On the volumetric properties of 2-hydroxy ethylammonium formate ionic liquid under high-pressures: Measurement and molecular dynamics

This work aims to report not only the new measurement for densities of 2-hydroxy ethylammonium formate (2-HEAF) ionic liquid under high-pressures but also molecular dynamics considerations of nanoscopic characterization for physicochemical properties in the pressure range studied. High-pressure densities of 2-HEAF showed smooth trends with temperature and pressure variations. Measurements were carried out at temperatures T = (298.15 to 333.15) K and at pressures P = (0.1 to 40) MPa. The high-pressure densities of 2-HEAF have also been correlated by the use of Tait equation with AARD equal to 0.031% and the mechanical coefficients including the isothermal compressibility, isobaric expansivity and thermal pressure were estimated. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out in the same pressure – temperature range as the experimental study. Force field was validated against experimental results and the microscopic structure was analyzed in terms of intermolecular interactions and their evolution with temperature and pressure.Iran National Science Foundation for supporting this project via the grant number (INSF-96000966

Self-medications with potential abuse in the Middle East: a systematic literature review

Self-medication (SM) is highly prevalent in the Middle East. However, regulations in the Middle East are not always enforced and therefore many prescription medicines can be purchased as SM, resulting in potential abuse of many medicines. The aim of this article, therefore, was to undertake a comprehensive review to identify the different types of self-medications involved in abuse in the Middle East and to identify harms related to SM abuse. An extensive review of the published literature pertaining to the subject (1990–2015) was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases for OTC medication abuse in the Middle East. Twenty two papers were identified. Medications involved in SM abuse included: psychoactive prescription-only medicines, codeine-containing products, tramadol, anabolic steroids, sedative antihistamines, decongestants and laxatives. Moreover, studies in the region rarely reported harms related to SM abuse and strategies to limit this abuse. Potential SM abuse involving a range of medicines is a public health problem in the Middle East. Future interventions and regulations should be applied to limit the expansion of SM use and potential abuse

Which criteria should be used for starting pharmacologic therapy for management of gestational diabetes in pregnancy? Evidence from randomized controlled trials

Introduction: There is inconclusive evidence to support any specific criteria for starting pharmacologic therapy after diet in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to analyze the most used criteria for starting pharmacologic treatment for patients with GDM. Material and methods: Electronic databases were searched from their inception to September 2017. We included all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of GDM managed initially by diet and exercise reporting criteria for starting pharmacologic therapy. RCTs in women with pregestational diabetes were excluded. Data regarding glucose values used for starting pharmacologic therapy were extracted and carefully reviewed. Results: We included 15 RCTs (4307 women) in the meta-analysis. For fasting glucose target, 8/14 (57%) used a value lower or equal to 90 mg/dL and the remainder used values 50% of the values higher than the target values and another one (7%) used >30%. Conclusion: The majority of RCTs (87%) used very tight criteria of either 1 or 2 values over the target values in the 1 or 2-week period for starting pharmacologic treatment for patients with GDM; more than 50% used 2 values. Key Message Pharmacologic therapy should be considered in women with gestational diabetes when, despite an adequate diet and exercise, 1 or 2 blood glucose values are over the target values of 90mg/dL fasting or 120mg/dL 2-hour postprandial over 1 or 2 weeks