Assessment of Functional and Physical Performances of Pre-filled Syringes in Deep Cold Storage Conditions.

The recent emergence of new drug technologies such as messenger ribonucleic acid-based vaccines developed to fight the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic has driven increased demand for delivery solutions capable of withstanding deep cold storage conditions down to -50°C, and even down to -80°C. Although significant data exist for deep cold storage in vials, little evidence is available for pre-filled syringes. Because pre-filled syringes serve as both the storage container and the delivery mechanism, there are additional risks to performance that must be evaluated, such as plunger gliding performance, syringe lubrication, silicone layer stability, and container closure integrity (CCI). In the present study, a comprehensive assessment of functional and physical performances of pre-filled syringes (PFS filled with water) was performed after one or multiple freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles between ambient temperature and various temperature cycles including -40°C, -50°C or -80°C for both 'staked needle' and 'luer lock' configurations. The experiments were guided by historical normative methods such as ISO 11040-4 and USP <1207> and combined with headspace gas analysis for barrel-stopper tightness testing. In addition, they were complemented with a novel approach, namely in situ real-time optical imagery, to track plunger stopper movement during the F/T cycle. The findings indicated that there is no significant impact on the functional performances from F/T down to -80°C, whereas no CCI risk was found after F/T down to -50°C.

Essential Oils from Piper lhotzkyanum Kunth Leaves from Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Chemical Composition and Stability in Different Storage Conditions.

This work aimed to evaluate the impact of different storage conditions and light and temperature exposures on the visual aspect and chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of Piper lhotzkyanum Kunth, obtained from leaves by hydrodistillation from a region of high altitude. For this purpose, aliquots of the EO were stored for up to 90 days (a) under a refrigerator condition of 5 ± 3°C, (b) under a long-term (LT) condition of 30 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and an accelerated condition (AS) of 40 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5% RH, and (c) in a photostability test achieved in amber and colorless glass vials. The changes were monitored on days 0 (control), 60, and 90 for the refrigerator, LT, and AS conditions. All EO chemical analyses were assessed by GC-FID and GC-MS for quantification and identification, respectively. It is reported, for the first time, that the EO of P. lhotzkyanum is rich in the sesquiterpenes ß-elemene and α-zingiberene. No significant changes in the EO was observed, revealing a minimal impact of temperature on the sample at the different storage conditions. However, there was a change in the content of α-zingiberene to bicyclogermacrene after exposure to light. The visual appearance of the samples was altered for all test conditions except the refrigerator condition. These results can potentially contribute to the product development of a bioactive EO from leaves of P. lhotzkyanum, a sesquiterpene rich natural material.

Deployment of response surface methodology to optimize microencapsulation of peroxidases from turnip roots (Brassica rapa L.) by double emulsion in PLA polymer.

In order to improve the preservation conditions and stability of peroxidase catalytic properties, a number of immobilization techniques have been widely developed. In this context, we set as objective, the optimization of synthesis and stability of microcapsules of peroxidases (POD) from turnip using polylactic acid (PLA) polymer with the double emulsion technique. The surfactant, polymer, and peroxidase concentrations were the optimized parameters. According to the results obtained using the Box-Behnken design, the optimal parameters found were 1.55% of PVA, 55 mg/mL of peroxidases, and 30 mg/mL of PLA polymer with an encapsulation efficiency of 57.29%. The scanning electron microscopy morphological characterization of the optimized microcapsules showed a regular spherical structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified the specific functional groups and chemical bonds before and after microencapsulation. The elaborated microcapsules were characterized by an average size of 200 µm (mainly from 150 to 500 µm) with a low residual moisture content (2.26%) and the encapsulated peroxidases showed better thermal stability. The in vitro release of peroxidases confirmed that the microcapsules have an excellent sustained release in simulated gastric digestion. Encapsulated peroxidases' storage under 25 and 4 °C displays a good residual POD activity with about 60% of initial activities during 80 days of storage, whereas free POD losses its initial activity within 15 and 30 days, respectively. The obtained results are promising for the development of effective therapeutic treatment of some intestinal troubles due to oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Brassica rapa L. root is well known for its richness on peroxidases and thus presents an interesting potential for developing high added value products. In order to preserve the activity of extracted peroxidases (POD) from turnip roots, microencapsulation was optimized using a polylactic acid polymer. The encapsulated POD showed the maintenance of its activity under the effect of different storage conditions (time and temperature) and demonstrated resistance to gastric acidity. According to the obtained results, the encapsulation of peroxidases opens up medicine and pharmaceutical applications such as intestinal and colic protection against inflammations.

Chemical Evaluation of the Effects of Storage Conditions on the Botanical Goldenseal using Marker-based and Metabolomics Approaches.

Hydrastis canadensis, commonly known as goldenseal, is a botanical native to the southeastern United States that has been used for the treatment of infection. The activity of goldenseal is often attributed to the presence of alkaloids (cyclic, nitrogen-containing compounds) present within its roots. Chemical components of botanical supplements like goldenseal may face degradation if not stored properly. The purpose of the research was to analyze the stability of known and unknown metabolites of H. canadensis during exposure to different storage conditions using mass spectrometry. Three abundant metabolites of H. canadensis, berberine, canadine, and hydrastine, were chosen for targeted analysis, and the stability of unknown metabolites was evaluated using untargeted metabolomics. The analysis and evaluation of H. canadensis samples were performed utilizing LC-MS and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The research project focused on identifying the chemical changes in the metabolite content of H. canadensis under different temperature conditions (40°C ± 5°C, 20°C ± 5°C , and 4°C ± 5°C), different light:dark (hr:hr) cycles (16:8, 12:12, and 0:24), and different sample conditions (powdered roots versus whole roots) over a six month period. The results of this 6-month study revealed that the storage conditions evaluated had no significant effects on the chemical composition of H. canadensis roots. Hence, as long as H. canadensis roots are stored within the storage conditions tested in the study, no significant changes in chemical compositions of metabolites are expected.

Association rule mining for the ordered placement of traditional Chinese medicine containers: An experimental study.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics, the pharmacists responsible for dispensing the herbal medicine usually find the desired ingredients based on positions of the shelves (racks; frames; stands). Generally, these containers are arranged in an alphabetical order depending on the herbal medicine they contain. However, certain related ingredients tend to be used together in many prescriptions, even though the containers may be stored far away from each other. This can cause problems, especially when there are many patients and/or the limited number of pharmacists. If the dispensing time takes longer, it is likely to impact the satisfaction of the patients' experience. Moreover, the stamina of the pharmacists will be consumed quickly.In this study, we investigate on an association rule mining technology to improve efficiency in TCM dispensing based on the frequent pattern growth algorithm and try to identify which 2 or 3 herbal medicines will match together frequently in prescriptions. Furthermore, 3 experimental studies are conducted based on a dataset collected from a traditional Chinese medicine hospital. The dataset includes information for an entire year (2014), including 4 seasons and doctors. Afterward, a questionnaire on the usefulness of the extracted rules was administered to the pharmacists in the case hospital. The responses showed the mining results to be very valuable as a reference for the placement and ordering of the frames in the TCM pharmacies and drug stores.

Effect of extraction, microbial fermentation and storage on the cardenolide profile of Strophanthus kombé Oliv. seed preparations.

Strophanthus extracts containing cardioactive cardenolides are still applied in European complementary medicine for the treatment of heart diseases. However, the cardenolide profile and the fate of individual compounds during extraction and storage are not well understood. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to characterize the cardenolide compound pattern in extracts of different polarity and their structural changes upon storage in aqueous fermented preparations. For this purpose, individual cardenolides were quantitated by a UHPLC-DAD validated method using an internal standard. Three different extraction protocols were compared: hydroethanolic extraction under reflux with and without previous defatting of the seed material and ultrasonic-assisted extraction at ambient temperature. Reflux extraction of non-defatted seeds showed maximum cardenolide yields. Differences in the cardenolide contents of seeds of the different origins Zimbabwe and Malawi were observed. The cardenolide profile and metabolization of individual compounds upon fermentation and storage of S. kombé seed extracts revealed that predominant cardenolides, mainly strophanthidin glycosides, changed upon storage over 12 months. Cardenolides exhibiting two or three saccharide moieties were degraded presumably by ß-glucosidase activities, originating from the plant material or lactobacilli, releasing the corresponding monoglycosides. The latter were further degraded into the corresponding aglycones probably by acid hydrolysis as a result of lactic acid accumulation.

Predictive evaluation of pharmaceutical properties of direct compression tablets containing theophylline anhydrate during storage at high humidity by near-infrared spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Theophylline anhydrate (TA) in tablet formulation is transformed into monohydrate (TH) at high humidity and the phase transformation affected dissolution behavior. OBJECTIVE: Near-infrared spectroscopic (NIR) method is applied to predict the change of pharmaceutical properties of TA tablets during storage at high humidity. METHODS: The tablet formulation containing TA, lactose, crystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate was compressed at 4.8 kN. Pharmaceutical properties of TA tables were measured by NIR, X-ray diffraction analysis, dissolution test and tablet hardness. RESULTS: TA tablet was almost 100% transformed into TH after 24 hours at RH 96%. The pharmaceutical properties of TA tablets, such as tablet hardness, 20 min dissolution amount (D20) and increase of tablet weight (TW), changed with the degree of hydration. Calibration models for TW, tablet hardness and D20 to predict the pharmaceutical properties at high-humidity conditions were developed on the basis of the NIR spectra by partial least squares regression analysis. The relationships between predicted and actual measured values for TW, tablet hardness and D20 had straight lines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: From the results of NIR-chemometrics, it was confirmed that these predicted models had high accuracy to monitor the tablet properties during storage at high humidity.

[Review of scientific preservation techniques for traditional Chinese medicine becoming mouldy during storage].

All kinds of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) differed from each other with different chemical components and properties. Owing to poor conditions and technologies, and the lack of scientific preservation, most TCMs will easily become mouldy during the processes of growth, harvest, handling, translation and especially storage, which will not only influence the quality, safety and efficacy of TCMs, but also cause serious waste and economic losses, and even do great harm to human health. The process of storage is closely related to the qualities of TCMs with many interference factors. Therefore, scientific preservation of TCM during storage is crucial to prevent them from being mouldy. This review analyzed the important harm of mouldy TCMs, summarized the internal and external factors of resulting in TCMs to become mouldy. Based on the above discussion, together with the characteristics and limitations of current TCM preservation techniques, we prospect novel, scientific and reasonable preservation techniques, expecting to provide references for scientific preservation of TCMs to avoid becoming mouldy and guarantee their qualities.

[Effectiveness of different maintenance methods for codonopsis radix].

OBJECTIVE: To observe different maintenance methods including vacuum-packing, storage together with tobacco, storage together with fennel, ethanol steam and sulfur fumigation for the protection of Codonopsis Radix against mildew and insect damage, and to analyze the content of polysaccharide and flavonoids of Codonopsis Radix tested in this studies, so as to look for the scientific maintenance methods replacing traditional sulfur fumigation. METHODS: Except for the sulfur fumigation, naturally air-dried Codonopsis Radix was used to investigate the maintenance effectiveness of the above methods, respectively. Mildew was observed by visual inspection, and the content of polysaccharide and flavonoids were determined by ultra-violet and visible spectrophotometer. Comprehensive evaluation was given based on the results of the different maintenance methods. RESULTS: Low-temperature vacuum-packing, ambient-temperature vacuum-packing and sulfur fumigation could keep Codonopsis Radix from mildew and insect damage for one year, but ambient-temperature vacuum-packing showed flatulent phenomenon; ethanol steam could keep Codonopsis Radix from mildew and insects for over half a year; storage together with tobacco or fennel did not have maintenance effect. The difference of polysaccharide and flavonoids contents of all tested Codonopsis Radix was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Low temperature vacuum-packing maintenance can replace traditional sulfur fumigation, and it can maintain the quality of Codonopsis Radix to a certain extent.

[Impact of storage conditions and time on herb of Lonicera macranthoides].

To study the effect of different storage conditions and storage time on herb quality of Lonicera macranthoides, different packaging materials including vacuum plastic bags, plastic bags, woven bags, sealed with endometrial bags, paper bags, sack bags were selected for the study under different storage conditions including room temperature, 5 degrees C refrigerator, low temperature of - 20 degrees C refrigerator and desiccator. Twenty-four batches of samples were used for the study, and active ingredients were determined. The experimental results showed that the ingredients in each storage group changed with the storage time, storage conditions (storage environment, packaging). Under the same storage time, the storage environment (temperature, humidity) had effect on the stability of herb quality. Low temperature had less effect on herb quality. The effect of packaging on herb quality was as following: plastic vacuum packaging > woven with endometrial sealed packaging > plastic bag > woven bag > sack bags > paper bags. Under the same storage conditions, with the increase of storage time, caffeic acid content increased slowly, and other five ingredients content decreased gradually. Storage time affected significantly on the intrinsic quality (chemical composition) and appearance of herb. It is suggested that low temperature (5 degrees C), dark and sealed storage are suitable for storage of L. macranthoides herb, the storage time should be not more than 24 months.

[The assessment of changes in the quality of prepacked therapeutic peloids from Siberia during their storage].

The results of evaluation of the qualitative characteristics of prepacked therapeutic peloids from Siberian lakes and changes of their physicochemical properties during storage are presented. The optimal shelf life of prepacked peloids and package size ensuring conservation of their natural therapeutic properties have been determined.

Program on immunization and cold chain monitoring: the status in eight health districts in Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Cold chain monitoring is a precondition to ensure immunization quality, efficacy and safety. In Cameroon, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has National Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that describes the vaccines, the cold chain system and equipment, its use and recommended procedures to control and monitor the temperatures and the cold chain. This study was conducted to assess the status of cold chain in eight health districts in Cameroon. FINDINGS: The study was carried out in eight health districts out of fifty with poor immunization coverage rate. Data were collected using a validated form by observation and consultation of related documents. District Health Services (DHS) and four Integrated. Health Centers (IHC) randomly selected were targeted per health district. Forty health facilities were included. Twenty eight (70.0%) had at least one functional refrigerator for EPI activities. The power supply was reported to be permanent in 7 (20.6%) out of 34. (85.0%) health facilities with access to power supply. The temperature monitoring chart was pasted on 27 (96.4%) of the cold chain equipment. On 16 (59.3%) of these charts, the temperature was recorded twice daily as recommended. Seven (25.9%) of 27 refrigerators assessed had temperature out of the recommended range of 2 to 8°C. Almost 23.30% of health centers did not received any supervision on cold chain monitoring during a vaccination campaign. CONCLUSION: This study documents failure of the cold chain maintenance and questions the efficacy and safety of vaccines administered during EPI activities in Cameroun. These findings indicate that appropriate actions are needed to ensure monitoring of EPI cold chain in the country.

[Determination of taxifolin in Polygonum orientale of different storage period].

OBJECTIVE: To find out the correlation between the content of taxifolin in Polygonum orientale and the storage time. METHOD: HPLC was used to determine taxifolin. The chromatographic condition was as following: Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase acetonitrile -0.1% phosphoric acid (gradient elution), the detection wavelength 290 nm and flow rate 1.0 mL x min(-1), the column temperature 30 degrees C. RESULT: The injection volume of taxifolin was in good linearity within 0.07 and 0.35 microg, the average recovery was 99.7% with RSD 0.2%. Taxifolin content was 0.84, 1.36, 1.75, 1.99 mg x g(-1) corresponding to storage time of 10, 7, 6, 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: The content of taxifolin decreased with the storage time. When the storage period is more than six years, the content is lower than that required by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version). This method has a good repeatability and accuracy, it provides a scientific reference for clinical use and quality evaluation of P. orientale.

[The influence of storage time on content of volatile oil and cineole of Chimonanthus salicifolius].

The vapour distillation was used to extract the volatile oil of Chimonanthus salicifolius with different storage time, determine the content of cineole in volatile oil by GC, to study the influence of storage time on the content of volatile oil and cineole of C. salicifolius. We found that the content of volatile oil in fresh herbs of C. salicifolius was 0.023 0 mL x g(-1), it was decreased to 0.020 0, 0.017 5 mL x g(-1) respectively after storing for 4, 12 months; the GC methodological study of precision, stability and repeatability, RSD < 2%, the average recovery rate was 99.50%, RSD 1.7%; the content of cineole in fresh volatile oil was 54.30%, it was increased to about 62% and remained stably with the time. Therefore, the content of volatile oil and cineole of C. salicifolius can change with the storage time; GC method for the determination of the content of cineole is accurate, reliable, specific and repeatable, it's suitable as a quality control method of C. salicifolius.

Management of chickenpox with frozen mother's milk.

OBJECTIVES: If a mother has contracted chickenpox, the antibodies in her milk confer immunity against chickenpox to her breastfed babies. This passive immunization may avoid or spare the breastfed babies' symptoms of chickenpox. It is hypothesized that frozen breast milk may shorten chickenpox duration because specific antibodies against varicella zoster have been detected in human milk and they are resistant to digestion and are stable in frozen milk. DESIGN: The clinical outcomes of chickenpox in a 9-year-old boy and his father on frozen breast milk are reported. SETTINGS: The study comprised a varicella-vaccine-refusing family attending a private office of pediatrics. INTERVENTIONS AND RESULTS: The boy presented with a crusted varicella rash. The medical history revealed premature cessation of the typical varicella rash on day 3. It was coincidental with a supply of frozen human milk by his mother. Next, the father (41 years old) of this patient contracted chickenpox: he was on frozen breast milk from day 2, and no new pox emerged thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: The rash spread and numbered 50 to 150 lesions on day 2. Instead, the typical rash was expected to appear in three successive crops of lesions throughout the first week. The disease usually numbers approximately 250-500 lesions in unvaccinated healthy persons. Frozen breast milk may shorten chickenpox duration.

Evaluation of the aggregation states of monoclonal antibodies by diverse and complementary methods.

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with high specificity and fewer adverse effects are becoming widely used for the treatment of various diseases. MAbs need to be stored and administered at high concentrations in solution, the conditions under which MAbs may aggregate. As aggregated MAbs compromise their safety and efficacy, aggregation should be prevented; thus, it is important to analyze the aggregation states of MAbs in detail. We obtained 2 MAbs against dinitrophenol (DNP) that exhibited different aggregation properties: anti-DNP1 exhibited a much higher aggregate content (dimer or trimer) than anti-DNP2 when analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). As anti-DNP1 had a longer complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) light chain than anti-DNP2 by 2 amino acid residues, we hypothesized that the increased aggregation of DNP1 was due to these extra residues; therefore, we prepared mutant antibodies with shorter CDR3s to compare their aggregation properties. Anti-DNP1-ΔEI, with the same CDR3 length as anti-DNP2, exhibited no aggregates as expected. Anti-DNP1-ΔI, with 1 additional residue, exhibited a smaller peak than wild-type (WT) in SEC, whereas this mutant exhibited stronger thioflavin T fluorescence than WT, which is indicative of amyloid formation. In addition, the anti-DNP1-ΔI solution (but not others) became opalescent at 4°C and exhibited large visible particles, which are undetectable by SEC. The fragment antigen-binding region of this mutant was found to have lower thermal stability than the others by differential scanning calorimetry. These data suggest that diverse analytical methods should be applied to evaluate MAb aggregation, in addition to the commonly used SEC.

Impact of changing the measles vaccine vial size on Niger's vaccine supply chain: a computational model.

BACKGROUND: Many countries, such as Niger, are considering changing their vaccine vial size presentation and may want to evaluate the subsequent impact on their supply chains, the series of steps required to get vaccines from their manufacturers to patients. The measles vaccine is particularly important in Niger, a country prone to measles outbreaks. METHODS: We developed a detailed discrete event simulation model of the vaccine supply chain representing every vaccine, storage location, refrigerator, freezer, and transport device (e.g., cold trucks, 4 × 4 trucks, and vaccine carriers) in the Niger Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Experiments simulated the impact of replacing the 10-dose measles vial size with 5-dose, 2-dose and 1-dose vial sizes. RESULTS: Switching from the 10-dose to the 5-dose, 2-dose and 1-dose vial sizes decreased the average availability of EPI vaccines for arriving patients from 83% to 82%, 81% and 78%, respectively for a 100% target population size. The switches also changed transport vehicle's utilization from a mean of 58% (range: 4-164%) to means of 59% (range: 4-164%), 62% (range: 4-175%), and 67% (range: 5-192%), respectively, between the regional and district stores, and from a mean of 160% (range: 83-300%) to means of 161% (range: 82-322%), 175% (range: 78-344%), and 198% (range: 88-402%), respectively, between the district to integrated health centres (IHC). The switch also changed district level storage utilization from a mean of 65% to means of 64%, 66% and 68% (range for all scenarios: 3-100%). Finally, accounting for vaccine administration, wastage, and disposal, replacing the 10-dose vial with the 5 or 1-dose vials would increase the cost per immunized patient from $0.47US to $0.71US and $1.26US, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The switch from the 10-dose measles vaccines to smaller vial sizes could overwhelm the capacities of many storage facilities and transport vehicles as well as increase the cost per vaccinated child.

Aportación a la historia de la farmacoterapia urológica / Contribution to the history of urological pharmacotherapy

Introducción: el objetivo de este trabajo es la revisión histórica de la farmacoterapia urológica. Los contenedores utilizados para la conservación y almacenamiento de los medicamentos son una importantísima fuente de información en la investigación histórica. Material y método: se ha acudido al estudio de fuentes escritas como son tratados de materia médica y terapéutica y a fuentes materiales existentes en el Museo-Farmacia de la Farmacia Monástica de la Real Cartuja de Valldemossa, en Mallorca. Se revisan los antiguos contenedores de medicamentos y sus cartelas identificadoras en botes cerámicos, frascos de vidrio y cajas de madera y restos medicamentosos hallados en su interior. Resultados: se describen diferentes medicamentos, tanto simples (de origen vegetal, mineral o animal) como compuestos, más usados a lo largo de los siglos para tratar las enfermedades del aparato urinario: cañafístula, agárico, mechoacán, altramuz, hinojo, goma arábiga, arrayán, bol armeno, Oleum scorpionum, cuerno de ciervo, cantáridas. Se presenta la evidencia de conocimiento disponible para cada uno de estos remedios en las principales fuentes bibliográficas y la prueba de que fueron empleados en Valldemossa. Conclusiones: la base de la farmacoterapia general y urológica se centraba en la naturaleza. Los medicamentos de origen vegetal eran los más utilizados. El arsenal terapéutico que a lo largo de la historia ha reunido la humanidad es el resultado de un largo proceso de mestizaje de prácticas y conocimientos de distintas culturas y sociedades (AU)

Introduction: The aim of this work is to present a historical review of urological pharmacotherapy. The containers used to preserve and store medicines are an important source of information in historical research. Material and methods: I studied written sources such as treaties of Medical and Therapeutical Materials, as well as material sources available at the Pharmacy Museum of the Farmacia Monástica de la Real Cartuja de Valldemossa in Mallorca. I examined the old medicine containers and the labelling on ceramic recipients, glass jars and wooden boxes and other medicines found inside them. Results: Different medicines, the most used over the centuries to treat diseases of the urinary system are described, including both simple (of plant, mineral or animal origin) and compound medicines: drumstick tree, agaricus, mechoacan, lupine, fennel, acacia gum, myrtle, Armenian bole, oleum scorpionum, hartshorn plantain, cantharides. I present evidence of knowledge available for each of these remedies in the main bibliographic sources, as well as proof that they were used in Valldemossa. Conclusions: The basis of general and urological pharmacotherapy was concentrated on nature. Medicines of plant origin were the most used. The therapeutic inventory that mankind has accumulated throughout history is the result of a lengthy process of combining practices and knowledge of different cultures and societies (AU)

Medication storage and self-medication behaviour amongst female students in Malaysia / Almacenamiento de medicación y comportamientos en auto-medicación entre mujeres estudiantes en Malasia

Objectives: The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence, attitudes and behaviours of medication storage and self-medication amongst female students at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and cluster random sampling technique was used for respondent selection. A pre-piloted questionnaire was administered to female respondents so as to collect the data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 12 and analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis procedures. Results: Of the 481 participants (mean age; SD was 22.1; 3.3), 93.1% (n=448) students stated that they stored medicine in their rooms, while 70.7% (n=340) stated that they stopped taking a prescribed medicine without consulting a doctor. The prevalence of self-medication was 80.9% (n=389). The most common reasons for self-medication were related to their knowledge of their ailment and its treatment (58.0%), 14.4% thought it saved time and 8.5% mentioned that medication given by provider was not effective. The most common symptoms were otorhinolaryngology problems (22.5%), followed by respiratory disease (19.6%), Gastro Intestinal Tract (GIT) disease (18.1%) and headache/fever (16.8%). Commonly used medicines were analgesics & antipyretics (30.2%), ear, nose & throat drugs (10.8%), vitamins & minerals (10.8%), GIT drugs (8.5%), anti-infections (7.3%) and herbal medicines (3.5%). Prevalence of medicine storage and self-medication practice is high among educated female students in USM. Conclusions: There is a need to educate the students to ensure safe practice by increasing their awareness. Strict policies need to be implemented on the unrestricted availability of medicines so as to prevent the wastage of medicines (AU)

Objetivos: Los objetivos de este estudio son determinar la prevalencia, actitudes y comportamiento en el almacenamiento de medicamentos y la auto-medicación entre mujeres jóvenes estudiantes en la Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal y se utilizó una técnica de muestreo por cluster para la selección de respondentes. Para recoger los datos, se administró un cuestionario pre-pilotado a las mujeres que respondieron. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando el SPSS versión 12 y el análisis se realizó utilizando procedimientos descriptivos. Resultados: De los 481 participantes (edad media; DE era 22,1; 3,3), el 93,1% (n=448) afirmaron que almacenaban medicamentos en sus habitaciones, mientras que el 70,7% (n=340) afirmó que pararon de tomar un medicamento prescrito sin consultar al médico. La prevalencia de auto-medicación era del 80,9% (n=389). Entre las razones más frecuentes para auto-medicación estaban relacionadas con sus conocimientos de su enfermedad y su tratamiento (58,0%), el 14,4% pensaba que ahorraba tiempo y el 8,5% mencionó que la medicación proporcionada no era efectiva. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron problemas otorrinolaringológicos (22,5%), seguidos de enfermedades respiratorias (19,6%), del tracto gastrointestinal (TGI) (18,1% y dolor de cabeza/fiebre (16,8%). Los medicamentos frecuentemente utilizados eran analgésicos y antipiréticos (30,2%), medicamentos para nariz, garganta y oídos (10,8%), vitaminas y minerales (10,8%) y plantas medicinales (3,5%). La prevalencia del hábito de almacenar medicamentos y de auto-medicación es alta entre las mujeres estudiantes de la USM. Conclusiones: Existe la necesidad de educar a los estudiantes para garantizar la práctica segura aumentando sus conocimientos. Se necesita implantar políticas estrictas sobre la disponibilidad irrestricta de medicamentos así como para prevenir el desperdicio de medicamentos (AU)

[Effects of different package materials and storage methods on quality and shelf life of Angelica sinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore an economical and practical storage method for angelica roots (Angelica sinensis). Various treatments were used in packaging and storing dry and fresh angelica roots. METHOD: The experiment was designed in single-factor completely random as compared with the traditional stack without package. The character, weight, extract contents and volatile oil were measured within the storage process. RESULT: If stored for long-term use, the dried angelica roots should be packaged with vacuum-exhausted bags cleaned with water, which resulted in less loss in weight, higher extracts and volatile oil. However, if stored for fresh use, the fresh angelica roots should be packaged in vacuum-exhausted bags after cleaned with sorghum alcohol and stored under low temperatures if possible, which resulted in less loss in weight and longer fresh time. Considering volatile oil and extract contents, it is better to use the dried angelica roots for storage. CONCLUSION: If stored for long-term use the dry angelica roots should be packaged with vacuum-exhausted bags cleaned with water, while for fresh use the fresh angelica roots should be packaged with vacuum-exhausted bags cleaned with sorghum alcohol and stored under low temperatures if possible.