Evaluation of the implementation of a teaching innovation project in the subject of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville

Se pretende determinar cómo se van resolviendo algunos problemas observados en el alumnado (cierta apatía y falta de desarrollo de algunas habilidades) al tiempo que estudiar el impacto que esto supone en el rendimiento académico, gracias a una metodología que complementa a la tradicional en Tecnología Farmacéutica. La mejora lograda ha sido muy esperanzadora. El seguimiento realizado ha detectado el desarrollo de determinadas habilidades académicas, personales y profesionales por parte del alumnado. Se han valorado cualitativamente otros aspectos que impulsan al alumno hacia un estudio activo de esta asignatura.In order to improve some skills and attitudes in the students of the subject of Pharmaceutical Technology, an innovation in the teaching methodologies have been assayed. The idea of the present study is to determine the influence of this new strategy. It has been found an important amelioration in several aspects related to academicals parameters. Moreover, it have been detected some improvements related to several academicals, personal and professional skills. Other aspects that drive students to an active study of this subject has been assessed in a qualitative manner

Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Sevilla: implantación del espíritu ECTS propio del EEES

The implementation process of the ECTS concepts in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Seville is being studied. The main objectives of this Pilot Scheme can be summarized in two fundamental aspects: (i) training of the professors in the new education methodologies according to the EHEA concepts and (ii) obtaining of experimental results that make us possible to justify the adequate personal and infrastructures requirements. The obtained results are very promising; nevertheless, several actions have been detected in order to yield with the EHEA possibilities. These actions are related (i) to adequate the students / professors ratio, (ii) to establish coordination groups and (iii) to develop a tutorial action so as to improve the students implication.En este trabajo se aborda el estudio del proceso de implantación del Sistema de Transferencia de Créditos Europeos (ECTS), unidad fundamental del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES), en la Titulación actual de Farmacia de la Universidad de Sevilla. Tras unas consideraciones previas, se establecen los objetivos fundamentales del Programa Piloto de implantación ECTS, que se resumen en dos aspectos básicos: (i) entrenamiento del profesorado de la Facultad en el nuevo modelo educativo propuesto por la Declaración de Bolonia y (ii) obtención de resultados experimentales que posibiliten justificar necesidades y exigencias, tanto personales como materiales, ante la próxima implantación de los nuevos planes de estudio según el crédito europeo. Los resultados son muy positivos, pero si se pretende aprovechar correctamente las posibilidades ofertadas por este nuevo sistema, señalan claramente (i) la necesidad de adaptar el número de estudiantes por grupo, tanto dotando del personal necesario para la docencia como adecuando las infraestructuras, (ii) la conveniencia de crear equipos de coordinación por curso y por titulación y (iii) crear acciones que promuevan el desarrollo de un sistema tutorial de orientación

In vitro evaluation of a morphine polymeric complex: flowability behavior and dissolution study

The purpose of this research was to perform a granulometrical and flow properties study of a morphine polymeric complex and determine the influence of 3 variables—particle size of complex, pH value, and ionic strength of the dissolution medium—on the dissolution behavior. The morphineEudragit L complex was produced in aqueous medium from morphine hydrochloride saturated solution and Eudragit L 30D diluted until 12% wt/vol and partially neutralized (40%). To determine the rheological behavior of the complex, several rheological tests were developed: bulk and tapped densities, Hausner ratio, angle of repose, and flow rate. The results corresponding to the technological study suggest that the 100- to 250-µm fraction can be considered as free flowing powder. In relation to the dissolution behavior of the complex, the results indicate that the ionic strength has been detected as the most influencing factor when values below physiological conditions are used. In conclusion, no technological problems for the production of further solid dosage forms are expected. Furthermore, no changes in the dissolution profiles of the complex have been detected when ionic strength values are inside the physiological range

Statistical analysis of solid lipid nanoparticles produced by high-pressure homogenization : a practical prediction approach

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a promising carrier for all administration routes due to their safety, small size, and high loading of lipophilic compounds. Among the LNP production techniques, the easy scale-up, lack of organic solvents, and short production times of the high-pressure homogenization technique (HPH) make this method stand out. In this study, a statistical analysis was applied to the production of LNP by HPH. Spherical LNPs with mean size ranging from 65 nm to 11.623 lm, negative zeta potential under –30 mV, and smooth surface were produced. Manageable equations based on commonly used parameters in the pharmaceutical field were obtained. The lipid to emulsifier ratio (RL/S) was proved to statistically explain the influence of oil phase and surfactant concentration on final nanoparticles size. Besides, the homogenization pressure was found to ultimately determine LNP size for a given RL/S, while the number of passes applied mainly determined polydispersion. a-Tocopherol was used as a model drug to illustrate release properties of LNP as a function of particle size, which was optimized by the regression models. This study is intended as a first step to optimize production conditions prior to LNP production at both laboratory and industrial scale from an eminently practical approach, based on parameters extensively used in formulation

Receptor-targeted nanoparticles modulate cannabinoid anticancer activity through delayed cell internalization

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is known for its antitumor activity and palliative effects. However, its unfavorable physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties, including low bioavailability, psychotropic side effects and resistance mechanisms associated to dosing make mandatory the development of successful drug delivery systems. In this work, transferring (Tf) surface-modified Δ9-THC-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolic) nanoparticles (Tf-THC-PLGA NPs) were proposed and evaluated as novel THC-based anticancer therapy. Furthermore, in order to assess the interaction of both the nanocarrier and the loaded drug with cancer cells, a double-fluorescent strategy was applied, including the chemical conjugation of a dye to the nanoparticle polymer along with the encapsulation of either a lipophilic or a hydrophilic dye. Tf-THC PLGA NPs exerted a cell viability decreased down to 17% vs. 88% of plain nanoparticles, while their internalization was significantly slower than plain nanoparticles. Uptake studies in the presence of inhibitors indicated that the nanoparticles were internalized through cholesterol-associated and clathrin-mediated mechanisms. Overall, Tf-modification of PLGA NPs showed to be a highly promising approach for Δ9-THC-based antitumor therapies, potentially maximizing the amount of drug released in a sustained manner at the surface of cells bearing cannabinoid receptors.España Junta Andalucía Project Nr. P09- CTS502

Interés terapéutico de cannabinoides: análisis bibliométrico en Pubmed, Scopus y web of Science

En este trabajo se ha analizado la actividad científica mundial sobre la aplicación terapéutica de cannabinoides en diferentes patologías, así como la posible aplicación de la nanotecnología en el desarrollo de nuevos sistemas de administración para este tipo de fármacos. Para ello, se han utilizado tres bases de datos habituales en Ciencias de la Salud: PubMed, Scopus y Web of Science (WoS). Los resultados del análisis muestran claramente un interés creciente en estas moléculas y sus posibles aplicaciones terapéuticas. El análisis se ha hecho comparando los resultados para el ítem cannabinoids en las tres bases de datos y su asociación con therapeutic. Como se muestra en el trabajo, para Scopus y WoS se obtienen tendencias similares aunque el número de documentos recogidos en Scopus entre 2007-2012 es menor que en WOS. Por el contrario, PubMed muestra una tendencia totalmente discordante. Respecto a la aplicación de la nanotecnología en el desarrollo de nuevos sistemas de administración de estos fármacos, Scopus no diferencia los resultados para los ítems nanotechnology y microspheres. Para la asociación nanoparticles + cannabinoids, Scopus y WoS es la que vuelca más resultados, con un total de 10 artículos de investigación, siendo el 40 % de ellos españole

Potential use for chronic pain: Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) nanoparticles enhance the effects of Cannabis-Based terpenes on calcium influx in TRPV1-Expressing cells

The objective of these in vitro studies was to investigate the impact of the encapsulation of three cannabis-based terpenes, namely β-myrcene (MC), β-caryophyllene (CPh), and nerolidol (NL), on their potential efficacy in pain management. Terpene-encapsulated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PEG-PLGA NPs) were prepared by an emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The terpene-loaded NPs were examined in HEK293 cells that express the nociceptive transient receptor potential vanilloid- 1 (TRPV1), an ion channel involved in pain perception. TRPV1 activation was assessed by monitoring calcium influx kinetics over 1 h in cells pre-treated with the fluorescent indicator Fluo-4. In addition, the fluorescence intensity changes induced by the NPs in living cells were also explored by a fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the terpene-loaded NPs was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) proliferation assay. The terpene-loaded NPs had a diameter in the range of 250–350 nm and a zeta potential of approximately −20 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was 18.5%, 51.3%, and 60.3% for MC, NL, and CPh NPs, respectively. The nano-formulations significantly increased the fluorescence intensity in comparison with free terpenes. Furthermore, combinations of terpene-loaded NPs produced significantly higher calcium responses when compared to combinations of free terpenes. Similar findings were shown by the fluorescence images. In conclusion, the terpene-PLGA NPs can be promising therapeutics for more effective pain management

Cannabinoid derivate-loaded PLGA nanocarriers for oral administration: formulation, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies

CB13 (1-Naphthalenyl[4-(pentyloxy)-1-naphthalenyl]methanone)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by nanoprecipitation and tested for their in vitro release behavior and in vitro cytotoxicity assays. The effects of several formulation parameters such as polymer type, surfactant concentration, and initial drug amount were studied. NPs had a particle size 90–300 nm in diameter. Results obtained show that the main influence on particle size was the type of polymer employed during the particle production: the greater the hydrophobicity, the smaller the particle size. In terms of encapsulation efficiency (%), high values were achieved (∼68%–90%) for all formulations prepared due to the poor solubility of CB13 in the external aqueous phase. Moreover, an inverse relationship between release rate and NP size was found. On the other hand, low molecular weight and low lactide content resulted in a less hydrophobic polymer with increased rates of water absorption, hydrolysis, and erosion. NPs showed no cytotoxicity and may be considered to be appropriate for drug-delivery purposes

Student mentoring program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville (2006/07 - present): SWOT analysis carried out by mentor students

El “Programa de Alumnos Tutores” (LCC, Facultad de Farmacia US) se viene realizando ininterrumpidamente desde 2006/07 hasta la actualidad. Propósito: tutela de alumnos de nuevo ingreso por parte de alumnos de cursos superiores (AATT) bajo la supervisión de Profesores Tutores. Pretende generar una actitud responsable en los AATT y favorecerles el desarrollo de habilidades sociales. El objetivo de este trabajo es recoger las opiniones de los AATT (algunos comenzaron en ediciones anteriores y continúan desinteresadamente). Se aborda mediante un análisis DAFO. Conclusión: se han detectado factores estratégicos críticos, para una vez identificados, usarlos y apoyar en ellos la marcha del “Programa de Alumnos Tutores”, consolidando las fortalezas, minimizando las debilidades, aprovechando las ventajas de las oportunidades, y eliminando o reduciendo las amenazas.The "Student Mentor Program" (Faculty of Pharmacy, US) has been running since 2006/07 – to present. Purpose: to mentor new students by senior students (Mentor Students) under the supervision of mentor professors. It aims to generate a responsible attitude in students and tutors to encourage the development of social skills. Objective: To collect the views of mentor students (some started in previous years and continue to selflessly), through a SWOT analysis. Conclusion: it has been found critical strategic factors. It intends to use these factors for strengthening the "Student Mentor Program"

Perinatal adverse effects in newborns with estimated loss of weight percentile between the third trimester ultrasound and delivery. The GROWIN study

Fetal growth restriction has been associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes (APOs). We determined the importance of fetal growth detention (FGD) in late gestation for the occurrence of APOs in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns. For this purpose, we analyzed a retrospective cohort study of 1067 singleton pregnancies. The newborns with higher APOs were SGA non-FGD and SGA FGD in 40.9% and 31.5% of cases, respectively, and we found an association between SGA non-FGD and any APO (OR 2.61; 95% CI: 1.35–4.99; p = 0.004). We did not find an increased APO risk in AGA FGD newborns (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.59; p = 0.483), except for cesarean delivery for non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) with a decrease in percentile cutoff greater than 40 (RR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.11–5.21) and 50 (RR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.14–7.54). Conclusions: Newborns with the highest probability of APOs are SGA non-FGDs. AGA FGD newborns do not have a higher incidence of APOs than AGA non-FGDs, although with falls in percentile cutoff over 40, they have an increased risk of cesarean section due to NRFS. Further studies are warranted to detect these newborns who would benefit from close surveillance in late gestation and at delivery