Search Results (97)

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and often deadly disease that poses a major threat to swine production worldwide. The lack of a commercially available vaccine underscores the critical need for innovative immunization strategies to combat ASF. Methods: Six ASFV antigenic proteins (K78R, A104R, E120R, E183L, D117L, and H171R) were fused with the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 surface anchor LP3065 (LPxTG motif) to generate recombinant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NC8 (rNC8) strains. The surface expression was confirmed using immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays. Additionally, the dendritic cell-targeting peptides (DCpep) were co-expressed with each antigen protein. Mice were immunized at a dosage of 10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU) per strain per mouse via intragastric (I.G.), intranasal (I.N.), and intravenous (I.V.) routes. The bacterial mixture was heat-inactivated by boiling for 15 min to destroy viable cells while preserving antigenic structures. I.V. administration caused no hypersensitivity, confirming the method’s safety and effectiveness. Results: Following I.G. administration, rNC8-E120R, rNC8-E183L, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R induced significant levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in fecal samples, whereas rNC8-H171R and rNC8-D117L failed to induce a comparable response. Meanwhile, rNC8-D117L, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R also elicited significant levels of sIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Following I.N. immunization, rNC8-E120R, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R significantly increased sIgA levels in both fecal and BALF immunization. In contrast, I.V. immunization with heat-inactivated rNC8-K78R and rNC8-A104R induced robust serum IgG titers, whereas the remaining antigens elicited minimal or insignificant responses. Flow cytometry analysis revealed expanded CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells in mice immunized via the I.N. and I.G. and CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells only in those immunized via the I.N. route. Th1 responses were also significant in the sera of mice immunized via the I.G. and I.N. routes. Conclusions: The rNC8 multiple-antigen cocktail elicited strong systemic and mucosal immune responses, providing a solid foundation for the development of a probiotic-based vaccine against ASF. Full article

Donepezil (DPZ) is an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) drug that promotes cholinergic neurotransmission and exhibits excellent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) selectivity. The current oral formulations of DPZ demonstrate decreased bioavailability, attributed to limited drug permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In order to overcome these limitations, various dosage forms aimed at delivering DPZ have been explored. This discussion will focus on the nose-to-brain (N2B) delivery system, which represents the most promising approach for brain drug delivery. Intranasal (IN) drug delivery is a suitable system for directly delivering drugs to the brain, as it bypasses the BBB and avoids the first-pass effect, thereby targeting the central nervous system (CNS). Currently developed formulations include lipid-based, solid particle-based, solution-based, gel-based, and film-based types, and a systematic review of the N2B research related to these formulations has been conducted. According to the in vivo results, the brain drug concentration 15 min after IN administration was more than twice as high those from other routes of administration, and the direct delivery ratio of the N2B system improved to 80.32%. The research findings collectively suggest low toxicity and high therapeutic efficacy for AD. This review examines drug formulations and delivery methods optimized for the N2B delivery of DPZ, focusing on technologies that enhance mucosal residence time and bioavailability while discussing recent advancements in the field. Full article

The fatigue resistance of cement-stabilized macadam (CSM) plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term durability of pavement structures. However, limited cementitious material (CM) content often leads to high packing voids, which significantly compromise fatigue performance. Existing studies have rarely explored the coupled mechanism between pore structure and fatigue behavior, especially in the context of solid-waste-based CMs. In this study, a cost-effective alkali-activated sludge gasification slag (ASS) was proposed as a sustainable CM substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in CSM. A dual evaluation approach combining cross-sectional image analysis and fatigue loading tests was employed to reveal the effect pathway of void structure optimization on fatigue resistance. The results showed that ASS exhibited excellent cementitious reactivity, forming highly polymerized C-A-S-H/C-S-H gels that contributed to a denser microstructure and superior mechanical performance. At a 6% binder dosage, the void ratio of ASS–CSM was reduced to 30%, 3% lower than that of OPC–CSM. The 28-day unconfined compressive strength and compressive resilient modulus reached 5.7 MPa and 1183 MPa, representing improvements of 35.7% and 4.1% compared to those of OPC. Under cyclic loading, the ASS system achieved higher energy absorption and more uniform stress distribution, effectively suppressing fatigue crack initiation and propagation. Moreover, the production cost and carbon emissions of ASS were 249.52 CNY/t and 174.51 kg CO₂e/t—reductions of 10.9% and 76.2% relative to those of OPC, respectively. These findings demonstrate that ASS not only improves fatigue performance through pore structure refinement but also offers significant economic and environmental advantages, providing a theoretical foundation for the large-scale application of solid-waste-based binders in pavement engineering. Full article

Background: Pharmaceutical compounding remains a predominantly manual process with limited innovation, particularly in non-sterile applications. This study explores the implementation of an automated compounding platform based on 3D printing to enhance precision, efficiency, and adaptability in pediatric corticosteroid formulations. Methods: Personalized hydrocortisone dosage forms were prepared in a hospital pharmacy setting using a proprietary excipient base and standardized procedures, including automated dosing and syringe heating when required. Three dosage forms—3.2 mg gel tablets, 2.8 mg water-free troches, and 1.2 mg orodispersible films (ODFs)—were selected to demonstrate the platform’s versatility and to address pediatric needs for varying strengths and dosage types. All products were prepared using a reproducible semi-solid extrusion (SSE)-based workflow with the consistent API-excipient blending and automated deposition. Results: Analytical testing confirmed that all formulations met pharmacopeial criteria for mass and content uniformity. The ODF and troche forms achieved rapid drug release, exceeding 75% within 5 min, while the gel tablet showed a slower release profile, reaching 86% by 60 min. Additionally, in-process homogeneity testing across syringe printing cycles confirmed the consistent API distribution. Conclusions: The results support the feasibility of integrating automated compounding technologies into pharmacy workflows. Such systems can improve accuracy, minimize variability, and streamline the production of customized pediatric medications, particularly for drugs with poor palatability or narrow therapeutic windows. Overall, this study highlights the potential of automation to modernize non-sterile compounding, and to better support individualized therapy. Full article

Improving the manufacturability of drug formulations via direct compression has been of great interest for the pharmaceutical industry. Selecting excipients plays a vital role in obtaining a high-quality product without the wet granulation processing step. In particular, for diluents which are usually present in a larger amount in a formulation, choosing the correct one is of utmost importance in the production of tablets via any method. In this work, we assessed the possibility of manufacturing a small-molecule drug product, omeprazole, which has been historically manufactured via a multi-step processes such as wet granulation and multiple-unit pellet system (MUPS). For this purpose, four prototypes were developed using several diluents: a co-processed excipient (Microcelac^®), two granulated forms of alpha-lactose monohydrate (Tablettose^® 70 and Tabletose^® 100), and a preparation of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel^® PH102) and lactose (DuraLac^® H), both of which are common excipients without any enhancement. The tablets were produced using a single punch tablet press and thoroughly characterized physically and chemically in order to assess their functionality and adherence to drug product specifications. The direct compression process was used for the manufacturing of all proposed formulations, and the prototype formulated using Microcelac^® showed the best results and performance during the compression process. In addition, it remained stable over twelve months under 25 °C/60% RH conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rivaroxaban, an oral anticoagulant, shows poor aqueous solubility, posing significant challenges to its bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency. The present study investigates the improvement of rivaroxaban’s solubility through the formation of different inclusion complexes with three cyclodextrin derivatives, such as β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD), and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) prepared by lyophilization in order to stabilize the complexes and improve dissolution characteristics of rivaroxaban. Methods: The physicochemical properties of the individual compounds and the three lyophilized complexes were analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results: FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of non-covalent interactions between rivaroxaban and the cyclodextrins, suggesting successful encapsulation into cyclodextrin cavity. SEM images revealed a significant morphological transformation from the crystalline structure of pure rivaroxaban and cyclodextrins morphologies to a more porous and amorphous matrix in all lyophilized complexes. XRD patterns indicated a noticeable reduction in drug crystallinity, supporting enhanced potential of the drug solubility. TGA analysis demonstrated improved thermal stability in the inclusion complexes compared to the individual drug and cyclodextrins. Pharmacotechnical evaluation revealed that the obtained formulations (by comparison with physical mixtures formulations) possessed favorable bulk and tapped density values, suitable compressibility index, and good flow properties, making all suitable for direct compression into solid dosage forms. Conclusions: The improved cyclodextrins formulation characteristics, combined with enhanced dissolution profiles of rivaroxaban comparable to commercial Xarelto^® 10 mg, highlight the potential of both cyclodextrin inclusion and lyophilization technique as synergistic strategies for enhancing the solubility and drug release of rivaroxaban. Full article

The synergistic mechanism between alkali activation and carbonation in fly ash recycled aggregate concrete (FRAC) remains a critical challenge for enhancing durability and promoting solid waste utilization. This study systematically investigates the effects of CaO-based alkali activator dosages (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%) on carbonation resistance, compressive strength, and pore structure evolution. The results demonstrated 8% CaO maximized compressive strength (48.6 MPa, 10.76% higher than the control group) and minimized porosity (22.87% vs. 39.33% in untreated samples), with enhanced carbonation resistance (35% depth reduction after 28 days). Fractal dimension (FD) analysis revealed that 8% dosage optimized pore complexity (FD > 1.9), forming a dense C–S–H/AFt network that suppressed CO₂ diffusion. CaO addition introduces embodied carbon (9.84 kg CO₂/m³), and the synergy between fly ash’s cement replacement (120 kg CO₂/m³ reduction) and extended service life (theoretically, 15–20 years) ensures a net carbon benefit. These findings establish 8% as a critical threshold for optimizing alkali activation efficiency and durability in low-carbon concrete design. These findings offer theoretical and technical foundations for low-carbon concrete design and sustainable solid waste recycling in construction. Full article

A ternary geopolymer mortar (TGM) was synthesized using steel slag (SS), granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and fly ash (FA) as raw materials. The effect of the SS content (0–60%) and the GGBS/FA mass ratio (5:1 to 1:5) on the TGM’s setting time was studied. To address the issue of rapid setting, the impact of different mixing methods ((A) dry mixing, (B) pre-dissolution, and (C) pre-coating) and dosages of BaCl₂ on the setting and hardening properties of TGM was further explored. The hydration product evolution and microstructural characteristics were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), with an in-depth analysis of the retarding mechanism of BaCl₂. The results indicate that, as the steel slag content increases, the setting time of TGM significantly shortens. The setting time decreases slightly with an increase in the GGBS/FA mass ratio. The mixing method influences the retarding effect of BaCl₂, with the C method showing significant advantages over both the A and B methods. Under the C mixing method, BaCl₂ consumes the alkaline components (SiO₃²⁻) in the alkaline activator and forms a BaSiO₃ coating layer on the precursor surface, which further delays the hydration process of the precursor particles. This study provides a promising approach for the high-value utilization of multi-source solid waste and suggests that future research should focus on large-scale application strategies and long-term performance evaluation to support its practical use in sustainable construction. Full article

Skin infections are common in veterinary practice and are often treated with topical agents. Superficial pyoderma (superficial bacterial folliculitis) is a common cause of skin disease in dogs and a reason for treatment, most caused by Staphylococcus spp. strains. The frequent use of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains, making antimicrobial resistance (AMR) one of the most important threats to human and animal health. For this reason, active natural compounds are increasingly being explored as alternative therapies. To contribute to the development of effective treatments for bacterial infectious diseases, researchers are looking for new antimicrobial agents. Topical drug action has many advantages as it avoids systemic reactions and ensures that the active substance reaches the site of the lesion directly. This study aimed to develop gelled dosage forms with propolis extract and to evaluate their antibacterial activity and the release of the active substances. Hydrogels, oleogels, and bigels enriched with eutectic propolis extract were produced. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were chosen as an effective tool to extract the active compounds of propolis and to improve their penetration into the skin. The pH values of the semi-solid pharmaceutical forms tested ranged from 3.3 to 6.4. Using modified Franz-type diffusion cells, the release of phenolic compounds from gels, oleogels, and bigels was assessed and quantified spectrophotometrically using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The highest amount of active compounds was released from the hydrogels, while the lowest amount was released from the castor oil-based oleogel. The study used clinical and reference strains of bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of the gelled dosage forms with propolis extract was tested against six pathogenic bacterial species (S. aureus, S. agalactiae, B. cereus, E. faecalis, E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa) and one pathogenic fungus (C. albicans). The study’s results suggest that the propolis extract obtained by DES has significant antibacterial activity and is a promising component in skin formulations for the treatment of bacterial infections. Full article

This study aims to enhance the sustainable utilization of electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), an industrial solid waste rich in sulfates and pollutants, by modifying it with appropriate proportions of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and carbide slag (CS) and evaluating its potential as a cement retarder. The influence of both the GBFS/CS ratio and the dosage of modified EMR on the performance of cement mortar was systematically investigated, focusing on workability, mechanical properties, hydration behavior, leaching toxicity, and carbon emissions. Results showed that GBFS and CS significantly reduced pollutant concentrations in EMR while improving gypsum crystallinity. Modified EMR exhibited retarding properties, extending the initial and final setting times of cement mortar from 98 min and 226 min to 169 min and 298 min. With an 8 wt.% dosage, the 28-day compressive strength reached 58.76 MPa, a 1.3-fold increase compared to cement mortar (45.21 MPa). The content of reactive SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Ca(OH)₂, and CaSO₄·2H₂O promoted secondary hydration of cement and generated significant ettringite (AFt) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gels, forming a dense microstructure. Pollutants in the modified EMR-cement mortar were reduced through precipitation, substitution, and encapsulation, meeting leaching toxicity standards. This study highlights the feasibility and environmental benefits of employing modified EMR as a cement retarder, demonstrating its potential in sustainable building materials. Full article

To address the limitations in determining the amount of activator and optimizing the mix proportion during the preparation of bauxite tailings (BX)-based alkali-activated materials (AAMs), as well as the insufficient research on the interactions of multiple factors, this study aims to synthesize and optimize composite cementitious materials with BX and granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as precursors via response surface methodology and central composite design (RSM-CCD). The optimal alkali activator proportion and slag content for alkali-activated, bauxite tailing, powder slag cementitious materials were investigated. A series of tests, including XRD, FTIR, TG-DSC, and SEM–EDS, were used for analysis to further investigate the effects of the alkali activator dosage on the mechanical properties and the influence of the slag content on the hydration products and microstructure. The results show that the optimal composition of alkali-activated bauxite tailings-based cementitious material is 35% slag content, 4% alkali content, a water glass modulus of 1.3, and a water–solid ratio of 0.32. The relationship model between the activator parameters and compressive strength fits well, with model determination coefficients of 0.9803 for f_3c and 0.9789 for f_28c. The identified hydration products were mainly C-S-H and C-(N)-A-S-H gels in the form of SiQ₃ and SiQ₄ tetrahedra. The SEM–EDS results show that the incorporation of slag changes the silicon–aluminum ratio of the system, promoting an increase in the content of hydration products and increasing the complexity and density of the structure. GGBFS also has a micro-aggregate filling effect and a nucleation effect, which improve the distribution of hydration products. This study demonstrates the significant potential of BX in the preparation of cementitious materials, which contributes to the sustainable development of the construction industry. Full article

The solubility behavior of drugs is a critical factor in formulation development. Approximately 40–45% of new drugs face market entry challenges due to low water solubility. Enhancing drug bioavailability is thus essential in developing pharmaceutical dosage forms. Many biopharmaceutical class II and IV drugs are commonly prescribed to treat inflammations, infections, and pain from various pathologies. Their oral administration has several drawbacks, including significant first-pass liver effects, low bioavailability, and adverse gastrointestinal effects. Topical application has gained relevance due to its advantages in delivering drugs directly to the target site, avoiding gastrointestinal irritation, and increasing their effectiveness. However, topical hydrogel formulations with poorly water-soluble drugs face challenges related to the skin’s permeability. Therefore, preparing topical hydrogels using solid dispersions (SDs) is an effective strategy to enhance the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs, thereby improving their topical bioavailability. In this review, the concepts of SDs, topical delivery systems, and topical hydrogel formulations incorporating SDs, as well as their preparation methods, characterization, and applications, will be discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tablet is the most popular oral solid dosage form, and high-shear wet granulation and tableting (HSWGT) is a versatile technique for manufacturing tablets. The conventional pharmaceutical development for HSWGT is carried out in a step-by-step mode, which is inefficient and may result in local optimal solutions. Inspired by the co-design philosophy, a formulation–process–product integrated design (FPPID) framework is innovatively brought forward to enable the target-oriented and simultaneous exploration of the formulation design space and the process design space. Methods: A combination of strategies, such as a material library, model-driven design (MDD), and simulation-supported solution generation, are used to manage the complexity of the multi-step development processes of HSWGT. The process model was developed at the intermediate level by incorporating dimensionless parameters from the wet granulation regime map approach into the process of the partial least square (PLS) model. The tablets tensile strength (TS) and solid fraction (SF) could be predicted from the starting materials’ properties and process parameters. The material library was used to diversify the model input and improve the model’s generalization ability. Furtherly, the mixture properties calculation model and the process model were interconnected. Results: A four-step FPPID methodology including the target definition, the formulation simulation, the process simulation, and the solution generation was implemented. The performance of FPPID was demonstrated through the efficient development of high-drug-loading tablets. Conclusions: As a holistic design method, the proposed FPPID offers great opportunity for designers to handle the complex interplay in the sequential development stages, facilitate instant decisions, and accelerate product development. Full article

Three-dimensional printing is promising in the pharmaceutical industry for personalized medicine, on-demand production, tailored drug loading, etc. Pressure-assisted microsyringe (PAM) printing is popular due to its low cost, simple operation, and compatibility with heat-sensitive drugs but is limited by ink formulations lacking the essential characteristics, impacting their performance. This study evaluates inks based on sodium alginate (SA), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC H), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K100 and K4) for PAM 3D printing by analyzing their rheology. The formulations included the model drug Fenofibrate, functional excipients (e.g., mannitol, polyethylene glycol, etc.), and water or water–ethanol mixtures. Pills and thin films as an oral dosage were printed using a 410 μm nozzle, a 10 mm/s speed, a 50% infill density, and a 60 kPa pressure. Among the various formulated inks, only the ink containing 0.8% SA achieved successful prints with the desired shape fidelity, linked to its rheological properties, which were assessed using flow, amplitude sweep, and thixotropy tests. This study concludes that (i) an ink’s rheological properties—viscosity, shear thinning, viscoelasticity, modulus, flow point, recovery, etc.—have to be considered to determine whether it will print well; (ii) printability is independent of the dosage form; and (iii) the optimal inks are viscoelastic solids with specific rheological traits. This research provides insights for developing polymer-based inks for effective PAM 3D printing in pharmaceuticals. Full article

Raw protein materials are beneficial for human health, so they are being increasingly used in health foods. In recent years, there has been more and more research on and applications of raw protein materials, but few teams have conducted a detailed review of the application status of raw protein materials in China’s health foods, the basis for their compliance and use, and the research on their health care functions. Therefore, this review evaluates the application of animal and plant proteins in China’s health foods, the impact of animal and plant proteins on human health, and future research recommendations for animal and plant proteins. This review analyzes and discusses the data on approved health foods that have been verified to contain raw protein materials (mainly including the number of protein health foods approved over the years, the classification of raw protein materials and types of relevant regulations, the analysis of the frequency of use of raw protein materials, and the functions of approved health foods). Through this process, the application of raw protein materials in health foods in China is systematically reviewed. In short, through data analysis, this study found that in 1996~2024, a total of 1142 health foods containing raw protein materials were approved in China, which are mainly divided into animal proteins, vegetable proteins, microbial proteins, and peptide raw materials, and peptide raw materials comprise the majority. The compliance applications of these ingredients are mainly related to China’s five categories of food regulations. The results show the following for health foods containing raw protein materials: in terms of the dosage form, they are mainly solid preparations; according to their functional claims, they mainly help to enhance immunity, help improve bone density, help improve skin moisture, and relieve physical fatigue; and in the application of raw materials, it is found that the use of raw materials such as casein phosphopeptide, soybean protein isolate, whey protein, collagen, spirulina, and other raw materials in products is relatively high. Finally, based on these studies, this paper discusses suggestions for raw protein materials in the future development of health food in China and also discusses the limitations of the current research in this review. Full article