One of the limitations in the drug delivery field is the inability to specifically target therapeutic or imaging agents to certain tissues, organs or tumors. Magnetic nanoparticles have emerged as effective drug delivery systems, which can be directed by externally applied magnetic fields and specifically tailoring their functional properties. Unfortunately, available magnetic nanoparticles wit...

The influence of lipid composition, internal pH and internal buffering capacity on the retention properties of vincristine loaded into large unilamellar vesicle (LUV) systems in response to transmembrane pH gradients has been assessed. It is shown that increasing the (saturated) acyl chain length of the phosphatidylcholine molecule, increasing the internal buffering capacity, and decreasing the...

This article explores the processes through which dependence on opiates affects parenting capacity and family processes. The findings are based on in-depth interviews with 100 parents (50 drug-using [opiate dependent] and 50 non-drug using) living in Dublin. Qualitative analyses of semi-structured interviews suggest that opiate dependence has a specific impact on parenting processes and particu...

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize a potential drug support system based on surfactant/zeolite composites for anti-inflammatory drugs. In order to increase the adsorbing capacity the external surface of the natural zeolite clinoptilolite was modified with benzalkonium chloride in the treatments raging from 100% to 300% of the zeolite external cation exchange capacity. Adsorpt...

BACKGROUND There is an increasing global recognition of the role of emergency medical services in improving population health. Emergency medical services remain underdeveloped in many low income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. There have been no previous evaluations of specialist emergency and critical care services in Sierra Leone. METHODS Emergency care capacity was evaluated...

This study evaluated readiness to change drug use in young adult patients aged 18-25 years who were provided screening and brief intervention as part of a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Capacity Expansion Project. Non-treatment-seeking young adults at risk for drug problems (n = 1,560) were assessed for readiness to change. Structural equation model...

Berberine was loaded in yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeas a novel pharmaceutical carrier to improve the treatment ofmany diseases. The yeast-encapsulated active materialsshowedhigh stability and bioavailability due to the enhanced solubility and sustained releasing. In this study, different characteristics of prepared berberine loaded yeast cells (loading capacity, release kinetic order...