Safety of Eosinophil-Depleting Therapy for Severe, Eosinophilic Asthma: Focus on Benralizumab.

Eosinophils play a pivotal role in the inflammatory pathology of asthma and have been the target of new biologic treatments for patients with eosinophilic asthma. Given the central role of interleukin (IL)-5 in the eosinophil lifecycle, several therapies directed against the IL-5 pathway have been developed, including the anti-IL-5 antibodies mepolizumab and reslizumab and the IL-5 receptor α (IL-5Rα)-directed cytolytic antibody benralizumab. Eosinophil-depleting therapies represent a relatively new class of asthma treatment, and it is important to understand their long-term efficacy and safety.

Clinical outcomes in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who switch from natalizumab to delayed-release dimethyl fumarate: A multicenter retrospective observational study (STRATEGY).

Background: Delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) may be a therapeutic option for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who are treated with natalizumab and require a change in therapy. However, there is limited information regarding predictors of favorable treatment outcomes in patients switching from natalizumab to DMF. Clinical practices and sequencing protocols vary.

In situ forming phase-inversion implants for sustained ocular delivery of triamcinolone acetonide.

The objectives of this study were to develop biodegradable poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) based injectable phase inversion in situ forming system for sustained delivery of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and to conduct physicochemical characterisation including in vitro drug release of the prepared formulations. TA (at 0.5%, 1% and 2.

Evaluation of Potential Drug-Drug Interaction Between Delayed-Release Dimethyl Fumarate and a Commonly Used Oral Contraceptive (Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol) in Healthy Women.

Delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral therapy for relapsing multiple sclerosis with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. This 2-period crossover study was conducted to evaluate the potential for drug-drug interaction between DMF (240 mg twice daily) and a combined oral contraceptive (OC; norgestimate 250 μg, ethinyl estradiol 35 μg). Forty-six healthy women were enrolled; 32 completed the study.

A comprehensive review on polyelectrolyte complexes.

Global research on polyelectrolytes at a fundamental and applied level is intensifying because the advantages of sustainability are being accepted in academia and industrial research settings. During recent decades, polyelectrolytes became one of the most attractive subjects of scientific research owing to their great potential in the areas of advanced technologies. Polyelectrolytes are a type of polymer that have multitudinous ionizable functional groups.

Lipid based nanocarriers system for topical delivery of photosensitizers.

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive technique used in the treatment of malignant and non-malignant skin diseases. It offers great promise because of its simplicity, enhanced patient compliance, localisation of the photosensitizer, as well as the use of light and oxygen to achieve photocytotoxicity. Despite progress in photosensitizer-mediated topical PDT, its clinical application is limited by poor penetration of photosensitizers through the skin.

Application of diverse natural polymers in the design of oral gels for the treatment of periodontal diseases.

The objective of this study was to prepare periodontal gels using natural polymers such as badam gum, karaya gum and chitosan. These gels were tested for their physical and biochemical properties and assessed for their antibacterial activity against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus mutans, two pathogens associated with periodontal disease. Badam gum, karaya gum and chitosan were used to prepare gels of varying concentrations.

Recent Advances in Non-Invasive Delivery of Macromolecules using Nanoparticulate Carriers System.

Background: The drug delivery of macromolecules such as proteins and peptides has become an important area of research and represents the fastest expanding share of the market for human medicines. The most common method for delivering macromolecules is parenterally. However parenteral administration of some therapeutic macromolecules has not been effective because of their rapid clearance from the body.

IDENTIFICATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENT BEHAVIOR OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM) STARCH IN GLICLAZIDE IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLETS.

In the past few years, there are number of researchers carrying out their research on the excipients derived from polysaccharides and some of these researches show that natural excipients are comparable and can serve as an alternative to the synthetic excipients. Hence, the objectives of this research are to characterize the naturally sourced chickpea starch powder and to study the pharmaceutical excipient behavior of chickpea starch in gliclazide immediate release (IR) tablets. In this research, the binding properties of chickpea starch were compared to that of povidone, whereas the disintegrant properties of chickpea starch were compared to those of crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate.

Production, Characterization and Evaluation of Kaempferol Nanosuspension for Improving Oral Bioavailability.

Context: Kaempferol has a large particle size and poor water solubility, leading to poor oral bioavailability. The present work aimed to develop a kaempferol nanosuspension (KNS) to improve pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability.

Methods: A nanosuspension was prepared using high pressure homogenization (HPH) techniques.

Formulation of Gastric Floating System Using Bio-Sourced Terminalia Catappa Gum and in vivo Evaluation.

A central composite design was applied to design a novel gastric floating drug delivery system comprising propranolol HCl in Terminalia catappa gum and to evaluate the buoyancy, in vitro drug release behavior, and pharmacokinetic parameters. All formulations exhibited good buoyancy properties in vitro reflected by floating lag time of 1-110 sec, total floating time of 9-16 h and prolonged release behaviour (upto 12 h). Statistically optimised formulation (PBGRso) was orally administered to human volunteers under both fasted and fed conditions to evaluate gastric floating behavior under different food conditions by X-ray evaluation.

Opportunities for Nano-Formulations in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatments.

Diabetes mellitus has been a threat to humans for many years. Amongst the different diabetes types, type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common, and this is due to drastic changes in human lifestyle such as lack of exercise, stressful life and so on. There are a large number of conventional treatment methods available for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Formulation and optimization of gastric floating drug delivery system using Central composite design and its biopharmaceutical evaluation.

The present work investigates the formulation and biopharmaceutical estimation of gastric floating drug delivery system (GFDDS) of propranolol HCl using semi-synthetic polymer carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose (CMEC) and a synthetic polymer polyethylene oxide (PEO). A central composite design was applied for optimization of polymer quantity (CMEC or PEO) and sodium bicarbonate concentration as independent variables. The dependent variables evaluated were: % of drug release at 1 hr (D1hr), % drug release at 3 hr (D3hr) and time taken for 95% of drug release (t95).

Design and evaluation of a gastroretentive drug delivery system for metformin HCl using synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers.

The aim of the present research was to prepare and evaluate a gastroretentive drug delivery system for metformin HCl, using synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers. The floating approach was applied for preparing gastroretentive tablets (GRT) and these tablets were manufactured by the direct compression method. The drug delivery system comprises of synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers such as polyethylene oxide and Carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose (CMEC) as release-retarding polymers.

Statistical optimization of a novel excipient (CMEC) based gastro retentive floating tablets of propranolol HCl and it's in vivo buoyancy characterization in healthy human volunteers.

The objective of the present investigation is to formulate gastro retentive floating drug delivery systems (GRFDDS) of propranolol HCl by central composite design and to study the effect of formulation variables on floating lag time, D1hr (% drug release at 1 hr) and t90 (time required to release 90% of the drug). 3 factor central composite design was employed for the development of GRFDDS containing novel semi synthetic polymer carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose (CMEC) as a release retarding polymer. CMEC, sodium bicarbonate and Povidone concentrations were included as independent variables.

Thermal sintering: a novel technique in the design of gastroretentive floating tablets of propranolol HCl and its evaluation.

The aim of the present investigation was to formulate thermally sintered floating tablets of propranolol HCl, and to study the effect of sintering conditions on drug release, as well as their in vitro buoyancy properties. A hydrophilic polymer, polyethylene oxide, was selected as a sintered polymer to retard the drug release. The formulations were prepared by a direct compression method and were evaluated by in vitro dissolution studies.

Characterization and in vitro drug release studies of a natural polysaccharide Terminalia catappa gum (Badam gum).

The main objective of the present study is the physicochemical characterization of naturally available Terminalia catappa gum (Badam gum [BG]) as a novel pharmaceutical excipient and its suitability in the development of gastroretentive floating drug delivery systems (GRFDDS) to retard the drug for 12 h when the dosage form is exposed to gastrointestinal fluids in the gastric environment. As BG was being explored for the first time for its pharmaceutical application, physicochemical, microbiological, rheological, and stability studies were carried out on this gum. In the present investigation, the physicochemical properties, such as micromeritic, rheological, melting point, moisture content, pH, swelling index, water absorption, and volatile acidity, were evaluated.

Design and in vitro evaluation of effervescent gastric floating drug delivery systems of propanolol HCl.

Abstract. The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate effervescent gastric floating tablets of propranolol HCl. The oral delivery of antihypertensive propranolol HCl was facilitated by preparing an effervescent floating dosage form which could increase its absorption in the stomach by increasing the drug's gastric residence time.

An in vitro and in vivo investigation into the suitability of compression coated tablets of indomethacin for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis which follow circadian rhythms.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop chronotherapeutic drug delivery system of indomethacin using polyethylene oxide (PEO) with a predetermined lag time of 6 h by compression coating technique.

Materials And Methods: Solid dispersions (SD) of indomethacin were prepared using novel carrier sucrose fatty acid ester (SFE 1815) to increase the in vitro dissolution. The optimized SD was formulated as immediate release core tablet which were further coated with PEO (WSR Coagulant or WSR N12 K) using compression coating technique.

Clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from 1987 and 1989 demonstrating heterogeneous resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin.

Fifty isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, obtained during a multicenter clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of teicoplanin that was performed between 1987 and 1992, underwent glycopeptide susceptibility testing, and 2 isolates were found to be capable of growth on agar containing 4 or 8 mg/L of vancomycin. Both of these isolates were from patients that had received prolonged teicoplanin therapy and were deemed clinical failures. Extended susceptibility testing combined with mecA gene probing revealed that one isolate was susceptible to oxacillin, the other was resistant, and both were susceptible to a variety of nonglycopeptide agents.

Antimicrobial resistance to linezolid.

Acquired resistance to linezolid, the first approved oxazolidinone, has been selected in laboratory experiments and has been observed in clinical isolates of gram-positive cocci. This resistance has typically been associated with single-nucleotide changes in varying numbers of copies of the genes encoding 23S ribosomal RNA. In the current environment of increasingly prevalent resistance to standard antibiotics, linezolid is an important drug because of its activity against a number of clinically significant gram-positive cocci, including multidrug-resistant staphylococci and enterococci.

Reversion to susceptibility in a linezolid-resistant clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus.

Objectives: Linezolid resistance in rare isolates of Staphylococcus aureus has been associated with G2576T mutations in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene. We report the analysis of a clinical S. aureus isolate that developed linezolid resistance (MIC of linezolid of 12 mg/L) after a 25 day course of the drug.

Persistent bacteremia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection is associated with agr dysfunction and low-level in vitro resistance to thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein.

Background: The causes of persistent bacteremia (PB) due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are poorly understood. This investigation examined potential associations between PB with key clinical features and several in vitro bacterial genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, in isolates from 1 institution.

Methods: Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) relatedness, thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein (tPMP)-susceptibility phenotype, accessory gene regulator (agr) genotype and functionality (via delta-lysin production), and autolysis phenotypes were assessed in MRSA isolates from the bloodstream of 21 prospectively identified patients with PB (blood cultures positive after > or =7 days of therapy) and of 18 patients with resolving bacteremia (RB) (sterile blood cultures within the first 2-4 days of therapy) due to MRSA.