In the present study, propylene glycol monostearate (PGM), ethoxylated stearyl alcohol (ESA) and combination thereof have been investigated for their film-forming potential. The wettability, strength, and integrity of the films were evaluated by measuring the contact angles and modulus of elasticity. The films of mixed composition had smaller contact angles than the films of either component. The modulus of elasticity of all films tested was in the range of 0.19 - 0.40 Kg/cm2. A series of experiments were conducted in vitro to study the effect of changes in film composition, drug concentration and rate of agitation on cortisol release. Films of varying compositions containing 10 to 20% w/w ESA with corresponding decrease in PGM concentration with 4% w/w cortisol were found to release from 15 to 90% of cortisol during a 12 hour period. Unidirectional drug release from all film matrices was found to follow first-order kinetic profile over the first five hours of drug release. The examination of Q versus t½ plots (granular matrix) revealed linearity for the first five hours of drug release but curvilinear effect beyond. First-order release rate constant was found to increase linearly with rate of agitation.

The use of boron-containing amines for the amino alkylation of amides has been investigated in our laboratories with the aim of preparing compounds which could be used in neutron capture therapy. The purpose of this procedure is to achieve selective irradiation of a neoplactic growth by inducing radioactivity throughout that tissue. Although the results obtained in destroying tumors have not always been encouraging, they have been such - especially in cases not amenable to treatment by surgery or chemotherapy - that further research is warranted in order to develop drugs that can be used effectively in neutron capture therapy (Farr, Robertson & Stickley, 1954). This method of cancer treatment is still in the experimental stages of development, but it will, no doubt, gain the active interest of more clinical workers in the near future.

This study is designed to investigate via discriminant analysis the factors that are associated with the clinical outcome and nephrotoxicity in patients receiving gentamicin.

The substance choline, one of the quaternary nitrogen bases, has been the subject of a number of reviews and investigations. It has been described as a cholinergic agent, an inotropic agent, a vitamin, and perhaps in other ways. In spite of the interest shown in its action and uses, there is as yet very little information available as to the mechanism by which it is absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. The studies referred to thus far leave the field open for additional investigation. No mention was found in the literature of studies on selective areas of absorption of choline in the small intestine, or whether enzyme inhibitors might produce an effect on rate of absorption. In view of the possibility that active transport, and thus enzyme activity, might be involved in choline absorption, it is conceivable that rate of choline absorption might be altered by such enzyme inhibitors as phlorizin and 2, 4-dinitrophenol. Selective areas of choline absorption, and the effects of several enzyme inhibitors were, then, selected as the areas for investigation in the study described here.

After much anticipation, new dyslipidemia guidelines have been published by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA). The guidelines are a major shift from specific lipid goals to a focus on risk reduction. All pharmacists will need to be familiar with these guidelines in order to provide optimal patient care. Like all ASHP eReports, this is a brief and straightforward presentation of what you need to know about dyslipidemia treatment, the new guidelines, and where you can turn for deeper understanding of the context. Dyslipidemia: Contemporary Evaluation and Management addresses pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and disease classification, general treatment principles, non-pharmacological treatments, pharmacotherapy, monitoring, clinical controversies, and future treatment, references, and web resources.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria cause severe infections in hospitals and communities. Development of new drugs to combat resistant microorganisms is needed. Natural products of microbial origin are the source of most currently available antibiotics. We hypothesized that random mutagenesis of Aspergillus oryzae would result in secretion of antibacterial compounds. To address this hypothesis, we developed a screen to identify individual A. oryzae mutants that inhibit the growth of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro. To randomly generate A. oryzae mutant strains, spores were treated with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Over 3000 EMS-treated A. oryzae cultures were tested in the screen, and one isolate, CAL220, exhibited altered morphology and antibacterial activity. Culture supernatant from this isolate showed antibacterial activity against Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but not Klebsiella pneumonia or Proteus vulgaris. The results of this study support our hypothesis and suggest that the screen used is sufficient and appropriate to detect secreted antibacterial fungal compounds resulting from mutagenesis of A. oryzae. Because the genome of A. oryzae has been sequenced and systems are available for genetic transformation of this organism, targeted as well as random mutations may be introduced to facilitate the discovery of novel antibacterial compounds using this system.

No description available.