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Magnetically induced drug release from niosome-based nanocarriers loaded with doxorubicin
No full textYesNiosomes co-loaded with doxorubicin and magnetic nanoparticles were synthesised using the thin film hydration method. The loading efficiency of the doxorubicin was between 60–70%. The hydrodynamic diameter measured as the average number (mean ± standard deviation), using dynamic light scattering, was found to be 188 ± 68 nm, 141 ± 86 nm and 169 ± 69 nm for the plain niosomes, niosomes loaded with doxorubicin and niosomes loaded with doxorubicin and magnetic nanoparticles, respectively. The zeta potential for all three niosome samples was determined to be −26.4 mV ± 1.9 mV. The thermally mediated release of doxorubicin was monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy and found to follow 1st order kinetics. The rate constant for the thermal release was 1.2 × 10−6, 1.0 × 10−4 and 5.1 × 10−4 min−1 at 298, 313 and 333 K, respectively. The doxorubicin was also released using an alternating magnetic field, this also followed 1st order kinetics and had a rate constant of 1.7 × 10−2 min−1. This is four orders of magnitude greater than the thermal release at the same temperature (298 K). The work shows the magnetically controlled, burst release from a drug-loaded niosome delivery system. The release was triggered on demand by the application of the alternating magnetic field, resulting in 86% doxorubicin release within 3 hours compared to 3% release in 30 days via thermalThis research was supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry (E22-5590558249), the University of Bradford and Airlangga Universit
A new age of nuclear proliferation is here. What can we do about it?
No full textNoThe rules-based order is collapsing, Europe is worried and, all of a sudden, nuclear proliferation and a new arms race is very much on the cards again
Comparison of Up-on-the-Toes Stand Test Performance in Young Adults and Older Adults With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Get PDFYesBackground and Purpose
Proficient ankle functioning provides a key contribution to everyday activities, such as walking and stair ascent and descent, where many falls occur. The up-on-the-toes stand test (UTTS), involves rising from standing to an up-on-the-toes position and holding it for 5 s, before lowering back to standing. Here, we explore whether the balance-related UTTS test scores differ between two groups with expected differences in ankle functioning, that is, between older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in comparison to young healthy adults.
Design
Case–control study.
Methods
On a force platform, 13 older adults with DPN and 14 young adults completed repeated UTTS. Outcome measures were the peak forwards and backwards centre of pressure (CoP) velocity when rising and lowering, the average CoP displacement and variability in CoP velocity when holding the up-on-the-toes position, and the time it was held.
Results
In older adults with DPN compared to young adults, the forwards CoP velocity and displacement when rising up-on-the-toes were reduced (p < 0.001), indicating a slower speed and range of movement; variability in CoP velocity when up-on-the-toes was greater, indicating reduced stability (p = 0.021); and time up-on-the-toes was shorter (p = 0.002), indicating a reduced ability to hold this position.
Conclusions
Findings indicate that older adults with DPN had poorer UTTS performance in comparison to young adults. This suggests the test might be useful for highlighting how deficits in ankle mobility and function can impact balance when moving up-on-the-toes. Future research should compare (a) older DPN patients with healthy older adults and (b) young adults with older adults, to determine whether UTTS test can validly assess age-related decline. In addition, case–control designs within the same age group are necessary to determine whether UTTS test can distinguish disease-specific balance deficits
Examining the role of parasocial interactions in generating the bandwagon effect: a parallel mediation and multigroup analysis
No full textYesPurpose: The bandwagon effect – a psychological phenomenon where people embrace particular behaviours, purchase products or support trends simply because many others are doing the same – is emerging as an important concept in marketing literature. This study aims to investigate the role of parasocial interactions (PSI) in generating the bandwagon effect, using the parallel mediation of vicarious expression and electronic word of mouth (eWOM).
Design/methodology/approach: Framed within the context of parasocial relationship theory, this study used a purposive sampling method to collect data from 488 social media users who actively followed at least one tech YouTube influencer and one brand fan page on a social media platform, with a specific focus on the online retail sector. The collected data was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling and a multigroup analysis based on gender.
Findings: The results demonstrate that PSI with social media influencers significantly enhances mechanisms like vicarious expression experiences and eWOM, both of which emerged as key drivers of the bandwagon effect. Vicarious expression positively shapes consumer attitudes, while eWOM amplifies product and brand discussions within social networks. These mechanisms fully and parallelly mediate the relationship between PSI and the bandwagon effect.
Practical implications: This study offers various insights for brands, particularly those that operate online and/or are newly launched. The study showcases how the bandwagon effect for products and brands can be generated through the integrated influence of parasocial interactions with influencers, vicarious expression and eWOM.
Originality/value: This study uniquely identifies PSI, eWOM, vicarious expression and consumer attitude as key antecedents of the bandwagon effect, with vicarious expression and eWOM parallelly mediating the association between PSI and the bandwagon effect. It offers fresh insights into leveraging PSI with YouTube-based tech influencers to enhance vicarious product experiences and brand associations through engaging video content, highlighting its strategic potential for marketers
Nanoparticle tools for maximizing oral drug delivery
No full textYesThe biological permeability and water solubility of drugs can pose substantial obstacles to oral drug delivery, the most common mode of drug administration for improving human health. Solubility determines the amount of drug that can be dissolved in solution, whereas permeability is the ability to permeate across biological membranes, determining therapeutic efficacy and safety. Some biological barriers, such as gastrointestinal pH, enzymes, and mucus, may affect the dissolution or absorption of therapeutic drugs. Physical or chemical approaches can be used to modify the water solubility or enhance the permeability. Moreover, nanocarriers, which can increase drug stability through encapsulation, enhance absorption due to their extensive surface area, and facilitate the targeted administration of medications to certain areas, could be useful for drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles can increase drug solubility by particle size reduction, complexation, and drug encapsulation and increase permeation by retention in tumors, opening of tight junctions, membrane fluidization, or intestinal mucoadhesion. Despite the many advantages of nanoparticle drug formulations, they also have several limitations, such as complicated manufacturing processes, nanotoxicity, and stability issues. In this article, we provide a comprehensive description of nanoparticle tools for maximizing oral drug delivery.This study was supported by the International Research Collaboration Top #300 - Airlangga Research Fund with contract No. 410/UN3.LPPM/PT.01.03/2024 provided by Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
Walking with blood flow restriction on lower limb muscles post-ACL reconstruction: A within-subject trial
Get PDFYesBackground
Individuals recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction often exhibit persistent strength deficits that can impair function and delay return to participation in sport and/or physical activity. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance muscle adaptations using low-load exercises, but its effectiveness when combined with walking training in this population remains unclear.
Objective
To determine the effectiveness of a walking program combined with BFR on muscle strength and thickness at the ankle and knee in patients with ACL reconstruction.
Methods
This within-subject clinical trial included 40 adults (27.1 ± 7.3 years; 21 females, 19 males) who had undergone ACL reconstruction at least 6 months prior and presented with a ≥ 10% strength deficit in the knee extensor muscles of the operated limb. Participants completed a 12-week progressive walking program, with duration (from 12 to 20 minutes) and speed (from 1.25 to 2.00 m.s-1) being progressively increased over the 12 weeks. BFR at 90% occlusion pressure was applied to the weaker limb (WL), while the contralateral limb served as control (CL). The intervention included one supervised and two home-based walking sessions per week. Post-intervention outcomes involved determining changes from baseline in peak torque (PT) of ankle and knee extensors and flexors, as well as muscle thickness (MT) of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM), tibialis anterior (TA), vastus lateralis (VL), and semitendinosus (ST).
Results
Ankle plantarflexor PT increased in both limbs (WL = 51.6%; CL = 11.7%), while dorsiflexor PT increased slightly in the WL (5%). GM thickness increased in both limbs (WL = 1.1%; CL = 0.5%), with no changes in TA. For the knee extensors and flexors, PT increased in both limbs (WL = 33.1% and 25.7%; CL = 14.9% and 8.9%). No significant MT changes were observed in VL or ST.
Conclusions
A progressive walking program with BFR was associated with increases in lower limb strength and modest MT changes in individuals post-ACL reconstruction. These findings suggest that this intervention may represent a safe and potentially efficient adjunct to post-ACL rehabilitation. Trial registration: RBR-5gqgs99. https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5gqgs99.Letícia Pophal Cutisque was supported by a student scholarship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil (CAPES – Code 001
The influence of German development cooperation on foreign direct investment decisions of German investors
No full textYesThis study critically examines the relationship between the neo-liberal economic precepts of development cooperation, overseas development assistance and foreign direct investment (FDI). Specifically, it explores how Germany’s neo-liberal Marshall Plan with Africa influences the investment decisions of German companies. The analysis is based on in-depth semi-structured key informant interviews conducted with German companies, business associations and development cooperation institutions currently active in Côte d’Ivoire – one of the largest French-speaking countries in Africa. It introduces an analysis of the reputational and network effects of development cooperation on FDI. This study contributes to theory by demonstrating how the reputational and network effect of development cooperation provides a clear signal to the private sector through an improved image of the host country due to its reform partner status. The study also extends the fundamental theories of the official development aid-FDI nexus by showing that new forms of development cooperation can significantly impact FDI. It further contributes to the country image literature by suggesting that development cooperation should be included in a country’s reputation frameworks – which is a key government policy for most emerging economies seeking to attract FDI
Assessing rapid strength achievement in geopolymers from mixed construction and demolition waste
No full textYesFor Türkiye and other earthquake-prone countries, facing the challenge of downcycling and the accumulation of massive quantities of mixed construction and demolition waste (CDW), the rapid upcycling of CDW is essential for the very sake of affected communities. This is particularly important for nations that are major cement manufacturers and seek to transition to alternative and greener binders, as part of their commitment to Net-Zero targets. Accordingly, we aim to develop alkali (NaOH)-activated binders (i.e., geopolymers) based on mixed CDW fractions, constituting the majority of CDW compositions, (i.e., different masonry elements [red clay brick–RCB, hollow brick–HB, roof tile–RT], concrete [C], and glass [G]). These geopolymers are designed to achieve structural-strength grades (>50 MPa) within short timeframes using high- temperature curing, enabling rapid production of temporary prefabricated housing units and emergency shelters. The effects of curing temperature (105–125 ◦ ◦ C) and Na concentration (8–15 %) on compressive strength were systematically evaluated. Optimal performance occurred at 12 % Na and 115 C, where individual CDW-based precursors reached 2-day strengths up to 68.1 MPa, and mixed precursors yielded 56.5 MPa. The microstructure of mixed CDW-based geopolymers is significantly improved with increasing masonry content, enhancing compressive strength and altering geopolymerization products (forming a mixture of NASH and CASH structures). Compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) pastes, the developed CDW-based geopolymers demonstrated ~63 % lower embodied energy and ~68 % lower carbon footprint. The most efficient mixture required only 54 MJ/m 3 per MPa, compared to 108 MJ/m 3 per MPa for OPC, offering a twofold eco-efficiency advantage. These findings suggest that different CDW elements can be efficiently reintegrated rapidly into applications such as prefabrication, rapid housing, and emergency shelters, offering a sustainable and practical solution for post-disaster reconstruction.This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 894100. The authors also wish to acknowledge the support of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) provided under project: 117M447
Beyond Good Intentions: Peer E&S Incidents and the Unravelling of CSR Value
No full textYesThis paper investigates the impact of peer environmental and social (E&S) incidents on the value of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for non-incident firms. We find that high-CSR engagement backfires in the presence of peer E&S incidents. Following negative peer events, non-incident firms with high-CSR ratings experience a 3.2% greater decline in firm value than those with low CSR ratings. The negative impact of peer E&S incidents on the value of CSR operates through two mechanisms: (1) cash flow effect, driven by reduced sales growth and profitability, and (2) cost of capital effect, evidenced by increased implied cost of equity and decreased institutional ownership for high-CSR firms. Cross-sectional analyses further reveal that the impact is more pronounced among larger firms, when incident peers have high-CSR standing, and in industries characterized by stronger CSR norms, greater competitive intensity, and more standardized products. Our findings challenge the view of CSR as an "insurance-like" mechanism during uncertain times, showing that peer E&S incidents can trigger the industry-wide spillovers of mistrust and raise concerns about industry ethics, ultimately diminishing the value of CSR