Numerical simulation of micro-particle deposition in a realistic human upper respiratory tract model during transient breathing cycle

An more reliable human upper respiratory tract model that consisted of an oropharynx and four generations of asymmetric tracheo-bronchial (TB) airways has been constructed to investigate the micro-particle deposition pattern and mass distribution in five lobes under steady inspiratory condition in former work by Huang and Zhang (2011). In the present work, transient airflow patterns and particle deposition during both inspiratory and expiratory processes were numerically simulated in the realistic human upper respiratory tract model with 14 cartilaginous rings (CRs) in the tracheal tube. The present model was validated under steady inspiratory flow rates by comparing current results with the theoretical models and published experimental data. The transient deposition fraction was found to strongly depend on breathing flow rate and particle diameter but slightly on turbulence intensity. Particles were mainly distributed in the high axial speed zones and traveled basically following the secondary flow. “Hot spots” of deposition were found in the lower portion of mouth cavity and posterior wall of pharynx/larynx during inspiration, but transferred to upper portion of mouth and interior wall of pharynx/larynx during expiration. The deposition fraction in the trachea during expiration was found to be much higher than that during inspiration because of the stronger secondary flow.     

Dynamic Release of Riboflavin from Ethyl Cellulose Coated Barium Alginate Beads for Gastrointestinal Drug Delivery: An in vitro Study

The present work describes the dynamic release of model drug riboflavin form uncoated and ethyl cellulose coated barium alginate beads in the media of continuous varying pH at the physiological temperature 37°C. The drug release behavior has been studied in the simulating gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) for 0–2 h and then in the simulating intestinal fluid (SIF pH 6.8) for 2–48 h. In addition to the traditional dissolution test (TDT, the dynamic release has also been studied by a newly developed method, called ‘flow through diffusion cell’ (FTDC). The release profiles, obtained by using these two methods have been found to differ appreciably from each other. Moreover, the nature of the solid mass surrounding the beads in the FTDC method also influences the release behavior of beads. The uncoated beads demonstrated faster drug release of drug in the medium of lower pH (i.e., 1.2) as compared to that in the medium of pH 6.8 and the release process was found to be diffusion controlled.     

Immunogenic Potential and Therapeutic Efficacy of Multi-Epitope Encapsulated Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Mediated Urinary Tract Infections

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major concern among hospital-acquired infections. The need for an effective vaccine that reduces the infections is imperative. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a multi-epitope vaccine encapsulated in silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNPs) against P. aeruginosa-mediated UTIs. A multi-epitope is constructed from nine proteins of P. aeruginosa using immunoinformatic analysis, expressed, and purified in BL21 (DE3) cells. The encapsulation efficiency of the multi-epitope in SFNPs is 85% with a mean particle size of 130 nm and 24% of the encapsulated antigen is released after 35 days. The vaccine formulations adjuvanted with SFNPs or alum significantly improve systemic and mucosal humoral responses and the cytokine profile (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17) in mice. Additionally, the longevity of the IgG response is maintained for at least 110 days in a steady state. In a bladder challenge, mice treated with the multi-epitope admixed with alum or encapsulated in SFNPs demonstrate significant protection of the bladder and kidneys against P. aeruginosa. This study highlights the promising therapeutic potential of a multi-epitope vaccine encapsulated in SFNPs or adjuvanted with alum against P. aeruginosa infections.     

The Speaker's Formant

The current study concerns speaking voice quality in two groups of professional voice users, teachers (n = 35) and actors (n = 36), representing trained and untrained voices. The voice quality of text reading at two intensity levels was acoustically analyzed. The central concept was the speaker's formant (SPF), related to the perceptual characteristics "better normal voice quality" (BNQ) and "worse normal voice quality" (WNQ). The purpose of the current study was to get closer to the origin of the phenomenon of the SPF, and to discover the differences in spectral and formant characteristics between the two professional groups and the two voice quality groups. The acoustic analyses were long-term average spectrum (LTAS) and spectrographical measurements of formant frequencies. At very high intensities, the spectral slope was rather quandrangular without a clear SPF peak. The trained voices had a higher energy level in the SPF region compared with the untrained, significantly so in loud phonation. The SPF seemed to be related to both sufficiently strong overtones and a glottal setting, allowing for a lowering of F4 and a closeness of F3 and F4. However, the existence of SPF also in LTAS of the WNQ voices implies that more research is warranted concerning the formation of SPF, and concerning the acoustic correlates of the BNQ voices.     

Pulmonary surfactant-derived antiviral actions at the respiratory surface

Lung surfactant (LS) is a membrane-based lipid-protein complex that lines the alveoli, reducing the surface tension at the air-liquid interface and thus minimizing the work of breathing. Besides this function, LS is also the first physical barrier between the outside air and the systemic circulation, therefore playing a key role in the defense against harmful particles and microorganisms.Viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs), and especially acute lower RTIs, are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. LS participates in the network of interactions between viruses and the immune system to prevent or lessen the effects of the infection, but it is also altered by these pathogens, which can potentially impair its function.The aim of this review is to provide an integrated multidisciplinary overview toward understanding the interplay between respiratory viruses and LS and its health impact on the respiratory system. The review is centered on the antiviral mechanisms of both LS proteins and lipids, and their different interactions that lead to varying outcomes. Finally, a summary of the clinical application of surfactant in the scene of lung viral infection is disclosed, including state-of-the-art approaches of the therapeutic use of surfactant components.     

Camellia sinensis: Insights on its molecular mechanisms of action towards nutraceutical,anticancer potential and other therapeutic applications

The Camellia sinensis plant provides a wide diversity of black, green, oolong, yellow, brick dark, and white tea. Tea is one of the majorly used beverages across the globe, succeeds only in the water for fitness and pleasure. Generally, green tea has been preferred more as compared to other teas due to its main constituent e.g. polyphenols which contribute to various health benefits. The aim of this updated and comprehensive review is to bring together the latest data on the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Camellia sinensis and to highlight the therapeutic prospects of the bioactive compounds in this plant so that the full medicinal potential of Camellia sinensis can be realised. A review of published studies on this topic was performed by searching PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, Google scholar, and Web of Science databases from 1999 to 2022. The results of the analysed studies showed that the main polyphenols of tea are the four prime flavonoids catechins: epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epicatechin (EC) along with the beneficial biological properties of tea for a broad heterogeneity of disorders, including anticancer, neuroprotective, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiobesity, antidiabetes and antiglaucoma activities. Poor absorption and low bioavailability of bioactive compounds from Camellia sinensis are limiting aspects of their therapeutic use. More human clinical studies and approaching the latest nanoformulation techniques in nanoparticles to transport the target phytochemical compounds to increase therapeutic efficacy are needed in the future.