Inflatable rescue boat-related injuries in Queensland surf lifesavers: The epidemiology - biomechanics interface

The objective was to describe the relationship between epidemiological and biomechanical factors in the causal pathway of inflatable rescue boat (IRB)-related injuries in Australian surf lifesavers; to develop epidemiological and biomechanical methodologies and measurement instruments that identify and measure the risk factors, for use in future epidemiological studies. Epidemiological and biomechanical models of injury causation were combined. Host, agent and environmental factors that influenced total available force for transfer to host were specified. Measurement instruments for each of the specified risk factors were developed. Instruments were piloted in a volunteer sample of surf lifesavers. Participant characteristics were recorded using demographic questionnaires; IRB operating techniques were recorded using a custom-made on-board camera (Grand RF-Guard) and images of operating techniques were coded by two independent observers. Ground reaction forces transmitted to the host through the lifesaver's feet at the time of wave impact were measured using a custom-built piezoelectric force platform. The demographic questionnaire was found practical; the on-board camera functioned successfully within the target environment. Agreement between independent coders of IRB operating technique images was significant (p < 0.001) with Kappa values ranging from 0.5 to 0.7. Biomechanical instruments performed successfully in the target environment. Peak biomechanical forces were 415.6N (left foot) and 252.9N (right foot). This study defines the relationship between epidemiological and biomechanical factors in modifying the risk of IRB-related injury in a population of surf lifesavers. Preliminary feasibility of combining epidemiological and biomechanical information has been demonstrated. Further testing of the proposed model and measurement instruments is required.

Mini-dose glucagon rescue for mild hypoglycaemia in children with type 1 diabetes: The Brisbane experience

Objectives: To evaluate the use of small doses of glucagon using an insulin syringe in mild or impending hypoglycaemia in children with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Data were collected from patients attending the Paediatric Diabetes Clinic at the Queensland Diabetes Centre at the Mater Hospital, Brisbane in 2002-2004 following the institution of a new protocol for home management of mild or impending hypoglycaemia associated with inability or refusal to take oral carbohydrate. The protocol recommended the use of subcutaneous injections of glucagon using insulin syringes at a dose of two ' units ' (20 mu g) in children 2 years of age or younger, and for older children one unit per year of age up to a maximum of 15 units (150 mu g), with an additional doubled dose given if the blood glucose had not increased in 20 min. Results: Over a 2-year period, 25 children were treated with mini-dose glucagon on a total of 38 occasions. Additional doses were required for recurring hypoglycaemia on 20 (53%) occasions. The child could be managed at home on 32 (84%) of these 38 occasions, with only 6 (16%) children needing hospital treatment. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that small doses of glucagon given subcutaneously with an insulin syringe is a simple, practical and effective home treatment of mild or impending hypoglycaemia due to gastroenteritis or food refusal in children with type 1 diabetes.

Dry powder inhalation of macromolecules using novel PEG-co-polyester microparticle carriers

This study investigated optimizing the formulation parameters for encapsulation of a model mucinolytic enzyme, a-chymotrypsin (a-CH), within a novel polymer; poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(glycerol adipate-co-?-pentadecalactone), PEG-co-(PGA-co-PDL) which were then applied to the formulation of DNase I. a-CH or DNase I loaded microparticles were prepared via spray drying from double emulsion (w(1)/o/w(2)) utilizing chloroform (CHF) as the organic solvent, l-leucine as a dispersibility enhancer and an internal aqueous phase (w(1)) containing PEG4500 or Pluronic(®) F-68 (PLF68). a-CH released from microparticles was investigated for bioactivity using the azocasein assay and the mucinolytic activity was assessed utilizing the degradation of mucin suspension assay. The chemical structure of PEG-co-(PGA-co-PDL) was characterized by (1)H NMR and FT-IR with both analyses confirming PEG incorporated into the polymer backbone, and any unreacted units removed. Optimum formulation a-CH-CHF/PLF68, 1% produced the highest bioactivity, enzyme encapsulation (20.08±3.91%), loading (22.31±4.34µg/mg), FPF (fine particle fraction) (37.63±0.97%); FPD (fine particle dose) (179.88±9.43µg), MMAD (mass median aerodynamic diameter) (2.95±1.61µm), and the mucinolytic activity was equal to the native non-encapsulated enzyme up to 5h. DNase I-CHF/PLF68, 1% resulted in enzyme encapsulation (17.44±3.11%), loading (19.31±3.27µg/mg) and activity (81.9±2.7%). The results indicate PEG-co-(PGA-co-PDL) can be considered as a potential biodegradable polymer carrier for dry powder inhalation of macromolecules for treatment of local pulmonary diseases.

PEG-based solid dispersions enhanced the solubility and dissolution of eprosartan mesylate in-vitro

Abstract - This study investigates the effect of solid dispersions prepared from of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 and 6000 Da alone or combined with the non-ionic surfactant Tween 80 on the solubility and dissolution rate of a poorly soluble drug eprosartan mesylate (ESM) in attempt to improve its bioavailability following its oral administration.

INTRODUCTION

ESM is a potent anti-hypertension [1]. It has low water solubility and is classified as a Class II drug as per the Biopharmaceutical Classification Systems (BCS) leading to low and variable oral bioavailability (approximately 13%). [2]. Thus, improving ESM solubility and/or dissolution rate would eventually improve the drug bioavailability. Solid dispersion is widely used technique to improve the water solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs employing various biocompatible polymers. In this study, we aimed to enhance the solubility and dissolution of EMS employing solid dispersion (SD) formulated from two grades of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) polymers (i.e. PEG 3350 & PEG 6000 Da) either individually or in combination with Tween 80.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ESM SDs were prepared by solvent evaporation method using either PEG 3350 or PEG 6000 at various (drug: polymer, w/w) ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5 alone or combined with Tween 80 added at fixed percentage of 0.1 of drug by weight?. Physical mixtures (PMs) of drug and carriers were also prepared at same ratios. Drug solid dispersions and physical mixtures were characterized in terms of drug content, drug dissolution using dissolution apparatus USP II and assayed using HPLC method. Drug dissolution enhancement ratio (ER %) from SD in comparison to the plain drug was calculated. Drug-polymer interactions were evaluated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The in vitro solubility and dissolution studies showed SDs prepared using both polymers produced a remarkable improvement (p<0.05) in comparison to the plain drug which reached around 32% (Fig. 1). The dissolution enhancement ratio was polymer type and concentration-dependent. Adding Tween 80 to the SD did not show further dissolution enhancement but reduced the required amount of the polymer to get the same dissolution enhancement. The DSC and FT-IR studies indicated that using SD resulted in transformation of drug from crystalline to amorphous form.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that SDs prepared by using both polymers i.e. PEG 3350 and PEG 6000 improved the in-vitro solubility and dissolution of ESM remarkably which may result in improving the drug bioavailability in vivo.

Acknowledgments

This work is a part of MSc thesis of O.M. Ali at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Aleppo University, Syria.

REFERENCES

[1] Ruilope L, Jager B: Eprosartan for the treatment of hypertension. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2003; 4(1):107-14

[2] Tenero D, Martin D, Wilson B, Jushchyshyn J, Boike S, Lundberg, D, et al. Pharmacokinetics of intravenously and orally administered Eprosartan in healthy males: absolute bioavailability and effect of food. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1998; 19(6): 351- 6.

Rescue of impaired fear extinction : role of dopaminergic signaling and histone acetylation

submitted by Verena Felizitas Maurer

DOCUMENTARY RESCUE OF POPULAR TRADITIONS OF THE CENTRAL AREA CANTONS HEREDIA PROVINCE

This paper presents the results of documentary rescue demonstrations performed in different counties present in the central area of the province of Heredia.This idea was enhanced thanks to the Organization of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has provided the rescue and preservation of folk traditions, both tangible and intangible, throughout the world.Coupled with this, the Ministry of Education under the direction of Professor Manuel Antonio Bolaños, launched in the administration of La Espriella Pacheco (2002-2006) the development of an educational project aimed at rescuing the popular traditions of the province of Heredia, which under the title"Draft Heredianidad" became one of the main inspiring to be translated into a multimedia all information collected in the process of this research.The final graduation consisted of three major axes: the memory, the media containing all the information collected and a database in which (the) user (s) and to describe the bibliographic production on the subject of popular traditions Heredia has occurred, would help to physically locate these publications.To achieve the objectives we proceeded to conduct visits to public libraries and municipalities in the province as well as interviews with different artistic personalities of the cantons heredianos, thereby gained access to various legends, anecdotes, stories, songs, music and history of the province of Heredia.

Emergencia, les pegó el gran susto en el aire y de recuerdo les dejó un zapato

Fondo Margaritainés Restrepo

HBsAg seroclearance or seroconversion induced by peg-interferon alpha and lamivudine or adefovir combination therapy in chronic hepatitis B treatment: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background and aims: Seroclearance or seroconversion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is generally considered as a clinical endpoint. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of combined therapy with pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) with or without lamivudine (LAM) or adefovir (ADV) on HBsAg seroclearance or seroconversion in subjects with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods: Randomized controlled trials performed through May 30th 2015 in adults with CHB receiving PEG-IFNα and LAM or ADV combination therapy or monotherapy for 48-52 weeks were included. The Review Manager Software 5.2.0 was used for the meta-analysis. Results: No statistical differences in HBsAg seroclearance (9.9% vs. 7.1%, OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.75, 2.90; p = 0.26) or HBsAg seroconversion (4.2% vs. 3.7%, OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.57, 2.37; p = 0.67) rates were noticed between PEG-IFNα + LAM and PEG-IFN α + placebo during post-treatment follow-up for 24-26-weeks in subjects with hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB. No statistical differences in HBsAg clearance (10.5% vs. 6.4%, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 0.75, 3.76; p = 0.21) were seen, but statistical differences in HBsAg seroconversion (6.3% vs. 0%, OR = 7.22, 95% CI: 1.23, 42.40; p = 0.03) were observed, between PEG-IFNα + ADV and PEG-IFNα for 48-52 weeks of treatment in subjects with HBeAg-positive CHB. A systematic evaluation showed no differences in HBsAg disappearance and seroconversion rates between PEG-IFNα + placebo and PEG-IFNα + LAM for 48-52 weeks in subjects with HBeAg-positive CHB. A systematic assessment found no differences in HBsAg disappearance and seroconversion rates between PEG-IFNα + placebo and PEG-IFNα + LAM during 24 weeks' to 3 years' follow-up after treatment in subjects with HBeAg-negative CHB. Conclusion: Combined therapy with PEG-IFNα and LAM or ADV was not superior to monotherapy with PEG-IFNα in terms of HBsAg seroclearance or seroconversion.

Ligand-Free Palladium-Catalyzed Oxyarylation of Dihydronaphthal­enes and Chromenequinone with o-Iodophenols and 3-Iodolawsone in PEG-400: An Efficient Synthesis of 5-Carbapterocarpans and Pterocarpanquinones

Dihydronaphthalenes were oxyarylated with o-iodophenols, in PEG-400 at 140 or 170 °C, leading regio- and stereoselectively to 5-carbapterocarpans. By using Pd(OAc)2 (5–10 mol%) as precatalyst and Ag2CO3 (1.1 equiv) as base (conditions A), products were obtained in good to excellent chemical yields, in 5–30 minutes, irrespective of the pattern of substitution the starting materials. Alternatively, when p-hydroxyacetophenone oxime derived palladacycle (1 mol%) was used as precatalyst, and dicyclohexylamine (2 equiv) was used as base (silver-free, conditions B), the corresponding adducts were obtained in moderate to good yields, in 0.5 to 4 hours. Finally, the oxyarylation of dihydronaphthalenes­ and chromenquinone with o-iodophenols and 3-iodolawsone in PEG-400 under conditions A led regio- and stereoselectively to the formation of carbapterocarpanquinones and pterocarpanquinones in moderate yield.

Healthcare Computer Reasoning Addressing Chronically Ill Societies Using IoT: Deep Learning AI to the Rescue of Home-Based Healthcare

The authors present a proposal to develop intelligent assisted living environments for home based healthcare. These environments unite the chronical patient clinical history sematic representation with the ability of monitoring the living conditions and events recurring to a fully managed Semantic Web of Things (SWoT). Several levels of acquired knowledge and the case based reasoning that is possible by knowledge representation of the health-disease history and acquisition of the scientific evidence will deliver, through various voice based natural interfaces, the adequate support systems for disease auto management but prominently by activating the less differentiated caregiver for any specific need. With these capabilities at hand, home based healthcare providing becomes a viable possibility reducing the institutionalization needs. The resulting integrated healthcare framework will provide significant savings while improving the generality of health and satisfaction indicators.