The colon as a target for vaccination: quantification of lymphoid tissue in mouse colon prior to vaccination

Currently, most vaccines are given by injection. However, due to the inherent problems associated with injections, other routes of drug delivery are being researched, among them, the oral route. So far, research into oral vaccination has not differentiated between vaccine uptake by the different parts of the gastro-intestinal tract, such as the small and large intestine. It is likely that following oral vaccine administration, the vaccine is mostly taken up by the lymphoid tissue of the small intestine

A New Method for Producing Pharmaceutical Co-crystals: Laser Irradiation of Powder Blends

In this work, a high-power CO2 laser was used to irradiate powder blends of co-crystal formers, with the specific aim of trying to cause recrystallization to a co-crystal structure. By varying the power and raster speed of the laser, it was found that sufficient thermal energy could be imparted to the powder to cause molecular rearrangement. It was possible to form co-crystals of caffeine with oxalic acid and caffeine with malonic acid. Interestingly, it was found that, to form co-crystals successfully, the coformers needed to sublime to an appreciable extent, which indicates that the mechanism of rearrangement involves interaction and nucleation in the vapor phase. Laser irradiation thus offers a new route to creation of pharmaceutical co-crystals and a potentially rapid screen for likely co-crystal formation between coforming pairs

Sediment Distribution Based on Grain Size Analyses in Weda Bay, Northern Maluku

An integrated study of sediment distribution was conducted in Weda Bay, Northern Maluku to provide general information on transportation and deposition process based on sediment grain size distribution. The study was conducted during the Weda Bay Expedition using the “Baruna Jaya VII” research vessel in March 13th –22th 2013. Sieving method (granulometric) was used to analyze the grain size. The results indicated that in general the pattern of sea floor sediment distribution was dominated by clay – sand grain-sized. The current speed influenced the sediment transport, deposition, and distribution. Larger fractions of sediment were quickly settled on the sea floor due to stronger currents around Southern area (Widi islands), meanwhile the lesser fractions of the transported away into other places with weaker currents conditions

Sediment Distribution Based on Grain Size Analyses in Weda Bay, Northern Maluku

An integrated study of sediment distribution was conducted in Weda Bay, Northern Maluku to provide general information on transportation and deposition process based on sediment grain size distribution. The study was conducted during the Weda Bay Expedition using the “Baruna Jaya VII” research vessel in March 13th –22th 2013. Sieving method (granulometric) was used to analyze the grain size. The results indicated that in general the pattern of sea floor sediment distribution was dominated by clay – sand grain-sized. The current speed influenced the sediment transport, deposition, and distribution. Larger fractions of sediment were quickly settled on the sea floor due to stronger currents around Southern area (Widi islands), meanwhile the lesser fractions of the transported away into other places with weaker currents conditions

In vivo evaluation of pH-sensitive polymeric microparticles for site specific drug delivery to the small intestine and colon

A novel emulsification/solvent evaporation process was developed to formulate prednisolone-loaded Eudragit L and S microparticles as drug delivery vehicles to target different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Microparticles were characterised in vitro and in vivo. This is the first report of drug absorption form orally administered Eudragit L and S microparticles

The Milky Way: Paediatric milk-based dispersible tablets prepared by direct compression - a proof-of-concept study

Objectives: Dispersible tabletsare proposed by the World Health Organisation as the preferred paediatric formulation. It was hypothesised that tablets made from a powdered milk-base that disperse in water to form suspensions resembling milk might be a useful platform to improve acceptability in children. Methods: Milk-based dispersible tablets containing various types of powdered milk and infant formulae were formulated. The influence of milk type and content on placebo tablet properties was investigated using a design-of-experiments approach. Responses measured included friability, crushing strength, and disintegration time. Additionally, the influence of compression force on the tablet properties of a model formulation was studied by compaction simulation. Key findings: Disintegration times increased as milk content increased. Compaction simulation studies showed that compression force influenced disintegration time. These results suggest that the milk content, rather than type, and compression force were the most important determinants of disintegration. Conclusion: Up to 30% milk could be incorporated to produce 200 mg 10 mm flat-faced placebo tablets by direct compression disintegrating within 3 minutes in 5-10 ml of water, which is a realistic administration volume in children. The platform could accommodate 30% of a model API (caffeine citrate)

Stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printing of oral modified-release dosage forms.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of stereolithography (SLA) to fabricate drug-loaded tablets with modified-release characteristics. The SLA printer creates solid objects by using a laser beam to photopolymerise monomers. In this work polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) was used as a monomer and diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide was used as a photo-initiator. 4-aminosalicylic acid (4-ASA) and paracetamol (acetaminophen) were selected as model drugs. Tablets were successfully printed and formulations with different properties were fabricated by adding polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG 300) to the printing solution. The loading of paracetamol and 4-ASA in the printed tablets was 5.69% and 5.40% respectively. In a realistic dynamic dissolution simulation of the gastrointestinal tract, drug release from the tablets was dependent on the composition of the formulations, but independent of dissolution pH. In conclusion SLA 3DP technology allows the manufacture of drug loaded tablets with specific extended-release profiles. In the future this technology could become a manufacturing technology for the elaboration of oral dosage forms, for industrial production or even for personalised dose