University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

About: University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pharmacist & Pharmacy. The organization has 73 authors who have published 54 publications receiving 723 citations.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutic agents: opportunities and challenges

Abstract: Introduction: Bearing in mind that many promising drug candidates have the problem of reaching their target site, the concept of advanced drug delivery can play a significant complementary role in shaping modern medicine. Among other nanoscale drug carriers, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have shown great potential in nanomedicine. The intrinsic properties of SPIONs, such as inherent magnetism, broad safety margin and the availability of methods for fabrication and surface engineering, pave the way for diverse biomedical applications. SPIONs can achieve the highest drug targeting efficiency among carriers, since an external magnetic field locally applied to the target organ enhances the accumulation of magnetic nanoparticles in the drug site of action. Moreover, theranostic multifunctional SPIONs make simultaneous delivery and imaging possible. In spite of these favorable qualities, there are some toxicological concerns, such as oxidative stress, unpredictable cellular responses and i...

The Structure of Satisfaction with Pharmacy Services

Abstract: Objectives The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the dimensional structure of satisfaction with pharmacy services, to determine whether satisfaction is best viewed as a unidimensional or multidimensional construct, and to determine the degree of correspondence between a general satisfaction scale and satisfaction with specific aspects of pharmacy services. Methods Data was collected via telephone interviews of 509 patrons of traditional retail pharmacies and analyzed using structural equation modeling techniques. Results The hypothesized, multidimensional measurement model fit the observed data reasonably well. However, correlations between the latent dimensions of satisfaction with pharmacy services indicated that some dimensions were empirically indistinguishable. Conclusions Considering item content and theoretical considerations, modifications to the structure of previously used measures of satisfaction with pharmacy services were suggested. The data also support the hypothesis of a hierarchical model in which general satisfaction could be simultaneously represented as both an overall domain and as a set of distinct dimensions tapping unique aspects of satisfaction with pharmacy services. Depending on the purpose of the measurement, either or both levels of analysis may be useful.

PPARγ signaling is required for mediating EETs protective effects in neonatal cardiomyocytes exposed to LPS

Abstract: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial wall endotoxin producing many pathophysiological conditions including myocardial inflammation leading to cardiotoxicity Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are biologically active metabolites of arachidonic acids capable of activating protective cellular pathways in response to stress stimuli EETs evoke a plethora of pathways limiting impairments of cellular structures, reducing cell death, and promoting anti-inflammatory reactions in various cell types Considering EETs are capable of producing various biological protective effects, we hypothesized that EETs would protect rat neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCM) against LPS-induced cytotoxicity In this study, we used a dual-acting, synthetic analog of EETs, UA-8 [13-(3-propylureido)tridec-8-enoic acid], possessing both EET-mimetic and soluble epoxide hydrolase selective inhibitory properties and 14,15-EET as a model of canonical EET molecules We found that both UA-8 and 14,15-EET significantly improved cell viability and mitochondrial function of cardiomyocytes exposed to LPS Furthermore, treatment with UA-8 or 14,15-EET resulted in significant attenuation of LPS-triggered pro-inflammatory response, caspase-3 activation and reduction in the total antioxidant capacity in cardiomyocytes Importantly, EET-mediated effects were significantly reduced by pharmacological inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ (PPARγ) suggesting that PPARγ signaling was required for EETs exerted protective effects Data presented in the current study demonstrate that activation of PPARγ signaling plays a crucial role in EET-mediated protection against LPS-cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes

Investigating the Relationship Between β-Blocker and Antidepressant Use Through Linkage of the Administrative Databases of Saskatchewan Health

Abstract: The main objectives of this research were to confirm previous reports of an increased risk of antidepressant use subsequent to propranolol therapy, and to determine whether this higher relative risk (RR) is indicative of depressive symptoms as a side-effect of the drug's use. 'New' users of beta-blockers, other antihypertensives or diuretics in two separate years were identified from records of Saskatchewan Health. Incidence of concurrent antidepressants prescribing was determined in the year after initiating therapy with a cohort drug. Medical claims were examined to identify physician services and diagnoses associated with cohort drug and antidepressant prescriptions. Risk of concurrent antidepressant use in new propanolol users aged 20-39 years was approximately double that of new diuretic users [RR 2.2 (1.5-3.3) in 1984 and 2.0 (1.1-3.5) in 1990/91]. When cases with a diagnosis of migraine headache were excluded, the risk of concurrent propranolol/antidepressant use was age- and sex-dependent, but not consistent for the two study years. It was concluded that although the risk of concurrent antidepressant use was greater in younger propranolol users, the risk cannot be solely attributed to depressive side-effects of the drug. The purposes of this paper were to present the methods employed in linking the databases of Saskatchewan Health, describe the results of the analysis, and to highlight the methodologic problems that arose.