Regular Tablet Research Articles

Technology for helping people with neuromotor, intellectual, and speech disabilities engage in leisure and communication activities: a proof-of-concept study.

We extended the assessment of our recently developed technology to help people with neuromotor, intellectual, and speech disabilities access (listen to) music, communicate with distant partners, and answer questions. The technology included a tablet (1) fitted with an Internet connection, a SIM card, WhatsApp Messenger, and MacroDroid application, and (2) interfaced with different pairs of response sensors. Six participants were included in the study, which was carried out according to a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants. During the baseline phase (5-8 sessions carried out over 1-2 weeks), participants were unable to access music, make video calls, or answer questions using a regular tablet. During the intervention phase (50-102 sessions carried out with the technology over 2-4 months), however, they activated means of 4.7-7.6 songs and 0.4-3.6 video calls per session. Moreover, they answered correctly a mean of 69-96% of the questions presented to them. These results suggest that our technology solution is a viable and potentially valuable resource for people with extensive disabilities.

Enabling People With Intellectual and Sensory Disabilities to Trigger a Tablet's Delivery of Task Instructions by Walking to the Tablet: Proof-of-Concept Study.

People with intellectual and sensory or sensory-motor disabilities tend to have problems performing multistep tasks. To alleviate their problems, technological solutions have been developed that provide task-step instructions. Instructions are generally delivered at people's request (eg, as they touch an area of a computer or tablet screen) or automatically, at preset intervals. This study carried out a preliminary assessment of a new tablet-based technology system that presented task-step instructions when participants with intellectual and sensory disabilities walked close to the tablet (ie, did not require participants to perform fine motor responses on the tablet screen). The system entailed a tablet and a wireless camera and was programmed to present instructions when participants approached the tablet, that is, when the camera positioned in front of the tablet detected them. Two instructions were available for each task step. One instruction concerned the object(s) that the participants were to collect, and the other instruction concerned the "where" and "how" the object(s) collected would need to be used. For 3 of the six participants, the two instructions were presented in succession, with the second instruction presented once the required object(s) had been collected. For the other 3 participants, the two instructions were presented simultaneously. Instructions consisted of pictorial representations combined with brief verbal phrases. The impact of the system was assessed for each of the 2 groups of participants using a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across individuals. All participants were successful in using the system. Their mean frequency of correct task steps was close to or above 11.5 for tasks including 12 steps. Their level of correct performance tended to be much lower during the baseline phase when they were to receive the task-step instructions from a regular tablet through scrolling responses. The findings, which need to be interpreted with caution given the preliminary nature of the study, suggest that the new tablet-based technology system might be useful for helping people with intellectual and sensory disabilities perform multistep tasks.

Video-Enhanced Care Management for Medically Complex Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment.

This pilot study assessed feasibility of video-enhanced care management for complex older veterans with suspected mild cognitive impairment (CI) and their care partners, compared with telephone delivery. Pilot randomized controlled trial. Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Participants were enrolled as dyads, consisting of veterans aged 65 years or older with complex medical conditions (Care Assessment Need score ≥90) and suspected mild CI (education-adjusted Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status score 20-31) and their care partners. The 12-week care management intervention consisted of monthly calls from a study nurse covering medication management, cardiovascular disease risk reduction, physical activity, and sleep behaviors, delivered via video compared with telephone. Dyads completed baseline and follow-up assessments to assess feasibility, acceptability, and usability. Forty veterans (mean (standard deviation (SD)) age = 72.4 (6.1) years; 100% male; 37.5% Black) and their care partners (mean (SD) age = 64.7 (10.8) years) were enrolled and randomized to telephone or video-enhanced care management. About a third of veteran participants indicated familiarity with relevant technology (regular tablet use and/or experience with videoconferencing); 53.6% of internet users were comfortable or very comfortable using the internet. Overall, 43 (71.7%) care management calls were completed in the video arm and 52 (86.7%) were completed in the telephone arm. Usability of the video telehealth platform was rated higher for participants already familiar with technology used to deliver the intervention (mean (SD) System Usability Scale scores: 65.0 (17.0) vs 55.6 (19.6)). Veterans, care partners, and study nurses reported greater engagement, communication, and interaction in the video arm. Video-delivered care management calls were feasible and preferred over telephone for some complex older adults with mild CI and their care partners. Future research should focus on understanding how to assess and incorporate patient and family preferences related to uptake and maintenance of video telehealth interventions.

ACUTE VENLAFAXINE OVERDOSE WITH POSITIVE URINE IMMUNOASSAY FOR TRAMADOL – CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC OVERLAP - CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE OVERVIEW

Objective. The overlapping of pharmacokinetics and/or the pharmacodynamics of medicines causes the occurrence of overlapping clinical syndromes and diagnostic issues, potentiated in overdoses. We report a case of severe venlafaxine poisoning where the clinical presentation and the results of rapid immunoassay test overlapped with tramadol intoxication. Case presentation. An unconscious women with recurrent seizers, hypertension and supposed acute medication poisoning in suicidal attempt was transported to our clinic. Previously, she had been lavaged, rehydrated and treated with 20 mg diazepam iv, 40 mg furosemide at the local general hospital. Her regular tablet therapy consisted of losartan, levothyroxine, venlafaxine, occasionally tramadol. At admission she was comatose, with isochoric normal pupils, BP 130/80 mm Hg, SaO2 86%, and recurrent episodes of seizures treated with 10mg diazepam iv, ocular clonus, hypertonus, temperature 38.9C, diaphoresis, facial hyperaemia, dark coloured urine, hyponatremia and rhabdomyolisis. The lateral flow immunoassay (AbuGnostR) was positive for tramadol, but the homogeneous enzyme immunoassay did not confirm it. After 36 hours of intensive treatment she became somnolent and reported ingestion of 2250 mg tbl Venlafaxine. The AbuGnost R test detects tramadol at cut off urine values 200ng/ml, but present cross reactivity with O-desmethyl-venlafaxine at cut off values up to 25000ng/ml. The following days she complained of muscular weakness, headaches and cognitive impairment, which lasted for more then one month after release from hospital. Conclusion. High concentrations of venlafaxine metabolites induce false positive tramadol immunoassay (AbuGnostR) test. Overlapping clinical presentations and metabolic pathways of venlafaxine and tramadol should alert physicians when interpret rapid immunoassay test. The mandatory principle when making medical decisions should cover synthesis of critically interpreted toxicology analysis, interview data and clinical features of the poisoning, which may help to avoid misleading conclusions and improve the diagnostic and therapy decisions.

A Study on the Retrieval Methods Using the CST-Tree Index in Web Log Mining

The number of web service users is increasing with the widespread of regular PCs, smartphones, and tablet PCs, which has allowed more convenient access to internet. Although the increase in the number of users is translating into the increase in data usage, the previously used method is not suitable to process web log at high-speed, since it operates in the order of strings. Accordingly, this study uses the CST-tree index to analyze the web log data that is generated when accessing a web server.

Pharmacokinetics of caffeine administered in a time-release versus regular tablet form

Background Caffeine has been associated with enhancing the ability to perform mental tasks and elevate feelings of energy, however, a single dose of caffeine typically induces only 90-120 minutes of increased alertness and is often associated with an acute “crash” state following its metabolism. The nature of formulation can directly influence the rate and extent of absorption following oral administration. Time-release caffeine supplements have been developed to prolong the effects of caffeine. The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma caffeine pharmacokinetics following ingestion of a time-release caffeine capsule (TR-CAF) to an equivalent dose of a regular caffeine capsule (CAF) and a placebo (PL) over an 8-hour period.

Comparison between Soft Gelatin Capsule Containing Ibuprofen and Ibuprofen Regular Tablet in Pain Control Following Scaling and Root Planing

Aim: Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a major component of periodontal therapy which is often accompanied by painful experiences for the patient. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the pain control of two available types of ibuprofen, soft gelatin capsules and tablets, following SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis.
 Methodology: 75 patients with chronic periodontitis, undergoing routine periodontal SRP were selected. Following probing the amount of pain perceived was recorded as the baseline pain using visual analog scale (VAS). Further, they received either 800 mg ibuprofen tablet, 800 mg ibuprofen capsule or placebo and the pain level was measured thirty minutes thereafter. Participants underwent SRP procedure and the pain levels were recorded immediately and then at 30 and 60 minutes after SRP.
 Results: The mean VAS pain scores assessed immediately, thirty minutes and an hour after SRP for both ibuprofen and ibuprofen capsule groups were lower than placebo. Significant difference in the pain parameter only immediately after SRP between three groups were observed (p=0.012).The mean VAS pain score difference after thirty minutes and an hour upon SRP with baseline was insignificant in all study groups (p≤0.0001). However, the mean VAS pain score measured an hour after SRP showed significant difference between both NSAID groups and placebo group (p=0.012)
 Conclusions: Soft gelatin ibuprofen capsules are well suitable for pain management during SRP procedure in patients with chronic periodontitis due to reported rapid onset of action and less gastrointestinal intolerance. 
 How to cite this article: Jenabian N, Naderi E, Moghadamnia AA, Zahedpasha S. Comparison between Soft Gelatin Capsule Containing Ibuprofen and Ibuprofen Regular Tablet in Pain Control Following Scaling and Root Planing. Int Dent Res 2011;2:42-47.
 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

Ebastine in allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria

Histamine is a key mediator in the development of allergy symptoms, and oral H(1)-antihistamines are among the most widely used treatments for symptomatic relief in conditions such as allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria. Ebastine is a second-generation antihistamine which has been shown to be an effective treatment for both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. In controlled clinical trials in adult and adolescent patients with allergic rhinitis, ebastine 10 mg once-daily improved symptoms to a significantly greater extent than placebo and to a similar extent as loratadine 10 mg and cetirizine 10 mg (both once-daily), while ebastine 20 mg proved to be more effective than these two comparator antihistamines. In addition, ebastine was significantly more effective than placebo at relieving the symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Ebastine provides efficacy throughout the 24-h dosing interval with once-daily administration and clinical benefit is seen from the first day of treatment. Small studies have found beneficial effects for ebastine in patients with other disorders, including cold urticaria, dermographic urticaria, atopic asthma, mosquito bites and (in combination with pseudoephedrine) the common cold. In addition to the regular ebastine tablet, a fast-dissolving tablet (FDT) formulation, which disintegrates in the mouth without the aid of a drink, is also available. It has been shown to be bioequivalent to the regular tablet, and to be significantly more effective than desloratadine at reducing histamine-induced cutaneous wheals. A number of patient surveys demonstrated that the majority of individuals who tried the fast-dissolving formulation reported it to be convenient for use, fast-acting and preferred it to their previous antihistamine medication. Perhaps most importantly, a large proportion of patients indicated that they would prefer to use this new formulation in the future. Ebastine has a rapid onset of action and it can be administered once-daily, with or without food. Dose modifications are not needed in elderly patients, or in those with renal or mild to moderate hepatic impairment. Ebastine is generally well-tolerated, and clinical studies showed that at usual therapeutic doses of 10 and 20 mg once-daily, it had no clinically relevant adverse effects on cognitive function and psychomotor performance or on cardiovascular function. In conclusion, ebastine is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment for allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. In addition to the regular tablet formulation, ebastine is available as a FDT, providing a treatment option that is particularly convenient for patients.

Ebastine fast-dissolving tablets versus regular tablets: acceptability and preference in patients with allergic rhinitis

A new fast-dissolving tablet (FDT) formulation of ebastine has been developed that dissolves rapidly in the mouth without the need for water. This new formulation of ebastine FDT offers an opportunity to tailor prescribing in a way that meets patient’s preferences. The aim of the reported study was to evaluate the preferences of allergic rhinitis patients who were given either a placebo version of ebastine FDT or a placebo version of ebastine regular tablet (RT). Allergic rhinitis patients from Germany, Italy and Mexico, who were regular consumers of oral antihistamines, were recruited to a randomized, crossover study comparing placebo forms of ebastine FDT and ebastine RT. Patients were interviewed at home and were given both a FDT and RT (10 and 20 mg doses were used with a 1:1 ratio). Data on patient preferences were recorded by an interviewer and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 420 individuals participated (140 in each country), 70% with intermittent and 24% with persistent allergic rhinitis. Using a rating scale of 0–10 and comparing mean values, ebastine FDT was statistically significantly better than RT for: sensation on dissolving (8.30 FDT vs 6.79 RT); taste it leaves in the mouth (8.10 FDT vs 6.60 RT); initial taste (8.07 FDT vs 6.63 RT); and texture (7.85 FDT vs 7.20 RT). Rapidity of dissolution was rated 8.67 for FDT. With the same scale, RT rated statistically significantly better than ebastine FDT for: appearance (7.46 RT vs 6.85 FDT); size (7.38 RT vs 7.06 FDT); and shape (7.55 RT vs 7.24 FDT). General evaluation was statistically significantly better for ebastine FDT (8.21 FDT vs 7.05 RT). Overall, 83% of patients preferred ebastine FDT to RT, 92% considered it to be more innovative, 90% that it was suitable to be taken without water and that it was technologically advanced, and 87% that it was suitable for taking at any time and anywhere, and that it had a refreshing taste. Ebastine FDT formulation is preferred to the RT by the majority of allergic rhinitis patients, rating most highly for dissolution, taste and texture.

HPLC determination and pharmacokinetics of sustained-release bupropion tablets in dogs

The pharmacokinetics and bioequivalency of a newly developed sustained-release bupropion tablet was studied in six dogs after single oral administration and compared with a regular tablet (RT) in randomized two-period crossover design. A sensitive and rapid HPLC method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of bupropion in dog plasma. The compound and the internal standard (I.S.) (hydroxyethylfludiazepam) were extracted from the plasma samples by liquid–liquid extraction. The extracts were analyzed by a reversed-phase HPLC with 50 mmol/l phosphate buffer (pH 5.5)–methanol (45:55, v/v) as the eluent. The assay was specific for bupropion. The calibration curves were linear in the range between 1 and 750 ng/ml. The validated lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/ml. The overall precision (expressed as R.S.D.) of quality controls were within 15%. The method was successfully applied to the bioequivalency study of bupropion in the two formulations. The C max of sustained-release tablet (ST) was significantly lower than that of the RT and the T max was significantly longer than that of the RT ( P<0.05). The relative bioavailability of the ST was (99.1±1.51)%, the results of ANOVA and two one sided tests indicated that the new ST exhibited good sustained release properties and was bioequivalent to the RT.

Activity of Lercanidipine Administered in Single and Repeated Doses Once Daily as Monitored Over 24 Hours in Patients with Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension

Two ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) studies were performed to define the antihypertensive activity and the tolerability of lercanidipine. a new longacting dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Two different pharmaceutical preparations, a regular tablet and a Sherer capsule, were employed in studies 1 and 2, respectively. The Sherer capsule (a soft gelatine capsule that contains the active ingredient dissloved) gives a similar amount but a faster rate of absorption of the drug as compared with the tablet (Tmax 1 h vs. 1.5 h). In the first study, three parallel groups of eight patients each were treated with a single daily dose of 5-, 10-, or 20-mg lercanidipine tablets for 4 weeks after a 3-week placebo run-in period. ABPM was carried out with a Spacelab 90207 device at the end of the placebo period and at the end of the 4-week treatment period. Compared to basal BP values, lercanidipine produced a highly significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic BP in the 10- and 20-mg but not in the 5-mg q.d. groups. At doses of 10 and 20 mg/day. BP values were equally well controlled over 24 h. No significant changes were observed in HR. ECG. and laboratory parameters. In the second study. 20 patients were enrolled in a cross-over design and were treated with single doses of 10 and 20 mg lercanidipine Sherer capsules. Each active treatment day was preceded and followed by 3 and 2 weeks of placebo, respectively. All treatments were administered at 8 a.m. ABPM was carried out during the placebo period and during the active treatment day. The results showed that a single 20-mg dose of lercanidipine significantly decreased BP for 24 h, whereas a single 10-mg dose reduced BP only during the day. With either dose, the peak fall in BP occurred between the second and the third hour and was accompanied by an insignificant increase in heart rate. However, the tachycardic response faded out within 6-7 h with both the 10- and the 20-mg dose. Analyzed together, data from the two studies indicate that lercanidipine is an effective, long-acting, and well-tolerated antihypertensive drug devoid of the potential inconveniences of older calcium antagonists in terms of reflex cardiostimulation and short duration of action. The 10-mg dose is likely to provide effective and sustained blood pressure control in the majority of patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.