ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3409-8769
Current Organisations
Macquarie University
,
The University of Newcastle
,
University of Queensland
,
Macquarie Business School
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2009
Abstract: The efficacy of an ointment containing kunzea oil for the treatment of horses with localised acute or chronic pastern dermatitis was assessed. Thirty-seven horses were randomly allocated to treatment with an ointment containing either 20 per cent kunzea oil (test) or 2 per cent ketoconazole (control). Only 21 of the horses completed the study. The severity of the lesions was assessed before and after seven days of treatment. The kunzea oil formulation resulted in a significant decrease in the median total area of the lesions from 40 cm(2) (range 3 to 252 cm(2)) to 0 cm(2) (range 0 to 34 cm(2)), with complete resolution of the signs of pastern dermatitis in seven of 11 cases. The control formulation resulted in no significant change in the total area of the lesions, and the signs of pastern dermatitis resolved completely in only two of the 10 cases.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2003
DOI: 10.1016/S0731-7085(02)00734-3
Abstract: A sensitive enantioselective liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay using a manual solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure, a non-deuterated internal standard and an ion trap LC-MS was developed to measure (R)- and (S)-albuterol in plasma. S le extraction from plasma was achieved by a manual SPE extraction procedure with methoxyphenamine added as the internal standard. Chiral separation was achieved using a teicoplanin-based stationary phase and a mobile phase consisting of methanol, acetic acid and 28% (w/v) ammonia (1000:5:1, v/v/v). S les were analyzed by selected reaction monitoring of product ions from the protonated molecular ions. The detection limit of the assay was 0.1 ng/ml with a conservative lower limit of quantification of 0.25 ng/ml for each enantiomer. Recovery of albuterol enantiomers from plasma spiked at 10 ng/ml of racemate was determined to be 89+/-5.8% (mean+/-S.D.). Reproducibility at 10 ng/ml of racemate assessed by the coefficient of variation was found to be 6.5% (n=5). Instrument precision (measured as coefficient of variation) was 1.4% (n=5). The correlation coefficient r(2) determined from the calibration curve over the range 0.5-50.0 ng/ml racemate in plasma was 0.998. This assay allows adequate sensitivity, recovery and reproducibility for the application to studies of inhaled albuterol.
Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.
Date: 2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 31-12-2015
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-06-2015
Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)
Date: 2021
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Narcolepsy is a chronic disabling central neurological disorder of daytime hypersomnia. It is categorized into two subtypes-type 1 (N1) and type 2 (N2). Symptoms of N1 commonly include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnogogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, and disturbed nighttime sleep. Ethnic differences have been observed, but they have not been reported in an Ethiopian patient to date.CASE DETAIL: We report a 39-year-old Ethiopian patient with type 1 narcolepsy whose diagnosis was delayed for three decades despite severe symptoms. Her quality of life was significantly impaired and included EDS, sleep fragmentation, and depression. The mean sleep latency (MSL) for five naps was 1.3 minutes. Sleep-onset rapid eye movement (REM) periods (SOREMPs) were present in all five nap periods. HLA-typing and a CSF hypocretin level testing were not performed. Modafinil 300mg was prescribed, which improved her quality of life.CONCLUSION: In developing countries where diagnostic studies are not available, practitioners should pay special attention to a detailed history and look for classic symptoms of narcolepsy to establish an early diagnosis and improve quality of life.
Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)
Date: 2021
Abstract: Despite the recent surge of COVID-19 infections in Ethiopia, we are observing a profound ignorance of preventive measures by the general public and leaders at different levels. This is presenting considerable challenges in the effort to contain and control the pandemic. We believe that the current health communication approach implemented by the health authorities and media outletsneed to be redesigned to bring a sustainable COVID-19 preventive behavior. The purpose of this perspective paper, therefore, is to stimulate discussions on effective health communication strategy to help the public persistently practice COVID-19 preventive measures over the long term. We undertook a series of discussions amongst the authors in order to synthesize in idual viewpoints into ‘experts’ perspective’ driven by our daily observations and our expertise in the health service research. In light of this, we suggested that an effective health communication strategy need to address context specific situations to avoid temptation to ignore the ramifications of this very serious pandemic. This strategy includes trying to make sense of daily reported COVID-19 cases, being highly selective regarding sources of information, and being sensitive and responsive to religious and cultural factors. The media, health professionals, and leaders need to teach us how to live with the pandemic informed by robust scientific sources.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 04-1997
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2710.1997.TB00005.X
Abstract: Some studies have indicated that over-reliance on inhaled bronchodilator (beta 2-agonist) therapy may worsen asthma control and increase morbidity. The aim of this study was to measure urinary concentrations of salbutamol, the most commonly used bronchodilator, in a relatively large s le of asthmatic patients and examine the potential value of the concentration as an indicator of over-use of salbutamol. The urinary concentrations of the drug were measured in 'spot' urine s les from 102 asthmatic patients (64 community patients and 38 hospital inpatients). A solid-phase extraction technique, using a phenyl-bonded phase and a reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography assay with UV-detection were developed and used to measure both unchanged salbutamol concentrations and total salbutamol concentrations after enzymatic hydrolysis of the metabolite. In addition, salbutamol concentrations were corrected for urine dilution, with the measured drug expressed per gram of urinary creatinine. The hospital patients were generally older, had greater disease severity, were more likely to be receiving prophylactic therapy and had received more salbutamol in the past 24 h. The urinary concentrations of salbutamol varied enormously between patients. The median concentrations of unchanged and total drug were 0.38 microgram/ml (range 0-34.4 micrograms/ml) and 2.55 micrograms/ml (range 0-49.8 micrograms/ml), respectively. Even when controlling for dosage in the preceding 24 h, there was a 262-fold and 810-fold variation in the urinary concentrations for unchanged and total salbutamol, respectively, among the community patients. Modest correlations were found between salbutamol concentrations and dosage administered in the preceding 24 h (Spearman's r = 0.67 and 0.54 for unchanged and total drug, respectively P < 0.001). The correlations improved only slightly with correction for urine dilution (Spearman's r = 0.69 and 0.57 for unchanged and total drug, respectively P < 0.001). This enormous inter-patient variability, which may be largely due to differences in the pharmacokinetics of salbutamol and inhaler technique, may play a role in the observed worsening of asthma control with the regular use of inhaled bronchodilator drugs and warrants further investigation. Measuring urinary concentrations of salbutamol in spot s les provides only a relatively crude indication of the extent of use of inhaled salbutamol in the preceding 24 h.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2013
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.2147/HIV.S79122
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 13-09-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2710.2009.01107.X
Abstract: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate or nail bed. It does not usually cure itself and it can trigger more infectious lesions in other parts of the body. The reported prevalence of onychomycosis is increasing in Western countries, presumably due to lifestyle changes and the ageing of the population. Approximately 10% of the general population, 20% of the population aged>60 years, up to 50% of people aged>70 years and up to one-third of diabetic in iduals have onychomycosis. Care should be taken for the accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of toenail onychomycosis to prevent complications. Current treatment options have relatively limited therapeutic success, particularly long-term. Oral medications are associated with high recurrence rates and treatment failure, and are not suitable for many cases due to potential adverse effects. Topical medications are recommended only for mild to moderate cases. The cost of therapies may also be prohibitive in some cases. In the light of these issues, more research is warranted for the investigation and development of more effective and economical options for the treatment and prophylaxis of toenail onychomycosis. In patient populations such as diabetic in iduals, where onychomycosis can provoke lower extremity complications, professional podiatry care of toenails and feet should be encouraged.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 18-06-2020
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 10-09-2021
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0257410
Abstract: Misconception related to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been spread out broadly and the the World Health Organization declared these as a major challenge to fight against the pandemic. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 related misconception among rural people in Bangladesh and associated socio-demographic and media related factors. Multistage s ling method was used to collect data (n = 210) from three unions of Satkhira District, Bangladesh. The dependent variable was the presence of COVID-19 related misconception (Yes, No) which was generated based on respondents’ responses to a set of six questions on various types of misconception. Exposure variables were respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, mass media and social media exposure. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the respondents. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with COVID-19 misconception. More than half of the study respondents had one or more COVID-19 related misconception. Over 50% of the total respondents considered this disease as a punishment from God. Besides, many of the respondents reported that they do not think the virus causing COVID-19 is dangerous (59%) and it is a disease (19%). Around 7% reported they believe the virus is the part of a virus war (7.2%). The bivariate analysis found the presence of socio-demographic factors of the respondents, as well as the factors related to social and mass media, were significantly associated with the COVID-19’s misconception. However, once all factors considered together in the multivariate model, misconception were found to be lower among secondary (AOR, 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13–0.84) and tertiary (AOR, 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.92) educated respondents compared to the respondents with primary education. This study obtained a very higher percentage of misconception about the COVID-19 among the respondents of Satkhira district in Bangladesh. This could be a potential challenge to fight against this pandemic which is now ongoing. Prioritizing mass and social media to disseminate evidence-based information as well as educate people about this disease are necessary.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2015
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-2009
DOI: 10.1603/033.046.0619
Abstract: Kunzea ambigua (Smith) Druce (Myrtaceae) is an Australian native plant, commonly known as tick bush. The essential oil of the plant has been proposed as a potential mosquito repellent. Commercial K. ambigua oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and its composition compared with that of oils from two in idual K. ambigua plants and citronella oil. K. ambigua oils were studied for their repellency against Aedes aegypti L. Formulations of three different K. ambigua essential oils (30% vol:vol) were tested for repellency to mosquitoes using human volunteers. One oil was compared with citronella and N,N'-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet) for repellency. Oil formulations were also tested for repellency with and without the addition of 5% vanillin. The formulation containing commercially produced K. ambigua oil had a mean complete protection time (CPT) of 49 +/- 24 (SD) min. All the K. ambigua formulations had comparable repellency to 40% citronella. However, the 60% citronella formulation showed higher repellency than the 40% K. ambigua formulation. The addition of 5% vanillin did not increase the repellency of K. ambigua oil. Both K. ambigua oil and citronella were significantly less repellent than deet. The K. ambigua essential oil formulations should not be advocated for use as repellents in regions prone to mosquito-borne disease.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-044606
Abstract: COVID-19 has caused a global public health crisis affecting most countries, including Ethiopia, in various ways. This study maps the vulnerability to infection, case severity and likelihood of death from COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Thirty-eight potential indicators of vulnerability to COVID-19 infection, case severity and likelihood of death, identified based on a literature review and the availability of nationally representative data at a low geographic scale, were assembled from multiple sources for geospatial analysis. Geospatial analysis techniques were applied to produce maps showing the vulnerability to infection, case severity and likelihood of death in Ethiopia at a spatial resolution of 1 km×1 km. This study showed that vulnerability to COVID-19 infection is likely to be high across most parts of Ethiopia, particularly in the Somali, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions. The number of severe cases of COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalisation and intensive care unit admission is likely to be high across Amhara, most parts of Oromia and some parts of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region. The risk of COVID-19-related death is high in the country’s border regions, where public health preparedness for responding to COVID-19 is limited. This study revealed geographical differences in vulnerability to infection, case severity and likelihood of death from COVID-19 in Ethiopia. The study offers maps that can guide the targeted interventions necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-11-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-04-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)
Date: 25-08-2014
DOI: 10.4314/EPJ.V30I1.6
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S69702
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group
Date: 2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-07-2012
DOI: 10.1007/S10067-012-2046-9
Abstract: Plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) offers a complimentary measurement approach to traditional GSH-Px activity methods. The aim was to investigate whether GSH-Px measured by ELISA in rheumatoid arthritis patients was elevated compared to controls. This was a case-control study with rheumatoid arthritis patients recruited from private practice and gender and age-matched controls randomly selected from the electoral role. GSH-Px concentration was measured by ELISA. Plasma malondialdehyde was used as a measure of oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity was measured based on reduction of Cu(++) to Cu(+) by antioxidants in the s le. Disease severity was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and C-reactive protein was measured using an immunoturbidometric method. A total of 74 patients were recruited, consisting of 35 rheumatoid arthritis cases and 39 healthy controls. There were no differences between rheumatoid arthritis cases and controls for oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity however, GSH-Px concentration was markedly elevated in the rheumatoid arthritis sufferers (85.9 ± 147.7 versus 17.3 ± 13.0 mg/L, respectively mean ± SD p < 0.01). GSH-Px levels were not associated with severity measured by the HAQ-DI or C-reactive protein. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated increased GSH-Px consistent with an adaptive upregulation of GSH-Px to protect against oxidative stress.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2005
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.DIABRES.2019.02.016
Abstract: To assess the impact of diabetes on the survival of older women, adjusted for other all-cause mortality predictors. Data were used from the 1921-26 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, when the women were aged 76-81 years at baseline, with linkage to the National Death Index. Survival curves were plotted to compare the survival of women with no diabetes, incident diabetes and prevalent diabetes over 15 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between diabetes and all-cause mortality risks. A total of 972 (11.7%) of 8296 eligible women reported either incident, 522 (6.3%) or prevalent, 450 (5.4%) diabetes. The median survival times were 10.1, 11.4 and 12.7 years among women with prevalent, incident and no diabetes, respectively. The risks of death were 30% [HR: 1.30 (95% CI: 1.16-1.45)] and 73% [HR: 1.73 (CI: 1.57-1.92)] higher for women with incident and prevalent diabetes compared to women without diabetes. These associations were sustained after controlling for demographics, body mass index, smoking status, comorbidities and health care use. This study revealed that diabetes is associated with reduced survival probabilities for older women with minimal moderation after adjustment for other predictors. Our findings suggest that diabetes management guidelines for older women need to integrate factors such as comorbidities, smoking and being underweight to reduce the risk of mortality.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 14-04-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.12.21254829
Abstract: Misconception about COVID-19 has been spread out broadly that the World Health Organization declared it as a major challenge in the fight against the disease. This study aimed to assess common misconceptions about COVID-19 among the rural people of Bangladesh and its associated socio-demographic and media related factors. Data were collected from 210 respondents selected from three unions of Satkhira District, Bangladesh.The dependent variable was misconception about COVID-19 (Yes, No) which was generated based on the respondents’ responses to six questions on common misconceptions of COVID-19. Explanatory variables were respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, mass media and social media use habits. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the respondents. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with misconception about COVID-19. Misconceptions about COVID-19 were found among more than half of the total respondents. More than 50% of the respondents reported they consider COVID-19 as a punishment from God. Besides, most of the respondents reported that they do not think COVID-19 is dangerous (59%), and COVID-19 is a disease (19%). Around 7% of the total respondents reported they consider this virus as a part of a virus war (7.2%). Bivariate analysis found that socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and factors related to social and mass media were significantly associated with misconception. However, when all the factors included together in the multivariate model, the likelihood of misconception was lower among secondary (AOR, 0.33, 95% CI, 0.13-0.84) and tertiary (AOR, 0.29, 95% CI, 0.09-0.92) educated respondents compared to respondents with primary education. This study obtained a very higher percentage of the rural people of Bangladesh having one or more misconceptions related to COVID-19. This could be a potential challenge in the fight against the pandemic. Effective use of mass and social media to communicate evidence based information on COVID-19 as well as to educate the public about COVID-19 is important.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-2007
DOI: 10.1111/J.1442-2050.2007.00684.X
Abstract: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is increased in metaplastic and dysplastic Barrett's esophageal epithelium and it is thought that selective COX-2 inhibitors could offer hope as chemoprevention therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate the in vivo effect of celecoxib on COX-2 expression in patients with Barrett's esophagus and no recent history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Endoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens were collected at baseline and after 28 days of therapy in a patient treated with celecoxib 200 mg twice daily. S les were analyzed for COX-2 expression by immunoblot analysis with chemiluminescence detection. COX-2 expression was found to decline 20% and 44% at two different biopsy sites compared to the baseline s le. Longer exposures revealed a number of previously unidentified proteins above and below the 67 kDa COX-2 protein including 38 kDa and 45 kDa proteins which were present only at study completion consistent with up-regulation after celecoxib therapy. Further investigations of the 38 kDa and 45 kDa proteins were undertaken using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) with immunoblot and MALDI-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight) analysis but no matches were found and results were inconclusive. Unmatched masses from MALDI-TOF peptide mass fingerprinting were compared with human COX-2 (67 kDa) and COX-2b (39 kDa) using unspecific cleavage. Peptide sequence homology with COX-2 and COX-2b was found for a length of 19 amino acids. Based on immunodetection, molecular weight and equivical MALDI-TOF results, one of these up-regulated proteins may be COX-2b.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-07-2023
DOI: 10.1177/19322968231183956
Abstract: There is plenty of evidence supporting the clinical benefits of mHealth interventions for type 2 diabetes, but despite often being promoted as cost-effective or cost-saving, there is still limited research to support such claims. The objective of this review was to summarize and critically analyze the current body of economic evaluation (EE) studies for mHealth interventions for type 2 diabetes. Using a comprehensive search strategy, five databases were searched for full and partial EE studies for mHealth interventions for type 2 diabetes from January 2007 to March 2022. “mHealth” was defined as any intervention that used a mobile device with cellular technology to collect and/or provide data or information for the management of type 2 diabetes. The CHEERS 2022 checklist was used to appraise the reporting of the full EEs. Twelve studies were included in the review nine full and three partial evaluations. Text messages smartphone applications were the most common mHealth features. The majority of interventions also included a Bluetooth-connected medical device, eg, glucose or blood pressure monitors. All studies reported their intervention to be cost-effective or cost-saving, however, most studies’ reporting were of moderate quality with a median CHEERS score of 59%. The current literature indicates that mHealth interventions for type 2 diabetes can be cost-saving or cost-effective, however, the quality of the reporting can be substantially improved. Heterogeneity makes it difficult to compare study outcomes, and the failure to report on key items leaves insufficient information for decision-makers to consider.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.NUT.2022.111628
Abstract: Maternal underweight and childhood malnutrition are life-threatening public health concerns in several South and South-East Asian nations. The aim of this study was to better design interventions and prevent malnutrition of children in the region by exploring the association of maternal underweight with children's anthropometric status. The Demographic and Health Survey's (DHS) most recent nationally representative data from eight South and South-East Asian states, collected between 2014 and 2018, were pooled for the present study. A multivariable logistic regression model was designed to explore the association between maternal underweight and child anthropometric status. Owing to the hierarchical structure of the DHS data, the study also employed the multilevel logistic regression technique. Among the total participants (N = 213 730), 22.66% of women were found to be underweight, whereas 39.03%, 35.88%, and 22.11% of their children had stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively. The logistic regression model showed that the children from underweight mothers were 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]. 1.24-1.30), 1.69 (95% CI, 1.65-1.73), and 1.48 (95% CI, 1.45-1.52) times more likely to experience stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively, than those with healthy-weight mothers. The significant association between maternal underweight and stunting, underweight, as well as wasting was additionally established by the multilevel logistic regression analysis. Findings indicate that maternal underweight is positively associated with children's anthropometric status, such as stunting, underweight, and wasting. The information from this research will guide actors and policymakers to scale up interventions with all-inclusive nutritional issues and promote healthier weight status among mothers to ensure higher odds of healthier anthropometric status in their children in the South and South-East Asian countries.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-01-2007
Abstract: To assess the selenium status of Southern Tasmanians. Cross-sectional. One thousand and five hundred adults randomly selected from the electoral roll living in the Greater Hobart region of Southern Tasmania, Australia, were invited to participate. The overall response rate was 22% (335/1500). A venous blood s le was collected and a questionnaire administered (consisting of brief demographic details and health questions) to subjects who granted informed consent. A previously validated assay using magnetic sector ICP-MS was employed for plasma analysis. Total plasma selenium levels for this s le population were normally distributed with a mean level of 110 microg/l (range 67-268 microg/l) indicating that the majority of the subjects were not selenium-depleted (71% with levels greater than 100 microg/l). Adjustment for differential age/gender response rates produced similar values. More women under 50 (42%) and men over 50 (32%) had selenium levels <100 microg/l with the potential for sub-optimal selenoprotein activity. Low education attainment was associated with low total selenium level (P<0.02). The majority of participants were not deficient in selenium. Given the narrow therapeutic window of supplementation, dietary advice to increase foods rich in selenium, particularly to higher risk groups, may be an effective means of increasing plasma selenium toward target levels.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPBA.2007.10.009
Abstract: A simple, selective and accurate capillary electrophoresis (CE) method has been developed for the rapid separation and identification of various low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) and unfractionated heparin. Separation and operational parameters were investigated using dalteparin sodium as the test LMWH. The developed method used a 70 cm fused silica capillary (50 microm i.d.) with a detection window 8.5 cm from the distal end. Phosphate electrolyte (pH 3.5 50 mM), an applied voltage of -30 k V, UV detection at 230 nm and s le injection at 20 mbar for 5s were used. The method performance was assessed in terms of linearity, selectivity, intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy. The method was successfully applied to the European Pharmacopeia LMWH standard, dalteparin sodium, enoxaparin sodium and heparin sodium with a significant reduction in the run time and increased resolution compared with previously reported CE methods. Different CE separation profiles were obtained for various LMWHs and unfractionated heparin showing significant structural ersity. The current methodology was sensitive enough to reveal minor constituent differences between two different batches of enoxaparin sodium. This CE method also clearly showed chemical changes that occurred to LMWHs under different stress conditions. The sensitivity, selectivity and simplicity of the developed method allow its application in research or manufacturing for the identification, stability analysis, characterization and monitoring of batch-to-batch consistency of different low molecular weight and unfractionated heparins.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-08-2016
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-11-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPBA.2016.08.013
Abstract: The tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), is formed from nicotine and related compounds during tobacco curing and is classified as a human carcinogen. Its major metabolite, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), is thought to be useful in the assessment of cigarette smoking harm minimisation strategies. Urine s les were collected from 24 current Caucasian smokers participating in a smoking cessation study before and four weeks after a quit attempt. S les were spiked with NNAL-d Free NNAL levels (193.5±158.2pg/mL [mean±standard deviation]) measured in urine s les obtained at baseline (during ad lib smoking) were indicative of biological exposure to NNK. Free NNAL levels were significantly reduced four weeks after the quit attempt (64.5±77.6pg/mL p<0.002). Assay performance met acceptance criteria with mean recovery of 59±23%, intra-day accuracy was 3.7%, 3.7 and 3.6% and precision was 11.3%, 5.1% and 5.3% at 5pg/mL, 20pg/mL and 100pg/mL levels respectively. Enzymatic hydrolysis of NNAL-glucuronide proved unreliable with complete loss of NNAL aglycone in some subject s les following the hydrolysis procedure. Liquid-liquid extraction with UPLC-MS/MS is a convenient approach to measure low levels of NNAL in urine as a marker of biological NNK exposure, which can be used to assess the effectiveness of smoking reduction harm minimisation strategies. Enzymatic hydrolysis of NNAL-glucuronide and measuring the aglycone is not recommended.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 12-08-2015
DOI: 10.1111/JCPT.12311
Abstract: Anecdotally, topical kunzea oil has been used to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema, with good results. This study compared the clinical efficacy of kunzea oil (20%)-containing formulations in mild to moderate psoriasis. A randomized, comparative, double-blind, 8-week study was undertaken. Thirty patients (age range: 25-74 years and mean ± SD: 52·8 ± 13·6 years) with mild to moderate psoriasis (affecting at least 10% of one or more body regions: arms, head, legs and trunk) randomly received ointment and/or scalp lotion containing 20% kunzea oil (test group) or control medications not containing kunzea oil (control group). Formulations in both treatment arms also contained 5% liquor carbonis detergens (LCD) and 3% salicylic acid. The clinical responses to the test and control formulations were evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). After 8 weeks of treatment, both test and control groups demonstrated a significant (P 0·05). The inclusion of kunzea oil made no difference to the efficacy of topical formulations containing LCD and salicylic acid for the treatment of psoriasis.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-03-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-02-2014
DOI: 10.1038/EYE.2014.19
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.FCT.2014.01.034
Abstract: Carpobrotus rossii (CR) was used by the Aboriginal population and early European settlers both as a food and therapeutic agent. Based on the presence of flavonoids in CR and results from our previous in vitro investigations, this study aimed to determine whether consumption of CR crude leaf extract: (a) affected lipoprotein profile, resting glucose, systolic blood pressure and vascular function, and (b) produced toxic effects (haematological measures, organ weight) in healthy rats. Male Hooded-Wistar rats (~230 g) were supplemented for 4 weeks with CR extract in their drinking water (35 mg/kg body weight daily). CR extract produced a significant decrease (18%, p=0.033) in atherogenic lipoproteins (but not high density lipoprotein). CR supplemented animals showed no signs of haematological toxicity and body and organ weight, daily fluid and food consumption and in vitro vascular responsiveness were similar for both groups. CR also increased (40%, p=0.049) the renal concentration of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG), consistent with HMG-containing CR flavonoids being bioavailable, and therefore possessing the potential to interfere with cholesterol synthesis pathways. CR extract appears to be safe to ingest and may reduce cardiovascular risk.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-05-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JAC/DKAA124
Abstract: To summarize studies on prescribing medicine to general outpatients through the WHO/International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) prescribing indicators with a focus on antibiotic prescription. A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of studies on the WHO prescribing indicators with a focus on the percentage of encounters with antibiotics prescribed (PEAP) was performed. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Global Index Medicus were searched. Twenty-six studies with a total of over 34 000 prescription encounters were included in the systematic review, showing a mean of two medicines per encounter. In each meta-analysis, a range of 19 to 25 studies was included. The percentages of medicines prescribed with an international non-proprietary name (INN) and from the essential medicines list (EML) were 91% and 96% of the total number of medicines, respectively, while 19% of encounters contained injections. Studies with over 25 000 prescription encounters reported an average PEAP of 58% and PEAP showed an increasing trend over the years included in this review. Multivariable meta-regression showed that PEAP increased with the average number of medicines per encounter (estimate = 0.83, P value = 0.0005). The number of medicines, study design and year of prescription explained over 40% of the variation in PEAP across studies. Patterns of medicine use within and close to the WHO reference values were reported for the number of medicines, INN prescribing, prescription of injections and compliance with the EML, on average. Prescription of antibiotics requires attention as amounts much higher than the reference values were prescribed, which were even higher with polypharmacy and increasing over the years included in this review.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1002/JPPR.1784
Abstract: COVID‐19 is one of the worst pandemics in recent human history, causing huge health, economic, and psychosocial damage. Since the pandemic hit, several unsubstantiated claims regarding exposure, transmission and management have been disseminated. Misinformation and associated public confusion now extend to the COVID‐19 vaccines, spanning from claims based on possible links between some vaccine types and rare blood clots, to baseless claims. As a result, the public’s trust in COVID‐19 vaccines has been eroded, fuelling an already troubling trend of vaccine hesitancy. As medication experts and the most accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists are well equipped with the required skills and knowledge to improve COVID‐19 vaccine uptake by taking roles that range from dispelling myths, to providing reliable evidence‐based information, through to vaccine administration. This paper discusses public hesitancy to COVID‐19 vaccines, major contributing factors, and the role pharmacists can play in reducing hesitancy and increasing vaccine uptake.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1155/2017/3729401
Abstract: The study assessed the pattern and appropriateness of medicines prescribed to outpatients at Gondar University Referral Hospital in northwestern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed, through interviews and prescription reviews, among 346 patients at the outpatient pharmacy, from 2nd to 20th of May 2016. Data on sociodemographic profile of patients and medicines prescribed to them were collected. A mean of 1.72 medicines per encounter was prescribed, over a third of the total being anti-infectives. Patients were able to get about 85% of these medicines. An unskilled government employee would be required to work more than one and a half day to be able to afford the average priced medicine. Among prescriptions with two or more medicines, more than a third had at least one potential drug-drug interaction (PDDI), the commonest pair containing amoxicillin and doxycycline. Being male, being older (50–59 years), and increased number of medicines were associated with higher likelihood of PDDIs. In conclusion, the number of medicines prescribed per encounter was up to accepted standard. However, their availability fell short, together with considerable cost. Regarding appropriateness, a significant proportion of potential drug-drug interactions is identified and associated with patient’s sex, age, and number of medicines prescribed.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 20-06-2022
DOI: 10.1093/JAC/DKAC185
Abstract: Primary care accounts for 80%–90% of antimicrobial prescriptions, making this setting an important focus for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions. To collate the findings and critically appraise the qualities of economic evaluation studies of AMS or related interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing in primary care. A systematic review of economic evaluations of interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing in primary care was performed. Published literature were retrieved through a search of Medline, Embase, EconLit and Web of Science databases for the period 2010 to 2020. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Consensus on Health Economic Criteria checklist and Good Practice Guidelines for Decision-Analytic Modelling in Health Technology Assessment. Of the 2722 records identified, 12 studies were included in the review (8 trial-based and 4 modelled evaluations). The most common AMS interventions were communication skills training for health professionals and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP-POCT). Types of economic evaluations included in the review were cost-effectiveness (7 studies), cost-utility (1), cost-benefit (2), cost-effectiveness and cost-utility (1) and cost analysis (1). While six of the studies found AMS interventions to be cost-effective, the other six reported them as not cost-effective or inconclusive. The quality of the studies ranged from good to low. There were significant variations in cost-effectiveness of AMS interventions across studies and depending on the inclusion of cost components such as the cost of antimicrobial resistance. However, communication skills training and CRP-POCT were frequently cost-effective or cost-beneficial for reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-02-2022
Abstract: There has been an increased interest in health technology assessment and economic evaluations for health policy in Ethiopia over the last few years. In this systematic review, we examined the scope and quality of healthcare economic evaluation studies in Ethiopia. We searched seven electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINHAL, Econlit, York CRD databases and CEA Tufts) from inception to May 2021 to identify published full health economic evaluations of a health-related intervention or programme in Ethiopia. This was supplemented with forward and backward citation searches of included articles, manual search of key government websites, the Disease Control Priorities-Ethiopia project and WHO-CHOICE programme. The quality of reporting of economic evaluations was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. The extracted data were grouped into subcategories based on the subject of the economic evaluation, organized into tables and reported narratively. This review identified 34 full economic evaluations conducted between 2009 and 2021. Around 14 (41%) of studies focussed on health service delivery, 8 (24%) on pharmaceuticals, vaccines and devices, and 4 (12%) on public-health programmes. The interventions were mostly preventive in nature and focussed on communicable diseases (n = 19 56%) and maternal and child health (n = 6 18%). Cost-effectiveness ratios varied widely from cost-saving to more than US $37 313 per life saved depending on the setting, perspectives, types of interventions and disease conditions. While the overall quality of included studies was judged as moderate (meeting 69% of CHEERS checklist), only four out of 27 cost-effectiveness studies characterized heterogeneity. There is a need for building local technical capacity to enhance the design, conduct and reporting of health economic evaluations in Ethiopia.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-2003
Abstract: The correlation between low level time-weighted average (TWA) atmospheric xylene exposure (p.p.m.) and urinary methylhippuric acid (MHA) expressed per gram of creatinine was examined. Subjects were recruited from workplaces that utilized xylene. Ambient monitoring of o-, m- and p-xylene isomers was carried out using passive diffusion vapour monitors. Adjusted (post-shift minus pre-shift) and post-shift urinary levels of xylene metabolites (2-, 3- and 4-MHA) were determined by GC-MS. Twenty subjects were recruited into the study. Total xylene TWA exposures were 3.36 +/- 3.63 p.p.m. (mean +/- SD) with a range of 0.03-14.44 p.p.m. The r(2) values for the regression equations between xylene exposure and in idual and total adjusted MHA isomers were 0.390, 0.709, 0.677 and 0.631 for o-, m-, p- and total xylenes, respectively, which was greater than the respective correlations between non-adjusted s les. In conclusion, biological monitoring of occupational xylene exposure at levels <15 p.p.m. using urinary MHA showed a good correlation with atmospheric levels and is a valid complement to ambient monitoring. Even though occupational xylene exposure in the workplaces studied was generally low, MHA was found in the pre-shift urine of all workers and the use of adjusted values showed modest improvements in correlations. Recent exposure prior to s ling, either from occupational or non-occupational sources, should be considered when biological monitoring of xylene is undertaken. Extrapolation of data from this study predicted a MHA concentration in post-shift urine of 1.3 g/g creatinine after exposure to a TWA of 100 p.p.m. xylene.
Publisher: International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research
Date: 12-2012
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-07-2021
Abstract: Diabetes is a major chronic condition with ever-increasing health and economic burden. This study aimed to measure the impact of diabetes on total life expectancy (TLE) and healthy life expectancy (HLE) at ages 70 and 80 and to assess how educational level, obesity, and comorbidity affected the expectancies. The study involved 9849 population-representative women born between 1921 and 1926 from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH). Self-rated health was obtained from the ALSWH surveys. Diabetes diagnosis was ascertained using survey and health care administrative data. Total life expectancy and HLE were estimated for women with and without diabetes using multistate modeling. Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of poor health (adjusted risk ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.49–1.79). Diabetes was also associated with a reduction of 0.9 years in HLE and 2.6 years in TLE at age 70 and 0.4 years in HLE and 1.3 years in TLE at age 80. If a woman had low education, obesity, and more than 2 comorbidities in addition to diabetes, these reductions increased to 3.0 years in TLE and 7.9 years in HLE at age 70 and 1.5 years in TLE and 3.8 years in HLE at age 80. Diabetes substantially reduced older women’s quantity and quality of life, with further reductions for those with lower education, obesity, and comorbidities. These findings underscore the importance of optimally managing diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight and delaying the onset of comorbidities, to promote healthy aging for older women with diabetes.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-044618
Abstract: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive evidence on risk factors for transmission, disease severity and COVID-19 related deaths in Africa. A systematic review has been conducted to synthesise existing evidence on risk factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes across Africa. Data were systematically searched from MEDLINE, Scopus, MedRxiv and BioRxiv. Studies for review were included if they were published in English and reported at least one risk factor and/or one health outcome. We included all relevant literature published up until 11 August 2020. We performed a systematic narrative synthesis to describe the available studies for each outcome. Data were extracted using a standardised Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction form. Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria of which four were exclusively on Africa and the remaining 11 papers had a global focus with some data from Africa. Higher rates of infection in Africa are associated with high population density, urbanisation, transport connectivity, high volume of tourism and international trade, and high level of economic and political openness. Limited or poor access to healthcare are also associated with higher COVID-19 infection rates. Older people and in iduals with chronic conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis and anaemia experience severe forms COVID-19 leading to hospitalisation and death. Similarly, high burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high prevalence of tobacco consumption and low levels of expenditure on health and low levels of global health security score contribute to COVID-19 related deaths. Demographic, institutional, ecological, health system and politico-economic factors influenced the spectrum of COVID-19 infection, severity and death. We recommend multidisciplinary and integrated approaches to mitigate the identified factors and strengthen effective prevention strategies.
Start Date: 2002
End Date: 2002
Funder: University of Tasmania
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2006
End Date: 2006
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2010
End Date: 2010
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2009
End Date: 2009
Funder: University of Tasmania
View Funded Activity