Vestibular Rehabilitation as an Early Intervention in Athletes Who are Post-concussion: A Systematic Review.

Background: Sports-related concussions (SRC) are a common injury sustained by many athletes of all different age groups and sports. The current standard treatment is rest followed by aerobic activity. Minimal research has been done on the effects of vestibular rehabilitation for concussion treatment, especially in physical therapy practice.

Development of Robust Tablet Formulations with Enhanced Drug Dissolution Profiles from Centrifugally-Spun Micro-Fibrous Solid Dispersions of Itraconazole, a BCS Class II Drug.

Fibre-based oral drug delivery systems are an attractive approach to addressing low drug solubility, although clear strategies for incorporating such systems into viable dosage forms have not yet been demonstrated. The present study extends our previous work on drug-loaded sucrose microfibres produced by centrifugal melt spinning to examine systems with high drug loading and investigates their incorporation into realistic tablet formulations. Itraconazole, a model BCS Class II hydrophobic drug, was incorporated into sucrose microfibres at 10, 20, 30, and 50% /.

In vitro and in vivo biological assessment of dual drug-loaded coaxial nanofibers for the treatment of corneal abrasion.

The treatment of corneal abrasion currently involves the topical administration of antibiotics, with moxifloxacin HCl (0.5% w/v) eye drops being one of the most widely used treatments. Our previous work (Tawfik et al.

A Potential Alternative Orodispersible Formulation to Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Orally Disintegrating Tablets.

The orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) has shown vast potential as an alternative oral dosage form to conventional tablets wherein they can disintegrate rapidly (≤30 s) upon contact with saliva fluid and should have an acceptable mouthfeel as long as their weight doesn't exceed 500 mg. However, owing to the bitterness of several active ingredients, there is a need to find a suitable alternative to ODTs that maintains their features and can be taste-masked more simply and inexpensively. Therefore, electrospun nanofibers and solvent-cast oral dispersible films (ODFs) are used in this study as potential OD formulations for prednisolone sodium phosphate (PSP) that is commercially available as ODTs.

Development and Evaluation of Feline Tailored Amlodipine Besylate Mini-Tablets Using L-lysine as a Candidate Flavouring Agent.

Felines may find orally administered medicines unpalatable, thus presenting a problem in the treatment of chronic conditions such as hypertension, a commonly diagnosed condition in felines requiring daily administration of medication. A pertinent example is amlodipine besylate, formulations of which are known to be poorly tolerated by cats. There is therefore a need to develop feline-specific delivery approaches that are both simple to administer and mask the taste of the drug, thereby enhancing the owner's commitment to treatment and the associated therapeutic outcome for the companion animal.

Where's the party? A mixed method study investigating characteristics, motivations, and harms of attending off-campus (over on-campus) parties.

We examined the characteristics, motivations, and harms associated with celebrating events at off-campus parties (OCPs), including a particularly harmful off-campus block party compared to on-campus parties (CPs). Survey with a representative sample of 491 students in Canada. Three focus groups with a total of 14 students who have attended the OCBP and one focus group with community members affected by the OCBP ( = 10).

Dual drug-loaded coaxial nanofibers for the treatment of corneal abrasion.

Corneal abrasion is a scratch wound on the surface of the anterior segment of the eye, which can predispose a patient to corneal infection and scarring, particularly if the cut penetrates to the deep corneal layers. Here we investigate a novel approach to co-administer an anti-scarring agent and an antibiotic, both being incorporated into one dosage form so as to accelerate wound closure and to treat any associated infection. More specifically, we have used electrospun fibers as a means of incorporating the two drugs into distinct compartments via coaxial electrospinning.

Design and Characterization of Cyclosporine A-Loaded Nanofibers for Enhanced Drug Dissolution.

Despite widespread use as an immunosuppressant, the therapeutic efficacy of the undecapeptide cyclosporine A (CyA) is compromised when given by the oral route because of the innate hydrophobicity of the drug molecule, potentially leading to poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize nanofibers based on the water-miscible polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), incorporating CyA preloaded into polymeric surfactants so as to promote micelle formation on hydration; therefore, this approach represents the novel combination of three dissolution enhancement methodologies, namely solid dispersion technology, micellar systems, and nanofibers with enhanced surface area. The preparation of the nanofibers was performed in two steps.

In vitro drug release from acetylated high amylose starch-zein films for oral colon-specific drug delivery.

This study describes the preparation of free films of zein with and without acetylated high amylose maize starch (HAS) and their corresponding coated tablets as a novel approach to colonic drug delivery. We hypothesise that the embedding of a digestible starch component within the inert zein would allow the film to remain intact until the large intestine is reached. Free films of zein alone and starch/zein were prepared and characterized.

Structural plasticity in root-fungal symbioses: diverse interactions lead to improved plant fitness.

Root-fungal symbioses such as mycorrhizas and endophytes are key components of terrestrial ecosystems. Diverse in trophy habits (obligate, facultative or hemi-biotrophs) and symbiotic relations (from mutualism to parasitism), these associations also show great variability in their root colonization and nutritional strategies. Specialized interface structures such as arbuscules and Hartig nets are formed by certain associations while others are restricted to non-specialized intercellular or intracellular hyphae in roots.

Tomato CYCLOPS/IPD3 is required for mycorrhizal symbiosis but not tolerance to Fusarium wilt in mycorrhiza-deficient tomato mutant rmc.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis requires several common symbiosis genes including CYCLOPS/IPD3. The reduced mycorrhizal colonisation (rmc) tomato mutant has a deletion of five genes including CYCLOPS/IPD3, and rmc is more susceptible to Fusarium wilt than its wild-type parental line. This study investigated the genetic defects leading to both fungal interaction phenotypes and whether these were separable.

A Novel Tomato Fusarium Wilt Tolerance Gene.

The reduced mycorrhizal colonization () tomato mutant is unable to form mycorrhiza and is more susceptible to Fusarium wilt compared with its wild-type isogenic line 76R. The mutant has a chromosomal deletion affecting five genes, one of which is similar to Loss of this gene is responsible for non-mycorrhizality in but not enhanced Fusarium wilt susceptibility. Here, we describe assessment of a second gene in the deletion, designated that is expressed in roots.

Investigating the physical stability of repackaged medicines stored into commercially available multicompartment compliance aids (MCAs).

Background: Compliance aids are devices which have been developed and are currently used to assist individuals in their medicines management. The use of compliance aids involves the transfer of medicines from the manufacturers' original packaging and repackaged into an multicompartment compliance aid (MCA). MCAs do not guarantee the same level of protection compared to manufacturer's original packaging.

Microfibrous Solid Dispersions of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs Produced via Centrifugal Spinning: Unexpected Dissolution Behavior on Recrystallization.

Temperature-controlled, solvent-free centrifugal spinning may be used as a means of rapid production of amorphous solid dispersions in the form of drug-loaded sucrose microfibers. However, due to the high content of amorphous sucrose in the formulations, such microfibers may be highly hygroscopic and unstable on storage. In this study, we explore both the effects of water uptake of the microfibers and the consequences of deliberate recrystallization for the associated dissolution profiles.

Plant-expressed Hepatitis B core antigen virus-like particles: Characterization and investigation of their stability in simulated and pig gastro-intestinal fluids.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are potential oral vaccine candidates, as their highly compact structure may allow them to withstand the harsh conditions of the gastro-intestinal (GI) environment. Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is an immunogenic protein that assembles into 30 or 34nm diameter VLPs. Here, the stabilities of both the HBcAg polypeptide itself and the three-dimensional structure of the VLPs upon exposure to in vitro and ex vivo simulated gastric and intestinal fluids were investigated.

Development of micro-fibrous solid dispersions of poorly water-soluble drugs in sucrose using temperature-controlled centrifugal spinning.

Solid dispersion technology represents a successful approach to addressing the bioavailability issues caused by the low aqueous solubility of many Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II drugs. In this study, the use of high-yield manufacture of fiber-based dispersion is explored as an alternative approach to monolith production methods. A temperature-controlled solvent-free centrifugal spinning process was used to produce sucrose-based microfibers containing the poorly water-soluble drugs olanzapine and piroxicam (both BCS Class II); these were successfully incorporated into the microfibers and the basic characteristics of fiber diameter, glassy behavior, drug loading capacity and drug-sucrose interaction assessment were measured.

Sensitivity of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) to phosphate, phosphite, and arsenate pulses as influenced by fungal symbiotic associations.

Many plant species adapted to P-impoverished soils, including jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), develop toxicity symptoms when exposed to high doses of phosphate (Pi) and its analogs such as phosphite (Phi) and arsenate (AsV). The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of fungal symbionts Scutellospora calospora, Scleroderma sp., and Austroboletus occidentalis on the response of jarrah to highly toxic pulses (1.

Ecto- and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis can induce tolerance to toxic pulses of phosphorus in jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) seedlings.

In common with many plants native to low P soils, jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) develops toxicity symptoms upon exposure to elevated phosphorus (P). Jarrah plants can establish arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations, along with a non-colonizing symbiosis described recently. AM colonization is known to influence the pattern of expression of genes required for P uptake of host plants and our aim was to investigate this phenomenon in relation to P sensitivity.

A novel plant-fungus symbiosis benefits the host without forming mycorrhizal structures.

• Most terrestrial plants form mutually beneficial symbioses with specific soil-borne fungi known as mycorrhiza. In a typical mycorrhizal association, fungal hyphae colonize plant roots, explore the soil beyond the rhizosphere and provide host plants with nutrients that might be chemically or physically inaccessible to root systems. • Here, we combined nutritional, radioisotopic ((33)P) and genetic approaches to describe a plant growth promoting symbiosis between the basidiomycete fungus Austroboletus occidentalis and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), which has quite different characteristics.

The reduced mycorrhizal colonisation (rmc) mutation of tomato disrupts five gene sequences including the CYCLOPS/IPD3 homologue.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis in vascular plant roots is an ancient mutualistic interaction that evolved with land plants. More recently evolved root mutualisms have recruited components of the AM signalling pathway as identified with molecular approaches in model legume research. Earlier we reported that the reduced mycorrhizal colonisation (rmc) mutation of tomato mapped to chromosome 8.

Development of photothermal FTIR microspectroscopy as a novel means of spatially identifying amorphous and crystalline salbutamol sulfate on composite surfaces.

Photothermal Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy (PTMS), involving the combination of FTIR spectroscopy with atomic force microscopy, has been used to examine compacts of amorphous and crystalline salbutamol sulfate in order to assess the ability of the technique to distinguish between different physical forms in a multicomponent material. Samples of amorphous and crystalline material were assessed using modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy, microthermal analysis, and conventional FTIR. Mixed compacts were then prepared such that verification of the location of the forms present was possible via topography and localized thermal analysis.

Development of fully amorphous dispersions of a low T(g) drug via co-spray drying with hydrophilic polymers.

The aim of the study was to prepare molecular dispersions of a physically highly unstable amorphous drug, paracetamol (acetaminophen with a T(g) of ca. 25°C) via co-spray drying with a variety of polymers. Solid dispersions at a range of drug loadings (10-90%w/w) using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/acetate succinate (HPMC/HPMC AS), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and copovidone were produced and characterised by modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Empower U: effectiveness of an adolescent outreach and prevention program with sixth-grade boys and girls: a pilot study.

Sixth graders are at a prime age to modify behaviors and beliefs regarding exercise, nutrition, body image, and smoking. Empower U was created to change knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding these topics. This pilot study utilized pre/post assessments of 58 sixth graders from a private middle school in the midsouth.

Characterisation of a C1qtnf5 Ser163Arg knock-in mouse model of late-onset retinal macular degeneration.

A single founder mutation resulting in a Ser163Arg substitution in the C1QTNF5 gene product causes autosomal dominant late-onset retinal macular degeneration (L-ORMD) in humans, which has clinical and pathological features resembling age-related macular degeneration. We generated and characterised a mouse "knock-in" model carrying the Ser163Arg mutation in the orthologous murine C1qtnf5 gene by site-directed mutagenesis and homologous recombination into mouse embryonic stem cells. Biochemical, immunological, electron microscopic, fundus autofluorescence, electroretinography and laser photocoagulation analyses were used to characterise the mouse model.

An investigation into water interactions with amorphous and milled salbutamol sulphate: the development of predictive models for uptake and recrystallization.

An investigation into the effect of water uptake on the glass transition of spray dried and milled salbutamol sulphate has been performed, with a particular view to exploring how the water uptake, T(g) value and recrystallization behaviour correlate. Samples of milled and spray dried drug were stored under controlled humidity conditions and the T(g) measured as a function of time. The T(g) was measured using modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC) while the water content was measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).