The modification of polyethylene glycol (PEG), i.e. PEGylation is commonly used approach for increasing stability of drug delivery systems (DDSs), but results in loss of activity simultaneously. This article describes the trade-off relationship between activity and stability as PEG dilemma and strategies to overcome PEG dilemma. The authors developed a cleavable PEG lipid in response to tumor microenvironment, a pH-sensitive fusogenic peptide, and pH-sensitive cationic lipids in response to endosome/lysosome, which balanced activity and stability of DDSs and exerted therapeutic effect of nucleic acid cargos.

The exposure to aldehydes via indoor air is a matter of concern. Since there are no certified reference materials for aldehyde derivatives, the quantified values are not sufficiently reliable. In this study, the authors showed the actual content and purity of commercially available aldehyde derivatives using 1H-qNMR. Because it is greatly important for the quality control of reagents to secure the accuracy of analytical data, the qNMR analysis works as a bridge of International System of Units traceability.

Previous reports suggested that sharing outpatient information during chemotherapy is very important for managing pharmaceutical usage between community pharmacies and hospitals. We herein examined using a questionnaire survey whether pharmaceutical management for outpatient chemotherapy is desired by community and hospital pharmacists. In conclusion, as there may be differences in opinion between community and hospital pharmacists, mutual preliminary communication is important for successful outpatient chemotherapy.

In this study, we prepared 4 assistive devices (A-D) for Insulin Pen to improve the “ease of holding” and “ease of pushing” and compared their usability with that of a device provided by the pharmaceutical company (S). Fifty-five healthy volunteers in their 20s performed the self-injection maneuver using all 5 assistive devices and ranked them regarding above 3 items. In all evaluation items, C was ranked first by the largest number of subjects. Moreover, the 4 assistive devices prepared in this study were rated to be equal to or higher than S.

This study investigated the sex differences of the inflammatory mediator level at the time of itch onset in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). CVD-associated itching was observed in both men and women. In this study, itching was related to increased tryptase in women and increased adrenocorticotropic hormone and β-endorphin in men. Our findings could be helpful in the treatment of patients with CVD.

The authors held a seminar for pharmacists about genetic testing for lifestyle-related disease genes, with the aim of contributing to the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. The authors showed that collaboration between pharmacies and universities is important for developing future seminars for the general public. This is because some pharmacists do not wish to know the results of private genetic testing, and most believe that the support of universities is necessary for the genetic testing of customers.