Applications In Pharmacy Research Articles

Methionine production--a critical review.

This paper presents an updated critical review about several attempts to contribute methionine (Met) to the world market with an emphasis on fermentation processes, especially from natural biological sources. Analytical methods for the determination of methionine are reviewed as well as applications in feed, food, pharmacy, and medicine. Fermentation studies published within the last five decades are elucidated critically, mainly with respect to the sulfur balance, substrate yield, and the analytical validity. From all the published fermentation data, it can be concluded that up to now no more than 5 g/L methionine are achievable without using genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The highest L-methionine concentration from natural sources reached so far amounts to 35 g/L and is published as a patent using a GMO of Escherichia coli. The review closes with a comprehensive overview of the role and activities of global methionine manufacturers. Some current market data is also presented.

Flavanoids from Dalea elegans: Chemical reassignment and determination of kinetics parameters related to their anti-tyrosinase activity

In the first chemical investigation developed on the species Dalea elegans twenty years ago, the occurrence of two prenylated derivatives of pinocembrin was reported: 2′,4′-dihydroxy-5′-(1‴,1‴-dimethylallyl)-6-prenylpinocembrin (6PP) given as a new structure in this family of compounds, and another derivative of already known structure, 6-prenylpinocembrin (6P). In the present paper, their structures were again analyzed by using spectroscopic techniques, especially 2D NMR. Based on the evidence obtained it is proposed the reassignment of both flavanones as: 2′,4′-dihydroxy-5′-(1‴,1‴-dimethylallyl)-8-prenylpinocembrin (8PP) for the first and 8-prenylpinocembrin (8P) for the last. Additionally, triangularin, demethoxymatteucinol, comptonin and 7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6,8-dimethylflavanone were isolated from aerial parts of D. elegans and informed by the first time for this species. All of these compounds were evaluated in vitro in relation to the antityrosinase effect by using a spectrophotometric method. Compound 8PP (IC50 2.32±0.01μM) exhibited the most potency and was two times more active than Kojic acid (IC50 4.93±0.01μM) used as a positive control. Triangularin also has shown an important inhibitory activity. Kinetic studies were performed for both compounds. Hence, new tyrosinase inhibitors with potential applications in pharmacy and cosmetic industry are presented.

Development of new tolerant strains to hydrophilic and hydrophobic organic solvents by the yeast surface display methodology.

Yeast surface display is a research methodology based on anchoring functional proteins and peptides onto the surface of the cells of this eukaryotic organism. Its development has resulted in the construction of a good number of new whole-cell biocatalysts with diverse applications in biotechnology, pharmacy, and medicine. In this work, we describe the design of new yeast strains in which several proteins and peptides have been introduced at the N-terminal position of protein agglutinin Aga2p. In all cases, proteins were correctly expressed and displayed on the cell surface according to the western blot, fluorescence microscopy, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses. The introduction of a glycosylable, Ser/Thr-rich protein (S1) resulted in improved resistance to ethanol, nonane, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) stress. The protein with a very high hydrophobic content (S2d) proved to confer tolerance to acetonitrile, ethanol, nonane, salt, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The introduction of five leucine residues at the N-terminal position of S1 and S2 resulted in similar or increased resistance to the above-mentioned stress conditions. The adverse effects described in a previous work, when these residues were introduced into the N-terminus of Aga2p, with no other protein acting as a spacer, were not observed. Indeed, these strains grew better in the presence of hydrophilic solvents such as acetonitrile and ethanol. The new strains reported in this work have biotechnological potentiality given their behavior under adverse conditions of interest for biocatalytic and industrial processes.

The Pharmacy Student Population: Applications Received 2012-13, Degrees Conferred 2012-13, Fall 2013 Enrollments

This report presents data that describe the 2012-13 pharmacy application pool, degrees conferred in 2012-13, and fall 2013 pharmacy program enrollments. Data for this report were requested from the 130 U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy

Nanoparticles and their Therapeutic Applications in Pharmacy

Nanotechnology is providing solutions several pharma-ceutical drug delivery issues. With the emergence of nanotechnology, researchers become more interested in studying the unique properties of nanoscale materials. Nanoparticles are attractive tool in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. These particulate systems have been used as a physical approach to alter and improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various types of drug/proteins. Nanoparticles have been used in-vivo to protect the drug/proteins molecules in the systemic circulation, targeting of the drug to the chosen sites and to deliver the drug at a controlled and sustained rate to the site of action. Various types polymers have been used in the formulation of nanoparticles for drugs, proteins, and hormone delivery are discussed in this article. It also describes various methods of preparation, advantages, disadvantages and their applications in biomedical fields. It provides an overview of characterization of nanoparticles, storage, and commercially available nanoformulations.

Stereoselective inclusion mechanism of ketoprofen into β-cyclodextrin: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations

The host–guest inclusion mechanism formed between β-cyclodextrin and those poorly water-soluble drug molecules has important applications in supramolecular chemistry, biology and pharmacy. In this work, the chiral recognition ability of β-cyclodextrin to one of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ketoprofen, has been systematically investigated using molecular dynamics and free energy simulation methods. The R- and S-enantiomers of ketoprofen were explicitly bound within the cyclodextrin cavity in our simulations, respectively. In consistent with experimental observations, tiny structural difference between two isomers could be observed. Calculated absolute binding free energies using adapted biasing force (ABF) method and MM/GBSA approach for both isomers are comparable to experimental values. Significant binding fluctuations along the MD trajectory have been observed. The free energy profiles calculated using two different approaches reveal that the ketoprofen prefers binding in the cavity with the carboxylate group facing the wider edge of β-cyclodextrin. Similar free energy profiles for two enantiomers obtained using ABF calculations indicate that it is very hard to separate and identify the chiral conjugates within the framework of the natural β-cyclodextrin.

On the Mathematical Modelling of EPS Production by a Thermophilic Bacterium

An increasing interest towards microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) is determined by the wide variety of their properties as a result of diversity in their composition. Thermophilic microorganisms suggest non pathogenic products, appropriated for application in food industry, pharmacy and cosmetics. They offer also short fermentation processes, better mass transfer, decreased viscosity of synthesized polymer and of the corresponding culture liquid. Only a few EPS-secreting thermophilic bacteria were isolated [2]. In the current work we report on the mathematical modeling of the fermentation processes based on experimental results for EPS production by a thermophilic bacterium, Aeribacillus pallidus 418, isolated from Rupi basin, South-West Bulgaria. An investigation on the influence of agitation and aeration on the bacterial growth and EPS synthesis revealed high mass transfer dependence of the polymer production. The polymer production is associated to growth. Microbial and substrate dynamics are described by means of systems of ODEs. Two possible dynamical models based on ideas from [1] are proposed and numerical simulations are presented. Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful to the National Fund for Scientific Research, Bulgaria for financial support of this work (Contract DTK 02/46). [1] Alt, R., S. Markov,Theoretical and computational studies of some bioreactor models, Computers and Mathematics with Applications 64 (2012), 350--360. [2] Nicolaus, B., M. Kambourova, E.T. Oner, Exopolysaccharides from extremophiles: from fundamentals to biotechnology, Environ. Technol. 31 (2010), 1145--1158.

Design, implementation, and assessment of an Integrated Pharmacy Applications course series

The McWhorter School of Pharmacy implemented a new curriculum in 2009 that sought to integrate information horizontally and vertically throughout the entire curriculum. A six-semester Integrated Pharmacy Applications (IPA) course series was designed to accomplish this. The objective of this article is to describe the design, implementation, and assessment of the integrated applications course sequence. Each semester of the didactic curriculum contains a one-credit-hour IPA course. The course has a weekly laboratory component and a two-hour time block on Fridays for discussion sessions. A framework for developing and facilitating sessions was created and provided to faculty. Example sessions include increasingly complex patient case discussion, technique demonstration, and simulations. Friday discussion sessions are designed to illustrate application of didactic course content to direct patient care. Students are charged a laboratory fee each semester to provide funds necessary to purchase supplies and equipment. The course series was implemented over a period of three years. An administrative position was created to oversee the series and ensure assessment of curricular integration efforts. Course topics are selected by this person in collaboration with faculty. Assessment of student performance in the course is formative and includes rubrics for direct observations, case notes, care plans, group work, and reflections. Course evaluations and student focus groups are used to obtain student feedback about the course. Deliberate planning and coordination of the IPA course series has fostered maximization of student learning, achievement of curricular integration, and compliance with accreditation standards.

Friction properties of oral surface analogs and their interaction with polysaccharide/MCC particle dispersions

To optimize food products to better accommodate food product acceptance by end consumers and health or ecological regulations, it is necessary to gain a reliable view of the process that occurs during mastication of products in the oral cavity. The physical description of the mechanical responses due to oral processing is required for a more effective prediction in product (re)formulation. The aim of this work is to derive such an adequate and relevant methodology. For this purpose a tribological and rheological study of polysaccharide solutions was employed using a set of different rubbers that mimic different soft (oral) surfaces and to relate these measurements to material surface properties, as roughness, hydrophobicity and elasticity. The polysaccharides chosen, locust bean gum, pectin and xanthan, represent important components in food products.It is shown that the nature (hardness or roughness) of a surface under good lubrication conditions is not that important. Therefore, in developing new food products it may be of prime importance to control the lubrication properties rather than focus on adaptation to oral surface characteristics, like the consequences of human aging. Xanthan is more effective as lubricant than the negatively charged pectin, while locust bean gum is the worst lubricant that was tested. No clear relation with the apparent contact angle could be made between friction and the aqueous solutions tested.The presence of hard particles on friction is predominantly observed at relatively low entrainment speed (below about 50mm/s) and is most explicitly detectable when lubrication is poor (as for locust bean gum). The MCC particles used in this study may not fit in the surface asperities and thereby enhance surface roughness, which results in extended boundary regime of the Stribeck-curve. Tribology is shown to be useful to detect particles dispersed in a solution, but the better the lubricant the more difficult the detection of such particles will be. Alternatively, this work shows that food products characterized by low friction coefficient can be mixed with elongated particles without large influence on their lubrication properties. This insight might provide openings in reformulation-strategies not only in food but also in pharmacy applications.

Cellular redox homeostasis in endothelial cells treated with nonmodified and Fenton‐modified nanodiamond powders

Diamond nanoparticles find numerous applications in pharmacy, medicine, cosmetics, and biotechnology. However, possible adverse cellular effects of diamond nanoparticle cells have been reported, which may limit their use. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of nonmodified diamond nanoparticles (D) and diamond nanoparticles modified by the Fenton reaction (D+OH) on human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC-ST). We found that both D and D+OH show time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, inducing apoptosis and necrosis of HUVEC-ST. Interaction with D and D+OH also induced changes in the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and changes in the level of glutathione and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the cells. These data demonstrate that diamond nanoparticles may induce oxidative stress in human endothelial cells, which contributes to their cytotoxic effects seen at higher concentrations of D and D+OH.

Chemical characterization of the medicinal mushroom Phellinus linteus (Berkeley & Curtis) Teng and contribution of different fractions to its bioactivity

Mushrooms are widely appreciated for their organoleptic qualities, being also recognized as good sources of bioactive compounds that provide antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Polysaccharides (including glucans) are often pointed out as the most bioactive compounds isolated from mushrooms, but other molecules such as triterpenoids, might also be highlighted for their bioactivity. In scientific research, when isolated compounds are used, potential synergistic effects might be lost. Accordingly, the bioactivity of Phellinus linteus was evaluated in selected fractions (polysaccharides, glucans and triterpenoids), as well as in the methanolic and ethanolic extracts. The best antioxidant and antibacterial activities were obtained with methanolic extract, while glucan and triterpenoid fractions gave the strongest antifungal activity. In contrast, ethanolic extract gave the best results in cytotoxic activity, indicating that the bioactive compounds present might act synergistically. The differentiated activity of P. linteus fractions and extracts could be useful to find antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic agents as alternatives to synthetic chemicals with application in agriculture, food industry or pharmacy.

DI-048 Three years’ experience using Web 2.0 technologies in a Drug Information Centre at a hospital pharmacy department

BackgroundNowadays it is essential to incorporate the new information and communications technologies in the working of a Drug Information Centre at a Hospital Pharmacy Service (CIMSF in Spanish). Web 2.0...

Synthesis and characterization of novel pH‐sensitive chitosan‐poly(acrylamide‐co‐itaconic acid) hydrogels

AbstractNovel pH‐sensitive chitosan‐poly(acrylamide‐co‐itaconic acid) hydrogels were prepared by free radical copolymerization of acrylamide and itaconic acid (IA) in chitosan solution. The hydrogels were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and the swelling ratios of the hydrogels in water (pH 6.8) and pH 1.2. The influence of composition on the thermal properties of the hydrogels was assessed. The glass transition temperatures of the samples increased with IA content, ranging from 110 to 136 °C. Swelling of the hydrogels was found to obey second‐order kinetics with respect to the remnant swelling, indicating that diffusion is controlled by the relaxation of chains. The equilibrium swelling degree was strongly dependent on pH and composition. At both pH values the highest water uptake was obtained for the IA‐free sample M1. From the equilibrium swelling results the average molar mass between crosslinks, Mc, and the crosslink density of the chitosan‐poly(acrylamide‐co‐itaconic acid) samples were calculated. The results evidenced the reinforcing effect of IA on the hydrogel structure. It is concluded that these highly swellable pH‐sensitive hydrogels can be useful for applications in biomedicine and pharmacy. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Kroger Uses Simulation-Optimization to Improve Pharmacy Inventory Management

The Kroger Co. is the largest grocery retailer in the United States. It operates 2,422 supermarkets and 1,950 in-store pharmacies. Improving customer service is at the heart of Kroger’s business strategy. Toward this end, Kroger’s operations research team, in collaboration with faculty from Wright State University, developed an innovative simulation-optimization system for pharmacy inventory management. In pharmacy applications, traditional standard statistical distributions fall short of providing accurate pharmacy demand distributions. To overcome business resistance to complex formulas, this simulation-optimization approach uses empirical distributions to model demand, provides end users with a visual intuitive experience, and delivers optimal or near-optimal results in milliseconds through local search heuristics. The system was implemented in October 2011 in all Kroger pharmacies in the United States, and has reduced out-of-stocks by 1.6 million per year, ensuring greater patient access to medications. It has resulted in an increase in revenue of $80 million per year, a reduction in inventory of more than $120 million, and a reduction in labor cost equivalent to $10 million per year.

When Particles Meet Nanoindentation: A Novel Strategy for Studying Particle Motion and Particle/Surface Interaction

ABSTRACTA plethora of applications in pharmacy, cosmetics, food industry and other areas are directly linked to the research fields of particle technology and contact mechanics. Here, a typical particle ensemble features particle sizes ranging from the nanometer up to the micrometer regime. In this context we introduce a nanoindentation based approach capable of probing mechanical interaction of micron-sized particles. Basically, the concept of the colloid probe technique, which is well established in the AFM community, is transferred to a nanoindenter. In particular, this setup allows addressing limitations, which are typically associated with AFM based techniques, such as particle weight and accessible load regime. Additionally, we will show the versatility of this approach by presenting simple experimental paths capable of probing sliding, rolling and torsional friction. The potential of such setting is shown by studying rolling friction of silica microspheres featuring radii of about 2.5µm, 10µm, 25 and 50µm in contact with various substrates, respectively. Substrates utilized within the framework of this study are Si surfaces featuring various roughness as well as flat gold films (300nm film thickness). Key aspects of this work include the influence of surface roughness, adhesion force, humidity and the elastic/plastic transition on the rolling contact of the corresponding particles.

Characterization of Pakistani purified bentonite suitable for possible pharmaceutical application

The aim of this study is to assess the suitability of Pakistani bentonite for its possible pharmaceutical use in raw and purified forms. The purified samples were obtained by two different methods i.e. simple sedimentation and classical NaCl treatment. Prior to bentonite application in pharmacy, it is imperative that they must comply with some general features as high mineral, chemical and microbial purity. The physicochemical properties especially gel formation and swelling capacity are also important to be tested to investigate its specific use. The mineralogical study reveals that the raw sample is bentonite containing mainly montmorillonite with minor contents of kaolinite, illite and quartz. The quartz impurities were removed by the purification methods as confirmed by the X-ray diffraction patterns and the other properties were also improved. In view of the fundamentals of major pharmacopeias for use of bentonite in pharmacy and considering the chemical composition, microbiological results we could designate a pharmaceutical acceptable denomination for Pakistani purified bentonite samples. The two purified samples vary in interlayer cations, chemical composition and other properties that would present different behavior in pharmacy. The studied bentonite in purified form could be used as suspending and disintegrating agent because of its excellent swelling capacity and sedimentation volume. The high cation exchange capacity, high surface area and pore size distribution suggest their use as a good adsorbent of drugs and a drug carrier in controlled drug release system.

The Pharmacy Student Population: Applications Received 2011-12, Degrees Conferred 2011-12, Fall 2012 Enrollments

INTRODUCTION This report presents data that describe the 2011-12 pharmacy application pool, degrees conferred in 2011-12, and fall 2012 pharmacy program enrollments. Data for this report were requested from the 129 U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) using five separate survey instruments. There were previously two professional education programs at U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy: one leading to a baccalaureate in pharmacy, and the other leading to the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. However, June 30, 2005 marked the official expiration of the ACPE standards to the baccalaureate in pharmacy (B.S. Pharmacy) degree programs in accordance with the transition to the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree as the sole professional degree program in the U.S. Some colleges and schools of pharmacy conferred degrees in the B.S. Pharmacy program until 2004-05. For the purpose of this report, students in doctor of pharmacy programs are categorized under Pharm.D.1 when the program leads to a doctor of pharmacy degree conferred as the first professional degree. Students who have already received a baccalaureate in pharmacy and are enrolled in a doctor of pharmacy degree program are categorized under Pharm.D.2. The following definitions refer to the race/ethnicity groups as used in this report. White refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Black or African American refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Hispanic or Latino refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. Asian refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. Prior to 2011, these students were included in the Asian category. American Indian or Alaska Native refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community attachment. Two or More Races refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are not Hispanic/Latino and identify themselves by more than one race. Unknown refers to U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose race and ethnicity are not known. Prior to 2011, this category was labeled Other/Unknown and students that were of two or more races were included in this category. Finally, International/Foreign refers to citizens of a foreign country/permanent residents of a country other than the U.S. 2011-12 APPLICATION POOL The 2011-12 Application Pool Survey was conducted online in November 2012, with an announcement and request for participation sent to the survey coordinator at each of the 129 colleges and schools of pharmacy in the U.S. recognized by ACPE. After follow-up correspondence and telephone calls, 127 colleges and schools (98.4 percent) submitted the requested information. Included in the application pool are students who applied for admission and submitted all required application materials between September 2011 and August 2012 for the entering class of fall 2012. Numbers reported represent the number of applications, not applicants, and may represent multiple applications submitted by individual applicants. During the period September 2011 through August 2012, the reporting institutions received 99,821 applications for admission. …

Diversity of endophytic bacteria in Malaysian plants as revealed by 16S rRNA encoding gene sequence based method of bacterial identification

Bacterial endophytes do have several potential applications in pharmacy, medicine and agricultural biotech industry. The main objective of this study was to understand types of bacterial endophytes associated with dicotyledonous (dicot) and monocotyledonous (monocot) plant species. Isolation of the endophytic bacteria was performed using surface-sterilized various tissue samples, and identification of the endophytic bacterial isolates (EBIs) was completed using 16S rRNA encoding gene sequence similarity based method. In total, 996 EBIs were isolated and identified from 1055 samples of 31 monocot and 65 dicot plant species from Peninsular Malaysia. The 996 EBIs represented 71 different types of bacterial species. Twelve (12) out of 71 species are reported as endophytes for the first time. We conclude that diverse types of bacterial endophytes are associated with dicot and monocot plants, and could be useful in pharmacy, medicine and agricultural biotechnology for various potential applications.

Yeast arming by the Aga2p system: effect of growth conditions in galactose on the efficiency of the display and influence of expressing leucine-containing peptides

The amino or carboxy-terminal regions of certain cell wall proteins are capable of anchoring foreign proteins or peptides on the cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This possibility has resulted in the development of a methodology known as yeast display which has powerful applications in biotechnology, pharmacy, and medicine. This work describes the results of experiments in which the agglutinin Aga2p protein is used as an anchor and several leucine-based peptides have been introduced into its N-terminal or C-terminal position. We found that the sequence of these peptides can affect plasmid stability, growth kinetics, and levels of the fusion protein displayed, and we analyzed how the incubation conditions influence these parameters. Besides, we show that the introduction of these small peptides can modify the properties of cell cover; in particular, fusing five or ten leucine residues to the Aga2p protein results in greater hydrophobicity of the cell wall and also in increased resistance to the presence of the organic solvents acetonitrile and ethanol and to high salt concentrations. The introduction of the RLRLL sequence also results in higher resistance to the exposure of yeast cells to NaCl stress.

Determination of Essential Oil Bioactive Components and Rosmarinic Acid of Salvia officinalis Cultivated under Different Intra-row Spacing

Salvia officinalis, known also as sage, is a medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family that spreads all over the word in several countries. The demand for the raw material and extracts of this plant is increasing due to its numerous applications in pharmacy, food and herbal tea production. The present study investigated for the first time the effect of 15, 30 and 45 cm intra-row spacing (plant density) on the main constituents of sage essential oils and rosmarinic acid content. The highest content of essential oils (2.7%) and rosmarinic acid (2.0%) were obtained in plants grown using 15 cm planting space. Likewise, close spacing resulted also in a substantial content of 1,8-cineole (47-50%, GC/FID; 55-60%, GC/MS). This work indicated that 1,8-cineole chemotype was a dominant character of cultivated S. officinalis in south of Jordan. In general, the percent of α-thujone in essential oil was not affected by intra-row spacing. However, the percent of β-thujone decreased from (2-3%, GC/MS) in plants grown using 15 cm intra-row spacing to (1-2%, GC/MS) in plants grown using 30 and 45 cm intra-row spacing. The highest content of α-and β-pinene was recorded in plants grown using 45 cm planting space (8-10%, GC/FID; 5-6% GC/MS). Based on GC/MS, camphor compound was enriched (9-10%) in sage plants grown under 15 cm spacing and greater than in plants grown under 30 (6-7%) or 45 cm (5-6%) spacing. The results make the potential use of sage extracts in the treatment of some human disorders or illness an area of further research.