Flurbiprofen sodium microparticles and soft pellets for nose-to-brain delivery: Serum and brain levels in rats after nasal insufflation.

Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) revamped the role of a preventive therapeutic action of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; flurbiprofen could delay AD onset, provided its access to brain is enhanced and systemic exposure limited. Nasal administration could enable direct drug access to central nervous system (CNS) via nose-to-brain transport. Here, we investigated the insufflation, deposition, dissolution, transmucosal permeation, and in vivo transport to rat brain of flurbiprofen from nasal powders combined in an active device.

Insect antimicrobial peptides: potential weapons to counteract the antibiotic resistance.

Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have contributed in the last decades to a phenomenon known as antibiotic resistance which is currently considered one of the principal threats to global public health by the World Health Organization. The aim to find alternative drugs has been demonstrated as a real challenge. Thanks to their biodiversity, insects represent the largest class of organisms in the animal kingdom.

In vitro evaluation of regional nasal drug delivery using multiple anatomical nasal replicas of adult human subjects and two nasal sprays.

Quantifying drug delivery to the site of action using locally-acting nasal suspension sprays is a challenging but important step toward understanding bioequivalence (BE) between test and reference products. The main objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro deposition pattern of two common but different locally-acting nasal suspension sprays using multiple nasal cavities. Twenty anatomically accurate nasal replicas were developed from high-resolution sinonasal computed tomography scans of adults with healthy nasal airways.

Anti-inflammatory flurbiprofen nasal powders for nose-to-brain delivery in Alzheimer's disease.

Neuroinflammation occurs in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, anti-inflammatory drugs in this asymptomatic initial phase could slow down AD progression, provided they enter the brain. Direct nose-to-brain drug transport occurs along olfactory or trigeminal nerves, bypassing the blood-brain barrier.

Chemicals from textiles to skin: an in vitro permeation study of benzothiazole.

Despite the possible impact on human health, few studies have been conducted to assess the penetration and accumulation of contaminants in the skin after a prolonged contact with textile materials. In previous studies, we have shown that benzothiazole and its derivatives, as well as other potentially hazardous chemicals, often are present as textile contaminants in clothes available on the retail market. Since benzothiazole is a common contaminant in clothes, these can be a possible route for human chemical exposure, both systemic and onto the skin.

Opportunity and challenges of nasal powders: Drug formulation and delivery.

In the field of nasal drug delivery, among the preparations defined by the European Pharmacopoeia, nasal powders facilitate the formulation of poorly water-soluble active compounds. They often display a simple composition in excipients (if any), allow for the administration of larger drug doses and enhance drug diffusion and absorption across the mucosa, improving bioavailability compared to nasal liquids. Despite the positive features, however, nasal products in this form still struggle to enter the market: the few available on the market are Onzetra Xsail® (sumatriptan) for migraine relief and, for the treatment of rhinitis, Rhinocort® Turbuhaler® (budesonide), Teijin Rhinocort® (beclomethasone dipropionate) and Erizas® (dexamethasone cipecilate).

Clarithromycin and N-acetylcysteine co-spray-dried powders for pulmonary drug delivery: A focus on drug solubility.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lungs are usually susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and this bacterium is resistant to immune system clearance and drug control. Particularly, the biofilm mode of growth protects several microorganisms from host defenses and antibacterial drugs, mainly due to a delayed penetration of the drug through the biofilm matrix. Biofilm, together with lung mucus viscosity and tenacity, reduces, therefore, the effectiveness of conventional antibiotic therapy in CF.

Aerodynamic properties, solubility and in vitro antibacterial efficacy of dry powders prepared by spray drying: Clarithromycin versus its hydrochloride salt.

Antibiotic therapy for a direct administration to the lung in cystic fibrosis patients has to provide suitable availability, possibly in the lower respiratory tract, characterized by the presence of thick secretions. One of the crucial steps in the therapeutic management of the respiratory disease could be the drug solubilization directly in this site of action. The aim of the study was to prepare respirable powders of clarithromycin, while improving drug aqueous solubility.

Alirocumab (Praluent): First in the New Class of PCSK9 Inhibitors.

Alirocumab (Praluent): first in the new class of PCSK9 inhibitors.

Rheological Properties of Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Secretion and in Vitro Drug Permeation Study: The Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by a thick, sticky mucus responsible for both airway obstruction and resistance to drug diffusion, reducing the effectiveness of drug delivery to the lung. Studies of drug-mucus interaction may be a crucial step in therapeutic management of CF. In the present research, the effect of a saline solution of sodium bicarbonate (100 mM) on sputum viscosity and the permeation properties of ketoprofen lysinate (Klys) from a previously developed dry powder inhaler were evaluated.

Environmental monitoring programme in the cell therapy facility of a research centre: preliminary investigation.

Introduction: Recent discoveries in cell therapy research present new opportunities for cellular products to be used to treat severe, and as yet incurable, diseases. It is therefore essential to implement a quality control programme in order to ensure that safe cells and tissues are provided.

Methods: In a preliminary phase of the setting up of a the cellfactory, monitoring was carried out monthly over a 6-month period in one out of three cell therapy laboratories and filter rooms in order to evaluate the microbial contamination of air and surfaces and the presence of airborne particulates.

The role of informatics in the coordinated management of biological resources collections.

The term 'biological resources' is applied to the living biological material collected, held and catalogued in culture collections: bacterial and fungal cultures; animal, human and plant cells; viruses; and isolated genetic material. A wealth of information on these materials has been accumulated in culture collections, and most of this information is accessible. Digitalisation of data has reached a high level; however, information is still dispersed.

Molecular Probe Data Base (MPDB).

In this paper, the current status of the Molecular Probe Data Base (http://www.biotech.ist.

Molecular Probe Data Base (MPDB).

Molecular Probe Data Base contains detailed information on synthetic oligonucleotides with a sequence of up to 100 nucleotides. This database prevalently contains information related to human oligonucleotides used in diagnostics. Molecular Probe Data Base has been made available on-line through the Internet by means of Network Information Retrieval (NIR) tools since 1993.

Molecular probe data base (MPDB).

The molecular probe data base (MPDB) contains detailed information on synthetic oligonucleotides, including their identification, target genes, applications and bibliographic references. It is available on-line through Internet and can be searched by using Network Information Retrieval tools. In this article the most recent enhancements of MPDB, both in terms of data contents and new ways of access, are described.

Antihypertensive effects of CGS 19281A, an inhibitor of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase.

In experimental hypertension, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) activity and adrenaline levels are elevated in brainstem centers involved in cardiovascular regulation. Known PNMT inhibitors used to lower blood pressure have invariably shown alpha adrenergic activity as a side effect. A search for new inhibitors disclosed that CGS 19281A (4,9-dihydro-7-methoxy-3H-pyrido[3,4b]indole) inhibits PNMT (IC50, 2.

Elevated plasma catecholamines and adrenal phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase in experimental renal hypertension.

The participation of plasma catecholamine alterations in the development of renal hypertension is uncertain. Therefore, plasma catecholamines and phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase (PNMT) activity in the adrenal gland were studied in rats with aortic ligation between the renal arteries. Blood pressure reached a plateau after 12 days (mean arterial pressure (MAP): 194 +/- 3 mmHg; P less than 0.

Metabolism of tripelennamine in man.

Four polar metabolites were isolated from the urine of human subjects orally treated with tripelennamine, and their structures elucidated by various chemical and physical methods. One of the metabolites, which is a minor one, was identified as an N-oxide of tripelennamine, and the other three as glucuronide conjugates. One of the conjugates, which is a major metabolite, has been assigned a unique quaternary ammonium N-glucuronide structure, since it gave tripelennamine and D-glucuronic acid on incubation with beta-glucuronidase.