Fulminant Cytomegalovirus Myocarditis in an Immunocompetent Host: Resolution with Oral Valganciclovir

We report a case of fulminant myocarditis after a primary cytomegalovirus infection, in a previously healthy 72-year-old woman. The infection underwent clinical and immunologic resolution consequent to treatment with oral valganciclovir. In an immunocompetent host, the primary cytomegalovirus infection is usually asymptomatic or manifests itself as a heterophile-negative mononucleosis-like syndrome. Cytomegalovirus myocarditis is uncommon in immunocompetent patients. After presenting our case, we review the literature on cytomegalovirus myocarditis in immunocompetent individuals.     

In vivo biocompatibility of the PLGA microparticles in parotid gland

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles are used in various disorders for the controlled or sustained release of drugs, with the management of salivary gland pathologies possible using this technology. There is no record of the response to such microparticles in the glandular parenchyma. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological changes in the parotid gland when injected with a single dose of PLGA microparticles. We used 12 adult female Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were injected into their right parotid gland with sterile vehicle solution (G1, n=4), 0.5 mg PLGA microparticles (G2, n=4), and 0.75 mg PLGA microparticles (G3, n=4); the microparticles were dissolved in a sterile vehicle solution. The intercalar and striated ducts lumen, the thickness of the acini and the histology aspect in terms of the parenchyma organization, cell morphology of acini and duct system, the presence of polymeric residues, and inflammatory response were determined at 14 days post-injection. The administration of the compound in a single dose modified some of the morphometric parameters of parenchyma (intercalar duct lumen and thickness of the glandular acini) but did not induce tissue inflammatory response, despite the visible presence of polymer waste. This suggests that PLGA microparticles are biocompatible with the parotid tissue, making it possible to use intraglandular controlled drug administration.     

Stand-up Conic

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions lead to a significant number of hospital admissions each year and thus contribute to the overall financial burden of health care. Some of these drug reactions are allergic responses. As the overall predictability of allergic responses to drugs remains low, efforts to improve our understanding of the processes underlying these responses continue as we strive toward the ultimate goal of primary prevention. Allergic reactions range from mild pruritic to severe systemic anaphylactic responses. We report a case of a young healthy man who developed an anaphylactic reaction to an over-the-counter expectorant. A skin test showed that the patient had an immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic response to guaifenesin, one of the components of commonly available cough medications. Our review of published literature showed that this is the first report of a severe allergic response to guaifenesin.     

Drug Release from Ammonio–Methacrylate-Coated Diltiazem Particles: Influence of the Reservoir on Membrane Behavior

Drug-layered sugar spheres 15, 45, and 64% potent were made such that each had the same particle size distribution. The particles were coated to the same coat thickness with an ammonio polymethacrylate formulation, and drug release was measured in two media. The products exhibited a sigmoidal release pattern, where a lag time was followed by relatively rapid drug release. Lag time depended on the applied polymer amount, the media used, and the sugar content, where an increase in sugar content caused greater expansion before drug release. Lag times were related to expansion. Expansion of coated sugar spheres was measured.     

Section B Review of two years clinical experience with lorazepam

Summary

Lorazepam has been used during the past two years to treat approximately 250 hospital patients suffering from symptoms of anxiety and tension. In-patients and outpatients of all ages have been treated. The average dosage range was 0.5 to 5?mg. lorazepam t.d.s. The highest daily dose was 30?mg.; the longest duration of treatment almost 2 years. Distinct improvement in symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, agitation, tension, irritability and insomnia has been noted in about 70% of patients with very few side-effects. Typical case histories are discussed. It is concluded that lorazepam is an effective, extremely well-tolerated drug, particularly suitable for out-patients provided the dosage is carefully adjusted.     

Current status of micro/nanomotors in drug delivery

Abstract

Synthetic micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are novel, self-propelled nano or microscale devices that are widely used in drug transport, cell stimulation and isolation, bio-imaging, diagnostic and monitoring, sensing, photocatalysis and environmental remediation. Various preparation methods and propulsion mechanisms make MNMs “tailormade” nanosystems for the intended purpose or use. As the one of the newest members of nano carriers, MNMs open a new perspective especially for rapid drug transport and gene delivery. Although there exists limited number of in-vivo studies for drug delivery purposes, existence of in-vitro supportive data strongly encourages researchers to move on in this field and benefit from the manoeuvre capability of these novel systems. In this article, we reviewed the preparation and propulsion mechanisms of nanomotors in various fields with special attention to drug delivery systems.     

某医院常见革兰阴性杆菌的分布与药敏分析

目的 了解珠海市人民医院2009~2010年住院患者常见的菌群分布及其耐药性,为细菌性感染的诊治提供参考依据.方法 用生物梅里埃公司的ATB鉴定系统进行菌种鉴定和药敏试验,用ATBPLUS VER3.0软件统计分析结果.结果 2009~2010年共分离出革兰阴性杆菌3 032株,其中铜绿假单胞菌占29.55%,肺炎克雷伯菌占33.44%,大肠埃希菌占27.51%,阴沟肠杆菌占5.80%,其他革兰阴性杆菌占3.70%.铜绿假单胞菌耐药率高于60%的抗菌药物有头孢噻吩、头孢噻肟、头孢西丁.肺炎克雷伯菌对美罗培南、亚胺培南、头孢吡肟、阿米卡星菌、妥布霉素、哌拉西林/三唑巴坦敏感.大肠埃希菌对第三代头孢菌素、氟喹诺酮类的耐药率增高,对亚胺培南、美罗培南、阿米卡星敏感,对哌拉西林/三唑巴坦、头孢他啶及奈替米星较敏感.阴沟肠杆菌呈多重耐药.结论 该地区常见革兰阴性杆菌的构成比及耐药率和国内其他地区有一定的差异,且细菌多重耐药情况更为严重.     

Development of drug-in-adhesive transdermal patch for α-asarone and in vivo pharmacokinetics and efficacy evaluation

A transdermal drug delivery system has been reported that can increase the bioavailability, reduce the administration duration, and maintain the concentration of drug in blood. In the present study, drug-in-adhesive transdermal patches of α-asarone using Eudragit E100 as pressure-sensitive adhesives and oleic acid plus isopropyl myristate as penetration co-enhancers were developed. In vitro permeation, in vivo pharmacokinetics in rabbits, and efficacy in asthmatic rats were evaluated. The results showed that co-enhancers could induce a synergistic effect on α-asarone permeability. In vivo study suggested that the patch can keep a relatively certain blood level of drug within 10–30?h in rabbits. Furthermore, the patch with the size of 4?cm² containing drug 3?mg/cm² showed a noticeable treating effect on asthmatic rats which is equivalent to the effect of dexamethasone, while avoiding the side-effect induced by the corticorsteroid. This suggests that the drug-in-adhesive transdermal patch is a promising delivery system containing α-asarone to be used for asthma treatment.     

Analysis on 85 Case Reports of Adverse Drug Reactions

This study investigated the occurrence and characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADR) in our hospital and provide references for clinical rational drug use. We collected the 85 case reports of adverse drug reactions in our hospital in 2010 and made retrospective statistical analysis on them. The varieties of anti-infective drugs used are the most used. It also had the highest proportion of adverse drug reactions; the common symptom of adverse drug reactions is skin and accessory damage. Adverse drug reactions are affected by many factors, and relevant departments should strengthen ADR monitoring, to reduce or avoid the occurrence of adverse drug reactions.