The objective of this study is to develop a new textile-based drug delivery system containing naproxen (NAP) microparticles and to evaluate the potential of the system as the carrier of NAP for topical delivery. Microparticles were prepared by spray-drying using an aqueous ethyl cellulose dispersion. The drug content and entrapment efficiency, particle size and distribution, particle morphology and in vitro drug release characteristics of microparticles were optimized for the application of microparticles onto the textile fabrics. Microparticles had spherical shape in the range of 10-15 μm and a narrow particle size distribution. NAP encapsulated in microparticles was in the amorphous or partially crystalline nature. Microparticles were tightly fixed onto the textile fabrics. In vitro drug release exhibited biphasic release profile with an initial burst followed by a very slow release. Skin permeation profiles were observed to follow near zero-order release kinetics.

The geometrical relationship between a hemisphere and a cylinder has been investigated for controlled-release systems. The relationship was tested by comparing dissolution results with results from mathematical calculation based on the principles of diffusion for matrix systems. A procedure has been developed for producing implantable, cylindrical, low-density polyethylene matrices, uncoated or coated with a thin impermeable film and a thick paraffin layer except for a hole on the flat faces of the cylinder. Drug matrices were prepared from a blend of sodium salicylate and polymer compressed in an appropriately designed stainless-steel mould at 150 degrees C. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that no decomposition product was formed in the matrix. When the surface area and the number of holes is increased, drug release also increases. When density is increased, however, drug release decreases significantly. Zero-order drug release was obtained from high-density covered one-hole and two-hole matrices. The diffusion coefficient was calculated as 0.067 day-1. The study suggested that true zero-order drug release could be obtained by drug diffusion from a hole, rather than from geometric shapes in the matrix systems. In addition, for constant release the diffusion area has to increase by approximately 25 mm2 every day, compared to the area of the previous day, because the diffusion distance increases logarithmically.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an antioxidant on the bleaching-induced reduction in the penetration depth of infiltrant resins. Materials and Methods: White spot lesions (WSLs) were created on 105 bovine tooth samples, each measuring 6 × 4 × 4 mm. Five samples were randomly selected for the examination of lesion characteristics. The remaining 100 samples were then divided into four groups (n = 25). In Group I, the WSLs were treated with resin infiltration (RI) only. RI was performed on Group II immediately after bleaching. In Group III, an antioxidant was applied for 2 h after bleaching, and this was immediately followed by RI. The Group IV samples were treated with RI at the end of a 1-week waiting period after bleaching. The penetration depths were evaluated through confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: The lowest penetration rate, which was approximately 57%, was observed in Group II. This was followed by Group III (87%), Group IV (90%), and Group I (92%). Group II, in which the samples were infiltrated immediately after bleaching, had the lowest mean penetration percentage. All the bleached groups exhibited significantly lower penetration percentages than the nonbleached group (Group I) (P < 0.05). Antioxidant application increased the penetration significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Application of sodium ascorbate was found to reverse the reduced resin penetration depth and penetration percentages resulting from bleaching. The postponement of adhesive procedures after bleaching yielded similar results.

Objective: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa mediated by IgE after exposure to an allergen. The most well known related comorbidity of AR is asthma. This study was planned due to the need for an animal model for studies on AR-asthma coexistence. In this study, the frequency of AR accompanying in the asthma model created in mice,and the usability of the related model in AR studies will be investigated. Methods: In our study, 6-8 week-old, 18-20 g BALB/c mice were used. Chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA Grade V, Sigma) was administered through intraperitoneal (IP) route at doses of 10 μg on days 0 and 14. Mice were exposed to aerosolized 2.5% ovalbumin solution in sterile saline for 30 minutes 3 days a week for 8 weeks, starting 7 days after the last IP administration (21st day). After exposure to OVA, mice were observed for typical signs of AR including sneezing, runny nose, and nasal itching. The final diagnosis of AR was made by histopathological examination of the rhinotracheal tissues of mice. Results: In our study, all mice exposed to ovalbumin received histopathologic diagnosis of AR. Increased number of capillaries lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and eosinophilsper square millimetre of rhinotracheal tissues were calculated in the murine model of AR compared to the the control group. Conclusion: This study introduced a new AR model, not cited in the literature, and induced with the longest-term ovalbumin exposure in the literature. It was concluded that this model, known as the asthma model, can also be used to induce an AR model and can be used in studies investigating coexistence of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

The aim of this study is preparation and characterization of diclofenac sodium microparticles and their application to the orthopedic support materials. The microparticles were obtained using spray drying method involving ethyl cellulose as shell material. The morphology, particle size, drug loading capacity and in vitro release characteristics of the drug microparticles were optimized for impregnation diclofenac sodium microparticles onto the orthopedic support materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the drug microparticles and the treated fabrics with microparticles. SEM images illustrated that the microparticles were spherical in shape and also fixed onto the orthopedic support materials. Furthermore, the resistance of materials containing microparticles to washing were also investigated. Finally, in vitro drug release studies of microparticles and textile impregnated with microparticles were done. This study suggested that textile systems containing diclofenac sodium microparticles could have a potential for long-term therapy for rheumatic disorders.