Lyophilized tablets for focal delivery of fluconazole and itraconazole through vaginal mucosa, rational design and in vitro evaluation

The present work deals with the rational design and in vitro evaluation of vaginal tablets for focal delivery of fluconazole (FLZ) and itraconazol (ITZ). Drug loaded liposomes with and without d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (vit E TPGS) were prepared by direct sonication of the components and mixed with albumin to obtain albusomes. Tablets were obtained by direct compression of the lyophilized cake. The influence of vit E TPGS on size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency (EE%) of liposomes and albusomes was evaluated. Tablet swelling and drug release were studied by in vitro assays. Vit E TPGS neither affected the zeta potential nor the EE% of liposomes and albusomes, but affected the liposomes size and the tablet disintegration time. A rapid erosion was observed for the tablets with the highest content of vitamin, while a slow swelling for those lacking the vitamin (swelling index = 57.76 ± 13.51%). A faster drug release profile was obtained for the former compared to the latter. The in vitro assay showed that FLZ diffused and solved in the vaginal fluid simulant while ITZ remained into the albusomes, which slowly released ITZ-albumin complex and ITZ-loaded liposomes, both suitable carriers for drug transport to deeper vaginal endothelium

Liposomes isolation and characterization by microencapsulation

Liposomes are microscopic vesicles composed of concentric lipid bilayers entrapping aqueous compartments. Proteins and lipids are among biocompatible and biodegradable materials used for microencapsulation, being albumin an interesting protein due to its role as a drugs carrier. The aim of the study was to encapsulate ciprofloxacin loaded liposomes into Albusomes® a novel pharmaceutical vehicle based on albumin coated liposomes. The vesicle preparation was carried out using the lipid hydration method and sonication method using a mixture of egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC), diethyldodeccyiamonium (DDA) and cholesterol (Ch). The liposomes were encapsulated with bovine serum albumin by induced flocculation. The pellet, containing the albumin coated liposomes with ciprofloxacin trapped into water vesicle core and albumin coating layers, was isolated by centrifugation. Concentration of ciprofloxacin was quantified in the supernatant and the absence of lipid vesicles was confirmed. The proposed vehicle (Albusomes®) showed to be able to encapsulate liposomes with a high drug entrapment efficacy (86.0 ± 5.0% and 93.52±3.94%). for lipid hydration method and sonication method, respectively.Los liposomas son vesículas microscópicas compuestas de bicapas lipídicas concéntricas que alternan con compartimentos acuosos. Las proteínas y los lípidos son materiales biocompatibles y biodegradables utilizados para la microencapsulación de fármacos, siendo la albúmina una de las proteína de interés debido a su importante papel como un transportador. El objetivo del estudio fue encapsular liposomas cargados con ciprofloxacino en Albusomas®, un novedoso vehículo farmacéutico basado en liposomas recubiertos de albúmina. La preparación de las vesículas se llevó a cabo mediante el método de hidratación de lípidos y el método de sonicación, utilizando una mezcla de fosfatidilcolina de huevo (EPC), dietildodecilamonio (DDA) y colesterol (Ch). Los liposomas se encapsularon con albúmina bovina por floculación inducida. El sedimento, aislado por centrifugación contiene las microesferas formadas por los liposomas recubiertos de albúmina con ciprofloxacino en el núcleo acuoso, y en las capas de revestimiento de albúmina. Se determinó la concentración de ciprofloxacino en el sobrenadante y se comprobó la ausencia de liposomas en el mismo. El vehículo propuesto (Albusomas®) demostró ser capaz de encapsular los liposomas con una alta eficacia de encapsulación de ciprofloxacino (86,0 ± 5,0% y 93,52±3,94%) para el método de hidratación de lípidos y el método de sonicación, respectivamente

Molten salt attack on multilayer and funcionally-graded YSZ coating

[EN] Thermal barrier coatings have been extensively studied in the last years in order to increase the operational temperature of the current gas turbines as well as to improve the coating lifetime. Many coating characteristics must be met to achieve these requirements (low thermal conductivity, high thermal fatigue resistance...); therefore, complex systems have been engineered for these purposes. One of the possibilities to optimise the different properties deals with the design of multilayer or functionally-graded coatings where various types of microstructures with different characteristics are combined. One of the most important cause of gas turbines degradation relates to the attack of different type of particles which are suspended in the atmosphere (sand, fly ash...). These solid particles are molten at the operational temperatures and then, the molten salts chemically react with the coating. For this reason, the present research was focused on this type of attack. In the present work, the molten salt attack of various YSZ coatings with multilayer and functionally-graded design was addressed. Two different type of microstructures were specifically combined for this design: the APS coating microstructure obtained from conventional (microstructured) powder and a bimodal structure with nanozones obtained from nanostructured feedstock. Besides, different salts were used to simulate different attack environments (desert sand and volcanic fly ash). Findings show that nanozones act as barrier against the penetration of molten salts toward deeper layer. However, a layer formed by nanozones can detach when the salt attack is too aggressive. Hence, functionally-graded coatings, where two types of microstructures are combined through the whole coating, become ideal to diminish the molten salt attack.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project MAT2015-67586-C3-R) as well as A. Borrell and L. Navarro thanks for their post-doc (RyC-2016-20915) and pre-doc (BES-2016-077792) contracts respectively. P. Carpio acknowledges the Valencia Government for his post-doc contract (APOSTD/2016/040).Carpio-Cobo, P.; Salvador Moya, MD.; Borrell Tomás, MA.; Navarro-López, L.; Sánchez, E. (2018). Molten salt attack on multilayer and funcionally-graded YSZ coating. Ceramics International. 44(11):12634-12641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.04.062S1263412641441

Design of a liposomal formulation aimed to vaccines administration

Antigen is not the single component involved in the pharmacological response for vaccines but additional factors such as formulation and adjuvant compounds play a relevant role. Several strategies based on the use of liposomes are currently assayed in this field. According to this, the aim of the present work was the design, preparation and characterization of a pharmaceutical vehicle able to produce a rapid delivery of adjuvants and a slow release of antigen. From the know-how a theoretical vehicle was design and proposed as optimal formulation and this was then prepared and characterized. The “proposed formulation” is based on albumin coated liposomes made of egg phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and diethyldodeccyiamonium. The applied procedure carried out in absence of organic solvents allowed for obtaining liposomes with a 20-70 nm aerodynamic diameter range and a zeta potential mean value of 61.9 ±2.08 mV and also for its coating with albumin. Coated particles showed a spherical shape and a size range of 2-10 µm which does not fulfil parenteral formulations requirements but are optimal for nasal or dermatological administration routes.Los efectos de una vacuna dependen no solo del antígeno, sino también de factores relacionados con la formulación; la elección del sistema de liberación junto con el empleo de potenciadores inmunológicos son aspectos de gran relevancia. Actualmente existen numerosas estrategias en desarrollo en este campo basados en la utilización de liposomas. El objetivo de este  trabajo ha sido el diseño y la preparación de un vehículo para la administración de vacunas, capaz de liberar inmediatamente el coadyuvante y más lentamente el antígeno.  Analizando los conocimientos previos se realizó, en una primera fase,  el diseño teórico del vehículo y seguidamente la preparación y caracterización del mismo. La “formulación propuesta” se basa en la microencapsulación de liposomas, constituidos por fosfatidilcolina, colesterol y dimetildioctadecil amonio, con albumina bovina. El procedimiento experimental aplicado, que transcurre en ausencia de disolventes orgánicos,  permite obtener liposomas con un potencial zeta de  61,9 ±2,08 mV y tamaño entre 20 y 70 nm así como su inclusión en partículas esféricas de albúmina, cuyo rango de tamaño resultó ser de 2-10 µm. Con estas características el vehículo no podría administrarse por vía parenteral pero si nasal o transdérmica

Hacia la internacionalización de los estudios de postgrado en la UCM: el caso del Máster de Estudios Avanzados en Trabajo y Empleo

El “Máster de Estudios Avanzados sobre Trabajo y Empleo” (MAESTRE) que se imparte en la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociología ha iniciado un proceso de reflexión y redefinición que busca profundizar y potenciar las que han sido señas de identidad desde su creación: la fuerte presencia de alumnado procedente de otros países (principalmente países de Latinoamérica y Asia) y la participación habitual del profesorado del máster en redes de investigación internacionales consolidadas. El objetivo de este proyecto consiste en explorar las posibilidades de internacionalización y mejora del máster, más concretamente, las posibilidades abiertas por el Erasmus + Programme (Key Action 1 Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees) de la Unión Europea

Enfermería : fármacos más utilizados en urgencias hospitalarias

El Servicio de Urgencias del C.H.G.U.V. cuenta con una plantilla de 84 Enfermeros/as. Una parte considerable de ellos es personal de nueva incorporación, de ahí que sea prioritaria la elaboración de protocolos de actuación. La administración de medicación intravenosa es sin duda una de las técnicas de mayor aplicación en los pacientes que acuden a Urgencias, que en nuestro Hospital oscila entre 550-600 atenciones diarias. Por ello nos planteamos, mediante la realización de reuniones de grupo, la elaboración del presente trabajo con el objetivo de elaborar un manual informativo sobre la medicación más habitual utilizada en nuestro Servicio de Urgencias; indicaciones, contraindicaciones, diluciones, cuidados y recomendaciones sobre la administración que nos ayude a visionar la practica en nuestro trabajo y la calidad del Servicio que prestamos a nuestros pacientes, y sirva de consulta sobre todo al personal de nueva incorporación.The First aid service of the C.H.G.U.V. Nurse is provided with a staff of 84, a considerable part of them is new staff, and therefore there is a priority of making of performance protocols. The administration of intravenous medication is undoubtedly one of the most used techniques in patients who come to the emergency room, which in our Hospital ranges between 550-600 daily attentions. For this reason, we considered that carrying out group meetings in order to elaborate the present essay. Our main objective is to prepare an informative guidebook about the most common used medicines in our first aid service: indications, contraindications, dilutions, care, and recommendations on the use. In this sense it will contribute to see the practice in our work and the service quality that we give to our patients. And what is more, it will serve as a reference particularly to the new [email protected]

Aproximación clínica al conocimiento de las funciones ejecutivas de un grupo de antiguos consumidores de sustancias psicoactivas

L'estudi intenta descriure la simptomatologia disejecutiva així com les característiques socials, toxicològiques i mèdiques d'un grup de pacients que estan rebent tractament farmacològic per a la seva addicció en una unitat de conductes addictives de València i que, romanent abstinents, presenten deteriorament cognitiu segons la impressió clínica del facultatiu. Els instruments d'avaluació utilitzats són la història clínica, el mini-examen cognoscitiu de Lobo, el qüestionari disejecutiu DEX-Sp, l'escala de comportament del sistema frontal (FrSBe-Sp), el test de la figura complexa de rei, el test de Stroop , diferents subtest d'intel·ligència per a adults del WAIS III i l'escala EEAG.El estudio intenta describir la sintomatología disejecutiva así como las características sociales, toxicológicas y médicas de un grupo de pacientes que están recibiendo tratamiento farmacológico para su adicción en una unidad de conductas adictivas de Valencia y que, permaneciendo abstinentes, presentan deterioro cognitivo según la impresión clínica del facultativo. Los instrumentos de evaluación utilizados son la historia clínica, el mini-examen cognoscitivo de Lobo, el cuestionario disejecutivo DEX-Sp, la escala de comportamiento del sistema frontal (FrSBe-Sp), el test de la figura compleja de rey, el test de Stroop y diferentes subtest de inteligencia para adultos del Wais III y la escala EEA

Xanthan Gum–Konjac Glucomannan Blend Hydrogel for Wound Healing

Hydrogels are considered to be the most ideal materials for the production of wound dressings since they display a three-dimensional structure that mimics the native extracellular matrix of skin as well as a high-water content, which confers a moist environment at the wound site. Until now, different polymers have been used, alone or blended, for the production of hydrogels aimed for this biomedical application. From the best of our knowledge, the application of a xanthan gum-konjac glucomannan blend has not been used for the production of wound dressings. Herein, a thermo-reversible hydrogel composed of xanthan gum-konjac glucomannan (at different concentrations (1% and 2% w/v) and ratios (50/50 and 60/40)) was produced and characterized. The obtained data emphasize the excellent physicochemical and biological properties of the produced hydrogels, which are suitable for their future application as wound dressings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multitemporal monitoring of plant area index in the Valencia Rice District with PocketLAI

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key biophysical parameter used to determine foliage cover and crop growth in environmental studies in order to assess crop yield. Frequently, plant canopy analyzers (LAI-2000) and digital cameras for hemispherical photography (DHP) are used for indirect effective plant area index (PAIeff ) estimates. Nevertheless, these instruments are expensive and have the disadvantages of low portability and maintenance. Recently, a smartphone app called PocketLAI was presented and tested for acquiring PAIeff measurements. It was used during an entire rice season for indirect PAIeff estimations and for deriving reference high-resolution PAIeff maps. Ground PAIeff values acquired with PocketLAI, LAI-2000, and DHP were well correlated (R2 = 0.95, RMSE = 0.21 m2/m2 for Licor-2000, and R2 = 0.94, RMSE = 0.6 m2/m2 for DHP). Complementary data such as phenology and leaf chlorophyll content were acquired to complement seasonal rice plant information provided by PAIeff. High-resolution PAIeff maps, which can be used for the validation of remote sensing products, have been derived using a global transfer function (TF) made of several measuring dates and their associated satellite radiances