Exercise therapy for tendinopathy: a mixed-methods evidence synthesis exploring feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness.

Background: Tendinopathy is a common, painful and functionally limiting condition, primarily managed conservatively using exercise therapy.

Review Questions: (i) What exercise interventions have been reported in the literature for which tendinopathies? (ii) What outcomes have been reported in studies investigating exercise interventions for tendinopathy? (iii) Which exercise interventions are most effective across all tendinopathies? (iv) Does type/location of tendinopathy or other specific covariates affect which are the most effective exercise therapies? (v) How feasible and acceptable are exercise interventions for tendinopathies?

Methods: A scoping review mapped exercise interventions for tendinopathies and outcomes reported to date (questions i and ii). Thereafter, two contingent systematic review workstreams were conducted.

Five principles for the practice of knowledge exchange in environmental management.

This paper outlines five principles for effective practice of knowledge exchange, which when applied, have the potential to significantly enhance the impact of environmental management research, policy and practice. The paper is based on an empirical analysis of interviews with 32 researchers and stakeholders across 13 environmental management research projects, each of which included elements of knowledge co-creation and sharing in their design. The projects focused on a range of upland and catchment management issues across the UK, and included Research Council, Government and NGO funded projects.

Silymarin released from sterile wafers restores glucose impaired endothelial cell migration.

Reduced oxygen tension combined with high glucose concentration leads to chronic wounds in diabetic patients. Delayed wound healing is due in part to impaired angiogenesis as a result of reduced endothelial cell migration. Topical applications, in the form of sterile lyophilised wafers hold promise for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds.

Potassium loss from chlorhexidine-treated bacterial pathogens is time- and concentration-dependent and variable between species.

The membrane-active antimicrobial agent chlorhexidine is used extensively as an antiseptic during infection prophylaxis and treatment. Whilst known to induce membrane damage that results in loss of internal solutes from bacteria, the present study sought to determine the rate and extent of cytoplasmic potassium loss and whether any species-specific differences exist. Direct measurement of potassium was achieved using flame emission spectrophotometry.

Rheological properties of gamma-irradiated antimicrobial wafers and in vitro efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Lyophilised polysaccharide solutions and gels incorporating the broad spectrum antimicrobial compound, chlorhexidine digluconate (CHD), have potential application as self-adhering, topical delivery systems for the prophylaxis and treatment of wound infections. It is desirable to sterilise these dosage forms but they do not possess suitable thermal properties to be sterilised by autoclaving or dry heat procedures. Ionising radiation may offer a solution hence 'antimicrobial wafers' fabricated from guar (GG), xanthan (XG), karaya (KAG), sodium alginate (SA) and a 50:50 blend of SA:KAG, were gamma-irradiated (25 and 40 kGy).

Three salts from the reactions of cysteamine and cystamine with L-(+)-tartaric acid.

Reaction between cysteamine (systematic name: 2-aminoethanethiol, C2H7NS) and L-(+)-tartaric acid [systematic name: (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, C4H6O6] results in a mixture of cysteamine tartrate(1-) monohydrate, C2H8NS(+)·C4H5O6(-)·H2O, (I), and cystamine bis[tartrate(1-)] dihydrate, C4H14N2S2(2+)·2C4H5O6(-)·2H2O, (III). Cystamine [systematic name: 2,2'-dithiobis(ethylamine), C4H12N2S2], reacts with L-(+)-tartaric acid to produce a mixture of cystamine tartrate(2-), C4H14N2S2(2+)·C4H4O6(2-), (II), and (III). In each crystal structure, the anions are linked by O-H···O hydrogen bonds that run parallel to the a axis.

Pharmacists' adoption into practice of newly reclassified medicines from diverse therapeutic areas in Scotland: a quantitative study of factors associated with decision-making.

Background: In the UK, over 90 medicines that were previously available only through prescription have been reclassified to allow over-the-counter (OTC) availability via pharmacies. Pharmacists are personally responsible for undertaking or supervising the sales and supplies of these OTC 'pharmacy only' (P) medicines. Reclassification facilitates pharmacy management of a wide range of conditions.

Role of HIF1α and PKCβ in mediating the effect of oxygen and glucose in a novel wound assay.

Delayed wound healing is characteristic of those affected by both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. We have developed a novel assay to investigate endothelial cell migration using primary microvascular endothelial cells of dermal origin. Endothelial cell migration was determined using defined monolayers of cells.

Production and evaluation of an antimicrobial peptide-containing wafer formulation for topical application.

A targeted approach for direct topical antimicrobial delivery involving the formulation of impregnated freeze-dried wafers prepared from a natural polymer has been assessed to consider potential for treatment of wounded skin. The synthetic cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) NP101 and NP108 were found to have modest in vitro activity against bacterial species commonly associated with wound infections. Minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum bactericidal concentrations against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to be 0.

Lyophilised wafers as vehicles for the topical release of chlorhexidine digluconate--release kinetics and efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

There is a requirement to deliver accurate amounts of broad spectrum antimicrobial compounds locally to exuding wounds. Varying amounts of exudate complicates this process by limiting the residence and therefore efficacy of active substances. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of antimicrobials are necessary to suppress infection and lessen the chances of resistant strains of potentially pathogenic bacteria from prevailing.

Over-the-counter prescribing and pharmacists' adoption of new medicines: diffusion of innovations.

Background: More than 90 medicines in the United Kingdom alone have been reclassified from "prescription only" to "pharmacy" availability, and many of these have further been deregulated to "general sales" status. Pharmacist perspectives of reclassified medicines adoption into practice are important to inform future reclassifications.

Objectives: The aim of this research was to explore the factors associated with adoption into practice of newly reclassified medicines by community pharmacists based on the theoretical framework of diffusion of innovations.

Hypoxia sensitivity of a voltage-gated potassium current in porcine intrapulmonary vein smooth muscle cells.

Hypoxia contracts the pulmonary vein, but the underlying cellular effectors remain unclear. Utilizing contractile studies and whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we report for the first time a hypoxia-sensitive K(+) current in porcine pulmonary vein smooth muscle cells (PVSMC). Hypoxia induced a transient contractile response that was 56 ± 7% of the control response (80 mM KCl).

Pharmacists' perceived integration into practice of over-the-counter simvastatin five years post reclassification.

Background: Simvastatin 10 mg was reclassified in 2004 to over-the-counter (OTC) status in the UK, indicated for the prevention of a first major coronary event in individuals at moderate risk of the event. The primary reason behind the reclassification was to reduce the burden of disease management in general practice. Community pharmacists' adoption of OTC simvastatin into practice immediately post reclassification was reported to below but there has been no systematic update on current practice.

Dihydroquercetin: More than just an impurity?

Dihydroquercetin (taxifolin) is a potent flavonoid found in onions, French maritime bark, milk thistle, tamarind seeds and commercially available semi-synthetic monoHER marketed as Venoruton. This review focuses on the therapeutic promise of dihydroquercetin in major disease states such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and liver disease by reviewing the proposed mechanism(s) of action, including the activation of the antioxidant response element (ARE) and detoxifying phase II enzymes, inhibition of cytochrome P(450) and fatty acid synthase in carcinogenesis. TNF-alpha and NF-ĸB dependent transcription in hepatitis C infections, the scavenging effect of myeloperoxidase (MPO) derived reactive nitrogen species and subsequent effects on cholesterol biosynthesis as well as the effects on apob/apoA-I, HMG-CoA reductase and apoptosis are reviewed.

Views of the Scottish general public on community pharmacy weight management services: international implications.

Background: Obesity has reached pandemic levels, with more than 1.5 billion adults being affected worldwide. In Scotland two-thirds of men and more than half of women are either overweight or obese, placing Scotland overall third behind the United States of America and Mexico.

A review of imaging methods for measuring drug release at nanometre scale: a case for drug delivery systems.

Introduction: Current drug delivery research is focused on improving the efficacy of drug delivery systems, with emphasis on precise targeting, accurate dose delivery, strategies for overcoming the tissue barrier and monitoring the effects of drugs on their targets. To realize these goals, it is essential to determine the spatio-temporal bio-distribution of particles in the whole animal. Enabling such a measurement at the nanometer scale helps in the design of efficient systems.

Removal of microorganisms and their chemical metabolites from water using semiconductor photocatalysis.

Semiconductor photocatalysis has been applied to the remediation of an extensive range of chemical pollutants in water over the past 30 years. The application of this versatile technology for removal of micro-organisms and cyanotoxins has recently become an area that has also been the subject of extensive research particularly over the past decade. This paper considers recent research in the application of semiconductor photocatalysis for the treatment of water contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms and cyanotoxins.

Extended release niacin-laropiprant in patients with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemias improves clinical parameters.

The progression of atherosclerosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Plaque formation is an immunological response driven by a number of risk factors, and reduction of risk is the primary goal of treatment. The role of LDL-C is well established and statins have proved effective drugs, although the relative risk reduction is only around 30%.

Pharmacy assisted patient self care of minor ailments: a chronological review of UK health policy documents and key events 1997-2010.

Objectives: The aim of this review is to provide a historical perspective of the evolution of UK health policies and key events relevant to pharmacy assisted self care of minor ailments.

Methods: Health policy documents identified from free public web archives of all UK health department(s) published from 1997 to 2010 were reviewed for relevance to pharmacy assisted self care of minor ailments.

Results: Substantial focus on pharmacy assisted self care of minor ailments was identified within health policy documents with key drivers being: the need to reduce associated financial burden owing to minor ailments presentation at the General Practices (GPs), increasing patient access to services and aiding pharmacists' professional development through extended role.

Over-the-counter orlistat: early experiences, views and attitudes of community pharmacists in Great Britain.

Objectives Of The Study: To describe community pharmacists' early experiences, views and attitudes with over-the-counter orlistat, 9 months post legal re-classification from November 2009 to January 2010.

Setting: 13,200 (81%) randomly selected registered community pharmacies across Great Britain out of a potential 16,200.

Methods: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey of the main pharmacist with greatest responsibility for over-the-counter (OTC) supply.

Provision of advice on alcohol use in community pharmacy: a cross-sectional survey of pharmacists' practice, knowledge, views and confidence.

Objective: Community pharmacists are well placed to provide advice to clients on public health issues such as alcohol use. The aim of the study was to characterise community pharmacists' current level of activity and views on providing such advice in Scotland.

Method: A postal questionnaire survey, covering provision of advice, knowledge and views on alcohol issues, was sent to all community pharmacies in Scotland (n=1098).

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel pro-drugs for the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis.

As part of our continuing work to obtain new pro-drugs for the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis, a number of glutaric and succinic acid derivatives of cystamine have been designed, synthesised and biologically evaluated in vitro. These compounds have been designed as odourless and tasteless pro-drugs which will release multiple molecules of cysteamine upon administration. All of the synthesised compounds evaluated in this study were non-cytotoxic and displayed a greater ability than cysteamine to deplete the levels of cystine in cultured fibroblasts.

Uptake and transport of novel amphiphilic polyelectrolyte-insulin nanocomplexes by Caco-2 cells--towards oral insulin.

Purpose: The influence of polymer architecture on cellular uptake and transport across Caco-2 cells of novel amphiphilic polyelectrolyte-insulin nanocomplexes was investigated.

Method: Polyallylamine (PAA) (15 kDa) was grafted with palmitoyl chains (Pa) and subsequently modified with quaternary ammonium moieties (QPa). These two amphiphilic polyelectrolytes (APs) were tagged with rhodamine, and their uptake by Caco-2 cells or their polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with fluorescein isothiocyanate-insulin (FITC-insulin) uptake was investigated using fluorescence microscopy.