalized bacteria (1.9 ± 0.4%ID/g), and a 16-fold higher uptake level compared to noninfected muscle (0.2 ± 0.1%ID/g). The hepatic accumulation of the host-vector was nearly 10-fold higher (27.1 ± 11.1%ID/g) compared to the noninfected control (2.7 ± 0.3%ID/g; p < 0.05). Fluorescence imaging of the secondary vector corroborated SPECT-imaging and biodistribution findings. We have demonstrated that supramolecular host–guest complexation can be harnessed to achieve an in vivo cargo delivery strategy, using two different bacterial models in soft tissue and liver. This proof-of-principle study paves a path toward developing innovative drug delivery concepts via cell functionalization techniques.

Protecting vulnerable people during pandemics through home delivery of essential supplies: a distribution logistics model

PurposeThis paper studies a concept for protecting vulnerable population groups during pandemics using direct home deliveries of essential supplies, from a distribution logistics perspective. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate feasible and resource-efficient home delivery strategies, including collaboration between retailers and logistics service providers based on a practical application.Design/methodology/approachA food home delivery concept in urban areas during pandemics is mathematically modeled. All seniors living in a district of Berlin, Germany, represent the vulnerable population supplied by a grocery distribution center. A capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP) is developed in combination with a k-means clustering algorithm. To manage this large-scale problem efficiently, mixed-integer programming (MIP) is used. The impact of collaboration and additional delivery scenarios is examined with a sensitivity analysis.FindingsRoughly 45 medically vulnerable persons can be served by one delivery vehicle in the baseline scenario. Operational measures allow a drastic decrease in required resources by reducing service quality. In this way, home delivery for the vulnerable population of Berlin can be achieved. This requires collaboration between grocery and parcel services and public authorities as well as overcoming accompanying challenges.Originality/valueDeveloping a home delivery concept for providing essential goods to urban vulnerable groups during pandemics creates a special value. Setting a large-scale CVRP with variable fleet size in combination with a clustering algorithm contributes to the originality.

Would customers be willing to use an alternative (chargeable) delivery concept for the last mile?

B2C e-commerce is still one of the fastest growing marketing channels in almost all product categories yielding to less bundled direct-to-consumer deliveries. Last mile deliveries cause costs and emissions especially in urban areas with a high density of e-customers. Therefore, stakeholders in the context of last mile parcel deliveries are interested in implementing efficient, innovative and ecological last mile concepts. Additionally, such concepts must fulfill the requirements and expectations of online customers as parcel recipients because last mile delivery is the critical link between an online purchase and the delivery to the address stated by the customer. In our customer-driven central last mile micro depot (CMD) project a potential analysis was carried out for the implementation of a CMD with the aim of environmentally-friendly and bundled last mile delivery. Our paper tries to close a research gap by examining acceptance and willingness-to-pay for an alternative last mile delivery concept from the perspective of the customer. Our empirical results based on a survey among German major city residents indicate that city residential areas are potentially more suitable for the realization of a CMD-project than other areas. Furthermore, younger and employed inhabitants are most willing to use the CMD. Based on our statistical model we are able to predict values for the willingness to pay per parcel for a specific population of urban inhabitants. A high proportion of the population in cities (60%) would be interested in participating. However, only 36% are willing to pay in addition to the usual parcel delivery charges. 26% are willing to pay €1.00 or more.

Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Hospital-based Neonatal Death: A Population-based Study

Introduction: The aim of this study to review the socioeconomic determinants of neonatal death compared to living infants in a multinational’s population. Methods: A retrospective data analysis of 58,990 births. Population-based Cohort study retrieved from the perinatal registry for the 4 years period. We compared socio-economic factors in cases of neonatal death [NND] who died in the hospital with infants who have discharged alive from the hospital [AL]. Socioeconomic factors including nationality, religion, marital status, level of education, parents’ occupation, family income, consanguinity, early childbearing, smoking, assisted conception, antenatal care, and place of delivery. Results: There were 336 cases of ND and 58,654 of AL. The prevalence of NND was 5.7/1000 births. There were more neonatal deaths among uneducated mothers with P-value &lt; 0.0003, and OR=2.0, mothers with low income (P=0.0008, CI=1.34-3.16, OR=2.07), families living in a shared houses (P=0.008, CI=1.23-3.19, OR=1.34), consanguinity (P=0.005, CI=1.13-2.0, OR=1.5), unemployed father (P=0.027, CI=1.24-4.28, OR=2.4), father’s education (P=0.017, CI=1.065-1.92, OR=1.4), assisted conception (P= 0.0001, CI=2.99-5.46, OR=4.04) and those mothers with no antenatal care (P=0.0001, CI=2.54-4.48, OR=3.37). Preterm birth in a referral/tertiary hospital was significantly high. There was no negative impact of nationality, mother’s occupation, maternal age, gravidity, or smoking. Comparing means among maternal and neonatal outcome categories showed no negative impact of crowding index (family members/number of rooms), number of rooms, number of family members, number of children in the house, or number of parties. Conclusion: In this study, antenatal care, parent’s education, father’s unemployment, low income of the mother, poor housing, consanguinity, assisted conception, and preterm birth were all associated with in-hospital neonatal death.

A Systematic Study of Unsaturation in Lipid Nanoparticles Leads to Improved mRNA Transfection In Vivo

AbstractLipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represent the leading concept for mRNA delivery. Unsaturated lipids play important roles in nature with potential for mRNA therapeutics, but are difficult to access through chemical synthesis. To systematically study the role of unsaturation, modular reactions were utilized to access a library of 91 amino lipids, enabled by the synthesis of unsaturated thiols. An ionizable lipid series (4A3) emerged from in vitro and in vivo screening, where the 4A3 core with a citronellol‐based (Cit) periphery emerged as best. We studied the interaction between LNPs and a model endosomal membrane where 4A3‐Cit demonstrated superior lipid fusion over saturated lipids, suggesting its unsaturated tail promotes endosomal escape. Furthermore, 4A3‐Cit significantly improved mRNA delivery efficacy in vivo through Selective ORgan Targeting (SORT), resulting in 18‐fold increased protein expression over parent LNPs. These findings provide insight into how lipid unsaturation promotes mRNA delivery and demonstrate how lipid mixing can enhance efficacy.

A Systematic Study of Unsaturation in Lipid Nanoparticles Leads to Improved mRNA Transfection In Vivo.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represent the leading concept for mRNA delivery. Unsaturated lipids play important roles in nature with potential for mRNA therapeutics, but are difficult to access through chemical synthesis. To systematically study the role of unsaturation, modular reactions were utilized to access a library of 91 amino lipids, enabled by the synthesis of unsaturated thiols. An ionizable lipid series (4A3) emerged from in vitro and in vivo screening, where the 4A3 core with a citronellol-based (Cit) periphery emerged as best. We studied the interaction between LNPs and a model endosomal membrane where 4A3-Cit demonstrated superior lipid fusion over saturated lipids, suggesting its unsaturated tail promotes endosomal escape. Furthermore, 4A3-Cit significantly improved mRNA delivery efficacy in vivo through Selective ORgan Targeting (SORT), resulting in 18-fold increased protein expression over parent LNPs. These findings provide insight into how lipid unsaturation promotes mRNA delivery and demonstrate how lipid mixing can enhance efficacy.

Development of Sertaconazole Nitrate Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Gel Using Central Composite Design: In vitro and Ex vivo Evaluation

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop effective topical antifungal formulation containing sertaconazole nitrate. Background: Sertaconazole nitrate, a topical antifungal, was incorporated in solid-liquid lipid nanostructures and gelled further for topical application. Objective: The objective of this investigation was to develop a topical formulation containing sertaconazole nitrate which was incorporated in the solid-state of the matrix to prolong the release in deep skin infection and hence reduce the application frequency. Methods: The nanostructured lipid carriers of sertaconazole nitrate were developed by high-speed homogenization followed by ultrasonication using Estosoft-GTS® (glyceryl tristearate) as a solid lipid, oleic acid as liquid lipid and Tween 80 as an emulsifier. The central composite design was used to optimize total lipid concentration and fraction of liquid lipid in the total lipid and its effect on entrapment efficiency and drug release was determined. Results: The carrier particles had an average size of 366.3 nm; entrapment efficiency in between 50.66% to 87.36%; cumulative drug release up to 92.90% and zeta potential of 7.43 mV. Characterization by FTIR indicated no negative interaction between drug and excipients, XRD showed the disappearance of crystalline peaks of the encapsulated drug while DSC revealed complete solubilization of the drug. About 99.6% of the drug was estimated by HPLC method. The drug release from gel and cream was 25.04% and 72.97% respectively. The lipid and gel excipients did not interfere with the antifungal activity of the drug. Conclusion: The developed nanocarriers loaded gel was stable. It prolonged the drug release (for 24 h) than marketed cream. It could be a promising concept for the topical delivery of antifungal and anti-inflammatory materials.

PENGARUH METODE GENTLE BIRTH TERHADAP TINGKAT NYERI DAN DURASI KALA I PERSALINAN PADA IBU PRIMIPARA

According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that one woman dies in every minute, 1,400 in every day, or 500,000 in every year from pregnancy- and delivery-related complications. A large number of delivery-related complications reported in SDKI in 2017 are long delivery (41%). Both long delivery and pain that distress the mother during a delivery process is the reason for delivery trauma and increases in delivery by sectio caesarea operation. Due to a phenomenon of increasing trends in caesarea operation and other unnecessary medical interventions, there reemerges an awareness to back to a natural delivery concept that considers the whole aspects of human body holistically (called gentle birth).”Gentle birth” is a serene, smooth, gentle delivery and utilizes all natural elements in human (body, mind, and soul). Currently, some alternative methods of delivery process with a gentle birth concept are developing, such as prental yoga and hypnobirthing relaxation.&#x0D; The objective of the present research is to analyze the effect of gentle birth method on the pain level and phase-I duration of delivery in primipara mother. The research is a quasi-experimental research with a post test control group design. Sampling was performed by a consecutive sampling up to the number of sample the researcher wanted has been met according to an inclusion criterion.&#x0D; The research result revealed that there was some significant average difference in the pain level and phase-I duration of delivery between the experimental and control groups. Expectantly, the research result contributes to midwifery science as an attempt to deliver a holistic delivery midwifery care (gentle birth) so as to relieve delivery-related pain and to shorten delivery duration.&#x0D; &#x0D; KEYWORDS: &#x0D; Gentle birth, prental yoga, hypnobirthing, delivery pain, delivery duration&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

On-Demand Reversible UV-Triggered Interpenetrating Polymer Network-Based Drug Delivery System Using the Spiropyran-Merocyanine Hydrophobicity Switch.

A reversible switchable on-demand UV-triggered drug delivery system (DDS) based on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) with silicone as the host polymer and spiropyran (SP)-functionalized guest polymer is designed and demonstrated. The photo-responsive IPNs provide a new triggered drug delivery concept as they exploit the change in intermolecular interactions (work of adhesion) among the drug, matrix, and solvent when the incorporated hydrophobic SP moieties transform into the hydrophilic merocyanine form upon light irradiation without degradation and disruption of the DDS. The change in how the copolymer composition (hydrophilicity and content) and the lipophilicity of the drug (log P) affect the release profile was investigated. A thermodynamic model, based on Hansen solubility parameters, was developed to design and optimize the polymer composition of the IPNs to obtain the most efficient light-triggered drug release and suppression of the premature release. The developed IPNs showed excellent result for dopamine, l-dopa, and prednisone with around 90-95% light-triggered release. The model was applied to study the release behavior of drugs with different log P and to estimate if the light-induced hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic switch can overcome the work of adhesion between polymers and drugs and hence the desorption and release of the drugs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that work of adhesion is used for this aim. Comparing the result obtained from the model and experiment shows that the model is useful for evaluating and estimating the release behavior of specific drugs merocyanine, IPN, DDS, and spiropyran.

Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in the state of Qatar: A Population-based Study.

Objectives:To review the demographics and socioeconomic determinants of preterm birth (PTB) compared to term births among the Qatari population.Methods:This was a retrospective data analysis of 59,308 births. Data were retrieved from a Population-based Cohort Study. Data were gathered from the PEARL-Peristat maternal newborn registry for 2011, 2012, 2017, and 2018. We compared the preterm births group (delivery < 37 weeks) with the term group (delivery ≥ 37 weeks) regarding socioeconomic factors, including maternal nationality, religion, level of education, mother’s occupation, family income, housing, consanguinity, early childbearing, high-risk pregnancy, smoking, assisted conception, antenatal care, and place of delivery.Results:The prevalence of preterm birth was 9%. There were more Saudi nations in the preterm group compared to term (33% vs. 28%, p-value < 0.001). There were more preterm births than term births among working mothers (40% vs. 35%), high-risk pregnancies (24% vs. 18%), those that has used assisted conception (18% vs. 3%), those without antenatal care (11% vs. 5.6%), and those delivered in a tertiary women hospital (88.5% vs. 84.5%) (all p-values < 0.001). There were more women living in villas (41% vs. 38%, p = 0.01) and more smokers (0.8% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.030) in the preterm group than in the term group. There were no differences between the two groups regarding religion, level of maternal education, family income, and early childbearing.Conclusion:In our population, we identified several factors associated with preterm births. (www.actabiomedica.it)

A novel self-targeting theranostic nanoplatform for photoacoustic imaging-monitored and enhanced chemo-sonodynamic therapy.

Sonodynamic therapy has attracted wide attention as a noninvasive therapy due to deep tissue penetration. However, majority sonosensitizers often suffer from poor physiological stability, rapid blood clearance and nonspecific targeting, which seriously hinders their further practical applications. Inspired by the concept of active targeting drug delivery, both dual-functional chemo-drug pemetrexed (PEM, emerges an innate affinity toward the folate receptor) and amphiphilic d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) were selected to be covalently linked by an esterase-responsive ester linkage. The synthesized self-targeting TPGS-PEM prodrug and indocyanine green (ICG) as functional motifs can be self-assembled into a TPGS-PEM-ICG nanoplatform within an aqueous medium. The TPGS-PEM-ICG nanoplatform with outstanding structural and physiological stability not only protects the sonosensitizer from reticular endothelial system clearance but also achieves active targeting drug delivery and efficient tumor enrichment. Moreover, TPGS-PEM-ICG nanoplatform can selectively recognize tumor cells and then realize on-demand drug burst release by multiple stimuli of internal lysosomal acidity, esterase and external ultrasound, which guarantee low side effects toward normal tissues and organs. It is also worth noting that our nanoplatform exhibits protruding tumor enrichment under the precise guidance of photoacoustic/fluorescence imaging. Further in vitro and in vivo experimental results well confirmed that the TPGS-PEM-ICG nanoplatform possesses enhanced chemo-sonodynamic effects. Interestingly, the highly toxic reactive oxygen species can remarkably reduce the blood oxygen saturation signal of the tumor microenvironment via precise, multifunctional and high-resolution photoacoustic imaging. Taken together, the TPGS-PEM-ICG nanoplatform can be expected to hold enormous potential for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy for tumor.

Customer Loyalty and Retail Outlets Patronage in Nigeria

The evolving trend of establishment of intra-national, transnational and transcontinental retail outlets providing quality service offering across countries of the world has made complex the level of competition and drive for acquiring loyal customers in order to increase their market share The value added role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in retail service delivery has impacted in no small measure on customer choice profile, thereby providing them with an array of options on which service provider to patronize. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of customer loyalty on retail outlets patronage in Nigeria. The study evaluates the basic concept of retail service delivery and its effect on customer loyalty, equity theory in combination with the six (6) dimension of retailing experience was adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The respondents for this study were customers of the South African Retail outlet giant – Shoprite in three basic locations of its Lagos, Nigeria outlets namely; Lekki, Ikeja and Suru- Lere. The study methodology was presented using the descriptive statistical technique of administering questionnaire to respondents and personal interview for the purpose of data gathering. The result of the study was obtained using Pearson Correlation Coefficient technique; the study findings and discussion showed that there is a positive relationship between customer loyalty and consistent patronage of retail outlets in Nigeria. The study concludes that retail outlets should create a robust relationship with their customers through consistent satisfaction and quality service delivery.

A mixed truck and robot delivery approach for the daily supply of customers

Innovative last-mile logistics solutions are needed to reduce delivery costs, traffic congestion, and pollution in cities. A promising concept in this context are truck-and-robot systems, as they enable significant cost and traffic reduction compared to classic truck deliveries. The system relies on small autonomous delivery robots to cover the last meters to a customer. Existing truck-and-robot concepts to date consider home deliveries by robots, while trucks are only used to transport robots and not for deliveries. This assumption disregards the fact that regular truck deliveries are still needed for some delivery requests, such as for the delivery of bulky items, or for customers who do not accept robots. Our research addresses this issue and proposes a mixed truck and robot delivery concept in which both robots and the delivery truck can visit customers. Our tailored solution approach is based on a General Variable Neighborhood Search that efficiently solves the routing problem and outperforms existing truck-and-robot routing algorithms. The numerical experiments show that this approach enables cost reductions of up to 43% compared to classical truck deliveries and up to 22% compared to a truck-and-robot system that does not allow deliveries by both truck and robots on the same tour. Further analyses reveal additional benefits of such mixed tours and the robustness of our approach for different problem settings.