Cross-linked hemoglobin as a potential membrane for an artificial red blood cell.

A cross-linked hemoglobin membrane has been created with discerning permeability between dissolved hemoglobin and small molecules. Such a membrane could be used to enclose a sphere of hemoglobin solution thereby allowing the entire "cell" to transport oxygen. The hemoglobin membrane was cross-linked on a polycarbonate support; the mechanical support was necessary for diffusion experiments in this study and would not be used during any sphere preparation.

Electronic prescribing in ambulatory practice: promises, pitfalls, and potential solutions.

Objective: To examine advantages of and obstacles to electronic prescribing in the ambulatory care environment.

Data Sources: MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstract searches were conducted for the period from January 1980 to September 2000. Key words were electronic prescribing, computerized physician order entry, prior authorization, drug utilization review, and consumer satisfaction.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of simple and novel potential antimalarial compounds.

A series of compounds bearing an endocyclic -N-O- moiety with potential antimalarial activity based on simple derivatives of the tropolone purpurogallin was prepared by means of a hetero Diels-Alder reaction using nitrosobenzene as a dienophile. The rationale behind the design of these compounds is presented, together with the synthetic route to derivatives bearing aromatic and aliphatic esters of the C4'-position hydroxyl group of the purpurogallin framework, as well as biological data obtained from in vitro assays against Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi. Several of the new compounds have activities in the 3-9 microM range, and provide leads for the development of a novel class of antiparasitic drugs with improved biological and pharmacological properties.

Effect of processing methods and heat treatment on the formation of wax matrix tablets for sustained drug release.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing methods and heat treatment on matrix formation and subsequent drug release from wax matrix tablets for controlled release. Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA) and Compritol were processed with appropriate diluent(s) using either dry blending (DB), wet granulation (WG), partial melt granulation (PMG), or melt granulation (MG). Then the tablets were heat-treated at 80 degrees C.

Use of a moist granulation technique (MGT) to develop controlled-release dosage forms of acetaminophen.

The moist granulation technique (MGT), which involves agglomeration and moisture absorption, has only been applied to immediate-release dosage forms. Our results indicate that MGT appears to be applicable in developing a controlled-release formulation. A small amount of granulating fluid (water) was added to a powder blend to activate a dry binder (such as polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP] at 2% and 3.

Update on strategies to improve thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction.

Therapy for acute myocardial infarction involves rapid restoration of blood flow through a coronary artery that has been occluded by a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. Thrombolytic therapy, the pharmacologic standard to achieve this outcome, significantly improves survival; however, current regimens have limitations: they can fail to achieve complete reperfusion, they can cause significant bleeding events, and they can result in reocclusion. In addition, complex regimens of some agents can cause dosing errors.

Evaluation of hepatic subcellular fractions for Alamar blue and MTT reductase activity.

Alamar blue and MTT are indicators used to measure cytotoxicity of various chemicals in cultured cells. Both Alamar blue and MTT are reduced by mitochondrial enzymes. We observed enhanced fluorescence of Alamar blue when kidney epithelial cells were co-incubated with hepatic post-mitochondrial supernatant (S9) fractions as compared with cells incubated in the absence of S9 fractions.

New recommendations from the 1999 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association acute myocardial infarction guidelines.

Objective: To review literature relating to significant changes in drug therapy recommendations in the 1999 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Data Sources: 1999 ACC/AHA AMI guidelines, English-language clinical trials, reviews, and editorials researching the role of drug therapy and primary angioplasty for AMI that were referenced in the guidelines were included. Additional data published in 2000 or unpublished were also included if relevant to interpretation of the guidelines.

Slowing the progression of renal disease in diabetic patients.

Objective: To review recent clinical trials that evaluate the most appropriate therapeutic options for delaying the progression of nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

Data Sources: Primary and review articles were retrieved through a MEDLINE search (January 1990-January 2000).

Study Selection And Data Extraction: All studies related to attenuating the progression of nephropathy in diabetic patients were evaluated and included in this review.

New drugs of 2000.

Objective: To provide information regarding the most important properties of the new therapeutic agents marketed in 2000.

Data Sources: Published studies, drug information reference sources, and product labeling.

Data Synthesis: In 2000, 33 new therapeutic agents were marketed.

A survey of selected Internet pharmacies in the United States.

Objective: To determine whether differences in the provision of pharmacy services exist among different types of Internet pharmacies.

Design: Survey of selected pharmacies with a presence on the Internet. Data were abstracted onto a data collection form for further analysis.

Studies on factors influencing stability and recovery of paclitaxel from suspension media and cultures of Taxus cuspidata cv Densiformis by high-performance liquid chromatography.

An HPLC method was developed for quick scanning of taxanes from large numbers of plant cell suspension samples. The method was optimized for analysis of a range of taxanes of differing polarity. Identification of a standard mixture of paclitaxel and 12 related taxanes was achieved in less than 15 min using a gradient mode and a Microsorb-MV C8 column.

Intravenous theophylline--an alternative to temporary pacing in the management of bradycardia secondary to AV nodal block.

Objective: To report a case of bradycardia secondary to atrioventricular nodal block (AVNB) successfully treated with intravenous theophylline. Intravenous theophylline was used as an alternative to temporary pacing in a patient with sepsis secondary to thermal injury.

Case Summary: A 79-year-old white woman with significant cardiac history was admitted with 14.

Evaluation of possible reasons for the low phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in cellulose nitrate membrane microcapsules.

Microencapsulated phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) exhibits a marked reduction in activity compared to the activity of the free enzyme in pH 8.5 Tris buffer. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the contribution of incomplete entrapment, the internal environment of cellulose nitrate membrane microcapsules, the diffusional barrier of the membrane and the microcapsulation process to the low activity of encapsulated PAL.

A novel method for measuring gel strength of controlled release hydrogel tablets using a cone/plate rheometer.

A novel method for measuring gel strength of hydrogel controlled release (CR) tablets is presented. CR tablets containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were fixed to a glass plate, placed in a dissolution apparatus, and subjected to dissolution conditions corresponding to 50% drug release. Tablets were then removed from the dissolution apparatus without disturbing the swollen (gel) layer.

New method to assess scapular upward rotation in subjects with shoulder pathology.

Study Design: Test-retest repeated measures and correlational design.

Objectives: To examine the reliability and validity of a "modified" digital inclinometer to assess scapular upward rotation during humeral elevation in the scapular plane

Background: Evidence exists that scapular motion is related to shoulder pathology; however, evaluation and treatment planning for shoulder rehabilitation often fails to include an objective assessment of scapular motion.

Methods And Measures: Two-dimensional measurements by the inclinometer were taken with the arm in a static position.

Sildenafil citrate: a therapeutic update.

Background: Since its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in March 1998, sildenafil citrate has been used by millions of men for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Recent studies and consensus reports have expanded our understanding of its efficacy, safety, contraindications, and drug interactions.

Objective: This paper reviews recent studies of the efficacy of sildenafil, its adverse effects and drug interactions, and socioeconomic factors involved in its use, with a focus on specific patient populations (prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, spinal cord injuries, neurologic disorders).

Characterization and in vitro methotrexate release from methotrexate/gelatin conjugates of opposite conjugate bond polarity.

Purpose: Our laboratory has previously prepared gelatin/ methotrexate (MTX) conjugates containing mixed conjugation sites and by-product crosslinking, both of which may alter conjugate effectiveness. In this study, we prepared and evaluated gelatin/MTX conjugates having specific conjugate bond sites and minimal by-product crosslinking.

Methods: Opposite polarity conjugates were produced by coupling gelatin having blocked amino groups with MTX (G-MTX) and by coupling MTX having blocked amino groups with gelatin (M-GEL) using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide HCl.

Predictive performance study of two digoxin assays in subjects with various degrees of renal function.

This prospective study was conducted to compare the predictive performance of fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA, Abbott TDx Digoxin II) and radioimmunoassay (RIA, Kallestad Labs) with combined low-pressure liquid chromatography/RIA (LPLC/RIA) digoxin assay in measuring 15-17 serum digoxin concentrations (SDC) obtained after a single 10 microg/kg intravenous digoxin dose in patients with various degrees of renal function and at different SDC ranges. Eighteen men and women were stratified into 3 age- and gender-matched groups based upon renal function [N = 6 in each, group I (Cl(cr) < 10 mL/min), group II (Cl(cr) = 10-50 mL/min), and group III (Cl(cr) > 50 mL/min)]. Serum digoxin concentrations were measured at time zero; at 0.