GENTAMICIN POPULATION PHARMACOKINETICS IN INDIAN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize gentamicin population pharmacokinetics (PKs) in Indian pediatric patients.Methods: Population PK analysis was performed with nonlinear mixed-effect model software. The data set was inspected using both first order (FO)and FO conditional estimate (FOCE) methods by the inclusion of both patient and pathological conditions.Results: A total of 26 patients were involved in this study with 54 observations. The patient covariates, including body weight, gender, age, andcreatinine clearance (CLCR), were analyzed in a stepwise fashion to identify their potential influences on gentamicin PKs. The final modelgives the clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (V) by FO method as CL=θ1*(CLCR/35.14)+θ3*(WT/14.25)+θ5*(AGE/6.14)*EXP(θ1),V=θ2*(WT/14.25)+θ4*(CLCR/35.14)+θ6*(AGE/6.14)*EXP(θ2) and by FOCE method as CL=θ1*(CLCR/35.14+)θ3*(AGE/6.14)*EXP(θ1),V=θ2*(WT/14.25)+θ4*(CLCR/35.14)+θ6*(AGE/6.14)*EXP(θ2).Conclusion: The final model estimates of CL and V were 0.0014 L/hr/kg and 0.646 L/kg, respectively, and by FOCE method were 0.0014E-06 L/hr/kgand 0.774 L/kg, respectively. These parameters will be helpful in individualizing the loading and maintenance doses in pediatric patients.Keywords: Population pharmacokinetics, Gentamicin, Nonlinear mixed-effect model, Pediatrics

Breast Cancer: Conventional Diagnosis and Treatment Modalities and Recent Patents and Technologies

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. However, increased survival is due to the dramatic advances in the screening methods, early diagnosis, and breakthroughs in treatments. Over the course of the last decade, many acquisitions have taken place in this critical field of research in the pharmaceutical industry. Advances in molecular biology and pharmacology aided in better understanding of breast cancer, enabling the design of smarter therapeutics able to target cancer and respond to its microenvironment efficiently. Patents and research papers investigating diagnosis and treatment strategies for breast cancer using novel technologies have been surveyed for the past 15 years. Various nanocarriers have been introduced to improve the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs, including liposomes, polymeric micelles, quantum dots, nanoparticles, and dendrimers. This review provides an overview of breast cancer, conventional therapy, novel technologies in the management of breast cancer, and rational approaches for targeting breast cancer. Highlights Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. However, survival rates vary widely, optimistically heading toward a positive trend. Increased survival is due to the drastic shift in the screening methods, early diagnosis, and breakthroughs in treatments. Different strategies of breast cancer classification and staging have evolved over the years. Intrinsic (molecular) subtyping is essential in clinical trials and well understanding of the disease. Many novel technologies are being developed to detect distant metastases and recurrent disease as well as to assess response to breast cancer management. Intensive research efforts are actively ongoing to take novel breast cancer therapeutics to potential clinical application. Most of the recent research papers and patents discuss one of the following strategies: the development of new drug entities that specifically target the breast tumor cells; tailor designing a novel carrier system that can multitask and multifunction as a drug carrier, targeting vehicle and even as a diagnostic tool, direct conjugation of a therapeutic drug moiety with a targeting moiety, diagnostic moiety or pharmacokinetics altering moiety; or the use of innovative nontraditional approaches such as genetic engineering, stem cells, or vaccinations

Cellulose Composites for Construction Applications

This chapter reflects the key tendencies of cellulose fiber composites for construction applications. These materials represent an alternative to traditional materials in the construction industry that will be reflected in energy savings and emissions control, increasing the opportunity for recycling and reuse of building materials. Cellulosic fibers are commonly used to manufacture  packing bags for  agro-industry products, ropes, threads and handicrafts.  Further research development to extend the use of these fibers in the construction sector is an issue of great worldwide importance because the construction industry uses large quantities of raw materials.Fil: Gómez Hoyos, Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Vázquez, Analía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología; Argentin