In-vitro activity of the synthetic protegrin IB-367 alone and in combination with antifungal agents against clinical isolates of Candida spp.

The in vitro activity of the peptide IB-367, alone or combined with either fluconazole (FLU) or amphotericin B (AMB), was investigated against 25 Candida isolates belonging to five species. IB-367 minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 2.0 to 32 microg/ml and it was active against both FLU-susceptible and - resistant isolates. A rapid fungicidal activity was observed. Synergism was documented in 41.6% and 44% of IB-367/FLU and IB-367/AMB interactions, respectively. Antagonism was never observed. The broad antifungal activity and the positive interactions with AMB and FLU suggest that IB-367 represents a promising candidate against infections due to Candida spp.

In vitro release of cisplatin from sol-gel processed porous silica xerogels.

Cisplatin an antineoplastic medicine, was incorporated into a silica gel received by the sol-gel method. Various techniques of trapping an active substance in gel were applied: at the stage of sol creation--by the predoping method--and already upon receipt of hard xerogel--the postdoping method. Further, the research aimed at the determination of the dynamics of cisplatin release from sol-gel processed silica xerogel to the water phase. Based on the achieved results, we may state that the sol-gel method is useful for trapping a medicine like cisplatin in silica gel and gives repeatable results with regard to medicine release from the pores of the so-established matrix. The postdoping method appeared to be more beneficial, because the gained gel's active substance is released almost entirely (94-96%). The time of release was 3 days.

Lithium carbonate 24-hour extended-release capsule filled with 6 mm tablets.

A 24-h extended-release multiparticulate capsule containing a dose of 500 mg of lithium carbonate divided into 6 tablets 6 mm in size was produced. In order to achieve an immediate and prolonged drug release profile one uncoated tablet and 5 tablets coated with methacrylic acid/ethyl acrylate copolymer Kollicoat MAE30DP were filled into a capsule. The core of tablets consisted of microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, povidone, macrogol and magnesium stearate.

[Evaluation of the usefulness of ethoxypolysiloxan oil emulsion in radiological practice]. / Ocena przydatnosci emulsji oleju etoksypolisiloksanowego EPS w praktyce radiologicznej.

The ethoxypolisiloxan (EPS) oil glycol emulsion in radiology has been proved to have the LD50 value of 14,5 g/kg. This means that this emulsion is low toxic. The antifoaming efficiency of EPS emulsion was compared with that of Endo-Paractol. It was found that the effects comparable what proves the value of the EPS emulsion, the more so that the production costs are relatively low. The radiological clinical investigation confirmed the usefulness of the X-ray contrast in examinations of the gastrointestinal treat.

[Polydimethylsiloxanes as food additive: improper recommendations]. / Polidimetylosiloksany jako substancja dodatkowa do zywnosci--bledne rekomendacje.

The paper signaled a mistake in JECFA recommendations on molecular masses of polidimethylosiloxanes used as food additive and reviewed published data on intestinal absorption of siloxanes.

[Low zinc levels in metabolic X syndrome (mzX) patients measured by hair zinc composition analysis]. / Niski poziom cynku u chorych z metabolicznym zespolem X (mzX) stwierdzany w oparciu o analize zawartosci tego pierwiastka we wlosach.

The hair zinc content in 16 patients with metabolic X syndrome (mzX) was measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry method. The mean concentration (125.13 mg/kg) was lower than in the majority of other published studies. The differences among groups of patients with different sex or diseases (e.g. coronary heart disease, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus) were not significant. It seems to be probably that deficiency of zinc plays a role in pathogenesis of mzX or that it is a consequence of mzX.