Control of Porous Layer Thickness in Thermophoretic Deposition of Nanoparticles

The film thickness plays an important role in the performance of materials applicable to different technologies including chemical sensors, catalysis and/or energy materials. The relationship between the surface and volume of the functional layers is key to high performance evaluations. Here we demonstrate the thermophoretic deposition of different thicknesses of the functional layers designed using flame combustion of tin 2-ethylhexanoate dissolved in xylene, and measurement of thickness by scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam. The parameters such as spray fluid concentration (differing Sn²⁺ content), substrate-nozzle distance and time of the spray were considered to investigate the layer growth. The results showed ≈ 23, 124 and 161 μm thickness of the SnO₂ layer after flame spray of 0.1, 0.5 M and 1.0 M tin 2-EHA-Xylene solutions for 1200 s. While Sn²⁺ concentration was 0.5 M for all the flame sprays, the substrates placed at 250, 220 and 200 mm from the flame nozzle had layer thicknesses of 113, 116 and 132 µm, respectively. Spray time dependent thickness growth showed a linear increase from 8.5 to 152.1 µm when the substrates were flame sprayed for 30 s to 1200 s using 0.5 M tin 2-EHA-Xylene solutions. Changing the dispersion oxygen flow (3–7 L/min) had almost no effect on layer thickness. Layers fabricated were compared to a model found in literature, which seems to describe the thickness well in the domain of varied parameters. It turned out that primary particle size deposited on the substrate can be tuned without altering the layer thickness and with little effect on porosity. Applications depending on porosity, such as catalysis or gas sensing, can benefit from tuning the layer thickness and primary particle size.     

正交试验优选猫爪草纳米乳喷雾剂的提取工艺

目的:正交试验优选猫爪草纳米乳喷雾剂的最佳提取工艺。方法:以总黄酮提取量和浸膏得率的综合评分为评价指标,在单因素试验基础上,采用L9(34)正交试验考察猫爪草醇提工艺的溶剂体积、乙醇浓度、提取时间及提取温度对提取工艺的影响。结果:最佳提取工艺为以75%乙醇为提取溶剂,提取温度60℃,第1次8倍量1.5 h,第2次7倍量1 h,共提取2次。结论:在单因素试验基础上,通过正交试验优选的提取工艺经验证稳定、简便易行、预测性好,为猫爪草纳米乳喷雾剂的进一步研发奠定了基础。     

Evaluation of the efficacy of salmon calcitonin nasal spray on bone healing following open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures — A randomized controlled trial

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of calcitonin spray on bone healing following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of mandibular fractures. Fourteen patients were subdivided into a study group and a control group. A standardized surgical protocol for ORIF was followed. Postoperatively, salmon calcitonin nasal spray was administered to only the study group. The outcome parameters assessed were serum osteocalcin, pain, and radiographic bone healing. Serum osteocalcin was assessed pre- and postoperatively. Postoperative pain was documented using a visual analogue scale (VAS) on the 7th, 14th, 23rd, and 30th days. An orthopantomogram was used to score fracture healing at four time intervals, as follows: 1 — absence of callus; 2 — presence of minimal callus; 3 — considerable callus; and 4 — complete fusion of fracture. Pain scores were lower for the study group, with no pain from the fifth day, while the control group produced a mean score for day 5 of 2.43 ± 0.98 (p = 0.001). Mean postoperative serum osteocalcin levels were higher for the study group (67.82 ± 8.89) compared with the control group (57.69 ± 6.22; p = 0.029). Bone healing at 12 weeks postoperatively was level 4 for 28.6% of patients in the study group and level 3 for 71.4%. In comparison, 85.7% in the control group demonstrated level 3 healing, while 14.3% remained at level 2 (p = 0.462). Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that intranasal salmon calcitonin spray reduces postoperative pain and facilitates fracture healing, although its economic efficiency is still to be proven.     

Effect of the cross-linking agent and drying method on encapsulation efficiency of orange essential oil by complex coacervation using whey protein isolate with different polysaccharides

Orange essential oil was microencapsulated by complex coacervation with whey protein isolate (WPI): carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), WPI:sodium alginate (SA) and WPI:chitosan (CH). Effect of pH, protein:polysaccharide ratio and solid concentration on coacervation efficiency were selected for the best coacervation conditions. Tannic acid (TA), sodium tripolyphosphate, oxidised tannic acid and transglutaminase enzyme (TG) were used as cross-linking agents. Highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) for wet coacervated microcapsules ranged from 88% to 94%. Microcapsules were freeze and spray dried to evaluate their effect on its integrity. EE was higher than 80% in freeze dried coacervated microcapsules with and without cross-linking agent, but they formed a solid cake. Spray-dried samples formed a free fluid solid (10–20?µm), where the systems WPI:CMC and WPI:CH cross-linked with TA and TG, respectively showed the highest EE (47% and 50% respectively), representing 400% improvement compared to the samples without cross-linking.     

Evaluation of Spironolactone Solid Dispersions Prepared by Co-Spray Drying With Soluplus® and Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Influence of Tableting on Drug Release

Solid dispersions of spironolactone with Soluplus^® and polyvinylpyrrolidone were prepared by spray drying according to a mixture experimental design and evaluated for moisture content, particle size, drug solubility, crystallinity (powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry), and physicochemical interactions (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman). In vitro dissolution was evaluated for the spray dried product itself and after compression into tablets, and prediction models were derived using multiple linear regression analysis. The spray dried products consisted of amorphous drug, indicated by the absence of crystalline powder X-ray diffraction peaks. Amorphization and interactions impacted changes in the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra in the ranges 2900-3000 cm^?1 (C-H) and 1600-1800 cm^?1 (C=O) and caused merging at 1690 cm^?1 (C=O of lactone) and 1670 cm^?1 (C=O of thioacetyl group). In the Raman spectra, amorphization and interactions resulted in disappearance of peak at 1690 cm^?1 (C=O) and merging of peaks at 582 and 600 cm^?1 (C-S). Hydrogen bonding between the thioacetyl group of the drug with the hydroxyl groups of Soluplus^® caused marked suppression of the peak at 1190 cm^?1 (R-C(=O)-S vibration). Amorphization and interactions resulted in improved solubility and dissolution which was greatest for drug/Soluplus^® ratio 1:4 and was also demonstrated in the corresponding tablets.     

Cefquinome-loaded microsphere formulations against Klebsiella pneumonia infection during experimental infections

The aim of this study was to prepare cefquinome-loaded polylactic acid microspheres and to evaluate their in vitro and in vivo characteristics and pharmacodynamics for the therapy of pneumonia in a rat model. Microspheres were prepared using a 0.7?mm two-fluid nozzle spray drier in one step resulting in spherical and smooth microspheres of uniform size (9.8?±?3.6?μm). The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of cefquinome were 91.6?±?2.6% and 18.7?±?1.2%, respectively. In vitro release of cefquinome from the microspheres was sustained for 36?h. Cefquinome-loaded polylactic acid microspheres as a drug delivery system was successful for clearing experimental Klebsiella pneumonia lung infections. A decrease in inflammatory cells and an inhibition of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 after microspheres treatment was found. Changes in cytokine levels and types are secondary manifestations of drug bactericidal effects. Rats were considered to be microbiologically cured because the bacterial load was less than 100 CFU/g. These results also indicated that the spray-drying method of loading therapeutic drug into polylactic acid microspheres is a straightforward and safe method for lung-targeting therapy in animals.     

几种有效消毒方法对藻酸盐印模精度的影响

目的：比较几种有效的消毒方法对藻酸盐印模精度的影响，以寻求适合临床的消毒方法。方法：制作一个标准下颌牙列金属母模。采用3种有效的消毒方法（1500mg／L的NaClO消毒液浸泡消毒，1500mg／L的NaClO消毒液喷涂消毒及2％戊二醛消毒液浸泡消毒），分别按起效作用时间、起效作用时间延长10min和延长20min共分为9个实验组，每组均制备10个藻酸盐印模进行消毒处理后灌制模型，另外制取10个未消毒的藻酸盐印模作为对照组，用测量显微镜测量模型各标志点的距离，所得数据进行统计分析。结果：①1500mg／L的NaClO消毒液浸泡消毒10～30min对印模精度无明显影响。②1500mg／L的NaClO消毒液喷涂消毒藻酸盐印模45min时，出现统计意义显著的形变（P〈0．05）。③2％戊二醛消毒液浸泡处理50min、60min时，印模出现统计学意义显著的形变（P〈0．05）。结论：不影响藻酸盐印模精度的消毒方法为：1500mg／L的NaClO消毒液浸泡消毒10～30min，1500mg／L的NaClO消毒液喷涂消毒25～35min，2％戊二醛消毒液浸泡处理40min。     

Bone reaction adjacent to microplasma-sprayed calcium phosphate-coated oral implants subjected to an occlusal load, an experimental study in the dog

Background: A new microplasma spraying equipment (MSE) to deposit calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramic coatings onto titanium substrates has been developed. With this system, it is possible to spray fine particles and to apply textured hydroxylapatite coatings onto titanium surfaces. Moreover, due to the low heat power of the microplasma jet, overheating of the powder particles as well as excessive local overheating of the substrate are diminished. Furthermore, because of the small laminar plasma jet, it is possible to achieve high spray efficiency in the case of spraying for dental implants. Also, the low level of noise (25–50 dB) and hardly any dust makes it possible to operate MSE under conditions of normal workrooms. Objective: The aim was to investigate, in a mandibular dog model, the effect of functional load on soft‐tissue adaptation as well as crestal bone‐level changes around titanium implants provided with newly developed microplasma‐sprayed CaP coatings. Material and methods: For histomorphometrical evaluation, 56 screw‐type titanium implants were inserted into the mandibles of seven adult Beagle dogs. The implants were either acid etched without an additional coating, coated with a conventionally plasma‐sprayed CaP ceramic (PS), coated with a microplasma‐sprayed CaP ceramic (MPS) or with a microplasma‐sprayed coating at only the apical part (aMPS). To assess the effect of occlusal loading, a split‐mouth design was used. Six weeks after implantation, the implants in one half of the mandible of each dog were functionally loaded whereas the contra lateral implants served as control. One year after loading, the animals were sacrificed. Soft‐tissue dimension as well as marginal bone level were histologically assessed. Results: Histometric analysis of undecalcified histologic sections included the evaluation of the sulcus depth, the dimension of the junctional epithelium and the connective tissue as well as the first bone‐to‐implant contact. For MPS‐surfaced implants, functional loading was associated with – compared with the non‐loaded state – unchanged soft‐tissue dimension. Furthermore, the soft‐tissue dimension did not differ from the dimensions around non‐coated, PS and aMPS implants. Moreover, the first bone‐to‐implant contact was not significantly altered by functional loading and comparable non‐coated, PS and aMPS implants. Conclusion: Within the limits of the experiment, we conclude that, in comparison, functional loading does not affect the marginal soft‐tissue response to MPS CaP‐coated implants. However, in comparison, functional loading might affect marginal bone response to MPS CaP‐coated implants. To cite this article:
Junker R, Manders PJD, Wolke J, Borisov Y, Braceras I, Jansen JA. Bone reaction adjacent to microplasma‐sprayed calcium phosphate‐coated oral implants subjected to occlusal load, an experimental study in the dog. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 135–142.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02025.x     

Efficacy and tolerability of nasally administered compared to parenterally administered metoclopramide in the symptomatic treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis in cancer outpatients A controlled clinical study

The clinical efficacy and tolerability of a new nasal spray formulation of metoclopramide (MTC) was evaluated in terms of its ability to prevent the nausea and vomiting induced by a moderately emetic chemotherapy (cisplatin 20 mg/m² weekly as radioenhancer+radiotherapy for a fractionated total of 60 Gy) in 12 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, stage IIIB. The first chemotherapy cycle was administered without any prophylaxis in order to identify those patients who experienced grade 2 nausea and/or vomiting. As prophylaxis during the second cycle, these patients were given MTC 20 mg i.v. at time zero, and MTC 20 mg i.m. after 4 h and 8 h; during the third cycle, they received MTC 40 mg by nasal spray 2 h before chemotherapy, followed by the same dose at 4 h and 8 h. The two prophylactic treatments (parenteral injections and nasal spray) proved to be therapeutically equivalent: complete protection, 6 and 6 patients respectively; major protection, 2 and 3 patients; minor protection, 1 and 1 patients; no protection, 3 and 2 patients. The control of nausea was satisfactory, with 7 and 9 patients respectively experiencing grade 0–1 nausea. Comparative analysis of individual responses confirmed the similar anti-emetic efficacy of the two regimens. No adverse reactions were observed at any time during the course of the study, and all 12 patients judged the acceptability of the new formulation as optimal. It can thus be concluded that the use of metoclopramide nasal spray represents an effective, safe, easily managed and low-cost therapeutic alternative for the prophylaxis and treatment of emesis induced by low-dose chemotherapy. The results of the present study could also promote a regular use of the MTC nasal spray in other fields of oncological supportive therapy.