Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation: Implantable, Multifunctional, Bioresorbable Optics.
Implantable, multifunctional, bioresorbable optics.
Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Nov 12;
Tao H, Kainerstorfer JM, Siebert SM, Pritchard EM, Sassaroli A, Panilaitis BJ, Brenckle MA, Amsden JJ, Levitt J, Fantini S, Kaplan DL, Omenetto FG
Advances in personalized medicine are symbiotic with the development of novel technologies for biomedical devices. We present an approach that combines enhanced imaging of malignancies, therapeutics, and feedback about therapeutics in a single implantable, biocompatible, and resorbable device. This confluence of form and function is accomplished by capitalizing on the unique properties of silk proteins as a mechanically robust, biocompatible, optically clear biomaterial matrix that can house, stabilize, and retain the function of therapeutic components. By developing a form of high-quality microstructured optical elements, improved imaging of malignancies and of treatment monitoring can be achieved. The results demonstrate a unique family of devices for in vitro and in vivo use that provide functional biomaterials with built-in optical signal and contrast enhancement, demonstrated here with simultaneous drug delivery and feedback about drug delivery with no adverse biological effects, all while slowly degrading to regenerate native tissue.
HubMed – drug
Influence of Lower Body Positive Pressure on Upper Airway Cross-Sectional Area in Drug-Resistant Hypertension.
Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Hypertension. 2012 Nov 12;
Friedman O, Bradley TD, Logan AG
We previously showed that in hypertensive patients the amount of fluid displaced from the legs overnight is directly related to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and that the rostral fluid shift was greater in drug-resistant hypertensive patients. The findings suggested that this fluid redistribution increases upper airway collapsibility, yet more direct evidence is lacking. The present study examines the effects of graded lower body positive pressure on leg fluid volume, upper airway cross-sectional area, and neck circumference in patients with drug-resistant hypertension (n=25) and controlled hypertension (n=15). In both groups, the reduction in mean upper airway cross-sectional area and oropharyngeal junction area, assessed by acoustic pharyngometry, and the increase in neck circumference, determined by mercury strain gauge plethysmography, were related to the amount of fluid displaced from the legs (R(2)=0.41, P<0.0001; R(2)=0.42, P<0.0001; and R(2)=0.47, P<0.0001, respectively). Displacement of leg fluid volume was significantly greater in patients with drug-resistant hypertension than in controlled hypertension (P<0.0001), and as a consequence, the former experienced greater reductions in mean upper airway cross-sectional area and oropharyngeal junction area (P=0.001 and P<0.0001, respectively). The findings support the concept that in hypertensive subjects, rostral fluid displacement may participate in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea by narrowing the upper airway and making it more susceptible to collapse during sleep. The exaggerated fluid volume displacement from the legs and upper airway response to lower body positive pressure in patients with drug-resistant hypertension provide additional evidence of an important link between drug-resistant hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea. HubMed – drug
Influence of drug lipophilicity on drug release from sclera after iontophoretic delivery of mixed micellar carrier system to human sclera.
Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
J Pharm Sci. 2012 Nov 13;
Chopra P, Hao J, Li SK
Mixed micelles prepared using sodium taurocholate (TA) and egg lecithin (LE) were previously found to be an effective carrier for sustained release of a poorly water-soluble drug in transscleral iontophoretic delivery. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of drug lipophilicity upon micellar carrier solubilization potential and drug release profiles from the sclera after iontophoretic delivery of model lipophilic drugs dexamethasone (DEX), triamcinolone acetonide (TRIAM), and ?-estradiol (E2?) with a mixed micellar carrier system of TA-LE (1:1 mole ratio). In this study, the micellar carrier system was characterized for drug solubilization. The micelles encapsulating these drugs were evaluated for transscleral passive and 2-mA iontophoretic delivery (both cathodal and anodal) and drug release from excised human sclera in vitro. The results show that drug solubility enhancement of the micellar carrier system increased with increasing drug lipophilicity. The more lipophilic drugs E2? and TRIAM displayed slower drug release from the sclera compared with the less lipophilic drug DEX after iontophoretic drug delivery with the mixed micelles. These results suggest that the combination of transscleral iontophoresis and micellar carriers is more effective in sustaining transscleral delivery of the more lipophilic drugs studied in this investigation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci.
HubMed – drug
Efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants for treatment of acute venous thromboembolism: direct and adjusted indirect meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
BMJ. 2012; 345: e7498
Fox BD, Kahn SR, Langleben D, Eisenberg MJ, Shimony A
OBJECTIVE: To critically review the effectiveness of the novel oral anticoagulants (rivaroxaban, dabigatran, ximelagatran, and apixaban) in the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. DESIGN: Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis. Data were extracted independently by two investigators. An adjusted indirect comparison was performed to compare between novel oral anticoagulants. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library (from inception to April 2012). Hand searching of relevant scientific works and contact with experts. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials of novel oral anticoagulants compared with vitamin K antagonists for acute venous thromboembolism. Selected outcomes were recurrent events, major bleeding, and all cause mortality. RESULTS: Nine studies met our inclusion criteria, involving 16?701 patients evaluated for efficacy and 16?611 for safety. Data were stratified according to different novel oral anticoagulants. For recurrent acute venous thromboembolism, there were no significant differences in events rates between any of the anticoagulants and conventional treatment (rivaroxaban (four studies): relative risk 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 1.31; dabigatran (two studies): 1.09, 0.76 to 1.57; ximelagatran (two studies): 1.06, 0.62 to 1.80; and apixaban (one study): 0.98, 0.20 to 4.79). Rivaroxaban reduced the risk of major bleeding compared with conventional treatment (0.57, 0.39 to 0.84), whereas other novel oral anticoagulants did not (0.76 (0.49 to 1.18) for dabigatran; 0.54 (0.28 to 1.03) for ximelagatran; 2.95 (0.12 to 71.82) for apixaban). For all cause mortality there were no significant differences between the novel oral anticoagulants and conventional treatment (0.96 (0.72 to 1.27) for rivaroxaban; 1.00 (0.67 to 1.50) for dabigatran; 0.67 (0.42 to 1.08) for ximelagatran; 6.89 (0.36 to 132.06) for apixaban). The adjusted indirect comparison between rivaroxaban and dabigatran did not show superiority of either drug over the others for major bleeding (0.75, 0.41 to 1.34) or the other endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with vitamin K antagonists, the novel oral anticoagulants had a similar risk of recurrence of acute venous thromboembolism and all cause mortality, though rivaroxaban was associated with a reduced risk of bleeding.
HubMed – drug
St. Anthony’s Fr. Alfred Center: Frank Lee – Frank L. is a participant at St. Anthony’s Fr. Alfred Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program which provides a safe and supportive environment in a residential setting. The first three phases of the Father Alfred Center alcohol and drug recovery program last five to six months. Program participants work in a structured work component for 35-40 hours per week. Intensive rehabilitation is approached holistically through education, individual and group counseling, basic living skills, social skills, recreation, and the development of positive work habits. Residents also participate in an intensive AA/NA based program to support and reinforce a clean and sober lifestyle. The fourth phase of the program lasts six months. During this transitional phase residents prepare for a full return to society, while maintaining a clean and sober lifestyle. Residents go to school, work, or seek employment with support through the Employment Program Learning Center. While continuing their 12-step program, they learn to budget and save enough money for an independent living situation upon completion of the program. The residents also learn to maintain stable employment and develop a clean and sober support system in the recovery community. To learn more about Fr. Alfred Center visit St. Anthony Foundation website at: www.stanthonysf.org
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