bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFEITOS DO PROGRAMA DE EDUCAÇÃO EM PACIENTES COM ARTRITE REUMATOIDE DO SERVIÇO DE REUMATOLOGIA DO HOSPITAL UNIVERSITÁRIO CASSIANO ANTÔNIO DE MORAES (HUCAM) - PROJETO PILOTO
Authors: Gomes Crystian Moraes Silva , Coutinho Gilma Correa , Miyamoto Samira Tatiyama
Published: September 2014

As metas da educação ao paciente com artrite reumatoide (AR) visam estimular o sujeito a alcançar o máximo possível de independência funcional e qualidade de vida. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar os efeitos do programa de extensão “Educação ao Paciente Reumático”, em um Serviço de Reumatologia, em Vitória/ES. A metodologia utilizada foi um ensaio clínico não controlado do tipo quantitativo. Pacientes foram avaliados ao iniciarem no programa e após quatro semanas, através do Health Assessment Questionnaire, do Patient Knowledge Questionnaire e da Escala de autoefi cácia para dor crônica. Nos dados foram utilizados o teste t-pareado, para as variáveis paramétricas, e o teste de Wilcoxon, para as não paramétricas, sendo considerado um p<0,05. Os resultados foram os seguintes: cinquenta pacientes com AR participaram do programa, sendo que quinze pacientes compareceram a todos os encontros e dezenove completaram as 1ª e 2ª avaliações; 18,2% completaram o Ensino Médio e 63,6% recebiam até um salário mínimo. Concluiu-se que não houve diferença estatisticamentesignificativa entre as avaliações iniciais e finais. A amostra utilizada demonstrou que os pacientes não adquiriram mais conhecimento sobre a doença através do programa de educação a curto-prazo, provavelmente devido ao baixo nível de escolaridade, à renda mensal e à falta de adesão dos usuários e familiares.
Impact of Annual Operator and Institutional Volume on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes
Authors: Badheka Apurva O. , Patel Nileshkumar J. , Grover Peeyush , Singh Vikas , Patel Nilay , Arora Shilpkumar , Chothani Ankit , Mehta Kathan , Deshmukh Abhishek , Savani Ghanshyambhai T. , Patel Achint , Panaich Sidakpal S. , Shah Neeraj , Rathod Ankit , Brown Michael , Mohamad Tamam , Tamburrino Frank V. , Kar Saibal , Makkar Raj , O’Neill William W. , De Marchena Eduardo , Schreiber Theodore , Grines Cindy L. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Cohen Mauricio G.
Published: September 2014

Background—

The relationship between operator or institutional volume and outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is unclear.

Methods and Results—

Cross-sectional study based on the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2005 to 2009. Subjects were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 9
th
Revision, Clinical Modification procedure code, 36.06 and 36.07. Annual operator and institutional volumes were calculated using unique identification numbers and then divided into quartiles. Three-level hierarchical multivariate mixed models were created. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality; secondary outcome was a composite of in-hospital mortality and peri-procedural complications. A total of 457 498 PCIs were identified representing a total of 2 243 209 PCIs performed in the United States during the study period. In-hospital, all-cause mortality was 1.08%, and the overall complication rate was 7.10%. The primary and secondary outcomes of procedures performed by operators in 4
th
[annual procedural volume; primary and secondary outcomes] [>100; 0.59% and 5.51%], 3
rd
[45–100; 0.87% and 6.40%], and 2
nd
quartile [16–44; 1.15% and 7.75%] were significantly less (
P
<0.001) when compared with those by operators in the 1
st
quartile [≤15; 1.68% and 10.91%]. Spline analysis also showed significant operator and institutional volume outcome relationship. Similarly operators in the higher quartiles witnessed a significant reduction in length of hospital stay and cost of hospitalization (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Overall in-hospital mortality after PCI was low. An increase in operator and institutional volume of PCI was found to be associated with a decrease in adverse outcomes, length of hospital stay, and cost of hospitalization.
A Novel Method to Capture the Onset of Dynamic Electrocardiographic Ischemic Changes and its Implications to Arrhythmia Susceptibility
Authors: Sayadi Omid , Puppala Dheeraj , Ishaque Nosheen , Doddamani Rajiv , Merchant Faisal M. , Barrett Conor , Singh Jagmeet P. , Heist E. Kevin , Mela Theofanie , Martínez Juan Pablo , Laguna Pablo , Armoundas Antonis A.
Published: September 2014

Background

This study investigates the hypothesis that morphologic analysis of intracardiac electrograms provides a sensitive approach to detect acute myocardial infarction or
myocardial infarction‐
induced arrhythmia susceptibility. Large proportions of irreversible myocardial injury and fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias occur in the first hour after coronary occlusion; therefore, early detection of acute
myocardial infarction
may improve clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

We developed a method that uses the wavelet transform to delineate electrocardiographic signals, and we have devised an index to quantify the ischemia‐induced changes in these signals. We recorded body‐surface and intracardiac electrograms at baseline and following
myocardial infarction
in 24 swine. Statistically significant ischemia‐induced changes after the initiation of occlusion compared with baseline were detectable within 30 seconds in intracardiac left ventricle (
P
<0.0016) and right ventricle–coronary sinus (
P
<0.0011) leads, 60 seconds in coronary sinus leads (
P
<0.0002), 90 seconds in right ventricle leads (
P
<0.0020), and 360 seconds in body‐surface electrocardiographic signals (
P
<0.0022). Intracardiac leads exhibited a higher probability of detecting ischemia‐induced changes than body‐surface leads (
P
<0.0381), and the right ventricle–coronary sinus configuration provided the highest sensitivity (96%). The 24‐hour
ECG
recordings showed that the ischemic index is statistically significantly increased compared with baseline in lead I, aVR, and all precordial leads (
P
<0.0388). Finally, we showed that the ischemic index in intracardiac electrograms is significantly increased preceding ventricular tachyarrhythmic events (
P
<0.0360).

Conclusions

We present a novel method that is capable of detecting ischemia‐induced changes in intracardiac electrograms as early as 30 seconds following
myocardial infarction
or as early as 12 minutes preceding tachyarrhythmic events.
The influence of population mixing on newborn shoaling behaviour in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Sievers C. , Ramnarine I.W. , Magurran A.E.
Published: September 2014

The introduction of non-native populations into new habitats where they can mix with the original inhabitants poses a major thread to the genetic distinctiveness of the native population. Interbreeding between introduced and native individuals can disrupt local adaptations and lead to outbreeding depression in resulting hybrid offspring. In the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), shoaling behaviour plays an important part in avoiding predators and is displayed from birth, but differences in shoaling tendency exist between populations. The populations used for our experiment reflect the ones involved in Haskins’ introduction more than 60 years ago, when Guanapo guppies where introduced into the Turure, thereby bringing genetically very distinct populations into secondary contact. This introduction led to an invasive event and subsequent disappearance of the original Turure genotype. Here we show that the mixing of genepools by interbreeding between populations affects adaptive behaviour such as shoaling and creates more variation in the resulting offspring. Furthermore, parental origin has a subtle effect on offspring shoaling behaviour. We found that the shoaling behaviour of hybrid offspring significantly differed from pure-bred offspring of either parental population, but resembled those found in Turure newborns that are likely to be of mixed ancestry as well.
Experimental analysis of predator and prey detection abilities in rainforest: who has the advantage?
Authors: Janson Charles H. , Monzón Javier , Baldovino M. Celia
Published: September 2014

Recent theoretical analyses have shown that anti-predator benefits in social groups depend on the attack distance of the predator relative to prey spacing within groups. Both attack distance and prey spacing depend on the ability of predator and prey to detect each other. Previous work on forest predators suggest that many depend on surprise to ambush their prey, thus we test the hypothesis that detection distances by eagles of monkeys are greater than vice versa, despite the supposed advantages of sociality in facilitating detection of predators by prey. We used field experiments in the wild to assess detection distances of both raptor predators and their natural monkey prey. Live hawk-eagles (Spizaetus), under rehabilitation from injury, were placed tethered to perches in the home ranges of two habituated wild study groups of tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus (apella) nigritus) in Iguazú National Park, Argentina. Analysis of video footage of the eagles during the approach of capuchin monkey groups allowed us to define the first moment of behaviours indicating detection by the eagle; detection behaviours of the monkeys near the eagle were recorded observationally by field assistants. The hawk-eagles always detected the monkeys (average distance 31.9 m) before the monkeys detected the predators (average distance 9.4 m). Predators always initially detected one or two spatially-peripheral individuals of the prey group. Distance of detection by the predators (and thus maximum possible attack distances) was significantly less than the prey group spread of 42–57 m. The short detection (and consequent short attack) distances by eagles of monkey prey in this habitat suggests that early warning of attacking eagles may not be a primary benefit of grouping in this case.
The β-1,4-endoglucanase gene is suitable for the molecular quantification of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei
Authors: Mokrini Fouad , Waeyenberge Lieven , Viaene Nicole , Andaloussi Fouad Abbad , Moens Maurice
Published: September 2014

A real-time quantitative PCR assay was developed for the accurate detection and quantification of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei. A qPCR primer set, including two primers and a probe, was designed based on the sequence of the β-1,4-endoglucanase gene. The assay was optimised by using the primers with SYBR green I dye and setting the qPCR program to different annealing temperatures ranging from 62 to 69°C. Based on the Ct values, we retained the program with an annealing temperature of 69°C. The specificity of the qPCR assay including the probe was confirmed by the lack of amplification of DNA from 47 populations belonging to 15 other Pratylenchus species and nine isolates from P. thornei. The assay was very sensitive as it was able to detect a single individual of P. thornei, even when mixed with up to 80 individuals of P. penetrans. DNA was extracted from exactly 80 P. thornei individuals. A dilution series from this DNA resulted in a standard curve showing a highly significant linearity between the Ct values and the dilution rates (; slope = −3.38; ). The qPCR assay developed in this study proved to be specific and sensitive, thus providing a fast and accurate tool for detection and quantification of this pathogen during research, as well as for diagnostic labs.
Coping with Evil in Ghanaian Pentecostalism
Authors: Quayesi-Amakye Joseph
Published: September 2014

From songs, sermons and practices, this article examines the way Ghanaian Pentecostals address the question of evil and suffering. It approaches this from the perspective of common believers and leadership. The discussions reveal that there are multiple understandings, perceptions and interpretative tensions concerning how to cope with evil among Ghanaian Pentecostals. Whereas common believers approach it through what Opoku Onyinah calls ‘witchdemonology’, leadership considers this as inadequate. This is because common believers fail to understand the role of evil and suffering in human existence. As such they tend to promote the devil far above the Almighty God. According to leadership the presence of evil may not necessarily contradict God’s goodness and purpose. The paper concludes with some Biblical propositions in an attempt to resolve the apparent tension.
Perspectives on Pentecostalism and Socio-Economic Transformation
Authors: Kirby Benjamin
Published: September 2014

In this multiple book review I discuss four recent publications on the subject of Pentecostal Christianity, all of which address the public significance of contemporary Pentecostalism in different global contexts. I place a particular focus on the ways that these texts address the question of the capacity of Pentecostal discourses and practices to transform social and economic realities.
The Khataks’ Tribal Chronicle (XVII-XVIII): Extraliterary Text Functions
Authors: Pelevin Mikhail
Published: September 2014

The paper briefly examines underlying ideology and extraliterary functions of the texts, which constitute the largest part of the Pashtun historiographical work Tārīkh-i muraṣṣa‘ (finished in 1724) and may be classified by genre as tribal chronicle. Under discussion are two related extraliterary functions, both pertaining to the general idea of continuity. It is argued that the principal ideological message of the chronicle, on the one hand, aims at maintaining the continuity of the accepted tribal knowledge of the past and, on the other, strives for the necessity of abiding the laws of power succession within ruling clans according to the principle of primogeniture.
Phylogeny and morphology of Phaeosphaeriopsis triseptata sp. nov., and Phaeosphaeriopsis glaucopunctata
Authors: THAMBUGALA KASUN M. , CAMPORESI ERIO , ARIYAWANSA HIRAN A. , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , LIU ZUO-YI , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: September 2014

A collection of the type species of Phaeosphaeriopsis, P. glaucopunctata, and a new species associated with leaf spots of Ruscus aculeatus were collected in Italy. Single ascospore isolates of both species were obtained and formed asexual morphs in culture. Combined ITS, LSU, SSU and RPB2 gene sequence analysis from taxa in Phaeosphaeriaceae showed that P. glaucopunctata and the new species cluster in Phaeosphaeriaceae, forming a separate clade from other species in the family. In this study, we designate our new collection of P. glaucopunctata as an epitype. The new Phaeosphaeriopsis species is morphologically similar to P. glaucopunctata , but has 3-septate ascospores. A detailed description and illustration is provided for both species and the new taxon is compared with other Phaeosphaeriopsis species. Phaeosphaeriopsis musae is excluded from Phaeosphaeriopsis based on morphology and multigene phylogenetic analysis and synonymized under Phaeosphaeria musae. In present study seven species are accepted in the genus Phaeosphaeriopsis and a key to species is provided.
Neurellipes rhoko sp. n. from the Cross River Loop, Eastern Nigeria (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae)
Authors: SÁFIÁN SZABOLCS
Published: September 2014

A new species belonging to the recently revised Neurellipes mahota-group has been found in the Cross River Loop, Eastern Nigeria. It resembles the recently described Liberian N. georgiadisi Larsen, 2009, but differs from it by the wing shape and the extent and shape of orange patches on the hindwing, also on the forewing, especially in the discoidal cell. The species is described as N. rhoko sp. n.; a detailed comparison with the other species in the N. mahota-group is given, as well as notes on the biogeography of N. rhoko and its Liberian sub-region vicariant N. georgiadisi.
Statistical Downscaling Multimodel Forecasts for Seasonal Precipitation and Surface Temperature over the Southeastern United States
Authors: Tian Di , Martinez Christopher J. , Graham Wendy D. , Hwang Syewoon
Published: September 2014

This study compared two types of approaches to downscale seasonal precipitation (P) and 2-m air temperature (T2M) forecasts from the North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME) over the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida in the southeastern United States (SEUS). Each NMME model forecast was evaluated. Two multimodel ensemble (MME) schemes were tested by assigning equal weight to all forecast members (SuperEns) or by assigning equal weights to each model’s ensemble mean (MeanEns). One type of downscaling approach used was a model output statistics (MOS) method, which was based on direct spatial disaggregation and bias correction of the NMME P and T2M forecasts using the quantile mapping technique [spatial disaggregation with bias correction (SDBC)]. The other type of approach used was a perfect prognosis (PP) approach using nonparametric locally weighted polynomial regression (LWPR) models, which used the NMME forecasts of Niño-3.4 sea surface temperatures (SSTs) to predict local-scale P and T2M. Both SDBC and LWPR downscaled P showed skill in winter but no skill or limited skill in summer at all lead times for all NMME models. The SDBC downscaled T2M were skillful only for the Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), model even at far lead times, whereas the LWPR downscaled T2M showed limited skill or no skill for all NMME models. In many cases, the LWPR method showed significantly higher skill than the SDBC. After bias correction, the SuperEns mostly showed higher skill than the MeanEns and most of the single models, but its skill did not outperform the best single model.
An Analysis of the 7 July 2004 Rockwell Pass, California, Tornado: Highest-Elevation Tornado Documented in the United States
Authors: Monteverdi John P. , Edwards Roger , Stumpf Gregory J.
Published: September 2014

This manuscript documents the tornado in the Rockwell Pass area of Sequoia National Park, California, that occurred on 7 July 2004. Since the elevation of the tornado’s ground circulation was approximately 3705 m (~12 156 ft) MSL, this is the highest-elevation tornado documented in the United States. The investigation of the storm’s convective mode was performed mostly inferentially on the basis of an analysis of the radar imagery from Edwards Air Force Base (which was in clear-air mode on this day), objectively produced soundings and/or CAPE estimates from two mesoscale models, an objectively produced proximity sounding and hodograph, and analyses of satellite imagery. The nearest Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) in Hanford, California, could not be used to observe this storm because of terrain blockage by the Sierra Nevada, and the nearest sounding sites were too distant and in a different meteorological environment on this day. The near-storm environment may have been favorable briefly for a supercell in the upper portion of the Kern River Canyon. The limitations of the radar data precluded the authors from making a definitive conclusion on the convective mode of the storm but do not rule out the possibility that the storm briefly might have been a supercell. There was insufficient evidence, however, to support the notion that the tornado itself was mesocyclone induced. High LCL heights in the proximity sounding also suggest that the tornado was formed by processes not associated with a mesocyclone (popularly known as a “landspout”), but do not allow us to dismiss the possibility that the tornado was mesocyclone induced.
Introduction: time, temporality and timescapes in administration and policy
Authors: Howlett Michael , Goetz Klaus H.
Published: September 2014

This article surveys time, temporality and timescapes in the study of public administration and public policy. While references to temporal categories, such as timing, sequence, speed, duration, time budgets, time limits or time horizons, are ubiquitous in political science, there are few systematic treatments of time in administration and policy-making. The special issue which this article introduces focuses on analyses that seek to explain policy development over time; the link between time and power; and the role that visualisation may play in helping to understand change over time. Taken together, the papers seek to advance the debate by 1. exploring different facets of time and how they affect government and public policy; 2. paying attention to time as an institution and a resource; 3. discussing the temporal features of politics and administration, such as, e.g., term limits, and of public policy-making, such as policy cycles or policy horizons; 4. exploring time from both diachronic-historical and synchronic perspectives; 5. debating the status of time in different theoretical traditions in political and policy analysis; and 6. examining time from a methodological standpoint.
A cure modelling study of an unsaturated polyester resin system for the simulation of curing of fibre-reinforced composites during the vacuum infusion process
Authors: Aktas A , Krishnan L , Kandola B , Boyd SW , Shenoi RA
Published: September 2014

This study presents the cure kinetics and cure modelling of an ambient curing unsaturated polyester (UP) resin system for its cure simulation in the vacuum infusion (VI) process. The curing of the UP resin system was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dynamic DSC test measurements were conducted to find out the ultimate heat of reaction and enable experimental conversion determination for the isothermal curing. The empirical autocatalytic cure kinetics model incorporating the Arrhenius law represented the cure behaviour. The results of the cure kinetics study, the cure model, the material properties and the boundary conditions were the inputs in PAM-RTM software for the simulation of the degree of cure and the exothermic temperature during the infusion and the room temperature curing stages. The simulation results were compared with experimentally measured data. A vacuum infusion (VI) experiment involving a non-crimp glass fibre preform was performed in order to monitor the curing using thermocouples and validate the temperature simulation result. It was shown that the degree of cure and the exothermic temperature of a room temperature curing thermoset resin system during the VI process could be predicted through the steps of this study.
Desertion, Terrain, and Control of the Home Front in Civil Wars
Authors: McLauchlin Theodore
Published: September 2014

This article examines desertion in civil wars, focusing on the role of combatants’ hometowns in facilitating desertion. Analyzing data from the Spanish Civil War, the article demonstrates that combatants who come from hill country are considerably more likely to desert than combatants whose hometowns are on flat ground. This is because evasion is easier in rough terrain. The finding implies that the cohesion of armed groups depends on control, not just positive incentives, and that control of territory in civil wars goes beyond rebel–government contestation, and consists also of control behind the lines. The article bridges micro and macro approaches to civil wars by indicating the multiple uses to which individuals can put structural conditions like rough terrain. This helps to clarify the macro-level link between rough terrain and civil war. It also shows that micro-level research can profitably examine structural variables alongside individual characteristics and endogenous conflict dynamics.
Increasing Morale
Authors: Minor Kevin I. , Wells James B. , Lambert Eric G. , Keller Peggy
Published: September 2014

Job morale is often mentioned in literature on correctional staff, but its antecedents have seldom been investigated. In this study, survey data were collected from 975 facility and community staff working for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice to determine the relationship of personal characteristics (educational level, gender, race, tenure, and age) and workplace variables (input into decision-making, job stress, organizational communication, perceptions of coworkers, workplace cooperation, and public support) with job morale. Type of staff (community or facility) had a non-significant association with job morale. In multivariate analyses controlling for nested data, educational level, race, tenure, age, input into decision-making, organizational fairness, perceptions of coworkers, and workplace cooperation each had a positive relationship with morale, while job stress had a negative association. Workplace variables accounted for far greater variance in the job morale variable than did personal characteristics, which holds implications for efforts to improve correctional staff morale.
The Urban Heat Island in Manchester 1996–2011
Authors: Levermore GJ , Parkinson JB , Laycock PJ , Lindley S
Published: September 2014

The urban heat island intensity (difference between a semi-rural and urban dry bulb air temperature, urban heat island intensity) has been analysed for Manchester using data from 1996 to 2011. The semi-rural sites were airfields and the urban site was 2 km from the centre of Manchester. Although the urban site was not as developed as the city centre it showed a significant urban heat island intensity. A stochastic model developed from the data showed that the maximum mean daily value would be about 6℃ which compared well with more detailed measurements. However, there was a highly significant trend of increasing urban heat island intensity which by the end of the century could add 2.4 K to the predicted climate change increase. An analysis of the urban morphology showed that the urban site had indeed become more urban over 9 years of the study, losing green spaces which mitigate against the urban heat island intensity.

Practical application: The results from this paper will allow building and HVAC designers to consider the increase in the urban heat island in their designs when using future weather data. Although the results are for Manchester, similar trends may well apply to other similar-sized cities. Designers should consider the future weather data available, as their buildings will last for a considerable time so they should be as future-proofed as possible.
Response of Osteoarthritis to Ibuprofen or Flurbiprofen
Authors: Mena H R , Ehrlich G E , Giansiracusa J , Ward J , Gray J
Published: September 2014

Flurbiprofen and ibuprofen, two propionic acid derivatives with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, were compared in a double-blind multiclinic study in 195 patients with osteoarthritis of the peripheral joints. The patients were given 80 mg/day flurbiprofen or 1600 mg/day ibuprofen for six weeks. Pain, subjective evaluation and functional tests improved significantly in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments in any of the responses.

Gastro-intestinal side-effects, generally mild, developed in 5-6% of the patients.
Simultaneous Use of Bleomycin and Radiotherapy in Malignant Tumours of the Head and Neck
Authors: De-la-Garza Jaime G , Olivares Francisco García , Armendariz Carlos , Flores-F Angel-Mario
Published: September 2014

Twenty cases originally diagnosed as epidermoid carcinoma were observed with a view to determining whether a combination of radiation and intravenous bleomycin promoted regression of the tumours and if so what effect this had on survival. Signs of local toxicity with this combination were also looked for.

Five cases yielded what was considered to be an excellent response, nine cases gave a good response and six cases had a poor response.

It is recommended that future studies be carried out in epidermoid carcinoma with this combination of radiotherapy and bleomycin.
Effectiveness of Two New Cephalosporins, Cephazolin and Cephapirin, Administered Intermittently in Acute and Chronic Osteomyelitis in Children
Authors: Arango J L , Trujillo H , Worren D , Uribe A , Agudelo Nancy H , de Vidal Esther Luisa
Published: September 2014

Ten patients were treated, most of pre-school age, with acute osteomyelitis, produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella, having evolved for approximately one week, with sodium cephazolin at doses of 60 mg/kg/day intramuscularly in two daily injections for the first seven days and then in a single dose every twenty-four hours for four to seven weeks. Nine of ten patients were asymptomatic six months after this treatment. The patient who manifested chronic signs at the end of six weeks of therapy continued to be treated with three weekly injections of the same drug at an equal dose until the completion of six months, at the end of which he was asymptomatic.

Ten patients with chronic osteomyelitis having evolved for two months to five years, due to penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were treated with cephapirin at the dose of 30 mg/kg in one daily injection intramuscularly for three to four weeks and then the same dose on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the completion of six months. Eight patients who required it were sequestrectomized. Seven of the ten patients improve and remained asymptomatic for the same period of observation. The three patients who did not show marked clinical improvement did exhibit an appreciable radiological recovery.

We have presented these regimens of treatment with a view to encouraging research into the intermittent administration of bactericidal antibiotics for pyogenic infections; in spite of the good results, we do not dare to recommend them in daily practice.
Effects of Cloprednol and other Corticosteroids on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function
Authors: Ortega Eduardo , Rodriguez Consuelo , Strand L James , Segre Eugene
Published: September 2014

The effects of cloprednol and other synthetic corticosteroids on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function were studied in healthy subjects after administration of a single oral dose of corticosteroid at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., and after daily 6 a.m. administration of corticosteroids at various doses for seven days. The degree of HPA suppression was assessed by metyrapone tests (METP), insulin hypoglycaemia tests (IHT) and 6 a.m. fasting plasma Cortisol concentrations. Regardless of the corticosteroid tested, 6 p.m. dosing was at least four-fold more suppressive of METP response than 6 a.m. administration. At therapeutically equivalent doses, single doses of triamcinolone and dexamethasone were more suppressive of HPA-axis function than cloprednol, hydrocortisone or prednisolone. After 6 a.m. administration for seven days, 12·5 mg of cloprednol did not impair the Cortisol response to IHT or interfere with the METP response. The clinically equivalent dose of prednisolone (25 mg) resulted in slightly greater HPA-axis suppression. All doses of dexamethasone (0·5, 3·75 and 6·0 mg) and of betamethasone (2·0, 4·0 and 6·5 mg) were more suppressive of HPA-axis function than either cloprednol or prednisolone. These results suggest that at equipotent anti-inflammatory doses, cloprednol is slightly less suppressive of HPA-axis function than prednisolone, and both cloprednol and prednisolone are much less suppressive than dexamethasone or betamethasone.
Bioavailability of Digoxin and Beta-Methyl-Digoxin
Authors: Padeletti L , Fantini F , Cinelli P , Gremigni C
Published: September 2014

In a randomized crossover study the bioavailability of a single dose of digoxin and of beta-methyl-digoxin tablets was tested in four normal volunteers.

No difference was found between the two products in the rate and extent of drug absorption using 6 day cumulative urinary excretion and serial serum concentration measurements.
The Use of Flurazepam (Dalmane) as a Substitute for Barbiturates and Methaqualone/Diphenhydramine (Mandrax) in General Practice
Authors: Rooke K C
Published: September 2014

A twelve-week study involving fifty-three patients is described as taking place in a practice with a higher than average geriatric population. The purpose of the study was to substitute flurazepam for habitually used barbiturates or methaqualone/diphenhydramine. Of the original fifty-three patients admitted to the study, fifty-one completed; the two drop-outs resulting from concomitant physical illness.

Eighty-four per cent of patients were successfully changed to flurazepam. Of those who did not accept flurazepam, eight per cent accepted nitrazepam, while six per cent of patients were motivated to stop all hypnotics.

During the three-month period of the study none of the well-known disadvantages of the barbiturates and methaqualone/diphenhydramine were seen with flurazepam. The author found flurazepam to be a very efficient hypnotic of relatively low toxicity which could be easily substituted for barbiturates and methaqualone/diphenhydramine in the treatment of long-term insomnia.
Serum Quinidine Levels after Chronic Administration of Four Different Quinidine Formulations
Authors: Soeterboek A M , Van Thiel M
Published: September 2014

The serum levels produced by four different quinidine formulations have been studied. The relative bioavailability of the formulations was demonstrated as were the mean peak serum levels and their timing in relation to dosage. From the data obtained, the biological half-lives were measured and the apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance were calculated for each formulation.

The generic tablets of quinidine monosulphate from five different manufacturers were not significantly different from each other in any respect and produced the expected peak and trough serum level curves. The serum level curves resulting from administration of quinidine polygalacturonate (Cardioquin®) were not significantly different from those resulting from the generic tablets, and this formulation may be regarded as therapeutically equivalent to the generic formulations.

Both sustained-release formulations of quinidine bisulphate, Durettes® and Kiditard® (given at the same dosage) were shown to offer a means whereby, with simple twice-daily dosage, quinidine maintenance treatment may be continued with the confidence that the serum levels may be maintained throughout each 24-hour period without peaks into the toxic levels and troughs into the levels of no effect.
Systemic and Coronary Haemodynamic Effects of the New Hypotensive Drug L 6150
Authors: Maseri Attilio , Pesola Antonio , L'Abbate Antonio , Contini Carlo , Magini Glauco
Published: September 2014

The acute systemic and coronary haemodynamic effects of a new hypotensive drug L 6150 (3-hydrazino-6-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]pyridazine) have been studied in six patients with renal or essential hypertension. The drug, administered intravenously at a dose of 2-9 mg, caused a marked hypotension and increase of cardiac output in five cases.

Though left ventricular work was reduced or unchanged after the drug, myocardial blood flow increased markedly, coronary resistance decreased and coronary A-V oxygen difference decreased by about 50% indicating coronary vasodilation. When compared with the available data on the effects of hydrazinophthalazine, L 6150 appeared to have qualitatively similar effects, but a somewhat greater direct coronary vasodilator effect.
A Double-Blind Crossover Comparison of Orudis® (Ketoprofen) and Indomethacin in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Digby John W , Wehner Sue
Published: September 2014

Twenty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated in a double-blind crossover investigation of ketoprofen (Orudis) and indomethacin. Ratings which assessed the degree of joint involvement showed consistently greater improvement with Orudis, and side-effects occurred with less frequency. The majority of patients expressed a definite preference for Orudis.
Maprotiline (Ludiomil®) in Depression: A Report of a Monitored Release Study of 10,000 Patients in General Practice
Authors: Forrest W A
Published: September 2014

In a three-week study of 10,000 general practice patients with depressive illness, a single dose of maprotiline 75 mg at night was effective therapy in three-quarters of the patients who completed the study.

At this dose the drug was well tolerated, and troublesome side-effects presented in only a small percentage of patients. Drowsiness was the most commonly reported side-effect, and the main reason for withdrawal of treatment.

The drug was acceptable to most physicians, and in this study was used in a wide range of patients and over a broad spectrum of depressive illness.
An Assessment of the Bacteriological Activity of Locabiotal (Fusafungine) — A Non-Systemic Antibiotic
Authors: Haler David
Published: September 2014

Various tests were performed to establish the bacteriological potency of Locabiotal, an aerosol for local application to the nose and throat containing fusafungine. Using impregnated filter paper on a plate of solid sensitivity media considerable inhibition of the growth of common pathogens was shown. Plates of nasal swabs from adults and buccal swabs from children showed similar inhibition. Further tests after the application of the spray to the nose and throat indicated that inhibition lasts for at least eight hours.
A General Practice Assessment of Locabiotal in the Treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Vallé-Jones J C
Published: September 2014

An open clinical trial of Locabiotal, in which the antibiotic, fusafungine, is presented in a micronized aerosol was performed in general practice. One hundred and ten patients suffering from upper respiratory infections without associated hyperpyrexia or toxic symptoms were treated for 7 days. There was a marked improvement in the symptoms rated during the first 48 hours. After the full course of treatment 37 patients regarded its effect as excellent and 48 us good.
Clinical Pharmacology of Amikacin Sulphate: Blood, Urinary and Tissue Concentrations in the Terminal Stage of Pregnancy
Authors: Flores-Mercado F , García-Mercado J L , Estopier-Jáuregui C , Galindo-Hernández E , Diaz-Gonzalez C
Published: September 2014

Within a broad programme of research into the pharmacokinetics of various antimicrobials in gynaeco-obstetric patients, with a view to determining its concentrations in the different compartments and reproductive organs, we administered 7·5 mg/kg of amikacin sulphate to eleven women in the terminal stage of pregnancy one hour before collecting the specimens studies.

The concentration in the maternal blood and urine was similar to that obtained during the first weeks of gestation, and to that achieved outside pregnancy.

The low determinations observed at the level of the foetal blood and urine and the anniotic fluid, as well as in the placenta and oviducts, is in our view due to the fact that the passage of this drug into the ‘compartments’ mentioned takes place slowly; this hypothesis is, however, subject to corroboration or refutation by further studies on this question.

The concentration of this compound found was, nonetheless, bactericidal in all the parameters studied.
Ticarcillin: Pharmacokinetics in Man According to Different Administration Schedules
Authors: Dalhoff A , Höffler D
Published: September 2014

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of ticarcillin, a semisynthetic penicillin more active than carbenicillin against Pseudomonas, were studied. Following a rapid intravenous infusion of 1 g, 2 g, 5 g and 10 g ticarcillin respectively the serum half-life was 72·4 minutes independent of the dosage administered. If ticarcillin is administered under steady-state conditions, e.g. continuous infusion of either 2 g/hr or 1 g/hr following a loading dose of 1 g (total dose 5 g) the average steady-state serum concentrations are 125 μg/ml and 105 μg/ml respectively.
Tibicorten and Betamethasone Valerate: A Double-Blind Comparative Study
Authors: Tazelaar D J
Published: September 2014

Tibicorten, a new fluorine-substituted corticosteroid for topical application, was compared with betamethasone valerate in a double-blind investigation with left-right examinations. There appeared to be no significant difference between the results obtained with each substance in the treatment of patients with acute or chronic eczema or with psoriasis.
Anxiety States in Family Practice: An Evaluation of the Need for Antidepressant as Well as Anxiolytic Therapy
Authors: McGhie R L , O'Hara H , O'Hara J , Brodie N H , Dunckley H G , Schiff A A
Published: September 2014

Patients attending their family practitioner with emotional disturbance manifesting predominantly as anxiety were treated once daily for 4 weeks with either a pure anxiolytic, potassium clorazepate, or a formulation of a specific antidepressant together with an anxiolytic, fluphenazine/nortriptyline, in accordance with a double-blind, completely randomized design.

After the first week the patients receiving fluphenazine/nortriptyline were showing a better response in terms of total symptomatology as well as anxiety, tension and depression taken separately, and after 4 weeks treatment this trend reached statistically significant levels on both the physicians' ratings and the patients' self-ratings for overall symptomatology (p 0·05) as well as anxiety and tension on the physicians' scale (p 0·01).

Side-effects were infrequent, with the exception of drowsiness which was complained of by 42% of the patients receiving clorazepate. Although simple and convenient to take, a once daily benzodiazepine formulation of fixed dose is likely to be too inflexible to achieve optimal therapeutic effect in many patients.

These results are in accord with accumulating evidence for the importance of a depressive aetiology underlying the majority of so-called anxiety states in family practice. Anxiolytic, in the absence of specific antidepressant, therapy is unlikely to be adequate for these patients, and may lead to long-term palliative use of benzodiazepines incurring a risk of dependence.
Effect of Beta-Blockade on Performance: Use of Beta-Blockade in Bowling and in Shooting Competitions
Authors: Siitonen L , Sonck T , Jänne J
Published: September 2014

The effect of oxprenolol on performance has been investigated on a doubleblind basis in eight bowlers during a 30 hour continuous bowling competition (“marathon bowling”) and in twenty-four pistol shooters in four internal competitions. An administration of 40 mg oxprenolol every six hours during the marathon bowling did not impair the scoring of the bowlers as compared with the subjects receiving placebo. Oxprenolol likewise exerted little influence on the subjective feelings of general tiredness as measured hourly during the bowling on a visual analogue scale.

The beta-blockade effectively prevented metabolic changes, such as increases in plasma renin activity and in plasma free fatty acids, evoked by the prolonged physical stress.

A single dose of oxprenolol (40 mg) given to pistol shooters 60 minutes prior to internal shooting matches resulted in a significant improvement of the scoring as compared on a double-blind basis with similar placebo matches. Some evidence was obtained to indicate that the latter improvement by oxprenolol might have been associated with a prevention of cardiovascular manifestations (mainly tachycardia) occurring during the shooting competitions. Unwanted effects were not recorded either in bowlers or shooters, by contrast, the beta-blockade appeared to produce a general feeling of well-being as frequently experienced by the shooters.
Therapy of Alveococcosis in Man
Authors: Lüdin C E , Gyr K , Karoussos K
Published: September 2014

Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects are interpreted on the basis of two cases of Echinococcus alveolaris. Both patients had undergone partial hepatectomy and were subsequently treated chemotherapeutically. In one case dehydroemetine and mebendazole (Vermox®, Janssen), and in the other case metrifonate (Bilarcil®, Bayer A. G.) were used. The diagnosis of alveococcosis of the liver was demonstrated in one case histologically on the occasion of appendectomy, and in the other case by the indirect immunofluorescence test and passive haemagglutination. In case of suspected alveococcosis these serological tests are imperative, as they are the most reliable methods of demonstrating this disease.

The latest trend in therapy aims at a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Mebendazole seems to be promising as an anthelmintic agent for the treatment of alveococcosis.

Remission of the disease was obtained in either case.
The Use of Disopyramide in Resistant Cardiac Arrhythmias Due to Acute Ischaemic Heart Disease
Authors: Sandler G
Published: September 2014

Disopyramide, a new anti-arrhythmic drug, has been assessed in twenty-one episodes of cardiac arrhythmia secondary to acute ischaemic heart disease which failed to respond to more conventional suppressive therapy with lignocaine and other standard drugs.

The intravenous administration of 100 mg of disopyramide resulted in suppression of two out of seven episodes of supraventricular arrhythmia, and eleven out of fourteen episodes of ventricular arrhythmias. Successful suppression correlated with blood levels of disopyramide in most cases of ventricular arrhythmias but not in the supraventricular arrhythmias.

There were no adverse effects on blood pressure or cardiac function. There were minimal effects on conduction in the electrocardiogram.

It is concluded that disopyramide, which probably acts by direct depression of myocardial irritability, is a useful new anti-arrhythmic drug in acute myocardial infarction, especially in those patients with ventricular arrhythmias resistant to more conventional anti-arrhythmic therapy.
Clinical Trial of Acebutolol (Sectral) in Hypertension
Authors: Charoenlarp Kawi , Jaroonvesama Nibha
Published: September 2014

Acebutolol (Sectral) was used successfully in a clinical trial involving thirty-two hypertensive patients. Twenty-three patients received acebutolol at a dosage of 400-800 mg daily as sole treatment and nine patients received concurrent treatment with thiazide diuretics. In both groups of patients there was a substantial fall in diastolic and systolic pressure to levels within the normotensive range. The combination of acebutolol with thiazide diuretics was a particularly effective form of anti-hypertensive treatment where a greater anti-hypertensive effect was required. Acebutolol did not significantly slow the heart rate. The only side-effect was slight pitting oedema of both legs in one patient. Acebutolol appears to be a useful anti-hypertensive in the management of hypertension.
The Protective Effect of Ketotifen in Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Göbel Peter
Published: September 2014

Thirty-six patients with confirmed allergic bronchial asthma were divided into 3 parallel groups and treated with ketotifen 1 mg b.i.d. (Group I), ketotifen 2 mg b.i.d. (Group II), and clemastine I mg b.i.d. (Group III) respectively for 6 months. Nine out of 12 patients in Group I and 10 out of 12 in Group II experienced a statistically significant improvement in dyspnoea and in pulmonary function (Tiffeneau test). Likewise there was a marked reduction in the number, severity and average duration (minutes per week) of asthmatic attacks. By the 12th week, 8 out of 12 patients in the clemastine group had dropped out because of inefficacy. Ketotifen was very well tolerated by all the patients. In both ketotifen groups pathological eosinophil counts returned to normal during treatment.

It can be concluded that ketotifen is effective in the long-term prophylaxis of bronchial asthma.
A Controlled Trial of Adenine Arabinoside and Trifluorothymidine in Herpetic Keratitis
Authors: Travers J P , Patterson A
Published: September 2014

The effectiveness of two anti-viral agents, adenine arabinoside and trifluorothymidine, were studied in cases of human superficial herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulceration).

A highly satisfactory response to each drug was demonstrated in most cases.