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Journal of Analytical Toxicology Jul 2021This report describes updates to the National Safety Council's Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division's recommendations for drug testing in driving under the influence...
This report describes updates to the National Safety Council's Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division's recommendations for drug testing in driving under the influence of drug (DUID) cases and motor vehicle fatalities. The updates are based on a survey of drug testing practices in laboratories in the USA and Canada, a comprehensive review of the prior recommendations and data and research on drugs most frequently detected in DUID cases. A consensus meeting was held with representative forensic science practitioners and the authors of this report to update recommendations. No changes were made to the Tier I scope; however, there were changes to cutoffs of some analytes for blood, urine and oral fluid. Due to increased prevalence in DUID cases, trazodone and difluoroethane were added to the Tier II scope. For clarification, Tier I cutoffs reflect free concentrations, and hydrolysis is recommended but not required. The consensus panel concluded that urine is an inferior matrix to blood and oral fluid as it may represent historical use or exposure unrelated to observed impairment; therefore, future iterations of these recommendations will not include urine as a recommended matrix. Laboratories currently testing urine should work with traffic safety partners to encourage the use of blood and oral fluid as more appropriate specimens and adjust their capabilities to provide that testing.
Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Automobile Driving; Canada; Driving Under the Influence; Humans; Motor Vehicles; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Substance Abuse Detection; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 34086916
DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab064 -
Cells Jan 2022Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that are naturally produced and carry biomolecules such as proteins, microRNAs, and metabolites. Because of their small size... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that are naturally produced and carry biomolecules such as proteins, microRNAs, and metabolites. Because of their small size and low level of biomolecule expression, the biological function of exosomes has only been identified recently. Despite the short history of investigation, exosomes seem to have remarkable potential as a delivery vehicle. With regards to cancer therapy, numerous antitumor agents demonstrate serious side effects (or toxicity), which has led to the unmet need for improving their selectivity and stability. Exosomes, either produced naturally or generated artificially, provide an attractive platform to load many types of molecules such as small molecules, biologics, and other therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the features of exosomes can be designed by selecting their source cells, or they can be engineered to incorporate affinity tags; thus, exosomes show promise as effective delivery vehicles for the complex tumor microenvironment. In this review, we focus on various exosomes produced from different cell types and their potential uses. Moreover, we summarize the current state of artificial exosomes as a drug carrier and provide an overview of the techniques used for their production.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Delivery Systems; Exosomes; Extracellular Vesicles; Humans; Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 35159126
DOI: 10.3390/cells11030316 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2022Recent studies have suggested a major role for endospore forming bacteria within the gut microbiota, not only as pathogens but also as commensal and beneficial members... (Review)
Review
Recent studies have suggested a major role for endospore forming bacteria within the gut microbiota, not only as pathogens but also as commensal and beneficial members contributing to gut homeostasis. In this review the sporulation processes, spore properties, and germination processes will be explained within the scope of the human gut. Within the gut, spore-forming bacteria are known to interact with the host's immune system, both in vegetative cell and spore form. Together with the resistant nature of the spore, these characteristics offer potential for spores' use as delivery vehicles for therapeutics. In the last part of the review, the therapeutic potential of spores as probiotics, vaccine vehicles, and drug delivery systems will be discussed.
Topics: Bacteria; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Intestines; Probiotics; Spores, Bacterial
PubMed: 35328823
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063405 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2021Exosomes are tiny vesicles with a double membrane structure that cells produce. They range in diameter from 40 to 150 nm and may contain a variety of biomolecules... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are tiny vesicles with a double membrane structure that cells produce. They range in diameter from 40 to 150 nm and may contain a variety of biomolecules including proteins and nucleic acids. Exosomes have low toxicity, low immunogenicity, and the ability to encapsulate a wide variety of substances, making them attractive drug delivery vehicles. MSCs secrete large amounts of exosomes and hence serve as an excellent source of exosomes. MSCs-derived exosomes have regenerative and tissue repair functions comparable to MSCs and can circumvent the risks of immune rejection and infection associated with MSC transplantation, indicating that they may be a viable alternative to MSCs' biological functions. In this review, we summarized the drug delivery methods and advantages of exosomes, as well as the advancement of MSC exosomes as drug carriers. The challenges and prospects of using exosomes as drug delivery vectors are presented.
PubMed: 35186913
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.797359 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Dec 2023Microencapsulation has received extensive attention because of its various applications. Since its inception in the 1940s, this technology has been used across several... (Review)
Review
Microencapsulation has received extensive attention because of its various applications. Since its inception in the 1940s, this technology has been used across several areas, including the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Over-the-counter skin products often contain ingredients that readily and unevenly degrade upon contact with the skin. Enclosing these substances within a silica shell can enhance their stability and better regulate their delivery onto and into the skin. Silica microencapsulation uses silica as the matrix material into which ingredients can be embedded to form microcapsules. The FDA recognizes amorphous silica as a safe inorganic excipient and recently approved two new topical therapies for the treatment of rosacea and acne. The first approved formulation uses a novel silica-based controlled vehicle delivery technology to improve the stability of two active ingredients that are normally not able to be used in the same formulation due to potential instability and drug degradation. The formulation contains 3.0% benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and 0.1% tretinoin topical cream to treat acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients. The second formulation contains silica microencapsulated 5.0% BPO topical cream to treat inflammatory rosacea lesions in adults. Both formulations use the same amorphous silica sol-gel microencapsulation technology to improve formulation stability and skin compatibility parameters.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Dermatologic Agents; Benzoyl Peroxide; Acne Vulgaris; Tretinoin; Pharmaceutical Vehicles; Rosacea; Nonprescription Drugs; Gels; Treatment Outcome; Drug Combinations
PubMed: 37792034
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-023-02725-z -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022Pickering emulsions are emulsion systems stabilized by solid particles at the interface of oil and water. Pickering emulsions are considered to be natural,... (Review)
Review
Pickering emulsions are emulsion systems stabilized by solid particles at the interface of oil and water. Pickering emulsions are considered to be natural, biodegradable, and safe, so their applications in various fields-such as food, cosmetics, biomedicine, etc.-are very promising, including as a vehicle for essential oils (EOs). These oils contain volatile and aromatic compounds and have excellent properties, such as antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant activities. Despite their superior properties, EOs are prone to evaporation, decompose when exposed to light and oxygen, and have low solubility, limiting their industrial applications. Several studies have shown that EOs in Pickering emulsions displays less sensitivity to evaporation and oxidation, stronger antibacterial activity, and increased solubility. In brief, the application of Pickering emulsions for EOs is interesting to explore. This review discusses recent progress in the application of Pickering emulsions, particularly as EO carriers, drug carriers, antioxidant and antimicrobial carriers, and in active packaging.
Topics: Emulsions; Oils, Volatile; Antioxidants; Excipients; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 36431978
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227872 -
Bioengineering & Translational Medicine Jan 2023Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, affecting millions and costing billions each year in the United... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, affecting millions and costing billions each year in the United States alone. Despite tremendous progress in developing therapeutics that manage the symptoms of these two diseases, the scientific community has yet to develop a treatment that effectively slows down, inhibits, or cures neurodegeneration. To gain a better understanding of the current therapeutic frontier for the treatment of AD and PD, we provide a review on past and present therapeutic strategies for these two major neurodegenerative disorders in the clinical trial process. We briefly recap currently US Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies, and then explore trends in clinical trials across the variables of therapy mechanism of disease intervention, administration route, use of delivery vehicle, and outcome measures, across the clinical phases over time for "Drug" and "Biologic" therapeutics. We then present the success rate of past clinical trials and analyze the intersections in therapeutic approaches for AD and PD, revealing the shift in clinical trials away from therapies targeting neurotransmitter systems that provide symptomatic relief, and towards anti-aggregation, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and regeneration strategies that aim to inhibit the root causes of disease progression. We also highlight the evolving distribution of the types of "Biologic" therapies investigated, and the slowly increasing yet still severe under-utilization of delivery vehicles for AD and PD therapeutics. We then briefly discuss novel preclinical strategies for treating AD and PD. Overall, this review aims to provide a succinct overview of the clinical landscape of AD and PD therapies to better understand the field's therapeutic strategy in the past and the field's evolution in approach to the present, to better inform how to effectively treat AD and PD in the future.
PubMed: 36684083
DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10367 -
The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Dec 2019We offer a perspective on the literature discussing the importance of driving for youth, the complexities of learning to drive, and the risks of driving which lead to... (Review)
Review
We offer a perspective on the literature discussing the importance of driving for youth, the complexities of learning to drive, and the risks of driving which lead to motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). Specifically, we discuss important underlying reasons why some adolescents and young adults may be more susceptible to engaging in driving behaviors which result in fatal MVCs; the leading cause of death among 15 to 20 y/o. Some of the factors known to lead to crash fatalities span the domains of cognitive development, distraction, alcohol/drug use, psychosocial development and peer influence, and young driver inexperience. While advancements in driver training, traffic safety legislation, vehicle safety engineering, and emergency/trauma care have helped reduce the prevalence of crashes, we suggest that natural brain maturation which occurs during adolescence and young adulthood may hold unique susceptibilities for young driver crashes. As such, we discuss the importance in using a multidisciplinary research approach, and specifically neuroscience methods, to develop a more compressive understanding of crash risk factors among young drivers. By using a multidisciplinary approach when studying young drivers, we can advance the injury and prevention science as well as inform relevant policies, innovative technologies, comprehensive training and intervention programs which will develop safer young drivers sooner.
Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Adolescent; Automobile Driving; Humans; Motor Vehicles; Neurosciences; Young Adult
PubMed: 31866787
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Immunology 2018Cells communicate with other cells in their microenvironment by transferring lipids, peptides, RNA, and sugars in extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby also influencing... (Review)
Review
Cells communicate with other cells in their microenvironment by transferring lipids, peptides, RNA, and sugars in extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby also influencing recipient cell functions. Several studies indicate that these vesicles are involved in a variety of critical cellular processes including immune, metabolic, and coagulatory responses and are thereby associated with several inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, EVs also possess anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to immune regulation, thus encouraging an emerging interest in investigating and clarifying mechanistic links between EVs and innate immunity. Current studies indicate complex interactions of the complement system with EVs, with a dramatic influence on local and systemic inflammation. During inflammatory conditions with highly activated complement, including after severe tissue trauma and during sepsis, elevated numbers of EVs were found in the circulation of patients. There is increasing evidence that these shed vesicles contain key complement factors as well as complement regulators on their surface, affecting inflammation and the course of disease. Taken together, interaction of EVs regulates complement activity and contributes to the pro- and anti-inflammatory immune balance. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this interaction remain elusive and require further investigation. The aim of this review is to summarize the limited current knowledge on the crosstalk between complement and EVs. A further aspect is the clinical relevance of EVs with an emphasis on their capacity as potential therapeutic vehicles in the field of translational medicine.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Blood Coagulation; Complement Activation; Complement System Proteins; Disease Susceptibility; Drug Delivery Systems; Extracellular Space; Extracellular Vesicles; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunomodulation
PubMed: 29696020
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00721 -
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual Oct 2023Atopic dermatitis (AD) causes dry and itchy skin and inflammation that severely impairs the quality of life of affected children and adults. While topical... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Atopic dermatitis (AD) causes dry and itchy skin and inflammation that severely impairs the quality of life of affected children and adults. While topical glucocorticosteroid application is typically the first-line treatment of choice, steroid treatment is associated with side effects and, increasingly, patient concerns about prolonged use. Novel drugs and drug delivery vehicles are required for patients with AD.
OBJECTIVES
To summarize the current literature on novel topical agents for atopic dermatitis and novel delivery vehicles.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted, and a narrative review was compiled to summarize recent evidence.
RESULTS
Novel topical drugs approved or in late-phase clinical trials for the treatment of AD include the Janus kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib, the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors crisaborole, and roflumilast, and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor activator tapinarof. While current topical drugs for AD are delivered via creams, ointments, gels, and related vehicles, novel delivery approaches such as electrospun patches, sprays, liposomes, nanoparticles, and lasers are being developed to enhance transdermal delivery, reduce side effects, and increase treatment adherence.
CONCLUSIONS
Topical application of creams or ointments is currently the predominant vehicle for the delivery of atopic dermatitis drugs. In vitro studies on novel vehicles show promising results to overcome the issues associated with topical delivery. Still, these findings have to be corroborated by controlled studies with human patients in the future.
PubMed: 37992345
DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1304a216