New initiation system for resin polymerization using metal particles and 4-META.
(25/772)
Fifteen kinds of metal particles were examined to establish whether they could induce the setting of UDMA-based monomer containing BPO without amine under the presence of 4-META at room temperature. FT-IR spectra of the resultant set samples and the monomer were analyzed to see if the setting was caused by the polymerization. The effects of 4-META and BPO concentrations on the setting time were also studied using the metal particles that induced the setting very effectively. As-received Cu, Zn, Mo, Sn, Co, and In particles could initiate the polymerization of the monomer in combination with BPO and 4-META when they were moistened with water. All the three kinds of silver alloy particles examined also could initiate the polymerization, although pure silver metal particles could not. The presence of 4-META drastically shortened the setting time of the mixture of Cu particles and the monomer containing BPO, while higher concentration of BPO in the monomer significantly shortened the setting time. (+info)
Polymerization of UDMA using zinc particles and 4-META with and without BPO.
(26/772)
The polymerization phenomena of zinc particles moistened with a small amount of water, 4-META, and UDMA without amine in the presence and absence of BPO were investigated. The effects of 4-META and BPO on the setting time and the degree of conversion (DC) were studied. Moreover, the effect of zinc ion amount on the setting time was investigated. As-received zinc particles could induce the polymerization either with or without BPO. A higher concentration of 4-META shortened the setting time and increased DC when BPO was absent. However, the presence of BPO generally retarded the setting time and decreased DC, although its effect was dependent on the 4-META concentration. A higher amount of zinc ion retarded the setting reaction in the presence of 4-META. The zinc particles mixed with 10% zinc sulfate and acetic acid solutions could induce the polymerization of UDMA containing BPO when the amine and 4-META were absent. (+info)
Comparison of elderly people's technique in using two dry powder inhalers to deliver zanamivir: randomised controlled trial.
(27/772)
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether elderly people can learn to use the inhaler used to deliver zanamivir (Relenza Diskhaler) as effectively as the Turbohaler and to identify which aspects of inhaler technique are most problematic. DESIGN: Randomised, controlled, intervention study. SETTING: Wards for acute elderly care in a large district general hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 73 patients who were unfamiliar with the use of an inhaler, aged 71 to 99 (mean 83) years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Initial scores and changes in scores 24 hours later using a 10 point scoring system of five aspects of inhaler technique. RESULTS: 38 patients were allocated the Relenza Diskhaler and 35 the Turbohaler. The mean total score was significantly greater in the Turbohaler than Diskhaler groups both initially (8.74 v 7.05) and after 24 hours (8.28 v 5.43). The major difference between inhalers was in loading and priming. After tuition 50% (19 of 38) of patients allocated the Diskhaler were unable to load and prime the device and 65% (24 of 37) were unable to do so 24 hours later. Of those allocated the Turbohaler, two patients were unable to load and prime the device after initial review and one after 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Most elderly people cannot use the inhaler device used to deliver the anti-influenza drug zanamivir. Treatment with this drug is unlikely to be effective in elderly people unless the delivery system is improved. (+info)
Acceptance of the Accuhaler, a multi-dose powder inhaler, among asthmatic patients: a comparison with the pressurized metered-dose inhaler.
(28/772)
This study aimed to evaluate dry powder inhaler naive asthmatic patients' perception and preference of the Accuhaler, a multidose dry powder inhaler and the pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI). After the first instruction, 66.7% of 48 patients enrolled in the study could demonstrate the correct use of the Accuhaler. When the patients were asked to compare the pMDI and the Accuhaler after using the Accuhaler to administer salmeterol for 4 weeks, the Accuhaler scored significantly better than the pMDI for the following features: knowing how many doses are left, presence of an attached cover, taste, instruction for use, attractiveness, ease of use, ease of holding, shape, and comfortable mouthpiece. The pMDI scored better to the Accuhaler in terms of size. More patients preferred the Accuhaler than the pMDI; the presence of a dose counter and perceived ease of use were the main reasons cited for their preference for the Accuhaler. (+info)
Interaction of microcrystalline cellulose and water in granules prepared by a high-shear mixer.
(29/772)
Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) granules were prepared by wet granulation using a high-shear mixer. Physical characteristics of the granules were investigated using near IR spectrometry, thermogravimetry and isothermal water vapor adsorption. Near IR spectra of dried MCC granules prepared for various granulation times exhibited different peak intensities at 1428, 1772, and 1920 nm, which were assigned to functional groups of cellulose or water. On isothermogravimetric analysis, the rate of dehydration of water was shown to decrease with granulation time. These results suggest that the physical structure of MCC could change during the granulation process, and the interaction between MCC and water was gradually strengthened. The isothermal water vapor adsorption curves suggested that the amorphous region of MCC would be divided by the strong shear force of the impeller, because the high adsorption ability of intact MCC in the low humidity region was diminished in granules collected following 5 and 10 min of granulation. It was suggested that MCC formed a network which caught water within its structure during the wet granulation process. (+info)
Gender may affect the action of garlic oil on plasma cholesterol and glucose levels of normal subjects.
(30/772)
Early trials of garlic preparations on blood lipids mainly supported a lipid-lowering effect, whereas later well-designed garlic tablet trials were mainly entirely null. However, enteric simulation tests suggest that this discordance may result from ineffective delivery of bioactive agents from the brands of garlic powder (GP) and cyclodextrin-bound garlic oil (GO) tablets tested in some recent negative trials. In contrast, enteric simulation tests show that the preformed bioactive agents present in "traditional" gelatin capsules of GO are efficiently released, although such capsules have rarely been investigated in lipid-lowering trials. It was hypothesized that gelatin capsules of GO given to normal subjects would improve specified coronary heart disease risk factors. Effects of a GP preparation were also investigated. Subjects (n = 51; men and women, mean age 27 y) were randomly assigned to receive either 8.2 mg/d of GO (allyl sulfides) or placebo for 11 wk. Another 27 subjects received garlic powder (GP) of similar biopotential (7.8 mg allicin/d). Outcome measures were 95% confidence intervals (CI) between GO and placebo groups for differences between baseline and subsequent sample times. Men and women combined showed no significant differences save for an improved total antioxidant capacity at 6 wk (P = 0.01). Hence, no benefit from GO after 11 wk is one plausible conclusion. However, there were significant differences in effect of GO between men and women for HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) (P = 0.004) and total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C (P = 0.003). Women showed favorable effects in terms of CHD risk factors (i.e., increases in HDL-C and reductions in TC/HDL-C), whereas men had small adverse effects. There was a significant difference in the GO effect for glucose (P = 0.006), with a reduction seen for men and an increase for women. The gender effects were unexpected and such analyses were not planned in advance. Confirmation of these findings with larger numbers of subjects would have importance for the use of garlic against CHD and for the design of future garlic studies. (+info)
Feeding tolerance of ready-to-use versus powdered formulas in neonates.
(31/772)
BACKGROUND: Following the introduction of ready-to-use formula in our neonatal department, we observed an increase in the number of neonates regurgitating after feeding. OBJECTIVE: To compare the feeding tolerance of neonates, in terms of regurgitations, to ready-to-use versus powdered formulas. METHODS: We compared the number of regurgitations in 727 healthy neonates after feeding ready-to-use formulas and powdered formulas of two different manufacturers. Six groups of neonates were formed, three for each manufacturer. Each of the two groups was fed with either ready-to-use formula or with reconstructed powdered formula (using a two-compartment patented feeding bottle called Twist 'N Feed) and one group received both preparations during 2 successive days. RESULTS: The groups that were fed only with ready-to-use formulas had significantly more regurgitations than those fed with powdered formulas. Within the group that received both types of formulas there were significantly more regurgitations following the ready-to-use than the powdered formula. CONCLUSIONS: Feeding tolerance, in terms of regurgitations, was significantly better in neonates fed reconstituted powdered formula as opposed to ready-to-use formulas. More studies are required to determine the exact mechanism for these differences. (+info)
Urea in the treatment of epibulbar malignancies.
(32/772)
Eight patients with epibulbar malignancies of the eyes were sucessfully treated with urea. One of them presented a malignant melanoma, one a tumour of Kaposi's disease, and six had squamous cell carcinomas. At least four out of these eight patients would have required enucleation of the globe or exenteration of the orbit as an alternative to urea therapy. (+info)