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The present study was aimed at preparing stable dry adsorbed nanoparticles (DANs) of olanzapine (OLZ) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for sustained release. OLZ SLNs were prepared by hot melt emulsification and ultrasonication using Precirol ATO 5 (PRE) as a solid lipid, combination of Kolliphor ELP (KELP) and Tween 80 (T80) as surfactants, after optimising formulation and process variables. The SLN system was subjected to evaluation of particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), in-vitro drug release and ex-vivo intestinal permeability studies using the chicken intestinal segments (jejunum). Further, these SLNs were converted into stable DANs by adsorbing onto a Neusilin US2 (NUS2) and Avicel CL 611 (ACL) carriers using the granulation-evaporative drying method. The DANs were characterised for redispersion properties, in-vitro drug release, thermal behaviour, crystallinity, and morphology. The SLN and DAN had a particle size of 238.0 nm [0.274 polydispersity index (PdI)] and 302.4 [0.494 PdI] respectively. The zeta potentials of SLN and DAN were found to be −29.3 mV and −26.3 mV, respectively. The SLN had 67% EE, and showed a sustained drug release in various media. The highest permeability of SLNs was observed in ex-vivo permeation model compared to the OLZ suspension, indicating that SLNs have the potential to bypass hepatic metabolism. The adsorption of SLNs onto carriers was confirmed by surface morphology. The DAN had good flow properties and sustained drug release similar to that of SLNs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and endothermic peaks confirmed the complete encapsulation of actives in lipid matrices. The encapsulating of OLZ in SLNs and converting it into DAN showed a sustained release and adsorption technique that can be used for improving the stability of NLC dispersion. The DANs can be offered in dosage forms such as filling into sachets, capsules and compressed into tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Crataegus (hawthorn), a member of the Rosaceae family, encompasses several species with broad geographical distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Hawthorn is recognized as an edible medicinal plant with applications related to strengthening the digestive system, promoting blood circulation, and resolving blood stasis. This study critically summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties to provide a theoretical basis for further studies on hawthorn and its applications in medicine and food. The available information on hawthorn was gathered from scientific databases (including Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, online ethnobotanical databases, and ethnobotanical monographs, and considered data from 1952 to 2023). Information about traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety concerns of the collected data is comprehensively summarized in this paper. The literature review revealed that hawthorn includes more than 1000 species primarily distributed in the northern temperate zone. Traditional uses of hawthorn have lasted for millennia in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Within the past decade, 337 chemical compounds, including flavonoids, lignans, fatty acids and organic acids, monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, terpenoids and steroids, have been identified from hawthorn. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed numerous bioactivities, such as cardiovascular system influence, antitumor activity, hepatoprotective activity, antimicrobial properties, immunomodulatory functions, and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, evaluations have indicated that hawthorn lacks toxicity. Based on its traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological studies, hawthorn has significant potential as a medicinal and edible plant with a diverse range of pharmacological activities. Traditional uses of the hawthorn include the treatment of indigestion, dysmenorrhea, and osteoporosis. However, modern pharmacological research primarily focuses on its cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system effects, antitumor effects, and liver protection properties. Currently, there is a lack of correlative research involving its traditional uses and pharmacological activities. Moreover, phytochemical and pharmacological research has yet to focus on many types of hawthorn with traditional applications. Therefore, it is imperative to research the genus Crataegus extensively. [Display omitted] • Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety concerns of hawthorn. • The medicinal uses and edible value of hawthorn. • The application and medicinal value of hawthorn in ethnopharmacology. • The challenges and opportunities of hawthorn were envisioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver transplantation is a standard of care and a life-saving procedure for end-stage liver diseases and certain malignancies. The evidence on predictors and risk factors for poor outcomes is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to identify potential risk factors for mortality and to report on overall 90-day mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), especially focusing on the role of fungal infections. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of all patients undergoing OLT at a tertiary university center in Europe. Results: From 299 patients, 214 adult patients who received a first-time OLT were included. The OLT indication was mainly due to tumors (42%, 89/214) and cirrhosis (32%, 68/214), including acute liver failure in 4.7% (10/214) of patients. In total, 8% (17/214) of patients died within the first three months, with a median time to death of 15 (1–80) days. Despite a targeted antimycotic prophylaxis using echinocandins, invasive fungal infections occurred in 12% (26/214) of the patients. In the multivariate analysis, patients with invasive fungal infections had an almost five times higher chance of death (HR 4.6, 95% CI 1.1–18.8; p = 0.032). Conclusions: Short-term mortality after OLT is mainly determined by infectious and procedural complications. Fungal breakthrough infections are becoming a growing concern. Procedural, host, and fungal factors can contribute to a failure of prophylaxis. Finally, invasive fungal infections may be a potentially modifiable risk factor, but the ideal perioperative antimycotic prophylaxis has yet to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]