Development and optimization of a novel sustained-release dextran tablet formulation for propranolol hydrochloride

A novel oral controlled delivery system for propranolol hydrochloride (PPL) was developed and optimized. The in vitro dissolution profiles of sustained-release matrix tablets of racemic PPL were determined and compared with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) tolerance specifications for Propranolol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules. The influence of matrix forming agents (native dextran, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), cetyl alcohol) and binary mixtures of them on PPL release in vitro was investigated. A central composite design was applied to the optimization of a sustained-release tablet formulation. The sustained-release matrix tablets with good physical, mechanical and technological properties were obtained with a matrix excipient:PPL ratio of 60:40 (w/w), with a dextran:HPMC ratio of 4:1 (w/w) and with a cetyl alcohol amount of 15% (w/w). A comparative kinetic study of the present matrix tablets and commercial SUMIAL RETARD capsules (Spain) was established. The value for the similarity factor (f2 = 69.6) suggested that the dissolution profile of the present two sustained-release oral dosage forms are similar. Higuchi (diffusion) and Hixon–Crowell (erosion) kinetic profiles were achieved and this codependent mechanism of drug release was established

An Overview on the Field of Micro- and Nanotechnologies for Synthetic Peptide-Based Vaccines

The development of synthetic peptide-based vaccines has many advantages in comparison with vaccines based on live attenuated organisms, inactivated or killed organism, or toxins. Peptide-based vaccines cannot revert to a virulent form, allow a better conservation, and are produced more easily and safely. However, they generate a weaker immune response than other vaccines, and the inclusion of adjuvants and/or the use of vaccine delivery systems is almost always needed. Among vaccine delivery systems, micro- and nanoparticulated ones are attractive, because their particulate nature can increase cross-presentation of the peptide. In addition, they can be passively or actively targeted to antigen presenting cells. Furthermore, particulate adjuvants are able to directly activate innate immune system in vivo. Here, we summarize micro- and nanoparticulated vaccine delivery systems used in the field of synthetic peptide-based vaccines as well as strategies to increase their immunogenicity

Ultrafast lasers: A new frontier for optical materials processing

In the last years, ultrashort laser pulses have gone through the laboratory walls to burst into the industrial arena as a tool for material micro- and nanoprocessing. The number of industrial fields and specific applications is steadily growing, reaching the nanotechnology applications. Now, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CPA (chirped pulse amplification) technique which made available intense ultrashort (subpicosecond) pulses able to induce ablation of any material. This contribution tries to review the fundamentals of ultrafast lasers as well as some of their applications, emphasizing the processing of optical materials.We acknowledge support from Junta de Castilla y León (GR27), from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Consolider SAUUL CSD2007-00013 and Grant FIS2009-09522), from EU 7FP, LaserLab-Europe-2 (Grant Agreement No. 228334) and ELI Preliminary Phase. The authors acknowledge support from CLPU (Ultrashort Ultraintense Pulsed Laser Centre), a new spanish research facility funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Junta de Castilla y León and Universidad of Salamanca, which is giving beam access to the domestic and international scientific community

As relações interpessoais dos enfermeiros na assistência hospitalar e o uso das capacidades comunicativas

A qualitative exploratory and descriptive study investigating how the work relationships of nursing professionals are affected by the organizational problems experienced in hospital units and their management. Participants consisted of 21 nurses who worked in a general hospital in the north of Spain, during the period between 2010 and 2012. The study was approved by an ethics research committee and participants signed an informed consent form. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and field records. Using thematic analysis, the results displayed that work disorganization affects interpersonal relationships, generating feelings of impotence and demotivation among participants. Thus, they considered it necessary for a work plan to be established, clearly defining the activities of each professional role and developing the necessary communication skills for expressing problems to managers and coworkers. We believe it would be of great benefit for managers to take into consideration the suggestions for improvement presented in this study.Estudio exploratorio-descriptivo, cualitativo, para conocer cómo afectan a las relaciones laborales de los profesionales de enfermería los problemas organizativos vividos en las unidades hospitalarias y la forma de gestionarlos. Los participantes fueron 21 enfermeros que trabajaban en un hospital general del norte de España, en el periodo de 2010-2012, con la aprobación del comité ético y de investigación y la firma del consentimiento informado. Los datos se recolectaron mediante entrevistas en profundidad y diario de campo. A partir del análisis temático, los resultados mostraron que la desorganización del trabajo afecta a las relaciones interpersonales, generando en los participantes sentimientos de impotencia y desmotivación. Por ello, consideran necesario realizar una planificación del trabajo, clarificar las actividades de cada rol profesional y desarrollar las habilidades comunicativas necesarias para transmitir los problemas a gestores y compañeros. Se estima conveniente que los gestores tuvieran en consideración las propuestas de mejora señaladas en el estudio.Estudo exploratório-descritivo, qualitativo, para conhecer os problemas organizativos que ocorreram nas unidades hospitalares e a maneira de os gerir nas relações laborais dos profissionais da enfermagem. Os participantes foram 21 enfermeiros que trabalhavam num hospital geral do Norte da Espanha, entre os anos 2010 e 2012. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas em profundidade e de diário de campo. A partir da análise temática, os resultados mostraram que a desorganização no trabalho afeta as relações interpessoais, criando nos participantes sentimento de impotência e desmotivação. Por este motivo, consideram necessário realizar uma planificação do trabalho, esclarecer as atividades de cada profissional e desenvolver as capacidades comunicativas necessárias para transmitir os problemas aos gestores e aos colegas de trabalho

Multiplex Analysis of CircRNAs from Plasma Extracellular Vesicle-Enriched Samples for the Detection of Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: The analysis of liquid biopsies brings new opportunities in the precision oncology field. Under this context, extracellular vesicle circular RNAs (EV-circRNAs) have gained interest as biomarkers for lung cancer (LC) detection. However, standardized and robust protocols need to be developed to boost their potential in the clinical setting. Although nCounter has been used for the analysis of other liquid biopsy substrates and biomarkers, it has never been employed for EV-circRNA analysis of LC patients. Methods: EVs were isolated from early-stage LC patients (n = 36) and controls (n = 30). Different volumes of plasma, together with different number of preamplification cycles, were tested to reach the best nCounter outcome. Differential expression analysis of circRNAs was performed, along with the testing of different machine learning (ML) methods for the development of a prognostic signature for LC. Results: A combination of 500 L of plasma input with 10 cycles of pre-amplification was selected for the rest of the study. Eight circRNAs were found upregulated in LC. Further ML analysis selected a 10-circRNA signature able to discriminate LC from controls with AUC ROC of 0.86. Conclusions: This study validates the use of the nCounter platform for multiplexed EV-circRNA expression studies in LC patient samples, allowing the development of prognostic signatures.European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant 76549

Determination of the spatiotemporal dependence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm viability after treatment with NLC-colistin

The emergence of colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, particularly after long-term inhalation treatments, has been recently reported. Nanoencapsulation may enable preparations to overcome the limitations of conventional pharmaceutical forms. We have determined the time-dependent viability of P. aeruginosa biofilms treated with both free and nanoencapsulated colistin. We also examined the relationship between the optimal anti-biofilm activity of nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-colistin and the structural organization of the biofilm itself. The results showed the more rapid killing of P. aeruginosa bacterial biofilms by NLC-colistin than by free colistin. However, the two formulations did not differ in terms of the final percentages of living and dead cells, which were higher in the inner than in the outer layers of the treated biofilms. The effective anti-biofilm activity of NLC-colistin and its faster killing effect recommend further studies of its use over free colistin in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients

¿Por qué y para qué de las competencias clave en educación física? Análisis de dos posturas contrapuestas

p.7-12Aunque la incorporación de las competencias en el sistema educativo español es ya un hecho, desde que se inició el proceso de implantación hubo un importante debate sobre su conveniencia y oportunidad. La controversia sobre su contribución al área de Educación Física (EF) se ha mantenido viva hasta la actualidad. El objetivo del presente estudio es confrontar dos líneas argumentales contrapuestas bajo el juicio de dos expertos en la temática. Se emplea el análisis del discurso como técnica metodológica cualitativa. Los expertos responden a cuatro preguntas asignadas a dos categorías distintas: a) implantación de las competencias y EF escolar; y b) necesidad de las competencias clave e incorporación de lo motriz. Los resultados muestran que la discrepancia argumental obedece fundamentalmente a que los planteamientos pedagógicos y los marcos teóricos se encuentran muy distantes entre sí. Uno de los expertos, situado en el entorno de la pedagogía crítica, subraya el escaso aporte emancipador que suponen las competencias respecto de los usos corporales. También cuestiona el calado transformador que tienen para la labor del profesorado. El otro experto defiende lo positivo de su inclusión para la mejora educativa, siempre y cuando se utilicen enfoques deductivos e interdisciplinares desde los centros educativos.S

First Insights into Non-invasive Administration Routes for Non-viral Gene Therapy

Gene delivery has attracted increasing interest as a highly promising therapeutic method to treat various diseases, including both genetic and acquired disorders. However, its clinical application is still hampered by the lack of safe and effective gene delivery techniques, as well as by the need of non-invasive routes of administration in gene delivery platforms. Among the different approaches used to transport nucleic acids into target cells, non-viral vectors represent promising and safer alternatives to viruses. Non-invasive administration routes are currently being studied, such as intranasal administration to target the brain, topical retinal administration for ocular diseases and aerosolized formulations for inhalation for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Reasonable evidence suggests that future gene delivery systems might be based on effective non-viral vectors administered through non-invasive routes, which would constitute a safe, easy to produce, cheap and customizable alternative to the current viral gene delivery platforms. In this review, after briefly introducing the basis of gene therapy, we discuss the up-to-date and possible future strategies to improve DNA transfection efficiency using non-viral vectors and focusing on the non-invasive routes of administration