No description available.

Objective: To integrate process-oriented guided-inquiry learning (POGIL) team-based activities into a 1-semester medicinal chemistry course for doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students and determine the outcomes.

Abstract available in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by plaque formation due to an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and immune cells in the walls of arteries. If a plaque ruptures, an occlusive thrombosis may form that causes either a heart attack or stroke. Macrophages express CB-2 receptors, and are one type of immune cell that plays a role in plaque destabilization and rupture. Endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) have been found to have activity on CB-1 and CB-2 receptors throughout the body and immune system. In this study, we investigated several sample preparation options for the LC-MS quantification of AEA and 2-AG from plasma and aortic tissue. The extractions considered included liquid–liquid (LLE), solid-phase (SPE), and supported liquid (SLE). Some extraction protocols yielded high analyte recovery and prevention of 1-AG/2-AG isomerization. Our results indicate that a liquid-liquid extraction using toluene yields the highest recovery for both analytes, coupled with low ionization suppression in the mass spectrometer. This extraction and corresponding LC-MS/MS assay provides a simple, high throughput mechanism for the quantification of 2-AG and AEA in matrices relevant to the study of endocannabinoids’ role in atherosclerosis.

No description available.

Objective. To document the type and extent of active-learning techniques used in US colleges and schools of pharmacy as well as factors associated with use of these techniques. Methods. A survey instrument was developed to assess whether and to what extent active learning was used by faculty members of US colleges and schools of pharmacy. This survey instrument was distributed via the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) mailing list. Results. Ninety-five percent (114) of all US colleges and schools of pharmacy were represented with at least 1 survey among the 1179 responses received. Eighty-seven percent of respondents used active-learning techniques in their classroom activities. The heavier the teaching workload the more active-learning strategies were used. Other factors correlated with higher use of active-learning strategies included younger faculty member age (inverse relationship), lower faculty member rank (inverse relationship), and departments that focused on practice, clinical and social, behavioral, and/or administrative sciences. Conclusions. Active learning has been embraced by pharmacy educators and is used to some extent by the majority of US colleges and schools of pharmacy. Future research should focus on how active-learning methods can be used most effectively within pharmacy education, how it can gain even broader acceptance throughout the academy, and how the effect of active learning on programmatic outcomes can be better documented.

Carbapanems are a class of β-lactam antibiotics with broad-spectrum potency and high β-lactamase resistance. Ertapenem, a member of this class, sold under the trade name Invanz™, has been of interest in the world of antibiotic therapeutic drug monitoring owing to its highly standardized 1 g dose and its high degree of plasma protein binding. Owing to the relative newness of this drug, fewer than 30 methods for ertapenem quantification have been published. Among these about half utilize biological matrices at the sample type. Liquid-liquid extraction and protein precipitation prevail as the most frequently used sample preparation techniques, despite their low recoveries compared with solid-phase extraction. Additionally, high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) is the instrumentation choice for most ertapenem assays. While these approaches may not achieve the highest possible sensitivity for ertapenem quantification, they provide clinically relevant tools for monitoring ertapenem in real patients. Sample stability is an ongoing concern for laboratories that handle ertapenem analysis, with buffering being of paramount importance, as well as low temperature (

Purpose: Athough an effective direct renin inhibitor, aliskiren (ALS) presents with a low bioavailability coupled with high drug cost. As nanoformulation may increase drug bioavailability, our laboratory developed an ALS-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticle (ALS-NP) formulation. As such, the influence of nanoformulation on drug pharmacokinetic parameters were examined in this study. Methods: Following a single oral dose of ALS (n=7; 30 mg/kg) or ALS-NP (n=7; ALS dose equivalent), rats underwent pharmacokinetic sampling (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hrs post-dose). Plasma samples were assayed using LCMS-IT-TOF (coefficient of variation of <5%). Pharmacokinetic parameters (half-life, t1/2; maximum plasma concentration, Cmax; time to reach Cmax, tmax; the area under the plasma concentration time curve from 0 to infinity, AUC0-∞; apparent volume of distribution, V/F; and oral clearance, CLoral) were calculated using WinNonlin and evaluated using Student’s t-test with statistical significance set at p<0.05. All values shown as mean±SD. Results: While t1/2 (p=0.0517) and tmax (p=0.0961) were not significantly altered, Cmax in the ALS-NP group (448.53±49.07 mg/L) was elevated compared to control (288.60±148.07 mg/L; p=0.0189). ALS-NP also presented with a 168% relative bioavailability compared to ALS with respective AUC0-∞values of2592.82±600.51 and 1538.40±678.17 hr.mg/L (p=0.0095). The V/F of ALS-NP (128.56±43.67 L/kg) was significantly reduced (p=0.0009) compared to ALS (540.33±245.57 L/kg). A significant reduction (p=0.0298) was also detected in CLoral (ALS-NP, 12.26±3.59 L/hr/kg vs. ALS, 23.44±11.45 L/hr/kg) Conclusion: This study indicates that ALS-NP can be used to improve bioavailability of the drug.

Purpose: Oral vancomycin is a first-line treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Preparation of oral vancomycin solutions historically has been facilitated by extemporaneous compounding, using various formulas or compounding kits, such as FIRST® - Vancomycin. More recently, FIRVANQ™ (vancomycin HCl) for oral solution was approved by the FDA, replacing the FIRST® compounding kits. Preparation and storage of unit-doses of oral solutions can expedite delivery of the medication to the patient and reduce opportunity for dosing errors. In this study, we evaluated the stored stability of two preparations of vancomycin HCl oral solution (FIRST® – Vancomycin and FIRVANQ™), stored in oral syringes and dosing cups at refrigerated and room temperatures. Methods: Triplicate batches of vancomycin HCl oral solution (50 mg/mL) were prepared using FIRST® - Vancomycin and FIRVANQ™, aliquoted into plastic oral syringes and sealed dosing cups, and stored at refrigerated and room temperatures for a total of six batches. Additionally, remaining samples from FIRVANQ™ batches were unit-dosed in clear Luer-Lok™ syringes and stored under refrigeration as a seventh batch. Samples were removed and analyzed for vancomycin recovery using a previously validated high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method over a 30-day period. Recovery was quantitatively assessed by comparing to a freshly prepared United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) reference standard on each day of sampling. Results: Stability was defined as recovery of 90 - 110% of labeled amount. For all tested samples, the chemical potency remained within the therapeutically acceptable window for the entire study period of 30 days. At room temperature, the FIRST® syringes and cups both retained 95% potency after 30 days. Under refrigeration, this product retained 100% potency and 91% potency in syringes and cups, respectively. Similarly, the FIRVANQ™ room temperature syringes were at 99% recovery and the room temperature cups at 95% recovery after 30 days. Refrigerated FIRVANQ™ retained a potency of 102% potency in the dosing cups after 30 days, and the both syringes types (clear and amber) were 97% and 101%, respectively, recovery during the study period. Conclusion: The percent recovery of vancomycin in each test group remains within 90 – 110% of the labeled amount throughout duration of study (0 – 30 days). Based on this study, unit-dosing has been shown to have a 30-day chemical stability. In this case, unit-dosing not only may be used to improve workflow and reduce dosing errors, but may also have an impact of reducing drug waste due to avoidance of discarding appropriately potent drug product. Additionally, stability within the study period was independent of storage container and condition. Finally, this unit-dosing practice for FIRVANQ™ is equally acceptable in the classic luer-slip amber plastic syringes, and the newer Luer-Lok™ clear plastic syringes.

No description available.