Thirty-eight, adult, male, detoxified, Malaysian opiate addicts participated in this double-blind clinical evaluation of naltrexone. Addicts from three ethnic groups: Chinese, Malays, and Indians received a weekly regimen of naltrexone (100 mg on Days 1 and 3, and 150 mg on Day 5). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive intravenous challenge with either 25 mg heroin or placebo 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after the third naltrexone dose. Physiological and subjective parameters were measured at each challenge interval. Results indicated that naltrexone was effective in blocking the physiological and psychological effects of heroin for at least 48 and 72 h, respectively, in detoxified Malaysian opiate addicts. The efficacy of naltrexone did not differ among the three ethnic groups evaluated in this study.
Hybrid ferrofluid is a unique heat transfer fluid because it can be magnetically controlled and ideal in various applications. Further exploration to unleash its potential through studying heat transfer and boundary layer flow is crucial, especially in solving the thermal efficiency problem. Hence, this research focuses on the numerical examination of flow behaviour and heat transfer attributes of magnetized hybrid ferrofluid Fe3O4-CoFe2O4/water across a permeable moving surface considering the mutual effects of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), viscous dissipation, and suction/injection. The problem was represented by the Tiwari and Das model with duo magnetic nanoparticle hybridization; magnetite Fe3O4 and cobalt ferrite CoFe2O4 immersed in water. The governing equations were transformed into ordinary differential equations using appropriate similarity variables and solved with bvp4c MATLAB. A dual solution is obtained, and via stability analysis, the first solution is stable and physically reliable. The significant influence of governing effects on the temperature and velocity profiles, the local skin friction coefficient and the local Nusselt number are analyzed and visually shown. The surge-up value of suction and CoFe2O4 ferroparticle volume concentration enhances the local skin friction coefficient and heat transfer rate. Additionally, the magnetic parameter and Eckert number reduced the heat transfer. Using a 1% volume fraction of Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4; the hybrid ferrofluid's convective heat transfer rate was shown to be superior to mono-ferrofluid and water by enhancing 2.75% and 6.91%, respectively. This present study also suggests implying a greater volume concentration of CoFe2O4 and lessening the magnetic intensity to maintain the laminar flow phase.
A pharmacokinetic study with 12-hourly doses of 100 mg proguanil hydrochloride over 15 days has been conducted in six adult male Malaysian volunteers. Steady state for proguanil was established after the fourth dose on Day 2, for the active metabolite cycloguanil as from Day 3 inclusive. The steady state mean peak concentration of proguanil was 1201.6 +/- 132.4 nmol/l, the mean trough concentration 650.0 +/- 58.1 nmol/l. The corresponding values for cycloguanil were 317.0 +/- 44.4 nmol/l (mean peak) and 230.8 +/- 35.1 nmol/l (mean trough). The profiles and peak/trough ratios of proguanil and cycloguanil with 12-hourly dosing offer better prospects for protection against malaria than those obtained with 24-hourly doses of 200 mg proguanil hydrochloride, the current routine in malaria chemoprophylaxis.
Malaria, particularly that due to chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, which requires management with antimalarial drugs capable of protecting against multiresistant strains, has emerged in Malaysia. A study was carried out to assess the efficacy and tolerability of 2 dosages of mefloquine/sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (MSP; RO 13-5112) compared to Fansidar in a malaria endemic area. 914 subjects in 3 random groups were studied. Occurrence of malaria was assessed both clinically as well as by blood films. Plasma drug levels were also measured. The results showed that the low dose of MSP was completely effective in suppressing parasitaemia. 2.7% of the study population reported adverse drug reactions, the lowest incidence being in subjects on the low dose; their blood chemical profiles were also the least affected. The plasma levels of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine achieved in the low dose group were slightly higher than expected, but there was no significant difference in bioavailability. The study showed that, for chemoprophylaxis, a low dose of MSP provided effective protection with minimal side effects.
A single dose pharmacokinetic study of a combined antimalarial formulation of mefloquine, sulphadoxine and pyrimethamine (Fansimef) has been performed in 10 healthy adult male Malaysian volunteers. The dose consisted of two tablets containing 250 mg mefloquine base, 500 mg sulphadoxine base and 25 mg pyrimethamine base each. Plasma concentrations of mefloquine and pyrimethamine were measured by GC-ECD, those of sulphadoxine by h.p.l.c. Time to peak concentrations (mean +/- s.d. for mefloquine (5.70 +/- 0.95 h), sulphadoxine (3.75 +/- 2.03 h) and pyrimethamine (3.30 +/- 1.98 h) were similar to those observed by others after administration of the single compounds. This was also true for elimination half-lives (t1/2). The t1/2s for mefloquine, sulphadoxine and pyrimethamine were 387 +/- 98 h, 255 +/- 61 h and 114 +/- 42 h, respectively.
The hydrochloride, sulphate and ethylcarbonate salts of quinine were given in single oral doses (600 mg base equivalent) to nine healthy male subjects according to a cross-over design. No statistically significant differences were noted in the plasma drug concentration-time profiles although inter- and intra-subject variation in AUC, Cmax and tmax values was appreciable. The ethylcarbonate salt may be preferred for use in paediatric patients because of its neutral taste.
Obesity is an emerging public health threat in the elderly population in developing countries. Hence, the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey has assessed 4746 individuals aged 60 years and older recruited through a household survey to determine the prevalence of adiposity using body mass index and waist circumference. The national's prevalence of overweight and obesity in men was 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.2-31.3) and 7.4% (95% CI = 6.4-8.6), respectively. However, the prevalence decreased with age. The figures in women were 30.3% (95% CI = 28.5-32.1) and 13.8% (95% CI = 12.5-15.2), respectively. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 21.4% (95%CI = 20.2-22.6), with 7.7% (95% CI = 6.7-9.0) in men and 33.4% (95% CI = 31.4-35.3) in women. Predictors of adiposity include the following: Malay and Indian ethnicity, higher education level, higher household income, from urban area, and being married. In conclusion, adiposity affects about one third of the Malaysian elderly population, especially those of the younger age group, women, and those with higher socioeconomic status.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)