The Importance of Understanding the Freezing Step and Its Impact on Freeze-Drying Process Performance

The freeze-drying process is a combination of 2 equally important processes, freezing, and drying. In the past, the effort was mainly focused on optimizing the drying process without considering the possible effects of the freezing step. During freezing, a solution undergoes several physical changes, including a supercooling state. The degree of supercooling of a solution dictates the ice habit (size, number, and morphology) during freezing, which impacts the subsequent drying process, such as the resistance to water vapor flow. Therefore, heterogeneous degree of supercooling leads to heterogeneous ice habits and, in turn, to heterogeneous drying behavior. This poses significant challenges during freeze-drying process development, optimization, and scale up. Hence, controlling the degree of supercooling significantly improves freeze-drying process design. The aim of the current review is to gather existing information on the physicochemical phenomena involved in the freezing process and how these phenomena impact the subsequent drying step of the freeze-drying process. In addition, modification of the freezing process and different techniques used to actively control the degree of supercooling during freezing will be reviewed and discussed. Their impact on freeze-drying process performance will be also addressed.     

Effect of Product Temperature During Primary Drying on the Long-Term Stability of Lyophilized Proteins

Our objective was to investigate the effect of performing primary drying at product temperatures below and above Tg′ (glass transition temperature of the freeze-concentrated phase) on the long-term stability of lyophilized proteins. Two protective media differing in the nature of the bulking agent used (amorphous or crystalline) were selected. Several lyophilization cycles were performed by using various combinations of shelf temperature and chamber pressure to obtain different values of product temperature during primary drying. The antigenic activity of the proteins was measured after lyophilization and after 6 months of storage at 4°C and 25°C. After 6 months of storage and regardless of the protective medium, the losses of antigenic activity of both toxins increased from 0% when primary drying was performed at a product temperature lower than Tg′ and to 25% when the product temperature was higher than Tg′. The use of partially crystalline systems makes it possible to withstand high primary drying temperatures (above Tg′). However, the shelf life of lyophilized proteins may be decreased when the amorphous phase including the protein and the stabilizing molecule changes to the viscous state.     

Increased Stabilizing Effects of Amphiphilic Excipients on Freeze-Drying of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) by Dispersion into Sugar Matrices

Purpose. The stabilizing effect of amphiphilic excipients and sugars against protein inactivation during freeze-drying was studied in relation to their physical states in freeze-dried cakes. Methods. Physical states of amphiphilic excipients were studied by powder X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Stabilizing effects of excipients were studied using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a model protein. Results. Although poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) 1000 to 20000 crystallized when freeze-dried alone, the addition of sugars decreased their crystallinity by dispersing PEG into sugar-dominant matrices. Sugars species, molecular weight of PEGs, and buffer concentration also affected the crystallinity of PEGs. Sugars also dispersed some of other amphiphilic excipients, which tended to crystallize or become microscopically liquid when freeze-dried without sugar. Only the amphiphilic excipients that remained amorphous solid state protected the enzyme during freeze-drying in the absence of sugars. However, combinations of sucrose and all the amphiphilic excipients studied increased the stabilizing effects markedly. The remaining activities were greater than the sum of their individual ones. Conclusions. Various amphiphilic excipients are good stabilizers for freeze-drying of proteins when dispersed into sugar-dominant matrices.     

Effect of Sucrose/Raffinose Mass Ratios on the Stability of Co-Lyophilized Protein During Storage Above the Tg

Purpose. To examine the potential of raffinose as an excipient in stabilizing protein and to study the effect of sucrose/raffinose mass ratios on the stability of co-lyophilized protein and amorphous solids during storage at an elevated temperature. Methods. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was co-lyophilized with sucrose and raffinose mixed at different mass ratios. The activity of dried G6PDH was monitored during storage at 44°C. Thermal properties of sucrose/raffinose matrices were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results. Mass ratios of sucrose to raffinose did not affect the recovery of G6PDH activity after freeze-drying, but significantly affected the stability of freeze-dried G6PDH during storage. The sucrose-alone formulation offered the best enzyme stabilization during storage. With increasing fraction of raffinose, the G6PDH stability decreased, sugar crystallization inhibited, and crystal-melting temperature increased. Conclusions. Despite the higher T_g of the formulations with higher fraction of raffinose, they provided less protection for G6PDH than did sucrose alone during storage. Our data do not support the prediction from recent thermophysical studies that raffinose should be superior to sucrose and trehalose as a potential excipient or stabilizer.     

Evaluation of the Physical Stability of Freeze-Dried Sucrose-Containing Formulations by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Freeze-dried samples of sucrose with buffer salts, amino acids, or dextran have been analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate the use of DSC thermograms in predicting the physical storage stability. The glass transition temperature, T _g, of the amorphous cake, crystallization, and melting of sucrose are observed with DSC. T _g appeared to be an important characteristic of the physical stability of the amorphous freeze-dried cake. A storage temperature above T _g results in collapse or shrinkage of the cake, which for a sucrose-based formulation, may be accompanied by crystallization of the sucrose. The T _g of the amorphous sucrose is influenced by other components present in the cake. Dextran-40 raised T _g, while the addition of glycine to the formulation lowered T _g. The residual moisture content strongly influences T _g, since water acts as a plasticizer of the system; the higher the moisture content, the lower the T _g and the less physically stable the freeze-dried cake. Crystallization of amorphous sucrose is shown to be inhibited by high molecular weight components or ionic compounds. DSC analysis of freeze-dried cakes proved to be a powerful tool in formulation studies.     

Effect of pH, Counter Ion, and Phosphate Concentration on the Glass Transition Temperature of Freeze-Dried Sugar-Phosphate Mixtures

PURPOSE: The aim of the present work is to study the interaction of phosphate salts with trehalose and sucrose in freeze-dried matrices, particularly the effect of the salts on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the sugars. METHODS: Freeze-dried trehalose and sucrose systems containing different amounts of sodium or potassium phosphate were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry to determine the Tg and by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to evaluate the strength of the interaction between sugars and phosphate ions. RESULTS: Sucrose-phosphate mixtures show an increase in Tg up to 40 degrees C in a broad pH range (4-9) compared to that of pure sucrose. Sucrose-phosphate mixtures exhibit a higher Tg than pure sucrose while retaining higher water contents. Trehalose-phosphate mixtures (having a Tg of 135 degrees C at a pH of 8.8) are a better option than pure trehalose for preservation of labile materials. The -OH stretching of the sugars in the presence of phosphates decreases with increase in pH, indicating an increase in the sugar-phosphate interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Sugar-phosphate mixtures exhibit several interesting features that make them useful for lyophilization of labile molecules; Tg values much higher than those observed for the pure sugars can be obtained upon the addition of phosphate.     

Effect of Freezing Rate on the Stability of Liposomes During Freeze-Drying and Rehydration

Purpose. In the present study we examined the effect of the freezing protocol on carboxyfluorescein (CF) retention in liposomes after freeze-drying and rehydration. Methods. Liposomes were frozen slowly at 0.5°C/min, or quickly by submerging the samples in boiling nitrogen before freeze-drying. The thermal behaviour of the frozen dispersions was analysed by Modulated Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MTDSC). The dried cakes were analysed by SEM, MTDSC and FTIR. The % encapsulated CF of the (re)hydrated liposomes was determined by fluorimetry after GPC, their vesicle size was measured by the Dynamic Light scattering Technique and their bilayer transition was studied by DSC. Results. Slow freezing resulted in a markedly higher CF retention after freeze-drying and rehydration as compared to quick freezing. The effect of the freezing rate depended on the lipid composition and was most pronounced for rigid liposomes. The damage caused by quick freezing did not occur after a freezing/thawing cycle. The freezing protocol did not influence the interaction between the phospholipids and the lyoprotectants (sucrose, trehalose or glucose) in the freeze-dried state. However, analysis by DSC of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC): dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) =10:1 and DPPC liposome dispersions showed that the freezing protocol affected the bilayer melting characteristics of these liposomes after freeze-drying and rehydration. Conclusions. A proper design of the freezing protocol is essential to achieve optimal stability of rigid liposomes during a freeze-drying and rehydration cycle.     

Effect of Moisture on the Stability of a Lyophilized Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Formulation

Purpose. To determine the effect of moisture and the role of the glass transition temperature (T_g) on the stability of a high concentration, lyophilized, monoclonal antibody. Methods. A humanized monoclonal antibody was lyophilized in a sucrose/histidine/polysorbate 20 formulation. Residual moistures were from 1 to 8%. T_g values were measured by modulated DSC. Vials were stored at temperatures from 5 to 50°C for 6 or 12 months. Aggregation was monitored by size exclusion chromatography and Asp isomerization by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Changes in secondary structure were monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Results. T_g values varied from 80°C at 1% moisture to 25°C at 8% moisture. There was no cake collapse and were no differences in the secondary structure by FTIR. All formulations were stable at 5°C. High moisture cakes had higher aggregation rates than drier samples if stored above their T_g values. Intermediate moisture vials were more stable to aggregation than dry vials. High moisture samples had increased rates of Asp isomerization at elevated temperatures both above and below their T_g values. Chemical and physical degradation pathways followed Arrhenius kinetics during storage in the glassy state. Only Asp isomerization followed the Arrhenius model above the T_g value. Both chemical and physical stability at T T_g were fitted to Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) kinetics. The WLF constants were dependent on the nature of the degradation system and were not characteristic of the solid system. Conclusion. High moisture levels decreased chemical stability of the formulation regardless of whether the protein was in a glassy or rubbery state. In contrast, physical stability was not compromised, and may even be enhanced, by increasing residual moisture if storage is below the T_g value.     

Effect of Glass Transition Temperature on the Stability of Lyophilized Formulations Containing a Chimeric Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to highlight the importance of knowing the glass transition temperature, T_g, of a lyophilized amorphous solid composed primarily of a sugar and a protein in the interpretation of accelerated stability data. Methods. Glass transition temperatures were measured using DSC and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. Aggregation of protein in the solid state was monitored using size-exclusion chromatography. Results. Sucrose formulation (T_g ~ 59°C) when stored at 60°C was found to undergo significant aggregation, while the trehalose formulation (T_g ~ 80°C) was stable at 60°C. The instability observed with sucrose formulation at 60°C can be attributed to its T_g (~59°C) being close to the testing temperature. Increase in the protein/sugar ratio was found to increase the T_gs of the formulations containing sucrose or trehalose, but to different degrees. Conclusions. Since the formulations exist in glassy state during their shelf-life, accelerated stability data generated in the glassy state (40°C) is perhaps a better predictor of the relative stability of formulations than the data generated at a higher temperature (60°C) where one formulation is in the glassy state while the other is near or above its T_g.     

Stability of the Thrombolytic Protein Fibrolase: Effect of Temperature and pH on Activity and Conformation

The effect of temperature and pH on the activity and conformation of the thrombolytic protein fibrolase was examined. Fibrolase maintained proteolytic activity over 10 days at room temperature (22°C). At 37°C, greater than 50% of the proteolytic activity was lost within 2 days and no activity remained after 10 days. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra at elevated temperatures showed that alphahelical structure was lost in a cooperative transition (T _m of 50°C at pH 8). Structural changes were detected by NMR prior to unfolding which were not observable by CD, and the T _m determined by NMR was 46°C at pD 8. The effect of pH on the proteolytic activity and structure of fibrolase was examined over the pH range from 1 to 10. Activity was maintained at neutral to alkaline pH values from pH 6.5 to pH 10.0 but decreased substantially in acidic media. While CD spectra indicated little variation in secondary structure over the pH range 5 to 9, significant differences were noted at pH 2 to 3. The melting temperature of fibrolase decreased to 43°C at pH 5. Protein concentrations determined over the pH range 1 to 10 showed an apparent solubility minimum at pH 5.0, which did not correspond to the isoelectric point of 6.5. Explanations for these observations are proposed.     

Predictions of Onset of Crystallization from Experimental Relaxation Times I-Correlation of Molecular Mobility from Temperatures Above the Glass Transition to Temperatures Below the Glass Transition

Purpose Predicting onsets of crystallization at temperatures below T _g, from data above T _g, would require that the correlation between crystallization onset and mobility is same above and below T _g, and the techniques being used to measure mobility above and below T _g are measuring essentially the same kind of mobility. The aim of this work is to determine if the relaxation times obtained using different techniques (DSC, TAM) below T _g correlate with relaxation time obtained above T _g using dielectric spectroscopy.Methods Model compounds for this work were chosen based on their varied ΔH _f, ΔC _p(T _g) and H-bonding in crystalline state vs. amorphous state. Relaxation times above T _g were determined by the simultaneous fit of real and imaginary permittivity to the Cole-Davidson model. Tau and beta below T _g were determined using isothermal microcalorimetry (TAM) or MDSC. MDSC was used to calculate Kauzmann temperature and strength of the glass using established relationships.Results Indomethacin, nifedipine and flopropione showed Arrhenius temperature dependence throughout the entire temperature range and extrapolation of τ ^β measured above T _g by dielectric relaxation agreed with τ ^β measured below T _g by TAM/MDSC. Ketoconazole, however, showed the expected VTF behavior. For at least two compounds compared (indomethacin and ketoconazole), relaxation times measured by TAM and MDSC did not agree, with TAM giving significantly lower values of τ ^β , but TAM and MDSC relaxation times appeared to extrapolate to a common value at T _g.Conclusions It was found that, for all cases studied, relaxation time constants determined above and below T _g did appear to extrapolate to the same value around T _g indicating that molecular mobility measured above and below T _g using different techniques is highly correlated.     

2001～2006年成都市农村爱国卫生工作开展情况的RSR综合评价

目的:评价成都市农村爱国卫生工作绩效。方法:采用秩和比法对成都市2001~2006年农村爱国卫生工作统计指标进行综合评价。结果:成都市农村爱国卫生工作开展绩效呈逐年稳步上升趋势。结论:成都市着力开创农村爱国卫生工作新局面,促进了新农村建设,取得了实效。     

住院患者碳青霉烯类耐药肠杆菌科细菌血流感染的发生及临床结局的影响因素评价:一项2017—2020年的回顾性研究

目的: 评价住院患者碳青霉烯类耐药肠杆菌科细菌(carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae,CRE)血流感染的发生及死亡相关的危险因素,并提供潜在的抗菌药物治疗策略。方法: 采取回顾性方法分析患者流行病学特征,评价CRE血流感染的危险因素,并基于患者28 d临床结局评价CRE血流感染相关死亡预测因素和不同抗菌药物治疗对预后的影响。结果: 肺部感染(P=0.020)、感染(首次血培养阳性)前机械通气(P＜0.01)和替加环素的暴露(P=0.020)是CRE血流感染的独立危险因素。感染前替加环素的经验性使用(P=0.006)和感染早期较高的C反应蛋白水平(P=0.016)与CRE血流感染患者较高的死亡风险独立相关,而合适的目标性治疗(P=0.013)则是改善临床结局的独立保护因素。此外,Kaplan-Meier分析显示碳青霉烯类为基础的目标性联合疗法似乎有助于改善患者预后(P=0.053)。结论: 及时有效地控制原发肺部感染,加强机械通气等医院感染控制,关注感染早期C反应蛋白基线水平的监测,以及合理使用抗菌药物是改善CRE血流感染患者预后的重要举措。[JP]     

Effect of polymer architecture on curcumin encapsulation and release from PEGylated polymer nanoparticles: Toward a drug delivery nano-platform to the CNS

We developed a nanoparticles (NPs) library from poly(ethylene glycol)–poly lactic acid comb-like polymers with variable amount of PEG. Curcumin was encapsulated in the NPs with a view to develop a delivery platform to treat diseases involving oxidative stress affecting the CNS. We observed a sharp decrease in size between 15 and 20% w/w of PEG which corresponds to a transition from a large solid particle structure to a “micelle-like” or “polymer nano-aggregate” structure. Drug loading, loading efficacy and release kinetics were determined. The diffusion coefficients of curcumin in NPs were determined using a mathematical modeling. The higher diffusion was observed for solid particles compared to “polymer nano-aggregate” particles. NPs did not present any significant toxicity when tested in vitro on a neuronal cell line. Moreover, the ability of NPs carrying curcumin to prevent oxidative stress was evidenced and linked to polymer architecture and NPs organization. Our study showed the intimate relationship between the polymer architecture and the biophysical properties of the resulting NPs and sheds light on new approaches to design efficient NP-based drug carriers.