The Relationship Between Plasma Tetrahydrocannabinol Levels and Intraocular Pressure in Healthy Adult Subjects

BackgroundΔ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to decreased intraocular pressure (IOP). This project aims to define the relationship between plasma THC levels and IOP in healthy adult subjects.MethodsEleven healthy subjects received a single dose of inhaled cannabis that was self-administered in negative pressure rooms. Measurements of IOP and plasma THC levels were taken at baseline and every 30 min for 1 h and afterwards every hour for 4 h. IOP reduction and percent change in IOP over time were calculated. Linear regression models were used to measure the relationship between IOP and plasma THC levels. Two line linear regression models with F-tests were used to detect change points in the regression. Then, Pearson correlations were computed based on the change point.ResultsTwenty-two eyes met inclusion criteria. The average peak percentage decrease in IOP was 16% at 60 min. Percent IOP reduction as well as total IOP reduction demonstrated a negative correlation with THC plasma levels showing r-values of −0.81 and −0.70, respectively. F-tests revealed a change point in the regression for plasma levels >20 ng/ml. For levels >20 ng/ml, the correlation coefficients changed significantly with r-values of 0.21 and 0.29 (p < 0.01).ConclusionPlasma THC levels are significantly correlated with IOP reduction up to plasma levels of 20 ng/ml. Plasma levels >20 ng/ml were not correlated with further decrease in IOP. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of THC in reducing IOP for eyes with ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Evaluation of the Use of Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) in the Treatment of Postoperative Edema in Acute ACL Repair Surgery

Background: Surgical techniques for the treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are exponentially improved in the past few decades. Nevertheless, edema and pain commonly accompany post-surgical procedures and when excessive, can adversely affect the healing course. In recent years, Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) has been proposed as a new technique for the treatment of post-operative edema. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) in the treatment of edema in the acute and post-acute postoperative phases of ACL repair surgery. Methods: Thirty patients (19 M, 11F; mean age: 27 y/o) with ACL injury were randomly assigned to two groups for the rehabilitation program: (1) An experimental group to receive a NMT treatment; or (2) A control group which underwent the standard-of-care rehabilitation protocols. Both groups where weekly monitored for 4 weeks after the surgery. Swelling was assessed through measurement of the limb circumference; post-operative pain was evaluated with VAS. After collection, data were processed by means of the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon statistical tests, through which we evaluated the percentage decrease in knee swelling of the operated limb. Results: In comparison to the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in swelling and pain. The circumference of the operated limb registered was: -2.4% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and + 0.3% ±0.2 in the control group in the first week (p = 0.030), -3.7% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and -0.63% ±0.3 in the control group in the second week (p = 0.038), -4.5% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and -1.2% ±0.3 in the control group in the third week (p = 0.019), -5.8% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and -2.4% ±0.3 in the control group in the fourth week (p = 0.019). VAS in the first week was 3.11 ±01.05 in NTM-treated group and 4.67 ±0.71 in the control group (p = 0.006). Our data showed a statistically significant reduction of the mean circumference of the lower limb at each time point and the reduction of mean VAS at the first week treated with NMT compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results revealed that NMT technique applied in the acute rehabilitation program of ACL surgery is effective in the treatment of postoperative edema.

Serbuk Biji Asam Jawa (Tamarin Dusindica L) untuk Pengelolaan Limbah Industri Cair Tempe (Studi Kasus Mataram)

Most of the tempe industry have not been equipped with a waste water treatment unit. It is usually a water soaked soybeans and soybean excess water is still discharged directly in the into the environment. Liquid waste industrial of tempeh contain high organic materials. One of the process for wastewater treatment is coagulation with the addition of a positively charged polyelectrolyte in tempeh wastewater as negatively charged. One of plants in Indonesia that can be used as an alternative coagulant is tamarind seeds (Tamarindus indica, L).it can be used for wastewater treatment is more economical. The aims of this experiment is to determine the optimum stirring time, optimum pH of the waste and optimum coagulant dosage for treatment of the tempeh wastewater with coagulant tamarind seed powder. The experiment studied were stirring time, the pH of thetempeh wastewater and coagulant dosage to the percentage decrease in turbidity and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand). The variables in the experiment were stirring time (10,15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes), the pH of the waste (3; 3.5; 4; 4 and 5) and the dosage of tamarind seed powder (100, 300, 500, 700, and 900 mg / L). COD testing methods is closed reflux method by spectrophotometry and turbidity testing using Turbidimeter. The results showed that the with coagulant tamarind seed powder effectively lowered cod levels and the dryness of tempeh liquid industrial waste. The optimum pH obtained is pH 4, optimum stirring time is 25 minutes and the increase in optimum coagulant dose is 500 mg with a percentage decrease in COD levels and noise by 90.57% and 78.94%. Key words: liquid waste; sour power; turbidity; COD

COVID-19 Pandemic and Trends in Clinical Trials: A Multi-Region and Global Perspective

To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical development, the number of newly started clinical trials in each geographical region between January 2018 and December 2020 were calculated based on data from the ClinicalTrials.gov database. Data regarding new drug applications were obtained from European Medicines Agency monthly reports, pharmaceutical company press releases, and the archives of the Drugs.com database. The mean percentage change in newly started clinical trials for diseases other than COVID-19 between each month in 2019 and the corresponding month in 2020 was −7.5%, with the maximum of −57.3% observed between April 2019 and April 2020. Similarly, the mean percentage change of reported results for each month in 2019 and 2020 was −5.1%, with the maximum of −27.4% observed in July 2020. The activity of clinical trials was decreased as the number of COVID-19 patients was increased, and a statistically negative correlation was observed between the prevalence of COVID-19 and the percentage decrease in the number of clinical trials stared or reported results. As for new drug submissions, decreases were observed in the latter half of 2020 compared with the same period during the previous year, for each indicator. A considerable decline in non-COVID-19 activity for all indicators regarding clinical developments was suggested during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to recognize the situation and continue to make efforts to conduct clinical trials for both COVID-19 and no-COVID-19 for new medical developments in the future.

Effect of different irrigation porotocols on root dentine micro-hardness-An invitro study

IIrrigation solutions used and time of use has a definite effect on the micro hardness & other physical properties of dentin which in turn have direct consequence on the longevity functional performance of root canal treated teeth. To evaluate the effect of different irrigation solutions on micro hardness of root dentin.Forty extracted single rooted lower premolars were used. After instrumentation all the root halves were randomly assigned into 4groups (n=10) and brought in contact with one of the following irrigants for 5 minutes. Group I: 10 ml of 5% Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl).Group II: 10 ml of 17% ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) followed by 10 ml of 5% NaOCl.Group III: 10 ml of 5% NaOCl followed by 10 ml of 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX).Group IV: 10 ml of 5% NaOCL followed by flush of 10 ml distilled water then by 10ml of 2% CHX. Dentin micro hardness was measured at baseline and after treatment to determine the change in micro hardness, using Vickers tester.Data was analyzed using following parametric tests t-test, ANOVA test and Post Hoc test. Group II ie final irrigation with EDTA showed the highest percentage decrease in micro hardness values, followed by group III, then group IV and the lowest was group I. All groups showed a significant difference between each other (P &#60; 0.05), except group III and IV. The coronal third showed the highest percentage decrease with significant difference between apical and middle thirds (P &#60; 0.05).EDTA with NaOCl causes greatest changes in dentine micro hardness, an intermediate flush with normal saline should be given for prevention of precipitation with NaOCl & CHX.

Cost stickiness and the firm’s organizational form: evidence from the property-liability insurance sector

We examine the existence of cost stickiness in the German property-liability insurance sector by analyzing if the percentage increase in administrative costs for a rise in premiums is larger than the percentage decrease in administrative costs for an equivalent drop in premiums. In addition, we analyze if sticky cost behavior depends on insurance firms’ organizational form. Using company-level data from German property-liability insurance firms for the years 2001–2017 and regression analyses, we find that administrative costs are sticky in the insurance sector, as administrative costs increase on average 0.82% per 1% increase in premiums but decrease only 0.6% per 1% decrease in premium income. Moreover, we find that stock insurers exhibit lower levels of cost stickiness, indicating better monitoring mechanisms.

Association between baseline serum uric acid and development of LDL-C level in patients with first acute myocardial infarction

Background Data on the relationship of baseline serum uric acid (SUA) with development of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level in patients with first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are limited. The present study is to evaluate whether elevated SUA predicts the development of LDL-C in the first AMI. Methods This is a retrospective 6-month cohort study of 475 hospitalized Chinese patients who underwent first AMI between January 2015 and December 2019 and were reevaluated half a year later at the Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China. The associations of baseline SUA with the percentage decrease of LDL-C (%) and LDL-C control were analyzed by using logistic regression analyses, multivariate linear regression analyses and the restricted cubic spline. Results Over the 6-month follow-up, baseline SUA was independently and positively associated with the percentage decrease of LDL-C (%) and LDL-C control in a dose response fashion. After multivariable adjustment, per SD increment of baseline SUA (120.58 μmol/L) was associated with 3.96% higher percentage decrease of LDL-C(%). The adjusted OR (95% CI) for LDL-C control was 5.62 (2.05, 15.36) when comparing the highest tertile (SUA ≥ 437.0 μmol/L) to the lowest tertile (< 341.7 μmol/L) of baseline SUA. Conclusions Among Chinese patients with first AMI, higher baseline SUA was associated with higher LDL-C deduction percentage (%), and higher rate of LDL-C control in the short-term follow-up, respectively. SUA acquired when AMI occurred was prone to be profitable in predicting the risk stratification of uncontrolled LDL-C and dyslipidemia management.

Degradation of Lignocelluloses Cocoa Shell (Theobroma cacao L.) by Various Types of Mould Treatments

Lignocellulose can be degraded by lignocellulolytic microorganisms such as moulds. The purpose of the study was to obtain the right type of moulds in degrading lignocellulose on the cocoa shell powder. The study used a completely randomized design method using four treatments of different types of mould (Trichoderma viride, Neurospora sitophila, Aspergillus niger, and Rhizopus oryzae) towards cocoa shell powder fermentation. Solid fermentation of cocoa shell powder was carried out for 5 days in an incubator with a temperature of 30°C for T. viride, N. sitophila, and R. oryzae, while A. niger of 35°C. The fermented substrate was then dried in a cabinet oven with a temperature of 50°C for 4 days. Tests of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose were performed towards the treatments by the Chesson method, while the moisture content test was performed using the AOAC method. Degradation of fermented cocoa shell powder has shown a significant effect on moisture, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents. Trichoderma viride resulted in the highest lignocellulose degradation compared with the other treatments. The percentage decrease of lignin content is up to 46.69 wt%; while cellulose of 22.59 wt%; and hemicellulose is about 19.41 wt% from the initial lignin weight.

A comparative study of the technical feasibility of complete salpingectomy versus tubal ligation as a method of tubal sterilisation during caesarean delivery

Background: Recent theory on ovarian malignancy suggests its origin from primary foci in fallopian tubes. Prophylactic salpingectomy may benefit in risk reduction of ovarian cancer. The aim of the study was to compare the feasibility of complete salpingectomy with bilateral tubal ligation was made during caesarean delivery in women desirous of permanent sterilisation.Methods: We conducted a prospective interventional randomized control study in department of obstetrics and gynaecology, ESI-PGIMSR Basaidarapur, New Delhi from October 2018 to February 2021. 70 women participated in this study desiring permanent sterilisation during caesarean delivery. Patients were randomized into two groups who either underwent bilateral tubal ligation [group A (N=35)] or complete bilateral salpingectomy [group B (N=35)].Results: Procedure was completed in 91% patients in group A and 77% in group B (p >0.05) making both the procedures feasible. Total operative time (min) in group A and B were 47 and 55 respectively (p<0.01). Mean sterilisation procedure time (min) in group A was 5 and group B was 6 (p=0.13). No significant difference was seen in intra-operative blood loss (400 ml in group A vs 300 ml in group B), percentage decrease in post-op haemoglobin (g/dl) (4.56±2.96 in group A vs 3.91±2.7 in group B), post-operative serum Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels (ng/ml) (group A-0.965±0.12 vs 0.7±0.09 in group B) in the two groups.Conclusions: Salpingectomy as an alternative to tubal ligation should be discussed with suitable patients desirous of permanent sterilisation during caesarean delivery.

Comparative Analysis of The Growth of School Students Using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Methods Analisis

This study aims to analyze and predict the number of Elementary School Students using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method using data from the last 17 years, case studies in three provinces namely Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This type of research is quantitative by comparing the final value on the first graph to the fourth graph to analyze on the graph what the predictive value is most accurate. Based on the results of the simulation of the number of elementary school students in Bali, NTB, and NTT provinces using the G-MFS application program and mathematical model calculations that the predicted results in 2021 on the data of the number of elementary school students in Bali province amounted to 417,805.40 with a percentage decrease of 0.1%, then the predicted result in the data of the number of elementary school students in NTB province of 512,381.76 with a percentage increase of 1.0%. The predicted result on the data of the number of elementary school students in NTT province amounted to 705,335.11 with an increase of 1.0%. The results of the forecasting of the number of elementary school students are expected to provide important information for the government to improve development in the education sector, especially at the elementary school education level in one way that is to improve the quality of educational infrastructure and many more developments that need to be done by the number of students in the future.