Association of low serum 25-Hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) d] with hepatic encephalopathy in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The mechanism of hepatic encephalopathy is complex and has not been conclusively established. Recent studies support lower serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D [25(OH) D] levels in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum 25(OH) D and hepatic encephalopathy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis of liver. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 70 cirrhosis patients (35 cases of hepatic encephalopathy and 35 patients without encephalopathy as control, mean age 53.07 ± 12.99 years, 67 % male) were recruited for this study. Assessment of the severity of cirrhosis was done by using a model for end-stage liver disease(MELD) and Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) scores, and assessment of the severity of hepatic encephalopathy was done according to West Haven criteria. Serum 25 (OH) D level was measured by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay(CMIA). RESULTS: The mean serum 25(OH) D level among hepatic encephalopathy patients was significantly lower in comparison to the control group without encephalopathy (18.76 ± 8.84 nmol/L vs 31.19 ± 13.9 nmol/L, P<0.0001). 91.4 % of hepatic encephalopathy patients had moderate to severe 25(OH)D deficiency as compared to 51.4 % in the control group. There was a significant correlation observed between the severity of the 25 (OH) D deficiency and the severity of liver disease (r =  - 0.35, P = 0.002). No statistically significant difference in serum 25(OH) D levels was found among patients with different hepatic encephalopathy grades (P = 0.416). CONCLUSION: A significant association was found between a low serum 25(OH) D leveland hepatic encephalopathy. It requires further large-scale multicenter studies to establish it as a risk factor and predictor of hepatic encephalopathy.

Aquasomal drug delivery system: A special emphasis on the formulation techniques and applications / Sistema de administración de fármacos Aquasomal: Especial énfasis en las técnicas de formulación y aplicaciones

Introducción: Aquasome es un sistema portador de nanopartículas autoensamblado con tres capas. El sistema se compone de un núcleo sólido nanocristalino interno recubierto de oligómero polihidroxilado. Adsorbidas en la capa recubierta se encuentran moléculas de fármacos o compuestos bioquímicamente activos. El autoensamblaje en este sentido se refiere a la formación independiente de moléculas en patrones organizados, de larga duración y con enlaces no covalentes. nueva tecnología de administración de fármacos. El artículo aborda principalmente los procesos de formulación utilizados para crear nanoestructuras autoensambladas y sus diversas aplicaciones posibles. Método: En la búsqueda bibliográfica se utilizaron varias bases de datos en línea, incluidas Science Direct, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar y Scopus. Se realizaron búsquedas en los conjuntos de datos en busca de entradas de estudios hasta julio de 2023. El documento de revisión aborda especialmente muchos elementos de la formación de aquasomas por parte de varios investigadores que emplean métodos/técnicas modificadas como la coprecipitación, la autoprecipitación, la pulverización catódica, etc. También ilustra una variedad de campos de terapia en los que se ha reconocido que el aquasoma tiene una gran influencia, como el oxígeno y el transporte de extractos. Resultados: El núcleo sólido es responsable de brindar estabilidad estructural, mientras que el recubrimiento oligomérico es crucial para proteger contra la deshidratación y estabilizar las moléculas bioactivas. Este vehículo de administración de fármacos biodegradable a escala nanométrica muestra una tendencia a acumularse en el hígado y los músculos. La no modificación de la adsorción del fármaco en la superficie del aquasoma facilita una respuesta farmacológica rápida al permitir el reconocimiento sin obstrucciones del receptor en el sitio de acción. (AU)

Introduction: Aquasome is a self-assembled nanoparticulate carrier system with three layers. The system is made up of a polyhydroxy oligomer-coated inner nanocrystalline solid core. Adsorbed on the coated layer are drug mole-cules or biochemically active compounds. Self-assembly in this sense refers to the independent formation of mole-cules into organised, long-lasting, and non-covalently bonded patterns.This paper gives an overview of aquasome formation, covering structural properties, formulation methodologies, and the benefits and drawbacks of this novel drug delivery technology. The article primarily addresses the formulation processes used to create self-assembled nanostructures and their various possible applications.Method: Several online databases, including Science Direct, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus, were used in the literature search. The datasets were searched for entries of studies up to July, 2023. The review paper especially addresses many elements of aquasome formation by various researchers employing methods/modified techniques such as co-precipitation, self-precipitation, sputtering, and and so forth. It also illustrates a variety of fields of therapy in which aquasome has been recognised to have a major influence, such as oxygen and extract carrier.Results: The solid core is responsible for providing structural stability, while the oligomeric coating is crucial for safeguarding against dehydration and stabilising the bioactive molecules. This biodegradable drug delivery vehicle at the nanoscale level exhibits a tendency to accumulate in the liver and muscles. The non-modification of drug adsorption onto the aquasome surface facilitates prompt pharmacological response by allowing unobstructed re-ceptor recognition at the action site. (AU)

Salinity hazard drives the alteration of occupation, land use and ecosystem service in the coastal areas: Evidence from the south-western coastal region of Bangladesh.

Understanding the salinity effects on the rural livelihood and ecosystems services are essential for policy implications and mitigations. Salinity-driven modulation in land use and land cover, community traditional occupations, and ecosystem service have been elucidated in the present investigation. The study was carried out in the south-western region of Bangladesh as a representative case using focus group discussions, questionnaire survey, and remote sensing techniques. The findings showed that salinity-induced land use changes seriously threatened ecosystem services, employment and livelihoods. Shrimp farming was found to have replaced the majority of agricultural and bare lands, which led to the poor locals losing their land. The increasing land transformation to shrimp ponds as a coping strategy with salinity was not reported to be a viable option as maximum marginal poor people were unable to run the capital-intensive shrimp aquaculture. Eventually, many rich people occupied the cropland for shrimp farming which forced the traditional farmers and fishermen to leave their job and sell their labor. Many of the traditional services derived from the ecosystems were drastically reduced or got lost. The ultimate effect on the traditional livelihoods of the communities increased vulnerability and reduced resilience. The findings could aid in formulating realistic policies and action for ensuring the future resilience of the community through an appropriate adaptation strategy, such as introducing salinity-tolerant crops and integrated farming to safeguard the interest of the poor farmers. Despite the geographical locality of the study, its implications are global given the identical salinity concerns in other emerging nations' coastal regions.