Capped flexosomes for prominent anti-inflammatory activity: development, optimization, and ex vivo and in vivo assessments.

This study aimed to formulate diacerein (DCN)-loaded flexosomes for enhanced efficacy against osteoarthritis. A 23 D-optimal design was employed, investigating the impact of surfactant type (A), surfactant concentration (%w/v) (B), and oleylamine amount (mg) (C). Flexosomes were formulated using a rotary evaporator, and Design-Expert® software was utilized to statistically analyze entrapment efficiency (EE%), zeta potential (ZP), poly-dispersity index (PDI), and particle size (PS) to determine the optimum formula. The selection criteria prioritized increased ZP (as absolute value) and EE%, coupled with decreased PDI and PS. Rigorous physicochemical, in vivo, and ex vivo tests were conducted to validate the safety, stability, and activity of the optimal formula. Physicochemical assessments encompassed pH measurement, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, release profiles, storage effects, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vivo tests included permeation studies, histopathology, anti-inflammatory activity, and skin irritancy, while ex vivo tests focused on permeation parameters and skin deposition. The optimum formula demonstrated high desirability (0.931), along with favorable EE% (90.93%), ZP (- 40.4 mV), particle size (188.55 nm), and sustained behavior. Notably, improved in vivo permeation (132 µm), skin deposition (193.43 µg/cm2), and antinociceptive activity (66%) compared to DCN suspension (48 µm, 66.31 µg/cm2, and 26%, respectively) were observed. The optimal formula also exhibited excellent safety and storage characteristics. In conclusion, DCN-loaded flexosomes exhibit significant potential for effectively managing osteoarthritis.

Caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus infection in goats of Bangladesh: Serological detection and its associated risk factors.

Background and Aim: Caprine arthritis and encephalitis (CAE) is a multisystemic persistent viral disease of goat that causes significant economic losses to the farmers and livestock sector. However, no information in this country is available regarding CAE virus (CAEV) infection. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of CAEV infection among the goat population in the selected goat-prone districts in Bangladesh and to identify the associated risk factors of the disease. Materials and Methods: From July 2021 to June 2022, 446 goat serum samples were randomly collected from the study area. Goat owners were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire to determine the risk factors. A commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to screen blood serum for CAEV antibodies. Logistic regression models were used to analyze risk factors and serological data to identify the potential risk factors. Results: Out of 446 serum samples, 19 samples were seropositive against CAEV. The overall seroprevalence was 4.26% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.58-6.57). The multivariable logistic regression model identified sex (Female; odds ratio [OR]: 3.98; 95% CI: 1.13-13.95), animal age (12-48 months; OR: 4.93, 95% CI: 0.63-38.13), and biosecurity status (Poor biosecurity; OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 0.46-5.92) as potential risk factors for CAEV seropositivity. Conclusion: This study revealed the serological detection of CAEV in Bangladeshi goats where seroprevalence is found to be relatively low. To eradicate the disease, screening and culling of infected goats from the herd might be implemented.

Prevalence and identification of caprine pasteurellosis in pneumonic goats in Bangladesh.

Objective: This research aimed to assess the prevalence of caprine pasteurellosis, isolate and identify pasteurellosis (Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida) in pneumonic goats, and discover the main bacterial cause of pneumonia. Materials and Methods: One hundred and five samples (94 nasal swabs and 11 lung tissues) from goats suspected of having pneumonia were taken and transferred aseptically to the laboratory. Following the processing of the collected samples, Pasteurella spp. was isolated with the aid of plate culture methods. Biochemical characteristics were used to identify all bacterial isolates, which were then verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was also carried out to evaluate the sensitivity profiles of various antibiotics. The Pasteurella haemolytica serotype-specific antigen (PHSSA) gene was used to identify isolates of M. haemolytica, and the KMT1 gene was used to identify isolates of P. multocida. Results: From the 105 clinically suspicious samples, 51 (48.57%) were identified to be Pasteurella spp. through bacteriological testing and also by PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Of these, 47.87% (45/94) were nasal swabs, and 54.55% (6/11) were lung tissues. Among confirmed samples, 70.59% (36/51) were identified as M. haemolytica, and 29.41% (15/51) were identified as P. multocida. Resistance to tetracycline, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, gentamicin, and ceftriaxone was found in 50%-83% of the isolates. In addition, PCR identified the PHSSA and KMT1 genes from isolates of P. multocida and M. haemolytica, respectively. Conclusion: The present study revealed that M. haemolytica and P. multocida primarily caused pasteurellosis in pneumonic goats in Bangladesh. However, when treating these animals, the proper choice of antimicrobials should be made to control this disease.

Ocular Drug Delivery: a Comprehensive Review.

The human eye is a sophisticated organ with distinctive anatomy and physiology that hinders the passage of drugs into targeted ophthalmic sites. Effective topical administration is an interest of scientists for many decades. Their difficult mission is to prolong drug residence time and guarantee an appropriate ocular permeation. Several ocular obstacles oppose effective drug delivery such as precorneal, corneal, and blood-corneal barriers. Routes for ocular delivery include topical, intravitreal, intraocular, juxtascleral, subconjunctival, intracameral, and retrobulbar. More than 95% of marketed products exists in liquid state. However, other products could be in semi-solid (ointments and gels), solid state (powder, insert and lens), or mixed (in situ gel). Nowadays, attractiveness to nanotechnology-based carries is resulted from their capabilities to entrap both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, enhance ocular permeability, sustain residence time, improve drug stability, and augment bioavailability. Different in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo characterization approaches help to predict the outcomes of the constructed nanocarriers. This review aims to clarify anatomy of the eye, various ocular diseases, and obstacles to ocular delivery. Moreover, it studies the advantages and drawbacks of different ocular routes of administration and dosage forms. This review also discusses different nanostructured platforms and their characterization approaches. Strategies to enhance ocular bioavailability are also explained. Finally, recent advances in ocular delivery are described.

A comprehensive review on recent nanosystems for enhancing antifungal activity of fenticonazole nitrate from different routes of administration.

This review aims to comprehensively highlight the recent nanosystems enclosing Fenticonazole nitrate (FTN) and to compare between them regarding preparation techniques, studied factors and responses. Moreover, the optimum formulae were compared in terms of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies in order to detect the best formula. FTN is a potent antifungal imidazole compound that had been used for treatment of many dangerous fungal infections affecting eye, skin or vagina. FTN had been incorporated in various innovative nanosystems in the recent years in order to achieve significant recovery such as olaminosomes, novasomes, cerosomes, terpesomes and trans-novasomes. These nanosystems were formulated by various techniques (ethanol injection or thin film hydration) utilizing different statistical designs (Box-Behnken, central composite, full factorial and D-optimal). Different factors were studied in each nanosystem regarding its composition as surfactant concentrations, surfactant type, amount of oleic acid, cholesterol, oleylamine, ceramide, sodium deoxycholate, terpene concentration and ethanol concentration. Numerous responses were studied such as percent entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), poly-dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and in vitro drug release. Selection of the optimum formula was based on numerical optimization accomplished by Design-Expert® software taking in consideration the largest EE %, ZP (as absolute value) and in vitro drug release and lowest PS and PDI. In vitro comparisons were done employing different techniques such as Transmission electron microscopy, pH determination, effect of gamma sterilization, elasticity evaluation and docking study. In addition to, ex vivo permeation, in vivo irritancy test, histopathological, antifungal activity and Kinetic study.

Morphometric features and performances of Black Bengal goat in Bangladesh.

Black Bengal goat (BBG) is the most adaptable, widely distributed, and prominent goat breed in Bangladesh, well known in the world for its high prolificacy, low demand of feed, tolerance to harsh weather conditions, and disease resistance with remarkably good quality red meat and skin. A large number of indiscriminate research reports on BBG have been published; however, the review on the productive and reproductive performances with different physiological features of BBG in Bangladesh is scarce. This review was conducted to investigate and summarize the available research reports on BBGs to highlight the gaps and provide coherent recommendations for the future research plan for sustainable BBG production in Bangladesh. It covers research works in morphometric features, feeding and nutrition, reproduction, diseases and health management, husbandry practices, and production performances of BBG under local conditions. Due to the contemporary increased demand for animal protein (meat and milk), the scope of small ruminants, especially goat farming, increases with other large ruminants farming. The key constraints of BBG production in Bangladesh include higher disease prevalence with low or no management practices, kid mortality, inadequate feeds and fodder supply, and poor marketing channel with some other stumpy genetic potentialities (slower body weight gain, low milk production) of this goat. Future research would be required to assess the contribution of BBG to household economies and food securities throughout the year and evaluate the constraints, adaptation and extension of artificial insemination (AI), and genetic improvement of economically important traits using molecular techniques and the selective breeding program.

Pronounced capping effect of olaminosomes as nanostructured platforms in ocular candidiasis management.

The aim of this study was to formulate and boost ocular targeting of Fenticonazole Nitrate (FTN)-loaded olaminosomes in order to improve drug corneal permeation and candidiasis treatment. Olaminosomes were formulated by ethanol injection technique applying a central composite design. The independent variables were: span 80 amount (mg) (A), oleylamine concentration (mg%) (B) and oleic acid: drug ratio (C). The dependent responses were: percent entrapment efficiency (EE %), particle size (PS), poly-dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) and in vitro drug release after 10 hours (Q10h). Numerical optimization by Design-Expert® software was adopted to select the optimum formula. This formula was chosen based on highest EE %, ZP (as absolute value) and Q10h and lowest PS and PDI. The optimum formula was subjected to further in vitro characterization via Differential scanning calorimetry, Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pH determination, effect of storage, influence of terminal sterilization, detection of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration and ex vivo corneal penetration analysis. Safety and antifungal activity of the optimum formula were tested through various in vivo studies like ocular irritancy, corneal tolerance, corneal uptake and susceptibility test. The optimum formula with the maximum desirability value (0.972) revealed EE% (84.24%), PS (117.55 nm), ZP (-74.85 mV) and Q10h (91.26%) respectively. The optimum formula demonstrated ocular tolerance with enhanced corneal penetration behavior (428.66 µg/cm2) and boosted antifungal activity (56.13%) compared to FTN suspension (174.66 µg/cm2 and 30.83%). The previous results ensured the ability of olaminosomes to enhance the corneal penetration and antifungal efficacy of Fenticonazole Nitrate.

Corneal targeted fenticonazole nitrate-loaded novasomes for the management of ocular candidiasis: Preparation, in vitro characterization, ex vivo and in vivo assessments.

The purpose of this manuscript was to develop and optimize Fenticonazole Nitrate (FTN)-loaded novasomes aiming to enhance drug corneal penetration and to improve its antifungal activity. Ethanol injection was used to formulate FTN-loaded novasomes adopting a central composite design. The researched factors were: stearic acid concentration (g%) (A), span 80: drug ratio (B) and cholesterol amount (mg) (C), and their effects on percent entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), poly-dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and in vitro drug release after 8 hours (Q8h) were studied. Numerical optimization by Design-Expert® software was employed to select the optimum formula in respect to highest EE%, ZP (as absolute value), and Q8h >80% and lowest PS and PDI. Additional evaluation of the optimum formula was accomplished by short term stability study, effect of gamma sterilization, determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration and ex vivo corneal permeation study. The in vivo evaluation of the optimum formula was done to ensure its safety via in vivo ocular irritancy and in vivo corneal tolerance studies. Also, the efficacy was confirmed through in vivo corneal uptake study and susceptibility test. The optimum formula with the highest desirability value (0.738) showed EE% (94.31%), PS (197.05 nm), ZP (-66.95 mV) and Q8h (85.33%). It revealed to be safe, with augmented corneal permeation (527.98 µg/cm2) that leads to higher antifungal activity. The above results confirmed the validity of novasomes to improve the corneal permeation and antifungal activity of Fenticonazole Nitrate.

High Degradation of Methylene Blue Using a New Nanocomposite Based on Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8.

The development of broad-spectrum ultraviolet- and visible-light photocatalysts constitutes one of the most significant challenges in the field of photocatalytic pollutant removal. Here, the efficiency of the directly prepared nitrogen-doped quantum zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8-dot catalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of the methylene blue dye was reported. The prepared catalysts were characterized using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Under sunlight irradiation, the 1% nitrogen-doped quantum-ZIF-8-dot catalyst showed 75% photodegradation in half an hour and ≈93% photodegradation after 3 hours compared to ≈87% for the ZIF-8 metal-organic framework. The high performance of the 1% nitrogen-doped quantum-ZIF-8-dot catalyst was attributed to the synergism between the catalyst components, upconverted fluorescence property of nitrogen-doped quantum dots, and charge (electrons-holes) separation. The reactive radical test revealed that the hydroxyl radical was dominant. The step-scheme heterojunction mechanism for photocatalytic degradation was also deduced. The kinetic study through the photocatalytic isotherms revealed that the pseudo-first-order kinetic model can describe the reaction mechanism.

Bilosomes as Promising Nanovesicular Carriers for Improved Transdermal Delivery: Construction, in vitro Optimization, ex vivo Permeation and in vivo Evaluation.

PURPOSE: The goal of this research was to enhance the transdermal delivery of lornoxicam (LX), using nanovesicular carriers composed of the bile salt sodium deoxycholate (SDC), soybean phosphatidyl choline (SPC) and a permeation enhancer limonene. METHODS: Thin-film hydration was the technique employed for the fabrication using a Box-Behnken design with three central points. The investigated factors were SPC molar concentration, SDC amount in mg and limonene percentage (%). The studied responses were percent entrapment efficiency (%EE), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and in vitro drug release (after 2, 10 h). In order to obtain the optimum formula, numerical optimization by Design-Expert® software was used. Electing the optimized bilosomal formula was based on boosting %EE, ZP (as absolute value) and in vitro drug release, taking in consideration diminishing PS and PDI. Further assessment of the selected formula was achieved by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), stability testing, ex vivo skin permeation and deposition. The in vivo pharmacodynamics activities of the optimized formula were examined on male rats and mice and compared to that of the oral market product. RESULTS: The optimized bilosomal formula demonstrated to be nonirritant, with noticeably enhanced anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Superior in vivo permeation was proved by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). CONCLUSION: The outcomes demonstrated that bilosomes could improve transdermal delivery of lornoxicam.

Effect of complete pellet feed on commercial goat production under the stall feeding system in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the effect of complete pellet feed on animal performances in both on-station and on-farm trials conducted on growing goats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A complete pellet feed was developed with 40% roughage (rice straw) and 60% concentrate [rice polish (50%), maize crush (16%), soybean meal (20%), molasses (10%), salt (2%), Dicalcium Phosphate (1%), vitamin-mineral premix (0.5%), and pellet binder (0.5%)] for commercial goat production and the research trial was carried out on the research station and on the farmers' validation level. RESULTS: The results of the experiment on the effect of the developed complete pellet feed on goat production under stall feeding condition demonstrated that feeding complete pellet feeds helped in increasing the daily body weight gain of goats (36.96 and 52.46 gm, respectively) compared to traditional semi-intensive feeding (17.76 gm) with significantly (p < 0.05) better body condition score of goats. Feed Conversion Ratio was considerably lower (5.7) in the pellet feeding group than in the other groups where no pellet feed was used (8.32 and 8.03). Significantly (p < 0.05) lower feed price per kg weight gain was also observed in the pellet feeding group (BDT 124.22) compared to other groups (BDT 203.85 and BDT 214.74, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that complete pellet feed can be more economical for commercial goat production under the stall feeding condition, and farmers can be benefited by about 40% more compared to conventional grass, urea molasses straw, and concentrate-based feeding system.