Polymers are the backbone of drug delivery. Electrospinning has greatly enriched the strategies that have been explored for developing novel drug delivery systems using polymers during the past two decades. In this study, four different kinds of polymers, i.e., the water-soluble polymer poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), the insoluble polymer poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), the insoluble polymer Eudragit RL100 (ERL100) and the pH-sensitive polymer Eudragit S100 (ES100) were successfully converted into types of tri-layer tri-polymer core–shell fibers through bi-fluid coaxial electrospinning. During the coaxial process, the model drug metronidazole (MTD) was loaded into the shell working fluid, which was an emulsion. The micro-formation mechanism of the tri-layer core–shell fibers from the coaxial emulsion electrospinning was proposed. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope evaluations verified the linear morphology of the resultant fibers and their obvious tri-layer multiple-chamber structures. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements demonstrated that the drug MTD presented in the fibers in an amorphous state and was compatible with the three polymeric matrices. In vitro dissolution tests verified that the three kinds of polymer could act in a synergistic manner for a prolonged sustained-release profile of MTD in the gut. The drug controlled-release mechanisms were suggested in detail. The protocols reported here pioneer a new route for creating a tri-layer core–shell structure from both aqueous and organic solvents, and a new strategy for developing advanced drug delivery systems with sophisticated drug controlled-release profiles.

Green tea has attracted great interest as a cancer prevention agent. Interactions of tea polyphenols with serum albumin may influence the efficacy of drugs. The interactions of (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), (–)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and tegafur (TF) alone or in combination with human serum albumin (HSA) at pH 7.4 and different temperatures were investigated by spectroscopic methods, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and molecular docking. The binding affinities to HSA were ranked in the order of EGCG > ECG > TF, and the interactions were spontaneous and exothermic. Ternary system studies showed that the presence of one component hindered the binding of another component to HSA. The secondary structures of HSA were slightly altered in the presence of the ligands. Site marking experiments and molecular docking showed that EGCG and ECG mainly bound to subdomain IIA and ΙΙΙA while TF bound to subdomain ΙΙA and ΙB. Results indicated that the existence of ECG and EGCG would influence the binding of TF to HSA and can increase the free concentration of TF. Obtained results would provide beneficial information about possible interference upon simultaneous co-administration of the tea components and drugs. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Interdigital tinea pedis is the most common type of foot infection, which is often treated by topical or systemic antifungals. Due to the increase in antifungal resistance, antifungal socks are becoming potential alternatives for the daily management of tinea pedis. In this study, antifungal fibres were adopted to produce interdigital hygiene socks to split the third and fourth toe seams of the feet. In vitro antifungal activity was first examined to verify the effectiveness of the socks. Preventive efficacy against tinea pedis was then evaluated among healthy participants, followed by therapeutic effect detection in patients diagnosed with tinea pedis by analysing the improvement in total symptom scores (TTS). The interdigital-type hygiene socks exhibited apparent antifungal activities in vitro. An in vivo study demonstrated significant preventive effects against tinea pedis for interdigital socks compared to plain socks (P = 0.011) and a lower TTS than noninterdigital (P = 0.04) or plain socks (P < 0.0001). Moreover, interdigital socks showed a total effectiveness rate of 72.9% in patients with tinea pedis, with most of the symptoms alleviated. Interdigital-type hygiene socks not only exhibited in vitro antifungal activities but also showed significant prophylactic and therapeutic effects against interdigital tinea pedis in vivo.

The garbage classification recycling policy is proposed to curb the waste of recyclable and land resources to reduce the environmental pollution caused by garbage. This paper establishes a tripartite evolutionary game model with governments, recycling companies, and citizens as stakeholders to discuss their corresponding strategic behaviors. Through the stability analysis, we draw a conclusion that only when governments choose to regulate the classification, while both recycling companies and citizens take an active part in the classification, can the environmental benefit be maximized. In addition, the government and recycling companies are advised to increase the rate at which the evolutionary game model converges to a steady state by reducing their own operating costs during the implementation of garbage classification. On this basis, we also recommend an appropriate increase in the benefits given to citizens, which will have a significantly positive impact on citizens and even also on the government and the recycling companies themselves.