World Foundry Congress 2006 The big hitters just keep on coming For immediate release January 2006

The Institute of Cast Metals Engineers announces that it has secured more sponsorship for the World Foundry Congress 2006 from four prominent companies. To be held in Harrogate, in theUnited Kingdom, from 5-7 June 2006, the World Foundry Congress 2006 is set to be the major global event of the year for the cast metals industry.

Pharmacokinetics of Controlled Release and Immediate Release Morphine Sulphate Tablets after a Single Dose and Multiple Doses in Chinese Volunteers

The pharmacokinetics of morphine sulphate was studied in 10 Chinese healthy volunteers after a single oral dose. Blood samples were collected before and after administration of controlled release tablets (CRMS, 30 mg) and immediate release tablets (IRMS, 20 mg). The plasma concentration of morphine was determined by GC MS. The pharmacokinetic parameters of controlled release tablets and immediate release tablets were calculated∶ C max was 19.38±3.80 and 21.27±6.21 ng/ml, t max was 2.36 ±0.37 h and 0.56±0.16 h, t 1/2β was 3.53±0.87 and 3.03±0.74 h, AUC was 145.15±17.65 and 93.08±16.65 ng/ml, respectively. The steady state plasma concentration of morphine sulphate in cancer patients after multiple doses was achieved, C max of CRMS and IRMS was 27.43±0.33 ng/ml and 22.68±0.16 ng/ml, C min of CRMS and IRMS was 19.45±1.44 ng/ml and 18.14±0.49 ng/ml, respectively.

Innovative color jet 3D printing of levetiracetam personalized paediatric preparations

3D printing is a promising technology used in the fabrication of complex oral dosage delivery pharmaceuticals.This study first reports an innovative color jet 3D printing(CJ-3DP)technology to produce colorful cartoon levetiracetam pediatric preparations with high accuracy and reproducibility.For this study,the ideal printing ink consisted of 40%(v/v)isopropanol aqueous solution containing 0.05%(w/w)polyvinylpyrrolidone and 4%(w/w)glycerin,which was satisfied with scale-up of the production.The external and internal spatial structures of the tablets were designed to control the appearance and release,and cartoon tablets with admirable appearances and immediate release characteristics were printed.The dosage model showed a good linear relationship between the model volume and the tablet strength(r>0.999),which proved the potential of personalized administration.The surface roughness indicated that the appearance of the CJ-3DP tablets was significantly better than the first listed 3D printed drug(Spritam R).Moreover,the scanning electron microscopy and porosity results further showed that the tablets have a structure of loose interior and tight exterior,which could ensure good mechanical properties and rapid dispersion characteristics simultaneously.In conclusion,the innovative CJ-3DP technology can be used to fabricate personalized pediatric preparations for improved compliance.Due to the stable formulation and fabrication process,this technology has the potential in scale-up production.

Preparation of solid pharmaceutical forms of celecoxib with immediate-release and sustained-release by using wet granulation techniques and evaluation of their in vitro characteristics

In the present study,we aimed to formulate matrix tablets of celecoxib with immediate-release(IR)and sustained-release(SR)and evaluate the influence of different types and concentrations of polymers on drug release characteristics in vitro.All formulations were prepared by using the wet granulation technique.One formulation(F5)with the traditional release was composed without release-control polymers.In contrast,four formulations(F1–F4)with prolonged action were designed by using different cellulosic polymers,such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymers(HPMC-K100M and HPMC-Е6),hydroxypropyl cellulose with high viscosity grade(HPCh),carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC),and ethylcellulose(EC-10 cps).All tablet formulations contained sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS),polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP-k30),microcrystalline cellulose(MCC),and lactose monohydrate.The MCC and PVP-k30 were used in a fixed quantity in all formulations except for formulation F5,which contained 10%and 2.7%of them,respectively.The effects of polymer viscosity grade and its quantity on celecoxib release from two formulations containing the same polymer were studied.Drug release in vitro was evaluated in phosphate buffer(pH=7.4).The amount of celecoxib released in phosphate medium was calculated by preparing a standard series.In vitro profile indicated that formulations F1(HPMC-K100M)and F2(HPMC-E6)extended the drug release for 18 h(82%)and 10 h(96.001%),respectively.Formulations F3and F4 released 72.09%and 59.8%of their contents during 18 h,respectively,and thus their effects could last for more than a day.However,IR formulation(F5)released more than 90%of its content within 1–2 h.MS Excel was used to analyze the dissolution profile data for drug release kinetics,such as first-order,Zero-order,Higuchi,and Korsmeyer-Peppas models.The release mechanism of all formulations was CaseⅡrelaxation release.This study showed that cellulosic derivative polymers could successfully prolong IR of matrix tablet formulation.