Non-operative management for penetrating splenic trauma: how far can we go to save splenic function?

Background: Selective non-operative management (NOM) for the treatment of blunt splenic trauma is safe. Currently, the feasibility of selective NOM for penetrating splenic injury (PSI) is unclear. Unfortunately, little is known about the success rate of spleen-preserving surgical procedures.

In Vivo Evaluation of a PEO-Gellan Gum Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network for the Oral Delivery of Sulpiride.

In this study, an optimized epichlorohydrin-crosslinked semi-interpenetrating polymer network xerogel matrix system (XePoMas) for the controlled delivery of sulpiride was prepared. The ability of XePoMas to sustain drug release was determined by in vitro and in vivo drug release experiments. Swelling of the xerogel over the 24-h experimental period ranged from 346 to 648%; swelling was observed to increase exponentially over the initial 8 h.

Bypassing P-Glycoprotein Drug Efflux Mechanisms: Possible Applications in Pharmacoresistant Schizophrenia Therapy.

The efficient noninvasive treatment of neurodegenerative disorders is often constrained by reduced permeation of therapeutic agents into the central nervous system (CNS). A vast majority of bioactive agents do not readily permeate into the brain tissue due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the associated P-glycoprotein efflux transporter. The overexpression of the MDR1 P-glycoprotein has been related to the occurrence of multidrug resistance in CNS diseases.

An epichlorohydrin-crosslinked semi-interpenetrating GG-PEO network as a xerogel matrix for sustained release of sulpiride.

The current study involved the development of a novel sustained release crosslinked semi-IPN xerogel matrix tablet prepared by chemical crosslinking of poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) and gellan gum (GG) employing epichlorohydrin (EPI) as crosslinker. A Box-Behnken design was employed for the statistical optimization of the matrix system to ascertain the ideal combination of native polymeric and crosslinking agents. Characterization studies were performed by employing standard polymer characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy.

Patients' motivations for participating in cardiovascular clinical trials: a local perspective.

Objective: To investigate patients' motivations for participating in cardiovascular clinical trials.

Methods: Patients attending TREAD Research, located within Tygerberg Hospital, Parow, Western Cape, between January 2005 and May 2006 were approached to participate in the study. Consenting patients were given a validated questionnaire to complete in their home language.