Spray dried inhalable ciprofloxacin powder with improved aerosolisation and antimicrobial activity.

In this study, the spray drying technique was used to prepare ciprofloxacin microparticles (CFX-MPs) for pulmonary administration. By virtue of its amphoteric properties, CFX was dissolved in either a slightly alkaline or acidic solution depending on the used polymer. Dextran and chitosan were used to prepare the MPs and modify the release characteristics of the drug.

A liposomal formulation able to incorporate a high content of Paclitaxel and exert promising anticancer effect.

A liposome formulation for paclitaxel was developed in this study. The liposomes, composed of naturally unsaturated and hydrogenated phosphatidylcholines, with significant phase transition temperature difference, were prepared and characterized. The liposomes exhibited a high content of paclitaxel, which was incorporated within the segregated microdomains coexisting on phospholipid bilayer of liposomes.

Enhanced properties of discrete pulmonary deoxyribonuclease I (DNaseI) loaded PLGA nanoparticles during encapsulation and activity determination.

In the present work, DNaseI loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for pulmonary delivery were prepared using emulsion solvent evaporation. The effects of the various formulation and experimental variables on the size and morphological characteristics of the particles as well as on the encapsulation efficiency were investigated. The stability of the encapsulated DNaseI was evaluated and the respirable fraction was determined.

Sodium fusidate-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres: preparation, characterisation and in vivo evaluation of their effectiveness in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prepare poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres containing sodium fusidate (SF) using a double emulsion solvent evaporation method with varying polymer:drug ratios (1:1, 2.5:1, 5:1) and to evaluate its efficiency for the local treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

Methods: The particle size and distribution, morphological characteristics, thermal behaviour, drug content, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release assessments of the formulations had been carried out.

Tumour gene expression from C12 spermine amphiphile gene delivery systems.

Gene therapy requires safe and efficient gene delivery systems. Towards this aim both the gene formulation and tumour transfection ability of C12 spermine amphiphiles were tested. Five amphiphiles were synthesised and characterised: 1-[N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-butane diamine] dodecane (12G0--a C12 spermine amphiphile), a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, MW = 2 kDa) derivative of 12G0, 1,12-[N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-butane diamine] dodecane (12G1--a C12 spermine bolaamphiphile) and N-methyl quaternary ammonium derivatives of both 12G0 (12QG0) and 12G1 (12QG1).

Thermogelling emulsions for vascular embolization and sustained release of drugs.

Thermogelling emulsion system was developed to function as an embolic agent and sustained release system. PEG-PLGA-PEG triblock copolymer was synthesized, and blended with oily phase (Lipiodol(R)) to constitute the thermogelling emulsions. Because the polymer-rich aqueous phase dramatically increases viscosity in response to temperature change, especially within the range between 20 and 30 degrees C, the emulsions produce a stop-flowing gel with oil droplets entrapped.

Perfusion of medium with supplemented growth factors changes metabolic activities and cell morphology of hepatocyte-nonparenchymal cell coculture.

To develop a feasible perfusion-type bioartificial liver device, perfusion of hepatocyte-nonparenchymal cell (NPC) cocultures with medium supplemented with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) was carried out. On day 1 of culture, perfusion at a constant shear stress of 1.3 dyn/cm2 enhanced ammonia metabolic and urea synthetic activities of hepatocytes.