Dual pH and microbial-sensitive galactosylated polymeric nanocargoes for multi-level targeting to combat ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation,ulcers and irritation of the mucosal lining.Oral drug delivery in UC encounters challenges because of multifaceted barriers.Dexamethasone-loaded galactosylated-PLGA/Eudragit S100/pullulan nanocargoes(Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs)have been developed with a dual stimuli-sensitive coating responsive to both colonic pH and microbiota,and an underneath galactosylated-PLGA core(GP).The galactose ligand of the GP preferentially binds to the macrophage galactose type-lectin-C(MGL-2)surface receptor.Therefore,both stimuli and ligand-mediated targeting facilitate nanocargoes to deliver Dexa specifically to the colon with enhanced macrophage uptake.Modified emulsion method coupled with a solvent evaporation coating technique was employed to prepare Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs.The nanocargoes were tested using in vitro,ex vivo techniques and dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)induced UC model.Prepared nanocargoes had desired physicochemical properties,drug release,cell uptake and cellular viability.Investigations using a DSS-colitis model showed high localization and mitigation of colitis with downregulation of NF-ĸB and COX-2,and restoration of clinical,histopathological,biochemical indices,antioxidant balance,microbial alterations,FTIR spectra,and epithelial junctions’integrity.Thus,Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs found to be biocompatible nanocargoes capable of delivering drugs to the inflamed colon with unique targeting properties for prolonged duration.

Female directors in the boardroom and intellectual capital performance:Does the“critical mass”matter?

This research aims to investigate the influence of female directors on Intellectual Capital Performance(ICP)using a sample of manufacturing-listed companies in China.Our study investigates the link between having two or more female directors and the Modified Value-Added Intellectual Coefficient(MVAIC)methodology,employing the critical mass theory from 2004–2017.We find that having a critical mass of female directors(three or more)shows a significant positive impact on MVAIC and its components,including human capital efficiency,structural capital efficiency,relational capital efficiency,and physical capital efficiency,with physical capital being the critical driver.Our study reveals that the critical mass participation of female directors substantially influences the IC efficiency of privately owned companies compared to state-owned companies.Moreover,the number of female directors also affects the IC performance of manufacturing companies in multiple regions.Our findings support the validity of group classification identified by Kanter and Critical Mass Theory.To the best of our knowledge,this is one of the few pieces of research that studies the role of female board directors in IC performance and Chinese manufacturing firms using MVAIC as an IC measure.

Dietary intake in patients with chronic pancreatitis:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND A progressive reduction in the secretion of pancreatic enzymes in patients with chronic pancreatitis(CP)results in malabsorption and ultimate malnutrition.However,the pathogenesis of malnutrition is multifactorial and other factors such as chronic inflammation,alcohol excess and poor dietary intake all contribute.Patients may restrict their dietary intake due to poor appetite or to avoid gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal pain.Whilst up to half of patients with chronic pancreatitis are reportedly malnourished,the dietary intake of patients with CP is relatively understudied and has not been systematically reviewed to date.AIM To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the dietary intakes of patients with CP compared to healthy controls,and to compare the dietary intake of patients with alcohol-related CP and non-alcohol-related CP.METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using EMBASE,MEDLINE,and Cochrane review on studies published between 1946 and August 30th,2019.Adult subjects with a diagnosis of CP who had undergone dietary assessment were included in the systematic review(qualitative analysis).Studies on patients with other pancreatic diseases or who had undergone pancreatic surgery were not included.Studies comparing the dietary intake of patients with CP to that of healthy controls were included in the meta-analysis(quantitative analysis).Metaanalysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3.Newcastle Ottawa Scale(NOS)was used to assess quality of studies.RESULTS Of 6715 studies retrieved in the search,23 were eligible for qualitative analysis while 12 were eligible for quantitative analysis.In the meta-analysis,the total energy(calorie)intake of patients with CP was similar to that of healthy controls[mean difference(MD):171.3;95%confidence interval(CI):-226.01,568.5;P=0.4],however patients with CP consumed significantly fewer non-alcohol calories than controls[MD:-694.1;95%CI:-1256.1,(-132.1);P=0.02].CP patients consumed more protein,but carbohydrate and fat intakes did not differ significantly.Those with alcohol-related CP consumed more mean(standard deviation)calories than CP patients with a non-alcohol aetiology[2642(1090)kcal and 1372(394)kcal,respectively,P=0.046],as well as more protein,fat,but not carbohydrate.CONCLUSION Although patients with CP had similar calorie intake to controls,studies that analysed the contribution of alcohol to energy intake showed that patients with CP consumed fewer non-alcohol calories than healthy controls.A high calorie intake,made up to a large degree by alcohol,may in part contribute to poor nutritional status in CP.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Eta VOI among international travelers using COVIDSeq-NGS

Rationale:SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as a highly infective and contagious viral infection.The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been spread worldwide and affected more than 210 countries.Globally,the fast spread of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants has been mostly attributed to international travel.Patient concerns:We are reporting the genomic evidence of SARSCoV-2 Eta VOI among two international travelers.Both travelers were males from Nigeria aged 24 and 34 years and both were asymptomatic.Diagnosis:The nasopharyngeal swab samples were in both travelers positive by real-time RT-PCR followed by COVIDSeq-NGS.Interventions:Paracetamol 3 times daily for 5 days.Outcomes:Patient recovered completely within 10 days and discharged after 14 days of quarantine duration.Lessons:This report highlights genomic variation of SARSCoV-2 among the travelers.For managing the present health crisis,molecular identification of viral variants present in different geographical locations will be very helpful.