Implantable Controlled Release Device to Deliver Drugs Directly To an Internal Portion of the Body

A simple and implantable sustained release drug delivery device with an inner core containing an effective amount of a low solubility agent covered by a non-bioerodible polymer coating layer that is permeable to the low solubility agent is disclosed. A method for treating a mammal to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect by surgically implanting such a sustained release drug delivery device into a mammal in need of treatment is also disclosed

Implantable Controlled Release Device to Deliver Drugs Directly to an Internal Portion of the Body

A simple and implantable sustained release drug delivery device with an inner core containing an effective amount of a low solubility agent covered by a non-bioerodible polymer coating layer that is permeable to the low solubility agent is disclosed. A method for treating a mammal to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect by surgically implanting such a sustained release drug delivery device into a mammal in need of treatment is also disclosed

A Meeting of Angels: Thomas Merton and the Shakers

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) is arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the twentieth century. His autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain has sold over one million copies and has been translated into over fifteen languages. He wrote over sixty other books and hundreds of poems and articles on topics ranging from monastic spirituality to civil rights, nonviolence, and the nuclear arms race. In this paper I will discuss Thomas Merton’s interest in the Shakers and suggest some of the reasons for his attraction to them

The prepubertal ontogeny of neuropeptides in the male Meishan pig brain

This dissertation describes the immunohistochemical localization of three neuropeptides in the brain of the male Meishan pig throughout prenatal and prepubertal development;The first study details the ontogeny of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the male Meishan pig brain. Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-IR) was seen in cell bodies and fibers throughout the brain from gestational day (g)30 through postnatal day (pn)50. Cell bodies and fibers containing NPY-IR generally increase in number and distribution in the brain prenatally. However, immunoreactive cell bodies decline in the early postnatal period, especially in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. This may indicate a functional maturation of food intake control pathways;The second study describes the prepubertal ontogeny of galanin-like immunoreactivity (GAL-IR). Galanin-IR in cell bodies and fibers was evident in the brain at all ages, especially in the hypothalamus. Throughout prenatal development cell bodies and fibers containing GAL-IR generally increased in number and distribution in the brain showing a pattern by pn1 that was consistent through postnatal ages;The third study investigated the prepubertal ontogeny of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-like immunoreactivity (LHRH-IR) in the telencephalon and diencephalon. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-IR in cell bodies and fibers was detected at g30 entering the brain along the terminal nerve and in the basal telencephalon. The number of immunoreactive cells increased and immunoreactive fibers were present in the median eminence at g50. Further increases were seen prenatally, but changed little postnatally. These results confirm the olfactory origin of LHRH cells in the pig and suggest a breed difference in the ontogeny of reproductive control systems in the pig;The temporal and neuroanatomical relationship of these peptides suggest that they play important roles in the control of food intake, growth and reproduction in the Meishan pig, a Chinese breed known for its superior reproductive characteristics but slow growth and obesity. Future studies will investigate the interrelationships of these peptides with respect to the control of gonadotropic and somatotropic processes in the pig

Implementing screening and brief alcohol interventions in primary care : views from both sides of the consultation

Excessive drinking is a global health problem which is responsible for a wide range of both chronic and acute illness, and which costs the UK National Health Service (NHS) £1.7 billion annually. Current health policy aims to reduce alcohol-related problems by promoting early identification of risk followed by brief intervention to facilitate positive changes in drinking level or patterns of consumption. However, practical and philosophical barriers concerning screening and brief alcohol intervention have so far impeded its uptake in routine primary care. This qualitative study aimed to simultaneously explore and compare health professionals’ and patients’ views on the acceptability and feasibility of screening and brief alcohol intervention in primary care. Focus groups were held with (a) four primary care teams, (b) two general practitioner (GP) and two nurse groups and (c) six patient groups in the north-east of England. A thematic framework approach was used to analyse audio-taped data via transcripts. Both health professionals and patients reported that raising and discussing alcohol-related risk was acceptable in primary care, when combined with other lifestyle issues or linked to relevant health conditions. Targeted rather than universal screening was the most acceptable method of identifying alcohol-related risk and would fit well with existing practice. However, there was uncertainty among health professionals about the effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions and some disagreement with patients concerning who was best placed to deliver them. Health professionals felt that nurses were best placed for such work whilst patients reported that they would initially raise the subject with GPs. There was broad acceptance of brief intervention approaches but a lack of support and specific incentives for this work impeded its delivery in routine practice

Sustained Release Drug Delivery Devices

A method and device for treating a mammalian organism to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is provided. The method includes administering a sustained release drug delivery system to a mammalian organism in need of such treatment at an area wherein release of an effective agent is desired and allowing the effective agent to pass through the device in a controlled manner. The device includes an inner core or reservoir comprising the effective agent; a first coating layer, which is essentially impermeable to the passage of the effective agent; and a second coating layer, which is permeable to the passage of the effective agent. The first coating layer covers at least a portion of the inner core; however, at least a small portion of the inner core is not coated with the first coating layer. The second coating layer essentially completely covers the first coating layer and the uncoated portion of the inner core

UK public perceptions of ocean acidification - the importance of place and environmental identity

The marine environment is affected by climate change in many ways but it is also affected by the separate problem of ocean acidification (OA). Anthropogenic carbon dioxide that is absorbed by the ocean causes changes in ocean chemistry including an increase in acidity. Fisheries and shellfish industries, which are vital livelihoods for some communities have already been affected by OA. As there has been little research conducted to examine public risk perceptions of this issue, the aim was to explore this through a survey (N = 954) carried out in the UK. The survey explored a range of psychological factors including concern, place attachment, and environmental identity that are known to influence risk perceptions. A regression analysis found that more concerned participants had stronger environmental identities and higher levels of knowledge about OA. As predicted, they also felt more attached to the ocean and felt more negative about OA. It was clear that place attachment and environmental identity were important factors and thus should not be neglected when developing risk communications, particularly for this unfamiliar risk issue. As unfamiliar and complex risks such as OA are becoming more prevalent and must be communicated successfully in a world full of conflicting information, it is important to consider how OA is perceived by the public and how this can inform policy decisions in future. If major mitigation and adaptation strategies are adopted by policymakers the success of these will also ultimately require society to accept them