Enhancement of antifungal activity and transdermal delivery of 5-flucytosine via tailored spanlastic nanovesicles: statistical optimization, in-vitro characterization, and in-vivo biodistribution study

Aim and background: This current study aimed to load 5-flucytosine (5-FCY) into spanlastic nanovesicles (SPLNs) to make the drug more efficient as an antifungal and also to load the 5-FCY into a hydrogel that would allow for enhanced transdermal permeation and improved patient compliance.Methods: The preparation of 5-FCY-SPLNs was optimized by using a central composite design that considered Span 60 (X1) and the edge activator Tween 80 (X2) as process variables in achieving the desired particle size and entrapment efficiency. A formulation containing 295.79 mg of Span 60 and 120.00 mg of Tween 80 was found to meet the prerequisites of the desirability method. The optimized 5-FCY-SPLN formulation was further formulated into a spanlastics gel (SPG) so that the 5-FCY-SPLNs could be delivered topically and characterized in terms of various parameters.Results: As required, the SPG had the desired elasticity, which can be credited to the physical characteristics of SPLNs. An ex-vivo permeation study showed that the greatest amount of 5-FCY penetrated per unit area (Q) (mg/cm2) over time and the average flux (J) (mg/cm2/h) was at the end of 24 h. Drug release studies showed that the drug continued to be released until the end of 24 h and that the pattern was correlated with an ex-vivo permeation and distribution study. The biodistribution study showed that the 99mTc-labeled SFG that permeated the skin had a steadier release pattern, a longer duration of circulation with pulsatile behavior in the blood, and higher levels in the bloodstream than the oral 99mTc-SPNLs. Therefore, a 5-FCY transdermal hydrogel could possibly be a long-acting formula for maintenance treatment that could be given in smaller doses and less often than the oral formula

Renewable energy acceptance in Sabah

Sustainable energy development has been linked to environmental concerns, which can be alleviated by substituting fossil fuels for renewable sources of electricity generation such as hydropower, solar, and wind. It is critical to raise public awareness of the importance of renewable energy in order to achieve the aim of widespread adoption. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the factors that influence renewable energy acceptance in Sabah, Malaysia. This study uses the means of a questionnaire survey to collect primary data from respondents that reside in Sabah. The analysis in the study was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that value, belief, norm and perceived ease of use are statistically significant and have a positive relationship with renewable energy acceptance. However, the perceived usefulness did not show any significant relationship with acceptance. Therefore, this study suggests strengthening the government's enforcement laws and educating the public through various awareness programmes and education systems

Microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Zn

Higher dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and good transmission characteristics have been the goal for developing the ceramic waveguide window for high power window applications. The choice of materials having high k with low dielectric loss and reduced window size is key parameters to achieve maximum microwave transmission without unleashing microwave dissipation. The microwave dielectric properties of synthesized Ba(Zn1/3Ta2 / 3)O3 (BZT) ceramics have been studied for high power window applications. The structural studies are correlated with microwave dielectric properties of BZT. The maximum values of dielectric constant ϵr = 30, Q × f0 = 102 THz and near zero temperature coefficient of resonance frequency were obtained for BZT ceramics sintered at the temperature of 1550 °C for 4 h. The measured results are used to design a tapered transition from air filled waveguide to narrow (reduced width and height) dielectric filled waveguide using Heckens linear taper at a specific frequency. The simulation result shows that the lower reflection loss is obtained for the tapered transition of the narrow BZT window as compared to the standard waveguide BZT window. The return loss of –34 dB is obtained for S-band waveguide window with a bandwidth of 675 MHz. The return loss observed in the narrow BZT window is –46 dB with a bandwidth of 570 MHz at a center frequency of 3.63 GHz. Most of the disadvantages in conventional windows will be rectified using the design of the taper transion employing narrow waveguide window in high power applications