Articles tagged with Drug Delivery
A new study published in The BMJ found that medication abortion self-sourced and self-managed outside the formal healthcare setting was successful in 95% of cases. Women were able to recognize symptoms of complications and seek medical attention when needed, with only three percent requiring antibiotics.
Researchers used PET/CT scans to determine the potential effectiveness of bevacizumab treatment in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The study found that non-invasive imaging can help predict therapeutic potential and toxicity, paving the way for personalized medicine approaches.
A new article evaluates the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, finding 64% of patients who used lethal medication had cancer. The study also reveals an increase in prescriptions written annually from 24 to 218 between 1998 and 2015.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that a commonly prescribed drug for pregnant women with a history of early delivery provides no benefits, while potentially increasing the risk of gestational diabetes. The researchers also noted a higher rate of preterm births among those treated with the dru...
Researchers at FSU have made a breakthrough in understanding nanoparticles' potential for delivering medicine to cells. They found that specific silicon particles can be toxic, but also enhance cellular uptake of therapeutic agents.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have broken the limit of organic synthesis, allowing for more efficient gene and drug delivery. The study suggests that the conformation of the core molecule plays a role in this self-limiting growth phenomenon.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Magee-Womens Research Institute have developed a framework to understand vesicle formation, which can help create non-invasive diagnostic tools like liquid biopsies. The study also provides insights into optimizing artificial vesicles for drug delivery devices.
Carnegie Mellon scientists develop synthetic gold nanoparticles with hierarchical structures similar to proteins, revealing mechanisms of self-assembly and potential applications in drug delivery and electronics. The study achieves the complexity of protein molecules through atomic-level understanding.
A new ingestible capsule can deliver drugs for weeks, potentially revolutionizing treatment against malaria and other diseases with poor adherence. The star-shaped capsule was successfully tested in pigs and showed promise in boosting local malaria elimination when combined with standard anti-malarial drugs.
Researchers have found Zika virus genetic material in human tears and live virus in mouse eyes, raising questions about transmission through bodily fluids. The study's findings have implications for corneal transplantation and potential new diagnostic methods, such as testing tear samples for viral RNA or antibodies.
A study found that providing antiretroviral treatment (ART) to both members of a couple and offering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to the HIV-negative partner significantly reduced HIV transmission rates, with a 96% decrease in transmission compared to expected rates.
Calixarenes can amplify enzyme catalytic capacity, enabling novel therapeutics in cancer treatment. They also serve as drug delivery vehicles, refining pharmacokinetic profiles and releasing drugs selectively to cancer cells.
Upsalite's pore size control allows for tuning of amorphous phase stabilization and release rate of poorly soluble drugs like itraconazole. This breakthrough simplifies the synthesis of mesoporous materials, enabling industrial up-scaling.
A team of experts has proposed a standard list of essential diagnostic tests to support the use of medicines listed on the Model List of Essential Medicines. The list includes 147 critical laboratory tests across 57 categories, which can guide the use of many different EML drugs and improve healthcare quality in developing nations.
Researchers design a new type of extended-release pill that can attach to the gastrointestinal tract lining and release its contents slowly. The dual-sided device uses mucoadhesives and omniphobic materials to resist being pulled away by food and liquids.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against routine screening for COPD in asymptomatic adults due to lack of evidence on benefits and potential harms. Screening may divert resources from other preventive services, such as smoking cessation.
Researchers at the National Addiction Centre criticize the widespread use of improvised nasal naloxone kits without testing and regulatory approval. The kits have been shown to have limited absorption rates, with only 4% of naloxone being absorbed when administered nasally.
Pharmaceutical sales representatives are screening people in India for their products, raising concerns about unchecked conflicts of interest and potential harm to patients. Local residents receive medical testing at 'health camps,' some organized by Indian drug firms and pharmaceutical companies like Abbott and Roche.
A new study found that shared financial incentives between physicians and patients result in improved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Patients in the shared physician-patient incentives group achieved reductions in LDL-C levels statistically different from those in other groups, with 49% meeting the LDL-C goal.
Scientists develop a novel drug delivery platform that combines ionic and covalent binding to improve the solubility and bioactivity of pharmaceutical ingredients. The approach uses ionic liquids as a key component, offering tunable hydrophobicity/lipophilicity, modulated ionic binding, and variable linkers for targeted release.
Researchers have created a new technique to produce 3D 'micro-printed' arrays of needles capable of drug delivery, offering treatments for melanoma cancers. The arrays are fabricated using microstereolithography and can withstand stresses and strains when inserted into the body.
Researchers discovered that genetic variations in opioid receptors are associated with more severe neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in newborn babies. These variations can help identify infants at risk of requiring medication to curb NAS symptoms, enabling tailored treatment plans and improved outcomes.
Researchers found antidepressants during pregnancy lowered the risk of preterm birth by 16% and very preterm birth by nearly 50%. However, they also increased the risk of neonatal problems, including breathing issues and longer hospital stays.
Researchers create remote controlled, next-generation tissue implant that allows neuroscientists to inject drugs and shine lights on neurons deep inside the brains of mice. The device has potential for mapping brain circuit activity and understanding disorders like stress, depression, addiction, and pain.
Researchers explore nanocarriers and microbubbles for efficient thrombus treatment, addressing limitations of existing drugs. The review highlights potential solutions for improving outcomes in ischemic heart disease and stroke, where millions die annually.
A new study suggests pharmacies can reduce asthma-related illnesses by dispensing more asthma controller medications. Pharmacies located in high utilization census tracts dispense more rescue medications than controller medications.
A new UTMB study found that most patients using epinephrine autoinjectors incorrectly, with only 16% using the device properly. Inhaler users also made significant mistakes, with 63% missing three or more steps. Improving patient training is crucial to maximize medication effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new process for self-driving phospholipid membrane assembly, similar to those found in living cells. This non-enzymatic technique can be used for artificial cell studies and potentially for drug delivery packets.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a natural sugar polymer that can carry drugs through the nasal wall and release them in the brain, addressing two major challenges in nasal delivery of brain drugs. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient treatment for chronic patients
Researchers have developed electronically controlled drugs that can minimize side effects by releasing medication in response to specific cues. These tailored approaches could be useful in treating conditions such as epilepsy, where medication could be released at the onset of a seizure.
A study by Brown University researchers found that Medicare Advantage health plans significantly understated their rate of high-risk medication prescriptions. The average plan reported a 5.8 percentage point difference in favor, resulting in about 500,000 more seniors receiving high-risk medications than reported.
Researchers at McGill University have created DNA 'cages' that can encapsulate small-molecule drugs and release them in response to a specific stimulus. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery methods, offering precise control over drug release and reducing toxicity.
English stop smoking services have increased their reach and impact threefold over 10 years, helping more than 20,000 smokers achieve long-term abstinence. However, considerable variability exists in outcomes across local areas, requiring further investigation.
The study found that men face more difficulty accessing treatment due to occupational roles, while women are more likely to receive treatment. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women often lack awareness of safe medicine use, leading to missed treatments.
Researchers have developed a concept to improve cancer drug delivery using nanoparticles that concentrate and expand in acidic environments. The concept involves using nanoparticles made of weak polybases that expand when transported into environments mimicking tumor cells, accumulating long enough to deliver anticancer drugs.
Scientists at The University of Akron have developed a simple method to synthesize double-network hydrogels, which exhibit high mechanical properties and are promising replacements for load-bearing soft tissues like cartilage. These hydrogels can also be loaded with drugs and placed into the body, where they biodegrade and release the ...
A new computational model analyzes the potential usefulness of drug-coated balloons, which may pose fewer risks than current treatments. The model explains how factors like balloon size and drug coating influence drug release and distribution.
Researchers developed a medicated chewing gum formulation that improves patient compliance and faster absorption through the cheek, alleviating motion sickness sooner. Dimenhydrinate-based gum has great potential for commercialization and can be used to incorporate other active ingredients with objectionable taste into chewing gum.
Researchers develop a new technique to predictably generate complex wavy shapes from hydrogels, which may help design more efficient drug-delivery systems. The technique uses an experimental setup that projects images onto a photosensitive hydrogel, causing it to assume the desired shape.
The Southeast Minnesota Beacon Community, led by Mayo Clinic, is showcasing its work on health information exchange (HIE) technology at the HiMSS Conference. The team has developed a system that enables the transfer of patient data between healthcare providers in real-time, improving continuity of care and reducing costs.
USC Associate Professor Ellis Meng is selected for the NSF's Innovation Corps award to develop and commercialize her tiny, implantable medication-delivery system. The system has a better volume efficiency, allowing it to be powered wirelessly and used in animal studies.
A French registry study found that antianginal medications had no significant association with improved or worsened long-term survival in patients who suffered a heart attack. Molsidomine was associated with an increased risk of death, while nitrates showed a trend towards increased mortality.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have designed a unique gel capsule structure that can co-deliver distinct drugs. The microcapsule's spatially-segregated compartments make it suitable for multi-drug encapsulation and release strategies, offering potential advantages such as synergistic effects and suppressed drug resistance.
Researchers have successfully used living human cells to produce natural capsules with channels for releasing drugs and diagnostic agents. This breakthrough enables longer retention of these substances in the body, overcoming previous artificial coating limitations.
Researchers have characterized a series of bismuth citrate complexes and modeled the structure of ranitidine bismuth citrate, a medicine used to treat peptic ulcers and gastric reflux disease. The polymeric framework may serve as a 'drug carrier' for delivering other drugs in the human body.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) presented the following researchers with prestigious awards for their contributions to pharmaceutical sciences: Ho-Leung Fung, Dale E. Wurster, Michael G. Bartlett, Peter A. Crooks, Abu T.M. Serajuddin, Meindert Danhof, Sa...
A new theoretical model accurately predicts the hydration free energy of a wide variety of organic compounds, enabling accurate prediction of compound movement in complex environments. The model has been developed using computational hydration thermodynamics and chemo-informatic techniques, requiring only 10-20 seconds on a PC.
The Lancet series on HIV in people who use drugs highlights the need to shift focus from individual patient adherence to health delivery conditions that create treatment interruptions. The series reports that increased ART provision to IDUs reduces infectivity and transmission, and is cost-effective.
Injecting drug users can achieve excellent virological outcomes with ART, reducing infectivity and HIV transmission. Decriminalization and law reform are crucial to overcome systemic barriers and promote equitable access to treatment.
Researchers developed two new approaches to incorporate antimicrobial properties into microneedles, improving their safety and effectiveness in portable medical devices. The techniques prevent microbial growth without affecting skin cell growth, paving the way for widespread adoption of microneedles in outpatient treatments.
A clinical trial is underway to test the effectiveness of a miniature ultrasound device in reducing joint pain in osteoarthritis patients. The device, created by Cornell University graduate student George K. Lewis, sends ultrasound waves deep into muscles via a coin-sized pad and has shown promise in improving mobility and reducing pain.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a gadolinium-nanodiamond complex that dramatically enhances image contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The complex shows a significant increase in relaxivity, resulting in vivid image contrast.
A new computer model explains why certain drugs released from stents can cause blood clots and heart attacks, by predicting drug distribution in branched arteries. The findings could aid the FDA in its approval process for stents and lead to safer stent designs.
A new study has found that pregnant women with a history of depression who use psychiatric medication are at increased risk of delivering prematurely. The research analyzed data from nearly 3,000 women and showed that medication use and depression were strongly linked to preterm delivery before 35 weeks' gestation.
Scientists have developed micrometer-sized capsules that can safely deliver drugs inside living cells. These 'micro shuttles' can be loaded with specific doses and released by biological triggers or light activation, offering a promising solution for managing chronic conditions.
A new global subsidy, Affordable Medicines Facility–malaria (AMFm), will be rolled out in 2009 to address poor access to artemisinin combination therapies for malaria. The authors argue that the AMFm should focus on quality patient care by funding fixed dose combinations and rapid diagnostic tests.
A study found that babies born from frozen embryos fertilized via ICSI or standard IVF treatment have similar outcomes, including Apgar scores and birth weights. However, there was a slightly higher rate of malformations in medicated cycles.
The new clinical performance measures provide up-to-date tools for gauging how closely doctors are sticking to guideline recommendations. Key areas include statin prescription, PCI timeliness, referral to cardiac rehabilitation programs, and elimination of beta blocker treatment within 24 hours.
Scientists have identified marine species that produce compounds interfering with NF-kB, a protein linked to cancer and other diseases. These compounds may allow normal cell death in cancerous cells, while also improving drug delivery to tumors and other targeted areas.
Researchers at MIT have developed synthetic nanoparticles that can quickly pass into cells without harming them. The key to their approach is a striped structure on the nanoparticles' surface, which allows them to directly penetrate the cell membrane and deliver drugs or imaging agents to the cytosol.