Electrospray Deposition of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Microparticles: Impact of Solvents and Flow Rate

Polymeric microparticles have been shown to have great impacts in the area of drug delivery, biosensing, and tissue engineering. Electrospray technology, which provides a simple yet effective technique in the creation of microparticles, was utilized in this work. In addition, altering the electrospray experimental parameters such as applied voltage, flow rate, collector distance, solvents, and the polymer-solvent mixtures can result in differences in the size and morphology of the produced microparticles. The effects of the flow rate at (0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 mL/h) and N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF)/acetone solvent ratios (20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20, 100:0 v/v) in the production of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microparticles were studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe changes in the morphology of the microparticles, and this revealed that a higher acetone to DMF ratio produces deformed particles, while flow rates at (0.3 and 0.45 mL/h) and a more optimized DMF to acetone solvent ratio (60:40 v/v) produced uniform spherical particles. We discovered from the Raman spectroscopy results that the electrosprayed PVDF microparticles had an increase in piezoelectric β phase compared to the PVDF pellet used in making the microparticles, which in its original form is α phase dominant and non-piezoelectric

Anti-Trypanosomal Activity of Nigerian Plants and Their Constituents

African trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease causing serious risks to the lives of about 60 million people and 48 million cattle globally. Nigerian medicinal plants are known to contain a large variety of chemical structures and some of the plant extracts have been screened for antitrypanosomal activity, in the search for potential new drugs against the illness. We surveyed the literatures on plants and plant-derived products with antitrypanosomal activity from Nigerian flora published from 1990 to 2014. About 90 plants were identified, with 54 compounds as potential active agents and presented by plant families in alphabetical order. This review indicates that the Nigerian flora may be suitable as a starting point in searching for new and more efficient trypanocidal molecules

Preparation, characterisation and in vitro antibacterial property of ciprofloxacin-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier for treatment of Bacillus subtilis infection.

CONTEXT: In this study, controlled ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) nanostrustructured lipid carriers of Precirol® ATO 5/Transcutol® HP (batch A) and tallow fat/Transcutol® HP (batch B) was carreid out. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to improve solubility and bioavailability of CIPRO. OBJECTIVE: Study of controlled ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) nanostructured lipid carriers of Precirol® ATO 5/Transcutol® HP (batch A) and tallow fat/Transcutol® HP (batch B). METHODS: CIPRO concentrations C1-5 (0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0% w/w) as AC1-5 and BC1-5 were prepared by hot homogenisation and characterised by zetasizer, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, in vitro drug release and growth inhibitory zone diameter (IZD) on agar-seeded Bacillus subtilis. RESULTS: AC5 achieved polydispersed particles of ∼605 nm, 92% encapsulation efficiency (EE) and -28 mV similar to BC5 (∼789 nm, 91% EE, and -31 mV). Crystallinity indices (AC5 and BC5) were low at 3 and 5%, respectively. CIPRO release in AC5 was ∼98% in SGF (pH 1.2) and BC5 similarly ∼98% in SIF (pH 6.8). CONCLUSIONS: AC5 had superior growth inhibition of B. subtilis at lower concentration (1.2 µg/mL) than BC5 and CIPRO controls; hence could serve as possible sustained delivery system of CIPRO

Preparation, characterisation and in vitro antibacterial property of ciprofloxacin-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier for treatment of Bacillus subtilis infection.

CONTEXT: In this study, controlled ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) nanostrustructured lipid carriers of Precirol® ATO 5/Transcutol® HP (batch A) and tallow fat/Transcutol® HP (batch B) was carreid out. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to improve solubility and bioavailability of CIPRO. OBJECTIVE: Study of controlled ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) nanostructured lipid carriers of Precirol® ATO 5/Transcutol® HP (batch A) and tallow fat/Transcutol® HP (batch B). METHODS: CIPRO concentrations C1-5 (0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0% w/w) as AC1-5 and BC1-5 were prepared by hot homogenisation and characterised by zetasizer, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, in vitro drug release and growth inhibitory zone diameter (IZD) on agar-seeded Bacillus subtilis. RESULTS: AC5 achieved polydispersed particles of ∼605 nm, 92% encapsulation efficiency (EE) and -28 mV similar to BC5 (∼789 nm, 91% EE, and -31 mV). Crystallinity indices (AC5 and BC5) were low at 3 and 5%, respectively. CIPRO release in AC5 was ∼98% in SGF (pH 1.2) and BC5 similarly ∼98% in SIF (pH 6.8). CONCLUSIONS: AC5 had superior growth inhibition of B. subtilis at lower concentration (1.2 µg/mL) than BC5 and CIPRO controls; hence could serve as possible sustained delivery system of CIPRO

Molecular Modeling of Potential Anticancer Agents from African Medicinal Plants

Naturally occurring anticancer compounds represent about half of the chemotherapeutic drugs which have been put in the market against cancer until date. Computer-based or in silico virtual screening methods are often used in lead/hit discovery protocols. In this study, the "drug-likeness" of similar to 400 compounds from African medicinal plants that have shown in vitro and/or in vivo anticancer, cytotoxic, and antiproliferative activities has been explored. To verify potential binding to anticancer drug targets, the interactions between the compounds and 14 selected targets have been analyzed by in silk modeling. Docking and binding affinity calculations were carried out, in comparison with known anticancer agents comprising similar to 1 500 published naturally occurring plant-based compounds from around the world. The results reveal that African medicinal plants could represent a good starting point for the discovery of anticancer drugs. The small data set generated (named AfroCancer) has been made available for research groups working on virtual screening

In vitro evaluation of the antiviral activity of extracts from the lichen Parmelia perlata (L.) Ach. against three RNA viruses

Background: Substances extracted from lichens have previously been reported to possess antimicrobial activities against various groups of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Due to the high abundance of Parmelia perlata in the Eastern parts of Nigeria, we decided to explore whether it possesses antiviral activity against some common animal and human viruses.Methodology: The dried and powdered lichen was extracted with acetone, water and 4% (v/v) NaOH (to yield a crude polysaccharide fraction) using standard methods. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was investigated on HEP-2, Vero and L20 cell lines. The antiviral properties were determined against yellow fever, poliomyelitis and infectious bursal disease virus of chickens using the end-point cytopathic effect assay. Phytochemical evaluations of the extracts were also carried out.Results: Phytochemical tests showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, steroidal aglycone, carbohydrates and also the presence, in trace amounts, of some oligodynamic elements. Cytotoxicity tests revealed that while L20 was susceptible to the extracts at a concentration of 50 ìg/ml, the extracts were generally toxic to the cell lines at concentrations above 500 ìg/ml. The order of sensitivity of the cell lines was L20 > HEP-2 > Vero. The water and acetone extracts showed no activity against the viruses when tested at concentrations below the cytotoxic level while the crude polysaccharide fraction showed activity against yellow fever virus with an IC50 of 15 ìg/ml. The time of addition of the test extracts to the infected cells did not have significant effect on cytopathic effect inhibition.Conclusions: The results showed that the crude polysaccharide fraction from Parmelia perlata possesses specific antiviral activity against yellow fever virus. It is postulated that a major mechanism of inhibition of yellow fever infection by the crude polysaccharide fraction of the lichen could be by attack on the viral envelope

Beyond Breaking the Chains: Decolonisation as transformation

The eruption of anger that came about after the brutal murder of the African-American, George Floyd in 2021, was translated into a worldwide Black Lives Matter movement which has had long lasting repercussions in the UK. There is a new and generalised feeling of urgency for radical action and a growing knowledge and awareness of historical racial injustice has emerged into the mainstream and within higher education. This is exemplified by the new research centre, the Global Race Centre for Equality (GRACE) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). The aim of this paper is to focus on efforts in transforming decolonisation in the School of Social Work, Care and Community at UCLan. Awareness of the need for decolonisation is an important first step to inclusivity in the curriculum. However, inclusivity is not an end in itself as, in the context of the UK, minority groups might be paradoxically included and excluded at the same time. The complexity of attempts to truly decolonise the curriculum should begin with simple measures, such as reviewing reading lists for students. However, the successful interpretation of inclusivity requires a whole system approach to change, which is nothing less than a radical transformation of structures, norms, routines and habits which many ethnic ‘Anglo-Saxon’ teaching staff at university carry with them, often unconsciously. We say ‘Anglo-Saxon’ in inverted commas and in the knowledge, as described a long time ago by Fanon (1967), that people of different ethnicities are also capable of colonised behaviour, among themselves and towards different ethnicities, as part of the struggle to speak the language of Fanon’s ‘white world’ (p. 15). At the same time, it is also true that all people of colour are objects of difference compared to white people in the Western world. This is the point made by Robinson (1995, pp. 1-2) who chooses to include different ethnicities under the term ‘black’. This article discusses the development of an innovative strategy for change being developed at UCLan

Molecular Modeling of Potential Anticancer Agents from African Medicinal Plants

Naturally occurring anticancer compounds represent about half of the chemotherapeutic drugs which have been put in the market against cancer until date. Computer-based or <i>in silico</i> virtual screening methods are often used in lead/hit discovery protocols. In this study, the “drug-likeness” of ∼400 compounds from African medicinal plants that have shown <i>in vitro</i> and/or <i>in vivo</i> anticancer, cytotoxic, and antiproliferative activities has been explored. To verify potential binding to anticancer drug targets, the interactions between the compounds and 14 selected targets have been analyzed by <i>in silico</i> modeling. Docking and binding affinity calculations were carried out, in comparison with known anticancer agents comprising ∼1 500 published naturally occurring plant-based compounds from around the world. The results reveal that African medicinal plants could represent a good starting point for the discovery of anticancer drugs. The small data set generated (named AfroCancer) has been made available for research groups working on virtual screening