Carriers For Treatment Research Articles

Biogas production by integrating lava rock, red clay & ceramic bio ring as support carrier in treatment of landfill leachate with liquidised food waste

To evaluate the feasibility of co-digestion of landfill leachate and liquidised food waste, batch experiments were conducted to explore the optimal mixing ratio and support carrier integration in up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors. Continuous experiments were conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of support carriers on methane generation and digestate characteristics. To compare biogas accuracy, Biomethane Potential Tests 1 and 2 data were used to build artificial neural networks using feed-forward backpropagation and support vector machines using linear function. Red clay bio ring, ceramic bio ring and lava rock support carriers were used in the modified reactors. Significant improvement in the anaerobic process was observed during the co-digestion, along with the addition of a ceramic bio ring with biogas production (2150 mL/d), specific methane production (293.30 mL CH4/gCODadded, >66.10% compared to the conventional reactor), and chemical oxygen demand removal (>80%) at an organic loading rate of 6 g/L/day. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method demonstrates that ceramic bio ring has a higher specific surface area (7.87 m2/g). The support vector machine model had superior predicted accuracy in biogas production with an R2 of 0.986, indicating it is more robust for large-scale applications. Thus, utilising a suitable proportion of substrates and selecting an appropriate support carrier can stimulate methanogenic activity, which can boost methane production, a promising renewable energy source, and produce higher-quality effluent.

Formulation, in-vitro and ex-vivo evaluation of albendazole loaded ufasomal nanoformulation for topical delivery

Albendazole (ABZ), a widely used anti-parasitic agent, has recently drawn considerable attention due to its wide variety of therapeutic activities, such as anticancer and anti-psoriasis properties. However, its low water solubility limits its clinical applicability. The aim of the current study was to prepare ABZ loaded ufasomes (ABZ-U) to improve drug solubility and permeation through skin for topical delivery. ABZ-U was formulated by a thin film hydration and homogenization technique. Optimized ABZ-U was characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The formulation was further incorporated into a ufasomal gel base (ABZ-UG) and evaluated for drug release, rheology, and skin deposition. The optimized nanovesicles presented small particles size (235.71 ± 33.77 nm), good PDI (0.192 ± 0.088), acceptable zeta potential (−67.46 ± 2.35 mV) and entrapment efficiency of 74.14 ± 0.70%. The hydrogel exhibited a rheological behavior of a pseudoplastic and thixotropic fluid. Analyzing in vitro drug release study by various mathematical models, the optimized ABZ-UG showed a zero-order release pattern with 99.86 ± 0.79% cumulative ABZ release within 24 h. Ex vivo permeation studies across Wistar rat skin indicated suitable skin retention of ABZ for topical delivery. Overall, the study proved that ABZ-UG could be a promising carrier in treatment of skin diseases.

Thermal oxidation of carbon monoxide in air using various self-prepared catalysts

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a very toxic pollutant emitted from wood fired boiler, which is widely used in small and medium enterprises in Vietnam. The treatment of CO containing flue gas faces many difficulties due to the inert property of CO and cannot be removed by traditional adsorption and absorption methods and one of the effective CO treatments is catalytic oxidation. Therefore, we aimed to prepare various catalysts on different carriers for treatment of CO in flue gas, including γ-Al2O3-based metal oxides (Co3O4/Al2O3, Cr2O3/Al2O3, and CuO/Al2O3), CuO–MnOx/OMS-2, and CuO-MnOx/zeolite. The CO removal tests were conducted in a continuous fixed bed reactor in laboratory scale with temperature range of 50 – 550 oC. The characteristics of catalytic materials were then determined by various methods such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Results showed that CuO-MnOx/OMS-2 was the best catalyst with high removal efficiency of 98.41% at reactor temperature of 250 oC while gas outlet temperature of < 50 oC, proving the suitability of this material for practical treatment of CO in flue gas. The reaction follows Mars-Van-Krevelen mechanism with the presence of Cu2+-O2--Mn4+ ↔ Cu+-o-Mn3+ + O2 redox in the structure of the material. Moreover, the effect of environmental factors such as flow rate, inlet CO concentration, and catalysts amount on the CO removal efficiency were investigated and noted for designing and operation purposes. Concentration of outlet CO met well QCVN 19: 2009/BTNMT - National technical regulation on industrial emissions for dust and inorganic substances. Therefore, CuO-MnOx/OMS-2 catalyst material could be a potential catalyst for treatment of CO in flue gas of boiler.

Development and characterisation of clobetasol propionate loaded Squarticles as a lipid nanocarrier for treatment of plaque psoriasis

Aim: The aim of this project is to improve the therapeutic effectiveness, permeation and retention of clobetasol propionate in sebaceous glands by reporting the use of Squarticles as lipidic nanosystem.Methods: Homogenisation method is used for the formulation of Squarticles (nanoemulgel) which was characterised on the basis of size, polydispersity index (PDI), viscosity, spreadability, DSC, % in vitro release, in vitro skin permeation deposition studies, and in vivo studies, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and physical storage stability studies were done at different temperature conditions, i.e. 4 ± 2 °C, 25 ± 2 °C and 45 ± 2 °C for a period of 6 months for drug and formulation.Result: The morphological characterisation of prepared nanoemulsion shows small spherical shape and uniform size distribution as observed in the Scanning electron microscopic (SEM), having mean size (240.5 ± 9.2) and mean size distribution (0.282 ± 0.03) and zeta potential (−51.21). The drug release from optimised nanoemulsion (F2) in PBS (pH 5.5) was approximately 84.24 ± 1.35%, nanoemulgel formulations showed the release of 66.83 ± 2.05% while marketed gel showed the release of 57.67 ± 1.63% after 24 h. The cumulative percentage retention of clobetasol propionate loaded nanoemulgel was 63 ± 1.28% which was more than the marketed formulation (23.12% ±0.54). Physical stability studies show that formulation is more stable in cold condition. Further, the stability of active ingredient in gel formulation was determined using HPLC which shows around 15 ± 0.84% of loss in its activity.Conclusion: The present work has demonstrated the use of Squarticles as a novel carrier for treatment of plaque psoriasis by enhancing the better permeation, increasing skin retention, and enhances the effect of drug. The study also shows that the formulation is more stable in cold condition

Ceramic Biocomposites as Biodegradable Antibiotic Carriers in the Treatment of Bone Infections.

Local release of antibiotic has advantages in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis and infected fractures. The adequacy of surgical debridement is still key to successful clearance of infection but local antibiotic carriers seem to afford greater success rates by targeting the residual organisms present after debridement and delivering much higher local antibiotic concentrations compared with systemic antibiotics alone. Biodegradable ceramic carriers can be used to fill osseous defects, which reduces the dead space and provides the potential for subsequent repair of the osseous defect as they dissolve away. A dissolving ceramic antibiotic carrier also raises the possibility of single stage surgery with definitive closure and avoids the need for subsequent surgery for spacer removal.In this article we provide an overview of the properties of various biodegradable ceramics, including calcium sulphate, the calcium orthophosphate ceramics, calcium phosphate cement and polyphasic carriers. We summarise the antibiotic elution properties as investigated in previous animal studies as well as the clinical outcomes from clinical research investigating their use in the surgical management of chronic osteomyelitis.Calcium sulphate pellets have been shown to be effective in treating local infection, although newer polyphasic carriers may support greater osseous repair and reduce the risk of further fracture or the need for secondary reconstructive surgery. The use of ceramic biocomposites to deliver antibiotics together with BMPs, bisphosphonates, growth factors or living cells is under investigation and merits further study.We propose a treatment protocol, based on the Cierny-Mader classification, to help guide the appropriate selection of a suitable ceramic antibiotic carrier in the surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

The effects of topical agents on paranasal sinus mucosa healing: a rabbit study.

Numerous topical agents have been used intraoperatively to enhance postoperative mucosal healing or reduce scar formation. However, the histological effects of many of these treatments have not been well described. This study investigates the impact of topical mometasone furoate, acitretin, lactoferrin, and Silastic sheet (Medtronic) on sinus mucosal healing in a rabbit model. Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits underwent defined, localized stripping of a bilateral region of maxillary sinus mucosa. One of 6 treatments was placed in 1 maxillary sinus, and the treatment carrier was applied contralaterally (0.1% mometasone furoate, 0.25% and 0.5% acitretin, lactoferrin, Silastic, and no treatment; n = 8 each group). Rabbits were euthanized after 2 weeks and histological sections were examined with light microscopy. Treatment with acitretin 0.25% and 0.5% improved cilial recovery by 0.9 ± 0.5 (p = 0.003) and 0.5 ± 0.5 (p < 0.05), respectively. Acitretin 0.25% treatment also significantly reduced collagen in healing mucosa (5.1% ± 4.8%, p = 0.04). Conversely, rabbits treated with mometasone furoate 0.1% were more likely to have reduced cilial and goblet cell recovery. Intergroup comparisons demonstrated a significant improvement in cilial recovery scores with both acitretin doses compared with mometasone furoate (p < 0.05) and less collagen deposition in rabbits treated with placebo gel over Silastic (p < 0.05). Mucosa directly underlying a blood clot had a lower cilia score and impaired epithelial recovery (p < 0.001). Intraoperatively applied agents have the potential to significantly affect wound healing. Acitretin improved cilial recovery and reduced collagen deposition.

Potential use of glucuronylglucosyl-β-cyclodextrin/dendrimer conjugate (G2) as a siRNA carrier for the treatment of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

We previously reported that 6-O-α-(4-O-α-d-glucuronyl)-d-glucosyl-β-cyclodextrin (GUG-β-CyD) conjugate with polyamidoamine dendrimer (dendrimer, generation 2; G2) (GUG-β-CDE (G2)) is useful as a gene transfer carrier. In the present study, to investigate the potentials of GUG-β-CDE (G2) as a siRNA carrier, we evaluated the RNAi effect of its complex with siRNA against transthyretin (TTR) mRNA (siTTR) for the treatment of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). Among the various GUG-β-CDEs (G2) having the different degrees of substitution of GUG-β-CyD (degree of substation (DS) 1.8, 2.5, 3.0 and 5.0), GUG-β-CDE (G2, DS 1.8) showed the highest siTTR transfer activity. GUG-β-CDE (G2, DS 1.8)/siTTR complex showed no cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. After intravenous administration of GUG-β-CDE (G2, DS 1.8)/siTTR complex to BALB/c mice, TTR mRNA expression was tended to reduce with negligible change of blood chemistry data. Particle size, ζ-potential and cellular association of the GUG-β-CDE (G2, DS 1.8) complex were almost the same as those of the other CDEs complexes. Meanwhile, GUG-β-CDE (G2, DS 1.8)/siTTR complex showed high endosomal escaping ability of siTTR in cytoplasm. These findings suggest the potential of GUG-β-CDE (G2, DS 1.8) as a siRNA carrier for the FAP treatment.

Development of solid lipid nanoparticles based controlled release system for topical delivery of terbinafine hydrochloride

The study describes the development and evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of terbinafine hydrochloride (TH) for sustained release and skin targeting. TH-loaded SLNs were prepared by solvent-injection technique and optimized using 33 full-factorial design. Effect of drug:lipid ratio, surfactant concentration and volume of organic solvent were studied on % entrapment efficiency (%EE) and particle size (PS). The optimum formulation based on desirability (0.945) exhibited %EE of 73.74% and PS of 300nm. Optimized SLNs were incorporated into Carbopol gel and evaluated for drug content, pH, in vitro release, ex vivo retention, in vivo pharmacodynamic and stability studies. Drug release from SLNs dispersion followed Korsmeyer–Peppas model, indicating Fickian drug release, while that from the gel followed Higuchi model. The ex vivo studies through rat abdominal skin indicated skin retention ability of SLNs as compared to commercial product. In vivo pharmacodynamic studies showed that the SLNs based gel reduced fungal burden of Candida albicans in rats as compared to commercial product in shorter duration of time. The SLNs dispersion and gel exhibited physicochemical stability under refrigeration upto 3months. It was concluded that SLNs incorporated Carbopol gel had skin targeting ability and may serve as a promising carrier in treatment of fungal skin infections.

Supplemental trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, and cobalt) as Availa-4 or inorganic sources for shipping-stressed beef cattle

ABSTRACT Male beef calves (n = 288, average BW 238 ± 1.1 kg) were obtained from sale barns. Within each set (n = 3), calves were allocated randomly within 4 weight blocks to pen (2 pens/block; 11 to 13 calves/pen). Pens within block were assigned randomly to treatment. During the 42-d backgrounding period, calves were on 0.42-ha paddocks, had ad libitum access to bermudagrass hay, and were fed corn-soybean meal supplements that served as the carrier for treatments. Treatments consisted of supplemental Zn (360 mg/d), Cu (125 mg/d), Mn (200 mg/d), and Co (12 mg/d) from inorganic (zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, and cobalt carbonate) or organic (zinc amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, and cobalt glucoheptonate; Availa-4, Zinpro Corp., Eden Prairie, MN) sources. Calves supplemented with organic trace mineral sources had a greater final weight (271 vs. 267 kg for organic and inorganic, respectively; P = 0.04) and ADG (0.77 vs. 0.66 kg/d for organic and inorganic, respectively; P = 0.04) than calves supplemented with isolevels of trace minerals from inorganic sources. Supplementation with organic trace minerals tended (P = 0.09) to reduce the percentage of calves that received a second antibiotic treatment. When calves that had initial antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) were removed, the naive calves supplemented with inorganic trace minerals had a greater (P = 0.03) antibody response to IBRV vaccination. Organic trace mineral supplementation improved growth performance of shipping-stressed calves compared with those fed equivalent levels of inorganic sources.

Antibiotic impregnated bioabsorbable carriers for treatment of chronic intramedullary osteomyelitis

The treatment of chronic osteomyelitis involves a debridement of affected non-viable tissue and the use of antibiotics. Where surgery leaves a cavity, dead space management is practised with antibiotic impregnated cement. These depots of local antibiotics are variable in elution properties and need removal. We review the use of bioabsorbable synthetic calcium sulphate as a carrier of gentamicin and as an adjunct in treating intramedullary osteomyelitis. A retrospective review of cases treated consecutively from 2006 to 2010 in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital was undertaken. Variables recorded included aetiology, previous interventions, diagnostic criteria, radiological features, serology and microbiology. The Cierney-Mader system was used to classify. Treatment involved removal of implants (if any), intramedullary debridement and local resection (if needed), lavage and instillation of the gentamicin carrier, supplemented with systemic antibiotics. Follow-up involved a survival analysis to time to recurrence, clinical and functional assessment (AOFAS-Ankle/IOWA knee/Oxford Hip) and general health outcome (SF36). There were 31 patients (22 male, 9 female). The mean age was 47 years (20-67). Twenty-five cases were post-surgery (6 open fractures) and 6 were haematogenous in origin. The median duration of osteomyelitis was 1.6yrs. The bones affected were 42% femur, 45% tibia, 3% radius and 10% humerus. 11 cases had diffuse as well as intramedullary involvement. 9 cases underwent segment resection and bone transport. We identified Staphylococcus Aureus in 16 and Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus in 6 cases. The median follow-up was 1.7 years (0.5-5.6). The median scores attained were: AOFAS-78, DASH-32, IOWA-71, Oxford-32. There were two recurrences. Dead space management of intramedullary infections is difficult. We describe a method for delivery of local antibiotics and provide early evidence to its efficacy. The treatment success to date is 93%. Bioabsorbable carriers of antibiotics are efficacious adjuncts to surgical treatment of intramedullary osteomyelitis.

Tuftsin-bearing liposomes in treatment of macrophage-based infections

The use of liposomes as drug carriers in treatment of various diseases has been explored extensively for more than 20 years. ‘Conventional’ liposomes, when administered in vivo by a variety of routes, rapidly accumulate in the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). The inherent tendency of the liposomes to concentrate in MPS can be exploited in enhancing the non-specific host defence against infections by entrapping in them the macrophage modulators, and as carriers of antibiotics in treatment of intracellular infections that reside in MPS. This must further be enhanced by grafting on the liposome surface the ligands, e.g. tuftsin, that not only binds specifically to the MPS cells but also enhances their natural killer activity. Keeping this in view, we designed and developed tuftsin-bearing liposomes as drug carriers for the treatment of macrophage-based infections and outline these studies in this overview.

Implantation of antibiotic-releasing carriers for treatment of recurrent prosthetic endocarditis

A 26-year-old man had early recurrence of aortic prosthetic endocarditis with recurrent prosthetic valve dysfunction. Tertiary valve replacement with implantation of antibiotic-releasing carriers for local treatment of aortic root abscesses was performed successfully in this highly lethal condition.