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This study aims to elaborate on the microencapsulation of the plant extract (PE, from Camellia sinensis leaf, clover flower and cocoa flower) and the preparation of a slow-release lining fabric loading the PE microcapsule.

PE was microencapsulated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) shells through interfacial polymerization. The morphology, thermal stability, slow-release property and drug loading ratio of the PVA/PE microcapsules were characterized to ensure the availability in coating finishing. To find the optimum parameters, the composite fabrics were prepared from non-woven fabrics coated by calcium alginate hydrogel, which glued mass fractions of microcapsules and dried in different ways. To evaluate the effectiveness, a lipase enzyme activity test was conducted.

Under optimal conditions, the PVA/PE microcapsules with smooth surface have an average particle size of 14.5 um, and they are expected to reach a loading ratio of 38.5 per cent while remaining stable under 220°C. Given a microcapsule of 4 per cent (of the mass), the composite fabric has a good hand feeling, being prepared through calcium chloride coating. It is shown that the inhibition ratios of the microcapsules and composite fabrics on lipase are 31.3 and 21.0 per cent, respectively.

The composite fabric could be prepared through the other finishing methods such as padding and printing. In addition, the release mechanism of the composite could be studied.

This study provided a simple and effective way to prolong the duration of PE. This way was conductive to protect environmental sensitive PEs from being destroyed in compositing processes.

Preparing composite fabrics for transdermal delivery system was novel and other kind of plant extracts could be used in this way.

The purpose of this study was to design a paper strip-based non-invasive urine analysis system for the qualitative detection of biomarker aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in renal cancer (RC). RC accounts for 3% of all cancers and 85% of all kidney tumors and mainly originates from the kidney cortex. In recent times, higher urine concentration of AQP1 in patients with RC was confirmed as a specific biomarker of the disease. Hence, the noninvasive, user-friendly and self-diagnostic method is required for the detection of aquaporin biomarkers in RC.

The present research work was focused on the development and characterization of a dye conjugated cyclodextrin-based miniaturized system for impregnation on Whatman filter paper to identify RC using AQP1 biomarker present in urine samples.

It was observed that the test strip dipped into the urine sample, and the yellow color intensity increased with a decrease in AQP1 concentration due to the transformation of the dye system of free basic form into bound acidic form. The Hue-Saturation-Value profiling was used to observe the effect of color change using a smartphone application. The paper strip-based urine analysis system is highly sensitive for the detection of AQP1 in the range of 10 to 1,000 ng.

The successful validation indicated that this biosensor is likely to contribute to the development of point-of-care, novel, personalized diagnostics and ensure prolonged survival of RC patients in the near future.

Last summer, in the heat of the fierce bidding battle for Conoco, press criticism of acquisitions and mergers was also heating up. Time magazine expressed some “Big Doubts About Big Deals.” Newsweek explored “The New Urge to Merge,” and wondered “Is Business Getting Too Big?” Fortune was a lonely holdout on the newsstand as it pleaded, “Don't Stop the Mating Game.”

This study aims to prepare low-cost biomaterials from renewable natural resources (rosin).

Preparation of different biomaterials, ethylene glycol maleic rosin (EGMR), glycerol maleic rosin, pentaerythritol maleic rosin and sorbitol maleic rosin (SMR) esters, then evaluated by stability studies, moisture absorption, swelling index parameters, thermogravimetric analysis and skin irritation studies.

The prepared rosin derivatives had excellent moisture safety, according to the results. From EGMR to SMR, the swelling indices increase.

These rosin biomaterials were used in coating, especially in the field of pharmaceutical coating, and good results were obtained in this study.

As these biomaterials rosin derivatives have excellent moisture resistance, they are recommended for use as coating materials for moisture-sensitive drugs.

There has recently been a lot of interest in researching the effects of rosin derivatives in various drug delivery systems.

Protection of medical personnel against pathogenic viruses is a challenging task for the world scientific community. The purpose of this paper is to collect, analyze, critique, rearrange and present the scattered information scientifically to form a base for product development for viral protection.

A huge range of recently available information has been collected, studied and arranged judiciously.

After an exhaustive study of this topic, it is possible to present all information in a manner that will be helpful to start product development activity on both sides of the Atlantic. Initially, various coated textiles with zero breathability were used to cover doctors, nurses and staff but thereafter microporous coatings replaced the poreless surface coatings. However, the pore size distribution in microporous films and coatings could not be controlled precisely and manufacturers could not claim the surface offered foolproof protection against viruses. Monolithic films are able to claim guaranteed protection against virus penetration, with sufficient breathability. Monolithic film technology has prime importance in protective clothing that has to be discussed judiciously. Permeability of block copolymers based monolithic films is an important feature for barrier materials, high performance impermeable breathable clothing and membrane separation processes.

This is a first paper in the field of viral barrier fabrics which will remain helpful to the scientific community to start further research work and product development.

The purpose of this study is to determine the physicochemical and rheological parameters of Albizia lebbeck gum.

Physicochemical analysis was carried out using recommended methods. Gas chromatography mass spectrophotometer and Fourier transformed infra red (FTIR) analyses were carried out using their respective spectrophotometer. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out using scanning electron microscope, while rheological measurements were carried out using Ubbelohde capillary viscometer, digital Brookfield DV 1 viscometer and a rheometer.

Albizia zygia gum is an ionic gum with unique physical and chemical properties. Scanning electron micrograph revealed that the internal structure of the gum is porous with irregular molecular arrangement. Thermodynamic parameters of viscous flow indicated the existence of few inter- and intra-molecular interactions, and the attainment of transition state was linked to bond breaking. Coil overlap transition studies revealed the existence of dilute and concentrated regimes. The viscosity of the gum was also found to decrease with decrease in the charge of cation (such that Al3+ > Ca2+ > K+) and with increase in ionic strength.

The paper provided information on physicochemical and rheological characteristics/behaviour of Albizia zygia gum, of Nigerian origin. From this information, possible application of this gum in the food and pharmaceutical industries can be deduced.

The paper is original since information concerning Albizia zygia gum of Nigerian origin are not well documented as established in the work. It also adds values on the use of Albizia zygia gum, either on its own or in combination with other gums for industrial purpose.

The purpose of this study is to empirically identify incentives that drive resource shifting by US pharmaceutical firms to comparatively low-tax jurisdictions.

Using a panel of publicly listed companies, we investigate whether resource shifting is facilitated by two underlying factors. First, we examine whether pharmaceutical manufacturers whose intangible assets are disproportionately held as intellectual property are more or less likely to shift resources to jurisdictions outside of the USA. Second, we empirically determine whether manufacturers that derive most of their revenues from producing a specific type of product are more or less likely to shift income-producing resources to their international affiliates.

The empirical results suggest that pharmaceutical factors do practice strategic resource shifting. Moreover, pharmaceutical manufacturers which produce biologic medications are significantly less likely than other manufacturers to practice resource shifting. We find no evidence to suggest that firms whose intangible assets are more composed of intellectual property are any more or less likely to practice resource shifting.

To date, a plethora of studies exist which examine resource shifting in a large, general population of multinational corporations. However, there are relatively few studies that examine international resource shifting in the pharmaceutical industry.