Aggerslot9541

matory activity within the gut.BACKGROUND We compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes between interface fixation using absorbable screws and plate fixation in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) to evaluate the effectiveness of these 2 fixation methods for the treatment of 2-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). MATERIAL AND METHODS From January 2014 to December 2016, a total of 220 patients who received 2-level ACCF were retrospectively collected. Among them, 108 patients were treated with interface fixation using absorbable screws (Group A) and 112 patients underwent plate fixation (Group B). Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Neck Disability Index (NDI) score were employed to compare the clinical improvement. Operative time, blood loss, surgical cost, cervical lordosis, complications, and fusion rate were also evaluated. RESULTS The average follow-up time were 35.2±4.5 months in Group A and 35.9±3.9 months in Group B. There was no difference in operative time and blood loss for both groups. The JOA scores and NDI scores were similar in each follow-up (p>0.05 in all). Group A cost an average of 30% less than Group B for the operation. Both groups achieved 100% in the fusion rate with the same conditions in cervical lordosis. Group A (5/108) had a significantly lower complication rate than Group B (17/112) (p less then 0.05). CONCLUSIONS ACCF with interface fixation using absorbable screws achieved similar clinical outcomes compared to ACCF with plate fixation for 2-level CSM. Moreover, the interface fixation using absorbable screws presented far fewer complications and cost less for the operation.Inspired by a scallop's strong underwater propulsion mechanism, we designed and prototyped a scallop robot capable of clapping and swimming. In this work, an artificial velum was used to work as a check valve to stimulate the robot's swimming. A couple of supporting plates were fixed on the robot shells to achieve the modulation of clapping process of the shells. The scallop robot can move at a maximum average and instantaneous speed of 3.4 and 4.65 body lengths per second, respectively. The effect of the supporting plates, the artificial velum, as well as the clapping frequency and amplitude on the swimming performance of the scallop robot was also experimentally evaluated. By tuning the sizes of the jet apertures, the scallop robot is capable of achieving high mobility actions such as turning. We also obtained the aperture ratio with the corresponding turning radius. This scallop robot provides a new propulsion mechanism in underwater bionic robots; it is also of help to understand the swimming principle of scallops in terms of jet propulsion and clapping motion.The objective of this project was to study the percutaneous absorption of lorazepam, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and haloperidol from a topical Pluronic lecithin organogel, also known as ABH gel, across the porcine ear skin and verify its suitability for topical application. ABH gel was prepared using lecithin in isopropyl palmitate solution (11) as an oil phase and 20% w/v Poloxamer 407 solution as an aqueous phase. The gel was characterized for pH, viscosity, drug content, and thermal behavior. A robust high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of lorazepam, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and haloperidol. The percutaneous absorption of lorazepam, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and haloperidol from ABH gel was carried out using Franz cells across the Strat-M membrane and pig ear skin. The pH of ABH gel was found to be 5.66 ± 0.13. The retention time of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, haloperidol, and lorazepam was found to be 5.2 minutes, 7.8 minutes, and 18.9 minutes, respectively. The ABH gel was found to be stable for up to 30 days. Theoretical steady state plasma concentrations (CSS) of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, haloperidol, and lorazepam calculated from flux values were found to be 1.6 ng/mL, 0.13 ng/mL, and 2.30 ng/mL, respectively. The theoretical CSS of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, haloperidol, and lorazepam were much lower than required therapeutic concentrations for antiemetic activity to relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. From the percutaneous absorption data, it was evident that ABH gel failed to achieve required systemic levels of lorazepam, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and haloperidol following topical application. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.Asthma, which affects nearly 1 in every 12 people, is a large problem in the U.S. Asthma results in a cost of $56 billion dollars in various hospital bills and inconveniences. Many treatments of asthma use delivery methods (e.g., inhalers, tablets, capsules) that cannot be used by many patients if they have medical conditions that weaken their ability to inhale or swallow. This study's purpose was to examine the use of topically applied creams as a potential alternative to the use of conventional asthma medications. To test if a cream could work to treat asthma, a cream was developed with a drug normally taken orally that was combined with a cream base that was found most suitable to deliver the drug. The cream was then tested in-situ with mice as the test subject. The cream was applied to the backs of four groups of three mice for 0.5 hours, 1.5 hours, 5 hours, and 7 hours. Blood samples were taken after the respective times, and the quantity of the drug was analyzed in a mass spectrometer. The results showed that a cream delivered enough of an asthma drug to match the bioavailability of an average adult taking montelukast sodium. Trichostatin A With this new delivery method, a cream can be used to treat asthma, which can also relieve the discomfort of asthma patients who are unable to use inhaled drugs and even possibly save lives of those unable to use traditional methods of delivery. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.Intrathecal analgesia is a method using various molecules alone or in combination. Among these, a preparation of sufentanil-ropivacaine-baclofen is widely used. Instead of moving patients to the few expert centers taking charge of these specific preparations, it could be beneficial to transport syringes to peripheral centers who manage pump refills. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical compatibility and stability of a preparation of sufentanil, ropivacaine, and baclofen in polypropylene syringes. Drugs were mixed together at different concentrations and stored with light protection at 5°C ± 3°C and 25°C ± 2°C. The stabilities were determined by visual inspection, turbidity, pH measurement, and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography assay of drug concentrations. The concentrations of ropivacaine, baclofen, and sufentanil were stable after 7 days at 5°C ± 3°C and no degradation of product appeared. The drug mixtures were clear in appearance and no color change or precipitation was observed. Throughout this period, the absorbance and the pH value of samples remained stable. The preparations of sufentanil, baclofen, and ropivacaine remained stable for at least 7 days when stored in polypropylene syringes at 5°C ± 3°C. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.Orodispersible tablets disintegrate rapidly (within 3 minutes) in the oral cavity and release the medicament before swallowing. The mode of disintegrant addition might affect the properties of orodispersible tablets. The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate orodispersible tablets by studying different modes of disintegration addition with varying concentrations of disintegrants. The wet granulation method was used to produce the orodispersible tablets. Two methods of disintegration addition were compared (i.e., intragranular, extragranular). Three disintegrants (i.e., cornstarch, sodium starch glycolate, crospovidone) were used at three levels (5%, 10%, and 15%) in the study. The formulations were tested for the powder flowability (angle of repose) and characterized physically (hardness, weight, thickness, friability, disintegration time). The mangosteen pericarp extract was used as a model active pharmaceutical ingredient to be incorporated into the optimum formulation. It was observed that the extragranular method produced granules with better flowability compared to that of the intragranular method. Crospovidone was found as the most efficient disintegrant among the three. The optimum formulation selected was one with the highest concentration of crospovidone (15%), which showed the fastest disintegration time. The mode of disintegrant addition into the orodispersible tablets formulation was found to show a marked difference in the disintegration, as well as other physical characteristics of the orodispersible tablets where the extragranular mode of addition showed better property, which caused the orodispersible tablets to disintegrate the fastest. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.In New Zealand, there are no liquid formulations of omeprazole commercially available, therefore suspensions must be extemporaneously compounded from solid dosage forms for patients with swallowing difficulties. The funding for solid dosage forms of omeprazole changes frequently, often every one to two years, without consideration of the impact this may have when extemporaneously compounded liquid dosage forms are required. This study examined suspensions compounded from various solid dosage forms of omeprazole with the purpose of identifying suitable quality formulations and evaluating their chemical and physical stability. Six different solid dosage forms of omeprazole that are available in New Zealand, including capsules, tablets, and powder, were used to prepare 2-mg/mL suspensions in 8.4% w/v sodium bicarbonate solution. The suspensions were then assessed visually for quality and by quantifying sedimentation rate over 120 minutes. Two products, stored in amber bottles at either 4°C or 25°C, demonstrated light. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.The study of intravenous admixture compatibility is an excellent application of "clinical pharmaceutics." Clinical pharmaceutics involves the study and application of pharmaceutics and pharmaceutic (physical pharmacy/ chemistry) principles to clinical compounding situations to aid in the evaluation of each intravenous admixture. This series includes compatibility and stability considerations in intravenous admixture compounding. Part 2 of this series of articles discussed many factors that should be considered that may give rise to compatibility concerns, as well as drug sorption issues. In this issue (Part 3), there is a discussion on the methods and techniques that can be used to decrease the occurrence and incidence of incompatibilities, along with some alternate techniques to consider when some approaches do not seem feasible. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.The preparation of solutions often requires more than one solvent in the vehicle. When an additional solvent is added to a primary solvent, this additional solvent is called a "cosolvent." Cosolvents must be carefully selected to be compatible with the other ingredients in the formulation, to be nontoxic, and to be safe for the patient. One method of approximating the cosolvent and its concentration to be used involves the consideration of the dielectric constant. Although not exact, it can be helpful and is relatively simple to calculate. Altering the dielectric constant of the total formulation can alter the ingredients solubility, compatibility, and stability. Therefore, it must be thought out prior to compounding the final preparation. Common cosolvents used in compounding and manufacturing are presented along with the dielectric constant of some commonly used cosolvents. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.