The use of nanomaterials as drug delivery systems and anticancer agents in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer: an updated review (year 2005 to date).

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterised by the lack or low expression of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 receptors. TNBC has a high recurrence rate, swiftly metastasizes, and has a high mortality rate. Subsequently, the increase in cases of TNBC has signaled the need for treatment strategies with improved drug delivery systems. New diagnostic approaches, chemical entities, formulations particular those in the nanometric range have emerged after extensive scientific research as alternative strategies for TNBC treatment. As compared to contemporary cancer therapy, nanoparticles offer peculiar tunable features namely small size, shape, electrical charge, magnetic and fluorescent properties. Specifically in targeted drug delivery, nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be highly efficient in encapsulating, functionalization, and conjugation. Presently, nanoparticles have ignited and transformed the approach in photodynamic therapy, bioimaging, use of theranostics and precision medicine delivery in breast cancer. Correspondingly, recent years have witnessed a drastic rise in literature pertaining to treatment of TNBC using nanomaterials. Subsequently, this manuscript aims to present a state-of-the-art of nanomaterials advance on TNBC treatment; the ubiquitous utility use of nanomaterials such as liposomes, dendrimers, solid lipid nanomaterials, gold nanomaterials and quantum dots as anticancer agents and drug delivery systems in TNBC.

Developments in radionanotheranostic strategies for precision diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed urological cancer among men worldwide. Conventional methods used for diagnosis of PCa have several pitfalls which include lack of sensitivity and specificity. On the other hand, traditional treatment of PCa poses challenges such as long-term side effects and the development of multidrug resistance (MDR). MAIN BODY: Hence, there is a need for novel PCa agents with the potential to lessen the burden of these adverse effects on patients. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to support both early diagnosis and effective treatment of tumours by ensuring precise delivery of the drug to the targeted site of the disease. Most cancer-related biological processes occur on the nanoscale hence application of nanotechnology has been greatly appreciated and implemented in the management and therapeutics of cancer. Nuclear medicine plays a significant role in the non-invasive diagnosis and treatment of PCa using appropriate radiopharmaceuticals. This review aims to explore the different radiolabelled nanomaterials to enhance the specific delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents to cancer cells. Thereafter, the review appraises the advantages and disadvantages of these modalities and then discusses and outlines the benefits of radiolabelled nanomaterials in targeting cancerous prostatic tumours. Moreover, the nanoradiotheranostic approaches currently developed for PCa are discussed and finally the prospects of combining radiopharmaceuticals with nanotechnology in improving PCa outcomes will be highlighted. CONCLUSION: Nanomaterials have great potential, but safety and biocompatibility issues remain. Notwithstanding, the combination of nanomaterials with radiotherapeutics may improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

From lab to industrial development of lipid nanocarriers using quality by design approach.

Lipid nanocarriers have attracted a great deal of interest in the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Despite their many advantages, compliance with quality standards and reproducibility requirements still constrain their industrial production. The relatively high failure rate in lipid nanocarrier research and development can be attributed to immature bottom-up manufacturing practices, leading to suboptimal control of quality attributes. Recently, the pharmaceutical industry has moved toward quality-driven manufacturing, emphasizing the integration of product and process development through the principles of quality by design. Quality by design in the pharmaceutical industry involves a thorough understanding of the quality profile of the target product and involves an assessment of potential risks during the design and development phases of pharmaceutical dosage forms. By identifying essential quality characteristics, such as the active ingredients, excipients and manufacturing processes used during research and development, it becomes possible to effectively control these aspects throughout the life cycle of the drug. Successful commercialization of lipid nanocarriers can be achieved if large-scale challenges are addressed using the QbD approach. QbD has become an essential tool because of its advantages in improving processes and product quality. The application of the QbD approach to the development of lipid nanocarriers can provide comprehensive and remarkable knowledge enabling the manufacture of high-quality products with a high degree of regulatory flexibility. This article reviews the basic considerations of QbD and its application in the laboratory and large-scale development of lipid nanocarriers. Furthermore, it provides forward-looking guidance for the industrial production of lipid nanocarriers using the QbD approach.

Development of bedaquiline nanoemulsions intended for paediatric multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: excipient selection and preformulation studies.

Preformulation investigations into the development of drug formulations, encompassing considerations related to the structure of the drug, excipients, composition, and physical attributes are crucial. This phase is pivotal in ensuring the ultimate success of nanoemulsion development. The objective of this study was to evaluate and define the properties of bedaquiline (BDQ) and the necessary excipients for the formulation of self-emulsifying BDQ-loaded nanoemulsions. To determine the saturation solubility of BDQ in various oils, an in-house validated HPLC method was used. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was utilised to identify and evaluate the compatibility between BDQ and the selected excipients. The water titration method was used to construct phase diagrams to identify the type of structure that resulted following emulsification and to characterise the behaviour of mixtures along dilution paths. The solubility studies revealed that BDQ exhibited the highest solubility in olive oil, with a solubility of 3.45 ± 0.041 mg/ml. The design space led to the formation of emulsions categorised as Winsor products. Importantly, the FTIR data indicated the absence of any potential interactions between BDQ and the chosen excipients. The preformulation studies were successful and facilitated the selection of compatible and suitable excipients for the formulation of BDQ-loaded nanoemulsions.

The Utilization of Plant-Material-Loaded Vesicular Drug Delivery Systems in the Management of Pulmonary Diseases.

Medicinal plants have been utilized to treat a variety of conditions on account of the bioactive properties that they contain. Most bioactive constituents from plants are of limited effectiveness, due to poor solubility, limited permeability, first-pass metabolism, efflux transporters, chemical instability, and food-drug interactions However, when combined with vesicular drug delivery systems (VDDS), herbal medicines can be delivered at a predetermined rate and can exhibit site-specific action. Vesicular drug delivery systems are novel pharmaceutical formulations that make use of vesicles as a means of encapsulating and transporting drugs to various locations within the body; they are a cutting-edge method of medication delivery that combats the drawbacks of conventional drug delivery methods. Drug delivery systems offer promising strategies to overcome the bioavailability limitations of bioactive phytochemicals. By improving their solubility, protecting them from degradation, enabling targeted delivery, and facilitating controlled release, drug delivery systems can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of phytochemicals and unlock their full potential in various health conditions. This review explores and collates the application of plant-based VDDS with the potential to exhibit protective effects against lung function loss in the interest of innovative and effective treatment and management of respiratory illnesses.

Exploring novel strategies to improve anti-tumour efficiency: The potential for targeting reactive oxygen species.

The cellular milieu in which malignant growths or cancer stem cells reside is known as the tumour microenvironment (TME). It is the consequence of the interactivity amongst malignant and non-malignant cells and directly affects cancer development and progression. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules that contain oxygen, they are generated because of numerous endogenous and external factors. Endogenous ROS produced from mitochondria is known to significantly increase intracellular oxidative stress. In addition to playing a key role in several biological processes both in healthy and malignant cells, ROS function as secondary messengers in cell signalling. At low to moderate concentrations, ROS serves as signalling transducers to promote cancer cell motility, invasion, angiogenesis, and treatment resistance. At high concentrations, ROS can induce oxidative stress, leading to DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. These effects can result in cell death or trigger signalling pathways that lead to apoptosis. The creation of innovative therapies and cancer management techniques has been aided by a thorough understanding of the TME. At present, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, occasionally in combination, are the most often used methods for tumour treatment. The current challenge that these therapies face is the lack of spatiotemporal application specifically at the lesion which results in toxic effects on healthy cells associated with off-target drug delivery and undesirably high doses. Nanotechnology can be used to specifically deliver various chemicals via nanocarriers to target tumour cells, thereby increasing the accumulation of ROS-inducing agents at the site of the tumour. Nanoparticles can be engineered to release ROS-inducing agents in a controlled manner to the TME that will in turn react with the ROS to either increase or decrease it, thereby improving antitumour efficiency. Nano-delivery systems such as liposomes, nanocapsules, solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers were explored for the up/down-regulation of ROS. This review will discuss the use of nanotechnology in targeting and altering the ROS in the TME.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among adolescents and youths: Findings and implications for future vaccination programmes.

Adolescents and youths are a key part of the population that needs to be protected against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This is because they are more likely to spread the virus to vulnerable individuals. In view of these concerns, this study investigated the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among adolescents and youths attending secondary schools in Zambia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1500 school-going adolescents in Lusaka from September 2022 to November 2022. Overall, 1409 participants took part giving a response rate of 94%. Only 29.2% (n = 411) of the participants were vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of the study. Compared to their unvaccinated counterparts, vaccinated adolescents and youths scored higher for knowledge (66.2% vs 57.8%) and attitudes (76.7% vs 39.4%) regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Healthcare workers, family/friends and social media were key sources of information regarding the vaccine. Factors associated with increased vaccine uptake were positive attitudes (AOR = 33.62, 95% CI: 19.92-56.73), indicating it was stressful to follow COVID-19 preventive measures (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.99), participants in Grade 12 (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.94-5.91), Grade 11 (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.94-5.91), Grade 10 (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.98-6.11) and Grade 9 (AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.74-5.32) compared to Grade 8. This study found a relatively low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents and youths in Zambia. There is a need to provide adequate strategies to address knowledge and attitude gaps regarding COVID-19 vaccines to improve uptake and reduce future morbidity and mortality.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers in Lusaka, Zambia; Findings and Implications for the Future.

The uptake of COVID-19 vaccines is critical to address the severe consequences of the disease. Previous studies have suggested that many healthcare workers (HCWs) are hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, further enhancing hesitancy rates within countries. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy levels are currently unknown among HCWs in Zambia, which is a concern given the burden of infectious diseases in the country. Consequently, this study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among HCWs in Lusaka, Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 HCWs between August and September 2022, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Multivariable analysis was used to determine the key factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among HCWs. Of the 240 HCWs who participated, 54.2% were females. A total of 72.1% of the HCWs would accept being vaccinated, while 27.9% were hesitant. Moreover, 93.3% of HCWs had positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines, with medical doctors having the highest mean attitude score (82%). Encouragingly, HCWs with positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines had reduced odds of being hesitant (AOR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01-0.11, p < 0.001). Overall, acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs in Lusaka, Zambia, was high, especially by those with positive attitudes. However, the current hesitancy among some HCWs is a concern. Consequently, there is a need to address this and encourage HCWs to fully promote vaccination programs going forward.

Antimicrobial Stewardship for Outpatients with Chronic Bone and Joint Infections in the Orthopaedic Clinic of an Academic Tertiary Hospital, South Africa.

Bone and joint infections are associated with prolonged hospitalizations, high morbidity and complexity of care. They are difficult to treat, and successful therapy requires organism-specific antimicrobial therapy at high doses for a prolonged duration as recommended in standard treatment guidelines (STGs). Adherence to the treatment plan is equally important, which is enhanced with knowledge of the condition as well as appropriate antibiotics. Consequently, the aim of this study was to provide antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) services to outpatients with chronic bone and joint infections presenting to the orthopaedic clinic at a public South African tertiary hospital. A total of 44 patients participated in this study. Chronic osteomyelitis was diagnosed in 39 (89%) patients and septic arthritis in 5 (11%). The majority (43%) of infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%). Seventy-one antibiotics were prescribed at baseline with rifampicin prescribed the most (39%), followed by ciprofloxacin (23%). The majority (96%) of the antibiotics were not prescribed according to the South African STG; however, interventions were only needed in 31% of prescribed antibiotics (n = 71) since the STG only recommends empiric therapy directed against Staphylococcus aureus. Seventy-seven percent of the patients obtained a high self-reported adherence score at baseline. Consequently, there is a need to improve AMS in bone and joint infections to improve future care.

Current advances in nanodrug delivery systems for malaria prevention and treatment.

Malaria is a life-threatening, blood-borne disease with over two hundred million cases throughout the world and is more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa than anywhere else in the world. Over the years, several treatment agents have been developed for malaria; however, most of these active pharmaceutical ingredients exhibit poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability and may result in drug-resistant parasites, thus increasing malaria cases and eventually, deaths. Factors such as these in therapeutics have led to a better appreciation of nanomaterials. The ability of nanomaterials to function as drug carriers with a high loading capacity and targeted drug delivery, good biocompatibility, and low toxicity renders them an appealing alternative to conventional therapy. Nanomaterials such as dendrimers and liposomes have been demonstrated to be capable of enhancing the efficacy of antimalarial drugs. This review discusses the recent development of nanomaterials and their benefits in drug delivery for the potential treatment of malaria.

Exploring Nanotechnology as a Strategy to Circumvent Antimicrobial Resistance in Bone and Joint Infections.

Bone and joint infections (BJIs) are difficult to treat, necessitating antimicrobial therapy at high doses for an extended period of time, in some cases different from our local guidelines. As a consequence of the rise in antimicrobial-resistant organisms, drugs that were previously reserved for last-line defense are now being used as first line treatment, and the pill burden and adverse effects on patients are leading to nonadherence, encouraging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to these last-resort medicines. Nanodrug delivery is the field of pharmaceutical sciences and drug delivery which combines nanotechnology with chemotherapy and/or diagnostics to improve treatment and diagnostic outcomes by targeting specific cells or tissues affected. Delivery systems based on lipids, polymers, metals, and sugars have been used in an attempt to provide a way around AMR. This technology has the potential to improve drug delivery by targeting the site of infection and using the appropriate amount of antibiotics to treat BJIs caused by highly resistant organisms. This Review aims to provide an in-depth examination of various nanodrug delivery systems used to target the causative agents in BJI.

A SWOT analysis of nano co-crystals in drug delivery: present outlook and future perspectives.

The formulation of poorly soluble drugs is an intractable challenge in the field of drug design, development and delivery. This is particularly problematic for molecules that exhibit poor solubility in both organic and aqueous media. Usually, this is difficult to resolve using conventional formulation strategies and has resulted in many potential drug candidates not progressing beyond early stage development. Furthermore, some drug candidates are abandoned due to toxicity or have an undesirable biopharmaceutical profile. In many instances drug candidates do not exhibit desirable processing characteristics to be manufactured at scale. Nanocrystals and co-crystals, are progressive approaches in crystal engineering that can solve some of these limitations. While these techniques are relatively facile, they also require optimisation. Combining crystallography with nanoscience can yield nano co-crystals that feature the benefits of both fields, resulting in additive or synergistic effects to drug discovery and development. Nano co-crystals as drug delivery systems can potentially improve drug bioavailability and reduce the side-effects and pill burden of many drug candidates that require chronic dosing as part of treatment regimens. In addition, nano co-crystals are carrier-free colloidal drug delivery systems with particle sizes ranging between 100 and 1000 nm comprising a drug molecule, a co-former and a viable drug delivery strategy for poorly soluble drugs. They are simple to prepare and have broad applicability. In this article, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the use of nano co-crystals are reviewed and a concise incursion into the salient aspects of nano co-crystals is undertaken.

Antimicrobial Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections among Surgical Wards in South Africa: Findings and Implications.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are one of the most common infectious diseases requiring antibiotics. However, complications of SSTIs may lead to the overprescribing of antibiotics and to subsequent antibiotic resistance. Consequently, monitoring the prescribing alignment with the current recommendations from the South African Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) is necessary in order to improve future care. This study involved reviewing pertinent patients with SSTIs who were prescribed antimicrobials in the surgical ward of a leading South African tertiary public hospital from April to June 2021 using an adapted data collection tool. Sixty-seven patient files were reviewed. Among the patients with SSTIs, hypertension and chronic osteomyelitis were the most frequent co-morbidities at 22.4% and 13.4%, respectively. The most diagnosed SSTIs were surgical site infections (35.1%), wound site infections (23%), and major abscesses (16.2%). Blood cultures were performed on 40.3% of patients, with Staphylococcus aureus (32.7%) and Enterococcus spp. (21.2%) being the most cultured pathogens. Cefazolin was prescribed empirically for 46.3% of patients for their SSTIs. In addition, SSTIs were treated with gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, and rifampicin at 17.5%, 11.3%, and 8.8%, respectively, with treatment fully complying with STG recommendations in 55.2% of cases. Overall, the most common cause of SSTIs was Staphylococcus aureus, and empiric treatment is recommended as the initial management. Subsequently, culture sensitivities should be performed to enhance adherence to STGs and to improve future care.

Current Advances in Lipid Nanosystems Intended for Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery Applications.

Skin delivery is an exciting and challenging field. It is a promising approach for effective drug delivery due to its ease of administration, ease of handling, high flexibility, controlled release, prolonged therapeutic effect, adaptability, and many other advantages. The main associated challenge, however, is low skin permeability. The skin is a healthy barrier that serves as the body's primary defence mechanism against foreign particles. New advances in skin delivery (both topical and transdermal) depend on overcoming the challenges associated with drug molecule permeation and skin irritation. These limitations can be overcome by employing new approaches such as lipid nanosystems. Due to their advantages (such as easy scaling, low cost, and remarkable stability) these systems have attracted interest from the scientific community. However, for a successful formulation, several factors including particle size, surface charge, components, etc. have to be understood and controlled. This review provided a brief overview of the structure of the skin as well as the different pathways of nanoparticle penetration. In addition, the main factors influencing the penetration of nanoparticles have been highlighted. Applications of lipid nanosystems for dermal and transdermal delivery, as well as regulatory aspects, were critically discussed.

Iridoid Derivatives as Anticancer Agents: An Updated Review from 1970-2022.

The rise of cancer cases has coincided with the urgent need for the development of potent chemical entities and/or modification of existing commodities to improve their efficacy. Increasing evidence suggests that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, with colon cancer cases alone likely to rise exponentially by 2030. The exponential rise in cancer prevalence is largely attributable to the growing change toward a sedentary lifestyle and modern diets, which include genetically modified foods. At present, the prominent treatments for cancer are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Despite slowing cancer progression, these treatments are known to have devastating side effects that may deteriorate the health of the patient, thus, have a low risk-benefit ratio. In addition, many cancer drugs have low bioavailability, thereby limiting their therapeutic effects in cancer patients. Moreover, the drastic rise in the resistance of neoplastic cells to chemotherapeutic agents is rendering the use of some drugs ineffective, thereby signaling the need for more anticancer chemical entities. As a result, the use of natural derivatives as anticancer agents is gaining considerable attention. Iridoids have the potential to form conjugates with other anticancer, antidiabetic, antileishmanial, and antimalarial drugs, which synergistically have the potential to increase their effects. Published studies have identified the role of iridoids, which, if fully explored, may result in cheaper and less toxic alternative/adjuvant cancer drugs. The subject of this article is natural and synthetic iridoid derivatives and their potential therapeutic roles as anticancer agents.

Knowledge and practices toward COVID-19 among healthcare students: A cross-sectional study at the University of Zambia.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the disruption of physical classes for university students globally, as large gatherings fuelled the transmission of the virus. In the efforts to mitigate its transmission and return to normality, prevention measures, including vaccination, have been encouraged. Therefore, it is critical to understand the knowledge and practices of students regarding COVID-19. This study assessed the knowledge and practices toward COVID-19 among healthcare students at the University of Zambia. Materials and methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2021 to October 2021 among 478 healthcare students (pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing, biomedical, medicine, and radiography). We used a previously validated questionnaire to measure knowledge and practice. The predictors of knowledge and practices were assessed using logistic regression with robust estimation of standard errors. Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata/BE version 17.0. Results: Of the 478 respondents, 243 (50.8%) were females. A larger proportion, 175 (36.6%) were in Pharmacy training, and 156 (32.6%) were in their fifth year of study. The overall mean knowledge score of the participants was 87.9 (SD = 16.1), being higher at 89.6 (SD = 14.3) among medical students and the lowest at 86.7 (SD = 17.1) among Pharmacy students, although this was statistically non-significant (p = 0.488). The overall mean practice score was 60.0 (SD = 24.7), being significantly higher at 63.5 (23.4) among nursing, physiotherapy and environmental students compared to other students (p = 0.048). In multivariable analysis, the participant training program was non-significantly associated with knowledge and practice toward COVID-19. However, increased age (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.117) and residing in urban areas (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.07-3.01) than in rural areas were associated with higher odds of good practice toward COVID-19. Conclusion: The healthcare students generally showed good knowledge levels and poor practices toward COVID-19. Further, there was no evidence of a difference in knowledge of COVID-19 among healthcare students. These findings suggest the need for implementation strategies to be centered on improving the practices of students toward COVID-19.

Challenges faced by blind patients using chronic medication at a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Background: Difficulties faced by blind patients in using medicines are largely unknown and underexplored. This limits the ability of health providers and health policy makers to plan and provide for medicine related needs of this special group. Objectives: To describe the challenges faced by blind patients around Mankweng Hospital when taking chronic medications and to identify methods used to overcome the challenges. Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study, where questionnaires were administered to 82 blind patients, 18 years and older, and who were on chronic medications. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Majority of participants were elderly (59%) and had partial blindness (78%). Challenges faced by participants included inability to locate and identify medication (60%), missing doses (64%), inaccurate dosing and spilling medicines (33%). A staggering 68.3% of the participants did not have specific methods to overcome challenges. Conclusions: Challenges faced by the blind and visually impaired are similar across the world. However, participants are unaware of other simple, feasible methods available in the market. Current methods used by the participants to overcome the challenges encountered are minimal or caregiver dependent. Programs may be set up at clinics, hospitals and health care centers to teach the visually impaired simple and inexpensive methods to help administer medications. Contribution: Results obtained may be used to raise awareness in health care policy makers of the under-explored challenges faced by the partially blind or completely blind patients in the use of medicines.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccines among Secondary School Pupils in Zambia: Implications for Future Educational and Sensitisation Programmes.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in the closure of schools to slow the spread of the virus across populations, and the administration of vaccines to protect people from severe disease, including school children and adolescents. In Zambia, there is currently little information on the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among school-going children and adolescents despite their inclusion in the vaccination programme. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among secondary school pupils in Lusaka, Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022 to October 2022. Of the 998 participants, 646 (64.7%) were female, and 127 (12.7%) would accept to be vaccinated. Those who were willing to be vaccinated had better knowledge (68.5% vs. 56.3%) and a positive attitude (79.1% vs. 33.7%) compared to those who were hesitant. Overall, the odds of vaccine acceptance were higher among pupils who had higher knowledge scores (AOR = 11.75, 95% CI: 6.51-21.2), positive attitude scores (AOR = 9.85, 95% CI: 4.35-22.2), and those who knew a friend or relative who had died from COVID-19 (AOR = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.14-5.09). The low vaccine acceptance among pupils is of public health concern, emphasising the need for heightened sensitisation programmes that promote vaccine acceptance among pupils in Zambia.

The Use of Medicinal Plant-Derived Metallic Nanoparticles in Theranostics.

In the quest to effectively diagnose and treat the diseases that afflict mankind, the development of a tool capable of simultaneous detection and treatment would provide a significant cornerstone for the survival and control of these diseases. Theranostics denotes a portmanteau of therapeutics and diagnostics which simultaneously detect and treat ailments. Research advances have initiated the advent of theranostics in modern medicine. Overall, theranostics are drug delivery systems with molecular or targeted imaging agents integrated into their structure. The application of theranostics is rising exponentially due to the urgent need for treatments that can be utilized for diagnostic imaging as an aid in precision and personalised medicine. Subsequently, the emergence of nanobiotechnology and the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) has provided one such avenue for nanoscale development and research. Of interest is the drastic rise in the use of medicinal plants in the synthesis of MNPs which have been reported to be potentially effective in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. At present, medicinal plant-derived MNPs have been cited to have broad pharmacological applications and have been studied for their potential use in the treatment and management of cancer, malaria, microbial and cardiovascular diseases. The subject of this article regards the role of medicinal plants in the synthesis of MNPs and the potential role of MNPs in the field of theranostics.

Current Advances in Nano-Based and Polymeric Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Targeting the Ocular Microenvironment: A Review and Envisaged Future Perspectives.

Optimal vision remains one of the most essential elements of the sensory system continuously threatened by many ocular pathologies. Various pharmacological agents possess the potential to effectively treat these ophthalmic conditions; however, the use and efficacy of conventional ophthalmic formulations is hindered by ocular anatomical barriers. Recent novel designs of ophthalmic drug delivery systems (DDS) using nanotechnology show promising prospects, and ophthalmic formulations based on nanotechnology are currently being investigated due to their potential to bypass these barriers to ensure successful ocular drug delivery. More recently, stimuli-responsive nano drug carriers have gained more attention based on their great potential to effectively treat and alleviate many ocular diseases. The attraction is based on their biocompatibility and biodegradability, unique secondary conformations, varying functionalities, and, especially, the stimuli-enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. This review introduces the design and fabrication of stimuli-responsive nano drug carriers, including those that are responsive to endogenous stimuli, viz., pH, reduction, reactive oxygen species, adenosine triphosphate, and enzymes or exogenous stimuli such as light, magnetic field or temperature, which are biologically related or applicable in clinical settings. Furthermore, the paper discusses the applications and prospects of these stimuli-responsive nano drug carriers that are capable of overcoming the biological barriers of ocular disease alleviation and/or treatment for in vivo administration. There remains a great need to accelerate the development of stimuli-responsive nano drug carriers for clinical transition and applications in the treatment of ocular diseases and possible extrapolation to other topical applications such as ungual or otic drug delivery.