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ABSTRACT Non-viral gene delivery vectors have emerged as potential alternatives in the field of gene therapy by replacing the biological viral vectors. DNA-cationic polymer complexes are one of the most promising systems to target many inborn or acquired diseases without the utilization of conventional drugs. Despite the excellent binding efficiency of cationic polymers, the gene transfection seems limited to date. In this work, a series of ammonium-based block-copolymers with different alkyl side chains (ethyl, butyl, and hexyl) and functionality (alcohol, amine, and alkyl) have been prepared to evaluate their capacity to deliver genetic material. First, different ionic liquid monomers with different pendent functional groups were prepared and characterized. Then, polyplexes elaborated with different polymers at several polymer DNA ratios (w/w) were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, and DNA binding, release, and protection capacity. Finally, the transfection efficiency and cell viability was evaluated in ARPE19 cells. We found that only the systems containing the amine pendent group were able to transfect ARPE19 cell and, that this amine containing polymer was less cytotoxic even at high polymer/DNA ratios (30:1). In conclusion, our studies suggested that the proper selection of the pendent group substantially impacts overall transfection efficiency of cationic polymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 280-287 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study related to trough (C0) and 2-hour postdose (C2) cyclosporine monitoring in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Topics discussed include therapeutic drug monitoring as a useful tool to optimize the management of immunosuppressant drug; treatment of patients with oral microemulsion formulation of Cyclosporine (CyA); and drug monitoring of CyA that has been established as part of routine clinical treatment for patients after organ transplantation.

Background There are numerous studies that individually evaluate the efficacy/effectiveness and toxicity of drugs in the systemic treatment of psoriasis. On the contrary, we can hardly find studies that compare each other. Objective To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and toxicity of mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporin in chronic plaque psoriasis through a prospective, sequential, cross-over, non-randomized, two-phase, open-label study. Patients/Methods Eight patients (five women and three men; mean age 57, range 35-78) with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis were included in the study. They were treated with oral mycophenolate mofetil (30 mg/kg/day) over a period of 16 weeks. Following a variable washout period and after a new outbreak of the disease, oral cyclosporin was introduced at a dose of 4 mg/kg/day. During both treatment regimens, follow-up visits were performed at 3, 8 and 16 weeks. Results In both groups, the PASI started to decrease once treatment was begun. Cyclosporin was faster and statistically a lot more effective than mycophenolate mofetil, reaching a higher number of complete remissions and better percentages of PASI improvement from baseline (45.7%, 60.2% and 60.5% at 3, 8 and 16 weeks respectively for mycophenolate mofetil, and 89.7%, 95.3% and 95.3% respectively at the same intervals for cyclosporin). Cyclosporin was also more predictable in its action as the percentage of improvement along the follow-up visits had a much wider range for mycophenolate mofetil. Overall, the tolerability of both drugs was good. None of the patients had to discontinue treatment because of an adverse event. Two patients treated with cyclosporin showed increased plasma levels of creatinine. Conclusions Cyclosporin is more effective, fast, and predictable in its effect than mycophenolate mofetil to control moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Both drugs are well tolerated in short courses of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple and reproducible HPLC methods for the determination of piperacillin and tazobactam have been developed and a complete stability study carried out. The method for piperacillin plasma samples consisted of protein precipitation with methanol using penicillin G as internal standard. No sample preparation was needed for ultrafiltrate samples. Tazobactam sample preparation involved protein precipitation with acetonitrile and the removal of lipids with dichloromethane. Piperacillin separation was performed on a µBondapack™ C18 column (300 × 3.9, 10 µm) and tazobactam on a Novapack™ C18 column (150 × 3.9, 4 µm) with UV detection set at 229 and 225 nm, respectively. The mobile phase consisted of phosphate buffer-acetonitrile, delivered at 1.5 mL[sol ]min. Calibration curves determination coefficients were ≥0.999 and response factors CV% < 5%. Intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy of the quality control and limit of quantification were satisfactory. Plasma and ultrafiltrate samples were stable at −20 and −80°C for 2 months and after three freeze-thaw cycles. In the chromatographic rack, tazobactam ultrafiltrate samples were stable for 24 h and plasma samples for 12 h, piperacillin ultrafiltrate samples for 8 h, but plasma samples for only 4 h. Storage of piperacillin samples at 4°C until analysis is recommended. Piperacillin was stable in the presence of tazobactam. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about the use of infliximab therapy in a case of a 36-year-old woman with pachyonychia congenita and hidradenitis suppurativa.

A letter to the editor is presented that discusses the clinical case of 68-year old woman diagnosed with mycosis fungoides and was treated with psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA), which resulted to the appearance of pigmented macules that were confined to mycosis fungoides lesions.