Biodegradable poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)

The determination of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is regarded as vital in monitoring patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Besides indicating the status of cerebral blood flow (CBF), it also reveals the status of intracranial pressure (ICP). The abnormal or suboptimal level of CPP is commonly correlated with high values of ICP and therefore with poor patient outcomes. Eighty-two patients were divided into three groups of patients receiving treatment based on CPP and CBF, ICP alone, and conservative methods during two different observation periods. The characteristics of these three groups were compared based on age, sex, time between injury and hospital arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale score, pupillary reaction to light, surgical intervention, and computerized tomography scanning findings according to the Marshall classification system. Only time between injury and arrival (p = 0.001) was statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportions of good outcomes between the multimodality group compared with the group of patients that underwent a single intracranial-based monitoring method and the group that received no monitoring (p = 0.003) based on a disability rating scale after a follow up of 12 months. Death was the focus of outcome in this study in which the multimodality approach to monitoring had superior results.

The aim of this study was to prepare a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) loaded double-walled microspheres using a fast degrading glucose core, hydroxyl-terminated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (Glu-PLGA) and a moderate-degrading carboxyl-terminated PLGA polymers to reduce the initial burst release and to eliminate the lag phase from the release profile of PLGA microspheres. The double-walled microspheres were prepared using a modified water-in-oil-in-oil-in-water (w/o/o/w) method and single-polymer microspheres were prepared using a conventional water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The particle size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, thermal properties, in vitro drug release and structural integrity of BSA were evaluated in this study. Double-walled microspheres prepared with Glu-PLGA and PLGA polymers with a mass ratio of 1:1 were non-porous, smooth-surfaced, and spherical in shape. A significant reduction of initial burst release was achieved for the double-walled microspheres compared to single-polymer microspheres. In addition, microspheres prepared using Glu-PLGA and PLGA polymers in a mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited continuous BSA release after the small initial burst without any lag phase. It can be concluded that the double-walled microspheres made of Glu-PLGA and PLGA polymers in a mass ratio of 1:1 can be a potential delivery system for pharmaceutical proteins.

Spray drying is an important method in the food industry for the production of encapsulated oil to improve the handling and flow properties of the powder. In this study, the effect of mixture of polymers on the encapsulation of fish oil by spray drying was investigated. Fish oil powder were produced using different ratios of mixtures of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) 15 cps and HPMC 5 cps. Scanning electron microscopy and the amount of extracted oil from the surface revealed that the formulation containing high concentration of polymer mixture provided the highest protective and prolonged effect on the covering of fish oil. The particle sizes of less than 60 μm were obtained for all the formulations. The powder density was very suitable, which improves the flowability of the powder. Microencapsulation efficiency (69.16-74.75%) and surface morphology of encapsulated oil showed that the stability was increased and hence increased its acceptability as alternative primary polymers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSA relatively inexpensive and food-grade particles of encapsulated fish oil could be obtained, which are free from any organic solvents. Moreover, this process, parameters and technique could be facilitated in the food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

The purpose of this study was to fabricate insulin-loaded double-walled and single-polymer poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres using a fast degrading glucose core, hydroxyl-terminated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (Glu-PLGA), and a moderate degrading carboxyl-terminated PLGA polymers. A modified water-in-oil-in-oil-in-water (w/o/o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation technique was employed to prepare double-walled microspheres, whereas single-polymer microspheres were fabricated by a conventional water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The effect of fabrication techniques and polymer characteristics on microspheres size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release, and insulin stability was evaluated. The prepared double-walled microspheres were essentially non-porous, smooth surfaced, and spherical in shape, whereas single-polymer microspheres were highly porous. Double-walled microspheres exhibited a significantly reduced initial burst followed by sustained and almost complete release of insulin compared to single-polymer microspheres. Initial burst release was further suppressed from double-walled microspheres when the mass ratio of the component polymers was increased. In conclusion, double-walled microspheres made of Glu-PLGA and PLGA can be a potential delivery system of therapeutic insulin.

The etonogestrel implant (Implanon; Merck Sharp and Dohme, Kenilworth, NJ, USA) is an effective contraceptive with a good safety profile for up to 3 years [1]. However, its adverse effects include irregular vaginal bleeding (affecting 68.0% of users), weight gain (20.7%), acne (15.3%), breast pain (9.1%), and headache (8.5%) [2]. To provide further information about contraception options for women in the postpartum period, the aim of the present study was to investigate the bleeding patterns and adverse effects reported by women who underwent Implanon insertion within 8 weeks of delivery and compare them with those experienced by non-postpartum women.A prospective study was undertaken at Hospital Tengku Ampuan

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Context:Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) is a set of symptoms occurred after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Aims: This study aims to determine the prevalence of PCS in a young adult population from a single Neurological Centre in Malaysia's East Coast and to evaluate the factors associated with PCS in MTBI patients.Settings and Design:This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a Neurological Centre at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, from January 2016 to December 2016.Subjects and Methods:A total of 209 patients; 133 males and 76 females, in the age range of 16–84 years, were randomly recruited for this study. All the selected patients were subjected to the checklist for diagnosis of PCS as per International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th edition classification at a 2-week interval.Statistical Analysis Used:Descriptive statistic and Multivariable Logistic Regression Model were used for frequency and percentage analyses of categorical variables, using SPSS version 23.0.Results:Only 20 patients were identified with PCS. There were more female (70%) patients with PCS than the male (30%) patients. The prevalence of PCS for 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months since injuries were 9.6%, 8.1%, and 8.1% respectively. Majority (80%) of the patients were found to have PCS due to road traffic accidents, while the remaining were attributed to assault (15%), and falls (5%). Among the sample population, 25% were smokers, while 10% of them had either skull fracture or premorbidity.Conclusion:Less than 10% of patients with MTBI had PCS after 6 months’ following trauma. None of the variables tested were significant factors for the development of PCS symptoms.