Period Of Residence Research Articles

Preparation and Characterization of Gastroreten-tive Sustained Release In-situ Gel of Lafutidine

Background: The in-situ solutions, which float in the gastrointestinal region after gelation, is suited for long-term drug release. In this study, natural and synthetic polymers were used to try to build a Gastro-Retentive controlled release in-situ gel. To modulate the rate of drug distribution and increase bioavailability and stability, gastro-retentive controlled release in-situ gels were prepared. 
 Materials and Methods: For this project, 32 factorial designs were chosen. The two independent variables were sodium alginate (X1) and the ratio of HPMC K100M: Gellan Gum (X2) was preserved at the same concentration. As the study mentioned, sodium alginate is a natural polymer that is employed to build the gel matrix, while HPMC K100M and gellan gum serve as release retardants. 
 Results and Discussion: The drug and excipients study performed by FTIR and DSC revealed that both the drug and polymers used were compatible with other. Out of all the batches prepared LG7 proved to be the optimized batch because of the acceptable pH with a floating time of more than 24 hours and maximum drug content of 99.92 ± 0.04% and the lag time of 71 ± 0.57seconds. The viscosity of the optimized batch was found to be dependent on the concentration of sodium alginate and the viscosity before gelling and after gelling was found to be 32719 ± 1.65 and 39851 ± 1.77 cps. The mucoadhesion strength of the prepared optimized formulation was found to be 5.621 ± 0.41N/cm2. The optimized LG7 batch showed the most sustained rate of drug release with having a matrix model as the best-fitted model. The histopathology study revealed that the formulation was safe to use without causing any degeneration of the tissues. The stability study showed that the prepared formulation was stable for the time of the study as no significant changes were observed. Lastly, the sustained behavior of the prepared in-situ gel was due to the calcium carbonate in the gelling formulation which released carbon dioxide into the gastrointestinal environment, and the formulation became porous and buoyant, extending the residence period and the floating of the gel was due to the pH-induced ion gelation process that caused the gel to float.
 Conclusion: It was concluded that the prepared controlled release in-situ gel of Lafutidine may prove to be a potential candidate for safe and effective controlled drug delivery for an extended period.

Legume proportion affects bahiagrass–rhizoma peanut mixture production and nutritive value and legume composition of cattle diets

Our objectives were to (1) quantify the effects of legume proportion on herbage accumulation (HA) and nutritive value of pasture mixtures compared with grass monocultures receiving typical or no N fertilizer application and (2) compare animal selection measures in legume–grass mixed pastures using microhistological and δ13C techniques applied to fecal samples. We evaluated HA and nutritive value in 2 grazing systems: (1) mixtures of Florigraze rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) and Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) (MIX-SYS; 6 to 78% legume, grazed to a 15-cm stubble height at 42-d grazing intervals and ~7-d residence periods) and (2) bahiagrass monocultures receiving no N or 50 kg of N/ha per year (BG-SYS and BGN-SYS, grazed to 10-cm stubble height at 21-d grazing intervals with ~7-d residence periods) over 2 yr. Animal [~220 kg, 12-mo-old Brahman (Bos indicus) × Angus (Bos taurus) heifers] diet selection in MIX-SYS was quantified using microhistological and δ13C techniques applied to fecal samples. Herbage in vitro digestible OM (IVDOM) and CP concentrations increased linearly with increasing legume proportion in MIX-SYS up to ~45%, but MIX-SYS HA decreased linearly with increasing legume proportion. Treatment MIX-SYS had greater average HA [5,920 ± 271 (SE) kg/ha vs. 4,890 ± 236 kg/ ha for monocultures] and nutritive value than BG-SYS and BGN-SYS (CP of 12.9 ± 0.7% and IVDOM of 55.8 ± 1.0% for MIX-SYS vs. 9.1 ± 0.4% and 50.7 ± 1.5%, respectively, for monocultures). Results of microhistological and δ13C techniques applied to fecal samples were highly and positively correlated with sward canopy legume proportion, but fecal δ13C tracked legume proportion in the pasture more closely than the microhistological technique. Benefits of legumes to HA and nutritive value were observed at low legume participation, but they did not increase proportionally as legume percentage increased above ~45%. These results support a conclusion that relatively small proportions of legumes have measurable positive effects on important grassland characteristics.

Infertility: A Hidden Cost of Medical Training.

Infertility: A Hidden Cost of Medical Training.

청년 가구주의 공공임대주택 입주의향 요인에 관한 연구

This study empirically analyzed the factors affecting youth householders’ move-in into public rental housing assuming its cause of low occupancy as an imbalance between the demand and the government’s supply policies. The result shows the move-in intention into public rental housing by youth householders and household characteristics, housing by region, and public rental housing were significant. For the housing, the house size, household income, and housing expenses were significant. For the housing by region, the housing rate of houses less than 40㎡ and the comprehensive Jeonse price index were significant. The public rental houses, the size of houses, rental fees, and residence period were also significant. In particular, the characteristics of public rental houses were highly significant, which were not fully examined in the previous studies. The study's implications are as follows. First, for the policy to effectively expand income standards for young households, the quality of housing must be improved as well. Second, a preliminary inspection of the number of small private houses and the increase in Jeonse prices are needed when supplying public rental housing to each region. Third, there should be affirmative actions to improve housing policies related to housing space, residence period, and standards for conversion into rental housing. In particular, minimum housing standards should be improved, but the burden of housing fees should be alleviated. Lastly, the supply of urban houses needs to be revitalized.

The dynamics of household water security and treatment practices: a population-based, cross-sectional study in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria.

A minimum of basic water supply service is pertinent to improving living standards and water-dependent quality of life indices. In Nigeria, 14% have access to safely managed drinking water services, though approximately 30% of water pumps and schemes are likely to fail within 12months of construction. This study aims to determine household water security and its predictors in Osun State, Nigeria. The cross-sectional study recruited 548 households through a five-stage sampling technique and used a semi-structured questionnaire for data collection.Results were presented by descriptive and inferential statistics, while binary logistic regression identified water-security predictors at Pά 0.05. Hand-dug wells (27.7%) and motorized boreholes (21.2%) were the predominant household drinking water sources. A total of 43.7% of households were water-secured while 35.2% of water sources were within residential settlements. A total of 25.1% of households experienced water scarcity, and 27.2% of households treat drinking water mainly by chlorination (56.7%) and boiling (14.7%). A total of 21.2%, 64.2%, and 9% of households, respectively, have safely managed basic and limited water supply services. Drinking water sources were associated with house ownership (p = 0.001) and residence period (p = 0.025) while water treatment was associated with gender (p = 0.010) and wealth (p = 0.0001). Age (p = 0.002) and wealth (p = 0.0001) are predictors of household water security. Two-fifths of households were water-secured, highlighting the dearth of potable water supply services and the need to incorporate strategic predictors of household water security in the existing national and state-level water resources regulations.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE IN MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN MAKKAH REGION OF SAUDI ARABIA

Background:Medical and psychiatric emergencies both have the potential to be life-threatening. Due to insufficient training or an unintelligible referral policy routine, many emergency physicians believe mental health illnesses to be a significant burden in health care Aim:This study aimed to analyze emergency physicians Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward dealing with patients with mental health illnesses in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Methods:a cross-sectional study was conducted on 152 emergency physicians in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabias hospitals. Data was collected from emergency physicians via an online questionnaire sent through social media platforms and self-administration surveys via data collectors. Results::74% of 152 emergency physicians have seen a mentally ill patient needing treatment. Only 50% of participants utilized tools to diagnose individuals with mental health illnesses, while their personal experiences influenced 54%. 65% of emergency physicians have seen that families may not graciously accept advice for a psychiatric referral, implying that there may be a stigma associated with mental health illnesses, which may impair patient management. Conclusion:The majority have had previous experience and exposure and believe they have an essential role in diagnosing mental health disorders (MHD). However, other results show that participants lack professionalism as they are influenced by their personal experiences when treating MHD. Participants were concerned regarding the lack of time and training that affected the management provided in ER. Efforts to improve the movement in residency periods, as well as the referral policy, are advised.

Episodic mafic dike swarms (2.0 and 1.7 Ga) in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Province, Brazil: Implications for the refinement of the São Francisco Craton magmatic barcode and the North China link

Late Archean to Paleoproterozoic dike swarms crosscut the basement and supracrustal sequences of the São Francisco Craton. Their spatial distribution and orientation patterns, as paleomagnetic signature, provide key evidence to the positioning of the cratonic area in ancient paleocontinental reconstructions through the refinement of the “magmatic barcode”. Zircon U–Pb data from dikes in the cratonic domain of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Mineral Province, in the southern of São Francisco Craton, allowed the recognition of two magmatic stages: a Rhyacian-Orosirian pulse, belonging to the Paraopeba swarm, and a Statherian pulse that belongs to the Pará de Minas II swarm. The Ediacaran Brasiliano Orogeny later affected dikes from both swarms.The Paraopeba swarm consists of pulses related to the Rhyacian-Orosirian orogenic cycle, with dikes providing U–Pb zircon ages of 2019 + 23–11, 1944 ± 29 and 1918 ± 12 Ma. The zircon εHf values from these dikes are predominantly negative, suggesting reworking of preexisting crust, whereas the TDM ages vary from 4000 to 2500 Ma, which can be interpreted as a long period of crustal residence. The Statherian Pará de Minas II swarm, with a U–Pb zircon age of 1717 ± 9 Ma, is chronocorrelated to the lower stratigraphic sequence of the Espinhaço rift basin. Zircon grains from this dike have predominantly positive εHf values and TDM model ages between 3050 and 1950 Ma. Unlike the Paraopeba swarm, the Pará de Minas magmatism is marked by a striking input of juvenile mantle material with minor crustal contamination. The Ediacaran Brasiliano tectono-thermal event caused isotopic disturbance in both Paraopeba and Pará de Minas II swarms, resulting in lower intercepts at 595 ± 65 and 584 ± 27 Ma, respectively.Our data pinpoint dike emplacement related to tectonic events described in the southern of São Francisco. In the final stages of Rhyacian orogenic cycle, at ca. 2019–1918 Ma, data suggests an important crustal contamination. Thereafter, a crustal rifting event at ca. 1717 Ma involved dike swarm emplacement with magmatic source from a mantle plume. The Rhyacian-Orosirian ages obtained here are the first zircon U–Pb geochronological data presented for the Paraopeba dike swarm and allow for a refinement of the São Francisco Craton barcode, reinforcing previous suggestions of proximity with the North China Craton crosscut by the similarly aged Hengshan and Xiwangshan/Xuwujia dike swarms, whether or not those two cratonic pieces were part of the Columbia supercontinent.

Microencapsulated curcumin from Curcuma longa modulates diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in Sprague Dawley rats.

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major causes of cardiovascular ailments. The study has been conducted on the hypothesis that hypercholesterolemia can be modulated by microencapsulated curcumin due to its enhanced bioavailability. In this context, curcumin obtained from fresh rhizomes of Curcuma longa by conventional (CSE) and supercritical fluid (SFE) extractions, has been successfully microencapsulated using a mixture of gelatin and maltodextrin. The microencapsulated curcumin CSE &SFE, has been added as supplemented diet and has been resulted in maximum plasma concentration of curcumin at 100 min as 529.31 ± 8.73 and 405.23 ± 7.12 μg/mL, respectively compared to non-encapsulated turmeric powder used as control. During the bio evaluation trial, turmeric powder (3%), microencapsulated curcuminCSE (1%) and microencapsulated curcuminSFE (0.5%) were provided to designate rat groups categorized by normal; N1, N2, and N3 and hypercholesterolemic; H1, H2, and H3 conditions, respectively. The incorporation of microencapsulated curcuminSFE in the supplemented diet caused a reduction in serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides, athrogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk ration (CRR) as 5.42 and 12.81%, 7.25 and 15.42%, 3.17 and 9.38%, 15.38 and 29.28%, and 10.98 19.38% in normo- and hypercholesterolemic rat groups. Additionally, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and anti-atherogenic index (AAI) indicated a significant increase in all treated rat groups. Conclusively, the inclusion of turmeric and curcumin microencapsulates in the dietary module has been proven effective to alleviate hyperlipidemia. Therefore, the present study is proven that curcumin absorption via the gastrointestinal tract and its stability toward metabolization in the body increased via microencapsulation using maltodextrin and gelatin. Microencapsulated curcumin reaches the target site via oral administration because of sufficient gastrointestinal residence period and stability in the digestive tract.

Preliminary Data about Habitat Use of Subadult and Adult White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in Eastern Australian Waters.

Simple SummaryIn eastern Australia, the movement of subadult and adult white sharks is poorly understood as very few animals are encountered. To investigate how deep they dive, where they travel and water temperatures they live in, we tagged three white sharks (340–388 cm total length) between May 2021 and January 2022. All sharks moved away from the coast after release and preferred offshore habitats. The three sharks mainly stayed within 50 m of the surface, in water temperatures between 14–19 °C and dived deeper during the day. They all moved north–south along the coastline and spent little time in the same location but there was evidence that they stayed in some locations longer than others. Very little information is available for adult white sharks in eastern Australia and studies like this provide key information about their preferences. As they travel long distances it is important for multijurisdictional management to effectively mitigate human-shark interactions whilst supporting conservation efforts.In eastern Australia, white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are targeted in shark control programs, yet the movement of subadults and adults of the eastern Australasian population is poorly understood. To investigate horizontal and vertical movement and habitat use in this region, MiniPAT pop-up satellite archival tags were deployed on three larger white sharks (340–388 cm total length) between May 2021 and January 2022. All sharks moved away from the coast after release and displayed a preference for offshore habitats. The upper < 50 m of the water column and temperatures between 14–19 °C were favoured, with a diel pattern of vertical habitat use evident as deeper depths were occupied during the day and shallower depths at night. Horizontal movement consisted of north–south seasonality interspersed with periods of residency. Very little information is available for adult white sharks in eastern Australia and studies like this provide key baseline information for their life history. Importantly, the latitudinal range achieved by white sharks illuminate the necessity for multijurisdictional management to effectively mitigate human-shark interactions whilst supporting conservation efforts of the species.

An assessment of the potential for leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from fluorinated and non-fluorinated high-density polyethylene containers

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have garnered world-wide attention over the last two decades due to their extreme environmental persistence and potential adverse health effects. Research is ongoing as to where, and in what quantities, PFAS can be found in commercial, and consumer goods. During 2021, a study described detecting PFAS in a commercially available insecticide; however, further study clarified that the source of PFAS was not actually from the insecticide product, but rather the fluorinated high-density polyethylene (fHDPE) container in which the insecticide resided. As several fluorination technologies associated with fHDPE manufacturers are available, the work described herein was conducted to determine the potential leaching of PFAS from the various fluorinated container technologies. Three fluorination technology container types, including advanced in-mold fluorination, post-mold fluorination, and post-mold plasma fluorination; and two non-fluorinated negative control, were subject to extended methanol soaking periods. During these soak periods, aliquots of methanol were removed and analyzed for 19 target PFAS compounds. For the advanced in-mold fluorination technology, at each of the residence period, showed no detectable PFAS at the analytical instruments limit of quantification (LOQ) of 10 ng/L (20 ng/L for GenX). In contrast, several PFAS compounds were detected above LOQ in the alternative fluorination technologies, ranging from 11 - 9700 ng/L in methanol, throughout the entirety of the residence periods.

Floating microspheres: Emerging delivery system for diabetes mellitus

In order to increase bioavailability, stability, and target the drug to a specific region at a predetermined rate, floating microspheres, multi-unit drug delivery systems, are designed to accomplish controlled or delayed drug administration. In clinical practise, drugs that have an upper small intestine absorption window may benefit the most from a controlled drug delivery system with an extended stomach residence period. The non-uniformity of medication absorption throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the heterogeneity of gastrointestinal (GI) transit time across and among subjects are the two key issues. The most common drug delivery systems in these applications are floating or hydrodynamically controlled. Gastro retentive medication delivery is a method of extending the length of gastric residency because it targets site-specific drug release for local or systemic effects in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Due to the uniform distribution of these multiple-unit dose forms in the stomach, which encourages more repeatable medicine absorption and a lower risk of local discomfort, floating microspheres are becoming more and more popular. Compared to single-unit dosing variants, these systems offer more benefits. The physiology of stomach emptying is briefly examined in the context of floating drug delivery systems in this paper. This review's objective is to compile the most recent research on preparation techniques and other factors that affect the functionality and characterization of floating microspheres.

The Reliability of SAC305 Individual Solder Joints during Creep–Fatigue Conditions at Room Temperature

The failure of one solder joint out of the hundreds of joints in a system compromises the reliability of the electronics assembly. Thermal cycling is a result of both creep–fatigue mechanisms working together. To better understand the failure process in thermal cycling, it is crucial to analyze both the effects of creep and fatigue mechanisms in a methodical manner. In this work, individual solder junctions are subjected to accelerated shear fatigue testing to investigate the effects of creep and fatigue on joint dependability at room temperature. A modified fixture is used to conduct fatigue tests on an Instron 5948 micromechanical tester. SAC305 joints with an OSP surface finish were cycled under stress control at first, and then the strain was maintained for a set amount of time. In this investigation, three stress amplitudes of 16, 20, and 24 MPa are used, together with varying residence periods of 0, 10, 60, and 180 s. The fatigue life of solder junctions is described for each testing condition using the two-parameter Weibull distribution. Additionally, as a function of stress amplitude and residence time, a dependability model is created. For each testing scenario, the progression of the stress–strain loops was studied. By quantifying relevant damage metrics, such as plastic work per cycle and plastic strain at various testing circumstances, the damage due to fatigue is distinguished from creep. To investigate the relationships between plastic work and plastic strain with fatigue life, the Coffin–Manson and Morrow Energy model is used. The results indicate that using greater stress magnitudes or longer dwell periods significantly shortens fatigue life and dramatically increases plastic work and plastic strain. The housing impact is significant; in some circumstances, testing with a longer dwelling period and lower stress amplitude resulted in more damage than testing with a shorter dwelling period and higher stress levels. When illustrating the fatigue behavior of solder junctions under various stress amplitudes or dwellings, the Coffin–Manson and Morrow Energy model were both useful. In the end, general reliability models are developed as functions of plastic work and plastic strain.

Resilience as a mediator between burnout and subjective wellbeing in Spanish hospital residents

Ample research has supported the detrimental impact of burnout on the well-being of resident doctors. However, the mechanisms accounting for this influence remain unclear. Consequently, this study analysed for the first time the degree of burnout as well as its evolution throughout the residency period and tested the mediational role of resiliency in the relationship between burnout and its subscales and well-being in a sample of 237 Spanish residents of different specialties from Spanish hospitals. Participants were administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale and the short-version scale of Subjective Well-being. From the total sample of residents, 48.9% reported high levels of total burnout, 53.6% in the subscale of emotional burnout and 74.7% in depersonalization. Additionally, burnout levels increased as the residency period progressed, and resilience mediated the relationship between burnout and subjective well-being level. Such findings suggest resilience as a protector factor against burnout that should be included in prevention programs.

The changing view of insulin granule mobility: From conveyor belt to signaling hub.

Before the advent of TIRF microscopy the fate of the insulin granule prior to secretion was deduced from biochemical investigations, electron microscopy and electrophysiological measurements. Since Calcium-triggered granule fusion is indisputably necessary to release insulin into the extracellular space, much effort was directed to the measure this event at the single granule level. This has also been the major application of the TIRF microscopy of the pancreatic beta cell when it became available about 20 years ago. To better understand the metabolic modulation of secretion, we were interested to characterize the entirety of the insulin granules which are localized in the vicinity of the plasma membrane to identify the characteristics which predispose to fusion. In this review we concentrate on how the description of granule mobility in the submembrane space has evolved as a result of progress in methodology. The granules are in a state of constant turnover with widely different periods of residence in this space. While granule fusion is associated +with prolonged residence and decreased lateral mobility, these characteristics may not only result from binding to the plasma membrane but also from binding to the cortical actin web, which is present in the immediate submembrane space. While granule age as such affects granule mobility and fusion probability, the preceding functional states of the beta cell leave their mark on these parameters, too. In summary, the submembrane granules form a highly dynamic heterogeneous population and contribute to the metabolic memory of the beta cells.

Migration of a viscoelastic drop in a ratchet microchannel

We numerically investigate the deformation and migration of a viscoelastic droplet in a ratchet microchannel, a phenomenon that occurs in many practical applications and involves rich physics due to the associated complex geometry and non-Newtonian nature of the fluid. The numerical method required to handle viscoelastic fluid is also extremely challenging, especially when the Weissenberg number, a dimensionless relaxation time related to the viscoelastic fluids, is high. In the present study, we incorporate a log-conformation stabilization method that overcomes this numerical problem and examine the shape transition dynamics of a viscoelastic droplet for a wide range of parameters, including the wavelength and type of the ratchet, Weissenberg number, and Reynolds number. The droplet dynamics in a ratchet microchannel is compared to that in a straight channel. The presence of the ratchet section causes a distinct stress distribution in the viscoelastic droplet, which significantly influences the residence period, the shape of the droplet in the microchannel, and shape recovery dynamics when flowing out of the channel. • Deformation and migration of a viscoelastic droplet in a ratchet microchannel is investigated. • A log-conformation stabilization method is incorporated. • The wavelength and type of the ratchet play an important role in the dynamics and residence period. • The roles of Reynolds, Capillary, and Weissenberg numbers have been investigated. • The study may help understand the migration of biological cells in complex geometries.

Exploring resident perspectives on family medicine enhanced skills training.

Third-year enhanced skills programs, also known as family medicine (FM) PGY3 programs, have always been an area of debate. Their exponential growth does not stem from a strong body of academic evidence or public health needs assessment. This qualitative descriptive study explores the current perspectives of second-year FM residents at the University of Ottawa on extended training programs through semi-structured interviews. Of the fifteen participants, eight were applying to PGY3 FM programs, six were not and one was unsure. Themes generated included: developing generalist niches within primary care, increasing confidence of FM graduates, allowing generalists to fill in healthcare gaps to meet community needs, meeting the pressures of workplace competition and employability requirements, and creating alternate paths to five-year specialties. 80% would extend their core FM training, with self-design and options of shorter time frames as preconditions. FM residents are interested in furthering their training, whether through extending core residency period or via enhanced skills programs. The demand for these programs will continue rising. Capitalizing on residents' interests to catapult the profession forward and optimize the quality of healthcare should be the priority for licensing bodies and medical educators.

Interpreting “Settled Abroad” in China’s Nationality Law: Theory, Practice, and Problems

The globalization of China and active international migration across Chinese borders involving millions of people have made understanding Chinese nationality law an issue of tremendous importance. In recent years, disputes concerning nationality have arisen out of undefined terms in the Nationality Law. At the center is the term “settled abroad,” which impacts the nationality of those who acquire foreign nationality and children born to overseas Chinese citizens. The limited literature and legislative interpretations do not clearly define the term. A thorough analysis shows that “settled abroad” means permanent or long-term residency and generally does not scrutinize the length of the actual residence period except for a complete absence of actual residence or undocumented migration. This Note further examines all publicly available cases disputing nationality in the past seven years to understand the judicial practice. It turns out Chinese courts also refrain from inquiring about the actual residence period in non-criminal cases. In recent years, the sensitive nature of the issue and the discoordination among authorities have prevented amendment or interpretation of the nationality law. This Note makes two key contributions to the literature. First, it provides a much-needed interpretation of the key provisions in Nationality Law that have profound implications for millions of people. In contrast to prior literature, which often lacks sufficient comparison and analysis, this Note addresses all prior discussions in a comprehensive way. Second, it is the first work that applies empirical methods to examine how Chinese courts apply the Nationality Law. Finally, this Note also offers several explanations for the stagnant amendment of the Nationality Law from a policy angle.

Development of Novel Unfolding Film System of Itopride Hydrochloride Using Box-Behnken Design-A Gastro Retentive Approach.

Currently, gastro-retentive dosage forms achieved a remarkable position among the oral drug delivery systems. This is a broadly used technique to hold the drug delivery systems for a long duration in the gastro intestine (GI) region, slow drug delivery, and overcome other challenges related to typical oral delivery such as low bioavailability. The current work aimed to formulate and characterize a new expandable gastro-retentive system through Itopride Hydrochloride (IH)’s unfolding process for controlled release. The IH-loaded unfolding film formulation was optimized using the Box-Behnken design for folding endurance and length of tested layer (LTL). Initially, the formulation was made using several anti-adhesive additives to promote the unfolding mechanism. Citric acid and sodium bicarbonate were selected as anti-adhesives based on these results. The enfolded film in a capsule shell was shown to unroll in the stomach fluids and render drug delivery up to 12 h in acidic conditions. A fabricated system should have dimensions more than the size of the relaxed pyloric sphincter, and as required, >20 mm LTL was identified. This further confirms that the residence period in the stomach is irrelevant to the fed or fasted condition. Based on desirability criteria, the formulation containing 143.83, 0.7982, and 14.6096 Eudragit L100, PEG, and sodium bicarbonate are selected as optimized formulations (O-IH-UF). The optimized formulation was further analyzed for various parameters such as tensile strength, mechanical strength, unfolding nature, degradability, and in vitro release studies. The pharmacokinetic study revealed greater AUC (area under the curve) and long half-life with the designed O-IH-UF formulation, confirming that the unfolding film type can be a favorable drug system for enhancing the bioavailability of low soluble drugs. The results showed that unfolding types of gastro retentive systems could potentiate the drugs with stability issues in an alkaline medium or those with absorption in acidic conditions.

Reconsidering operation pattern for cation-exchange resin assistant anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge: Shorting residence period towards dosage-reduction and anti-fouling

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) generation through anaerobic fermentation has been regarded as a promising pathway to achieve carbon recovery and economic benefits in waste activated sludge management. Despite the cation exchange resin (CER) assistant anaerobic fermentation strategy has been previously reported for enhancing anaerobic fermentation, the overlarge CER usage and serious CER pollution have limited its engineering application. This study provided a reconsideration for the operation pattern modification. Through 4-day anaerobic fermentation with CER residence period shrinking to 1 day, 40.9% sludge VSS solubilization and reduction were achieved, triggering a considerable sludge hydrolysis rate of 28.4%. Thereby, SCFAs production was improved to 264.8 mg COD/g VSS. Such performances were approximately 80.2–87.8% of those with conventional CER residence period (8 days). The organic composition distribution and parallel factor analysis demonstrated that similar biodegradability and utilizability of fermentative liquid were achievable with various operation patterns. Compared with the conventional operation pattern, the modified operation pattern with shortened CER residence period (1 day) also displayed satisfying anaerobic fermentation efficiency and numerous engineering bene fits, e.g. decreased CER usage, reduced engineering footprint, relieved CER fouling, and increased operation convenience. The findings might provide sustainable development for CER assistant anaerobic fermentation strategy and enlighten the direction of anaerobic fermentation process.

The growth of recovery capital in clients of recovery residences in Florida, USA: a quantitative pilot study of changes in REC-CAP profile scores

BackgroundThere is a growing evidence base around predictors of retention and completion in a range of recovery residence models, particularly Oxford Houses and Sober Living Houses, and recovery housing is recognized as a clearly evidenced area of recovery intervention. The aim of the study was to quantitatively assess recovery capital in a sample of recovery residence clients.MethodThe study used a repeated measures self-completion of a standardized recovery capital instrument (REC-CAP) for clients retained across various houses within one Level 2 recovery residence provider whose program was based on a 12-step approach. While 823 clients participated in the baseline assessment, a sample of 267 clients was achieved for six-month follow-up interview, based on those retained in the residence. A logistic regression model examined factors associated with retention and a repeated measures marginal mixed model evaluated the factors associated with changes in recovery capital between the baseline and the follow-up assessment.ResultsMembers of the group that remained in recovery residences were more likely to be older with a record of high participation in recovery groups, with greater drop-out among younger residents, female residents and those with an identified housing need. For those retained to follow-up, greater recovery capital growth was associated with employment, higher levels of social support and more recovery group involvement, as well as age and a higher quality of life. The need for family support was shown to reduce levels of recovery capital. However, those younger people who were retained reported better recovery capital growth during the initial six months of residence.ConclusionThe key conclusion is that while recovery capital generally increases during a stay in a recovery residence, it does not do so consistently across the sample population. This has implications for how pathways to recovery group engagement are supported for women and young people and how social support (encompassing housing, employment and family issues) is provided to those populations during periods of residence. This suggests the potential need for training and guidance for house managers working with these groups.