In-vitro cytotoxicity of biosynthesized nanoceria using Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves extract against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles possess unique properties that make them promising candidates in various fields, including cancer treatment. Among the proposed synthesis methods for CNPs, biosynthesis using natural extracts, offers an eco-friendly and convenient approach for producing CNPs, particularly for biomedical applications. In this study, a novel method of biosynthesis using the aqueous extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves was used to synthesize CNPs.

Food-grade phytosome vesicles for nanoencapsulation of labile -glucosylated xanthones and dihydrochalcones present in a plant extract matrix-Effect of process conditions and stability assessment.

Phytosomes consist of a phytochemical bound to the hydrophilic choline head of a phospholipid. Their use in food products is gaining interest. However, literature on the use of food-grade solvents, crude plant extracts as opposed to pure compounds, and unrefined phospholipids to prepare phytosomes is limited.

Sugars and Polyols of Natural Origin as Carriers for Solubility and Dissolution Enhancement.

Crystalline carriers such as dextrose, sucrose, galactose, mannitol, sorbitol, and isomalt have been reported to increase the solubility, and dissolution rates of poorly soluble drugs when employed as carriers in solid dispersions (SDs). However, synthetic polymers dominate the preparation of drugs: excipient SDs have been created in recent years, but these polymer-based SDs exhibit the major drawback of recrystallisation upon storage. Also, the use of high-molecular-weight polymers with increased chain lengths brings forth problems such as increased viscosity and unnecessary bulkiness in the resulting dosage form.

Injectable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels for Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Prospects.

The enervating side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs have necessitated the use of targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy. To that end, thermoresponsive hydrogels have been employed to improve the accumulation and maintenance of drug release at the tumour site. Despite their efficiency, very few thermoresponsive hydrogel-based drugs have undergone clinical trials, and even fewer have received FDA approval for cancer treatment.

SafeHANDS: A Multimodal Hand Hygiene Intervention in a Resource-Limited Neonatal Unit.

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is a cornerstone of programmes to prevent healthcare associated infections (HAI) globally, but HH interventions are seldom reported from African neonatal units.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a multi-modal intervention (SafeHANDS) on HH compliance rates, alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) usage, the Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework (HHSAF) score, and healthcare-associated bloodstream infection (HA-BSI) rates at a 132-bed South African neonatal unit (4 wards and 1 neonatal intensive care unit [NICU]). The intervention included a campaign logo, HH training, maternal education leaflets, ABHR bottles for staff, and the setting of HH performance targets with feedback.

Assessment of Thermal and Hydrolytic Stabilities and Aqueous Solubility of Artesunate for Formulation Studies.

For the purpose of establishing the optimum processing parameters and storage conditions associated with nanolipid formulations of the artemisinin derivative artesunate, it was necessary to evaluate the thermal stability and solubility profiles of artesunate in aqueous solutions at various temperatures and pH. The effect of increased temperature and humidity on artesunate was determined by storing samples of the raw material in a climate chamber for 3 months and analyzing these by an established HPLC method. Artesunate remained relatively stable during storage up to 40°C ± 0.

Comparative study on the topical and transdermal delivery of diclofenac incorporated in nano-emulsions, nano-emulgels, and a colloidal suspension.

Transdermal delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can be challenging, since the skin possesses a rate-limiting barrier, which may be overcome when APIs possess certain ideal physicochemical properties. The lack thereof would require that APIs be included in drug delivery vehicles to enhance skin permeation. Hence, diclofenac was incorporated into various drug delivery vehicles (i.

Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Interventions for Neonates in Resource-Limited Settings.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections are leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, contributing to an extended hospital stay and increased healthcare costs. Although the burden and impact of HAI/AMR in resource-limited neonatal units are substantial, there are few HAI/AMR prevention studies in these settings. We reviewed the mechanism of action and evidence supporting HAI/AMR prevention interventions, including care bundles, for hospitalized neonates in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

SARS-CoV-2 in children and their accompanying caregivers: Implications for testing strategies in resource limited hospitals.

Background: Identification of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals is imperative to prevent hospital transmission, but symptom-based screening may fail to identify asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic infectious children and their caregivers.

Methods: A COVID-19 period prevalence study was conducted between 13 and 26 August 2020 at Tygerberg Hospital, testing all children and their accompanying asymptomatic caregivers after initial symptom screening. One nasopharyngeal swab was submitted for SARS-CoV-2 using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).

The Validation of a Simple, Robust, Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Detection of Lamivudine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, and Dolutegravir Sodium in Bulk Material and Pharmaceutical Formulations.

An effective analytical method is requisite to ensure the accurate identification and quantification of drug(s), either in bulk material or in complex matrices, which form part of finished pharmaceutical products. For the purpose of a pharmaceutical formulation study, it became necessary to have a simple, yet robust and reproducible reversed-phase HPLC method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of lamivudine (3TC), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and dolutegravir sodium (DTG) in bulk form, complex polymeric matrices, and during drug release studies. A suitable method was developed using a Kinetex® C, 250 × 4.

Shelf-Life Stability of Ready-to-Use Green Rooibos Iced Tea Powder-Assessment of Physical, Chemical, and Sensory Properties.

Green rooibos extract (GRE), shown to improve hyperglycemia and HDL/LDL blood cholesterol, has potential as a nutraceutical beverage ingredient. The main bioactive compound of the extract is aspalathin, a -glucosyl dihydrochalcone. The study aimed to determine the effect of common iced tea ingredients (citric acid, ascorbic acid, and xylitol) on the stability of GRE, microencapsulated with inulin for production of a powdered beverage.

Recent Advances in the Development of Antimicrobial and Antifouling Biocompatible Materials for Dental Applications.

The risk of secondary bacterial infections resulting from dental procedures has driven the design of antimicrobial and antifouling dental materials to curb pathogenic microbial growth, biofilm formation and subsequent oral and dental diseases. Studies have investigated approaches based primarily on contact-killing or release-killing materials. These materials are designed for addition into dental resins, adhesives and fillings or as immobilized coatings on tooth surfaces, titanium implants and dental prosthetics.

NeoCLEAN: a multimodal strategy to enhance environmental cleaning in a resource-limited neonatal unit.

Background: Contamination of the hospital environment contributes to neonatal bacterial colonization and infection. Cleaning of hospital surfaces and equipment is seldom audited in resource-limited settings.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess the impact of a multimodal cleaning intervention for surfaces and equipment in a 30-bed neonatal ward.

Mechanochemical Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization of Isoniazid and Pyrazinamide Co-crystals With Glutaric Acid.

The present work reports two novel pharmaceutical co-crystals; 2:1 isoniazid-glutaric acid (INHGA) and 2:1 pyrazinamide-glutaric acid (PGA). Isoniazid and pyrazinamide are key first-line drugs used for the treatment of tuberculosis. The co-crystals were produced solid-state and solvent assisted grinding methods.

Laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infections in two large neonatal units in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Epidemiological data on neonatal bloodstream infections (BSI) in sub-Saharan Africa are extremely limited.

Methods: A comparative analysis of laboratory-confirmed neonatal BSI episodes was conducted retrospectively in two large neonatal units in Botswana and South Africa (January 1 to December 31, 2017). Routine laboratory and ward register data were used to determine BSI rates, the pathogen spectrum, and BSI outcomes.

Physicochemical Stability of Enriched Phenolic Fractions of Cyclopia genistoides and ex vivo Bi-directional Permeability of Major Xanthones and Benzophenones.

Fractions of an ultrafiltered extract, respectively enriched in xanthones and benzophenones, were previously shown to inhibit mammalian -glucosidase The present study investigated intestinal transport of these fractions, using excised porcine jejunal tissue, to determine whether the gut could be a predominant site of action. The major bioactive compounds, the xanthones (mangiferin, isomangiferin) and benzophenones (3--D-glucopyranosyliriflophenone, 3--D-glucopyranosyl-4---D-glucopyranosyliriflophenone) exhibited poor permeation in the absorptive direction with a relatively high efflux ratio (efflux ratio > 1). The efflux ratio of 3--D-glucopyranosyl-4---D-glucopyranosyliriflophenone (3.

Comparative whole corona fingerprinting and protein adsorption thermodynamics of PLGA and PCL nanoparticles in human serum.

Nanoparticles (NPs) based on biocompatible and biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) represent effective systems for systemic drug delivery. Upon injection into the blood circuit, the NP surface is rapidly modified due to adsorption of proteins that form a 'protein corona' (PC). The PC plays an important role in cellular targeting, uptake and NP bio-distribution.

The physical stability of drugs linked to quality-by-design (QbD) and in-process technology (PAT) perspectives.

The physical stability of solid-state forms in which drugs may exist is in some sense an overlooked aspect. In an era where strategies such as amorphous solid dispersions or co-amorphous preparations might provide answers to stumbling blocks such as poor drug solubility and bioavailability, the physical stability of such solid-state preparations should be a priority. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry is moving towards adapting a real time release of pharmaceutical products strategy, through the utilization of process analytical technology.

Compatibility Between Four Anti-TB Drugs and Tablet Excipients Determined By Microcalorimetry.

Previous isothermal microcalorimetry studies at 40 °C, with and without humidity (RH 75%), had shown no incompatibility between rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide (PZA) and ethambutol HCl (EMB). The purpose of this study was to explore any interactions at an increased temperature of 50 °C and also to investigate the possibility of incompatibilities between the drugs and tablet excipients used in the most commonly prescribed commercial four-drug TB FDC. No incompatibilities were observed between the excipients, or when the excipients were tested with the four drugs individually.

Development and validation of a HPLC electrochemical detection method to measure COMT activity as a tool in drug development.

The determination of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity is considered valuable for various pharmaceutical and biomedical research projects. A specific high performance liquid chromatography-coulometric electrochemical detection method, for the assay of COMT activity was developed by measuring the formation of normetanephrine from norepinephrine. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C reversed phase column with a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer, 4 mM sodium 1-octanesulfonate, 0.

An HPLC-DAD validated method for the detection and quantification of cortisol, corticosterone and melatonin in plasma samples of two different animal species.

The monitoring of endogenous hormone plasma levels could be valuable in biomedical, veterinary and pharmaceutical research. A specific high performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection, for the assay of cortisol, corticosterone and melatonin in animal plasma was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C reversed phase column with a mobile phase consisting of HPLC-grade water and 35% v/v acetonitrile (pH ± 3.

Topical Delivery of Artemisone, Clofazimine and Decoquinate Encapsulated in Vesicles and Their In vitro Efficacy Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Vesicles are widely investigated as carrier systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). For topical delivery, they are especially effective since they create a "depot-effect" thereby concentrating the APIs in the skin. Artemisone, clofazimine and decoquinate were selected as a combination therapy for the topical treatment of cutaneous tuberculosis.

Neonatal listeriosis during a countrywide epidemic in South Africa: A tertiary hospital's experience.

Background: A countrywide epidemic of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in South Africa began in the first quarter of 2017, rapidly becoming the world's largest LM outbreak to date.

Methods: We describe the clinical course of neonates with culture-confirmed LM infection admitted to a tertiary neonatal unit at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town (1 January 2017 - 31 January 2018). Current epidemic LM cases were compared with a historical cohort of sporadic neonatal LM cases at our institution (2006 - 2016).

Electrospraying as a suitable method for nanoencapsulation of the hydrophilic bioactive dihydrochalcone, aspalathin.

The bioactive hydrophilic dihydrochalcone, aspalathin, has poor stability and bioavailability hampering its use in functional food ingredients with standardised aspalathin content. The aim of the study was to produce nanoparticles with controlled release to overcome these obstacles. Nanoencapsulation was investigated using both natural (chitosan and lecithin) and synthetic (poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and Eudragit S100® (ES100)) polymers by suitable conventional methods and electrospraying for all polymers.

HPLC electrochemical detection and quantification of monoamines and their metabolites in rat brain tissue samples.

The monitoring of monoamines and their metabolites in CNS samples can be very valuable in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. A specific high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to a coulometric electrochemical detection method, for the assay of monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin) and their metabolites in rat brain tissue samples was developed. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C8 reversed phase column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.