To investigate the influence of machine operating variables on formulations derived from lactose types in capsule filling: part 2.

This study is the second in a series that examines the characterizing and selection of suitable grades of lactose for capsule formulation development. Based upon the previous study, four grades were selected for further study. The effects of drug load and operational variables on formulations derived from these four lactose types were evaluated for physicochemical and mechanical attributes of plugs and their capsules on an instrumented dosing-disc capsule filling machine (H&H KFM/3) using acetaminophen as a model, highly soluble and poorly compressible drug.

Characterization and selection of suitable grades of lactose as functional fillers for capsule filling: part 1.

The purpose of this work is to characterize thermal, physical and mechanical properties of different grades of lactose and better understand the relationships between these properties and capsule filling performance. Eight grades of commercially available lactose were evaluated: Pharmatose 110 M, 125 M, 150 M, 200 M, 350 M (α-lactose monohydrate), AL (anhydrous lactose containing ∼80% β-AL), DCL11 (spray dried α-lactose monohydrate containing ∼15% amorphous lactose) and DCL15 (granulated α-lactose monohydrate containing ∼12% β-AL). In this study, different lactose grades were characterized by thermal, solid state, physical and mechanical properties and later evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) to assess the inter-relationships among some of these properties.

Sustained release dosage forms dissolution behavior prediction: a study of matrix tablets using NIR spectroscopy.

The objective of this study was to predict dissolution behavior of sustained release theophylline matrix tablets using near infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and multivariate calibration models. Eudragit NE 30D was used as a granulation binder to prepare theophylline sustained release tablets. A total of 117 tablets from 5 batches containing different proportions of Eudragit NE 30D were scanned using a NIR spectrometer.

Influence of polymer structure and biodegradation on DNA release from silk-elastinlike protein polymer hydrogels.

Silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) of varying ratios and lengths of silk and elastin blocks capable of hydrogel formation were evaluated as matrices for controlled delivery of plasmid DNA. Influence of polymer structure, ionic strength of the media and gelation time on DNA release from two structurally related hydrogels, SELP-47K and SELP-415K, was evaluated. The influence of elastase-induced degradation on the swelling behavior and DNA release from these hydrogels was investigated.

Phospholipid-induced in vivo particle migration to enhance pulmonary deposition.

Amount of drug actually reaching the target region in the lung following pulmonary inhalation is often estimated at less than 10% for older devices. Current particle and device engineering technologies have improved on this but still fail to recover the "wasted" fraction of the drug and deliver it deeper into the lungs, which is generally desirable. FDA has approved several exogenous surfactants for prophylaxis and rescue treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Reduced and high molecular weight barley beta-glucans decrease plasma total and non-HDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic Syrian golden hamsters.

Consumption of concentrated barley beta-glucan lowers plasma cholesterol because of its soluble dietary fiber nature. The role of molecular weight (MW) in lowering serum cholesterol is not well established. Prior studies showed that enzymatic degradation of beta-glucan eliminates the cholesterol-lowering activity; however, these studies did not evaluate the MW of the beta-glucan.