Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of moving fronts in floating dosage forms

An application of magnetic resonance imaging in the field of pharmaceutical technology is presented in this paper. The analysis of diffusion and swelling fronts was carried out for four floating dosage forms using magnetic resonance imaging. The influence of polymer viscosity, its concentration, and type of applied dissolution media on the area of moving fronts was investigated

Melts of octaacetyl sucrose as oral-modified release dosage forms for delivery of poorly soluble compound in stable amorphous form

The presented work describes the formulation and characterization of modified release glassy solid dosage forms (GSDFs) containing an amorphous nifedipine, as a model BCS (Biopharmaceutical Classification System) class II drug. The GSDFs were prepared by melting nifedipine together with octaacetyl sucrose. Dissolution profiles, measured under standard and biorelevant conditions, were compared to those obtained from commercially available formulations containing nifedipine such as modified release (MR) tablets and osmotic release oral system (OROS). The results indicate that the dissolution profiles of the GSDFs with nifedipine are neither affected by the pH of the dissolution media, type and concentration of surfactants, nor by simulated mechanical stress of biorelevant intensity. Furthermore, it was found that the dissolution profiles of the novel dosage forms were similar to the profiles obtained from the nifedipine OROS. The formulation of GSDFs is relatively simple, and the dosage forms were found to have favorable dissolution characteristics

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Hydration Mechanism in Sodium Alginate Matrix Tablets

Methods of spatiotemporal characterization of nonequilibrated polymer based matrices are still immature and imperfect. The purpose of the study was to develop the methodology for the spatiotemporal characterization of water transport and properties in alginate tablets under hydration. The regions of low water content were spatially and temporally sampled using Karl Fisher and Differential Scanning Callorimetry (spatial distribution of freezing/nonfreezing water) with spatial resolution of 1 mm. In the regions of high water content, where sampling was infeasible due to gel/sol consistency, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabled characterization with an order of magnitude higher spatial resolution. The minimally hydrated layer (MHL), infiltration layer (IL) and fully hydrated layer (FHL) were identified in the unilaterally hydrated matrices. The MHL gained water from the first hour of incubation (5-10% w/w) and at 4 h total water content was 29-39% with nonfreezing pool of 28-29%. The water content in the IL was 45-47% and at 4 h it reached ~50% with the nonfreezing pool of 28% and T2 relaxation time < 10 ms. The FHL consisted of gel and sol layer with water content of 85-86% with a nonfreezing pool of 11% at 4 h and T2 in the range 20-200 ms. Hybrid destructive/nondestructive analysis of alginate matrices under hydration was proposed. It allowed assessing the temporal changes of water distribution, its mobility and interaction with matrices in identified layers

Does smog affect the incidence of exacerbations of chronic laryngitis? : analysis based on the inhabitantsof Lesser Poland Voivodeship

Introduction: Due to dynamic industrialisation smog became a frequent phenomenon in most developing cities. According to the last WHO report from Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database, Krakow has been classified in the 11th place among the most polluted cities in Europe. It seems to be an urgent issue because of the influence of air pollution on the condition of upper respiratory tract. Materials & Methods: In December 2015 there were 141 patients aged 17-91 years with upper respiratory tract diseases admitted to the phoniatric outpatient clinic in the University Hospital in Cracow. They suffered from cough, hoarseness and periodic aphonia. On the basis of the results of videolaryngostroboscopy 60 patients with exacerbation of the chronic laryngitis were selected into two numerically equal groups: from Cracow and from other places at least 60 km away. The groups were equal to each other also in three categories: sex, age and voice usage. The patients were referred to the Pedagogical University in Cracow for laryngography to evaluate the movement of the vocal folds and to trace a voice profile. Finally, there were two possible types of treatment – conventional pharmacotherapy or subterraneotherapy in the underground Health Resort in the "Wieliczka" Salt Mine. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient between the distance from the place of residence to Cracow and the scale of exacerbation of inflammation of upper respiratory tract presenting as vocal fold dysfunction was observed (r= 0,617; p<0,05). Conclusion: The place of residence (in or out of the industrial area) and exacerbations of chronic laryngitis are highly correlated. Air pollution seems to be the main factor influencing on the condition of upper respiratory tract. In our local conditions of Lesser Poland Voivodeship subterraneotherapy may be an interesting, non-invasive method preventing from exacerbations of upper respiratory tract diseases