M. Matušková, I. Čižmárová, P. Chaľová, O. Štefánik, A. Horniaková, P. Mikuš, J. Piešťanský
Abstract The effects of organic modifiers—alcohols (methanol, isopropanol), acetonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran—and β-cyclodextrins in capillary zone electrophoresis were investigated using a test mixture containing five biogenic amines important from the human health point of view—serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and tyramine—and two B vitamins—thiamine and pyridoxine. The simultaneous addition of tetrahydrofuran and isopropanol was found to improve the resolution of determined analytes and enable effective separation of analytes with very similar electromigration characteristics migrating as one peak (dopamine and serotonin). The developed and optimised separation method based on capillary zone electrophoresis and ultraviolet detection was capable to achieve detection limits at the concentration level in the range of 0.15 to 1.25 μg/mL−1. The developed method was also characterised by other favourable validation parameters, such as linearity (r2 > 0.99), accuracy (82.9–117.8% for the intraday measurements, and 87.6–119.2% for the interday measurements), and precision (intraday relative standard deviation in the range of 0.4–15.5%, interday relative standard deviation in the range of 0.9–18.3%). The method was finally applied to investigate the stability of the analytes in model water matrix samples under various storage conditions.
{"title":"Influence of Organic Solvents and β-cyclodextrins on Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Separation of Five Biogenic Amines and Two B Vitamins","authors":"M. Matušková, I. Čižmárová, P. Chaľová, O. Štefánik, A. Horniaková, P. Mikuš, J. Piešťanský","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2022-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2022-0012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The effects of organic modifiers—alcohols (methanol, isopropanol), acetonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran—and β-cyclodextrins in capillary zone electrophoresis were investigated using a test mixture containing five biogenic amines important from the human health point of view—serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and tyramine—and two B vitamins—thiamine and pyridoxine. The simultaneous addition of tetrahydrofuran and isopropanol was found to improve the resolution of determined analytes and enable effective separation of analytes with very similar electromigration characteristics migrating as one peak (dopamine and serotonin). The developed and optimised separation method based on capillary zone electrophoresis and ultraviolet detection was capable to achieve detection limits at the concentration level in the range of 0.15 to 1.25 μg/mL−1. The developed method was also characterised by other favourable validation parameters, such as linearity (r2 > 0.99), accuracy (82.9–117.8% for the intraday measurements, and 87.6–119.2% for the interday measurements), and precision (intraday relative standard deviation in the range of 0.4–15.5%, interday relative standard deviation in the range of 0.9–18.3%). The method was finally applied to investigate the stability of the analytes in model water matrix samples under various storage conditions.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"69 1","pages":"43 - 53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46321636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. Kyslychenko, V. Protska, L. Horiacha, M. Liaudanskas, V. Žvikas, S. Trumbeckaitė, L. Ivanauskas, V. Jakštas, O. Kyslychenko, I. Zhuravel, L. Andriukova, N. Filyanina
Abstract The objective of the work was to study the qualitative composition and determine the quantitative content of phenolic compounds of Daucus carota subsp. sativus fruits of Yaskrava, Nantska Kharkivska and Olenka species and of Dauci carotae subsp. sativi fructuum extractum siccum. Phenolic compounds were studied by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method. High content of phenol-origin bioactive substances was fixed in Daucus carota subsp. sativus fruits of Nantska Kharkivska variety (363.19 μg/g). Dominating compounds were chlorogenic acid, cynaroside, rutin and hyperoside. Daucus carota subsp. sativus fruits of all study species under question were found to possess permanent qualitative composition of phenolic compounds, whereas their quantitative content in experimental samples differed slightly. The results of analysis confirm promising development of novel antioxidant and cardioprotective drugs on the basis of Dauci carotae subsp. sativi fructuum extractum siccum.
{"title":"A Study of Phenolic Bioactive Compounds Of Daucus Carota Subsp. Sativus Fruits of Yaskrava, Nantska Kharkivska and Olenka Species and Of Dauci Carotae Subsp. Sativi Fructuum Extractum Siccum","authors":"V. Kyslychenko, V. Protska, L. Horiacha, M. Liaudanskas, V. Žvikas, S. Trumbeckaitė, L. Ivanauskas, V. Jakštas, O. Kyslychenko, I. Zhuravel, L. Andriukova, N. Filyanina","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2022-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2022-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The objective of the work was to study the qualitative composition and determine the quantitative content of phenolic compounds of Daucus carota subsp. sativus fruits of Yaskrava, Nantska Kharkivska and Olenka species and of Dauci carotae subsp. sativi fructuum extractum siccum. Phenolic compounds were studied by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method. High content of phenol-origin bioactive substances was fixed in Daucus carota subsp. sativus fruits of Nantska Kharkivska variety (363.19 μg/g). Dominating compounds were chlorogenic acid, cynaroside, rutin and hyperoside. Daucus carota subsp. sativus fruits of all study species under question were found to possess permanent qualitative composition of phenolic compounds, whereas their quantitative content in experimental samples differed slightly. The results of analysis confirm promising development of novel antioxidant and cardioprotective drugs on the basis of Dauci carotae subsp. sativi fructuum extractum siccum.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"69 1","pages":"16 - 26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49643032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Z. Macekova, M. Krivosova, T. Fazekas, M. Snopkova, J. Klimas
Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of a simple, easy-to-use cognitive screening test in the pharmaceutical care of elderly patients (aged 60 years and over) in community pharmacies and to test whether cognitive decline is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Current research has reported the increasing prevalence of MetS with age and indicated a link between cardiovascular risk factors and impairment of cognitive functions. We hypothesized that the short cognitive test realised in pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies could help identify risk groups of patients with potential cognitive decline. Because of the increasing pressure on primary care, collaboration between community pharmacists and general practitioners is essential, especially in preventive programmes and regarding chronically ill patients. The study included 222 elderly patients aged 60 years and over reached between February 2018 and February 2019 in 16 community pharmacies in Slovakia. Criteria for the classification of MetS were used, following the International Diabetes Federation Worldwide Definition of MetS (2005) for European populations. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Slovak version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The scale range of the MoCA test is 0–30 points, and the cut-off for cognitive impairment is ≤ 24 points. Our outcomes show that the presence of metabolic syndrome only slightly contributes to the impairment of cognitive functions of patients receiving routine pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies. Cognitive assessment might be an important tool for identifying risk groups of patients that would benefit from a specific approach within the framework of pharmaceutical care.
{"title":"Short cognitive screening in elderlies as a part of advanced pharmaceutical care in Slovak community pharmacies - The pilot study KOGNIMET-SK","authors":"Z. Macekova, M. Krivosova, T. Fazekas, M. Snopkova, J. Klimas","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2022-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2022-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of a simple, easy-to-use cognitive screening test in the pharmaceutical care of elderly patients (aged 60 years and over) in community pharmacies and to test whether cognitive decline is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Current research has reported the increasing prevalence of MetS with age and indicated a link between cardiovascular risk factors and impairment of cognitive functions. We hypothesized that the short cognitive test realised in pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies could help identify risk groups of patients with potential cognitive decline. Because of the increasing pressure on primary care, collaboration between community pharmacists and general practitioners is essential, especially in preventive programmes and regarding chronically ill patients. The study included 222 elderly patients aged 60 years and over reached between February 2018 and February 2019 in 16 community pharmacies in Slovakia. Criteria for the classification of MetS were used, following the International Diabetes Federation Worldwide Definition of MetS (2005) for European populations. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Slovak version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The scale range of the MoCA test is 0–30 points, and the cut-off for cognitive impairment is ≤ 24 points. Our outcomes show that the presence of metabolic syndrome only slightly contributes to the impairment of cognitive functions of patients receiving routine pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies. Cognitive assessment might be an important tool for identifying risk groups of patients that would benefit from a specific approach within the framework of pharmaceutical care.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"69 1","pages":"37 - 42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49420647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Toth, G. Szanyi, P. Vanco, J. Schubert, P. Porvaz, P. Bujňák, B. Šoltysová, I. Danielovič
Abstract Milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. is one of the most researched medicinal plants, but at the same time it belongs to crops with wide industry potential whose growth requirements for marginal agroecological conditions or the response to agronomic interventions has not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of the present research was to verify the effect of mineral nutrition (NPK 200 kg/ha) and humic acids applied to the soil (HUMAC Agro 250 kg/ha) on the main biometric parameters and the intensity of photosynthesis of milk thistle grown under less favourable climatic conditions of the semi-cold and humid foothills in Central Europe. The highest seed yield was achieved with the NPK variant in terms of dry matter 0.534 t/ha, in the HUMAC Agro variant 0.254 t/ha and with the untreated control 0.087 t/ha. The soil before the trial establishment was characterised by low nutrient content. The use of mineral fertiliser on NPK treatment eliminated the influence of low PK nutrients content of the soil, influencing the crop growth and yield/quality, while no doses of NPK were used on the HUMAC Agro variant and the untreated control. For both of the two sequences created (temperature and light), the highest photosynthesis rate was measured on untreated control (20.115 and 12.386 mmol/m2/s1), markedly lower on HUMAC Agro (16.386 and 9.653 mmol/m2/s1) – and the lowest on the NPK (10.933 and 7.813 mmol/m2/s1, respectively), in inverse proportion to the crop yield. Therefore, the size of the leaf area of the crop was decisive for the increased crop yield. The polynomial trend line of the photosynthesis rate according to the temperature sequence shows the photosynthesis rate and the torrential decrease by temperature increasing on untreated control compared with both treated variants. Both of these threats, mineral nutrition and use of humic preparations to soil, although they reduce the photosynthesis rate, have a wide range of complex effects that provide an opportunity to optimise the growth and yield of milk thistle. Ideally, the mineral nutrition and humic preparations should be used in combination with the crop of milk thistle for medicinal and energy purposes.
{"title":"The influence of mineral nutrition and humic acids on the intensity of photosynthesis, as well as the yield and quality of seeds, roots, and aboveground phytomass of milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. in marginal growing conditions","authors":"S. Toth, G. Szanyi, P. Vanco, J. Schubert, P. Porvaz, P. Bujňák, B. Šoltysová, I. Danielovič","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2022-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2022-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. is one of the most researched medicinal plants, but at the same time it belongs to crops with wide industry potential whose growth requirements for marginal agroecological conditions or the response to agronomic interventions has not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of the present research was to verify the effect of mineral nutrition (NPK 200 kg/ha) and humic acids applied to the soil (HUMAC Agro 250 kg/ha) on the main biometric parameters and the intensity of photosynthesis of milk thistle grown under less favourable climatic conditions of the semi-cold and humid foothills in Central Europe. The highest seed yield was achieved with the NPK variant in terms of dry matter 0.534 t/ha, in the HUMAC Agro variant 0.254 t/ha and with the untreated control 0.087 t/ha. The soil before the trial establishment was characterised by low nutrient content. The use of mineral fertiliser on NPK treatment eliminated the influence of low PK nutrients content of the soil, influencing the crop growth and yield/quality, while no doses of NPK were used on the HUMAC Agro variant and the untreated control. For both of the two sequences created (temperature and light), the highest photosynthesis rate was measured on untreated control (20.115 and 12.386 mmol/m2/s1), markedly lower on HUMAC Agro (16.386 and 9.653 mmol/m2/s1) – and the lowest on the NPK (10.933 and 7.813 mmol/m2/s1, respectively), in inverse proportion to the crop yield. Therefore, the size of the leaf area of the crop was decisive for the increased crop yield. The polynomial trend line of the photosynthesis rate according to the temperature sequence shows the photosynthesis rate and the torrential decrease by temperature increasing on untreated control compared with both treated variants. Both of these threats, mineral nutrition and use of humic preparations to soil, although they reduce the photosynthesis rate, have a wide range of complex effects that provide an opportunity to optimise the growth and yield of milk thistle. Ideally, the mineral nutrition and humic preparations should be used in combination with the crop of milk thistle for medicinal and energy purposes.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"69 1","pages":"27 - 36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45888396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Background The incidence of drug shortages has surged in recent years and it poses a major threat to public health worldwide. It can also downgrade the quality of care provided to patients. Data concerning shortages pertinent to mental health care are scarce, while treatment continuity is vital to avert disease recurrence and deterioration of patients’ mental health. Objective The scope of this study is to elucidate the attitudes and perceptions of mental health professionals regarding drug shortages in Cyprus in a tertiary health institute, through a specially designed questionnaire. Results The most frequently reported effects of psychiatric drug shortages were the impaired efficacy of the alternative therapeutic regimen, re-admission of patients, delays in care provision and increased frequency of adverse events. Concerning the loss of working hours in managing drug shortages, the majority responded that they dedicate 1 to 5 working hours to this per week. Informing the patient about alternative medication and the ongoing shortages were the first strategies to minimise the effects of shortages, as attested by 74% and 72% of responders, respectively. The proposed solutions for drug shortages included thorough investigation of the root causes, the elaboration of an e-based database, drawing up a national annual report and assuming legal responsibility of pharmaceutical companies. Drug shortages constitute an important burden in the field of mental health care in Cyprus. Given the serious impact of the problem and the externalities of mental health disorders, appropriate measures must be swiftly taken to ensure timely and effective administration of the appropriate therapeutic regimen.
{"title":"Shortages of medicines in a psychiatric hospital in Cyprus","authors":"P. Petrou, Ioannou S. Sophie","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2021-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2021-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background The incidence of drug shortages has surged in recent years and it poses a major threat to public health worldwide. It can also downgrade the quality of care provided to patients. Data concerning shortages pertinent to mental health care are scarce, while treatment continuity is vital to avert disease recurrence and deterioration of patients’ mental health. Objective The scope of this study is to elucidate the attitudes and perceptions of mental health professionals regarding drug shortages in Cyprus in a tertiary health institute, through a specially designed questionnaire. Results The most frequently reported effects of psychiatric drug shortages were the impaired efficacy of the alternative therapeutic regimen, re-admission of patients, delays in care provision and increased frequency of adverse events. Concerning the loss of working hours in managing drug shortages, the majority responded that they dedicate 1 to 5 working hours to this per week. Informing the patient about alternative medication and the ongoing shortages were the first strategies to minimise the effects of shortages, as attested by 74% and 72% of responders, respectively. The proposed solutions for drug shortages included thorough investigation of the root causes, the elaboration of an e-based database, drawing up a national annual report and assuming legal responsibility of pharmaceutical companies. Drug shortages constitute an important burden in the field of mental health care in Cyprus. Given the serious impact of the problem and the externalities of mental health disorders, appropriate measures must be swiftly taken to ensure timely and effective administration of the appropriate therapeutic regimen.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"69 1","pages":"9 - 15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47088259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Dobhal, S. Baliyan, M. Singh, Dr..Shradha Bisht, S. Setya
Abstract The present study was designed to assess the treatment effect of arginase inhibitor, L-Norvaline in abnormalities associated with high fat diet (HFD) and fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. The HFD and fructose was fed to the rats for a period of 45 days. Animals having body weight of 350 g and fasting blood sugar level of more than 250 mg/dl were considered as hyperlipidemic diabetic rats (HDR) and selected for the study. The HDR were divided into three groups having six animals each. The HDR received L–Norvaline (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and standard drug, gemfibrozil (60 mg/kg/day, p.o.), for a period of 30 days. Various hormonal, biochemical and tissue parameters were evaluated at the end of the study. Both treatments significantly decreased body weight, BMI, fasting blood sugar and insulin level and improved insulin resistance in HDR as compared to the toxicant control group. A significant improvement was observed in the lipid profile, levels of nitrate, leptin, C-reactive protein and adiponectin in HDR. L-Norvaline also caused slight decrease in the malondialdehyde level, though, no prominent effect was observed on the level of superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione in the pancreas of HDR, as compared to the toxicant control group. L-Norvaline treatment also improved the histo-architecture of pancreatic cells. Results of the present study concludes that L-Norvaline caused significant alleviation of the abnormalities of MetS indicating that it can be used as potential treatment strategy for managing the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
{"title":"Amelioration of the Abnormalities Associated with Metabolic Syndrome by L-Norvaline in Hyperlipidemic Diabetic Rats","authors":"S. Dobhal, S. Baliyan, M. Singh, Dr..Shradha Bisht, S. Setya","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2021-0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2021-0015","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The present study was designed to assess the treatment effect of arginase inhibitor, L-Norvaline in abnormalities associated with high fat diet (HFD) and fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. The HFD and fructose was fed to the rats for a period of 45 days. Animals having body weight of 350 g and fasting blood sugar level of more than 250 mg/dl were considered as hyperlipidemic diabetic rats (HDR) and selected for the study. The HDR were divided into three groups having six animals each. The HDR received L–Norvaline (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and standard drug, gemfibrozil (60 mg/kg/day, p.o.), for a period of 30 days. Various hormonal, biochemical and tissue parameters were evaluated at the end of the study. Both treatments significantly decreased body weight, BMI, fasting blood sugar and insulin level and improved insulin resistance in HDR as compared to the toxicant control group. A significant improvement was observed in the lipid profile, levels of nitrate, leptin, C-reactive protein and adiponectin in HDR. L-Norvaline also caused slight decrease in the malondialdehyde level, though, no prominent effect was observed on the level of superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione in the pancreas of HDR, as compared to the toxicant control group. L-Norvaline treatment also improved the histo-architecture of pancreatic cells. Results of the present study concludes that L-Norvaline caused significant alleviation of the abnormalities of MetS indicating that it can be used as potential treatment strategy for managing the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"68 1","pages":"16 - 26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43598050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Barakat H. Ehab, Raghda R. S. Hussein, Elberry A. Abdullah, Z. Ahmed, Ramadan M. Elsherbiny
Abstract Background The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-BR23 is considered a premier module for breast cancer patients that is utilised synchronously with the core questionnaire. However, new and scalable treatments on breast cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL) need a more accurate and comprehensive tool to be assessed. Therefore, the EORTC introduced the newly updated module EORTC QLQ-BR45. Hence, the current study aims to perform cultural adaptation, pilot testing and assessment of the psychometric properties of the Egyptian Arabic translation of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 module on Egyptian breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods First, a review of the existing Arabic translation and the modified preliminary translation was sent to a professional proofreader. Then, comprehensibility of the Egyptian Arabic translation was pilot tested on a sample of 13 breast cancer patients. Afterwards, 74 patients with proven locally advanced breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Beni-Suef University Hospital, Beni-Suef, Egypt were interviewed. A second interview was conducted post-surgery for patients receiving target therapy, endocrine therapy or radiotherapy. The psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 were assessed in terms of reliability, convergent and divergent validity. Results Adequate internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α coefficients >0.7) was demonstrated for the questionnaire, except for body image scale (α = 0.51) and systemic therapy side effects scale (α = 0.63). Multi-trait scaling analysis exhibited acceptable convergent and divergent validity, and scaling success was observed for all questionnaire items. Conclusion The Egyptian Arabic version of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 module is valid and adequately reliable. These results support using the EORTC QLQ-BR45 in future breast cancer clinical trials.
{"title":"Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 to Assess Health-Related Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients","authors":"Barakat H. Ehab, Raghda R. S. Hussein, Elberry A. Abdullah, Z. Ahmed, Ramadan M. Elsherbiny","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2021-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2021-0018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-BR23 is considered a premier module for breast cancer patients that is utilised synchronously with the core questionnaire. However, new and scalable treatments on breast cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL) need a more accurate and comprehensive tool to be assessed. Therefore, the EORTC introduced the newly updated module EORTC QLQ-BR45. Hence, the current study aims to perform cultural adaptation, pilot testing and assessment of the psychometric properties of the Egyptian Arabic translation of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 module on Egyptian breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods First, a review of the existing Arabic translation and the modified preliminary translation was sent to a professional proofreader. Then, comprehensibility of the Egyptian Arabic translation was pilot tested on a sample of 13 breast cancer patients. Afterwards, 74 patients with proven locally advanced breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Beni-Suef University Hospital, Beni-Suef, Egypt were interviewed. A second interview was conducted post-surgery for patients receiving target therapy, endocrine therapy or radiotherapy. The psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 were assessed in terms of reliability, convergent and divergent validity. Results Adequate internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α coefficients >0.7) was demonstrated for the questionnaire, except for body image scale (α = 0.51) and systemic therapy side effects scale (α = 0.63). Multi-trait scaling analysis exhibited acceptable convergent and divergent validity, and scaling success was observed for all questionnaire items. Conclusion The Egyptian Arabic version of the EORTC QLQ-BR45 module is valid and adequately reliable. These results support using the EORTC QLQ-BR45 in future breast cancer clinical trials.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"68 1","pages":"41 - 48"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44373115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Aim Nebivolol and valsartan are used in the treatment of hypertension. So, this study was conducted for the purpose of determining bioavailability/bioequivalence of nebivolol and valsartan in human plasma. Materials and Methods The chromatographic separation was performed on Symmetry C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column using 0.01 N potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0):acetonitrile (60:40) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a detector wavelength of 280 nm. The retention times of nebivolol and valsartan in plasma were found to be 3.1 and 4.3 min, respectively. Results The method was validated statistically and by recovery studies. The linearity concentration was acceptable in the range of 0.5–10 ng/mL for nebivolol and 400–8000 ng/mL for valsartan. The lower limits of quantification were 0.5 ng/mL for nebivolol and 400 ng/mL for valsartan, which reached the levels of both drugs possibly found in human plasma. Per cent recoveries were obtained as 97.78% and 98.11% for nebivolol and valsartan, respectively. Conclusion The proposed method is simple, rapid, accurate, precise and gives us knowledge about the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical laboratories.
{"title":"Development and Validation of Bioanalytical Method for Determination of Nebivolol and Valsartan in Human Plasma by Using RP-HPLC","authors":"R. Kachave, A. G. Mundhe","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2021-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2021-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Aim Nebivolol and valsartan are used in the treatment of hypertension. So, this study was conducted for the purpose of determining bioavailability/bioequivalence of nebivolol and valsartan in human plasma. Materials and Methods The chromatographic separation was performed on Symmetry C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column using 0.01 N potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0):acetonitrile (60:40) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a detector wavelength of 280 nm. The retention times of nebivolol and valsartan in plasma were found to be 3.1 and 4.3 min, respectively. Results The method was validated statistically and by recovery studies. The linearity concentration was acceptable in the range of 0.5–10 ng/mL for nebivolol and 400–8000 ng/mL for valsartan. The lower limits of quantification were 0.5 ng/mL for nebivolol and 400 ng/mL for valsartan, which reached the levels of both drugs possibly found in human plasma. Per cent recoveries were obtained as 97.78% and 98.11% for nebivolol and valsartan, respectively. Conclusion The proposed method is simple, rapid, accurate, precise and gives us knowledge about the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical laboratories.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"68 1","pages":"49 - 58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41786132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Aim The study aimed to provide new insights into consumer behaviour by identifying the key demographic factors that influence the choice of pharmacy and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban area (Thessaloniki, Greece), surveying a convenience sample of 314 consumers with a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the chi-square test, one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. Results Respondents with a lower educational level and retired consumers tended to make their purchases in a single pharmacy (p < 0.001). Older participants were more likely to consider the pharmacy staff and additional services to be important factors (p < 0.01). Students were the only group to prefer a formal relationship with the pharmacy staff (p < 0.001). Participants with a lower educational level tended to know exactly what they would buy (p < 0.05), whereas women made more unscheduled purchases of OTCs (p < 0.05). Respondents with a higher income assigned more importance to the product's country of origin (p < 0.05) and manufacturing company (p < 0.01) and less importance to the pharmacist's opinion than those of a lower income (p < 0.05). Conclusions The educational level, occupation and age of consumers have a marked effect in their selection of pharmacy, and along with gender and personal income, in their choice of OTC medicine. Our findings yield implications for the management of community pharmacies.
{"title":"Effects of Demographic Characteristics and Consumer Behavior in the selection of Retail Pharmacies and Over-the-Counter Medicine","authors":"D. Kevrekidis, D. Mináriková, A. Markos","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2021-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2021-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Aim The study aimed to provide new insights into consumer behaviour by identifying the key demographic factors that influence the choice of pharmacy and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban area (Thessaloniki, Greece), surveying a convenience sample of 314 consumers with a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the chi-square test, one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. Results Respondents with a lower educational level and retired consumers tended to make their purchases in a single pharmacy (p < 0.001). Older participants were more likely to consider the pharmacy staff and additional services to be important factors (p < 0.01). Students were the only group to prefer a formal relationship with the pharmacy staff (p < 0.001). Participants with a lower educational level tended to know exactly what they would buy (p < 0.05), whereas women made more unscheduled purchases of OTCs (p < 0.05). Respondents with a higher income assigned more importance to the product's country of origin (p < 0.05) and manufacturing company (p < 0.01) and less importance to the pharmacist's opinion than those of a lower income (p < 0.05). Conclusions The educational level, occupation and age of consumers have a marked effect in their selection of pharmacy, and along with gender and personal income, in their choice of OTC medicine. Our findings yield implications for the management of community pharmacies.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"68 1","pages":"27 - 40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42120951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Nwakile, O. Dozie-Nwakile, E. Okoye, C. Umeyor, E.C. Uronnachi, I. Uchendu, A. Attama, V. Okore
Abstract Gentamicin sulphate is an antibiotic belonging to the aminoglycosides and to class III of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS). Gentamicin sulphate is highly water soluble, but has very low intestinal permeability. The wide use is because of its broad spectrum of activity. In the current study, the suitability of administering gentamicin sulphate orally for local action against susceptible gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bacteria was investigated. The possibility of the drug escaping into the systemic circulation even in the presence of some permeation enhancers was ascertained. Representatives of potential GIT bacteria pathogens were evaluated for their susceptibility to the drug at concentrations obtainable in the GIT using standard microbiological methods. Dose levels that will inhibit these potential bacteria pathogens were also established, as well as the frequency of their administration. Different batches of oral capsules of 250 mg gentamicin sulphate were formulated and their release profiles ascertained using standard methods. The results showed that the selected representatives of the GIT potential pathogenic bacteria were all susceptible to gentamicin sulphate. The drug at its plausible dosage levels of 14.28 mg/kg (1,000 mg/70 kg), 10.71 mg/kg (750 mg/70 kg) and 7.14 mg/kg (500 mg/70 kg) did not cross the mucosal barrier into the systemic circulation even in the presence of some permeation enhancers. The drug's frequency of administration were found to be on 8-hourly bases. Gentamicin sulphate (250 mg) granules formulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) as granulating aid were quick drying because the granules were not hygroscopic. The formulated gentamicin sulphate capsule batch released enough concentration of the drug that inhibits the test organism within 2 min of dissolution. The above stated doses are acceptable in the dosage form design; it is possible to formulate non-absorbable oral gentamicin sulphate dosage form for local activity in the GIT using existing conventional solid dosage formulating equipment.
{"title":"Non-Absorbable Oral Gentamicin Sulphate: Biopharmaceutical and Dosage Form Evaluation","authors":"D. Nwakile, O. Dozie-Nwakile, E. Okoye, C. Umeyor, E.C. Uronnachi, I. Uchendu, A. Attama, V. Okore","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2020-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2020-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Gentamicin sulphate is an antibiotic belonging to the aminoglycosides and to class III of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS). Gentamicin sulphate is highly water soluble, but has very low intestinal permeability. The wide use is because of its broad spectrum of activity. In the current study, the suitability of administering gentamicin sulphate orally for local action against susceptible gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bacteria was investigated. The possibility of the drug escaping into the systemic circulation even in the presence of some permeation enhancers was ascertained. Representatives of potential GIT bacteria pathogens were evaluated for their susceptibility to the drug at concentrations obtainable in the GIT using standard microbiological methods. Dose levels that will inhibit these potential bacteria pathogens were also established, as well as the frequency of their administration. Different batches of oral capsules of 250 mg gentamicin sulphate were formulated and their release profiles ascertained using standard methods. The results showed that the selected representatives of the GIT potential pathogenic bacteria were all susceptible to gentamicin sulphate. The drug at its plausible dosage levels of 14.28 mg/kg (1,000 mg/70 kg), 10.71 mg/kg (750 mg/70 kg) and 7.14 mg/kg (500 mg/70 kg) did not cross the mucosal barrier into the systemic circulation even in the presence of some permeation enhancers. The drug's frequency of administration were found to be on 8-hourly bases. Gentamicin sulphate (250 mg) granules formulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) as granulating aid were quick drying because the granules were not hygroscopic. The formulated gentamicin sulphate capsule batch released enough concentration of the drug that inhibits the test organism within 2 min of dissolution. The above stated doses are acceptable in the dosage form design; it is possible to formulate non-absorbable oral gentamicin sulphate dosage form for local activity in the GIT using existing conventional solid dosage formulating equipment.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":"68 1","pages":"8 - 15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48496443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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