Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Safe Injection Facilities, Timothy Kwong

Honors Theses

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2016, a total of 63,632 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses; the age-adjusted rate was 19.8 deaths per 100,000 persons.” There have been countless programs with the sole purpose of reducing the amount of drug related deaths. Some with positive outcomes and others with negative outcomes. Since there is no feasible method of eradicating the problem as a whole, the next logical thing to do would to be creating effect prevention programs.

Safe Injection Facilities (SIFs) have been around for over three decades. They are widespread …

Identification Of Molecules By Spectral Imaging, Qamar Alshammari

Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS) Theses

Spectral imaging is a powerful technique which uses the wavelength to identify/quantify the exact location and amount of the molecules. It facilitates the identification of materials and studying their properties through analyzing the way they interact with light. The study of light interaction with elements is called spectroscopy; spectroscopy examines how light behaves in the target and recognizes materials based on their spectral signatures. Spectral signatures can be compared to fingerprints which can be used to identify a person; spectral signatures can be used to identify materials. Therefore, we hypothesize that identifying the exact location and quantity of molecules present …

The Characterization Of A New Metabolite From A Trichodesmium Bloom, Kelly M. Mcmanus

Senior Honors Projects

Our laboratory has been investigating blooms of Trichodesmium, a genus of ecologically important, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, collected from Padre Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Trichodesmium species are an underexplored biological source of cyanobacteria – a taxa that has been shown to produce chemically diverse secondary metabolites. With our focus on the isolation and structure characterization of new bioactive marine natural products, our research group has discovered over 25 new-to-science compounds over the past three years from these blooms. UV and mass spectrometry-guided isolation of Trichodesmium chromatography fractions were utilized to isolate a new metabolite. Isolation of this metabolite was …

Effects Of Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury On Cytochrome P450 Activity, Milleah Sawtelle

Senior Honors Projects

Approximately 2 million people worldwide and more than 670,000 Americans are affected by end-stage renal diseases (ESRD). The current standard of care for ESRD is kidney transplantation. However, the surgical procedure of kidney transplantation inherently involves ischemia, which interrupts blood flow and reduces oxygen, during kidney graft preservation. The ischemic period is followed by reperfusion (the restoration of blood flow to the transplanted graft), resulting in varying degrees of ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. I/R injury is a leading cause of both organ dysfunction and graft failure. Furthermore, kidney I/R injury has been shown to cause remote organ damage, especially …

Integration Of Native American Medicinal Plants Into The Heber W. Youngken Jr. Garden, Emily Lyn Murray

Senior Honors Projects

Healthcare among Native American tribes was focused on all aspects of a patient’s life, such as physical, spiritual, and environmental elements. Healthy outcomes were obtained by maintaining a balance among all of these components. This “bio-psycho-socio-spiritual” approach to healthcare was thought to not only play a role in the health of a certain individual, but the health of the tribe as a whole. An illness was not only precipitated by a physical source, but by an imbalance of these components. Medicinal plants served as an integral role in direct physical healing, as well as an important element for the execution …

An Exploratory Study Of Suboxone (Buprenorphine/ Naloxone) Film Splitting: Cutting Methods, Content Uniformity, And Stability, Kristin L. Reindel, Michael J. Deangelis, Alexander S. Ferrara, Kelly Conn, Elizabeth Phillips, Anthony Corigliano, Fang Zhao

Doctoral External Publications

Suboxone films are U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved to treat opioid dependence. While the package insert states that films should not be cut, physicians often prescribe film fractions for treatment and tapering. There is no data to support this practice, and this study was initiated to evaluate cutting methods, content uniformity, and stability of split films. Suboxone 8-mg buprenorphine/2-mg naloxone films were split using four methods: 1) ruler/razor cut, 2) scissor cut, 3) fold/rip, and 4) fold/scissor cut. United States Pharmacopeia Chapter <905> was used to evaluate the weight variation and content uniformity of split films. The stability of split …

A New Prenylated Isoflavonoid From Limonium Leptophyllum, Asset Dizamatova, Kamila Zhumanova, Galiya E. Zhusupova, Aizhan I. Zhussupova, Radhakrishnan Srivedavyasasri, Mohamed A. Ibrahim, Samir A. Ross

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2019. Purpose: Cannabidiol (CBD), active component of plant Cannabis sativa, has anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially help treat diabetic retinopathy-induced pain and inflammation. However, CBD is a lipophilic molecule making its topical delivery to back of the eye challenging. This study aims at improving ocular penetration of CBD by means of analog derivatization. Methods: Analogs were designed using various ligands, such as amino acids (AAs) and dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and their combinations. Select analogs were screened in vitro with respect to their stability in ocular tissue homogenates. Based on in vitro stability, analogs …

Macrolide Derivatives Reduce Proinflammatory Macrophage Activation And Macrophage‐Mediated Neurotoxicity, Bei Zhang, Timothy J. Kopper, Xiaodong Liu, Zheng Cui, Steven G. Van Lanen, John C. Gensel

Physiology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Azithromycin (AZM) and other macrolide antibiotics are applied as immunomodulatory treatments for CNS disorders. The immunomodulatory and antibiotic properties of AZM are purportedly independent.

Aims: To improve the efficacy and reduce antibiotic resistance risk of AZM‐based therapies, we evaluated the immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties of novel AZM derivatives. We semisynthetically prepared derivatives by altering sugar moieties established as important for inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) were stimulated in vitro with proinflammatory, M1, stimuli (LPS + INF‐gamma) with and without derivative costimulation. Pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine production, IL‐12 and IL‐10, respectively, was quantified using ELISA. Neuron culture …

Development Of A Lectin-Fc Fusion Protein With Antiviral And Anti-Cancer Activity., Matthew William Dent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the development of a novel lectin-Fc fusion protein and its antiviral and anti-cancer activity. The molecule, Avaren-Fc (AvFc), is a fusion of a variant of the actinomycete lectin actinohivin (Avaren) and the Fc region of human IgG1, and is selective for the terminal α1,2-mannose residues found at the ends of high-mannose-type glycans that can be found on the surface of certain heavily glycosylated viruses and cancer cells. Here, AvFc was found to be able to neutralize simian immunodeficiency virus as well as Hepatitis C virus with nanomolar IC₅₀ values. Furthermore, AvFc recognizes a number of cell …

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Leads To Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress And Mitochondrial Dysfunction In Human Bewo Trophoblasts., Tina Lojpur, Zachary Easton, Sergio Raez-Villanueva, Steven Laviolette, Alison C Holloway, Daniel B Hardy

Physiology and Pharmacology Publications

While studies have demonstrated that the main psychoactive component of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) alone induces placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Given that both (i) endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pregnancy and (ii) gestational exposure to Δ9-THC leads to placental deficiency, we hypothesized that Δ9-THC may directly induce placental ER stress, influencing trophoblast gene expression and mitochondrial function. BeWo human trophoblast cells treated with Δ9-THC (3-30 μM) led to a dose-dependent increase in all ER stress markers and CHOP; these effects could be blocked with CB1R/CB2R antagonists. Moreover, expression of ER stress-sensitive genes ERRγ, VEGFA, …

A Screening Tool To Identify Qualified Pharmacy Residency Candidates., Daniel Hu, Danny Veenhouwer, Julie Mccoy, Dominick A Caselnova

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Pharmacotherapy For Impulsivity-Hyperactivity Behaviors In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jenna Katnis

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 8-year old children is 1 in 59. This increased from approximately 1 in 150 reported in 2000-2002 (Baio et al., 2014). Autism includes deficits in social emotional reciprocity, non-verbal communication for social interactions, developing and maintaining relationships and in some cases, hyperactivity response to sensory input. Hyperactivity is a shared behavior with ASD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Medications such as Methylphenidate (MPH) and α 2-a adrenergic receptor agonists are used to modify hyperactivity behavior in ADHD and thus have been used as management in ASD. A review of literature was …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Drugs Used To Constrict The Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Secondary Analysis Of The Pda-Tolerate Trial (Nct01958320)., Melissa Liebowitz, Joseph Kaempf, Omer Erdeve, Ali Bulbul, Stellan Håkansson, Johanna Lindqvist, Aijaz Farooqi, Anup Katheria, Jason Sauberan, Jaideep Singh, Kelly Nelson, Andrea Wickremasinghe, Lawrence Dong, Denise C Hassinger, Susan W Aucott, Madoka Hayashi, Anne Marie Heuchan, William A Carey, Matthew Derrick, Ilene Sue Wolf, Amy Kimball, Meera Sankar, Tina Leone, Jorge Perez, Arturo Serize, Ronald I Clyman

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of drugs used to constrict patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in newborns < 28 weeks.

METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of the multi-center PDA-TOLERATE trial (NCT01958320). Infants with moderate-to-large PDAs were randomized 1:1 at 8.1 ± 2.1 days to either Drug treatment (n = 104) or Conservative management (n = 98). Drug treatments were assigned by center rather than within center (acetaminophen: 5 centers, 27 infants; ibuprofen: 7 centers, 38 infants; indomethacin: 7 centers, 39 infants).

RESULTS: Indomethacin produced the greatest constriction (compared with spontaneous constriction during Conservative management): RR (95% CI) = 3.21 (2.05-5.01)), followed by ibuprofen …

Comparison Of Quetiapine Abuse And Misuse Reports To The Fda Adverse Event Reporting System With Other Second-Generation Antipsychotics, Kirk E. Evoy, Chengwen Teng Pharm.D., Ph.D., Victor G. Encarnacion, Brian Frescas, John Hakim, Stephen Saklad, Christopher R. Frei

Faculty Publications

Background:

Methods:

Cellular Localization Of Rad51d Mutant Proteins And The Application Of Art To Increase Scientific Literacy In America, Claire L. Chabot

Senior Theses

Ovarian cancers are the leading cause of death from cancer of the female reproductive system. Approximately 50% of ovarian cancers have defects in the homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway that is required for the repair of DNA double-stranded breaks. The status of HR genes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and the RAD51 family, contributes to ovarian cancer development as well as treatment decisions regarding chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. The overarching goal of this project is to identify new insights into HR that can integrate with Precision Medicine Initiatives and align with the goals of the Cancer Moonshot 2020 Program. I …

Exploring The Relationship Of Digital Information Sources And Medication Adherence, Cody Arbuckle, Daniel Tomaszewski, Lawrence Brown, Jon C. Schommer, Donald Morisky, Chelsea Parlett-Pelleriti, Erik J. Linstead

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

We present a retrospective analysis of data collected in the United States from the 2015 National Consumer Survey on the Medication Experience and Pharmacists’ Role in order to model the relationship between health information sources and medication adherence and perception. Our results indicate that while the digital age has presented prescription users with many non-traditional alternatives for health information, the use of digital content has a significant negative correlation with pharmaceutical adherence and attitudes toward medication. These findings along with previous research suggest that in order to fully realize the potential benefits of the digital age in regards to patient …

Experimental Pharmacological Research Regarding Some New Quinazolin-4-Ones Derivatives, Cornel Chiriță, Emil Ștefănescu, Cristina E. Zbârcea, Simona Negreș, Mihaela Bratu, Diana C. Nuță, Carmen Limban, Ileana C. Chiriță, Cristina D. Marineci

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

A series of new compounds with quinazolin-4-one structure, synthesized by the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest, was studied. Five of them were selected, conventionally named S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and investigated in terms of their potential influence on the central nervous system (CNS). For this purpose, the antidepressant effect was determined using the forced swimming test; the anxiolytic/ anxiogenic effect was determined using the suspended plus-shaped maze (Ugo Basile); the effect on the motor activity was determined using the Ugo Basile activity cage; and the potential …

Sensory Primary Cilium Is A Responsive Camp Microdomain In Renal Epithelia, Rinzhin T. Sherpa, Ashraf M. Mohieldin, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Dagmar Wachten, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Primary cilia are hair-like cellular extensions that sense microenvironmental signals surrounding cells. The role of adenylyl cyclases in ciliary function has been of interest because the product of adenylyl cyclase activity, cAMP, is relevant to cilia-related diseases. In the present study, we show that vasopressin receptor type-2 (V2R) is localized to cilia in kidney epithelial cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of V2R with tolvaptan increases ciliary length and mechanosensory function. Genetic knockdown of V2R, however, does not have any effect on ciliary length, although the effect of tolvaptan on ciliary length is dampened. Our study reveals that tolvaptan may have a cilia-specific …

Metabolism Of Primaquine In Normal Human Volunteers: Investigation Of Phase I And Phase Ii Metabolites From Plasma And Urine Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, B. Avula, B. L. Tekwani, N. D. Chaurasiya, P. S. Fasinu, N. D. Nanayakkara, H. B. Herath, Y. H. Wang, J. Y. Bae, S. I. Khan, M. A. Elsohly, J. D. Mcchesney

Pius Fasinu

No abstract provided.

Formation Primaquine-5, 6-Orthoquinone, The Putative Active And Toxic Metabolite Of Primaquine Via Direct Oxidation In Human Erythrocytes, P. S. Fasinu, N. D. Nanayakkara, Y. H. Wang, N. D. Chaurasiya, H. B. Herath, J. D. Mcchesney, B. Avula, I. Khan, B. L. Tekwani, L. A. Walker

Pius Fasinu

No abstract provided.