Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Quality Control Of 11 Cannabinoids By Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography Coupled With Mass Spectrometry (Uplc-Ms/Ms), Ashraf Duzan, Desiree Reinken, Mufeed M Basti

HPD Articles

OBJECTIVE: Cannabinoid extraction from

METHODS: In this study, we developed rapid, sensitive, selective, accurate, and validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of cannabinoids. The methods are for determining 11 cannabinoids in cannabis (hemp) extracted in oil form, and we investigated the accuracy of the labeling and thermal stability regarding the cannabinoids on 17 oil cannabis samples.

RESULTS: In the UPLC chromatogram, we see a good resolution and there is no matrix effect and the accuracy were 98.2% to 102.6%, and the precision was 0.52%-8.18%. The linearity of the calibration curves in methanol was with a regression

CONCLUSION: The …

Bioinspired Polymers: Transformative Applications In Biomedicine And Regenerative Medicine., Hossein Omidian, Renae L. Wilson, Niloofar Babanejad

HPD Articles

Bioinspired polymers have emerged as a promising field in biomaterials research, offering innovative solutions for various applications in biomedical engineering. This manuscript provides an overview of the advancements and potential of bioinspired polymers in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and biomedicine. The manuscript discusses their role in enhancing mechanical properties, mimicking the extracellular matrix, incorporating hydrophobic particles for self-healing abilities, and improving stability. Additionally, it explores their applications in antibacterial properties, optical and sensing applications, cancer therapy, and wound healing. The manuscript emphasizes the significance of bioinspired polymers in expanding biomedical applications, addressing healthcare challenges, and improving outcomes. By highlighting these …

Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy Of Curcumin: Advances In Delivery Systems And Clinical Applications., Hossein Omidian, Renae L. Wilson, Sumana Dey Chowdhury

HPD Articles

Curcumin, a potent active compound found in turmeric and Curcuma xanthorrhiza oil, possesses a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound healing activities. However, its clinical effectiveness is hindered by its low bioavailability and rapid elimination from the body. To overcome these limitations, researchers have explored innovative delivery systems for curcumin. Some promising approaches include solid lipid nanoparticles, nanomicelle gels, and transdermal formulations for topical drug delivery. In the field of dentistry, curcumin gels have shown effectiveness against oral disorders and periodontal diseases. Moreover, Pickering emulsions and floating in situ gelling systems have been developed to …

High-Performing Conductive Hydrogels For Wearable Applications., Hossein Omidian, Sumana Dey Chowdhury

HPD Articles

Conductive hydrogels have gained significant attention for their extensive applications in healthcare monitoring, wearable sensors, electronic devices, soft robotics, energy storage, and human-machine interfaces. To address the limitations of conductive hydrogels, researchers are focused on enhancing properties such as sensitivity, mechanical strength, electrical performance at low temperatures, stability, antibacterial properties, and conductivity. Composite materials, including nanoparticles, nanowires, polymers, and ionic liquids, are incorporated to improve the conductivity and mechanical strength. Biocompatibility and biosafety are emphasized for safe integration with biological tissues. Conductive hydrogels exhibit unique properties such as stretchability, self-healing, wet adhesion, anti-freezing, transparency, UV-shielding, and adjustable mechanical properties, making …

Sharksrx Newsletter Summer 2023, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.

Advancements And Applications Of Injectable Hydrogel Composites In Biomedical Research And Therapy., Hossein Omidian, Sumana Dey Chowdhury

HPD Articles

Injectable hydrogels have gained popularity for their controlled release, targeted delivery, and enhanced mechanical properties. They hold promise in cardiac regeneration, joint diseases, postoperative analgesia, and ocular disorder treatment. Hydrogels enriched with nano-hydroxyapatite show potential in bone regeneration, addressing challenges of bone defects, osteoporosis, and tumor-associated regeneration. In wound management and cancer therapy, they enable controlled release, accelerated wound closure, and targeted drug delivery. Injectable hydrogels also find applications in ischemic brain injury, tissue regeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and personalized cancer immunotherapy. This manuscript highlights the versatility and potential of injectable hydrogel nanocomposites in biomedical research. Moreover, it includes a perspective …

Cryogels: Advancing Biomaterials For Transformative Biomedical Applications., Hossein Omidian, Sumana Dey Chowdhury, Niloofar Babanejad

HPD Articles

Cryogels, composed of synthetic and natural materials, have emerged as versatile biomaterials with applications in tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and therapeutics. However, optimizing cryogel properties, such as mechanical strength and release profiles, remains challenging. To advance the field, researchers are exploring advanced manufacturing techniques, biomimetic design, and addressing long-term stability. Combination therapies and drug delivery systems using cryogels show promise. In vivo evaluation and clinical trials are crucial for safety and efficacy. Overcoming practical challenges, including scalability, structural integrity, mass transfer constraints, biocompatibility, seamless integration, and cost-effectiveness, is essential. By addressing these challenges, cryogels can transform biomedical …

Nanoparticle Approaches For The Renin-Angiotensin System, Sajini D. Hettiarachchi, Young M. Kwon, Yadollah Omidi, Robert C. Speth

HPD Articles

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormonal cascade that contributes to several disorders: systemic hypertension, heart failure, kidney disease, and neurodegenerative disease. Activation of the RAS can promote inflammation and fibrosis. Drugs that target the RAS can be classified into 3 categories, AT1 angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and renin inhibitors. The therapeutic efficacy of current RAS-inhibiting drugs is limited by poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier, low bioavailability, and to some extent, short half-lives. Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems (DDSs) are possible emerging alternatives to overcome such limitations. Nanoparticles are ideally 1-100 nm in size and are …

Exploring The Potential Of Nanotechnology In Pediatric Healthcare: Advances, Challenges, And Future Directions., Hossein Omidian, Kwadwo Mfoafo

HPD Articles

The utilization of nanotechnology has brought about notable advancements in the field of pediatric medicine, providing novel approaches for drug delivery, disease diagnosis, and tissue engineering. Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale, resulting in improved drug effectiveness and decreased toxicity. Numerous nanosystems, including nanoparticles, nanocapsules, and nanotubes, have been explored for their therapeutic potential in addressing pediatric diseases such as HIV, leukemia, and neuroblastoma. Nanotechnology has also shown promise in enhancing disease diagnosis accuracy, drug availability, and overcoming the blood-brain barrier obstacle in treating medulloblastoma. It is important to acknowledge that while nanotechnology offers significant opportunities, there …

The Implications Of Pharmacogenomics In Oncology, Jean J. Latimer

HPD Articles

No abstract provided.

Syndeep: A Deep Learning Approach For The Prediction Of Cancer Drugs Synergy., Anna Torkamannia, Yadollah Omidi, Reza Ferdousi

HPD Articles

Drug combinations can be the prime strategy for increasing the initial treatment options in cancer therapy. However, identifying the combinations through experimental approaches is very laborious and costly. Notably, in vitro and/or in vivo examination of all the possible combinations might not be plausible. This study presented a novel computational approach to predicting synergistic drug combinations. Specifically, the deep neural network-based binary classification was utilized to develop the model. Various physicochemical, genomic, protein-protein interaction and protein-metabolite interaction information were used to predict the synergy effects of the combinations of different drugs. The performance of the constructed model was compared with …

Utilizing Pharmacist-Led Telehealth Services In Ambulatory Patients With Heart Failure, Ivanna L. Lugo Zamora, Crystal Lloyd, Shirley Lorenzo-Castro, Carolina Mussenden, Genevieve Hale

HPD Articles

Background: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions. Non-adherence to medications and poor dietary management for patients who suffer from this condition can lead to worsening of symptoms and hospitalization. Pharmacist interventions via telehealth have demonstrated a beneficial impact on disease management and adherence outcomes in patients with chronic conditions. Methods: This retrospective, descriptive cohort study reviewed subjects from a single-centered primary care office. Data was collected via electronic chart review between January and December 2021. Subjects eligible for inclusion were adults who were diagnosed with heart failure by their primary care provider and referred to …

A Voting-Based Machine Learning Approach For Classifying Biological And Clinical Datasets., Negar Hossein-Nezhad Daneshvar, Yosef Masoudi-Sobhanzadeh, Yadollah Omidi

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Different machine learning techniques have been proposed to classify a wide range of biological/clinical data. Given the practicability of these approaches accordingly, various software packages have been also designed and developed. However, the existing methods suffer from several limitations such as overfitting on a specific dataset, ignoring the feature selection concept in the preprocessing step, and losing their performance on large-size datasets. To tackle the mentioned restrictions, in this study, we introduced a machine learning framework consisting of two main steps. First, our previously suggested optimization algorithm (Trader) was extended to select a near-optimal subset of features/genes. Second, a …

The Length Of Hospital Stay Of Patients With Venous Thromboembolism: A Cross-Sectional Study From Jordan., Haneen Amawi, Rasha M Arabyat, Sayer Al-Azzam, Toqa Alzu'bi, Hamza Tayseer U'Wais, Alaa M Hammad, Ruba Amawi, Mohammad B. Nusair

HPD Articles

Background and Objectives: Venous thromboembolism is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Treatment with anticoagulation therapy is essential and requires a delicate approach to select the most appropriate option to improve patient outcomes, including the length of hospital stay (LOS). The aim of this study was to determine the LOS among patients with acute onset of VTE in several public hospitals in Jordan. Materials and Methods: In this study, we recruited hospitalized patients with a confirmed diagnosis of VTE. We reviewed the electronic medical records and charts of VTE admitted patients in addition to a detailed …

Personalizing Prevention: Advances In Pharmacotherapy For Hiv Prevention., Marisa Brizzi, Elizabeth Sherman, Sarah B. Green, Diana N. Nowicki, Emily N. Drwiega, Melanie R. Nicol, Daniel B. Chastain, Eric G. Sahloff, William R. Truong, David Cluck, Melissa E. Badowski, Sarah M. Michienzi, Spencer H. Durham

HPD Articles

The HIV epidemic continues to pose a significant burden on the healthcare system. Although the incidence of annual new infections is decreasing, health disparities persist and most new infections remain concentrated into different racial, ethnic, and minority groups. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which involves those at high risk of acquiring HIV to take chronic medications to prevent acquisition of the virus, is key to preventing new HIV infections. The purpose of this article is to review medication therapies for PrEP and examine their role in personalizing PrEP in different patient populations. Additionally, new medications currently under development for PrEP are reviewed, …

Sharksrx Newsletter Spring 2023, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.

Impact Of The Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) On Frontline Pharmacists Roles And Services: Inspire Worldwide Survey., Kaitlyn E. Watson, Dillon H. Lee, Mohammad B. Nusair, Yazid N. Al Hamarneh

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Pharmacy has been recognized as a vital healthcare profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of the INSPIRE Worldwide survey was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy practice and pharmacists' roles around the world.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online questionnaire with pharmacists who provided direct patient care during the pandemic. Participants were recruited through social media, with assistance from national and international pharmacy organizations between March 2021-May 2022. The questionnaire was divided into (1) demographics, (2) pharmacists' roles, (3) communication strategies, and (4) practice challenges. The data were analyzed using SPSS 28, and descriptive statistics were used …

Cardiac Rgs Proteins In Human Heart Failure And Atrial Fibrillation: Focus On Rgs4., Jordana I. Borges, Malka S. Suster, Anastasios Lymperopoulos

HPD Articles

The regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are crucial for the termination of G protein signals elicited by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This superfamily of cell membrane receptors, by far the largest and most versatile in mammals, including humans, play pivotal roles in the regulation of cardiac function and homeostasis. Perturbations in both the activation and termination of their G protein-mediated signaling underlie numerous heart pathologies, including heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AFib). Therefore, RGS proteins play important roles in the pathophysiology of these two devasting cardiac diseases, and several of them could be targeted therapeutically. Although close …

In Vitro Dissolution And Permeability Testing Of Inhalation Products: Challenges And Advances., Ali Nokhodchi, Salonee Chavan, Taravat Ghafourian

HPD Articles

In vitro dissolution and permeability testing aid the simulation of the in vivo behavior of inhalation drug products. Although the regulatory bodies have specific guidelines for the dissolution of orally administered dosage forms (e.g., tablets and capsules), this is not the case for orally inhaled formulations, as there is no commonly accepted test for assessing their dissolution pattern. Up until a few years ago, there was no consensus that assessing the dissolution of orally inhaled drugs is a key factor in the assessment of orally inhaled products. With the advancement of research in the field of dissolution methods for orally …

Narrative Review: The Fda’S Perfunctory Approach Of Dietary Supplement Regulations Giving Rise To Copious Reports Of Adverse Events, Weiqi Li, Albert Wertheimer

HPD Articles

Background: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originated from the passage of the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs act aimed to rein in the long-standing abuse in the consumer product marketplace. The act was passed to prohibit interstate commerce of misbranded and adulterated foods, drinks, drugs. Thus, promoting the FDA’s mission to protect the public health by regulating human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, food supply, cosmetics, and tobacco to ensure safety, efficacy, and security. Progressing further in 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was established designating specific label requirements, providing regulatory framework, and authorizing …

Comparative Evaluation Of Biased Agonists Sarcosine , D-Alanine -Angiotensin (Ang) Ii (Sd Ang Ii) And Sarcosine , Isoleucine -Ang Ii (Si Ang Ii) And Their Radioiodinated Congeners Binding To Rat Liver Membrane At Receptors, Natalia M. Noto, Yazmin M. Restrepo, Hong W. Pang, Filipe Stoyell-Conti, Crystal A. West, Robert C. Speth, Nova Southeastern University

HPD Articles

Angiotensin II analogue and β-arrestin biased agonist TRV027 (Sarcosine , d-Alanine -Angiotensin (Ang) II; SD Ang II), developed by Trevena, Inc. in the early 2010s, brought hopes of a novel treatment for cardiovascular diseases, due to its ability to simultaneously cause signaling through the β-arrestin signaling pathway, while antagonizing the pathophysiological effects of Ang II mediated by the AT receptor G protein signaling cascades. However, a phase II clinical trial of this agent revealed no significant benefit compared to placebo treatment. Using I-Sarcosine , Isoleucine -Ang II ( I-SI Ang II) radioligand receptor competition binding assays, we assessed the relative …

Hippocampal Versus Cortical Deletion Of Cholinergic Receptor Muscarinic 1 In Mice Differentially Affects Post-Translational Modifications And Supramolecular Assembly Of Respiratory Chain-Associated Proteins, Mitochondrial Ultrastructure, And Respiration: Implications In Alzheimer's Disease, Mohammad Golam Sabbir, Mamiko Swanson, Robert C. Speth, Benedict C. Albensi

HPD Articles

In a previous retrospective study using postmortem human brain tissues, we demonstrated that loss of Cholinergic Receptor Muscarinic 1 (CHRM1) in the temporal cortex of a subset of Alzheimer's patients was associated with poor survival, whereas similar loss in the hippocampus showed no such association. Mitochondrial dysfunction underlies Alzheimer's pathogenesis. Therefore, to investigate the mechanistic basis of our findings, we evaluated cortical mitochondrial phenotypes in Chrm1 knockout (Chrm1) mice. Cortical Chrm1 loss resulted in reduced respiration, reduced supramolecular assembly of respiratory protein complexes, and caused mitochondrial ultrastructural abnormalities. These mouse-based findings mechanistically linked cortical CHRM1 loss with poor survival of …

Sharksrx Newsletter Fall 2022, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.

Why Angiotensin Ii Is A Poor Choice For Circulatory Support Of Ventilated Covid-19 Patients Compared To Vasopressin, Robert C. Speth, Michael Bader

HPD Articles

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic when it was first reported that SARS-CoV-2 used membrane-bound angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as its receptor for entry into cells, warnings were raised against the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) because of their potential to increase ACE2 expression. These reports ignored the adverse effects that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) exerts on the cardiovascular system and kidneys via its primary hormone angiotensin (Ang) II acting upon AT receptors that could exacerbate the cytokine storm induced by SARS-CoV-2 . At one point it was even recommended that COVID-19 patients suffering from cardiovascular …

Pharmacists Role In Preventing Drug Abuse, Renae L. Wilson

College of Pharmacy Student Research

In 2019, there were approximately 332,000 pharmacists active in the US workforce, Data USA, 2019. A survey of 1,700 American adults, discovered, that 34% of Americans still rely on healthcare providers such as pharmacists, for information in relation their health, KRC Research, 2018. Pharmacists are one of the three most trusted health care professions and were found to be the second most trusted source for health information by Americans in 2005. Blendon et al., 2006 found, that information from pharmacist was trusted by 67%, of participants in their survey. One of the oaths pledged by pharmacist is, ‘ …

Sharksrx Newsletter Summer 2022, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.

Abuse Of Benzodiazepines Among The Elderly Population, Sofia A. Padilla

College of Pharmacy Student Research

Throughout the years, benzodiazepines are safe drugs to treat several conditions among the elderly population, including anxiety, mixed anxiety-depression, and insomnia. However, inappropriate use of this drug, together with known risks such as cognitive impairment, delirium, and falls, is on the rise in these recent years, making the elderly population more inclined to suffer adverse effects when using them. The literature review paper will examine the use of benzodiazepines among the elderly population and their abuse through various published articles that addressed these concerns. The paper will also examine some potential solutions that will reduce the inappropriate use of benzodiazepine …

Sharksrx Newsletter Spring 2022, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.

Development, Implementation, And Delivery Of A Remote Burnout Prevention Elective Course In An Accelerated Doctor Of Pharmacy Program During Covid-19, Melissa Santibanez, Jonathon May, Paul M. Boylan, Andrea Duque, Taylor Harris

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: There is limited evidence describing burnout among graduate health professions students, including pharmacy students, and there is a need for educational institutions to mitigate burnout and promote future healthcare provider wellness. Methods: A burnout prevention elective course was developed within an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program. Course faculty transitioned from live to fully remote instruction in April 2020. The modified course format combined discussion-based lectures, burnout self-assessments, reflective writing assignments, and applications-based presentations. Results: Twenty-one second-year pharmacy students completed the elective, and 13 completed post-course evaluations (61.9% response rate). Evaluations indicated substantial student support, with 92.3% “strongly agree” and …

Cross-Sectional Evaluation Of Chronic Medication Use Across Age Categories, Alecia N. Muwonge, Nedra Geddes-Mccarthy

NSU REACH and IPE Day

Purpose: The objective of this study was to estimate the use of chronic medications for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and depression in adults over 18 years old. Background: Aging is associated with increased multimorbid conditions. Management of multimorbid conditions can be complex, making polypharmacy a prevalent problem in the adult population. Previous studies investigated the prevalence of chronic medication use in older adults, but none have evaluated the trends in use with increasing age. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used general population data from NHANES during the 2011-2018 cohort years for a population of all adults 18 years of age and …