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The majority of formulations available so far are used in oral forms despite of several pharmaceutical challenges, as this route is the most convenient way of drug delivery. Equally, it necessitates the required need of dose optimization for reduced toxic effects and dosing frequency. Therefore, in this study, we have conceptualized the fabrication of gastro-retentive microspheres of Tinidazole by using a variable drug and ethyl cellulose ratios that will enhance its gastric absorption, retention time along with the sustained pharmacological activity. The scanning electron microscopy and micrometrical studies exhibited their smooth, spherical surface with the particle size range of 244–294 µm. Further, they were floated successfully on the fluid due to their low bulk density and provided the sustained release in simulated gastric fluid, suggesting their suitable gastro-retentive behavior in-vivo. Thus, the prepared formulation proved to be a better gastro-retentive drug delivery system with sustained release, thereby reducing dosing frequency and side effects.

Here, silica microspheres were decorated with two-dimensional metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) nanosheets and ionic liquids, and evaluated as the mixed-mode stationary phase for chromatographic separation. The ionic liquids were used to assist the synthesis of 2D MOFs nanosheets, and also acted as adhesives among the nanosheets and silica. In contrast with the 2D MOFs-based column without ionic liquids and commercial columns, the prepared column exhibited enhanced chromatographic separation performance for partially hydrophilic compounds such as alkaloids, sulfonamides and antibiotics, etc. In addition to excellent chromatographic repeatability and stability, it has also been verified that the composites could be easily and repeatedly prepared. The relative standard deviation of the retention time of the same type of analyte between the three batches of materials was ranging from 0.21% to 1.7%. In short, these results indicated that the synthesized composites were promising separation material for liquid chromatography, which made it possible to broaden the application of 2D MOFs in the field of chromatography.

Background: Great attention has been paid to the environmental pollution by organic dyes, which are difficult to be degraded in the natural environment and have been an unavoidable and urgent global problem. It is essential to develop green wastewater treatment technology with high removal efficiency and low-cost for protecting the surrounding and human health. Objective: The aim of the research is to synthesize lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres with good photocatalytic performance for the removal of gentian violet (GV). Methods: Lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres were successfully prepared by a sodium ligninsulfonate-assisted hydrothermal synthesis route. The lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and solid UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum. Results: XRD pattern and SEM observation show that the lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres are composed of cubic LiBi12O18.50 and monoclinic Bi2O3 with a diameter of 250 nm-1 μm. Irregular microscale and nanoscale particles are formed under low hydrothermal temperature, low sodium ligninsulfonate concentration, and short duration time. By increasing the sodium ligninsulfonate concentration, hydrothermal temperature, and duration time, irregular particles are transferred into microspheres. Lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres possess a band gap energy of 1.85 eV, suggesting good visible light absorption ability. The photocatalytic removal ability for GV is enhanced by prolonging light irradiation time and microspheres dosage. GV solution with the concentration of 10 mg•L-1 is able to be totally degraded by 10 mg lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres in 10 mL GV solution under solar light irradiation for 6 h. Conclusion: The lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres show good photocatalytic removal ability toward GV in wastewater under solar light irradiation.

Fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) surface structures for the high density immobilization of biomolecules is an effective way to prepare highly sensitive biochips. In this work, a strategy to attach polymeric microspheres on a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) substrate for the preparation of a 3D protein chip was developed. The COC surface was firstly functionalized by the photograft technique with epoxy groups, which were subsequently converted to amine groups. Then monodisperse poly(styrene

We, herein, report the fabrication of light-scattering switches from polymer microsphere-filled liquid crystals (PFLCs) using pseudopeptidic bottlebrush polymers. A simple method of precipitation o...

Using waste leather collagen, collagen microspheres with “–CH═CH2” (CMAs) were prepared using the emulsification cross-linking method and then incorporated into a nonwoven polyamide fiber material ...

Pyrite (FeS2) is considered a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) relying on its high theoretical specific capacity and low cost. However, the application of FeS2 as anodes ha...

Magnetic materials perform well in the purification of histidine-rich proteins (His-proteins). In this work, a facile fabrication of yolk-shell magnetic Fe3O4@NiSiO3/Ni microspheres for the efficient purification of His-proteins has been reported. Yolk-shell Fe3O4@NiSiO3 microspheres were prepared via hydrothermal reaction. Then Ni nanoparticles (NPs) were loaded on Fe3O4@NiSiO3 microspheres after the adsorption and in situ reduction of nickel acetylacetonate. The yolk-shell Fe3O4@NiSiO3/Ni microspheres had a hierarchical flower-like structure and large cavities. The size of the cavity depended on the reaction time. This indicated that the microspheres had a large specific surface area for loading of more Ni NPs, which was crucial to the high His-protein adsorption capacity of Fe3O4@NiSiO3/Ni microspheres. Fe3O4@NiSiO3/Ni microspheres had a high adsorption capacity for bovine hemoglobin (BHb, 2822 mg/g), which was better than the values of other His-protein adsorbents. Fe3O4@NiSiO3/Ni microspheres still had a high BHb separation efficiency after seven separation cycles, indicating its good reusability and stability. Therefore, the as-prepared bifunctional yolk-shell Fe3O4@NiSiO3/Ni microspheres exhibited great practical application value for His-protein purification.

Microspheres are multiparticulate drug delivery systems that distribute medications at a predetermined rate to a specific region. Microspheres are free-flowing powders manufactured from biodegradable proteins or synthetic polymers, with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 1000 micrometers. Benefits of using microspheres in medication delivery, bone tissue manufacture, and pollutant absorption and desorption by regeneration .The study demonstrates how microsphere parameters are planned and measured. Bioadhesive microspheres, polymeric microspheres, magnetic microspheres, floating microspheres, and radioactive microspheres are only a few examples of complicated microspheres. Cosmetics, oral medication administration, target drug delivery, ocular drug delivery, gene delivery, and other industries covered in the paper could all benefit from microspheres. To ensure best therapeutic effectiveness, the agent must be delivered to target tissue at an optimal amount during the appropriate timeframe, with low toxicity and adverse effects. There are several methods for delivering the therapeutic substance to the target site in a controlled manner. The use of microspheres as medication carriers is one such technique. The value of microspheres as a novel drug delivery carrier to accomplish site-specific drug delivery was discussed in this article. Keywords: Microspheres, method of preparations, polymer bioadhesion, types of microspheres.

In this work, for the first time, a new magnetic cadmium-based MOFs (Fe3O4@Cd-MOF) was successfully synthesized in a green way and then modified with chitosan (CS) in the microsphere form (Fe3O4@Cd-MOF@CS). The obtained materials were fully characterized by several techniques. In the following, the efficiency of Fe3O4@Cd-MOF@CS was explored for the removal of amoxicillin (AMX). The outcome of the adsorption study showed that the removal efficiency is affected by CS and reaches its optimum at pH 8 and contact time of 240 min. Under optimized conditions, over 75% of AMX was removed. The kinetic and the isotherm of the adsorption were fit with the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm respectively. Eventually, the maximum adsorption capacity was obtained ~103.09 mg/g. Interestingly, these findings convince that the newly prepared Fe3O4@Cd-MOF@CS could be proposed as a promising magnetically separable adsorbent for antibiotic contaminants removal from the aqueous solution.

The results of studies on the development of micro-oscillators (MOs) based on the Belousov –Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillatory chemical reaction are integrated and systematized. The mechanisms of the BZ reaction and the methods of immobilization of the catalyst of the BZ reaction in micro-volumes are briefly discussed. Methods for creating BZ MOs based on water microdroplets in the oil phase and organic and inorganic polymer microspheres are considered. Methods of control and management of the dynamics of BZ MO networks are described, including methods of MO synchronization. The prospects for the design of neural networks of MOs with intelligent-like behaviour are outlined. Such networks present a new area of nonlinear chemistry, including, in particular, the creation of a chemical ‘computer’. The bibliography includes 250 references.

Paramagnetic microspheres can be used in planar array fluorescence immunoassays for single or multiplex screening of food contaminants. However, no confirmation of the molecular identity is obtained. Coated blade spray (CBS) is a direct ionization mass spectrometry (MS) technique, and when combined with triple quadrupole MS/MS, it allows for rapid confirmation of food contaminants. The lack of chromatography in CBS, though, compromises the specificity of the measurement for unequivocal identification of contaminants, based on the European Union (EU) regulation. Therefore, a rapid and easy-to-use immuno-magnetic blade spray (iMBS) method was developed in which immuno-enriched paramagnetic microspheres replace the coating of CBS. The iMBS-MS/MS method was fully optimized, validated in-house following the EU 2021/808 regulation, and benchmarked against a commercial lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for on-site screening of DA. The applicability of iMBS-MS/MS was further demonstrated by analyzing incurred mussel samples. The combination of immunorecognition and MS/MS detection in iMBS-MS/MS enhances the measurement's selectivity, which is demonstrated by the rapid differentiation between the marine toxin domoic acid (DA) and its structural analog kainic acid (KA), which cannot be achieved with the LFIA alone. Interestingly, this first-ever reported iMBS-MS/MS method is generic and can be adapted to include any other immuno-captured food contaminant, provided that monoclonal antibodies are available, thus offering a complementary confirmatory analysis approach to multiplex immunoassay screening methods. Moreover, thanks to its speed of analysis, iMBS-MS/MS can bridge the logistics gap between future large-scale on-site testings using LFIAs and classical time-consuming confirmatory MS analysis performed in official control laboratories.

Microspheres carrier system made from natural or synthetic polymers used in sustained release drug delivery system. The present study involves formulation and evaluation of floating microspheres of Curcumin for improving the drug bioavailability by prolongation gastric residence time. Curcumin, natural hypoglycemic agent is a lipophilic drug, absorbed poorly from the stomach, quickly eliminated and having short half-life so suitable to formulate floating drug delivery system for sustained release. Floating microspheres of curcumin were formulated by solvent evaporation technique using ethanol and dichloromethane (1:1) as organic solvent and incorporating various synthetic polymers as coating polymer, sustain release polymers and floating agent. The final formulation were evaluated various parameters such as compatibility studies, micrometric properties, In-vitro drug release and % buoyancy. FTIR studies showed that there were no interaction between drug and excipients. The surface morphology studies by SEM confirmed their spherical and smooth surface. The mean particles size were found to be 416-618µm, practical yield of microspheres was in the range of 60.21±0.052% - 80.87±0.043%, drug entrapment efficiency 47.4±0.065% - 77.9±0.036% and % buoyancy 62,24±0.161% - 88.63±0.413%. Result show that entraptmency increased as polymer (Eudragit RS100) conc. Increased. The drug release after 12 hrs. was 72.13% - 87.13% and it decrease as a polymer (HPMC, EC) concentration was decrease.

Curcumin (CURC) is a natural polyphenolic compound obtained from Curcuma longa which shows preventive and therapeutic actions against cancer. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a potent phytomolecule obtained from Camellia sinensis, with wide biological activity. The therapeutic effect is limited, owing to poor stability and limited membrane permeability across the intestine. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate colon-targeted microspheres of CURC and EGCG, using natural polymers. W/O emulsion crosslinking technique was used to prepare microspheres of CURC and EGCG using interpenetrating network (IPN) of Chitosan (CS) and Gum acacia (GA) and glutaraldehyde was used as a crosslinking agent. Prepared microspheres were filled in capsules coated with Eudragit S100. The prepared microspheres were evaluated in vitro for preformulation studies, encapsulation efficiency, micromeritic properties, dissolution studies and stability studies. FTIR and DSC studies had proved that the drug and polymers are compatible. The good flow property of microspheres showed that the microspheres are not aggregated. SEM micrographs of microspheres show a rough and folded surface morphology. The microspheres are spherical and uniform in shape. Formulations showed good encapsulation efficiency. Formulation F1 to F6 showed sustained release of drug for 10 h. The in-vitro drug release of batches was best explained by Higuchi models showing anomalous diffusion mechanism. The coated batch showed better release results. The optimized formulation for a period of 3 month at 40±2°/75 ± 5% RH showed no significant changes. The current approach was helpful to develop polysaccharide based microspheres of CURC and EGCG to enhance colonic drug delivery.

Aim: Stability Study of Mucoadhesive Microsphere Containing Nateglinide by Using Biodegradable Polymer Chitosan Study Design: The investigation of the stability of Nateglindine containing mucoadhesive microsphere by using chitosan was carried out. Methodology: The present study was performed to test the stability of microspheres formulation. The promising formulations were selected for in-vitro stability studies. Formulations were stored in screw-capped, amber color small glass bottles at 4±1°C, 27±2°C, and 42 ± 2°C for 45 days. After 0, 15, 30, and 45 days they were evaluated for the following parameters like particle size, and percent residual drug content. Results: The particle size of the microspheres was found to increase slightly at 4±1°C from initial to 45 days which might be due to the agglomeration of particles. While at a higher temperature that is 27±2°C, an increased in particle size was observed to more as compared to particle stored at 4±1°C could be due to agglomeration of microspheres more at a higher temperature. As the period passed, the concentration of the drug in the formulation was decreased with time but at the highest (42±2°C) temperature degradation rate was maximum. Conclusions: The stability study of microsphere containing Nateglinide concludes that the formulation CM-4326F was the best formulation in drug stability studies. As the period passed, the concentration of the drug in the formulation was decreased with time but at the highest (42±2°C) temperature degradation rate was maximum. Hence it was concluded that temperature 4±1°C or 27±2°C are suitable for storage of formulation because little changed was found in particle size and residual drug content.

There is growing interest in developing methods to 'wrap' nano- and micron-sized biological objects within films that may offer protection, enhance their stability or improve performance. We describe the successful 'wrapping' of lectin-decorated microspheres, which serve as appealing model micron-sized objects, within cross-linked polymer film. This approach utilizes polymer chains able to undergo a structural metamorphosis, from being intramolecularly cross-linked to intermolecularly cross-linked, a process that is triggered by polymer concentration upon the particle surface. Experiments demonstrate that both complementary molecular recognition and the dynamic covalent nature of the crosslinker are required for successful 'wrapping' to occur. This work is significant as it suggests that nano- and micron-sized biological objects such as virus-like particles, bacteria or mammalian cells-all of which may benefit from additional environmental protection or stabilization in emerging applications-may also be 'wrapped' by this approach.

Objective: The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used medications in the world because of their demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain and inflammation. The arthritis, pain and inflammation are effectively treated with Lornoxicam, an effective NSAIDs. Because the drug is weakly acidic, it is absorbed easily in the GI tract, and has a short biological half-life of 3 to 5 hours. To meet the objectives of this investigation, we developed a modified release dosage form to provide the delivery of lornoxicam at sustained rate which was designed to prolong its efficacy, reduce dosage frequency, and enhance patient compliance. The present research work was focused on the development of lornoxicam microspheres using natural polymer like okra gum extracted from the pods of Abelmoschus esculentus Linn. and synthetic polymer like ethyl cellulose along with sodium alginate prepared by Ca2+ induced ionic-gelation cross-linking in a complete aqueous environment were successfully formulated. Materials and Method: The microspheres were prepared by using sodium alginate with natural polymer (okra gum) and synthetic polymer (ethyl cellulose) in different ratios by Ca2+ induced ionic-gelation cross-linking. The formulations were optimized on the basis of drug release up to 12 hrs. The physicochemical characteristics of Lornoxicam microspheres such as drug polymer interaction study by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and further confirmation by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The formulated microspheres were characterized for particle size, percentage drug entrapment efficiency, micromeritic properties, surface morphology, percentage swelling index, in-vitro drug release study and mechanism of drug release. Results and Discussion: The FTIR Spectra revealed that there was no interaction between polymer and Lornoxicam which was further confirmed by DSC and XRD. All the formulated Lornoxicam microspheres were spherical in shape confirmed by SEM. The microspheres exhibited good flow properties and also showed high percentage drug entrapment efficiency. All the batches have excellent flow properties with angle of repose in the range of 25.38° ± 0.04 to 30.41° ± 0.07, carr’s index and hausner’s ratios in the range of 10.40% ± 0.018 to 16.66% ± 0.012 and 1.128 ± 0.09 to 2.225 ± 0.01, respectively. The optical microscopic studies revealed that the mean particle size of all the formulations were found in the range of 819.46 ± 0.07 to 959.88 ± 0.02 μm and percentage of drug entrapment were found to be between 72.35 ± 0.02 to 90.00 ± 0.05. Swelling index of prepared microspheres revealed that with increasing the polymer ratios, there were increase in the swelling of prepared microspheres, showing in the range of 600.76 ± 0.42 to 690.11 ± 0.03% for okra gum microspheres at the end of 9 hr in comparison with ethyl cellulose microspheres which ranges between 179.71 ± 0.07 to 227.73 ± 0.05% at the end of 7 hr. In-vitro drug release of prepared microspheres formulation code LSO4 and LSE4 were found to be 88.654 ± 0.25% and 93.971 ± 0.20% respectively at the end of 12 hr. It was suggested that increase in polymer concentration, the drug release from the prepared microspheres got retarded producing sustained release of lornoxicam. In-vitro drug release data obtained were fitted to various release kinetic models to access the suitable mechanism of drug release. Drug release from lornoxicam-loaded alginate-okra gum microspheres followed a pattern that resembled sustained release (Korsemeyer-Peppas model) (R2 = 0.9925 to 0.9951), and n ≤ 1 indicated anomalous diffusion (non-Fickian), supercase-II transport mechanism LSO4 (n = 1.039) over a period of 12 hour underlying in-vitro drug release. Moreover, zero order model (R2 = 0.9720 to 0.9949) were found closer to the best-fit Korsemeyer - Peppas model. In addition, the drug release from lornoxicam-loaded alginate-ethyl cellulose microspheres also follow Korsemeyer-Peppas model (R2 = 0.9741 to 0.9973) with near to Hixson-Crowell model (R2 = 0.9953 to 0.9985) and n < 1 indicated non-Fickian diffusion or anomalous transport mechanism. Moreover, first order model with non-Fickian diffusion mechanism (R2 = 0.9788 to 0.9918) were found closer to the best-fit Korsemeyer-Peppas model/ Hixson-Crowell model. Conclusion: The present study conclusively demonstrates the feasibility of effectively encapsulating Lornoxicam into natural polymer (okra gum) and synthetic polymer (ethyl cellulose) to form potential sustained drug delivery system. In conclusion, drug release over a period of 12 hrs, could be achieved from these prepared microspheres. A pH-dependent swelling and degradation of the optimized microspheres were also observed, which indicates that these microspheres could potentially be used for intestinal drug delivery.

Contains fulltext : 238625.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) Microbrachytherapy with radioactive holmium-166 ((166)Ho) microspheres (MS) has the potential to be an effective treatment method for brain malignancies. Direct intratumoural delivery of (166)Ho-MS and dose coverage of the whole tumour are crucial requirements. However, currently no dedicated instruments for controlled intratumoural delivery exist. This study presents an administration device that facilitates this novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -guided intervention. The bioceramic alumina oxide cannula creates a straight channel for a superelastic nitinol precurved stylet to control spatial deposition of Ho-MS. End-point accuracy of the stylet was measured during insertions in phantoms. Imaging tests were performed in a 3 Tesla MRI-scanner to quantify instrument-induced artefacts. Additionally, the feasibility of non-radioactive holmium-165 ((165)Ho)-MS delivery with the administration device was evaluated in a brain tumour simulant. Absolute stylet tip error was 0.88 +/- 0.61 mm, instrument distortion in MRI depended on needle material and orientation and dose delivery of (165)Ho-MS in a brain tumour phantom was possible. This study shows that the administration device can accurately place the stylet for injection of Ho-MS and that visualization can be performed with MRI.

Developing low-cost and high-efficiency bifunctional electrocatalysts for both oxygen evolution and reduction reactions is urgent to fulfill the practical application of rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). However, to explore the high catalytic performance of air electrocatalysts still remains a challenge. In response, a three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Co3O4 electrocatalyst is designed and synthesized through a nanocasting strategy. A well-controlled phosphorization treatment is further conducted to induce defect engineering on the resulting P-doped Co3O4–δ (3DOM P-Co3O4–δ). With the oxygen vacancy (Vo) tailoring, partial reduction from Co3+ to Co2+ is verified as the key to improving the intrinsic electrocatalytic bifunctionality. By incorporating the geometric and electronic merits, 3DOM P-Co3O4–δ possesses an ORR half-wave potential of 0.82 V and an OER overpotential of 366 mV to achieve 10 mA cm–2, which is comparable to noble-metal benchmarks. Particularly, under galvanostatic cycling measurements, ZABs using 3DOM P-Co3O4–δ containing air cathode showcase a potential gap of 0.84 V with negligible voltage fading over 250 h at 10 mA cm–2.

The objective of this paper was to develop a PLGA carrier Ticagrelor sustained-release microspheres preparation, which was expected to continue to release Ticagrelor for 14 days with a high encapsulation rate. Ticagrelor microspheres were prepared successfully with average diameter of 7.31 µm, drug loading of 12.49 ± 0.32% and EE up to 79.09 ± 1.69%. In the release medium of PH7.4 PBS, the microspheres showed good drug release behavior in vitro. In vivo release results also showed that the sustained-release microspheres could effectively control drug release in vivo and maintain a relatively stable blood drug concentration for about 2 weeks. The results indicate that Ticagrelor sustained-release microspheres can be used for long-term treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

A novel optical sensor for ammonia concentration in water is demonstrated using up-conversion (UC) fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR). The sensor element consists of (i) an Er 3+ -Yb 3+ co-doped tellurite glass microsphere integrated inside a section of suspended tri-core hollow fiber (STCHF) and (ii) the pH indicator phenol red. When 980 nm pump is coupled into the microsphere, the Er 3+ ions produce green and red UC emissions. Exposure to ammonia results in a strong increase in the 560 nm absorption of the phenol red, which acts as a filter for the green emission, while the red emission is unaffected. A simple linear relation between the FIR and the ammonia aqueous concentration has been established.

Gallstones were examined for 58 patients in Jilin, Jilin. It was found that gallstones from only one who suffered from cholecystectomy were composed of 20 spheroidal stones and they rarely exhibited three different types of surface appearances. Six representative powder samples were analyzed for gallstones compositions and Mn2+ using X-ray diffraction (XRD)/Infrared (IR) and electron spin resonance (ESR), respectively. The results suggested that all gallstones from this patient were identified by XRD to be gallstones consisting mainly of cholesterol and CaCO3 (GCCC). They rarely exhibited three different kinds of surface appearances corresponding to different concentration of trace Mn2+ in calcite (CMn2+/CCal): 18 dark/light brown spheres with smooth surfaces and CMn2+/CCal = 0–6 μg/g/%, a yellowish-brown huge sphere with a rougher surface and CMn2+/CCal = 30 μg/g/%, and an ashy sphere composed of tens of microspheres with the roughest surface and CMn2+/CCal = 60 μg/g/%. The difference in surface appearance showed significant association with CMn2+/CCal, and its increase made the gallstone’s surface change from smooth to rough and to fade in color. The unbalanced and competitive Mn2+ accumulation could occur occasionally in individual stones owing to different affinities to Mn2+, resulting in the formation of a huge stone and an ashy sphere. These two aberrations caused by higher CMn2+/CCal played an important role in suppressing the crystalline growth of the majority of dark/light brown spheres. GCCC from a patient might have a prominent Mn2+ partitioning feature corresponding to different surface appearances.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of a phospholipid-stabilized sulfur hexafluoride microsphere (SHM) contrast agent and water for hydrosonography of the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. ANIMALS 12 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES In a crossover study, each dog was anesthetized and underwent noncontrast ultrasonography then hydrosonography following administration of tap water (30 mL/kg) without (water method) or with SHM (0.1 mL; SHM method) via an orogastric tube. There were at least 3 days between hydro-sonographic procedures. Wall thickness, wall layer definition, conspicuity of the mucosal-luminal interface, and image quality were evaluated separately in the near and far fields for the gastric cardia, body, and pylorus and descending duodenum and compared among the 3 scanning methods. RESULTS Mean wall thickness measurements did not differ significantly between the water and SHM methods at any location except the far-field gastric cardia where the mean wall thickness for the SHM method was less than that for the water method. In general, the SHM method improved wall layer definition and conspicuity of the mucosal-luminal interface of structures in the near field, compared with noncontrast method. The water and SHM methods both resulted in superior image quality relative to the noncontrast method for the near-field gastric cardia, far-field gastric cardia, and far-field duodenum. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that, for dogs, gastrointestinal hydrosonography by use of the SHM method improved wall layer definition and mucosal conspicuity, particularly in near-field images of the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract. (Am J Vet Res 2021;82:712–721)