Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Recent Updates On Orally Disintegrating Films Regarding Design, Characterization, And Assessment, Asmaa Abdelaziz Mohamed, Firas Aziz Rahi

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Orally disintegrating films (ODFs) are a pharmaceutical dosage form that liquefies or disintegrates rapidly in the mouth without water, creating an attractive option for patients with difficulty swallowing. ODFs offer several advantages, including convenience, a faster onset of action, and enhanced patient compliance.The formulation of ODFs involves selecting suitable film-forming polymers, plasticizers, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and other excipients. Factors such as taste-masking, stability, and disintegration time are critical considerations in formulating ODFs. Characterization of Orally Disintegrating Films Characterization techniques such as thickness measurement, tensile strength testing, disintegration time determination, and surface morphology analysis are essential for assessing the physical …

Gc-Ms Analysis Of Bioactive Constituents From The Leaves Of Portulaca Afra Jacq. And Portulaca Grandiflora Hook, Sadeq S.K.Al-Taie, Noor F.M. Al-Kenane, Zaidon T. Al-Aqbi

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Portulaca afra and Portulaca grandiflora are traditional medicinal that grow as ornamental plants in Iraq. The present study was conducted for GC-MS analysis of the leaves of these plants to identify possible bioactive compounds. Seventy-nine compounds were recorded in the methanolic extract in Portulaca afra and ninety-two in Portulaca grandiflora. A literature survey revealed that some compounds 4-Vinylphenol, gamma-Sitosterol, Neophytadiene, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Octadecanoic acid, Phytol, Stigmasterol and Tetradecanoic acid possess a variety of biological qualities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer effects.

Can Coffee Combat Fatty Liver? A Review Of Emerging Evidence, Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack, Muhammad Arif, Vincenzo Tufarelli, Ayman A. Swelum

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is an increasingly spread metabolic status characterized by increasing fat accumulation in the liver, obesity closely associated with it, sedentary habits and insulin resistance. Since there is currently no recognized pharmaceutical treatment, lifestyle changes continue to be the mainstay of treatment. Coffee, a globally consumed beverage rich in bioactive and useful compounds like caffeine, cafestol, kahweol, and chlorogenic acids, has emerged as a potential hepatoprotective agent. Evidence from epidemiological experiments, animal studies, and human trials suggests that regular coffee drinking may help decrease hepatic fat levels, improve antioxidant defenses, prevent inflammatory pathways, and prevent or …

In Silico Evaluation Of Nigella Sativa Phytocompounds As Potential Modulators Of Estrogen Receptor Alpha: A Molecular Docking And Admet Study, Murtala Muhammad Jibril, Samuel Otokpa Ede, Ekwere O. Ekwere

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Background: Reproductive dysfunction among women remains a pressing global health issue, often linked to hormonal imbalances involving estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Nigella sativa has garnered scientific interest due to its diverse phytochemical composition and potential reproductive health benefits. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate selected bioactive compounds from Nigella sativa oil as potential modulators of ERα using advanced computational methods. Methods: A structure-based drug discovery approach was employed. Ten phytocompounds were identified through literature mining and subjected to molecular docking against ERα. Clomiphene citrate, a known selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), served as the reference ligand. Binding affinities were analyzed, …

Quality Of Life Among Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Duaa Dhia Hameed Al-Baghdadi, Rajha Abdul Hassan Hamza

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health concern Approximately 90% of people with diabetes worldwide have diabetes mellitus type 2. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 23, 2023, to March 2, 2025, in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf City to assess the quality of life among individuals with T2DM. A non-probability sampling technique (purposive sampling) was used to select 167 T2DM patients. Data were collected through a questionnaire, which consisted of three parts: Part I covered sociodemographic information, Part II focused on clinical data, and Part III addressed the quality of life among T2DM patients by using …

Mitochondria Targeted Dicarbonyl Scavenging With Mito2hoba Reduces Atherosclerosis By Enhancing Plaque Stability And Suppressing Inflammation In Hyperlipidemic Ldlr⁻/⁻ Mice, Michael T. Dileonardo, Macrae F. Linton

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

Mitochondria Targeted Dicarbonyl Scavenging with Mito2HOBA Reduces Atherosclerosis by Enhancing Plaque Stability and Suppressing Inflammation in Hyperlipidemic Ldlr⁻/⁻ Mice

Michael DiLeonardo¹, Huan Tao PhD², Lei Ding BS², Youmin Zhang BS², Sergey Dikalov PhD³, Patricia G. Yancey PhD², and MacRae F. Linton MD²

¹Eastern Virginia Medical School, Department of Medicine ²Cardiovascular Medicine and ³Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by lipid accumulation, immune cell activation, and oxidative stress. Recent evidence indicates that macrophage mitochondrial dysfunction …

Peptide-Based Inorganic Nanoparticles As Efficient Intracellular Delivery Systems, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Ajoy Koomer, Anthony Nguyen, Vian Khoury, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background/Objectives: Peptide-based inorganic nanoparticles (PINPs) have emerged as promising candidates for intracellular delivery due to their unique structural and functional attributes. These hybrid nanostructures combine the high surface area and tunable optical/magnetic properties of metal cores (e.g., Au, Ag, Fe3O4) with the biocompatibility, targeting specificity, and responsive behavior of peptides. In particular, peptides with amphipathic or cell-penetrating features could facilitate efficient transport of molecular cargos across cellular membranes while enabling stimulus-responsive drug release in target tissues. Methods: We review key synthesis methods (especially green, peptide-mediated one-pot approaches), functionalization strategies (e.g., thiol-gold bonds, click chemistries), and characterization techniques (TEM, …

The 9th Annual Lafora Science Symposium: A Rare Epilepsy Community Makes Progress Towards Clinical Readiness, Meredith I. Williams, Katherine J. Donahue, Pascual Sanz, Souad Messahel, Jose M. Serratosa, Jordi Duran, Roberto Michelucci, Lorenzo Muccioli, Antonio Delgado-Escueta, Viet-Hong Nguyen, Berge A. Minassian, Matthew S. Gentry

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Lafora disease (LD) is a fatal childhood progressive myoclonus epilepsy and glycogen storage disease that is caused by recessive mutations in either EPM2A or EPM2B. The hallmarks of LD are cytoplasmic, aberrant glycogen-like aggregates, called Lafora bodies (LBs), that drive disease progression. The 9th Annual Lafora Science Symposium was held in San Diego, California and brought together over 70 researchers, clinicians, academic trainees, and friends and family members of patients with LD and 80 attendees joined virtually. This symposium focused primarily on international collaborations for therapeutic development and biomarker identification and strategies for preparing the Lafora community for upcoming …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

A Study Of Wear Measurement And Life Prediction Of Insert Chute Liner On Gold Ore Processing, Ferry Ardika Natanael, Nony Maulidya, Dedi Priadi

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Chutes are critical materials handling assets to transport solid particles from one process step to another in mineral processing, coal mining and cement industries. The material transport, because of material characteristics, cause severe wear on internal lining of chutes or bins’ structure. The wear problem on internal lining of bins or chutes needs to be checked to keep production efficiency. Therefore, not checked wear rate causes liner replacement schedule becomes unpredictable. It leads to production loss and highly cost maintenance in industry. This study shows that condition-based maintenance through regular thickness measurement using Ultrasonic Transducer (UT) to predict life service …

Exploring Young Adults' Experiences And Beliefs In Asthma Medication Management: Pilot Qualitative Study Comparing Human And Multiple Ai Thematic Analysis, Ruth Ndarake Jeminiwa, Caroline Popielaski, Amber King

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Young adults take their asthma maintenance medication 67% of the time or less. Understanding the specific needs and behaviors of young adults with asthma is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve disease self-management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in summarizing and identifying patterns in qualitative research and may support or augment human coding efforts. However, there is pause literature to support this assertion.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to begin to explore the medication management-related needs of young adults with asthma via a pilot feasibility study. We aim to understand how to best assist …

Techno-Enviro-Economic Approach For Electrification Of Rural And Shrimp Farming Regional Development Of An Isolated Island In Indonesia By Utilizing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems, Fiqih Akbar Wijaya, Mohammad Akita Indianto

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

One of the challenges in developing and archipelagic countries such as Indonesia is maintaining energy demand in rural and isolated areas due to difficulties in electrical distribution. For instance, in areas like Bawean Island, no additional electricity capacity has been introduced in the past year, leading to an unmet potential customer demand. One of the possible options is by utilizing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) that are integrated with existing fossil fuel-based energy systems to support the growing energy demand in the remote island. A case study in Bawean Island is conducted with the projected energy demand covers the energy …

Remaining Life Assessment And Fitness For Service Evaluation Of Aging Chemical Reactors In Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin Industry, Aditya Pahlawan Munthe, Donanta Dhaneswara, Wahyuaji Narottama Putra, Gama Widyaputra

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Aging chemical reactors in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin industry require comprehensive evaluation to ensure safe continued operation. This study conducts a remaining life assessment (RLA) and fitness-for-service (FFS) evaluation on five 30-year-old reactors, based on API 510, API 579/ASME FFS-1, and ASME BPVC Section VIII Div. 1 standards. The analysis involves corrosion rate measurement, future corrosion allowance (FCA) projection, and minimum thickness verification. Among the reactors, R-120 was found to have the shortest remaining life less than 15 years. FFS assessments using three criteria Average Measured Thickness, MAWP from Point Thickness Readings, and Minimum Measured Thickness confirm that R-120 …

Analysis Of Leak Testing Planning For Carbon Dioxide Piping Systems In The Development Of Carbon Capture, Utilization, And Storage Facilities In The Bintuni Basin, Devi Sentiani, Akhmad Herman Yuwono Professor

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies have become a key strategic response to global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions. This study presents a leak testing strategy designed for a carbon dioxide (CO₂) piping system as part of a Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) project in the Bintuni Basin, West Papua, Indonesia. This study aims to ensure the system is properly prepared before commissioning by designing a leak test plan that is both practical and technical, based on ASME B31.3, ASME PCC-2, and API STD 520 Part 1. We conducted the process, which involves identifying the system boundaries, …

Evaluation Of The Antimicrobial Management Of Intracranial Suppurative Infections In A Single Pediatric Institution., Cameron E. Bizal, Alaina N. Burns, Rana El Feghaly, Brian R. Lee, Ann L. Wirtz

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To describe the antimicrobial management of and examine the etiology of intracranial suppurative infections (ISIs) at a single pediatric institution.

DESIGN: Retrospective review.

PATIENTS: We included children hospitalized at a 367-bed freestanding pediatric institution for treatment of an ISI (epidural or subdural empyema, brain abscess) between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2023. ISIs were identified using international classification of diseases 9/10 discharge diagnosis codes.

METHODS: We collected data regarding patient characteristics, infection etiology and complications, antimicrobial choice and route (empiric, definitive, and outpatient), microbiology results, treatment duration, and treatment-related outcomes from the electronic health record.

RESULTS: A total …

Study Of Peptide Amphiphiles As Antimicrobial Agents, Aramis J. Pereira

Theses & Dissertations

The global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis presents a severe public health threat, with drug-resistant infections now the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. This escalating problem, driven by the rapid proliferation of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) like the "ESKAPE" pathogens, severely limits treatment options and imposes substantial economic burdens. The crisis is further exacerbated by a limited pipeline of new antimicrobial agents, as most recently approved drugs are modifications of existing classes rather than novel compounds. Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) offer a promising alternative due to their membrane-targeting mechanism, which reduces the likelihood of resistance development. These molecules are amphiphilic and positively …

Pacific Rxtracts - August 2025, Pacific Rxtracts

Pacific RxTracts

Articles:

• Ready. Set. Infuse: TYZAVAN Brings Vancomycin Closer to the Bedside
• ENFLONSIA: A New Era in RSV Prevention for Infants
• A Shot for Peace of Mind: Can Yeztugo Eliminate the Risk of Contracting HIV?
• Ekterly: The First Orally Administered On-Demand HAE Treatment
• Autologous Chimeric Antigen Receptor CAR T cell Immunotherapy Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies Removed
• Early Tirofiban Intervention Lowers Likelihood of Disability Post-Stroke
• Obicetrapib in High Risk Patients: A New Chapter in Cholesterol Management
• Lorundrostat for Uncontrolled Hypertension: Phase 3 Clinical Trial
• The Potential of Cagrilintide/Semaglutide (CagriSema) in Weight Management
• The Unfortunate Link Between GLP-1 RAs and Neovascular Macular …

Clinical And Demographic Predictors Of The Need For Pharmacotherapy In Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Shawana Bibi, Rachana Singh, Janis L. Breeze, Jason Nelson, Walter K. Kraft, Jonathan M. Davis

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Development and validation of a clinical prediction model for receipt of pharmacotherapy for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).

STUDY DESIGN: Data from three cohorts included

RESULTS: Of 698 infants included, 430 received pharmacotherapy. The final model included seven predictors of receipt of pharmacotherapy: gestational age, exposure to maternal breast milk, type of maternal opioid medication, and exposure to heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and/or antipsychotic medications. The model had an AUROC of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.64-0.72; optimism corrected 0.65).

CONCLUSION: Our prediction model was parsimonious and identified seven predictors associated with the need for PT. Larger cohort studies are needed to more …

Assessing Buprenorphine Treatment Utilization And Samhsa Data Waiver Provider Distribution In 2021: A Real-World Analysis In California, Yun Wang, Tao Hu, Chih-Hung Chang, Matthew Heshmatipour, Jeff Jianfei Guo, Moom R. Roosan, Karen A. Miotto

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Qualified clinicians previously required a practitioner waiver (i.e., “DATA-waiver” or "X-waiver") to offer buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, many counties in the US experience fewer buprenorphine prescriptions due to factors such as “DATA-waiver” providers underutilizing their buprenorphine prescribing ability. Our study aimed to compare the availability of active buprenorphine-prescribing clinicians in California to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)-listed DATA waived prescribers under each 5-digit ZIP Code. This study utilized the buprenorphine prescription record data in 2021 from California’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). The list of the locators for …

Impact Of A Multi-Strain L. Crispatus-Based Vaginal Synbiotic On The Vaginal Microbiome: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial, Jacques Ravel, Sheri Simmons, Eleni Greenwood Jaswa, Sara Gottfried, Miriam Greene, Susan Kellogg-Spadt, Dirk Gevers, Diane M. Harper

Institute of Emerging Health Professions Faculty Papers

A clinical trial of a multi-strain vaginal synbiotic (NCT05659745, registered 12/19/2022 at clinicaltrials.gov) led to an optimal vaginal microbiome dominated by L. crispatus (CST I). The synbiotic led to a significant increase in L. crispatus compared to placebo (p <  0.05), and conversion to CST I was significantly higher with the vaginal synbiotic than with placebo (90 vs 11%; p <  0.002). Mechanistically, the synbiotic reduced Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida, clinically important microbes.