Evaluation of drug promotional literature directed to consumers and physicians

Background: The present study aims at analysing promotional brochures and direct-to-consumer advertisements using the criteria for ethical medicinal drug promotion compiled by World Health Organization.Methods: Using World Health Organization criteria for ethical medicinal drug promotion, thirty brochures were evaluated for their fulfilment of the criteria and claims they are making. Also eight Direct to Consumer (DTC) TV advertisements were coded for their claimed indications and the factors used to attract consumers. An overview of what impact does drug promotion has provided through reviewing the published literature.Results: Brochures and advertisements directed to physicians were found to lack information with regard to generic (17.2%), brand (0%), indication (13.8%), dosage regimen (27.5%), safety information (62%), references (10.3%), manufacture (3.4%), safety (24.1%), efficacy (34.5%), suitability (20.6%), pharmacokinetics (3.4%) pharmaceutical property (3.4%) and extravagant emotional claims (3.4%). Information lacking in DTC TV advertisements include, risk factors (62.5%), alternative treatment (62.5%), indications (37.5%), side effects (75%), contraindications\precautions (50%), and sources for more information about the promoted drug (25%).Conclusions: Drug advertisements presented to physicians or directed to consumers did not fully satisfy the WHO criteria and their lack of essential information may lead to medication misuse

Evaluación de cáscaras de maní como alternativa a arcillas decolorantes

Peanut hulls (PNH) were carbonized at different temperatures, times, and evaluated at different concentrations as an alternative to bleaching clays. Evaluation of bleached crude soybean oil with PNH was based on their delta free fatty acids, reduction in peroxide value (PV), reduction in phospholipids (PL) and bleachability. The performance of several commercially used bleaching clays was evaluated, for comparison. Mixtures were formulated including: PNH and Tonsil -N (TN), PNH and Fuller’s earth (FE) and PNH and O-passive (OP) and examined. The oxidative stability of oils was determined. Results for the investigated commercial bleaching clays revealed: TN > FE > F > TF > OP. Highest reduction in PV and PL, and highest bleachability were achieved for soybean oil bleached with 2% PNH carbonized at 500°C for 30 min (PNH”). Mixtures of PNH” with the three chosen bleaching clays indicated that 1PNH”: 2TN gave the highest bleachability. CSO was miscella bleached in hexane using PNH” and resulted in an appreciable improvement in all oil characteristics, especially in bleachability. Oxidative stability of oils was in the following order: TN > control > FE > PNH” with Induction period values of 23,1 > 6,43 > 5,73 > 2,85 h, respectively.Las cáscaras de maní (PNH) fueron carbonizadas a diferentes temperaturas y tiempos, y utilizadas a diferentes concentraciones como una alternativa a las tierras decolorantes. La evaluación de un aceite de soja decolorado con PNH se ha basado en sus ácidos grasos libres, reducción del índice de peróxidos (PV), reducción de los fosfolípidos (PL), y en la blanqueabilidad. El rendimiento de varias tierras decolorantes de uso comercial fue evaluado y comparado con el de PNH carbonizada. Las mezclas formuladas incluían: PNH y Tonsil-N (TN), PNH y tierras de Fuller (FE) y PNH y O-pasivo (OP). La estabilidad oxidativa de los aceites resultantes fue determinada. Los resultados revelaron que la efectividad de la decoloración con las tierras decolorantes investigadas fue el siguiente: TN > FE > F > TF > OP. La mayor reducción en PV y PL, y la mayor decoloración se logró para el aceite de soja blanqueado con un 2% de PHN carbonizada a 500°C durante 30 min (PNH”). Las mezclas de PHN” con las tres tierras de blanqueo elegidas indicaron que 1PHN”: 2TN dio el mayor porcentaje de decoloración. La miscela de aceite de soja crudo en hexano decolorada usando PNH” resultó mejorar apreciablemente todas las características del aceite, sobre todo la blanqueabilidad. La estabilidad oxidativa fue en el siguiente orden: TN > control > FE > PNH” con valores de periodo de inducción de 23,1 > 6,43 > 5,73 > 2,85 h, respectivamente

Prevalence of Listeria species in some foods and their rapid identification

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence of Listeria spp., (particularly L. monocytogenes), in different foods and to compare diagnostic tools for their identification at species level.Methods: Samples of high protein foods such as raw meats and meat products and including beef products, chicken, fish and camel milk were analysed for the presence of Listeria spp. The isolates were characterised by morphological and cultural analyses, and confirmed isolates were identified by protein profiling and verified using API Listeria system. Protein profiling by SDS-PAGE was also used to identify Listeria spp.Results: Out of 40 meat samples, 14 (35 %) samples were contaminated with Listeria spp., with the highest incidence (50 %) occurring in raw beef products and raw chicken. Protein profiling by SDSPAGE was used to identify Listeria spp. The results were verified with API Listeria system. Approximately 25 % of the identified isolates were Listeria seeligeri, Listeria welshimeri, and Listeria grayi (three positive samples), while 16.66 % of the isolates were Listeria monocytogenes (two positive samples); 16.6 % of the isolates were Listeria innocua (two positive samples), while 8.3 % of the isolates were Listeria ivanovii (one positive sample).Conclusion: High protein foods contain different types of Listeria species; whole-cell protein profiles and API Listeria system can help in the identification of Listeria at the species level.Keywords: Listeria spp, High protein food, Api Listeria, Protein profil

Estudios detallados de algunos lípidos en aceite de semilla de Silybum marianum L.

Eight lipid patterns of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn seed oil, not hitherto reported, (20%) have been elucidated in this laboratory using capillary GLC and HPLC as main tools of analysis. The oil is rich in linoleic acid (53.3%) and oleic acid (21.3%). Five major triacylglycerols containing linoleic acyls namely LLL, LLO, LLP, LOO and LOP were detected by HPLC using FID detector, these triacylglycerols are also predominating in both cottonseed and sunflower oils but in different proportions. The total tocopherols content (260 ppm) was determined directly in the oil by HPLC. It was found that the oil contains alpha -tocopherol as a major constituent (84.5%) resembling sunflower oil. The whole sterols pattern, as determined as their trimethylsilyl derivatives by GLC, includes campesterol, 5-stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, 7-stigmasterol, avenasterol and spinasterol. The four sterols lipid clases of free and acylated sterols and sterylglycosides have been determined as their 9- and 1- anthroylnitrile derivatives by fluorescence and UV- HPLC respectively.La composición de ocho tipos de lípidos en aceite de semillas de Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn, hasta ahora no reportados, han sido identificados en este laboratorio, usando GLC capilar y HPLC como herramientas principales de análisis. El aceite es rico en ácidos linoleico (53,3%) y oleico (21,3%). El ácido linoleico está contenido principalmente en cinco formas de triacilgliceroles: LLL, LLO, LLP, LOO y LOP, detectadas por HPLC, usando un detector FID, estos triacilgliceroles son también predominantes en los aceites de semillas de algodón o girasol, pero con diferentes proporciones. El contenido total de tocoferoles (260 ppm) fue determinado directamente en el aceite por HPLC. Se encontró que el aceite contenía alfa-tocoferol como principal constituyente (84,5%), recordando al aceite de girasol. El patrón completo de esteroles determinado por GLC como derivados de trimetilsilil incluyó campesterol, 5-estigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, 7-estigmasterol, avenasterol y spinasterol. Las cuatro clases de esteroles lipídicos, de libres y acilados esteroles y esterilglicósidos han sido determinados como sus derivados de 9- y 1- antroilnitrilo respectivamente por fluorescencia y UV- HPLC

Estudios de aceites no tradicionales: I. Estudios detallados sobre diferentes perfiles lipídicos de aceites de semillas de la familia Rosaceae

Kernel oils obtained from apricot, peach and plum, produced as by-products from food canning industry, were analyzed by capillary GC and HPLC. The fatty acid composition of the fractionated mono-, di- and triacylglycerol was elucidated. Oleic acid ranged from 64 to 72% in triacylglycerol (TAG), whereas linoleic acid ranged from 17% to 27%. The TAG profile showed the presence of 0 0 0 (35-42%), LOO (22-28%), LLO (7-16%), LOP and LLS (6-7%), OOP (6-10.4%). Campesterol-, 5-stigmasterol-, β-sitosterol-. isofucosterol, 7-stigmasterol and avenasterol were detected in the three analyzed oils. Sterylglycosides were also determined and showed some characteristic profiles. The three kernel oils contained appreciable amounts of tocopherols in which gamma-tocopherol was the predominating one. Alpha-and delta-tocopherols were also present in smaller quantities. Results obtained can be used to characterize these kernel oils and facilitate their differentiation from the other oils.Aceites obtenidos de las semillas de albaricoque, melocotón y ciruela, producidos como subproductos de la industria alimenticia conservera, se analizaron mediante cromatografía gaseosa capilar y cromatografía líquida de alta resolución. Se estableció la composición en ácidos grasos de los mono-, di- y triacilgliceroles fraccionados. El ácido oleico osciló desde el 64% al 72% en triacilgliceroles (TAG), mientras que el ácido linoleico lo hizo entre el 17% y el 27%. El perfil de TAG mostró la presencia de OOO (35-42%), LOO (22-28%), LLO (7-16%), LOP y LLS (6-7%), OOP (6-10.4%). En los tres aceites analizados se detectaron campesterol-, 5-estigmasterol, β-sitosterol-, isofucosterol, 7-estigmasterol y avenasterol. También se determinaron glicósidos de esteroles, mostrando perfiles característicos. El contenido en tocoferoles fue apreciable en todos ellos, siendo el gamma-tocoferol el predominante. Los alfa- y delta-tocoferoles se detectaron en pequeñas cantidades. Los resultados obtenidos pueden usarse para caracterizar estos aceites de semilla y facilitar su diferenciación de otros aceites

The Lateral Distortional Buckling of I-Plate Girders

This paper presents a numerical study for lateral distortional buckling of I-plate girders (LDBIPGs) by using the general-purpose finite element package ABAQUS (version 6.13) software. 3-D finite element (FE) models for simply supported IPGs subjected to two cases of loading are built. The first case of loading was uniform end moment that was introduced by a couple of forces applied at the top and bottom flanges of the IPGs. The second case of loading was a concentrated load at the shear center in the mid-span. First, shell finite element models are validated by comparing the FE critical bending moment (������,����) by the critical bending moment in EC3 code (������,��,������). The results indicate that the ������,���� was in good agreement with ������,��,������. Secondly, a preliminary analysis is conducted to the relative girder slenderness (��) where the LDB too place. Finally, a parametric study is carried out on simply supported IPGs regarding to the span length, the flange cross-section dimensions and the thickness of the web. The results showed that increasing the length of girders decreases ������.���� and increase in the bending coefficient factor (����). Also, decreasing in the web plate slenderness ratio (��������⁄) works on increasing in ������.���� values and ����. The results also showed that the increasing in the thickness of flange increases ������.���� and increase the value of ���� with small value. As a result of parametric study, the mean value and standard deviation of ���� for LDB mode are 1.16 and 0.08 respectively for �� limits (90:130). For �� limits (131:175), the mean value and standard deviation of ���� are 1.27 and 0.03 respectively. As for �� limits (176:221), the mean value and standard deviation of ���� are 1.32 and 0.02 respectively

Proportional Hazard Bivariate Kumaraswamy Model Applied on Fish Mercury Concentration

International advisory bodies have developed guidelines for testing mercury and aquatic items to protect human health and international trade. The mercury absorption in fish has a great effect on human health. For modeling this problem, a new bivariate distribution using the proportional hazard rate (PHR) model with Kumaraswamy marginal called BKPH is derived and studied via statistical properties and reliability measures. Moreover, several methods of parameter estimation are discussed, including maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), method of moments estimation (MME), and inference function for margins estimation (IFM). In the simulation study, the performance of estimators depending on their estimation methodologies is compared. Finally, a comparative study of the proposed BKPH with several bivariate Kumaraswamy distributions via goodness of fit criteria was introduced. The results of the study proved the potentiality of the BKPH model and has a best fitting on mercury fish absorption data

Symptoms-Related Distress among Patients Receiving Adjuvant Therapy: Radical Mastectomy versus Lumpectomy

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although adjuvant therapy after breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer coming back but it induces many of physiological and psychological effects. The aim of the current study was to compare the Symptoms-related distress among patients receiving adjuvant therapy: Radical Mastectomy versus Lumpectomy at a University Hospital. Research Questions: Q1: What are the symptoms related distresses among radical mastectomy and lumpectomy patients receiving adjuvant therapy? Q2: Is there a difference in symptoms related distress between radical mastectomy and lumpectomy patients receiving adjuvant therapy? Design: A comparative descriptive -non-experimental design was utilized to achieve the aim of the current study. Tools: I) Socio-demographic and medical data sheet: It included data related to the studied subjects such as age, gender, marital status, types of received chemotherapy,…..etc. Tool II: Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL); it is useful in measuring the symptoms reported by cancer patients. It aims to enhance the insight into the consequences of the disease and its treatment. Setting: The study was conducted at the Nuclear Medicine Unit at Kasr Al-Aini Educational Hospital; affiliated to Cairo-University-Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample of 60 adult female patients divided into two equal groups, patients with radical mastectomy (n=30) and patients with lumpectomy (n=30) both groups received chemotherapy after surgery. Results: 80% of mastectomy and lumpectomy cases overall their age was between 40 and less than 60 years old. 33.3% of the study sample can read and write. The study pointed out that 48.3% of the sample had breast cancer between 2 and less than 6 months. While 50% of them between 6 to less than 12 months with Mean+SD= 5.65+2.There was a perfect correlation between total score of RSCL and physical total score =0.826, 0.829 & 0.828 for patients overall cases, mastectomy cases only & lumpectomy cases only respectively. Also there was a strong correlation between the RSCL total score and psychological total score=0.705, 0.747 & 0.668 for the patients overall cases, mastectomy cases only & lumpectomy cases only respectively. Conclusion: The lumpectomy cases scored generally their physical, psychological & activity level impairment status much better than the mastectomy cases. Also lumpectomy cases their general QOl was better than the mastectomy cases. Recommendation of the study: 1-More close physical, psychological support must endorse in nursing care for patients with mastectomy. 2-QOL advanced tool is recommended on survey scale to evaluate patients' condition with mastectomy & lumpectomy. 3-All patients with breast cancer must join a rehabilitation program before & after proceed in either mastectomy or lumpectomy surgical management. Keywords: Adjuvant therapy, Mastectomy, lumpectomy, symptoms related distress