Development of oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsion formulations for spontaneous transdermal delivery of ciprofloxacin

Nanoemulsions have attracted attention in delivery of therapeutically active agents since most of the new chemical entities are hydrophobic in nature and the delivery of poor water soluble drugs is a challenge. This study was carried out to adopt nanoemulsion as a means of entrapping ciprofloxacin in the oil phase of the emulsion for transdermal drug delivery. Nanoemulsions were formulated as oil in water (O/W) type and prepared by self-mild mechanical nanoemulsification method. The formulation consisted of Sandbox (Huracrepitan) and Sesame seed (Sesamumindicum) as the organic phase of the emulsion, Polyethylene (20) sorbitanmonooleate (Tween 80) and Polyethylene (20) sorbitanmonolaurate (Tween 20) as the surfactants and Polyehtylene glycol (PEG 400) as co-surfactant. The formulations were tested and characterized. Ciprofloxacin (0.075 g) was incorporated into the oil phase of the most stable nanoemulsion formulation prior emulsification and tested on Escherichia coli. Transdermal application was done on male Wister rats (R) followed by biopsification. The result showed the zones of inhibition of HCa3+Ciprofloxacin (Ciprofloxacin-loaded, Huracrpitan oil based nanoemulsion) and SSA3+Ciprofloxacin (Ciprofloxacin-loaded, Sesame oil based nanoemulsion) to be 26.00 and 25.00 mm respectively. The HPLC results showed that, out of 75000 µg of ciprofloxacin loaded in the oil phases of HCa3 and SSA3 formulations, 6.0076 (R2), 0.4112 (R3) and 6.7241 µg (R6) were absorbed in HCa3 while 1.9519 (R1), 1.2631 (R4) and 2.1801 µg (R5) were absorbed in SSA3. The SEM images revealed an encapsulation with globule size diameter of 94 and 63 nm respectively. The findings of this work showed that sandbox and Sesame seedoil based nanoemulsions are effective for transdermal drug delivery

Interactions of cross-linked and uncross-linked chitosan hydrogels with surfactants for biomedical applications

The swelling equilibrium of Chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate (NaTPP) cross-linked chitosan hydrogels in aqueous solutions of surfactants differing in structure and hydrophobicity at 250C is reported. Anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) and neutral surfactants Triton X-100 were employed. The surfactants induced abrupt change in the gel volume. The equilibrium swelling ratio first decreased sharply as the concentration of the surfactant increased and remained almost constant up to the critical micelles concentration (CMC) of the surfactants and then increased again as the concentration increased above the CMC of the surfactants used. The equilibrium volume change of hydrogel was significantly increased from HTAB > Triton X-100 > SDS> the mixed SDS/Triton X- 100 system. A decrease in equilibrium swelling ratio of the gel in SDS/TX-100 mixtures was observed with an increase in the mole ratio of SDS. The results also revealed that cross-linking with 3% or 5% w/v NaTPP exhibited lower equilibrium swelling values. This swelling study showed that cross-linking density, surfactant type, and their respective concentrations were important parameters that could affect equilibrium swelling of chitosan gel. Structural elucidation of the nanocomposites was monitored using Infra-red Spectroscopy (IR), and X-Ray Diffractography (XRD)

Preparation, Release Pattern and Antibacterial Activities of Chitosan-Silver Nanocomposite Films

The present study examined the preparation of chitosan-silver   nanocomposite films as carriers for silver release pattern. Chitosan a biopolymer   having immense structural possibilities for chemical and mechanical modifications   to generate novel properties, functions and applications. Chitosan–silver   nanocomposite films has been synthesised by reduction method, which is a simple   and inexpensive method. The chitosan-silver nanocomposite films was   characterized in terms of its surface plasmon resonance and crystalline structure by   using UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and   Scanning electron microscope. Swelling and release studies were carried out on   crosslinked and un-crosslinked nanocomposite films. Antibacterial activities of   chitosan-silver nanocomposite films were investigated on some pathogens:   Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhii   and Klebsiella pneumonia using agar well diffusion method. crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite demonstrated a slower release pattern relative to un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite. The crosslinked and un-crosslinked   nanocomposite became dislodged and completely released at 120 minutes and 90   minutes respectively. The results of the antibacterial activities revealed that the   cross-linked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films has higher antibacterial   properties than un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films. This study   provides nanocomposite films potentially useful for delivery system.</p

A Microcontroller Framework for PC Based Electrical Appliance Control System

Personal computers are increasingly becoming the platform of choice to design and implement control algorithms because it is simple to write, modify and update software programs that implement control algorithms. In this paper, the personal computer is used to control the electrical appliances which includes turning high power alternating current (AC) loads such as lights, fans, heaters etc ON or OFF. To successfully integrate the interface box with the machine (laptop), an interface device is used within the PC that can perform the necessary tasks. The interface box can be controlled by the computer by connecting to the USB port and developed a program in C-sharp(C#) programming language. The program will demonstrate the basic idea of how to control devices and monitor events. With the program, the computer can turn electric devices ON/OFF while disregarding the manual control system. Moreover, the people who are physically disabled in homes and work places are able to control the home appliances by interacting with the interface of the developed appliance. It is a necessity to employ the service of Home Appliances Control as it is more effective, efficient and stress-free. Keywords: Personal Computers, Home Control Appliance, Distribution Fuse Board (DFB), Graphical User Interface (GUI), Interface Box, Internal Module, Enumeration, Local Area Network (LAN)

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CORROSION PERFORMANCE OF ALUMINIUM- ZINC COATED, GALVANIZED AND ELECTROPLATED STEELS IN TOMATO JUICE

Metallic materials are given prominent considerations in agro-based machinery especially in fruit juice processing, storage and use as disposable cans. Such metallic materials include Electroplated Steel (ES), Galvanized Steel (GS) and Aluminum-zinc coated steel (Aluzinc). This study evaluated the corrosion performance of Aluzinc, GS and ES in tomato juice. The medium was chosen due to its social and economic importance. Samples of Aluzinc, GS and ES were prepared by cutting into 3 x 3 cm2 from 1 mm thick plate. Three of each of the prepared samples were used for Potentiostatic Polarization Experiments (PPE) while 18 samples each were used for Weight Loss Method (WLM). Each of the prepared samples for WLM was cleaned, weighed and immersed in the media for 30 days. The samples were removed at the end of immersion, cleaned and reweighed. The results obtained for the corrosion rates in mm/y using PPE in tomato juices were 0.0061, 0.0065 and 0.0148 for Aluzinc, GS and ES respectively. The measured pH values for the media ranged from 4.1 to 8.3. Aluzinc had the lowest corrosion rate in tomato juice followed by GS and ES after 30 days of immersion using WLM

Pathways to Architectural Education and Practice Success in Nigeria

Architectural practice and education has always been seen by architects and students of the discipline as a tough and demanding terrain. This may be connected to the obvious demands of the training of architects, characterized by long hours of design, drafting, and modelling. This does not end at the schools of architecture but continues through the practice journey. However, some veterans of the profession argue that this is the sure pathway towards success in architecture. This paper aims at providing pathways towards the preservation and sustenance of the relevance of the profession and architectural practice in Nigeria. The paper adopts a qualitative research approach while presenting findings from in-depth interviews of sixteen leading principals of architectural firms drawn from Lagos, Abuja, Benin-city, Enugu and Port Harcourt. The study explores the challenges of the practice environment, the shortcomings of the products from the schools; practice demands and the pathways to being a desirable graduate and architect in practice. The paper concludes with the recommendations that certain areas of study of architecture such as detailing, understanding of planning laws, regulations and entrepreneurship studies in architecture should be given intensified attention in the training institutions. The need for architects to reach out socially through all available media within the ambits of the law to promote commissions while being actively involved in the activities of their professional bodies was found to be a crucial path to practice success. Finally, partnerships and collaborations between architects and firms is assuredly a path towards promoting stronger, healthier and enduring architectural businesses

Ocimum gratissimum Ameliorates Gentamicin-Induced Kidney Injury but Decreases Creatinine Clearance Following Sub-Chronic Administration in Rats

The effects of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaf (AOGL) on the renal function of rats with gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity were investigated. This study involved the use of forty five (45) adult male Wistar rats (housed in separate metabolic cages) such that graded doses of OAGL were administered to the experimental groups (p.o.) for 28 days after exposure to gentamicin toxicity (100 mg/kg i.p.) for 1 week. At the end of the study, comparisons of some indices of renal function as well as antioxidant status (GSH and TBARS) were made between the control, toxic and AOGL-treated groups at P < 0.05. The result showed that gentamicin treatment caused significant increase (P < .05) in urine output, urea, creatinine, total protein, relative kidney weight, and TBARS, as well as significant decrease (P < .05) in urine creatinine and GSH levels. Post-treatment with graded doses of AOGL caused significant increase in food consumption, GSH, urine, and plasma creatinine, as well as significant decrease (P < .05) in relative kidney weight, TBARS, and urine total protein. There was an appreciable difference in the kidney histology of the AOGL-treated groups when compared with the toxic control. Hence, the extract has therapeutic potential in the management of gentamicin-induced kidney injury, although a risk profile of renal dysfunction is not unlikely from 28 days of administration as evident by the decrease in creatinine clearance

The Review of the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in Four Selected Countries

Recently, SIWES has attracted studies from scholars in higher educational systems in Nigeria due to the deficiency or lack of proficiency of many graduates, mostly in the natural sciences. This shows that the scheme has not been effective in ensuring impartation of practical knowledge on students. Consequently, many employers of labour view this challenge as one of the causes of unemployment, an obstacle to achieving corporate goals and a serious obstacle to national development. Although SIWES stakeholders have been primarily indicted for its dysfunction, most especially, the Government, and the management of tertiary institutions, but none of such studies have compared SIWES in developed countries with a developing society like Nigeria with the aim of identifying the missing gap that needs to be filled to ensure students proficiency at work after graduation. Being a descriptive article, the present study used data from secondary sources to analyze and synthesize SIWES in four purposefully selected countries. By synthesizing SIWES activities in these countries, the study identifies factors responsible for the dysfunction of SIWES in Nigeria. These include poor quality of education from the elementary school to higher educational systems; short duration apportioned to SIWES in the curriculum of tertiary institutions; insufficient industries and closure of some of the few existing ones due to unfavourable environmental factors; inadequate equipment / facilities in existing few industries for effective practical training and poor leadership of SIWES stakeholders. The study concluded that SIWES in Nigeria could improve if these flaws could be effectively addressed

How executive functioning and financial self-efficacy predict subjective financial well-being via positive financial behaviors

Social decision makin