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AbstractThe central nervous system (CNS) has been a chief concern for millions of people worldwide, and many therapeutic medications are unable to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Advancements in nanotechnology have enabled safe, effective, and precise delivery of medications towards specific brain regions by utilising a nose-to-brain targeting route. This method reduces adverse effects, increases medication bioavailability, and facilitates mucociliary clearance while promoting accumulation of drug in the targeted brain region. Recent developments in lipid-based nanoparticles, for instance solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), liposomes, nanoemulsions, and nano-structured lipid carriers have been explored. SLNs are currently the most promising drug carrier system because of their capability of transporting drugs across the blood-brain barrier at the intended brain site. This approach offers higher efficacy, controlled drug delivery, target specificity, longer circulation time, and a reduction in toxicity through a biomimetic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are around 24 distinct lipid vesicles described in the literature that are similar to vesicular systems such as liposomes. Liposome-like structures are formed by combining certain amphiphilic lipids with a suitable stabiliser. Since their discovery and classification, self-assembled liposome-like structures as active drug delivery vehicles captured researchers' curiosity. This comprehensive study included an in-depth literature search using electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, focusing on studies on liposome and liposomes like structure, discussed in literature till 2024, their sizes, benefits, drawback, method of preparation, characterisation and pharmaceutical applications. Pharmacosomes, cubosomes, ethosomes, transethosomes, and genosomes, all liposome-like structures, have the most potential due to their smaller size with high loading capacity, ease of absorption, and ability to treat inflammatory illnesses. Genosomes are futuristic because of its affinity for DNA/gene transport, which is an area of focus in today's treatments. This review will critically analyse the composition, preparation procedures, drug encapsulating technologies, drug loading, release mechanism, and related applications of all liposome-like structures, highlighting their potential benefits with enhanced efficacy over each other and over traditional carriers by paving the way for exploring novel drug delivery systems in the Pharma industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethosomes, which are liposomes like structures, mainly composed primarily of ethanol, have attracted considerable attention due to their potential to enhance the drug permeation via skin. The article discusses the formulation and preparation methods of ethosomes, offering insights into the various factors that influence their size, shape, and stability. Moreover, it explores the techniques used to assess the physicochemical properties of ethosomes and their impact on drug delivery effectiveness. The article also elucidates the mechanism by which ethosomes enhance skin permeation, emphasising their ability to modify the lipid structure and fluidity of the stratum corneum. Additionally, the review investigates the applications of ethosomes in diverse drug delivery scenarios, including the delivery of small molecules, peptides, and phytoconstituents. It highlights the potential of ethosomes to improve drug bioavailability, extend drug release, and achieve targeted delivery to specific skin layers or underlying tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug delivery through transdermal route is one of the effective methods for the application of drugs. It overcomes many drawbacks which are encountered with the oral route. Moreover, many drugs are not able to pass through the stratum corneum, which is the main barrier for the transdermal drug delivery. Formation of ultra-deformable vesicles (UDVs) is a novel technique for the transdermal applications of the drugs. Transethosomes (TEs), ethosomes, and transferosomes are all part of the UDV. Because of the presence of increased concentrations of ethanol, phospholipids, and edge activators, TEs provide improved drug permeation through the stratum corneum. Because of the elasticity of TEs, drug penetration into the deeper layer of skin also increases. TEs can be prepared using a variety of techniques, including the cold method, hot method, thin film hydration method, and the ethanol injection method. It increases patient adherence and compliance because it is a non-invasive procedure of administering drugs. Characterization of the TEs includes pH determination, size and shape, zeta potential, particle size determination, transition temperature, drug content, vesicle stability, and skin permeation studies. These vesicular systems can be utilized to deliver a variety of medications transdermally, including analgesics, antibiotics, antivirals, and anticancer and arthritis medications. This review aims to describe vesicular approaches that had been used to overcome the barrier for the transdermal delivery of drug and also describes brief composition, method of preparation, characterization tests, mechanism of penetration of TEs, as well as highlighted various applications of TEs in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders and excessive attachment to social media are a matter of great concern among youths. This study assessed the prevalence of eating disorders and their association with social media addiction among youths. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 participants aged 14–25 years. Two pre-validated tools were used, i.e., the Eating Attitude Test and the Social Networking Addiction Scale. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Out of the 350 students, 42% had probable eating disorders, and 41.7% had social media addictions. The findings revealed that the chances of having eating disorders were significantly higher among youths who lived in separate places, smoked, and had a family history of eating disorders (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the dieting domain displayed notably higher scores for youths living separately (p ≤ 0.05) and smokers (p ≤ 0.01). Moreover, the scores for bulimia and food preoccupation were significantly higher among participants who were married (p = 0.038), were smokers (p = 0.027), and had a family history of eating disorders (p = 0.001). Higher scores in the oral control domain were reported by females (p ≤ 0.05) and severely obese youths (p ≤ 0.01). Moreover, social media addiction was significantly higher among students aged 18–21 (p ≤ 0.01). Spearman's correlation revealed that social media addiction has a weak positive relationship with eating disorders (r = 0.133, p ≤ 0.01), particularly bulimia and food preoccupation (r = 0.173, p ≤ 0.001). This reflects the need to address the harmful consequences of social media addiction that might raise the likelihood of developing eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the Human Development Reports (HDRs) of the past 32 years to evaluate changes in the conceptualization of the Human Development Index (HDI) in determining human development over time. Using a genealogical approach, the data is extracted from HDRs that were published during 1990-2022. We identify that no significant change occurred in the conceptualization of human development over a period of more than three decades. It was also identified that the changing needs of human development were not addressed holistically in the measurement of human development overtime. The changes that occurred over time were either event-driven or remained tentative to include more important attributes of human development. Furthermore, the human development concept as identified in HDRs and measured through HDI is neither grounded in theory nor takes into account the interdisciplinary nature of human development. We discuss how interdisciplinary knowledge could be used to overcome challenges in the better conceptualization of human development for preparing a more representative human development index (HDI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some life-threatening acute hepatitis originates from drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in mice is the widely used model of choice to study acute DILI, which pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of oxidative stress, necrosis, and apoptosis. Since the receptor interacting protein kinase-1 (RIPK1) is able to direct cell fate towards survival or death, it may potentially affect the pathological process of xenobiotic-induced liver damage. Two different mouse lines, either deficient for Ripk1 specifically in liver parenchymal cells (Ripk1LPC-KO) or for the kinase activity of RIPK1 (Ripk1K45A, kinase dead), plus their respective wild-type littermates (Ripk1fl/fl, Ripk1wt/wt), were exposed to single toxic doses of CCl4. This exposure led in similar injury in Ripk1K45A mice and their littermate controls. However, Ripk1LPC-KO mice developed more severe symptoms with massive hepatocyte apoptosis as compared to their littermate controls. A pretreatment with a TNF-α receptor decoy exacerbated liver apoptosis in both Ripk1fl/fl and Ripk1LPC-KO mice. Besides, a FasL antagonist promoted hepatocyte apoptosis in Ripk1fl/fl mice but reduced it in Ripk1LPC-KO mice. Thus, the scaffolding properties of RIPK1 protect hepatocytes from apoptosis during CCl4 intoxication. TNF-α and FasL emerged as factors promoting hepatocyte survival. These protective effects appeared to be independent of RIPK1, at least in part, for TNF-α, but dependent on RIPK1 for FasL. These new data complete the deciphering of the molecular mechanisms involved in DILI in the context of research on their prevention or cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To ascertain the better drug between Topiramate and Amitriptyline for the prevention of migraines without aura among patients of the adult age group visiting the tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt Pakistan, from May to Oct 2022. Methodology: Two hundred seventy individuals visiting the Outpatient Department of the tertiary care hospital were included in the study who were suffering from migraines without aura. They were randomly assigned to groups of 135 each, which were to receive Topiramate and Amitriptyline, respectively. After informed consent, their treatment was started with monthly follow-ups. Data was collected in the form of a questionnaire derived from the Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire (MIDAS), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ 2.1), both at the start of treatment and later at the end of the study. Results: Two hundred seventy individuals were included in the study. It comprised 162(60%) females and 108(40%) males. Their mean age was 36.51±9.77 years. There was a significant improvement in migraine symptoms among topiramate and amitriptyline groups (p-value<0.001). There was no significant difference in the efficacy of Topiramate and Amitriptyline (p-value=0.411) Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the efficacy of Topiramate and Amitriptyline in the prevention therapy of migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative washout calculated on Triphasic CT scan for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma keeping histopathology as gold standard. Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional validation study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging Rawalpindi, from Feb 2016 to Aug 2016. Material and Methods: A total of 132 patients of either sex with age in range 15-75 years diagnosed to have focal liver lesion on ultrasonography were included. Patients in whom focal lesion was cyst or abscess, patients with renal failure, pregnancy or known sensitivity to contrast agents were excluded. All the patients then underwent Triphasic CT scan to calculate quantitative washout on delayed phase. The lesion was diagnosed as HCC if percent attenuation ratio was >107. The results were later correlated with histopathology findings. Results: Mean age was 49.75 ± 15.18 years. Out of 132 patients, 86 (65.15%) were males and 46 (34.85%) were females with ratio of 2:1. In Triphasic CT scan positive patients, 78 were True Positive and 09 were False Positive. Among 45, Triphasic CT scan negative patients, 07 were False Negative where as 38 were True Negative. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of quantitative washout calculated on Triphasic CT scan for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was 91.76%, 80.85%, 89.66%, 84.44% and 87.88% respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded that quantitative washout calculated on Triphasic CT scan is a highly sensitive and accurate non-invasive modality for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]