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At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Dissolved and acid available particulate beryllium in eastern UK surface waters.

The concentrations of beryllium (Be) in surface waters are presented for major water quality surveys of eastern UK rivers, based on extensive work within a major environmental programme, the Land Ocean Interaction Study (LOIS). Two measurements were made, one for dissolved Be (i.e. the fraction that can pass through 0.45-microm membrane filters) the other for acid available total Be (dissolved Be plus the fraction of particulate Be that can be leached by a 1% v/v concentrated nitric acid solution). Dissolved Be concentrations are generally less than 1 microg l(-1) with a mean of approximately 0.02 microg l(-1), but higher values occur across the eastern UK rivers between 16th October and 7th November 1995 under neutral to alkaline conditions where Be would not be expected to be mobile. The higher values vary from river to river and there is a marked increase from north to south with particularly high concentrations (up to 29 microg l(-1)) for the industrial and urban impacted rivers of the southern Humber basin. The results show a major increase in dissolved Be at a time of exceptional drought conditions and climate instability, which seems to be linked to industrial/urban catchment systems. The average dissolved Be flux is 0.22 gha(-1) year(-1) with a range in mean across the sites of 0.08-0.45 gha(-1) year(-1). Without the period of enhanced Be concentrations, the Be flux through the period would have been approximately 40% less. There is no clear distinction between the dissolved Be flux for the rural and urban/industrial catchment systems. Acid available particulate Be (AAPBe) concentrations are low across the eastern UK rivers, they range between 0 and 1.33 microg l(-1) with a mean of 0.02 microg l(-1) and the highest concentrations occur for the industrial/urban rivers (approximately twice the levels occurring within the rural rivers). The AAPBe concentrations are linearly correlated with the concentrations of suspended sediment, particulate organic carbon, particulate nitrogen, particulate phosphorus, and the AAP for several transition metals (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and Y), and the lanthanides. This reflects the nature of the catchment sources of particulate material (soil erosion and pollutant sources) and the hydrogeochemistry of Be with the high potential for hydrolysis and hydrogen bonding due to its small atomic size and high surface charge density. The acid available particulate flux averages approximately 0.42 gha(-1) year(-1) with a range in mean across the sites of 0.14-1.2 gha(-1) year(-1). The highest flux occurs for a river with a flood plain contaminated by spoil from historic mining of lead-zinc deposits, but there is no clear separation between the rural and the industrial/urban impacted catchments. The results indicate a potential and most unexpected dissolved Be stress to lowland aquatic environments, a stress that might well increase over time for the UK given the increasing climate instability within the country. The findings are linked to other information on Be in surface waters for other UK surface waters, including previously unpublished data, to allow a broader perspective for UK riverine environments. Information is provided on Be levels in acidic upland streams in mid Wales (upper River Severn), other eastern UK rivers (collected towards the end of the LOIS initiative) and drainage waters from a disused tin wine in Cornwall (Wheal Jane Mine).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of overall costs of currently available small flexible ureteroscopes.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a meta-analysis of the currently available data regarding the durability of flexible ureteroscopes to establish cost estimates for the purchase and use of five currently available, smaller than 9F, ureteroscopes. Healthcare costs have become increasingly germane to the determination of disease management strategies. Improved ureteroscope technology has expanded the role of these instruments. However, the initial purchase costs and high maintenance costs have become problematic with these fragile instruments. METHODS: Ureteroscope durability data on the Storz 11274AA, Olympus URF-P3, Wolf 7325.172, ACMI AUR-7, and ACMI DUR-8 were collected from three prior studies. Combining the durability data and cost data regarding the initial purchase price and maintenance costs of these instruments, we calculated the overall costs associated with the use of each of the ureteroscopes for 25, 50, 75, and 100 cases during the first year (warranties included) and with subsequent use. RESULTS: The variability in the costs associated with the use of the currently available smaller than 9F ureteroscopes was significant. The initial instrument purchase price, durability, repair costs, and associated warranties all contributed to large discrepancies in the cost of performing ureteroscopy. In this model, during the first year of ownership, the projected cost of performing 100 ureteroscopic cases varied by a difference of 95% depending on the ureteroscope used. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians and institutions that perform ureteroscopy should strongly consider the purchase price, durability, repair cost, and associated warranties before the purchase of small flexible ureteroscopes.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

PubMed1996

False-positive skin prick test responses to commercially available dog dander extracts caused by contamination with house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergens.

BACKGROUND: In an outpatient population, a high frequency of positive skin prick test responses to dog dander was found in the absence of detectable IgE to dog dander in the RAST. The majority of these patients were sensitized to house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and had no obvious dog-related allergic symptoms. These findings prompted us to investigate whether dog dander skin test preparations are contaminated with house dust mite allergens in amounts sufficient to cause false-positive skin prick test responses in patients sensitized to house dust mites. METHODS: Antigen detection assays with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were used to determine concentrations of the major allergen Can f 1 from dog dander and the major allergens Der p 1 and Der p 2 from house dust mites in five commercially available dog dander skin prick test preparations (A to E). RESULTS: Can f 1 concentrations varied for the different extracts (A: 170 micrograms/ml, B: 11.1 micrograms/ml, C: 13.3 micrograms/ml, D: 3.8 micrograms/ml, and E: 59.4 micrograms/ml). Der p 1 was detectable in all extracts (A: 33.4 ng/ml, B:5.1 ng/ml, C:29.6 ng/ml, D: 0.4 ng/ml, and E: 1.9 ng/ml), and Der p 2 was detectable in some of the commercially available dog dander skin prick test preparations tested (A: 31.3 ng/ml, B: 3.0 ng/ml, and C: 7.5 ng/ml). The median house dust mite threshold in the skin prick test was found to be 5.8 ng/ml, of Der p 1 (range, 3.5 to 20.8 ng/ml) in nine patients tested. CONCLUSION: Contamination of commercially available dog dander skin prick test preparations with the major allergens (Der p 1 and Der p 2) of the house dust mite (D. pteronyssinus) was demonstrated. These contaminations cause false-positive responses to skin prick tests with dog dander in patients sensitized to house dust mite.

Allergens↗

PubMed2000

Accelerating the development and future availability of HIV-1 vaccines: why, when, where, and how?

An HIV-1 vaccine offers the best long-term hope to control the AIDS pandemic, especially in less-developed countries. To ensure its future availability we need to increase our research efforts today, including clinical trials. Although small-scale clinical trials of HIV-1 vaccines have been underway since 1987, the first phase III efficacy trials started only recently in the USA and Thailand. Initial results from these trials will be available within the next 2-3 years, and we must start planning now how vaccines should be used if found to be effective. In the meantime, the continuing promotion of the parallel development and assessment of other candidate vaccines is important. Financial mechanisms should also be developed as an incentive to industry and to ensure equitable distribution of future vaccines in less-developed countries. Moreover, a concerted effort is needed to ensure the development and future availability of appropriate vaccines for Africa.

AIDS Vaccines↗

PubMed1989

Impact of an essential drugs programme on availability and rational use of drugs.

Availability and rational use of drugs was assessed in a random sample of 19 peripheral health units in two governorates in Democratic Yemen in which an essential drugs programme has been operational for the past few years. Findings were compared with those from seven health units in one governorate in which no such programme had been started. On average, 27 essential drugs were available in the programme area, compared with 17 in the control area. Programme areas carried on average 1 non-essential drug, compared with 17 in control areas. Average stock was adequate for 4 weeks in programme areas and for 1 week in control areas. Health workers in the programme area scored slightly, but not significantly, better in a test on theoretical knowledge on rational drug use. However, programme areas differed considerably from control areas in patterns of drug use, with fewer injections (24.8% vs 57.8% of prescriptions) and fewer antibiotics (46.3% vs 66.8%) being prescribed in programme areas, which also had fewer drugs per prescription (1.5 vs 2.4). The programme has significantly improved the availability and rational use of essential drugs in peripheral health units.

Community Health Centers↗

PubMed1999

Maternal dietary choline availability alters mitosis, apoptosis and the localization of TOAD-64 protein in the developing fetal rat septum.

Maternal changes in dietary choline availability alter brain biochemistry and hippocampal development in the offspring resulting in lifelong behavioral changes in the offspring. In order to better understand the relationship between maternal diet, brain cytoarchitecture and behavior, we investigated the effects of choline availability on cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation in the fetal rat brain septum. Timed-pregnant rats on day E12 were fed AIN-76 diet with varying levels of dietary choline for 6 days. We found that choline deficiency (CD) significantly decreased the rate of mitosis in the progenitor neuroepithelium adjacent to the septum. In addition, we found an increased number of apoptotic cells in the septum of CD animals compared to controls (3.5+/-0.5 vs. 1.7+/-0.5 apoptotic cells per section; p<0.05). However, CD had no effect on apoptosis in the indusium griseum (IG), a region of cortex dorsal to the septum. Using an unbiased image analysis method and a monoclonal antibody we found a decreased expression of the TOAD-64 kDa protein, a marker of commitment to neuronal differentiation during fetal development, in the dorsal lateral septum of CD animals. CD also decreased the expression of TOAD-64 kDa protein in the IG and cortical plate adjacent to the septum. These results show that dietary choline availability during pregnancy alters the timing of mitosis, apoptosis and the early commitment to neuronal differentiation by progenitor cells in regions of the fetal brain septum, as well as hippocampus, two brain regions known to be associated with learning and memory.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Substitution of a commercially available, RNA extraction procedure in an HIV-1 genotyping system improves sensitivity and allows reduced sample volume.

The use is described of a commercially available, silica-based extraction procedure for HIV-1 RNA that can be substituted for the extraction procedure supplied with a commercially available, PCR-based genotyping kit for HIV-1. The advantages of using this alternative, commercially available extraction procedure include the following: (1) reduced safety concerns, due to inactivation of virus in the initial step of the extraction procedure; (2) enhanced sensitivity, allowing the use of plasma with HIV-1 RNA levels of less than 2000 copies/ml; (3) improved yield, allowing a 60% reduction in plasma volume; and (4) convenience and improved reproducibility, with a single extraction providing RNA suitable for PCR-based sequencing and for quantitation of HIV-1 RNA levels.

Genotype↗

PubMed2001

Availability and characterization of transgenic and knockout mice with behavioral manifestations: where to look and what to search for.

Mice altered by transgenesis or gene targeting ("knockouts") have increasingly been employed as alternative effective tools in elucidating the genetic basis of neurophysiology and behavior. Standardization of specific behavioral paradigms and phenotyping strategies will ensure that these behavioral mouse mutants offer robust models for evaluating the efficacy of novel therapeutics in the treatment of hereditary neurological disorders. The Induced Mutant Resource (IMR) at The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine, USA) imports, cryopreserves, develops, maintains, and distributes to the research community biomedically valuable stocks of transgenic and targeted mutant mice. Information on behavioral and neurological strains-including a phenotypic synopsis, husbandry requirements, strain availability, and genetic typing protocols-is available through the IMR database (http://www.jax.org/resources/documents/imr/). A current catalog of available strains is readily accessible via the JAX Mice Web site at http://jaxmice.jax.org/index.shtml. In addition, The Jackson Laboratory is now home to TBASE (http://tbase.jax.org/), a comprehensive, community database whose primary focus is on mouse knockouts. TBASE accommodates an exhaustive bibliographical resource for transgenic and knockout mice and provides a detailed phenotypic characterization of numerous behavioral knockouts that is primarily extracted from the literature. Concerted efforts to merge the two resources into a new, schematically reformed database are underway.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Characterization of commercially available and synthesized polyethylenimines for gene delivery.

Five new polyethylenimines (PEI) were synthesized by polymerization of aziridine in aqueous solution and compared to several commercially available PEI used for gene transfer. Polymers were characterized by 13C NMR spectroscopy, capillary viscosimetry, potentiometric titration and Cu(II) complex formation to gain insight into structural and functional properties. 13C NMR analysis revealed differences in the extent of branching based on the ratio of primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups. An amino group ratio 1 degrees :2 degrees :3 degrees =1:2:1 was obtained for the synthesized PEI, whereas commercially available PEI generally showed a higher degree of branching (1:1:1). Capillary viscosimetry of aqueous PEI solutions with a sufficient amount of salt gave Mark-Houwink parameters of alpha=0.26 and K(V)=1.00 cm(3)/g for the commercially available polymers. In case of the synthesized polymers, variation of reaction conditions yielded viscosity average molar masses (M(v)) in the range of 8000-24000 g/mol. PEI solutions were investigated by potentiometric titration analysis showing that their buffer capacity was not significantly influenced by molar mass or polymer structure. The pK(a) values (8.18-9.94) and the buffer capacity beta (0.08-0.014 mol/l) were of comparable magnitude. This study highlights the necessity of more detailed characterization methods for PEI used in gene transfer protocols since physico-chemical properties do not reflect the vast differences found in transfection efficiencies.

Buffers↗

PubMed2002

Reengineering of a commercially available bovine intravaginal insert (CIDR insert) containing progesterone.

The purpose of this study was to reengineer a commercially available intravaginal insert containing 1.9 g progesterone (CIDR intravaginal insert) for a 7-day insertion period in cattle. The reengineering process resulted in a reduced initial drug load (1.38 g) and a reduction in the residual drug load following insertion, while at the same time maintaining the biological performance of the insert. The in vitro and in vivo pharmaceutical properties of the commercially available CIDR intravaginal insert were characterized initially to gain a thorough understanding of the factors that affected progesterone release from the insert. The effect of changing a selection of formulation and physical variables of the insert was also investigated (including surface area, drug load, addition of pore forming materials, silicone shore hardness and drug particle size). The knowledge gained from these studies was used to define the characteristics of the reengineered insert which was then manufactured and shown to be bioequivalent and clinically equivalent to the commercially available insert.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed2003

The influence of substrate and electron acceptor availability on bioactive zone dynamics in porous media.

Two approaches were used to investigate the influence of dissolved oxygen (DO) and substrate availability on the formation and dynamics of "bioactive zones" in a water-saturated porous medium. A bioactive zone is defined as a region where a microbial community is sufficiently active to metabolize bioavailable substrates. In the first approach, microbial activity was characterized by monitoring the spatial and temporal variability of DO and aqueous substrate (salicylate and naphthalene) concentrations during miscible-displacement experiments. In the second approach, microbial activity was monitored using multiple fiber optics emplaced in the porous medium to detect luminescence produced by Pseudomonas putida RB1353, a bioluminescent reporter organism that produces light when salicylate (an intermediate of naphthalene degradation) is present. The results of both approaches show that the location and size of the bioactive zones were influenced by in situ DO and substrate availability. When DO was not a limiting factor (i.e., lower substrate input concentrations), the bioactive zone encompassed the entire column, with the majority of the microbial activity occurring between the inlet and midpoint. However, as the availability of DO became limiting for the higher substrate input experiments, the size of the bioactive zone shrank and was ultimately limited to the proximity of the column inlet.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Age-related decline in central serotonin transporter availability with [(123)I]beta-CIT SPECT.

Postmortem studies have provided limited and conflicting data regarding aging effects on the central serotonin transporter (SERT). The present study investigated the effect of age on SERT availability in the human brainstem and diencephalon with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using the ligand [(123)I]2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane ([(123)I]beta-CIT). Healthy control subjects (n = 126) who ranged in age from 18 to 88 were injected with 6.0 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- SD) mCi [(123)I]beta-CIT and imaged 23.1 +/- 1.9 h later under equilibrium conditions. A ratio of specific to nondisplaceable brain uptake (i.e. , V(3)" = [brainstem-diencephalon -occipital]/occipital), a measure proportional to the binding potential (B(max)/K(D)), was derived. SERT availability (V(3)") showed a significant inverse correlation with age (r = -0.40, P < 0.0001). Linear regression analysis revealed that V(3)" declined by 29.5% over the age range 18 to 88, or approximately 4.2% per decade. These results demonstrate reductions in the availability of central SERT binding sites with age in living human subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Determination of chemical availability of cadmium and zinc in soils using inert soil moisture samplers.

A rapid method for extracting soil solutions using porous plastic soil-moisture samplers was combined with a cation resin equilibration based speciation technique to look at the chemical availability of metals in soil. Industrially polluted, metal sulphate amended and sewage sludge treated soils were used in our study. Cadmium sulphate amended and industrially contaminated soils all had > 65% of the total soil solution Cd present as free Cd2+. However, increasing total soil Cd concentrations by adding CdSO4 resulted in smaller total soil solution Cd. Consequently, the free Cd2+ concentrations in soil solutions extracted from these soils were smaller than in the same soil contaminated by sewage sludge addition. Amendment with ZnSO4 gave much greater concentrations of free Zn2+ in soil solutions compared with the same soil after long-term Zn contamination via sewage sludge additions. Our results demonstrate the difficulty in comparing total soil solution and free metal ion concentrations for soils from different areas with different physiochemical properties and sources of contamination. However, when comparing the same Woburn soil, Cd was much less available as Cd2+ in soil solution from the CdSO4 amended soils compared with soil contaminated by about 36 years of sewage sludge additions. In contrast, much more Zn was available in soil solution as free Zn2+ in the ZnSO4 amended soils compared with the sewage sludge treated soils.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Commercially available Hypericum perforatum extracts do not decrease immobility of rats in the forced swimming test.

There are controversial results of clinical trials on the antidepressant effects of Hypericum perforatum, while several preclinical studies describe antidepressant properties for Hypericum extracts. This study evaluates the antidepressant effect of two commercially available hydroalcoholic extracts of H. perforatum standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin in comparison to imipramine (IMI), in the forced swimming test (FST). Wistar rats were treated with different doses of two Hypericum extracts, of hypericin or of IMI and submitted to the FST. The experiments were videotape recorded to detail immobile and active behaviors of rats during the procedures. The imported extract tested and hypericin did not modify rats' behaviors in the test, while IMI, a classical antidepressant, significantly shortened immobility and prolonged climbing behavior during forced swimming. The locally produced Hypericum extract significantly increased immobility duration as compared to the controls at the same time as climbing efforts were decreased. Therefore, the two different commercially available Brazilian hydroalcoholic H. perforatum extracts did not show the expected effects in a screening test for antidepressant agents, on the contrary, one of the extracts promoted a depressant-like effect in rats. Therefore, these extracts available to the population differ from other Hypericum extracts. At which step of the production or commercialization chain these extracts probably lost their therapeutic potential remains to be evaluated.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Influence of environment structure and food availability on the foraging behaviour of the laboratory rat.

According to the optimal foraging theory, an animal is expected to enter into a given activity depending on associated costs and benefits. In line with this assumption, numerous studies have suggested that energetic reward is balanced by predation risk in foraging decisions. Therefore, the use of information about indirect cues of predation risk such as physical structure (e.g. cover, escape substrate) can give individuals a selective advantage. We studied foraging behaviour in the laboratory rat in an experimental maze; it allowed us to vary two environmental parameters: food availability and physical structure. In a first experiment, rats were offered a choice between two areas only differing in cover density. In a second experiment, the two areas only differed in food density. In a third experiment, we crossed both parameters. Our results showed that high "cover" patch was preferentially exploited (experiment 1) and that rats foraged more in the high food density patch (experiment 2). The last experiment showed that rats partially trade-off between cover density and food availability, even if the safest area was still preferred. Therefore, we suggest that foraging decisions depend primarily on safety needs, rather than food availability, at least when animals are not severely food-deprived.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Changes in patterns of drug injection concurrent with a sustained reduction in the availability of heroin in Australia.

Between 1996 and 2000, heroin was the drug most frequently injected in Australia, and viable heroin markets existed in six of Australia's eight jurisdictions. In 2001, there was a dramatic and sustained reduction in the availability of heroin that was accompanied by a substantial increase in its price, and a 14% decline in the average purity of seizures analysed by forensic laboratories. The shortage of heroin constitutes a unique natural experiment within which to examine the impact of supply reduction. This paper reviews one important correlate of the shortage, namely changes in patterns of illicit drug injection. A number of studies have consistently suggested that between 2000 and 2001, there was a sizeable decrease in both prevalence and frequency of heroin injection among injecting drug users. These changes were accompanied by increased prevalence and frequency of stimulant injection. Cocaine was favoured in NSW, the sole jurisdiction in which a cocaine market was established prior to the heroin shortage; whereas methamphetamine predominated in other jurisdictions. Some data suggest that, at least in the short-term, some drug injectors left the market altogether subsequent to the reduced heroin availability. However, the findings that (1) some former heroin users switched their drug preference to a stimulant; and (2) subsequently attributed this change to the reduced availability of heroin, suggests that reducing the supply of one drug may serve to increase the use of others. Given the differential harms associated with the use of stimulants and opiates, this possibility has grave implications for Australia, where the intervention and treatment system is designed primarily to accommodate opiate use and dependence.

Australia↗

PubMed2000

A randomized trial of the effects of early cardiac serum marker availability on reperfusion therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction: the serial markers, acute myocardial infarction and rapid treatment trial (SMARTT).

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess whether the immediate availability of serum markers would increase the appropriate use of thrombolytic therapy. BACKGROUND: Serum markers such as myoglobin and creatine kinase, MB fraction (CK-MB) are effective in detecting acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the emergency setting. Appropriate candidates for thrombolytic therapy are not always identified in the emergency department (ED), as 20% to 30% of eligible patients go untreated, representing 10% to 15% of all patients with AMI. Patients presenting with chest pain consistent with acute coronary syndrome were evaluated in the EDs of 12 hospitals throughout North America. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, physicians received either the immediate myoglobin/CK-MB results at 0 and 1 h after enrollment (stat) or conventional reporting of myoglobin/CK-MB 3 h or more after hospital admission (control). The primary end point was the comparison of the proportion of patients within the stat group versus control group who received appropriate thrombolytic therapy. Secondary end points included the emergent use of any reperfusion treatment in both groups, initial hospital disposition of patients (coronary care unit, monitor or nonmonitor beds) and the proportion of patients appropriately discharged from the ED. RESULTS: Of 6,352 patients enrolled, 814 (12.8%) were diagnosed as having AMI. For patients having AMI, there were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients treated with thrombolytic therapy between the stat and control groups (15.1% vs. 17.1%, p = 0.45). When only patients with ST segment elevation on their initial electrocardiogram were compared, there were still no significant differences between the groups. Also, there was no difference in the hospital placement of patients in critical care and non- critical care beds. The availability of early markers was associated with more hospital admissions as compared to the control group, as the number of patients discharged from the ED was decreased in the stat versus control groups (28.4% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The availability of 0- and 1-h myoglobin and CK-MB results after ED evaluation had no effect on the use of thrombolytic therapy for patients presenting with AMI, and it slightly increased the number of patients admitted to the hospital who had no evidence of acute myocardial necrosis.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1997

Opioid availability in Latin America: the Santo Domingo report progress since the Declaration of Florianopolis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that opioid analgesics are insufficiently available, particularly in developing countries, due to a variety of reasons, including legislative, educational, and policy issues. In its effort to promote the rational use of medical opioids and the adequate treatment of patients with cancer, WHO has sponsored a meeting of Latin American representatives every 2 years, which includes health professionals and government regulators. During March 24-27, 1996, a group of 86 representatives of cancer pain relief and palliative care programs from nine Latin American countries met in Santo Domingo under the auspices of the WHO Palliative Care Program for Latin America. For the first time since the First Latin American Meeting, government regulators were present to help address the issue of opioid availability from their perspective. During the meeting, issues pertaining to cancer pain, opioid availability, and palliative care were discussed. This report summarizes some of the events and presents a summary of the conclusions of an earlier meeting in 1994, as described in the Declaration of Florianopolis, and presents its follow-up, The Santo Domingo Report, generated following the 1996 meeting.

Analgesics, Opioid↗