Use Of Route Research Articles

Evaluation of La0.8Sr0.2Cu1 − xMnxOy Double Perovskite for Use in SOFCs

Compounds with the general formula were prepared by the citrate route for use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A solid solution region containing hexagonal perovskite phase was formed when , in which the oxygen content in air changes from oxygen stoichiometry to oxygen excess with Mn doping. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity changes from metallic-like behavior in to semiconducting type in . Mn doping resulted in a decrease in the conductivity (with the minimum at 40% Mn doping), whereas the thermal expansion coefficient decreased linearly with . A defect model for the mixed perovskite is proposed and related to its physical and electrochemical properties.

Factors associated with nonmedical use of prescription opioids among heroin-abusing research volunteers.

This retrospective study examined factors associated with nonmedical opioid use among 208 heroin-abusing research volunteers in the metropolitan Detroit area. Drug and medical history data were obtained from structured questionnaires administered during screening for behavioral pharmacology research studies. Analyses included demographic data (gender and race), history of drug use (prescribed, nonmedical, and route of use), and potentially relevant medical conditions (e.g., pain). All volunteers (mean age=43 years) reported chronic heroin use (mean duration=21 years), with 66% currently injecting heroin. Two multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors related to lifetime and current nonmedical opioid use (predicted variables). Odds ratios (ORs) from logistic regression--which predicted membership in lifetime heroin use only (n=52) versus heroin plus nonmedical opioid use (n=156) groups--indicated that nonmedical opioid use was significantly associated with legitimate prescription opioid use (OR=10.5), having ever sought treatment for heroin use (OR=4.21), and a history of lung problems (OR=3.66) and dental pain (OR=2.58). The finding of a significant positive association (R(2)=.83) between lifetime rates of medical and nonmedical use of specific opioids in this study is consistent with previous observations that prescription opioid use or availability is a prominent risk factor for nonmedical opioid use. A limitation of this study is that age-of-onset data were not originally collected; thus, the relative (predictive) order of pain conditions, medical use, and nonmedical use of opioids cannot be determined retrospectively.

Preparation of unsaturated polyester–styrene beads using gamma irradiation and chemical polymerization routes for use in the recovery of some alkali metal ions

AbstractSuspension polymerization of unsaturated polyester–styrene was carried out in different media using different routes of polymerization. The effects of matrix type and concentration hold up, viscosity, irradiation dose, and the agitation speed on the resultant polymer characteristics were examined. The formed beads were physically identified using scanning electron microscopy, hardness, and particle size analysis techniques. They were smooth having typical spherical surfaces; the beads diameters were in the range of about 5–200 μm. The size of the resin beads was found to decrease with increase in the concentration and viscosity of the dispersant and impeller speed. The resultant beads were applied in the recovery of Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+ ions from acidic media. The distribution coefficients of the alkali metal ions were calculated; the order of selectivity was Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Cs+ in case of the chemically processed resin beads, while the selectivity lies in the order of Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Cs+ in case irradiation processed ones. Finally, the economics of production of the unsaturated polyester–styrene resins using different methodologies was studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1149–1160, 2007

Opioids: Other Routes for Use in Recovery Room

Opioids remain the main pharmacological tools for pain control in the postoperative patient. Recent concerns about chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have put extra pressure on health care workers to device and develop new medications and delivery methods to provide patients with appropriate pain relief after surgery. New technologies and better understanding of the pharmacology of the opioids administered by non-traditional ways will be reviewed in this manuscript. Understanding the anatomy of the nose cavity is important to use the inhaled way to deliver fentanyl, sufentanyl or butorphanol in surgical patients. High concentration and small volume are keys to good absorption and effect by nasal administration. Transdermal delivery of fentanyl has been used in chronic pain for some years. A new fentanyl self-administration method is in advanced trials for clinical use. It has a huge potential in giving good pain relief with lower side effects and more patient independence because of its reduced size and lack of tubing attached to it. Day surgery patients could be great candidates for this therapeutic alternative. Finally, oral transmucosal fentanyl is also in the market. Better suited to be used in controlling breakthrough pain in chronic settings, it has been so far marketed in the perioperative period. Side effects are a concern in its use for preoperative sedation in children. Large studies are now required for drugs approval and for new indications at regulatory agencies level. Good clinical judgment is more relevant now than ever before to avoid complications and new withdraw of old good medications inappropriately prescribed from the market place.

Urinary and Blood Concentrations of β2-Agonists in Trained Subjects: Comparison between Routes of Use

We aimed to assess the plasma and urine concentrations of beta2-agonists and evaluate the difference between three routes of administration in trained adults in order to distinguish doping from prevention of exercise-induced asthma. Ten young healthy Caucasian male subjects received during a four treatment period study: 1) inhaled salbutamol (S(I)) 2 x 100 microg t.i.d. for 3 days, 2) inhaled formoterol (F(I)) 2 x 12 microg b.i.d. for 3 days, 3) a single subcutaneous injection of salbutamol (S(S)) 0.5 mg, and 4) salbutamol 2 x 2 mg t.i.d. orally for 3 days (S(O)). Blood samples were taken during the first and the third day of experimentation at baseline, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after administration; additional blood samples were drawn at 15 min for S(I), S(S) and F(I) and at 12 h for F(I). Urinary samples were collected at baseline, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 12 h after administration. Urinary concentrations were 20 to almost 50 times higher after S(O) than after S(I). Mean urinary concentration after S(O) increased to above 800 ng.mL(-1) within the two hours and above 1000 ng.mL(-1) at 6 to 12 hours post-drug administration. Urinary concentrations after S(S) were maximal during the first 2 hours (mean: 340 +/- 172 ng.mL(-1)). Plasma concentrations were very low, whatever the routes of administration. Results showed that we could eliminate the use of S(I) (authorized) and S(S) administration when individual urinary concentrations are higher than 230 ng.mL(-1) and 615 ng.mL(-1), respectively. Therefore, at rest, the cut-off value used to discriminate therapeutic from doping salbutamol intake could be fixed at 250 ng.mL(-1) instead of the 1000 ng.mL(-1) still authorized by international committees.

Changes in route of drug administration among continuing heroin users: Outcomes 1 year after intake to treatment

This study investigates the type and extent of changes in route of drug administration among heroin users after treatment: whether injectors move to other routes of use; whether changes in route for one drug influence routes used for other drugs; and associations between changes in route of administration and other substance use outcomes. The sample comprised 641 heroin users recruited to 54 UK treatment programmes. At intake, the main routes of heroin use were injecting (61%) and “chasing the dragon” (37%). After 1 year, 81% of those using heroin took it by the same route as at intake, while 19% reported a change, with 14% switching from injecting to chasing. Changes from injecting to chasing were associated with improvements in other substance use behaviours. Changes in route represent an important aspect of drug-taking behaviours. Interventions to prevent the change to injecting should be developed and offered to noninjectors. “Reverse transitions” (from injecting to chasing) may represent a useful intermediate treatment goal for drug injectors who cannot achieve abstinence.

Intratracheal adenovirus-mediated gene transfer is optimal in experimental lung transplantation

Objective: Gene transfer to experimental lung grafts has been shown to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and acute rejection. The optimal delivery route should produce high lung expression with no inflammation and minimal systemic expression. The goal of this study was to determine the optimal gene transfer route for use in experimental lung transplantation. Methods: F344 rats were injected with 2.9 × 1010 plaque-forming units of adenovirus vector encoding β-galactosidase through intratracheal, intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intramuscular delivery routes and killed 48 hours later. Gene expression was measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Intratracheal delivery produces significantly greater gene expression in the lung (75,350 ± 47,288 pg/100 μg of protein, P <.001 vs intravenous, intraperitoneal, and intramuscular routes) and minimal systemic expression (nonsignificant in serum, kidney, liver, spleen, and muscle vs that seen in control animals, P =.016 for heart). Immunohistochemistry staining showed β-galactosidase expression in the bronchial epithelium of lungs transfected through the intratracheal route with mild inflammation. Conclusions: Intratracheal gene transfer provides significant expression in the lung with mild to no inflammation and minimal systemic expression. This delivery strategy has tremendous potential in experimental lung transplant models to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and acute allograft rejection and should be investigated further.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;124:1130-6

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal herbs in Israel, the Golan Heights and the West Bank region

An extensive ethnopharmacological survey was conducted among the most well known Arabic indigenous herbal practitioners in Israel, the Golan Heights and the West Bank in order to evaluate the potential of local plants used in treating different diseases and illnesses. Thirty-one indigenous practitioners' of Arabic traditional medicine ranging in age from 40 to 116 years, were interviewed using a previously prepared questionnaire. The current survey revealed that 129 plant species are still in use in Arabic traditional medicine for the treatments of various diseases. Among these plants, there are 40 species used for treating skin diseases, 27 species for treating kidney and urinary system, 26 species for treating diabetes, 23 species for treating digestive system including stomach and intestinal pain and inflammation, 22 species for treating liver diseases, 16 species for treating respiratory system and coughing, 13 species for treating forms of cancer and nine species for treating weight loss and cholestrol reduction. Additional findings and implications of this current survey including preparation methods and route of use are discussed in this report.

Routes of drug administration and multiple drug misuse: regional variations among clients seeking treatment at programmes throughout England

To investigate regional variations across England in routes of administration for heroin, non-prescribed methadone, non-prescribed benzodiazepines, cocaine powder, crack cocaine and amphetamines. A survey of 1053 clients recruited to 54 residential and community drug misuse programmes. Structured face-to-face interviews conducted with clients at admission to treatment. Routes of administration included injecting, smoking, snorting and oral use. For some drugs (methadone and benzodiazepines) one main route of administration was used. For other drugs (heroin, amphetamines and cocaine powder) there were marked variations in route. For all drugs except benzodiazepines, there were regional differences in routes of administration. Heroin injectors were more likely also to use other drugs by injection. The differences in routes of administration of different drugs, and the regional differences in routes of use, have implications for the provision of preventive and treatment services. Interventions to prevent transitions to injecting may be especially appropriate in areas where injecting is not prevalent. Hepatitis B vaccination continues to be advisable in both areas of high and low injecting prevalence. Needle exchange schemes and interventions targeted at drug overdose may be more suitable in areas of high injecting prevalence. Further research into regional differences in routes of drug use should be conducted with non-clinical samples.

Trends in treated opiate misuse in Dublin: the emergence of chasing the dragon.

To examine trends in treated opiate misuse and identify factors associated with route of heroin use. Cross-sectional survey. Services providing addiction treatment in Dublin. Individuals making their first ever contact seeking treatment for current opiate misuse, between January 1991 and December 1996. Data on socio-demographics and current drug use. The study population was 3981. Over the 6-year period, there was a 330% increase in the number of new attenders. The proportion of females increased. The mean age of first opiate use declined and users began presenting earlier in their opiate-using careers, causing a decline in the age profile of new attenders. Heroin users were more likely to smoke (chase) rather than inject after 1994 (odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 2.4-4.5). Apart from year of presentation, the other significant independent predictors of chasing as the preferred route of heroin use were being in employment, shorter history of use, less frequent use, younger age, longer period in education and absence of polydrug use. Gender did not independently predict route of use. Ireland has joined the growing number of European countries witnessing a movement towards heroin chasing. This has coincided with a surge in the number of people entering treatment. We are concerned that the greater acceptability of this route of use may be drawing increased numbers of individuals into heroin use.

An audit of violent incidents in a drug treatment centre

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with violence in a drug treatment centre.Method: This study is a retrospective audit of all incident forms completed at an urban drug treatment centre between December 1991 and July 1996 with reference to case notes for additional clinical information on individuals involved in violent incidents.Participants included all patients attending the centre in the aforementioned time period who were involved in violent incidents. Information was obtained about the prevalence and severity of violent incidents and patient details including main drug of abuse, route of use, reason for attendance, comorbid axis 1 diagnosis, history of previous incidents and HIV status at the time of the incident.Results: One per cent of all patients were involved in violent incidents. Less than one quarter of incidents involved serious injury or assault. Most perpetrators were male intravenous heroin users on a methadone maintenance programme. Nurses and doctors were most frequently the victims of incidents. Ten per cent of patients had a history of previous incidents and almost half the perpetrators were HIV positive. A comorbid axis 1 diagnosis was found in 9% of perpetrators (n = 6), mainly alcohol dependence syndrome.

Transitions between routes of heroin administration: a study of Caucasian and Indochinese heroin users in south-western Sydney, Australia.

To examine patterns and correlates of routes of heroin use among Caucasian and Indochinese heroin users. A cross-sectional survey. Two hundred heroin users resident in South West Sydney. The sample was divided between Caucasian and Indochinese users (each n = 100), with half of each group on methadone maintenance. A semi-structured interview was administered, based on previous studies of transitions between routes of administration. Measures included patterns of drug use, transitions, social, health and legal issues and cultural correlates of use. Almost two-thirds (61%) had smoked heroin. Smoking was more common among the Indochinese (40% were predominantly or exclusively smokers), although injecting was the dominant route for both groups. More than one-quarter (29%) had made a transition from smoking to injecting, primarily due to drug effect and perceived cost-effectiveness. Reverse transitions were rare. Smoking appeared to be more culturally acceptable than injecting among Indochinese users. Among both groups, there was a small but significant risk for the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses. Polydrug use and age were positively associated with having experienced a non-fatal overdose. This research documents the existence of smoking as a popular route of administration among both Indochinese and Caucasian heroin users in the study sample. There is an urgent need to provide smokers and injectors with information explaining the potential risks and ways to minimize harms associated with both routes of use.

An Electrochemical Route for Making Porous Nickel Oxide Electrochemical Capacitors

Porous nickel oxide films were prepared by electrochemically precipitating nickel hydroxide and heating the hydroxide in air at 300°C. The resulting nickel oxide films behave as an electrochemical capacitor with a specific capacitance of 59 F/g electrode material. These nickel oxide films maintain high utilization at high rates of discharge (i.e., high power density) and have excellent cycle life. Porous cobalt oxide films were also synthesized. Although the specific capacitances of these films are approximately one‐fifth that of the nickel oxide films, the results demonstrate the versatility of fabricating a wide range of porous metal oxide films using this electrochemical route for use in capacitor applications.

How constant is an individual's route of heroin administration?: Data from treatment and non-treatment samples

Three routes of heroin use were identified—injecting, `chasing the dragon' and snorting. Whilst injecting and `chasing the dragon' accounted for virtually all current heroin use, snorting had been the first route of use for nearly a fifth of heroin users in both the treatment and community samples. Overlap of lifetime experience of the different routes was widespread, with the majority of heroin users in both the treatment and community samples having used heroin by more than one route. Although less than half of the treatment sample had used heroin by injection on the first occasion, more than 90% had injected at least once, and over 80% had at some time used by `chasing the dragon'. Only a quarter of the community sample had first used heroin by injecting, and yet, by the time of interview, two-thirds of the sample had injected. The majority of durable changes in route of heroin use were towards injecting and `chasing the dragon', with transitions to snorting being extremely rare. For both the samples, transitions to injecting were twice as frequent as transitions to `chasing'. Snorting appeared to be an unstable route of use, with almost all who initially snorted their heroin now using by injecting or `chasing the dragon'.

Crack cocaine use and stroke in young patients.

Numerous case series have proposed a relationship between "crack" cocaine use and stroke. We performed a retrospective case control study at a large inner-city public hospital to determine the relationship between crack use and stroke among young persons. We reviewed records of all patients aged 20 to 39 years with a diagnosis of stroke, and of controls selected from patients with noncocaine-related diagnoses, admitted from January 1990 through June 1994. We collected information regarding cocaine use, time of last use, route of use, and the results of urine toxicologic studies. We performed backward stepwise logistic regression analyses to determine the association of crack use at any time and acute crack use (defined as use within 48 hours prior to presentation) with stroke and stroke subtypes. Among patients with information regarding presence or absence of crack use (66 of 144 stroke patients and 99 of 147 controls), crack use at any time was not associated with stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 0.7, 95% CI 0.4-1.8) or cerebral infarction (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-1.2). Among patients providing temporal information regarding crack use, acute crack use was not associated with stroke (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 0.7-5.1) or cerebral infarction (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.4-3.8). Crack use at any time or acute crack use was not significantly associated with stroke or cerebral infarction in our patient population.

Transitions in the Route of Heroin Use

Our descriptive study focused on the assessment of ‘transitions’ (stable changes in the predominant route of administration) in 104 heroin users seeking treatment in a Spanish Day Centre. We employed a short version of the Drug Transitions Study adding items on the influence of various variables on the current method of use, impact of AIDS, and the use of cocaine. 45.2% of the individuals made transitions, a result not far from the British Drug Transitions Study, which found 39% transitions. The route of administration of heroin is not a static phenomenon, furthermore it does not progress through a sequential pattern to parental routes. The most valued item determining the choice of the current route of use was ‘achieving a better high’. Fear of contracting an HIV infection was second.

Five Percent Platinum‐Tungsten Oxide‐Based Electrocatalysts for Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell Cathodes

A Pt‐tungsten oxide‐based electrocatalyst has been fabricated by an inexpensive chemical route for use as an oxygen cathode in 99% phosphoric acid at 180°C. The effect of % (wt/wt) on the Pt‐tungsten oxide/C‐based electrode performance was studied. The electrocatalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), e.g., exchange current density and mass activity of a 5% Pt‐40% ‐based electrode were found to be twice as high as those of 10% Pt, which contains double the amount of platinum. The Tafel slope and specific activity of the two electrodes are similar. It was shown that an increase in its electrochemically active surface area was the only reason for the performance of the 5% Pt‐40% ‐based electrode. The electrocatalytic parameters of the 5% Pt‐40% ‐based electrode for the ORR were compared to those of the 2% Pt‐1% ‐based electrode.

Effect of Platinum Particle Size on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on 2% Pt‐1% H 2 WO 4 in Phosphoric Acid

A 2% Pt‐1% ‐based electrocatalyst has been fabricated by an inexpensive chemical route for use as an oxygen cathode in 99% phosphoric acid at 180°C. The effect of the platinum particle size on the electrode performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was studied. The electrocatalytic properties for the ORR, e.g., exchange current density, mass activity, and specific activity of a 2% Pt‐1% ‐based electrode fabricated from 5% Pt, were found to be several times higher than those of 10% Pt‐based electrocatalysts. It was shown that the performance of this electrode is not related to an increase in its electrochemically active surface area, but to its chemical composition. Based on‐the concept of synergistic process of the ORR on materials we have previously emphasized, it is shown that a 2% Pt‐1% ‐based electrocatalyst is a synergistic system due to an increase of the active sites at the electrocatalyst surface.

Imipramine treatment of cocaine abuse: possible boundaries of efficacy

A 12-week placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was undertaken to evaluate imipramine as a treatment for cocaine abuse, and to examine whether its effect may be limited to subgroups defined by route of use or by diagnosis of depression. One-hundred thirteen patients were randomized, stratified by route of use and depression. All patients received weekly individual counseling. Compared to placebo the imipramine group showed greater reductions in cocaine craving, cocaine euphoria, and depression, but the effect of imipramine on cocaine use was less clear. A favorable response, defined as at least 3 consecutive, urine-confirmed, cocaine-free weeks was achieved by 19% ( 11 59 ) of patients on imipramine compared to 7% ( 4 54 ) on placebo ( P < 0.09). The imipramine effect was greater among nasal users — 33% ( 9 27 ) response on imipramine vs. 5% ( 1 22 ) on placebo ( P < 0.02). Response was also more frequent, but not significantly so, among depressed users on imipramine (26%, 10 38 ) than on placebo (13%, 4 31 ) ( P < 0.19). Response rates were low in intravenous and freebase users and those without depression. Considered together with the literature on desipramine, these data suggest tricyclic antidepressants are not promising as a mainstay of treatment for unselected cocaine abusers. However, tricyclics may be useful for selected cocaine abusers with comorbid depression or intranasal use, or in conjunction with a more potent psychosocial intervention.

Protein requirements and responses: a United Kingdom perspective

AbstractOnly as recently as 1992 was the digestible crude protein approach to the calculation of protein requirements for ruminants abandoned in favour of a scheme in which metabolizable protein (MP) became the nutritional currency (Agricultural and Food Research Council, 1992). Application of this scheme requires reliable methods to characterize foods in a number of ways and whilst there are deficiencies in current methodology for this purpose there is now a sufficient body of information available to sustain use of the scheme. Evaluation of the MP approach shows it to be a considerable advancement on what went before but still with some inadequacies. More attention needs to be given to the impact of food constituents on digestive processes within the rumen. Tests of the relationship between predicted MP supply and dairy cow performance show that rules are needed to predict partition of available MP between alternative routes of use. With such rules it will become more likely that a useful response prediction system can be developed. Ideas are put forward as to how some progress might be made to develop frameworks which will bring together ideas about responses to protein and energy yielding nutrients. Clarification of partition rules will be important in promoting improved feeding strategies for cows of different genetic index for milk production. However, it is felt that, given adequate partition rules, the MP approach applies equally to high genetic index and low index cows as regards calculation of requirements. A concern is expressed, however, that the current UK research environment may not be conducive to the open sharing of information which will be important to make rapid progress towards the development of nutrient response frameworks. A technology transfer system is needed which will enable advances in knowledge to be organized for translation into practice.