Increased corneal hydration induced by potential ocular penetration enhancers: assessment by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and by desiccation

The corneal toxicity of some surfactants of possible use as ocular penetration enhancers was investigated by measuring their effect on hydration of rabbit corneas 'in vitro'. The tested substances were benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA), polyoxyethylene-20-stearyl ether (Brij 78, PSE), polyethoxylated castor oil (Cremophor EL, PCO) and sodium deoxycholate (DC). Freshly excised corneas, mounted in perfusion cells, were kept in contact for 1 h with solutions of these agents; corneal hydration was then evaluated by measuring: (a) their total (free+bound) water content by desiccation (gravimetric analysis); and (b) their free water content by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC measurements also provided a rough quantitative estimate of corneal solutes. All tested agents significantly influenced corneal hydration, evidently as a consequence of alteration of the corneal epithelium. Although a brief contact with the precorneal tissues 'in vivo' may not prove harmful, the use of these compounds as potential ocular permeation enhancers or otherwise as ingredients of topical ocular formulations for long-term use should be considered with caution.

Effect of different terpene-containing essential oils on permeation of estradiol through hairless mouse skin

Purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate six terpene-containing essential oils for their capacity to promote permeation of estradiol (ES) through hairless mouse skin in vitro. Tests on cajuput, cardamom, melissa, myrtle, niaouli and orange oil, all used at the 10% w/w concentration in propylene glycol (PG), evidenced niaouli oil (NIA) as the best permeation promoter for ES. Tests on the main terpene components of NIA (1,8 cineole, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol and D-limonene), evaluated neat (10% w/w in PG) or in admixture, confirmed the better promoting activity of whole NIA. The present data point to the validity of complex terpene mixtures, such as that composing NIA, as transdermal penetration enhancers for moderately lipophilic drugs like ES.

Performance metrics based on signal intensity for ion mobility spectrometry – based explosive trace detectors using inkjet printed materials

Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) explosive trace detectors (ETDs) have become an integral part of security practices aimed at protecting the public, transportation, and facilities.

Impact of a pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) in the prognosis of patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

The effect of a pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) in the short-term prognosis of patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) lacks clarity. We therefore aimed at evaluating the effect of a PERT team on short-term mortality among patients with acute PE.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with acute symptomatic PE enrolled in a single-center registry between 2007 and 2022. We used propensity score matching to compare treatment effects for patients with similar predicted probabilities of receiving management by the PERT team. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days following the diagnosis of PE. The secondary outcome was 30-day PE-related mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 2,902 eligible patients who had acute symptomatic PE, 223 (7.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7%-8.7%) were managed by the PERT team. Two hundred and seven patients who were treated by the PERT were matched with 207 patients who were not. Matched pairs did not show a statistically significant lower all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 0.63-1.89) or PE-related death (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.47-3.62) for PERT management compared with no PERT management through 30 days after diagnosis of PE.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that multidisciplinary care of patients with acute symptomatic PE by a PERT team is not associated with a significant reduction in short-term all-cause or PE-related mortality.