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A “coupling to” approach was developed for the synthesis of hybrid dendritic–linear block copolymers. Frechet-type polyether dendrons were prepared by the convergent growth approach and coupled with well-defined functionalized polystyrene backbones prepared by living free radical procedures. The subtle interplay between the degree of functionalization present in the backbone and the size of the dendritic fragment led to incomplete reactions as steric crowding along the backbone increased. This resulted in globular hybrid macromolecules instead of the extended rods typically formed from the polymerization of dendritic macromonomers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1033–1044, 2000

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the short-term stability of butorphanol tartrate in presence of diluents. A 10-mg/mL solution of butorphanol tartrate was diluted to 5 mg/mL using normal saline, 5% dextrose in water (D5W), or sterile water for injection. The diluted solutions were divided into two groups. The effect of temperature was tested by placing one group of sealed amber vials at room temperature and at 37 degrees C. The effect of light was studied by placing a second group in amber and clear vials, then exposing them directly to light. At regular time intervals over a period of 5 weeks, the solutions were analyzed for butorphanol tartrate and degradation products using a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The concentration of butorphanol tartrate remained practically unchanged, indicating that butorphanol tartrate is not affected by heat or light in the presence of any of the diluents over a period of 5 weeks.

A 3-quarter-hour elective course in compounding is offered to third-year pharmacy students. The objective for this course, which involves a lecture component and extensive laboratory experience, is to strengthen students' proficiency in prescription compounding. Dosage forms compounded include troches, lip-balms, suspensions, gels, ointments, suppositories, ophthalmics, and IV admixtures. Topics discussed target the need for compounding, compounding versus manufacturing, and legal aspects involved. Each student is given an independent formulation project. Students utilize library resources to prepare a written report, order required supplies, and compound the product. Approximately 92% of the students surveyed after taking the course felt more competent in their compounding skills and knowledge after taking this course. Students agreed that a combination of lectures, laboratories, and project helped them gain a better understanding of the subject.

Topical preparations represent a large percentage of compounded prescriptions, particularly in the area of dermatology. Properties of ointment bases vary greatly, and active ingredients are frequently added as aqueous or alcoholic solutions. Currently, there are no quantitative guidelines stating the various water and alcohol absorption capacity of different bases. A short experiment was designed to quantitate the amount of water or alcohol that could be absorbed by a series of ointment bases of varying types. Our findings may be used to assist compounding pharmacists in deciding what base is most suitable to use when considering the amount of water, alcohol, or any similar solvent needed to compound the preparation. A general overview of issues related to topical medication compounding is also provided in this article.

We sought to develop a peptide library in solution and dynamically screen this library for peptides that would bind to macromolecules of interest. Peptide diversity was achieved in an initial stock solution of peptides by using proteases under conditions in which both hydrolysis and synthesis occurred. As an example, a simple reaction containing YGG, FL, and thermolysin resulted in the synthesis of YGGFL as well as many other undefined products. When low molecular weight products of a reaction containing VA, AL, and thermolysin were subsequently exposed to dipeptidase, 7 out of 9 potential dipeptides were observed. Incubation of protease with an hydrolysate of albumin and a radiolabeled peptide resulted in the radiolabel participating in reactions other than simple hydrolysis and, after 24 h, the specific activity of radiolabel was shown by high performance liquid chromatography to disperse to a level that would be necessary in the event of maximum theoretical diversity. When a binding macromolecule was exposed to this system, ligand production was amplified relative to reactions run in the absence of binding macromolecule. This protease-based peptide scrambling and binding system was utilized for the discovery of novel peptides that bind to fibrinogen. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 40: 617–625, 1997

An increase in the rate of bleeding of aluminum lake dyes was observed in mixed suspensions containing both titanium dioxide and an aluminum lake dye when pH conditions caused the titanium dioxide to have a net negative surface charge. In mixed suspensions in which titanium dioxide had a high positive surface charge, no difference in bleeding was observed in comparison to lake dye suspensions at the same pH. The degree of bleeding was directly related to the magnitude of the negative surface charge of the titanium dioxide. It is hypothesized that negatively charged titanium dioxide accelerates bleeding of aluminum lake dyes because of surface acidity. The concentrations of aluminum cation and dye in solution in mixed suspensions were initially higher than in control suspensions containing only the aluminum lake dye. The concentration of dye in solution increased with time in both the mixed and control suspensions. The concentration of aluminum cation in solution increased with time in the control suspension but decreased in the mixed suspension. It is believed that aluminum cations which are solubilized by the surface acidity of the titanium dioxide are adsorbed by the negatively charged titanium dioxide particles. Evidence in support of this hypothesis is the change in the electrophoretic mobility of the mixed suspension from negative to positive with time.

The pure dye content of FD&C yellow lake #5 and FD&C red lake #40 was found to be inversely related to the point of zero charge. The effect of the adsorbed anionic dye on the zeta potential of aqueous suspensions of FD&C yellow lake #5 at pH 5 was demonstrated.

An increasing number of students are taking medications while they are in school or are under the influence of medication during school hours. In a novel effort, clinical pharmacists and mental health therapists worked together to provide “mini-in-service” educational programs on psychological disorders and medications used to treat these disorders. The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of these educational programs presented to school nurses, teachers, school administrators, and other personnel. The study compared participant responses before and after attending a medication in-service session on a psychological disorder and its related medications. Results indicated that in-service education on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression improved the knowledge and confidence levels of school personnel regarding medications and symptoms. Feedback indicated school personnel wanted longer educational sessions and more information on these disorders and treatments. School nurses working with health professionals can improve education for staff, families, and students about mental health disorders and their treatment.

The effect of pH on the bleeding of FD&C yellow No. 5 aluminum lake and FD&C red No. 40 aluminum lake was investigated. The pH–bleeding profiles corresponded to the pH–solubility profile of aluminum hydroxide. The similarity of the bleeding profiles of both lake dyes and the pH–solubility profile of aluminum hydroxide indicates that pH related bleeding, other than that occurring by competition with anions, is a result of dissolution of the aluminum hydroxide substrate. This dissolution is related to the properties of the substrate rather than to the structure of adsorbed dye.