Early Morning Time Research Articles

Effect of HPMC and ethyl cellulose polymeric granules and its combinations in press coated tablets of lornoxicam: fabrication and in vitro characterization

The main objective of the present exploration was to formulate and evaluate chronomodulated press-coated tablets to deliver the NSAID lornoxicam, when a pain in the joints, functional disability persist in the early morning time is typically observed in most Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Pre formulation studies and drug excipient compatibility studies were carried out for lornoxicam and excipients. Core tablets containing lornoxicam was prepared by direct compression method and the tablets were subjected to various pre-compression and post-compression parameters (C1-C4 formula) based on the above result best core tablet batch was selected and used for press coating processes. HPMC and EC granules were used as controlled release polymers in the outer layer. These tablets were subjected to pre and post compression parameters, finally the tablets were evaluated for lag time and in vitro dissolution. Results of preformulation studies were acceptable limits. No interaction was observed between lornoxicam and excipients by FTIR. The results of pre and post compression studies were within limits. Formulation code CC3 was identified as best formulation that extends a release profile with 6 h lag time followed by complete lornoxicam release after 8 h. From the graphical representation it can be well perceive that this is perfectly fit in to Korsemeyer which had a Regression coefficient (R2) of 0.9431. The results of the in-vitro release data of this layer were fitted to the Korsemeyer-Peppas equation to examine the release pattern of the drug from the polymeric system. The drug release was identified as super case II transport as the “n” value found to be more than 0.89.Dineshmohan et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, September 2015, 4(10): 447-452

Evaluating adverse rural crash outcomes using the NHTSA State Data System

IntroductionThe population-based rate of motor vehicle crash mortality is consistently higher in rural locations, but it is unclear how much of this disparity might be due to geographic barriers or deficiencies in emergency medical services (EMS). We sought to analyze separately factors associated with the occurrence of a severe injury and those associated with death after injury had occurred. MethodsData from all police-reported crashes in 11 states from 2005–2007 were obtained through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) State Data System (SDS). Logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with (1) death; (2) severe (incapacitating or fatal) injury; and (3) death given severe injury. Models included covariates related to the person, vehicle, and event; county location was specified using Rural–Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC). ResultsOlder age, not wearing a belt, ejection, alcohol involvement, high speed, and early morning times were associated with increased risk of both severe injury and death. Controlling for these factors, and restricting analysis to persons who had suffered a severe injury, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) associated with death was higher for counties classified rural (RUCC 6–7, aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.16–1.31) or very rural (RUCC 8–9, aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.18–1.46). ConclusionsPersons severely injured in crashes are more likely to die if they are in rural locations, possibly due to EMS constraints. As NHTSA-SDS data become more available and more uniform, they may be useful to explore specific factors contributing to this increased risk.

Performance evaluation of condensation-irrigation solar system under arid climate conditions

Scarcity of water, major critical concern in arid areas, has led to the use of low-quality irrigation water in agriculture in most of arid climate areas. The quality of water used for agriculture has to be reduced to a sustainable level that is also adapted to the environment. This paper presents the performance of a pilot condensation irrigation (CI) solar system in Tunisia under arid climate conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of this combined solar system for producing fresh water as an alternative source for irrigation in the greenhouse used for tomato growth. The preliminary testing of the CI system performance showed that moisture amounts in the buried pipes remain high for the sunny and cloudy days and dew condensation is processing mainly at night and early morning times. The produced fresh water satisfies about 15% the maximum crop water requirements during the growth period where tomato crops are most sensitive to water deficit. Based on experimental results, recommendations for system improvements design are suggested.

Reduction in Observation Unit Length of Stay With Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Depends on Time of Emergency Department Presentation

Prior studies demonstrating shorter length of stay (LOS) from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) relative to stress testing in emergency department (ED) patients have not considered time of patient presentation. The objectives of this study were to determine whether low-risk chest pain patients receiving stress testing or CCTA have differences in ED plus observation unit (OU) LOS and if there are disparities in testing modality use, based on the time of patient presentation to the ED. The authors examined a cohort of low-risk chest pain patients evaluated in an ED-based OU using prospective and retrospective OU registry data. During the study period, stress testing and CCTA were both available from 08:00 to 17:00 hours. CCTA was not available on weekends, and therefore only subjects presenting on weekdays were included. Cox regression analysis was used to model the effect of testing modality (stress testing vs. CCTA) on OU LOS. Separate models were fit based on time of patient presentation to the ED using 4-hour blocks beginning at midnight. The primary independent variable was testing modality: stress testing or CCTA. Age, sex, and race were included as covariates. Logistic regression was used to model testing modality choice by time period adjusted for age, sex, and race. Over the study period, 841 subjects presented Monday through Friday. Median LOS was 18.0 hours (interquartile range [IQR] = 11.7 to 22.9 hours). Objective cardiac testing was completed in 788 of 841 (94%) patients, with 496 (63%) receiving stress testing and 292 (37%) receiving CCTA. After age, race, and sex were adjusted for, patients presenting between 08:00 and 11:59 hours not only had a shorter LOS associated with CCTA (p < 0.0001), but also had a greater likelihood of being tested by CCTA (p = 0.001). None of the other time periods had significant differences in LOS or testing modality choice for CCTA relative to stress testing. In an OU setting with weekday and standard business hours CCTA availability, CCTA testing was associated with shorter LOS among low-risk chest pain patients only in patients presenting to the ED between 08:00 and 11:59 hours. That time period was also associated with a greater likelihood of being tested by CCTA, suggesting that ED providers may have intuited the inability of CCTA to shorten LOS during other times.

Earthquake Disaster Response in Christchurch, New Zealand

On September 4, 2010, an earthquake that measured 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the region of Canterbury, New Zealand. Even though it was the same magnitude as the Haitian earthquake in January 2010 that killed more than 220,000 people, not one person lost his or her life in the city of Christchurch. Human survival was due to 3 interrelated elements: rigorously applied building codes, the earthquake's depth of 6 miles (10 km) and distance of 25 miles (38 km) from Christchurch, and the early morning time of the occurrence (4:35 am). Although damage was significant, many of Christchurch's major landmarks survived, and during the following months, locals began to tell with unerring accuracy the magnitudes of the thousands of aftershocks that are normal after these events. What came a few months later was a whole different situation. Brian Dolan is Director of Service Improvement, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. Anne Esson is Nurse Manager, Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department, Christchurch, New Zealand. Paula (Polly) Grainger is Nurse Coordinator, Clinical Projects, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand. Sandra Richardson is Nurse Researcher, Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department, and Senior Lecturer with the Centre for Post Graduate Nursing Studies, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. Mike Ardagh is Professor of Emergency Medicine, Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Feeding ecology and growth of neonate and juvenile blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus in the Timbalier–Terrebone Bay complex, LA, U.S.A.

Stomach contents and vertebrae from neonate and juvenile blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus (n= 334) were examined to describe their diet, feeding patterns and growth within the Timbalier–Terrebone Bay complex, LA, U.S.A. In the study area, both neonate and juvenile C. limbatus feed primarily on gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus. However, based on the index of relative importance (IRI), gulf menhaden constituted a larger portion of the diet of neonates (84·05 %IRI) than for juveniles (47·91 %IRI). An increase in the index of relative fullness between the afternoon and dusk time intervals and a large decrease in the percentage of empty stomachs between the night and early morning time intervals suggested that these fish exhibited a diel feeding pattern with crepuscular periods being the times of highest feeding activity. A higher percentage of empty stomachs (neonates 68% and juveniles 39%) and a significantly lower growth rate (age 0+ year C. limbatus, 0·62 mm day−1; age 1+ year fish, 0·89 mm day−1) could indicate that neonate C. limbatus are less efficient predators than older conspecifics.

A simulation study of mesoscale coastal circulations in Mississippi Gulf coast

A numerical simulation of atmospheric mesoscale circulations in the Mississippi Gulf coast is carried out with non-hydrostatic WRF ARW meso-scale model to understand the flow and the boundary layer characteristics in the coastal environment. The model is used with three nested grids at 36, 12 and 4 km resolution covering the Mississippi Gulf coast and its adjoining regions for a typical summer period 01–03 June, 2006 having weak synoptic forcing. Results show development of sea-breeze circulation and formation of thermal internal boundary layer (TIBL) across the coast. The flow pattern shows regular occurrence of onshore winds in the day time and offshore winds in the late night/ early morning times. Simulated sea breeze extended horizontally up to 80 km inland and vertically up to 1 km. Height of the simulated internal boundary layer is 300 m near the coast and gradually merged with the mixing layer inland. Simulated winds and temperature distribution at the coast are found to agree with mesonet and upper air observations. Model simulated TIBL height is confirmed using observations from a boundary layer experiment. Performance of the Planetary Boundary layer (PBL) parameterization on the simulated circulation features is studied by conducting sensitivity experiments. The Yonsei University (YSU) nonlocal first order PBL scheme and a more complex Mellor–Yamada–Janjic (MYJ) TKE scheme are selected keeping the other model physics identical. Both the schemes have shown similar skills in simulating the mean characteristics of observed winds during sea breeze in the region. The YSU scheme shows improvement over MYJ in the simulation of internal boundary layer characteristics and the overall performance of predicted mean variables.

Exercise class participation among residents in low-level residential aged care could be enhanced: a qualitative study

What do residents in low-level residential care perceive as motivators and barriers to participating in exercise classes at the facility? Qualitative study using focus groups. Residents, nursing staff and allied health staff of a low-level residential care facility. Key motivators for residents to attend the exercise classes included personal benefits, such as improved health and opportunities to socialise, and the support and encouragement that they received from family members and health professionals. The barriers to participating in the exercise classes included: health issues like pain, incontinence, and hearing impairments; external constraints such as the location of the classes and the early morning time; and internal constraints associated with a lack of knowledge about the classes and the benefits of exercising. While the key themes that arose from this study are consistent with findings from studies of community-dwelling adults, several of the barrier subthemes were unique. Recommendations from our findings to enhance exercise class participation include careful consideration of: class scheduling; class location; social aspects associated with exercise classes; support of social networks and health providers; health issues perceived to limit exercise; and marketing of classes.

How much food advertising is there on Australian television?

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive content analysis of television food advertising and provide data on current levels of food advertising in Australia. All three commercial stations available on free-to-air Australian television were concurrently videotaped between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on two weekdays and both weekend days in four locations across Australia to provide a total of 645 h for analysis. Each advertisement was categorized as 'non-food ad', 'healthy/core food ad' or 'unhealthy/non-core food ad' according to set criteria. Thirty-one percent of the advertisements analyzed were for food. Eighty-one percent of the food advertisements identified were for unhealthy/non-core foods. When comparing the results of this study with previous research, it was found that the number of unhealthy advertisements screened per hour had not changed over the past few years. On weekdays, the number of advertisements increased throughout the day to peak at more than five advertisements per hour in the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. time slot. The early morning time slot on Saturday was the most concentrated period for advertising unhealthy/non-core food with more than six advertisements screened per hour. The regional areas screened a significantly lower level of unhealthy/non-core food advertisements (19.5%) compared with the metropolitan areas (29.5%). Fast food and takeaway was the most advertised food category, followed by chocolate and confectionery. A total 194 breaches of the Children's Television Standards were identified according to our interpretation of the standard. It is well recognized that childhood obesity is a worldwide problem. The heavy marketing of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods influences food choices and contributes to the incidence of overweight and obesity in children. Despite the recognition of this growing problem, little has been done to ensure children are protected against the use of large volumes of unhealthy/non-core food advertising.

Can Cycling Performance in an Early Morning, Laboratory-Based Cycle Time-Trial be Improved by Morning Exercise the Day Before?

The normal circadian rhythm in exercise performance may be altered by the habitual timing of training. We have investigated if morning time trial performance is affected by the time at which moderate exercise is performed on the previous day. Eight male cyclists undertook two separate exercise sessions of sub-maximal cycle ergometry (60% V.O2peak for 30 min) at 07:00 h and 12:00 h the day before a 16.1-km time trial at 07:00 h. Heart rate, power output, ratings of perceived exertion, and rectal temperature were measured at rest and every 5 min in the pre-time trial exercises, and every 1.61 km during the time trial. Blood samples were taken at rest and immediately after the time trial for the measurement of lactate concentration. The time trial performed the day after the 07:00 h sub-maximal exercise was completed in 1672+/-135 s, compared to 1706+/-159 s for the time trial performed the day after the noon pre-time trial exercise (p=0.027). The time trial after exercise the previous morning was associated with higher work-rates (p=0.031), a higher net lactate accumulation after the time trial (p=0.018), and a trend for higher heart rates (p=0.093) compared to the time trial after exercise the previous noon. These findings suggest that cycling performance in an early morning time trial is improved if an athlete participates in early-morning rather than noontime moderate exercise the day before. This finding cannot be attributed to the physiological responses to the exercise on the pre-time trial day or to environmental factors. It is suggested that it might partly reflect an advantage gained by performing exercise in the day(s) immediately beforehand at the same time as the competition.

Antihypertensive effectiveness of the valsartan and its influence on morning surge in patients with mild to moderate arterial hypertension

to evaluate antihypertensive effectiveness of the valsartan and its influence on the morning surge in mild to moderate hypertensive patients. in study there were included 42 patients with average systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) 159.7±3.4 and 100.3±2.7 mmHg. Average age was 50.3±2.7 yr., duration of hypertension – 6.2±0.3 yr. All patients were done office blood pressure measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The smoothness index (SI) was calculated as ration of the average BP decreasing to its standard deviation. The amplitude of the morning SBP and DBP increasing was calculated according to formula: BPmax. (during 4 hr after awaking) – BPmin (at night). The velocity (MV) of the morning SBP and DBP increasing was calculated as ration of the its amplitude to time between measurements. All patients wrote the diary with awaking time fixation. Valsartan was administered in initial dose 80 with up-titration to 160 mg. Duration of treatments was 3 months. the average office SBP/DBP decreasing was 23 and 13 mmHg. 24-hour, day-time and night-time SBP/DBP diminishing were 17/10, 18/10 and 10/8 mm Hg respectively. Also we noted significant decreasing of the time and pressure load indices. The SI was 0.93±0.06 for SBP and 1.03±0.06 for DBP. The amplitude of the morning SBP increasing diminished from 69.3±5.8 to 43.8±5.6 mm Hg. The MV for SBP and DBP declined from 13.9±2.2/12.8±1.2 to 7.2±1.1/7.4±1.1 mmHg/hr. in patients with mild to moderate arterial hypertension valsartan was effective and safe antihypertensive drug, that provided smooth 24-hour blood pressure control and decreased the degree of the blood pressure increasing in early morning time.

Doppler spectrum observations of long discrete echoes

By Long Discrete Echoes (LDE) we refer to an uncommon class of radar auroral echoes observed in regions of low electric fields equatorward of the electrojet, mostly in the early morning time sector. This phenomenon has been reported first by Nielsen et al. (1982, Nature 299, 238). In this paper we present further experimental evidence on LDE based on Doppler spectrum measurements. We found the spectral properties of echoes to differ significantly as compared to the commonly observed backscatter associated with typical auroral electrojet activity. The main observations are summarized as follows: (1) the spectra are confined at sub-ion acoustic velocities and are very narrow, in sharp contrast with the broad spectra of typical auroral echoes; (2) the signal strength and spectrum width are isotropic in the observing plane; and (3) the spectrum width tends to increase linearly with drift velocity magnitude. These results suggest the presence of only one type of irregularity which is isotropic in the propagation plane perpendicular to the magnetic field.