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Mechanical and physical properties of steel fibers and banana fibers.
(PLOS One, 2026-03-05) Hepautwa, Amani; Hilonga, Askwar; Mrosso, Register; Tusekile Alfredy; Mwalusambo, Gabriel; Lesafi, Fina; Jande, Yusufu
Mechanical and physical properties of steel fibers and banana fibers.
Raw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbank
(Zenodo, 2026-03-06) Ngondya, Issakwisa
Raw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbank
Raw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbank
(Zenodo, 2026-03-06) Ngondya, Issakwisa
Raw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbank
Questionnaire for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) and Soil Moisture Conservation (SMC) Technologies in Maize Production in Babati District, Tanzania
(Zenodo, 2026-03-26) Kanyiru, Mary; Meya, Akida; Mkindi, Angela
This dataset contains the semi-structured guide for surveys, interviews and focus group discussions used to collect data on rainwater harvesting and soil moisture conservation technologies used in maize production in Babati District, Tanzania.
Heparin-functionalized chitosan-poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles loaded with quinine for selective targeting of infected erythrocytes and enhanced antiplasmodial efficacy
(Taylor & Fransic Online, 2026-04-14) Amos, Yohana; Ahmed, Rami; Sauli, Elingarami; Rubaka, Clarence; Tambwe, Mgeni; Tumbo, Anneth; Swai, Hulda; Dube, Admire
Malaria remains a major global health burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Although quinine (QN) is an effective antimalarial, its clinical application is limited by dose-dependent toxicity from nonspecific biodistribution. This study developed heparin-functionalized PCL nanoparticles (Hep-QN-PCL) to target Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs and enhance QN’s therapeutic efficacy.
QN-loaded PCL nanoparticles were formulated using a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique, followed by chitosan-mediated heparin conjugation. They were evaluated for physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release, hemolysis, cytotoxicity, targeting, and antiplasmodial activity against FCR3 Plasmodium falciparum.
Optimized Hep-QN-PCL nanoparticles (353.2 ± 16.8 nm, PDI 0.252, zeta +20.8 ± 1.9 mV, encapsulation 77.9%) showed successful Hep conjugation as confirmed through FTIR and thermal analysis, sustained QN release over 96 h via Fickian diffusion, and enhanced release under iRBC-mimicking conditions. They were hemocompatible (<4% hemolysis), less cytotoxic (LD50 >527 µg/mL vs. 195.7 µg/mL for free QN), and demonstrated increased iRBC targeting (partition 8.50 ± 0.30 vs. 4.20 ± 0.12). Hep-QN-PCL achieved ~5.3-fold higher antiplasmodial potency (IC50 = 23.33 ng/mL vs. 122.86 ng/mL) and 14.2-fold greater selectivity index (22.60 vs. 1.59).
These findings demonstrate a targeted nanomedicine platform with improved efficacy and safety for malaria therapy, suitable for further preclinical studies.