Extended Pharmacopeial Characterization of Surfactant Aerosols Generated by a Customized eFlow Neos Nebulizer Delivered through Neonatal Nasal Prongs

The delivery of nebulized medications to preterm infants during Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) remains an unmet clinical need. In this regard, the effective delivery of nebulized surfactant has been particularly investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. In this work, we investigated the feasibility of delivering nebulized surfactant through various commercially available nasal prong types. We first performed a compendial characterization of surfactant aerosols generated by the eFlow Neos nebulizer, customized to be used in neonates, determining the amount of surfactant delivered by the device as well as the aerodynamic characteristics of surfactant aerosols. Additionally, we extended the compendial characterization by testing the effect of different nasal prong types on the estimated lung dose using a realistic Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) circuit that included a cast of the upper airways of a preterm neonate. The compendial characterization of surfactant aerosols delivered through different nasal prongs achieved relatively high delivered surfactant doses (in the range 63–74% of the nominal dose), with aerodynamic characteristics displaying mass median aerodynamic diameters ranging between 2.52 and 2.81 µm. Nevertheless, when using a representative in vitro setup mimicking NIV in a clinical setting, significant differences were observed in terms of the estimated lung dose accounting for up to two-fold differences (from 10% to 20% estimated lung deposition of the nominal dose) depending on the chosen nasal prong type. Considering that surfactant lung deposition rates are correlated with therapeutic efficacy, this study points out the relevance of choosing the appropriate NIV interface to maximize the lung dose of nebulized medications.

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Fabrication and Characterization of Gel Beads of Whey Isolate Protein–Pectin Complex for Loading Quercetin and Their Digestion Release

Gels ◽

10.3390/gels8010018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 18

Author(s):

Xu Wang ◽

Huaping Xie ◽

Chenshan Shi ◽

Piotr Dziugan ◽

Hongfei Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Isolate ◽

Emulsion Gel ◽

Pectin Content ◽

Gel Beads ◽

Internal Structures ◽

Effective Delivery ◽

Pectin Gel ◽

Gel Network

In this study, emulsion gel beads for loading quercetin were prepared through an emulsification/gelation process using whey protein isolate (WPI) and pectin. Emulsion gel beads’ properties were investigated by different pectin content. Additionally, the physicochemical properties, morphology and quercetin release properties from beads were explored. Firstly, electrical characteristics and the rheology of bead-forming solutions were measured, revealing that all systems had strong negative charge and exhibited shear-thinning behavior. The textural results demonstrated that the properties of emulsion gel beads were improved with increasing the content of pectin. It was also confirmed that crosslinking was formed between WPI emulsion and pectin by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, the shape of the beads was spherical or ellipses with smooth surfaces and they had a tight gel network of internal structures, which was visualized by using electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the amount of quercetin released in vitro was gradually decreased with increasing pectin content; it was as low as 0.59%. These results revealed that WPI emulsion–pectin gel beads might be an effective delivery system for quercetin as a colon target and are worth exploring further.

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Experimental and Computational Biomechanical Characterization of the Dolphin Tracheo-Bronchial Tree During Diving

ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B ◽

10.1115/sbc2010-19078 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Paola Bagnoli ◽

Adriano Zaffora ◽

Bruno Cozzi ◽

Roberto Fumero ◽

Maria Laura Costantino

Keyword(s):

Respiratory System ◽

Marine Mammals ◽

Water Environment ◽

Bronchial Tree ◽

Muscular Tissue ◽

Upper Airways ◽

Surrounding Water ◽

Terrestrial Mammals

Marine mammals belonging to the Order of CetoArtiodactyla have developed their organs and adapted their anatomic structures to survive and better exploit the resources of the surrounding water environment. Though belonging to the Mammal Class and, hence, having a cardio-respiratory system based on the gas exchange with the atmosphere, they are able to perform long-lasting immersions and reach considerable depths during diving [1]. On the other hand, the anatomy of the tracheo-bronchial structures of the Family Delfinidae differs from that of terrestrial mammals in the lack of muscular tissue in the posterior region and the irregular shape of the cartilaginous rings (Fig.1a-b-c) [1, 2]. So far, the behavior of dolphin respiratory system during diving is not yet fully understood, since they cannot be subjected to invasive analysis being endangered and protected species. Namely, it remains to ascertain whether the tracheo-bronchial tree collapses during diving or is kept open by the peculiar material properties, the anatomical structure and the presence of entrapped air. Aim of this work is to model the dolphin Tursiops truncatus’s tracheo-bronchial tree to study its behavior during diving by coupling experimental in vitro mechanical characterization of airways tissues to finite element computational analyses. Furthermore, we performed a comparison between the mechanical behavior of tracheo-bronchial trees of dolphins and that of the goat, a terrestrial mammal whose conformation of the upper airways is similar to the human, to highlight discrepancies due to the different habitats.

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PM250 Synthesis and characterization of Atenolol nanoformulation for effective delivery and increased bioavailability in in vitro model of myocardial infarction

Global Heart ◽

10.1016/j.gheart.2014.03.1620 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. e112

Author(s):

Ajay Ashok ◽

Rupinder K. Kanwar ◽

Jagat R. Kanwar ◽

Uma K. Maheswari

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

In Vitro Model ◽

Synthesis And Characterization ◽

Effective Delivery ◽

Vitro Model

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In vitro characterization of neural stem cells: Functional response to the enteric neurotrophin GDNF and co-culture with human colonic smooth muscle

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(01)80307-3 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. A62-A62

Author(s):

M MICCI ◽

R LEARISH ◽

P PASRICHA

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Smooth Muscle ◽

Neural Stem Cells ◽

Functional Response ◽

In Vitro Characterization

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Biological and physico-chemical characterization of ultra high diluted Hydrastis canadensis and in vitro studies on mammalian cells

Allgemeine Homöopathische Zeitung ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1601241 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 262 (02) ◽

pp. 2-76

Author(s):

N Chandrakar ◽

MK Temgire ◽

SG Kane ◽

AK Suresh ◽

J Bellare

Keyword(s):

Mammalian Cells ◽

Chemical Characterization ◽

In Vitro Studies ◽

Hydrastis Canadensis ◽

Physico Chemical

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Assays for Phospholipid-Dependent Formation of Thrombin and Xa: A Potential Method for Quantifying Lupus Anticoagulant Activity

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1646437 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 66 (04) ◽

pp. 453-458 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

John T Brandt

Keyword(s):

Specific Activity ◽

Anticoagulant Activity ◽

Factor Xa ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Potential Method ◽

Quantitative Expression ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Apparent Association

SummaryLupus anticoagulants (LAs) are antibodies which interfere with phospholipid-dependent procoagulant reactions. Their clinical importance is due to their apparent association with an increased risk of thrombo-embolic disease. To date there have been few assays for quantifying the specific activity of these antibodies in vitro and this has hampered attempts to purify and characterize these antibodies. Methods for determining phospholipid-dependent generation of thrombin and factor Xa are described. Isolated IgG fractions from 7 of 9 patients with LAs were found to reproducibly inhibit enzyme generation in these assay systems, permitting quantitative expression of inhibitor activity. Different patterns of inhibitory activity, based on the relative inhibition of thrombin and factor Xa generation, were found, further substantiating the known heterogeneity of these antibodies. These systems may prove helpful in further purification and characterization of LAs.

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Characterization of the Original Christmas Disease Mutation (Cysteine 206 → Serine): From Clinical Recognition to Molecular Pathogenesis

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1648381 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 67 (01) ◽

pp. 063-065 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sherryl A M Taylor ◽

Jacalyn Duffin ◽

Cherie Cameron ◽

Jerome Teitel ◽

Bernadette Garvey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleotide Substitution ◽

Novel Mutation ◽

Factor Ix ◽

Causative Mutation ◽

Coding Region ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Splice Junctions

SummaryChristmas disease was first reported as a distinct clinical entity in two manuscripts published in 1952 (1, 2). The eponym associated with this disorder, is the surname of the first patient examined in detail and reported by Biggs and colleagues in a paper describing the clinical and laboratory features of seven affected individuals (3). This patient has severe factor IX coagulant deficiency (less than 0.01 units/ml) and no detectable circulating factor IX antigen (less than 0.01 units/ml). Coding sequence and splice junctions of the factor IX gene from this patient have been amplified in vitro through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One nucleotide substitution was identified at nucleotide 30,070 where a guanine was replaced by a cytosine. This mutation alters the amino acid encoded at position 206 in the factor IX protein from cysteine to serine. The non conservative nature of this substitution, the absence of this change in more than 200 previously sequenced factor IX genes and the fact that the remainder of the coding region of this gene was normal, all provide strong circumstantial evidence in favour of this change being the causative mutation in this patient. The molecular characterization of this novel mutation in the index case of Christmas disease, contributes to the rapidly expanding body of knowledge pertaining to Christmas disease pathogenesis.

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