Approximately eight avidin molecules are conjugated to each Ce/Tb‐doped lanthanum phosphate nanoparticle (NP) through the formation of amide bonds (see scheme). This biofunctionalization process comprises modification of the LaPO4 NPs with 6‐aminohexanoic acid (AHA) to confer colloidal stability, activation of the AHA carboxy groups by 1‐ethyl‐3‐[3‐dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide, and avidin conjugation.

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We describe a one-step electrochemical co-deposition method to prepare nanoparticle (NP)-containing semiconducting polymer inverse opals with well-defined pore structure. Gold and cadmium telluride NPs were electrodeposited along with pyrrole in the interstitial voids of colloidal crystals of polymer spheres, and following template removal, composite inverse opals were obtained. The optical characteristics (position of the optical stopband) of the resulting composite films can be tuned through variation of the type and concentration of the NPs embedded in the film.

Etwa acht Avidinmoleküle sind über Amidbindungen an jedes Ce/Tb‐dotierte Lanthanphosphat‐Nanopartikel (NP) konjugiert (siehe Schema). Diese Biofunktionalisierung umfasst die Modifizierung der LaPO4‐NPs mit 6‐Aminohexansäure (AHA), um kolloidale Stabilität zu erreichen, die Aktivierung der AHA‐Carboxygruppen mit 1‐Ethyl‐3‐[3‐dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimid und die Avidin‐Konjugation.

Tablets represent the preferred and most commonly dispensed pharmaceutical dosage form for administering active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Minimizing the cost of goods and improving manufacturing output efficiency has motivated companies to use direct compression as a preferred method of tablet manufacturing. Excipients dictate the success of direct compression, notably by optimizing powder formulation compactability and flow, thus there has been a surge in creating excipients specifically designed to meet these needs for direct compression. Greater scientific understanding of tablet manufacturing coupled with effective application of the principles of material science and particle engineering has resulted in a number of improved direct compression excipients. Despite this, significant practical disadvantages of direct compression remain relative to granulation, and this is partly due to the limitations of direct compression excipients. For instance, in formulating high-dose APIs, a much higher level of excipient is required relative to wet or dry granulation and so tablets are much bigger. Creating excipients to enable direct compression of high-dose APIs requires the knowledge of the relationship between fundamental material properties and excipient functionalities. In this paper, we review the current understanding of the relationship between fundamental material properties and excipient functionality for direct compression.

Oxytocin is recommended by the World Health Organisation as the most effective uterotonic for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. The requirement for parenteral administration by trained healthcare providers and the need for the drug solution to be maintained under cold-chain storage limit the use of oxytocin in the developing world. In this study, a spray-dried ultrafine formulation of oxytocin was developed with an optimal particle size diameter (1-5 µm) to facilitate aerosolised delivery via the lungs. A powder formulation of oxytocin, using mannitol, glycine and leucine as carriers, was prepared with a volume-based median particle diameter of 1.9 µm. Oxytocin content in the formulation was assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy and was found to be unchanged after spray-drying. Ex vivo contractility studies utilising human and ovine uterine tissue indicated no difference in the bioactivity of oxytocin before and after spray-drying. Uterine electromyographic (EMG) activity in postpartum ewes following pulmonary (in vivo) administration of oxytocin closely mimicked that observed immediately postpartum (0-12 h following normal vaginal delivery of the lamb). In comparison to the intramuscular injection, pulmonary administration of an oxytocin dry powder formulation to postpartum ewes resulted in generally similar EMG responses, however a more rapid onset of uterine EMG activity was observed following pulmonary administration (129 ± 18 s) than intramuscular injection (275 ± 22 s). This is the first study to demonstrate the potential for oxytocin to elicit uterine activity after systemic absorption as an aerosolised powder from the lungs. Aerosolised oxytocin has the potential to provide a stable and easy to administer delivery system for effective prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage in resource-poor settings in the developing world.

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