Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Behavioral Effects Of Cocaine After Activation Of Cb1 Cannabinoid Receptors In Male And Female Mice, Cade Baughman, Jejun Lee, Jessica Acheampong, Jihoon Choi, Sarah Seeley, Manoranjan Dsouza

ONU Student Research Colloquium

The goal of this study was to assess the behavioral effects of cocaine following activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in male and female mice. This study was undertaken because recently published data suggest sex-dependent behavioral differences after CB1 receptor activation. However, the sex-dependent effects of CB1 receptor activation on the rewarding and psychomotor effects of cocaine have not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to address this gap in knowledge. The study will use adult male and female C57BL6 mice. CB1 receptors will be activated using synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55212. Behavioral effects assessed after CB1 receptor activation will include both …

A Single Administration Of Psilocybin Is Ineffective In Reversing Ptsd-Like Sequelae In A Rat Model Of Stress-Enhanced Fear Learning, Kylie M. King, Marisa J. Savini, Noelle M. Molnar, Evelynn J. Schneider, Savannah E. Straub, Joe Parker, Lillianna P. Puppel, Aleece K. Al-Olimat, Allison M. Bach, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Single treatments with psychedelics produce rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. Psychedelics may also exert anxiolytic effects and be useful in treating more complex psychiatric conditions, such as PTSD. However, less is known about the impact of these agents on PTSD-related symptoms. Thus, we aimed to determine whether a single administration of psilocybin could reverse PTSD-like sequelae induced by stress-enhanced fear learning in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in Context A (circular, white conditioning box) and exposed to several uncontrollable footshocks (Stress) or no footshocks (No Stress). The next day, the rats were placed in Context B (square conditioning box with clear …

Psilocybin And The Related Tryptamine, Norbaeocystin, Exert Acute Anxiogenic Effects That Depend On Sex, Marisa J. Savini, Kylie M. King, Noelle M. Molnar, Evelynn J. Schneider, Savannah E. Straub, Joe Parker, Lillianna P. Puppel, Aleece K. Al-Olimat, Allison M. Bach, Andrew Jones, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Single treatments with psychedelics have demonstrated rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. However, psychedelics often produce unfavorable psychoactive effects that could worsen existing psychological distress. Thus, we compared the effects of psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin, on anxiety-like behavior in male and female rats. In Experiment 1, rats were treated with 1 mg/kg psilocybin (PSIL), 1 mg/kg norbaeocystin (NOR), or vehicle 30 min before a 5-min trial on an elevated plus maze (EPM) or in an open field test (OFT). On the EPM, PSIL led to decreased open arm time and fewer arm entries in males and females. NOR led to …

Addition Of Prg4 To Optimize The Anti‑Adhesive Properties Of Tissue Barrier Sepraflm®, Ava J. Marks, Khaled A. Elsaid, Ling X. Zhang, Timmy Lin, Janette Baird, Tannin A. Schmidt, Gregory D. Jay

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Postsurgical adhesion remains a significant clinical challenge. Seprafilm^® is widely used as a barrier to reduce adhesion formation, however its efficacy may be inconsistent. Recombinant human proteoglycan-4 (rhPRG4), a surface-active, anti-inflammatory glycoprotein found in synovial fluid inhibits cell and protein adhesion. This study investigated whether coating Seprafilm with rhPRG4 could enhance its anti-adhesive potential.

Methods

Macrophages (J774), human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS), and melanoma (A375) cells were cultured on tissue culture wells treated with rhPRG4 or bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) to determine optimal seeding density. Seprafilm sheets were coated with rhPRG4 or BSM (0.78–200 µg/mL). Cell adhesion was quantified …

Comparative Physicochemical Characterization Of Porcine, Fish, And Bovine Gelatin In Gummy Candies: Toward Halal Nutraceutical Development, Marlyn Dian Laksitorini, Cici Darsih, Nunung Yuniarti, Rumiyati Rumiyati, Mohammad Zainal Abidin

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Gummy candies have emerged as one of the most popular dosage forms for multivitamins and nutraceutical supplements, including those for brain health. Gelatin is the primary gelling agent used to achieve the gummy texture; however, the influence of different gelatin sources on the physicochemical properties of gummies has not been systematically examined. This study investigated the physicochemical characteristics of gummies prepared with porcine, bovine, and fish gelatin. The gummies were evaluated for mechanical properties (gumminess, hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, adhesiveness, and stringiness), color, water activity, antioxidant activity, and protein content. Additionally, the effects of intentional adulteration—specifically the addition of porcine gelatin …

Improving Anesthesia Provider Confidence In The Identification, Management, And Treatment Of Postoperative Delirium, Brittany M. Whistle, Charles Dustin Phelps

Scholars Week

Purpose: Postoperative Delirium (POD) is a potentially devastating complication of anesthesia that is poorly understood by clinical staff leading to poor outcomes for surgical patients. This study is meant to determine if a focused knowledge presentation accompanied by visual aids could increase anesthesia providers confidence in identifying, diagnosing, and treating Postoperative Delirium.

Methodology: Utilizing a statistical model to analyze respondents results on a standardized test administered before and after an informational presentation with visual aids on the topic of Postoperative Delirium.

Results: Results indicated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores, with a p-value of .002, t(11) = …

3rd Place Contest Entry: "Examining Physicians’ Behaviors Regarding Buprenorphine Prescribing For Opioid Use Disorder", Khashayar Eshtiaghi

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize

This is Khashayar Eshtiaghi's submission for the 2026 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, which won third place. It contains their essay on using library resources, a summary of their research project on physicians' behaviors regarding buprenorphine prescribing for opioid use disorde, and their bibliography.

Khashayar is a student in the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy program at Chapman University. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Marc Fleming.

2025 Novel Drug Approvals, Katherine Ghattas Pharmd, Amanda Rawa Pharmd

Transformative Medicine

The year 2025 marked another strong chapter in pharmaceutical innovation, with multiple novel therapies gaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These approvals reflect continued progress in addressing unmet medical needs across a wide range of disease states. This article reviews the FDA’s 2025 novel drug approvals, spotlighting a few therapeutic advancements and emerging trends. A comprehensive table of all approved agents is provided, along with a focused discussion of four particularly impactful therapies: donidalorsen (Dawnzera), taletrectinib (Ibtrozi), delgocitinib (Anzupgo), gepotidacin (Blujepa), etripamil (Cardamyst). Each of these agents represents a step forward in its respective field and …

Cbx6-Ca9 Axis: An Epigenetic-Metabolic Vulnerability In Glioblastoma, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most therapeutically recalcitrant malignancies, with median survival rarely exceeding 15 months despite maximal therapy.¹ The hypoxic tumor microenvironment drives treatment resistance through epigenetic and metabolic adaptations.²

In this issue of Molecular Therapy Oncology, the study by Wang et al.³ demonstrates a novel regulatory axis between CBX6 (chromobox 6), a polycomb group protein, and CA9 (carbonic anhydrase 9), revealing how hypoxia-driven epigenetic reprogramming promotes tumor progression and identifying a mechanistically linked pathway for therapeutic intervention in GBM.

The study by Wang et al.3 advances our understanding of how the tumor microenvironment …

Drug Procurement Methods And Challenges In Asian Low And Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review, Ferina Septiani Damanik, Anna Wahyuni Widayanti, Muhammad Qowiyul Amin

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Pharmaceutical procurement plays a pivotal role in healthcare within Asian low and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), ensuring accessibility to essential, cost-effective, and high-quality medicines. Tailored approaches are imperative due to specific challenges inherent in these countries.
Objectives: This review examines several drug procurement systems in Asian countries with LLMICs while identifying and evaluating any potential challenges that might arise within the systems.
Materials and Methods: This review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines and three search engines (PubMed, Science Direct, and Research Gate) employing Boolean search terms. The search focuses on drug procurement, medicine procurement, …

Design Of Experiments Based Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method For Estimation Of Metformin And Glimepiride In Combined Dosage Forms, Neela Manish Bhatia, Rachana Patil, Harinath More, Rutuja Dattatray Chougale

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: The present study aimed to systematically develop and validate a robust, rapid, and stability-indicating reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the simultaneous estimation of metformin and glimepiride in fixeddose combination tablets. Method development was guided by a design of experiments (DoE) approach using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) to ensure optimal analytical performance.
Materials and Methods: Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Cosmosil C18 column using an optimized mobile phase of acetonitrile and water (80:20, v/v) adjusted to pH 3.5. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and detection was performed at 221 nm. The BBD approach systematically evaluated the …

Medicines Security And Bioprospecting: A Future Agenda For Pharmaceutical Research, Geoffrey A. Cordell

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Humanity is at an extraordinary moment in history, where our interwoven future in Gaia depends on showing reverence for the modulation of our resource limits after significant losses of biodiversity and encroaching environmental change, including disappearing glaciers, rising sea levels, and changing climates. Engaging with the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and integrating sustainability and optimization of the valuable, renewable resources for future generations are essential beginning actions. Fostering economic and resource sustainability deepens the focus for contemporary research priorities toward assuring access to biological agents needed by the consumer/patient. Based on the outcomes of the COP28/29/30 and COP15/16 …

Protocol For Spatial Profiling Of Immune Cells In The Mouse Cornea And Conjunctiva Using Nanostring Geomx Dsp And Ncounterpro Platforms, Lois Kim, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Quantification of immune cells and their activation status in a spatially specific manner in a healthy or diseased tissue is a valuable tool in immunology. Here, we present a protocol for the spatial profiling of immune cells in the mouse cornea and conjunctiva. We describe steps for immunostaining with photocleavable oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies, selecting regions of interest (ROIs), and collecting UV-cleaved oligonucleotides using GeoMx DSP. We then detail procedures for hybridizing collected oligonucleotides, cartridge blotting using nCounter Pro Prep, data acquisition, and data analysis.

Receptor-Mediated Drug Delivery: Redefining Targeted Drug Conjugates In Oncology, Keon Niles Jafari, Charlene Chai, Shelby Kim, Kamaljit Kaur

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Targeted drug delivery (TDD), specifically through targeting ligand–drug conjugates, has reshaped oncology by enabling selective delivery of cytotoxic payloads to cancer cells while minimizing uptake by normal tissues. A key approach relies on exploiting overexpressed cell surface receptors (CSRs) to enable selective uptake of drug conjugates via receptor-mediated endocytosis. This review delineates four clinically validated CSRs (HER2, Trop-2, Nectin-4, and SSTR2) with several FDA-approved drug conjugates. Furthermore, emerging CSRs (EGFR, DLL3, and keratin 1) that may support next-generation TDD platforms for cancer treatment are also highlighted. We discuss how CSR type, density on cancer cells, and its mechanism of endocytosis, …

Periodontal Biomarkers In Cardiovascular Disease: Mechanisms, Diagnostics, And Clinical Implications, Max Foroughi, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition increasingly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) beyond shared risk factors. This review evaluates evidence linking periodontal inflammation to cardiovascular outcomes and identifies periodontal biomarkers with potential relevance for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Methods

A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, including studies published between 1990 and 2025. Epidemiological, clinical, and mechanistic studies examining associations between periodontal disease, inflammatory and microbial biomarkers, and cardiovascular outcomes were included. Biomarkers were categorized as inflammatory cytokines, acute-phase proteins, oxidative stress markers, lipid mediators, and microbial indicators. Evidence regarding periodontal therapy and …

Gadolinium Nanoparticles: Emerging Platforms Beyond Imaging For Drug Delivery And Theranostics, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Ajoy Koomer, Heyam Zayed, Paris Marabut, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Gadolinium nanoparticles (GdNPs) have gained increasing attention as multifunctional metal-based nanoplatforms that extend far beyond their traditional use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Their specific magnetic properties, tunable physicochemical features, and tunable biocompatibilities with biocompatible coatings give them great potential as drug delivery and theranostic applications. They offer greater stability, lower systemic toxicity, and more surface modification options compared to molecular gadolinium chelates. The functionalized GdNPs not only show excellent properties as drug carriers for their specific indications but also serve as agents in various imaging modalities with superior therapeutic efficacy by means of radio sensitization and magnetically …

Assessment Of Antimicrobial Transition Errors From Hospitals To Skilled Nursing Facilities, Amy Y. Kang, Guarina A. Garcia Delgado, Ashley Nguyen, Maddie Yeh, Tracy Ly, Richard C. Beuttler, Abisay Ortega, Donna Phan Tran, Evelyn Flores, Charis Tjeong, Andrew Bishop, Praneet Kalkat, Loren G. Miller

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background More than 1 million Americans reside in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Antimicrobial transition errors among patients transferred from hospital to SNFs pose safety risks and may lead to poor outcomes, but data on such errors are limited.   Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of infectious diseases clinics from 1 June 2020 through 30 November 2023 at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, a large safety-net health system. We performed logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with antimicrobial transition errors and poor infection outcomes.   Results We screened records of 6865 clinic patients, among whom 112 were …

Improving Hba1c And Diabetes Preventative Screening Measures In Spanish-Speaking Patients With Clinical Pharmacist Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Jennifer Ko, Tila P. Nguyen, Bonnie K. Chen, Richard Beuttler

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose:

Methods:

Results:

Evidentiary Standards For Newly Approved Antibiotics For Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections, Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, John H. Powers Iii

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Importance: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections and are typically treated with existing oral antibiotics. In 2024–2025, the FDA approved two new oral agents, sulopenem etzadroxil/probenecid and gepotidacin, via expedited review pathways, for the treatment of uUTIs. Objective: To assess the clinical significance and regulatory evidence supporting FDA approval of sulopenem/probenecid and gepotidacin for uUTI, and to analyze the adherence of pivotal phase III trials to regulatory standards for approval and FDA guidelines. Design, Setting, and Participants: Comparative descriptive analysis of publicly available data from phase 3 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled clinical …

Algorithmic Opacity In Opioid Risk Scoring And The Need For Transparent Ai Regulation, Sherry Yun Wang, Ryan Stofer, Zhouzhou Chu, Xiao Huang, Ang Li

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

NarxCare®, a proprietary opioid risk scoring system embedded in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), has generated significant patient complaints. We adhered to the technical specifications and applied them to PDMP and IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus Closed Health Plan claims database. Despite adding socioeconomic covariates, precision (0.01–0.32) was far below the reported benchmark of 0.75, and F1 scores (0.02–0.39) were also substantially lower than the benchmark value of 0.65, across all our reconstructed models.