Improving Inhalation Performance with Particle Agglomeration via Combining Mechanical Dry Coating and Ultrasonic Vibration.

Agglomerate formulations for dry powder inhalation (DPI) formed with fine particles are versatile means for the highly efficient delivery of budesonide. However, uncontrolled agglomeration induces high deposition in the upper airway, causing local side effects due to high mechanical strength, worse deagglomeration, and poor fine-particle delivery. In the present study, fine lactose was mechanically dry-coated prior to particle agglomeration, and the agglomerates were then spheroidized via ultrasonic vibration to improve their aerosol performance.

Ternary Dry Powder Agglomerate Inhalation Formulation of Melatonin With Air Jet Mixing to Improve In Vitro And In Vivo Performance.

An improved agglomerate formulation with melatonin and fine lactose for dry powder inhalation using Turbuhaler® was developed. Co-grinding lactose with 1 % magnesium stearate prior to air jet mixing served as a key factor to improve the in vitro aerosolization and in vivo efficacy. Elevated mixing pressure facilitated the dispersion and homogenization of the cohesive mixture for even distribution of agglomerate size after spheroidization and subsequent higher emitted dose with lower variation.

Factors Affecting Patient Adherence to Inhalation Therapy: An Application of SEIPS Model 2.0.

Purpose: This study aims to explore factors that affect patient adherence to inhalation therapy by applying a patient-centered approach.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a qualitative study to identify the factors that influence adherent behaviors among asthma/COPD patients. 35 semi-structured interviews with patients, and 15 semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers (HCPs) who manage asthma/COPD patients were conducted.

Production of H-Rich Syngas From Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis Coupled With Activated Carbon Enabled Reforming.

This study focuses on the use of a microwave reactor that combines biomass pyrolysis, at mild temperature, with catalytic reforming of the pyrolytic gas, using activated carbon, for generating hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. The traditional pyrolysis of biomass coupled with the reforming of its pyrolytic yields were also conducted using an electrically heated reactor. The bio-oil attained from conventional pyrolysis was higher in comparison to the yield from microwave pyrolysis.

Highly Efficient Sulfonic/Carboxylic Dual-Acid Synergistic Catalysis for Esterification Enabled by Sulfur-Rich Graphene Oxide.

A new sulfonic/carboxylic dual-acid catalyst based on sulfur-rich graphene oxide (GO-S) was readily prepared and used as a highly efficient and reusable solid acid catalyst toward the esterification of oleic acid with methanol for biodiesel production. Higher yields of methyl oleate (98 %) and over 3 times higher turnover frequencies (TOFs) were observed for the GO-S dual-acid catalyst, compared to liquid sulfuric acid or other carbon-based solid acid catalysts. The "acidity" of sulfonic acid groups was enhanced by the addition of carboxylic acid groups as the combination of the two acids enhances their inherent activity by associative interaction.