Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) have unique physicochemical properties which make them very interesting for pharmaceutical applications and particularly as drug delivery systems. The aim of this work was to obtain PECs based on the biocompatible and biodegradable biopolymers chitosan and sodium alginate and to apply them as a drug delivery system for sustained release of diclofenac sodium. Three complexes with different ratios between the two polyions were obtained. Their structure and properties were investigated using dynamic light scattering, microscopy methods (optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy), infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction. The drug entrapment efficiency of the various PECs was assessed and the release profiles were monitored. In this way the relationship between the composition of the PECs and the drug release profiles was outlined. The fibrillar form of the chitosan/alginate PECs was demonstrated to exert specific control over the diclofenac release which makes these materials appropriate as vehicles for controlled diclofenac sodium release.

No abstract

Different thermometers have been constructed over the decades to measure the temperature of the body to help detect and monitor morbid states. They yield slightly different estimates of the core body temperature depending on the proximity of the measurement site to the internal milieu of the organism, the principle of temperature assessment, and the specific characteristics of the gauging devices. Evaluation of the exhaled breath temperature (EBT) has been recently suggested as a new method to detect inflammatory processes in the conducting airways due to changes in the blood flow perfusion of their walls and adjacent structures. While the first reported EBT experiments required sealed laboratory environment and sophisticated equipment, we designed a simple handheld instrument for EBT measurement and proven its precision, reproducibility and validity in subjects with asthma. We now describe the construction principles of our instrument, the procedure to test the fitness for purpose of the separate units and the novel features of the newest prototypes outfitted with microprocessor and memory. We also outline the potential clinical applications of an individual device for EBT measurement.Index Terms-Airway inflammation, clinical applications, core body temperature, exhaled breath temperature, thermometry.

No abstract

Aims To compare two xylometazoline 0.1% preparations: reference commercial solution (RS) and test mucoadhesive solution (TS). Methods Twenty subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis (age range 18±69 years, 5 atopic, 7 men) applied randomly in turn TS and RS for 5 days in a double-blind crossover clinical trial. Nasal air¯ow resistance (NAR), nasal symptoms (6 grade scoring), frequency of application (times/day), and side-effects were recorded. Results Mean ratio TS/RS of areas under the resistance/time curves for NAR t90% CI: 3.56t0.92; mean TS-RS differences t95% CI: for congestion: x1.12t0.59, for frequency of application: x1.10t0.20. Subjects experienced fewer side-effects with TS. Conclusions A mucoadhesive solution with a decongestant had a greater and longer lasting effect on nasal congestion in subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis than the commercially available decongestant solution. It also caused fewer side effects.