Degradation behavior and environmental impacts of a hemp-containing "eco-friendly" compostable plastic in natural environments.

A field experiment was carried out to assess the degradation behavior and environmental impacts of hemp fiber-containing polymeric material labeled as "compostable plastic". The main question was: What happens if products made from this material are released into nature? To find the answer, small pieces of this composite material were exposed to sandy clay soil and river water for 2, 4, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, and 33 weeks. After taking out, the samples were thoroughly analyzed using light and electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Chitosan-based film-forming systems with cannabidiol: a novel topical strategy for antimicrobial therapy.

Innovative topical drug delivery systems, such as film forming systems, aim, among other objectives, to offer new application possibilities, enhance patient compliance, and provide prolonged therapeutic effects. This study presents the development and comprehensive characterization of a novel chitosan-based film-forming system incorporating cannabidiol for antimicrobial topical treatment. While chitosan and cannabidiol have been separately explored for their pharmaceutical properties, their combination within an in situ film-forming matrix remains largely unreported.

Immobilized animal liver microsomes: A versatile tool for efficient ester hydrolysis in chemo-enzymatic synthesis.

Animal liver microsomes are a rich source of carboxylesterases with potential for biocatalytic applications. However, their instability and difficulty in reuse limit their practical application. This study investigates the immobilization of animal liver microsomes from four species Mus musculus (house mouse), Sus scrofa (wild boar), Dama dama (fallow deer), and Capreolus capreolus (roe deer) on Perloza MG microparticles for enhanced stability and reusability.

Impact of Saharan dust on particulate matter characteristics in an urban and a natural locality in Central Europe.

In late March to early April 2024, an unusually high amount of sand dust was wind-blown to Europe from the Sahara Desert. Most of mainland Europe was affected by these sand dust particles. As a result, Central Europe experienced an exceptionally high increase in air pollution.

Formulation study of PLGA in situ films for topical delivery of salicylates.

A film-forming system (FFS) represents a convenient topical dosage form for drug delivery. In this study, a non-commercial poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was chosen to formulate an FFS containing salicylic acid (SA) and methyl salicylate (MS). This unique combination is advantageous from a therapeutic point of view, as it enabled modified salicylate release.

The use of scanning electron microscopy and fixation methods to evaluate the interaction of blood with the surfaces of medical devices.

Testing the hemocompatibility of medical devices after their interaction with blood entails the need to evaluate the activation of blood elements and the degree of their coagulation and adhesion to the device surface. One possible way to achieve this is to use scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The aim was to develop a novel SEM-based method to assess the thrombogenic potential of medical devices and their adhesiveness to blood cells.

The Alphabet of Nanostructured Polypyrrole.

This review is devoted to polypyrrole and its morphology, which governs the electroactivity of the material. The macroscopic properties of the material are strictly relevant to microscopic ordering observed at the local level. During the synthesis, various (nano)morphologies can be produced.

Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with the Vero cell lines by scanning electron microscopy.

In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the cell structure of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Our measurements revealed infection remodeling caused by infection, including the emergence of new specialized areas where viral morphogenesis occurs at the cell membrane. Intercellular extensions for viral cell surfing have also been observed.

Effect of co-processed excipient type on properties of orodispersible tablets containing captopril, tramadol, and domperidone.

An important feature of orodispersible tablets (ODTs) is the convenient administration of the drugs, in some cases, faster onset of action, stability maintenance, and dose precision. This work focused on the preparation of ODTs containing mannitol-based co-processed excipients Prosolv® ODT G2, Ludiflash® and Parteck® ODT in combination with tramadol, captopril, and domperidone by direct compression. Prosolv® ODT G2 showed high energy of plastic deformation due to the content of microcrystalline cellulose.

Crystallization Kinetics and Structure Evolution during Annealing of Ni-Co-Mn-In Powders Obtained by Mechanical Alloying.

The crystallization kinetics and structure evolution during annealing of the NiCoMnIn (at. %) powders produced by mechanical alloying (MA) was investigated. After 70 h and 100 h of MA, the powder consisted of a mixture of amorphous and nanocrystalline body-centered cubic (bcc) phases.

Preparation and advanced characterization of highly drug-loaded, 3D printed orodispersible tablets containing fluconazole.

Due to the possibility of designing various spatial structures, three-dimensional printing can be implemented in the production of customized medicines. Nevertheless, the use of these methods for the production of dosage forms requires further optimization, understanding, and development of printouts' quality verification mechanisms. Therefore, the goal of our work was the preparation and advanced characterization of 3D printed orodispersible tablets (ODTs) containing fluconazole, printed by the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method.

An extensive individual particle analysis of solid airborne particles collected in a moderately urbanized area.

Detailed individual particle characterization of PM, in terms of particle size, morphology, and elemental composition, was done using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The samples were collected in four localities in the Czech Republic (Central Europe), three of which are medium-sized cities, and one is a natural locality in the mountains. More than 1600 particles obtained from each locality were evaluated.

Allogeneic Bone Impregnated with Biodegradable Depot Delivery Systems for the Local Treatment of Joint Replacement Infections: An In Vitro Study.

Although progress is evident in the effective treatment of joint replacement-related infections, it still remains a serious issue in orthopedics. As an example, the local application of antibiotics-impregnated bone grafts supplies the high drug levels without systemic side effects. However, antibiotics in the powder or solution form could be a risk for local toxicity and do not allow sustained drug release.

A Complex In Vitro Degradation Study on Polydioxanone Biliary Stents during a Clinically Relevant Period with the Focus on Raman Spectroscopy Validation.

Biodegradable biliary stents are promising treatments for biliary benign stenoses. One of the materials considered for their production is polydioxanone (PPDX), which could exhibit a suitable degradation time for use in biodegradable stents. Proper material degradation characteristics, such as sufficient stiffness and disintegration resistance maintained for a clinically relevant period, are necessary to ensure stent safety and efficacy.

Fused Deposition Modeling as a Possible Approach for the Preparation of Orodispersible Tablets.

Additive manufacturing technologies are considered as a potential way to support individualized pharmacotherapy due to the possibility of the production of small batches of customized tablets characterized by complex structures. We designed five different shapes and analyzed the effect of the surface/mass ratio, the influence of excipients, and storage conditions on the disintegration time of tablets printed using the fused deposition modeling method. As model pharmaceutical active ingredients (APIs), we used paracetamol and domperidone, characterized by different thermal properties, classified into the various Biopharmaceutical Classification System groups.

Study of rheological and tableting properties of lubricated mixtures of co-processed dry binders for orally disintegrating tablets.

Co-processed dry binders for ODTs are important multifunctional excipients for tablet manufacturing by direct compression. Testing their binary mixtures with lubricants is an important aspect of their use in combination with drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rheological and compression properties of lubricated mixtures of co-processed dry binders Parteck® ODT, Prosolv® ODT G2 and Ludiflash®, and subsequently also the compactability and disintegration time of the tablets made thereof.

Raman Spectroscopy as a Novel Method for the Characterization of Polydioxanone Medical Stents Biodegradation.

Polydioxanone (PPDX), as an FDA approved polymer in tissue engineering, is an important component of some promising medical devices, e.g., biodegradable stents.

PLGA based film forming systems for superficial fungal infections treatment.

As proven in clinical trials, superficial fungal infections can be effectively treated by single topical application of terbinafine hydrochloride (Ter-HCl) in a film forming system (FFS). Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) derivatives, originally synthesized with intention to get carriers with optimized properties for drug delivery, and multifunctional plasticizers - ethyl pyruvate, methyl salicylate, or triacetin - were used for formulation of Ter-HCl loaded FFSs. After spraying, a biodegradable, transparent, adhesive, and occlusive thin layer is formed on the skin, representing drug depot.

Terbinafine-loaded branched PLGA-based cationic nanoparticles with modifiable properties.

Although the systemic administration of terbinafine is quite well tolerated, topical treatment of the local infections is often preferred. New formulation strategies in topical antifungal therapy represent the polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). We successfully employed the originally synthesized PLGA derivatives of branched architectures of various molar masses, branching ratio, and high number of terminal hydroxyl or carboxyl groups for compounding of terbinafine loaded nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method.