Factors associated with generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a cross-sectional study.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, but determining factors for HRQOL are still not unequivocal. This study measures HRQOL among patients with COPD and aims to determine factors associated with HRQOL.

Methods: Data for cross-sectional analyses were obtained from the baseline of a cohort study.

Specific, but not general beliefs about medicines are associated with medication adherence in patients with COPD, but not asthma: Cohort study in a population of people with chronic pulmonary disease.

Background: Beliefs about medicines are regarded as influencing factors on medication adherence (Horne, 1997). Adherence levels in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases are low (Bourbeau and Bartlett, 2008; Sumino and Cabana, 2013). A better understanding of the predictive role of patients' beliefs about medicines for adherence might be a crucial step to improve medication adherence.

Differences in medication adherence are associated with beliefs about medicines in asthma and COPD.

Adherence to medication is crucial for achieving treatment control in chronic obstructive lung diseases. This study refers to the "necessity-concerns framework" and examines the associations between beliefs about medicines and self-reported medication adherence in people with chronic obstructive lung disease. 402 patients (196 with asthma, 206 with COPD) participated in the study and completed a questionnaire comprising the "Beliefs about Medicines-Questionnaire" (BMQ) and the "Medication Adherence Report Scale" (MARS).

Factors associated with generic health-related quality of life in adult asthma patients in Germany: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Given a 9% lifetime prevalence of asthma in Germany and the impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) that goes along with it, it is important to understand parameters affecting HRQOL in asthma patients. Objective of this study was therefore to determine factors associated with generic HRQOL in asthma patients.

Methods: Data for cross-sectional analyses were obtained from the baseline of an ongoing cohort study.

Inhibition of human intestinal α-glucosidases by calystegines.

Calystegines are polyhydroxylated nortropane alkaloids found in Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae, and other plant families. These plants produce common fruits and vegetables. The calystegine structures resemble sugars and suggest interaction with enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism.

Colloidal structure and stability of DNA/polycations polyplexes investigated by small angle scattering.

Polyplexes of short DNA-fragments (300 b.p., 100 nm) with tailor-made amine-based polycations of different architectures (linear and hyperbranched) were investigated in buffer solution as a function of the mixing ratio with DNA.

Controlled release of DNA from photoresponsive hyperbranched polyglycerols with oligoamine shells.

Two photo-responsive core/shell nanoparticles based on hyperbranched polyglycerol (hPG) are synthesized for controlled release of DNA. The shell is composed either of bis-(3-aminopropyl)methylamine (AMPA) or pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA) derivatives and is attached to the hPG core with a photo-responsive o-nitrobenzyl linker. Ethidium bromide displacement assay, gel electrophoresis, DLS, and ζ-potential measurements are performed with these nanoparticles.

Dendritic polyglycerols with oligoamine shells show low toxicity and high siRNA transfection efficiency in vitro.

RNA interference provides great opportunities for treating diseases from genetic disorders, infection, and cancer. The successful application of small interference RNA (siRNA) in cells with high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity is, however, a major challenge in gene-mediated therapy. Several pH-responsive core shell architectures have been designed that contain a nitrogen shell motif and a polyglycerol core, which has been prepared by a two-step protocol involving the activation of primary and secondary hydroxyl groups by phenyl chloroformate and amine substitution.

Synthesis of linear polyamines with different amine spacings and their ability to form dsDNA/siRNA complexes suitable for transfection.

In this paper we report on the synthesis of diversified linear polyamine architectures with different chain lengths and compositions and their interaction with phosphate groups of DNA/siRNA. The polyplex formation between model nucleotide (dsDNA) and these linear polyamines has been determined at different nitrogen to phosphorus (N/P) ratios using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. AFM images showed that while linear poly(ethylene imine) (PEI)/DNA complex results in bigger spherical aggregates, poly(propylene imine)s forms torroid and cigar shaped structures upon complexation with DNA.

Uptake of codeine into intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) and brain endothelial (RBE4) cells.

Orally administered codeine has to permeate both the intestinal and the blood-brain barrier in order to act as analgesic and cough suppressant. In this study we characterized the uptake of codeine at intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) and brain endothelial (RBE4) cells. At both cell types, uptake of [(3)H]codeine was independent of an inwardly directed Na(+) gradient.

In vivo delivery of small interfering RNA to tumors and their vasculature by novel dendritic nanocarriers.

New targets for RNA interference (RNAi)-based cancer therapy are constantly emerging from the increasing knowledge on key molecular pathways that are paramount for carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, in vivo delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) remains a crucial challenge for therapeutic success. siRNAs on their own are not taken up by most mammalian cells in a way that preserves their activity.

Hyperbranched polyamines for transfection.

The successful application of gene therapy through DNA transfection into the cell is still a great challenge in ongoing research. Hyperbranched polyamines are highly branched macromolecules, and have gained significant attention in the last two decades, due to their relative ease of preparation, their shape, and their multi-functionality. This review deals with the syntheses of various hyperbranched polyamines that are prepared through a one-step polymerization process.

Transport of phenylethylamine at intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells: mechanism and substrate specificity.

This study was performed to characterize the intestinal transport of beta-phenylethylamine (PEA). Uptake of [(14)C]PEA into Caco-2 cells was Na(+)-independent but strongly stimulated by an outside directed H(+) gradient. At extracellular pH 7.

High-affinity interaction of sartans with H+/peptide transporters.

Sartans are very effective drugs for treatment of hypertension, heart failure, and other cardiovascular disorders. They antagonize the effects of angiotensin II at the AT(1) receptor and display p.o.

Transport of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors by H+/peptide transporters revisited.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are often regarded as substrates for the H+/peptide transporters (PEPT)1 and PEPT2. Even though the conclusions drawn from published data are quite inconsistent, in most review articles PEPT1 is claimed to mediate the intestinal absorption of ACE inhibitors and thus to determine their oral availability. We systematically investigated the interaction of a series of ACE inhibitors with PEPT1 and PEPT2.

Transport of valproate at intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) and brain endothelial (RBE4) cells: mechanism and substrate specificity.

To reach its target cells, the antiepileptic drug valproate has to cross both the intestinal epithelial barrier and the blood-brain barrier in intact form as well as in sufficient amounts. This study was performed to characterize the epithelial transport of valproate at intestinal (Caco-2) and at blood-brain barrier (RBE4) cells. At both cell types, uptake of [(3)H]valproate was independent of inwardly directed Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), K(+) or Cl(-) gradients.

Clonidine accumulation in human neuronal cells.

After transport across several epithelial barriers including the blood-brain barrier, clonidine interacts with alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors and imidazoline binding sites in the brain. We hypothesized that neuronal cells take up clonidine thereby removing the drug from the extracellular fluid compartment. Uptake of [(3)H]clonidine into SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was linear for up to 1 min, unaffected by inside directed Na(+) or Cl(-) gradients but strongly inhibited by an outside pH of 6.

Substrate specificity and mechanism of the intestinal clonidine uptake by Caco-2 cells.

Purpose: This study was performed to characterize the substrate specificity and mechanism of the intestinal clonidine transport.

Methods: Uptake of [3H]clonidine into Caco-2 cells was investigated. Interaction with drugs was studied in competition assays.