Stability of diluted chlorhexidine for skin testing in drug allergy evaluations.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), a common cause of perioperative anaphylaxis, is frequently used for skin testing in allergy evaluations. Although CHX's maximal nonirritating concentrations are known, the stability of its dilutions for skin testing remains unexplored, particularly when sterile water for injection (SWFI) or normal saline (NS) are used as diluents.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the stability and precipitation of CHX when diluted with SWFI or NS for drug allergy skin testing.

Chemical Stability of Lorazepam Oral Solution Repackaged in Plastic Oral Syringes at Room and Refrigerated Temperature.

Generic lorazepam oral solution is supplied in a 30 mL multi-dose bottle requiring protection from light and refrigeration, with a beyond use date of 90 days once the bottle is opened. The repackaging of 1 mL doses of lorazepam oral solution into oral syringes allows for facilitated dispensing, yet no available data supports repackaging and storing lorazepam oral solution in syringes. The validation and application of a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method for the quantification of lorazepam allowed for the determination of the stability of lorazepam oral solution when stored in oral syringes.

Impact of introducing a new biological matrix into a validated bioanalytical method: Focus on matrix protein content.

International guidance on bioanalytical method validation recommends the practice of partial validation when introducing a new matrix from the same species into a previously fully validated assay. Planning the partial validation protocol should include an evaluation of analyte chemistry, consideration of sample container materials, and a comparison of properties between the relevant biological matrices. Transition of a serum/plasma-validated bioanalytical method to analysis from a low-protein matrix, such as urine, cerebral spinal fluid, or oral fluid can result in inconsistent analyte recovery.

Development and Validation of a Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Assay for Determination of Cromolyn Sodium in Skin Permeation Studies.

Cromolyn sodium (CS) is a mast cell stabilizer administered to treat allergic diseases. A topical system would sustain its delivery and may be designed for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Established HPLC protocols for detection of CS are time consuming and intensive, indicating the need for a more streamlined method.

Comparative Stability of Compounded Omeprazole Suspension Versus Commercial Omeprazole Kit When Stored in Oral Syringes Under Refrigerated Conditions.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to manage gastrointestinal disorders. Special populations may require omeprazole to be given as an oral suspension. The purpose of this project was to compare the stability of omeprazole in the FIRST kit product to a traditionally compounded omeprazole suspension, when stored in refrigerated unit-dosed syringes.

Stability of Ampicillin in Normal Saline Following Refrigerated Storage and 24-Hour Pump Recirculation.

Objective: Use of ampicillin in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has historically been complicated by frequent dosing and limited stability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate stability of ampicillin using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in an OPAT dosing model using continuous infusion at room temperature over 24 hours immediately following preparation compared with batches stored under refrigeration for 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days.

Methods: An HPLC method was developed and validated as stability indicating using guidance in USP general Chapter <1225>.

Pharmacokinetics of Synthetic Cathinones Found in Bath Salts in Mouse Brain and Plasma Using High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Background And Objectives: Approximately 10 years ago, "bath salts" became popular as legal alternatives to the psychostimulants cocaine and the amphetamines. These products contained synthetic cathinones, including 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone). Most preclinical investigations have only assessed the effects of these synthetic cathinones independently; however, case reports and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) studies indicate that bath salts contain mixtures of these substances.

Report of the 2018-2019 Research and Graduate Affairs Committee.

The 2018-2019 Research and Graduate Affairs Committee (RGAC) was charged with critically evaluating the leadership development support necessary for pharmacy researchers, including postdoctoral trainees, to develop the skills needed to build and sustain successful research programs and analyzing how well those needs are being met by existing programs both within AACP and at other organizations. The RGAC identified a set of skills that could reasonably be expected to provide the necessary foundation to successfully lead a research team and mapped these skills to the six domains of graduate education in the pharmaceutical sciences established by the 2016-2017 RGAC (Table 1). In addition, the RGAC identified competency in team science and the bench-to-bedside-to-beyond translational spectrum as being critical elements of research leadership.

Faculty Applicants' Attempt to Inflate CVs Using Predatory Journals.

Recently, scientific publishing has experienced an expansion of journals and publishers whose primary goal is profit and whose peer review process is virtually non-existent. These "predatory" or "opportunistic" journals pose a threat to the credibility and integrity of legitimate scientific literature, and quality science. Unfortunately, many scientists choose to publish in these journals and/or serve on their editorial boards, either due to ease of rapid publication or naivety.

HIV Integrase Inhibitor Pharmacogenetics: An Exploratory Study.

Background And Objectives: Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), dolutegravir, elvitegravir, and raltegravir, have become integral in the treatment of HIV, with close monitoring of continued efficacy and tolerability. As side effect occurrence varies among subjects receiving these drugs, we sought to perform an exploratory analysis examining the role of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on drug concentration changes, selected clinical outcomes, and the occurrence of subject-reported adverse events.

Methods: Adults (aged ≥ 18 years) receiving INSTI-based regimens for treatment of HIV were recruited and genotyped with an iPLEX ADME PGx Pro v1.

Chromatographic methods in HIV medicine: Application to therapeutic drug monitoring.

HIV antiretroviral therapy spans several different drug classes, meant to combat various aspects of viral infection and replication. Many authors have argued the benefits of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for the HIV patient including compliance assurance and assessment of appropriate drug concentrations; however, the array of drug chemistries and combinations makes TDM an arduous task. HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS are both frequent instruments for the quantification of HIV drugs in biological matrices with investigators striving to balance sensitivity and affordability.

Stability of a pyrimethamine suspension compounded from bulk powder.

Purpose: Development of a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for pyrimethamine analysis, with subsequent application of that method to assess the 90-day stability of a pyrimethamine suspension compounded from bulk USP-grade pyrimethamine powder, is described.

Methods: A stability-indicating method of HPLC with ultraviolet detection specific to pyrimethamine was developed according to pharmacopeial recommendations and validated. The method was applied to investigate the stability of a 2-mg/mL pyrimethamine suspension in a vehicle consisting of Ora-Plus and Ora-Sweet (Perrigo) over a period of 90 days.

The pharmacokinetic profile of synthetic cathinones in a pregnancy model.

In recent years, the abuse of synthetic cathinones or 'bath salts' has become a major public health concern. Although these compounds were initially sold legally and labeled "not for human consumption", the 'bath salts' are psychostimulants, with similar structures and pharmacologic mechanisms to cocaine, the amphetamines, and 3,4 methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Molly, or Ecstasy). The reported use of these substances by women of child-bearing age highlights the necessity of studies seeking to delineate risks of prenatal exposure.

Beyond-use dating of lidocaine alone and in two "magic mouthwash" preparations.

Purpose: Beyond-use dating (BUD) of lidocaine alone and in two "magic mouthwash" preparations stored in amber oral syringes at room temperature was determined.

Methods: Two formulations of mouthwash containing oral topical lidocaine 2% (viscous), diphenhydramine 2.5 mg/mL, and aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide-simethicone were prepared in 1:1:1 and 1:2.

Stability of sildenafil in combination with heparin and dopamine.

Purpose: The stability of sildenafil in combination with heparin and dopamine was evaluated.

Methods: A stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection was developed for sildenafil citrate and validated. The method was applied to the investigation of sildenafil alone, sildenafil with heparin, sildenafil with dopamine, and sildenafil with heparin and with dopamine, all in 5% dextrose injection at room temperature and under refrigeration for 30 days.

Quantification of Synthetic Cathinones in Rat Brain Using HILIC-ESI-MS/MS.

The abuse of synthetic cathinones, formerly marketed as "bath salts", has emerged over the last decade. Three common drugs in this class include 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone). An LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of MDPV, mephedrone, and methylone in brain tissue.

The pharmacokinetic profile of methylphenidate use in pregnancy: A study in mice.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the amounts of the d- and l-threo enantiomers of methylphenidate in maternal plasma, placenta, and maternal and fetal brain tissue following prenatal exposure and to establish a pharmacokinetic profile for MPH during pregnancy. Due to increasing rates of use of methylphenidate amongst females of childbearing age, it is important to understand the extent of exposure to the fetus. Briefly, pregnant mice were injected with 5 mg/kg methylphenidate at 18 days gestation, and tissue was collected 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, and 120 min following injection.

Beyond-use date determination of buprenorphine buccal solution using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay.

Objectives: The objectives of this study included developing and validating a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection for the determination of buprenorphine in a buccal solution for veterinary use, and applying that method to determine the stability of a 3 mg/ml buprenorphine preparation in room temperature and refrigerated storage conditions. This preparation, intended for buccal administration in feline patients, plays an important role in pain management in cats.

Methods: A stability-indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for system suitability, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, specificity, linearity and robustness based on US Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapter <1225>.

Assays for determination of ertapenem for applications in therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetics and sample stability.

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.

Comparison of three generic vancomycin products using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and an online tool.

Purpose: Three different generic vancomycin products were compared using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and open-access metabolomic tools.

Methods: Single-lot samples of vancomycin hydrochloride from three different manufacturers (Hospira, APP Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer) were reconstituted and injected into a high-resolution LC-MS system. The mass spectral fingerprints were compared for similarity of nonvancomycin B components using the XCMS Online system through Scripps University.

Random Mutagenesis of the Aspergillus oryzae Genome Results in Fungal Antibacterial Activity.

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.

Quantitative determination of d- and l-threo enantiomers of methylphenidate in brain tissue by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Methylphenidate, a psychostimulant used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy, is administered as a 50:50 racemic mixture, despite the fact that d-methylphenidate has been shown to have greater pharmacologic activity. This paper presents a validated LC-MS/MS approach to separation and quantification of methylphenidate enantiomers using a vancomycin column and triethylammonium acetate to enhance the chiral separation. The method is applicable to the monitoring of these enantiomers in mouse brain, with a limit of detection of 0.

A case-based toxicology module on agricultural- and mining-related occupational exposures.

Objective: To develop and assess a toxicology module to teach pharmacy students about farming- and mining-related occupational exposures in the context of an existing toxicology elective course.

Design: A teaching unit that included lectures and case studies was developed to address the unique occupational exposures of patients working in agricultural and mining environments. Upon completion of this 4-hour (2 class periods) module, students were expected to recognize the clinical signs and symptoms associated with these occupational exposures and propose acceptable therapeutic plans.