Comparing Face-to-Face, Blended and Online Teaching Approaches for Practical Skill Acquisition: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The efficacy of blended and online teaching methods for practical skill acquisition remains ambiguous, particularly for skills requiring haptic awareness and/or sensory training. This study aims to compare three teaching methods (face-to-face, blended, online) for the acquisition of skills requiring sensory learning and haptic awareness. A secondary aim was to explore student experience of each teaching approach.

Development of a SPE-LC-MS Method for the Quantitation of Palbociclib and Abemaciclib in Human Plasma.

Palbociclib and abemaciclib are two cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 used for breast cancer treatment. Levels of these medicines present a significant interindividual variability, so monitoring those concentrations might be necessary in therapy. Most of the methods presented so far in the literature use simple protein precipitation of plasma proteins as sample preparation method followed by direct injection of the supernatant into the LC instrument, preceded or not by a simple filtration step.

Simultaneous Determination of Two Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Tablets by HPLC-MS analysis.

The class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is represented by a group of compounds which are currently used in the treatment of different types of cancer. These oral medicines present a narrow therapeutic index and a large inter-and intra-individual variability. Within this work, a simple, accurate and rapid reversed phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-UHPLC) method with mass spectrometric (MS) detection for simultaneous analysis of two TKIs, ibrutinib and ruxolitinib, using pentoxifylline as internal standard (IS) in tablet dosage forms is presented.

The Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone Treatment on Neurogenesis, Astrogliosis and Long-Term Cocaine-Seeking Behavior in a Cocaine Self-Administration Model in Rats.

Cocaine addiction is an acquired behavioral state developed in vulnerable individuals after cocaine exposure. It is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and high vulnerability to relapse even after prolonged abstinence, associated with decreased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. This addictive state is hypothesized to be a form of "memory disease" in which the drug exploits the physiological neuroplasticity mechanisms that mediate regular learning and memory processes.

Hydroxyapatite-ciprofloxacin delivery system: Synthesis, characterisation and antibacterial activity.

The main objective of this study was to synthesize hydroxyapatite-ciprofloxacin composites using a chemical precipitation method and to evaluate the properties and in vitro release profile of the drug from the hydroxyapatite-ciprofloxacin composites. Composite characterization was achieved by FT-IR, XRD and DLS. Ciprofloxacin determination was accomplished by HPLC, resulting in good incorporation efficiency of the drug (18.

Formulation and Characterization of Ciprofloxacin loaded PLGA Microspheres for Applications in Orthopedic Infections.

Purpose-Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that appears as a complication after a fracture or orthopedic surgery. Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that can be used in local drug delivery systems for the treatment of bone related infections due to its bactericidal activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to include ciprofloxacin in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres.

Magnetic nanoparticles-based therapy for malignant mesothelioma.

This work was aimed to analyze the versatility of the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as in vivo model for the study of the malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and the therapeutic potential of Fe3O4÷salicylic acid magnetic nanoparticles (SaMNPs) on MPM cells. The antitumor effects of SaMNPs were studied by in vitro and in vivo tests on CARM-L12 TG3 rat malignant mesothelioma cells and human MPM xenografts implanted on CAMs. In order to assess the human MPM xenograft growth characteristics, calretinin, HBME-1 (Hector Battifora mesothelial epitope-1), and cytokeratins immunohistochemical stainings were performed.

Simultaneous Quantitation of Boric Acid and Calcium Fructoborate in Dietary Supplements by HPTLC-Densitometry.

The paper describes a new, simple, selective and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous identification and quantitative determination of boric acid (BA) and calcium fructoborate (CFB) in bulk and tablet/capsule dosage forms of dietary supplements. HPTLC silica gel G 60 F precoated glass plates were used as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of 2-propanol-water 8:2 (v/v).

Plant Growth Regulating Activity of Some N-Substituted Chloroacetylanilines.

Purpose: The synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of six N-substituted chloroacetylanilines and testing their plant growth regulating activity.

Material/methods: The synthesis of the six N-substituted chloroacetylanilines was accomplished by condensation of N-substituted anilines, in an acidic medium, with chloroacetylchloride. Purified compounds obtained were physico-chemical characterized by elemental analysis and spectral analysis.

Development and Validation of an HPLC Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Clopidogrel Bisulfate, Its Carboxylic Acid Metabolite, and Atorvastatin in Human Plasma: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study.

A simple, sensitive, and specific reversed phase liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of clopidogrel, its carboxylic acid metabolite, and atorvastatin in human serum. Plasma samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile and ibuprofen was chosen as internal standard. Chromatographic separation was performed on an BDS Hypersil C18 column (250 × 4.

Calcium Fructoborate for Bone and Cardiovascular Health.

Calcium fructoborate (CF), a natural sugar-borate ester found in fresh fruits and vegetables, is a source of soluble boron. CF contains three forms of borate (diester, monoester, and boric acid) and all are biologically active, both at the intracellular (as free boric acid) and extracellular level (as fructose-borate diester and monoester). At the cellular and molecular level, CF is superior to the boric acid/borate, exhibiting a complex "protective" effect against inflammatory response.

Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Alendronate Sodium/PLGA Microspheres for Applications in Bone Related Disorders.

Purpose - Bisphosphonates are a group of drugs that can be used in the development of new therapies for bone disorders. Microencapsulation by solvent evaporation is a method that results in microspheres with controlled release of the drug. The purpose of the present study was to include sodium alendronate (AL) in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres with a good encapsulation rate.

Simultaneous Analysis of Clopidogrel Bisulfate, Acetylsalicylic Acid and Atorvastatin calcium in Tablets by HPLC Method.

The concept of multidrug therapy with clopidogrel, acetylsalicylic acid and atorvastatin provides major advances for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) treated invasively and conservatively to reduce the risk of ischemic events and improve survival. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel is currently the treatment of choice in acute coronary syndromes and prevention of thrombosis after coronary stent implementation. Present paper presents a simple, rapid and precise reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous estimation of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate, acetylsalicylic acid and atorvastatin calcium from tablet dosage form.

Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study.

Calcium fructoborate (CFB) has been reported as supporting healthy inflammatory response. In this study, we assess the effects of CFB on blood parameters and proinflammatory cytokines in healthy subjects. This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Neurodegeneration of lateral habenula efferent fibers after intermittent cocaine administration: implications for deep brain stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an emerging technique for effective, non-pharmacological intervention in the course of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Several brain targets have been suggested as suitable for DBS treatment of drug addiction. Previously, we showed that DBS of the lateral habenula (LHb) can reduce cocaine intake, facilitate extinction and attenuate drug-induced relapse in rats trained to self-administrate cocaine.

High cocaine dosage decreases neurogenesis in the hippocampus and impairs working memory.

Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder, characterized by the loss of the ability to control drug consumption. The neurobiology of addiction is traditionally thought to involve the mesocorticolimbic system of the brain. However, the hippocampus has received renewed interest for its potential role in addiction.

Effect of propranolol on mepivacaine serum concentrations in dental practice.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of propranolol pretreatment on mepivacaine serum concentrations in dental patients.

Study Design: In a double blind, randomized, 2-way crossover study, 10 patients ingested 30 mg propranolol or placebo, 2 hours before local anesthesia for dental scaling. Each subject received a single dose of 51 mg mepivacaine for posterior superior alveolar nerve block.

Determination of some local anesthetics in human serum by gas chromatography with solid-phase extraction.

A method of analysis based on solid-phase extraction coupled with capillary gas chromatographic system for determination of mepivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine from human serum was developed. As extraction sorbents were used Chromosorb 103, Tenax-GC and Chromosorb T. The best extraction sorbent proved to be Chromosorb 103.