Search

Purpose: This paper reports a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) to calculate the environmental footprint of a dental appointment using N2O, comparing single-use equipment with reusable equipment. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is used successfully in dentistry to provide sedation and pain relief to anxious patients, most commonly in children. However, N2O is a powerful climate pollutant 298 times more damaging than carbon dioxide over a 100-year estimate. Methods: The functional unit chosen for this LCIA was 30 min delivery of N2O to oxygen in a 50:50 ratio at 6 L per minute flow rate as inhalation sedation to one patient. Two types of equipment were compared to deliver the anaesthetic gas: reusable and disposable items. Results: The use of disposable equipment for N2O sedation produces a significantly larger environmental impact across nearly all of the environmental impact scores, but the overall global warming potential is comparable for both types of equipment due to the vast environmental pollution from N2O itself. Conclusion: N2O sedation is a reliable treatment adjunct but contributes to climate change. Single-use equipment has a further deleterious effect on the environment, though this is small compared to the overall impact of N2O. Dental priorities should be to deliver safe and effective care to patients that protects staff, minimises waste and mitigates impact on the environment alongside promoting research into alternatives.

Announcing environmental infractions as part of environmental protection laws results in abnormal market returns of -.51 percent for the erring firm. The result is influenced by the nature of the legal action, firm size and pollutant type.

OBJECTIVE--We sought to determine whether alterations in meal absorption and gastric emptying contribute to the mechanism by which inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) lower postprandial glucose concentrations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--We simultaneously measured gastric emptying, meal appearance, endogenous glucose production, and glucose disappearance in 14 subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with either vildaglipitin (50 mg b.i.d.) or placebo for 10 days using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover design. RESULTS--Fasting (7.3 ± 0.5 vs. 7.9 ± 0.5 mmol/l) and peak postprandial (14.1 ± 0.6 vs. 15.9 ± 0.9 mmol/l) glucose concentrations were lower (P < 0.01) after vildagliptin treatment than placebo. Despite lower glucose concentrations, postprandial insulin and C-peptide concentrations did not differ during the two treatments. On the other hand, the integrated (area under the curve) postprandial glucagon concentrations were lower (20.9 ± 1.6 vs. 23.7 ± 1.3 mg/ml per 5 h, P < 0.05), and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentrations were higher (1,878 ± 270 vs. 1,277 ± 312 pmol/l per 5 h, P = 0.001) during vildagliptin administration compared with placebo. Gastric emptying and meal appearance did not differ between treatments. CONCLUSIONS--Vildagliptin does not alter gastric emptying or the rate of entry of ingested glucose into the systemic circulation in humans. DPP-4 inhibitors do not lower postprandial glucose concentrations by altering the rate of nutrient absorption or delivery to systemic circulation. Alterations in islet function, secondary to increased circulating concentrations of active GLP-1, are associated with the decreased postprandial glycemic excursion observed in the presence of vildagliptin., Postprandial hyperglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes may be due to defects in insulin secretion, suppression of glucagon secretion, impaired glucose effectiveness (defined as the ability of glucose per [...]

Background: Losartan potassium, the first nonpeptide selective blocker of angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor, has been shown to exhibit clinical antihypertensive effects. The aim of the present study was to characterize the efficacy and duration of action of losartan by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Methods: The study was performed in nonblack hypertensive patients whose baseline untreated clinical diastolic blood pressures were 95 mm Hg or higher and whose average 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressures were 85 mm Hg or higher. Patients were randomized, double-blind, into four treatment groups: placebo (n=32) or losartan, 50 mg once daily (n=29), 100 mg once daily (n=30), or 50 mg twice daily (n=31). Clinical and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures were measured at baseline (off treatment for at least 4 weeks) and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: By clinical sphygmomanometer measurements at the end of the 24-hour or 12-hour dosing intervals (trough), all three losartan dosages were significantly more effective than placebo at decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressures. By average 24-hour ambulatory systolic/ diastolic blood pressure measurements, the decreases produced were 0.0/0.2 mm Hg for placebo and 9.2/6.9, 9.9/6.4, and 13.2/8.5 mm Hg, respectively, for losartan, 50 mg once daily, 100 mg once daily, and 50 mg twice daily. All drug effects were different from placebo (P

This article analyzes the market response of insurers' stock returns to the formulation debate, and enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Provisions of the Tax Reform Act portended [...]

Variance and lower partial moment betas as bases for costing equity capital among regulated utilities An important question in the setting of public utility rates is, |What constitutes a fair [...]

Present information suggests that for every 100 discovery leads that enter preclinical drug development, more than 90 are found to either not have the necessary drug-like properties or have major [...]

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of dentists nationwide in Ireland regarding the infant oral health visit, and also to elucidate whether dentists were aware of the recommendation for a first dental visit by age 1 year and of what care should be provided at this visit. A validated 10-item questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of non-paediatric dentists (non-PDs) and paediatric dentists (PDs) practicing in Ireland. The questionnaire focused on respondents’ demographics in addition to their knowledge, attitudes and behaviour regarding the infant dental visit. Seventy-three percent of non-PDs reported seeing patients aged 0–36 months. Compared to all PD respondents, 58% of non-PDs believed that the first dental visit should occur by age 1 year. Furthermore, non-PDs provided the same care as PDs at the infant dental visit, with the exception of evaluating for fluoride needs and placing fluoride varnish. The main barrier to early oral healthcare was reported to be parents not requesting dental appointments for their infants. There remains a need to increase the proportion of non-PDs in Ireland seeing infants by their first birthday. It is recommended that Irish undergraduate and continuing education courses incorporate clinical training regarding the infant oral health visit and emphasise fluoride needs evaluation and fluoride varnish application. Additionally, a nationwide health promotion initiative is indicated to inform parents of the importance of a dental visit by age 1 year.

Introduction National Health Service (NHS) England dental teams need to consider from a professional perspective how they can, along with their NHS colleagues, play their part in reducing their carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of the care they deliver. In order to help understand carbon emissions from dental services, Public Health England (PHE) commissioned a calculation and analysis of the carbon footprint of key dental procedures.Methods Secondary data analysis from Business Services Authority (BSA), Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) (now called NHS Digital, Information Services Division [ISD]), National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants (NASDA) and recent Scottish papers was undertaken using a process-based and environmental input-output analysis using industry established conversion factors.Results The carbon footprint of the NHS dental service is 675 kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). Examinations contributed the highest proportion to this footprint (27.1%) followed by scale and polish (13.4%) and amalgam/composite restorations (19.3%). From an emissions perspective, nearly 2/3 (64.5%) of emissions related to travel (staff and patient travel), 19% procurement (the products and services dental clinics buy) and 15.3% related to energy use.Discussion The results are estimates of carbon emissions based on a number of broad assumptions. More research, education and awareness is needed to help dentistry develop low carbon patient pathways.

Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist approved for treating insomnia at doses of 10–20 mg. Previously reported phase III results showed that suvorexant was effective and well-tolerated in a combined-age population (elderly and nonelderly adults). The present analysis evaluated the clinical profile of suvorexant specifically in the elderly.

For over 20 years, normative data has guided the prescription of physical activity. This data has since been applied to research and used to plan interventions. While this data seemingly provides accurate estimates of the metabolic cost of daily activities in young adults, the accuracy of use among older adults is less clear. As such, a thorough evaluation of the metabolic cost of daily activities in community dwelling adults across the lifespan is needed.

For the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes in the catheterization laboratory, a high-dose bolus (HDB) regimen of tirofiban (25 µgkg bolus, followed by an infusion of 0.15 µgkgmin) leads to a consistent and rapid inhibition of platelet aggregation during the first hour after initiation of therapy. The objective of the present study was to use pharmacokinetic modeling to identify an appropriate dosage of tirofiban that would produce a plasma concentration–time profile in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance<30 mlmin) as similar as possible to that of the HDB regimen in patients with normal renal function. For patients with severe renal impairment, previous recommendations have been to reduce the dosage by 50. Pharmacokinetic modeling was performed with the following sets of data: the plasma concentrations of tirofiban from patients with normal renal function who were treated with the HDB regimen of tirofiban and the plasma concentrations of tirofiban from patients with severe renal impairment who were treated with a 0.1 µgkgmin infusion of tirofiban for 1 h. In conclusion, for patients with severe renal impairment, a 25 µgkg bolus, followed by a 0.10 µgkgmin maintenance infusion of tirofiban produced a plasma concentration–time profile similar to that observed with the HDB regimen of tirofiban in patients with normal renal function.

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of gaboxadol in the treatment of adult and elderly patients with primary insomnia.

Postmolt longevity and changes in the shell condition and body integrity of male snow crab Chionoecetes opilioafter their terminal molt were assessed through a mark-recapture experiment and population censuses in a commercially unfished locality of eastern Canada. The experiment explored the value of dactyl wear as a quantitative measure and shell condition (SC; measured on a five-stage scale) as a relative index of shell age. Males were recaptured up to 6 years after release. Much of the extensive variation in observed dactyl wear was explained by time at liberty (?t) and male size, and the extent of change in SC was positively correlated with ?t. The conservative wear-based estimate of male longevity was 7.7 years, a value 1-3 years greater than previously estimated. Dactyl wear and recapture data confirmed that SC is a relative, albeit rough, index of shell age. Shell hardness was positively correlated with male size and peaked in stage 3 about 3.5 years after the terminal molt. The number of missing pereopods increased with shell age and SC stage and overall was negatively correlated with male size. The commercial value of adult males may be highest at 1-4.5 years post-terminal molt and the reproductive value at 2-5.5 years.

The phase partitioning of additives in polymer blends has a large impact on the performance of the blend. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to quantify the level of the additives in each phase. A ¹H–NMR method is presented to determine the partitioning of additives between the rubber and rigid phases of a high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) material. In one case, a HIPS material was modified with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol (Ionol, CAS# 128-37-OMF) as a stabilizer for both phases. HIPS materials with varying levels of Ionol were melt-blended by extrusion and the total level of additives was determined analytically for these standard materials. The ¹H–NMR method was used to determine the level of Ionol in the poly(butadiene) rubber phase. The Ionol was found to preferentially partition into the rubber phase with a partition coefficient of about 2. A second example of the same concept, instead utilizing ¹³C–NMR, involved the analysis of the partition coefficient for both Tinuvin P and Tinuvin 770 (CAS# 2440-22-4 and 52829-07-9), partitioning between the rigid and rubber phases of an ethylene–propylene–diene-modified (EPDM) toughened styrene–ran–acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer. The partition coefficient was determined to be 0.5 for Tinuvin P and 1.3 for Tinuvin 770. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1963–1970, 2001

Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is applied periodically to commercial channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ponds as an algicide or parasiticide. Current understanding of the chemistry of copper in soil–water systems suggests that copper may accumulate in pond sediments, although the forms and potential bioavailability of copper in catfish pond sediments are not known. This study investigated the accumulation and distribution of copper in the sediment of catfish ponds receiving periodic additions of CuSO4· 5H2O. All ponds were constructed in Sharkey (very‐fine, smectitic, thermic Chromic Epiaquert) soil. Nine 0.40‐ha ponds received 59 applications of 2.27 kg CuSO4· 5H2O per application per pond over 3 yr; no CuSO4· 5H2O applications were made to nine additional ponds. Total Cu concentration in the sediments of CuSO4· 5H2O‐amended catfish ponds (172.5 mg kg−1) was four to five times higher than that in the sediments of nonamended ponds (36.1 mg kg−1). Copper accumulated in catfish pond sediments at a rate of 41 μg kg−1dry sediment for each 1 kg ha−1of CuSO4· 5H2O applied to ponds. Copper in the sediments of amended ponds was mainly in the organic matter–bound (30.7%), carbonate‐bound (31.8%), and amorphous iron oxide–bound (22.1%) fractions with a considerable fraction (3.4%; 3 to 8 mg kg−1) in soluble and exchangeable fractions. This indicates that Cu accumulates differentially in various fractions, with proportionally greater initial accumulation in potentially bioavailable forms. However, toxicity bioassays with amphipods (Hyallela azteca) and common cattail (Typha latifoliaL.) indicated that the effect of exposure to amended or nonamended pond sediments was not different.

Presents several letters to the editor. Poem sent by a reader on poet Calvin Trillin; Information on the history of Vietnam war; Discussion on motion picture "SDS's Other Wars," by Jim Russell.

A gas chromatographic-electron capture (GC-EC) method has been developed for the determination of N- (trans-2-dimethylaminocyclopentyl)- N-(3’,4’-dichlorophenyl)propanamide,a potential antidepressant drug, and its N-demethyl metabolite in serum. The GC-EC system employed a 3% OV-17 on 100/120 mesh Supelcoport, 2-m × 2-mm i.d. glass column and an isothermal temperature of 195’C. The parent drug and metabolite were extracted from alkalinized serum (pH ~ 13), with toluene, back-extracted into an acidic solution (pH ~ 1), and finally, after adjusting to pH 13, extracted again with toluene. The extensive sample cleanup was necessary to remove serum components which interfered with the analysis. The analytical method was shown to give quantitative recovery of the drug and metabolite, to be linear over a 100-fold concentration range, and to have the necessary precision and sensitivity to detect and quantify as little as 1 ng/mL of the drug or its metabolite. The method has been employed to determine the serum level of drug and metabolite in dogs receiving a single oral dose and to determine the possible correlation between the administered dose and serum levels.

A previously reported high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for indoprofen determination in physiological fluids was modified and extended to provide quantitative data on drug concentrations in human milk samples at a low nanogram per milliliter level. The reversed‐phase HPLC technique was modified to give a better separation of the drug and milk components. To achieve the necessary cleanup for low level determination, the milk samples required protein precipitation, liquid‐liquid drug extraction, and concentration. Excellent indoprofen recovery was obtained with this technique; the average recovery from 20 milk samples spiked with various nanogram drug levels was 95%. The analytical technique showed excellent reproducibility; the calibration solutions over 15 days had a relative standard deviation of 3.2%. Results for indoprofen levels in milk and plasma samples from seven subjects who received either a single or multiple oral drug dose are presented.

To determine the effects of mass loading of the active arm and arm-movement duration for the tracing of a kinesthetic stimulus on kinesthetic-visual intersensory form discrimination, 171 right-handed male undergraduate subjects judged kinesthetic arcs with reference to simultaneously perceived visual arcs, in terms of relative amount of curvature, under conditions of 100-, 1,158-, and 2,216-gm. loads and 1-sec, 5-sec, and 9-sec. durations in a 3 × 3 nonrepeated-measures design. The number of “incorrect” judgments showed that the greater loads improved discrimination when movement was of intermediate or long duration. Movement of short duration improved discrimination under minimum load. Discrimination was best with maximum load and intermediate duration and poorest with minimum load and long duration. It was concluded that intersensory discrimination can be improved by optimizing the conditions which affect intrasensory discrimination. The results were interpreted in terms of the augmentation of both attention and kinesthetic information.

Analytical methods have been developed for the quantitative determination of furegrelate (1), a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, in dog serum and urine specimens. The methods use ion-pairing reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection at 268nm and have the necessary specificity, linearity, and sensitivity to quantitate 100 ng/mL of the drug in serum and 20 μg/mL in urine. Preliminary pharmacokinetic and bioavailability evaluations in the dog indicate that 1was rapidly distributed and had a terminal half-life of 132min after an intravenous dose. The primary route of elimination was renal with 70% of the parent drug excreted in urine. Fasted dogs dosed orally with the drug in solution or capsule had similar absorption and elimination kinetics and agreed favorably with the intravenous results. The bioavailability of 1dosed orally was 77–80% based on serum area under curve and >90% based on urinary excretion of the parent compound. The serum kinetics, but not the urinary elimination, of 1appeared to be altered in fed dogs given drug in capsule.

Three hundred and twenty-two (322) persons with severe mental handicaps were given plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine (20 μg dose at 0, 1 and 6 months). Following the third injection, 95% of the vaccinees were positive for anti-HBs, while 92% achieved a protective level of antibody (⩾ 10 mIU ml−1) with a geometric mean titre of 2568 mlU ml−1. Females responded better than males. Antibody responses declined with increasing age in both sexes, but they were not significantly influenced by body weight. Persistence of antibody in responders was followed over 4 years. The proportion of responders maintaining ⩾ 10 mIU ml−1was a function of initial antibody titre but was not significantly affected by sex, age or body weight. Overall, 76% of the responders are estimated to have ⩾ 10 mIU ml−1of anti-HBs 4 years after the first injection of vaccine.

An oxoaminium chloride that is prepared by reacting 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO) with chlorine in carbon tetrachloride initiates radical polymerization of styrene at 120°C. In the early stages of polymerization, a monomeric adduct, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(2-chloro-1-phenylethoxy)piperidine, is formed. Thereafter, styrene polymerization exhibiting the characteristics of living polymerization proceeds. High molecular weight polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions are obtained by this polymerization. ¹H-NMR spectra of the polymers reveal that a chlorine atom and a TEMPO group are present at the α- and ω-termini, respectively. The monomeric adduct was prepared by heating the oxoaminium chloride and styrene in carbon tetrachloride at 65–70°C, and was characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. It was found to be suitable as an initiator for nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene to make polymers with chlorine on the chain end. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2555–2561, 1998

Although extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins play important roles in neural development, their levels are generally believed to decrease in the adult brain. Immunohistochemical analysis indicates that the anti-adhesive ECM glycoprotein SPARC/osteonectin, which contains a follistatin ‘module’, is expressed in the adult rabbit nervous system. In the cerebellum, SPARC is present in Bergmann glia, with a strong signal along their radial fibres. SPARC, while enriched in membrane fractions, is not a transmembrane protein. In the hippocampus, colocalization of SPARC is observed in cells which express the astrocytic marker GFAP. The expression of SPARC by a subset of astrocytes, particularly in synaptic enriched areas, suggests a continuing role for the ECM in the adult brain.

To compare the incidence of cough in patients with a history of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-related cough who received losartan [a type 1 angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonist], lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) or hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic).

A sensitive activity assay for high volume evaluation of human renin inhibitory peptides (RIPs) in rat sera (range 2–80 ng/ml) was developed based on the low affinity of RIPs to rat renin and their high affinity to human renin. The utility of this activity assay was tested by measuring concentrations of a human RIP, U-71,038 (BOC-Pro-Phe-N-MeHis-Leu ? [CHOHCH2]Val-Ile-Amp), in rat sera, determined by the activity assay, by a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA), and by tracking tritiated drug. Rats were given radiolabeled drug as an intravenous bolus, and blood samples were collected at various times after dosing. The serum level of U-71,038 equivalents was determined by the three techniques. Whole blood was also counted for total radioactivity to evaluate the potential for U-71,038 incorporation into red blood cells. Results from the three serum assays indicate good agreement between the calculated U-71,038 equivalents for the 30 min and 1 hr collection times. The 2 and 4 hr collection times show excellent agreement for the activity assay and RIA; [3H]-U-71,038 determinations gave substantially higher values. Serum levels for U-71,038 determined 30 min after dosing averaged less than 300 ng equivalents/ml suggesting that less than 1% of the administered dose was in the systemic circulation at that time. Thus, U-71,038 was rapidly cleared. At the 4 hr collection time, the level of U-71,038 equivalents, as determined by activity assay and RIA, was ten times the in vitro IC50 for the renin inhibitory activity of U-71,038. Analysis of whole blood levels of 3[H]-U-71,038 indicated little or no incorporation of drug related material into red blood cells. In addition to predicting pharmacological response, the activity assay can be used to quantify human RIPs in rat serum when biotransformation is absent.

To determine the effect of mass loading on the performance of a skilled perceptual-motor task, measures of performance (in terms of number of correct responses) were obtained for 40 blindfolded undergraduate subjects on a linear positioning task under conditions of 0-gm., 909-gm., 1,818-gm., 2,727-gm., and 3,636-gm. manipulandum loads. With respect to the performance measure, the increasing load conditions produced an inverted U-function, with 1,818 gm. resulting in the best performance and 0 gm. producing the poorest performance. It was concluded that skilled perceptual-motor performance can be improved by optimizing the physical characteristics of the manipulandum. The results were interpreted in terms of the augmentation of both attention and kinesthetic information.

The objective of our course is to provide a general understanding of statistical reasoning, an appreciation of the statistician's role in drug development, and to facilitate effective communication between statisticians and clinical researchers. Brief lectures are followed immediately by interactive workshops which reinforce statistical concepts. Major subject areas include study design, data handling, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Specific topics include bias, sample size, data collection, descriptive statistics, and basic statistical methods. One continuing workshop requires students to create a protocol and then to analyze, interpret, and present data “collected” by course staff. Other workshops exhibit concepts of random sampling and making decisions with uncertainty. Student learning and course acceptability are greatly enhanced by discussions generated by the workshops, breaking the class into small study groups during the workshops, and the personalized attention that students receive from teaching assistants.

This study investigates whether the adoption of integration in New Zealand and Canada had a significant impact on corporate financing decisions in those countries. Because Canada instituted a capital gains tax on the sale of stock concurrent with the adoption of integration, firms within the Canadian samples believed to be affected by one of these tax changes and not the other are identified. Using regression analysis, we substantiate that tax integration significantly reduced corporate debt-to-equity ratios in New Zealand and Canada, supporting theoretical arguments that the imputation credit method of integration can reduce corporate financial leverage. However, this favorable impact is very sensitive to changes in tax rates, particularly taxes on gains realized through stock appreciation.

A case of Hand-Schüller-Christian disease and pregnancy is reported after a search of the literature failed to reveal a previously recorded case. A brief review of Hand-Schüller-Christian disease is included. The case is also added to the literature on diabetes insipidus in pregnancy, and a brief commentary on its incidence, course, and management is included.

Optical amplification is demonstrated in waveguides of composite materials consisting of nanocrystals of Cr:forsterite or Cr:diopside embedded in a host polymer with a matching refractive index. Small-signal gains of 1??dB/cm at λ=1.23 µm are reported.

A rapid, sensitive, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure was developed for the quantitative analysis of indoprofen in plasma and urine. Minimal sample preparation is required for the analysis of unconjugated urinary or plasma drug levels. The method provided quantitative results for indoprofen levels of 0.5-50μg/ml of plasma and 0.5-200μg/ml of urine and had a lower detection limit of 1ng. Total urinary indoprofen levels required enzymatic hydrolysis of the conjugated drug prior to analysis. Results are presented for the plasma and urinary excretion levels of indoprofen for a patient receiving a single oral dose.

The article discusses a research on age-related differences in the metabolic cost of daily physical activities, including effects of functional limitation and pain, use of accelerometer-based activity monitors, and use of processing techniques that are sensitive to older adults's functional status.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.