Prussian blue analogues (PBAs, A2T[M(CN)6], A = Li, K, Na; T = Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, etc.; M = Fe, Mn, Co, etc.) are a large family of materials with an open framework structure. In recent years, they have been intensively investigated as active materials in the field of energy conversion and storage, such as for alkaline‐ion batteries (lithium‐ion, LIBs; sodium‐ion, NIB; and potassium‐ion, KIBs), and as electrochemical catalysts. Nevertheless, few review papers have focused on the intrinsic chemical and structural properties of Prussian blue (PB) and its analogues. In this Review, a comprehensive insight into the PBAs in terms of their structural and chemical properties, and the effects of these properties on their materials synthesis and corresponding performance is provided.

To maintain antimicrobial activity, frequent administration of conventional formulations of many antibiotics with short half-life is necessary. Otherwise, concentration under MIC occurs frequently in the course of anti-infective treatment, which induces antibiotic resistance. By maintaining a constant plasma drug concentration over MIC for a prolonged period, extended-release dosage forms maximize the therapeutic effect of antibiotics while minimizing antibiotic resistance. Another undoubted advantage of extended-release formulation is improved patient compliance. For better release properties, many materials have been introduced into the matrix and coating extended-release system in the past few years. Materials that have been widely used in industry are hydrophilic matrix materials such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. The excellent biocompatibility and extensive laboratory studies provide biodegradable polymers great potential for industrial applications. In addition, it seems like the researches on tailored materials that are obtained by chemical modification of the existing materials or combination of different carriers in physical mixtures have a long way to go. Meanwhile, with the development of polymers and inorganic porous nanocarriers, nanotechnology is applied increasingly for the extended delivery of antibiotics. This review highlights the development of materials used in extended-release formulation and nanoparticles for antibiotic delivery. We also provide an overview of the antibiotic extended-release products that have provided clinical benefit or are undergoing the clinical trial.

No abstract

No abstract

Our meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of statins on the risk of fracture, bone mineral density (BMD), and the markers of bone metabolism by collecting data from 33 clinical trials. We found that statin treatment was associated with bone metabolism. And statins seemed to be more effective on male patients with osteoporosis. The efficacy of statins for the treatment of osteoporosis has been controversial in previous studies and meta-analyses. Our meta-analysis was conducted to examine in detail the efficacy of statins on osteoporosis. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for clinical trials from inception to May 2016. We included studies that described the effect of statins on the risk of fracture, BMD, or bone turnover markers. Moreover, we also conducted subgroup analyses according to the skeleton site, patient gender, and length of follow-up. A total of 33 studies which included 23 observational studies (16 cohort studies and 7 case-control studies) and 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were evaluated. These 33 studies included 314,473 patients in statin group and 1,349,192 patients in control group. Statins decreased the risk of overall fractures (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.89) and hip fractures (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.92). Furthermore, the use of statins was associated with increased BMD at the total hip (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.18, 95% CI 0.00-0.36) and lumbar spine (SMD = 0.20, 95% CI 0.07-0.32) and improved the bone formation marker, osteocalcin (OC) (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI 0.00-0.42). However, there was no positive effect on vertebral fractures, upper extremity fractures, BMD at the femoral neck, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and serum C-terminal peptide of type I collagen (S-CTX). Also, compared with male subgroups, the effect on female subgroups was only slightly positive or of no statistical significance. Our meta-analysis indicates that statin treatment may be associated with a decreased risk of overall fractures and hip fractures, an increased BMD at the total hip, BMD at the lumbar spine, and OC. Moreover, our results also show that statin treatment may have a greater effect on male patients than on female patients.