261 research outputs found

    Are controlled release scientists doing enough for our environment?

    Get PDF

    Improving the outcomes of biopharmaceutical delivery via the subcutaneous route by understanding the chemical, physical and physiological properties of the subcutaneous injection site

    Get PDF
    Subcutaneous (SC) injection is currently the most common route of self-administering biopharmaceuticals such as proteins and peptides. While pharmaceutical scientists have acquired great skill in identifying formulations for these proteins and peptides with multi-year shelf life stability, the SC injection of these formulations can result in inconsistent or particularly low bioavailability outcomes. We hypothesise that upon injection, the chemical, physical and physiological properties of the subcutaneous tissue may play a crucial role in determining the therapeutic outcomes of SC injected biopharmaceuticals. We contend that physical and chemical stresses placed upon the injected protein or peptide as it transitions from the non-physiological environment of its formulation to the homeostatic conditions of the SC tissue can affect its fate following injection, and that by taking this environment into account when formulating, more precisely controlled release of SC injected biopharmaceuticals could be achieved. In this mini-review we describe how events that occur to an injected protein or peptide during this post-injection transition period could affect the diffusion of bioactive material to blood capillaries and lymphatic vessels. With this in mind, we have reviewed the chemical, physical and physiological attributes of the SC tissue and collated studies on how these properties are known to affect protein stability and diffusional properties. Finally, examples where the understanding of the properties of the SC tissue when formulating for SC injected biopharmaceuticals has improved the predictability of drug delivery via the SC route are discussed, with the need for novel tools for rational and informed formulation development highlighted

    Oral drug delivery research in Europe

    Get PDF

    Sleep as an Occupation in College Students

    Get PDF
    The purpose of this study was to measure the quality of sleep in undergraduate college students and explore the relationship between academic self-efficacy and performance in student-related occupations. A quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and correlational research design was used to explore the relationship among sleep quality, perceived self-efficacy, and selected student characteristics. This study included undergraduate students, as well as self-identified student athletes, first generation students, and students with disabilities. To collect data, the researchers conducted an online survey, which consisted of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a demographic and self-efficacy questionnaire. The PSQI was used to evaluate the sleep quality, while the demographic and self-efficacy questionnaire gathered information about student related occupations and self-efficacy. Two hundred and nine college students, aged 17 to 25, participated in the survey. One hundred thirty five (64.6%) participants scored above a five, indicating poor sleep quality while 74 (35.4%) participants obtained good sleep quality as measured by the PSQI, while. The average number of hours slept reported by participants was 6.68. Results support existing evidence suggesting college students are sleep deprived, and over half of participants reported sleep issues that could be addressed by an occupational therapist.https://scholar.dominican.edu/ug-student-posters/1013/thumbnail.jp

    Does therapeutic horseback riding decrease balance deficits in community-dwelling older adults?

    Get PDF
    Hippotherapy and therapeutic riding (TR) provide pleasurable activity and physical exercise to individuals and yet limited study is available on its therapeutic value to improve balance in older adults. In this study, the researchers measured the benefit of TR on balance and quality of life in communitydwelling older adults. A convenience sample of individuals 65 years and older was recruited from a local community. The study is a single-blind, pretest-posttest, controlled study of a 10-session TR program with a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) trained and certified TR instructor. Each TR session included grooming and tacking, mounting, a warm-up exercise on the horse, riding, and dismounting. The results of this study showed a significant improvement in balance scores as well as participant perception of overall health after the intervention period. Therefore, this study illustrated the practicality, safety, and benefit on improvement of balance in community-dwelling older adults from a short-term TR program. However, the small sample size prevented the data from being conclusive. Larger scale studies should be conducted to clinically prove the benefit of therapeutic riding for older adults. Therapeutic riding has the potential to improve balance and increase quality of life in older adults. Connecting the results from this study to the larger issue of fall prevention may provide evidence to include hippotherapy or TR in occupational therapy for older adults with balance deficits

    Unsaturated glycoceramides as molecular carriers for mucosal drug delivery of GLP-1

    Get PDF
    The incretin hormone Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) requires delivery by injection for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we test if the properties of glycosphingolipid trafficking in epithelial cells can be applied to convert GLP-1 into a molecule suitable for mucosal absorption. GLP-1 was coupled to the extracellular oligosaccharide domain of GM1 species containing ceramides with different fatty acids and with minimal loss of incretin bioactivity. When applied to apical surfaces of polarized epithelial cells in monolayer culture, only GLP-1 coupled to GM1-ceramides with short- or cis-unsaturated fatty acids trafficked efficiently across the cell to the basolateral membrane by transcytosis. In vivo studies showed mucosal absorption after nasal administration. The results substantiate our recently reported dependence on ceramide structure for trafficking the GM1 across polarized epithelial cells and support the idea that specific glycosphingolipids can be harnessed as molecular vehicles for mucosal delivery of therapeutic peptides
    • …
    corecore