Optimizing the storage of chemotherapeutics for ophthalmic oncology: stability of topotecan solution for intravitreal injection.

BACKGROUND: . Intravitreal administration of topotecan shows activity against tumor vitreous seeding in the conservative treatment of retinoblastoma, a malignant tumor originated in the retina of small children. Adequate storage of the intravitreal topotecan solution would allow immediate availability for patients at health care institutions. The goal of the work was to address the stability of the intravitreal topotecan formulation upon reconstitution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Intravitreal topotecan solutions were reconstituted (at a concentration of 0.2 mg topotecan in 1 mL saline solution vehicle, aliquoted in 1 mL plastic syringes) and stored either frozen or at room temperature for different times. Topotecan content was analyzed at time zero and at different conditions using a high performance liquid chromatography method to quantify topotecan lactone (active) and to detect its pH-dependent hydrolysis product, the open carboxylate. RESULTS: . We found that intravitreal topotecan syringes remained stable at room temperature at least for 24 h, at least for 167 days upon stored frozen at -20°C, and up to 8 h after thawing at day 6. The degradation carboxylate product did not appear in the analyzed thawed samples during the whole study. CONCLUSIONS: . This study confirms the stability of frozen intravitreal topotecan syringes and will help optimize the use of this chemotherapy modality at institutions with low resources. Storage of aliquots will also help reduce personnel exposure to chemotherapy at hospital pharmacies.

Introduction of meat sheep breeds in extensive systems of Patagonia: lamb growth and survival.

Genotype effects on lamb growth, survival, and commercial finishing were estimated in a 5-yr study aimed at assessing potential benefits from introducing meat breeds into extensive sheep systems of northeastern Patagonia. Five ram [Corriedale: CO; Border Leicester: BL; Ile de France: IF; Texel: TX; and synthetic CRIII (25% Merino, 37.5% IF, 37.5% TX)] and 5 dam (CO; synthetic CRIII; BLCO: BL x CO; IFCO: IF x CO; and TXCO: TX x CO) genotypes were represented in the study. Data were collected from 1,426 born and 1,258 weaned lambs of 9 resulting genotypes (CO x CO, BL x CO, IF x CO, TX x CO, CRIII x CO, CRIII x BLCO, CRIII x IFCO, CRIII x TXCO, and CRIII x CRIII). Birth weight was recorded on all lambs; subsequently, BW and BCS (scale 1 to 5) were recorded at regular intervals until weaning. Body weights were adjusted to 60 and 90 (weaning) d of age, and ADG were calculated from the adjusted BW for the periods 0 to 60 d and 60 to 90 d; BCS was adjusted to 90 d. Survival to weaning and percentage of lambs reaching commercial finishing (BW >or= 23 kg and BCS >or= 2.5 points) were also recorded. Significant (P < 0.05) genotype x litter size interactions were detected for birth weight and ADG 60 to 90 d. With the exception of CRIII x CO, crossbred and synthetic genotypes presented greater (P < 0.05) ADG 0 to 60 d and BW at 60 and 90 d than CO x CO lambs. Second cross lambs reared as singles presented greater ADG 60 to 90 d (P < 0.05) than BL x CO, TX x CO, and CRIII x CO, but less (P < 0.05) ADG 60 to 90 d, and no differences were observed for twins. The IF x CO, CRIII x BLCO, CRIII x IFCO, and CRIII x CRIII genotypes showed greater BCS at 90 d (P < 0.05) than CO x CO. The probability of greater commercial finishing for crossbred and synthetic genotypes relative to CO x CO was at least 79%. Probabilities of greater survival to weaning in CO x CO and CRIII x BLCO lambs relative to IF x CO, TX x CO, CRIII x CO, and CRIII x CRIII lambs were greater than 81%. Results indicate significant improvements in lamb BW and saleable lambs from the introduction of meat genotypes. Among the terminal sire breeds evaluated, BL and IF would produce the greatest impact. Differential nutritional management of pregnant ewes carrying twins and of twin lambs beyond 60 d should be implemented to mitigate litter size x genotype interactions constraining growth potential benefits, which may be critical for northeastern Patagonia conditions.

Evaluación del efecto hipolipemiante del clofibrato a corto plazo / Evaluation of short term hypolipidic effect of clofibrate

El clofibrato es una droga hipolipemiante de uso muy discutido; basado en ese antecedente se decidió explorar sus efectos sobre el colesterol total, triglicéridos y HDL/colesterol en pacientes hiperlipidémicos, y conocer sus efectos en un período de 6 semanas, comparándolo con los de un grupo a quienes se administró placebo. A los resultados obtenidos se les aplicó la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para determinar el pricipio de normalidad y el de homocedasticidad fue evaluado mediante la prueba de Bartlett. Las variaciones encontradas fueron analizadas a través del test "t" de Behrens-Fischer o a través del test de rangos señalados y pares igualados de Wilcoxon. Se encontraron reducciones significativas en las cifras de colesterol total y triglicéridos, para p<0,01, así como una elevación en los HDL/colesterol para p<0,05. Se hace la observación de que estos efectos sólo se mantuvieron en el mayor porcentaje de los pacientes durante 8 semanas. Se acotan efectos contralaterales obtenidos de los pacientes sometidos a estudios (AU)

Evaluacion del efecto hipolipemiante del clofibrato a corto plazo. / Evaluation of short term hypolipidic effect of clofibrate

El clofibrato es una droga hipolipemiante de uso muy discutido; basado en ese antecedente se decidio explorar sus efectos sobre el colesterol total, trigliceridos y HDL/colesterol en pacientes hiperlipidemicos, y conocer sus efectos en un periodo de 6 semanas, comparandolo con los de un grupo a quienes se administro placebo. A los resultados obtenidos se les aplico la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para determinar el principio de normalidad y el de homocedasticidad fue evaluado mediante la prueba de Bartlett. Las variaciones encontradas fueron analizadas a traves del test "t" de Behrens-Fischer o a traves del test de rangos senalados y pares igualados de Wilcoxon. Se encontraron reducciones significativas en las cifras de colesterol total y trigliceridos, para p < 0,01, asi como una elevacion en los HDL/colesterol para p < 0,05. Se hace la observacion de que estos efectos solo se mantuvieron en el mayor porcentaje de los pacientes durante 8 semanas. Se acotan efectos contralaterales obtenidos de los pacientes sometidos a estudio

Evaluacion del efecto hipolipemiante del clofibrato a corto plazo. / Evaluation of short ter hypolipidic effect of clofibrate

El clofibrato es una droga hipolipemiante de uso muy discutido; basado en ese antecedente se decidio explorar sus efectos sobre el colesterol total, trigliceridos y HDL/colesterol en pacientes hiperlipidemicos, y conocer sus efectos en un periodo de 6 semanas, comparandolo con los de un grupo a quienes se administro placebo. A los resultados obtenidos se les aplico la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para determinar el principio de normalidad y el de homocedasticidad fue evaluado mediante la prueba de Bartlett. Las variaciones encontradas fueron analizadas a traves del test "t" de Behrens-Fischer o a traves del test de rangos senalados y pares igualados de Wilcoxon. Se encontraron reducciones significativas en las cifras de colesterol total y trigliceridos, para p < 0,01, asi como una elevacion en los HDL/colesterol para p < 0,05. Se hace la observacion de que estos efectos solo se mantuvieron en el mayor porcentaje de los pacientes durante 8 semanas. Se acotan efectos contralaterales obtenidos de los pacientes sometidos a estudio