»Virtual Skills Lab« – Transdisziplinäres Forschen zur Vermittlung sozialer Kompetenzen im digitalen Wandel

Inter- bzw. transdisziplinäre Forschungsarbeit ist im aktuellen Wissenschaftsbereich häufig gängige Praxis, obwohl die Verständnisse über Umfang und Strukturen einer solchen Zusammenarbeit keineswegs einheitlich sind. Die Autor*innen vermitteln anhand eines Virtual-Reality-Trainings für soziale Kompetenzen Einblicke in die Prozesse des gemeinsamen Forschens. In einer Reihe von Gesprächen reflektieren sie über die Ideenfindung zu ihrem Projekt des »Virtual Skills Lab«, die Entwicklung der dazugehörigen Forschungsfrage sowie deren Ausarbeitung in Form der interaktiven Szene. Entlang dieses Beispiels für virtuelles Training werden schließlich praktische Empfehlungen zur Gestaltung der übergreifenden Zusammenarbeit im digitalen Wandel angeboten

Monitoring of Pentoxifylline Thermal Behavior by Novel Simultaneous Laboratory Small and Wide X-Ray Scattering (SWAXS) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

<div><p>The thermal and structural evolutions associated to active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) purity are monitored using a laboratory instrument (S3-MicroCaliX) allowing simultaneous time-resolved X-ray scattering at both wide and small angles (SWAXS) as a function of temperature. This is performed simultaneously with differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) that is carried out in the same apparatus at scanning rate of 2 K/min on the same sample in the range from 20° to 200°C. We have studied simultaneous thermal and structural properties of pentoxifylline, as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), for its purity quality control. We have found a satisfying API purity, due to obtained melting temperature and enthalpy values, which are in a well agreement with literature. We have also found that the combination of these techniques allows the thermal monitoring of scanning rates of 2 K/min, continuously without the need for static thermal equilibration, particularly for X-ray spectra. Hence, DSC and SWAXS allowing better identification of the structural thermal events recorded by following of the phase transitions simultaneously. This interpretation is much better possible when X-ray scattering at small and wide angles is coupled with DSC from the same sample. Hence, as a laboratory tool, the method presents a reproducible thermal and crystallographic API purity quality control of non-complex samples, as crucial information for pharmaceutical technology.</p></div

DSC spectra of pentoxifylline: Heating scan with a base line subtraction and slope correction displaying melting transition.

<p>Cooling scan with a base line subtraction displays a stabile amorphous state.</p

SWAXS cooling scans spectra of pentoxifylline in the temperature range of 140 to 80°C: a) SAXS cooling scan, b) WAXS cooling scan in the three dimensional plot.

<p>SWAXS cooling scans spectra of pentoxifylline in the temperature range of 140 to 80°C: a) SAXS cooling scan, b) WAXS cooling scan in the three dimensional plot.</p

a) WAXS heating scan in the three-dimensional plot, b) WAXS heating scans in a two dimensional contour plot.

<p>(SAXS exposure time one minute per frame, which corresponds to two°C per frame).</p

Microstructure of calcium stearate matrix pellets: a function of the drying process.

Drying is a common pharmaceutical process, whose potential to modify the final drug and/or dosage form properties is often underestimated. In the present study, pellets consisting of the matrix former calcium stearate (CaSt) incorporating the active pharmaceutical ingredient ibuprofen were prepared via wet extrusion and spheronization. Subsequent drying was performed by either desiccation, fluid-bed drying, or lyophilization, and the final pellets were compared with respect to their microstructure. To minimize the effect of solute ibuprofen molecules on the shrinking behavior of the CaSt, low ibuprofen loadings were used, as ibuprofen is soluble in the granulation liquid. Pellet porosity and specific surface area increased during desiccation, fluid-bed drying, and lyophilization. The inlet-air temperature during fluid-bed drying affected the specific surface area, which increased at lower inlet-air temperatures rather than the pellet porosity. The in vitro dissolution profiles were found to be a nonlinear function of the specific surface area. Overall, the microstructure, including porosity, pore size, and specific surface area, of CaSt pellets was a strong function of the drying conditions

Treatment of dysferlinopathy with deflazacort: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: Dysferlinopathies are autosomal recessive disorders caused by mutations in the dysferlin (DYSF) gene encoding the dysferlin protein. DYSF mutations lead to a wide range of muscular phenotypes, with the most prominent being Miyoshi myopathy (MM) and limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B). Methods: We assessed the one-year-natural course of dysferlinopathy, and the safety and efficacy of deflazacort treatment in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. After one year of natural course without intervention, 25 patients with genetically defined dysferlinopathy were randomized to receive deflazacort and placebo for six months each (1 mg/kg/day in month one, 1 mg/kg every 2nd day during months two to six) in one of two treatment sequences. Results: During one year of natural course, muscle strength declined about 2% as measured by CIDD (Clinical Investigation of Duchenne Dystrophy) score, and 76 Newton as measured by hand-held dynamometry. Deflazacort did not improve muscle strength. In contrast, there is a trend of worsening muscle strength under deflazacort treatment, which recovers after discontinuation of the study drug. During deflazacort treatment, patients showed a broad spectrum of steroid side effects. Conclusion: Deflazacort is not an effective therapy for dysferlinopathies, and off-label use is not warranted. This is an important finding, since steroid treatment should not be administered in patients with dysferlinopathy, who may be often misdiagnosed as polymyositis

A highly active triterpene derivative capable of biofilm damage to control cryptococcus spp.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast responsible for more than 180,000 deaths per year. The standard therapeutic approach against cryptococcosis is a combination of amphotericin B with flucytosine. In countries where cryptococcosis is most prevalent, 5-fluorocytosine is rarely available, and amphotericin B requires intravenous administration. C. neoformans biofilm formation is related to increased drug resistance, which is an important outcome for hospitalized patients. Here, we describe new molecules with anti-cryptococcal activity. A collection of 66 semisynthetic derivatives of ursolic acid and betulinic acid was tested against mature biofilms of C. neoformans at 25 mu M. Out of these, eight derivatives including terpenes, benzazoles, flavonoids, and quinolines were able to cause damage and eradicate mature biofilms. Four terpene compounds demonstrated significative growth inhibition of C. neoformans. Our study identified a pentacyclic triterpenoid derived from betulinic acid (LAFIS13) as a potential drug for anti-cryptococcal treatment. This compound appears to be highly active with low toxicity at minimal inhibitory concentration and capable of biofilm eradication912CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal e Nível SuperiorFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São PauloSem informação420276/2016-5; 302637/2017-6; 307191/2016-