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- Wong, B. H. C., et al.
(author)
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Self-Harm in Children and Adolescents Who Presented at Emergency Units During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Retrospective Cohort Study
- 2023
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In: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0890-8567. ; 62:9, s. 998-1009
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To compare psychiatric emergencies and self-harm at emergency departments (EDs) 1 year into the pandemic, to early pandemic and pre pandemic, and to examine the changes in the characteristics of self-harm presentations.Method: This retrospective cohort study expanded on the Pandemic-Related Emergency Psychiatric Presentations (PREP-kids) study. Routine record data in March to April of 2019, 2020, and 2021 from 62 EDs in 25 countries were included. ED presentations made by children and adolescents for any mental health reasons were analyzed.Results: Altogether, 8,174 psychiatric presentations were recorded (63.5% female; mean [SD] age, 14.3 [2.6] years), 3,742 of which were self-harm presentations. Rate of psychiatric ED presentations in March to April 2021 was twice as high as in March to April 2020 (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.93; 95% CI, 1.60-2.33), and 50% higher than in March to April 2019 (IRR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.25-1.81). Rate of self-harm presentations doubled between March to April 2020 and March to April 2021 (IRR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.68-2.34), and was overall 1.7 times higher than in March to April 2019 (IRR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.44-2.00). Comparing self-harm characteristics in March to April 2021 with March to April 2019, self-harm contributed to a higher proportion of all psychiatric presentations (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.62), whereas female representation in self-harm presentations doubled (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.45-2.72) and follow-up appointments were offered 4 times as often (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 2.32-8.58).Conclusion: Increased pediatric ED visits for both self-harm and psychiatric reasons were observed, suggesting potential deterioration in child mental health. Self-harm in girls possibly increased and needs to be prioritized. Clinical services should continue using follow-up appointments to support discharge from EDs.Diversity & Inclusion Statement: One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.
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- Kazlauske, Jurgita, 1981, et al.
(author)
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Determination of the release mechanism of Theophylline from pellets coated with Surelease (R)-A water dispersion of ethyl cellulose
- 2017
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In: International Journal of Pharmaceutics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-5173 .- 1873-3476. ; 528:1-2, s. 345-353
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the water transport over free standing films based on the aqueous ethyl cellulose (EC) coating Surelease (R) and the drug (Theophylline) release mechanism from coated pellets. It was found that the main drug release rate from pellets was controlled by a diffusion mechanism. However, the drug release rate was altered by addition of sodium chloride to the external release medium. A decrease in the drug release rate when sodium chloride is added to the release medium has traditionally been used to indicate an osmotic drug release mechanism. However, our findings that the release rate decreased by sodium chloride addition could be explained by sodium chloride diffusing through the coating layer into the inner parts of the pellets, decreasing the solubility of Theophylline. This gave a reduced drug concentration gradient over the coating layer and thus a slower release rate. Furthermore, this study shows, as expected, that the transport of water through Surelease (R) films into the pellets was faster than the transport out of Theophylline (approx. seven times), which was the reason why the pellets were swelling during the release. It was also shown that the drug release rate, determined for both whole dose release and for single pellets, decreased with increasing thickness (from 16 to 51 mm) of the coating layer controlling the drug release rate.
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- Caccavo, D., et al.
(author)
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Mathematical modelling of the drug release from an ensemble of coated pellets
- 2017
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In: British Journal of Pharmacology. - : Wiley. - 1476-5381 .- 0007-1188. ; 174:12, s. 1797-1809
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and PurposeCoated pellets are widely used as oral drug delivery systems, being highly accepted by patients and with several advantages compared to single unit devices. However, their behaviour needs to be elucidated so as to improve the effectiveness of the formulations and reduce production costs. In spite of this important issue, few mathematical modelling studies have been attempted, mostly due to the complexities arising from the system's polydispersity (non-homogeneous multiple-unit particulate systems), which has been scarcely investigated using mechanistic models. Experimental approachA mechanistic mathematical model was developed that was able to describe the single pellet behaviour in terms of hydration, drug dissolution, diffusion and release and particle size. This model was then extended to describe and predict the behaviour of mono- and polydispersed ensembles of pellets. Key ResultsThe polydispersity arising from the size and distribution of the inert core was shown to have a minimal effect on the drug release profile, whereas the thickness and distribution of the polymeric film was found to be the key parameter determining the drug release. Conclusions and ImplicationsThe mechanistic model developed, which is capable of determining the polydispersity of the drug delivery system, was able to predict the release kinetics from ensembles of pellets and to highlight the key parameters that need to be controlled in the production of pellet-based drug delivery systems, demonstrating its use as a powerful predictive tool.
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- Fustin, JM, et al.
(author)
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Methylation deficiency disrupts biological rhythms from bacteria to humans
- 2020
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In: Communications biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1, s. 211-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The methyl cycle is a universal metabolic pathway providing methyl groups for the methylation of nuclei acids and proteins, regulating all aspects of cellular physiology. We have previously shown that methyl cycle inhibition in mammals strongly affects circadian rhythms. Since the methyl cycle and circadian clocks have evolved early during evolution and operate in organisms across the tree of life, we sought to determine whether the link between the two is also conserved. Here, we show that methyl cycle inhibition affects biological rhythms in species ranging from unicellular algae to humans, separated by more than 1 billion years of evolution. In contrast, the cyanobacterial clock is resistant to methyl cycle inhibition, although we demonstrate that methylations themselves regulate circadian rhythms in this organism. Mammalian cells with a rewired bacteria-like methyl cycle are protected, like cyanobacteria, from methyl cycle inhibition, providing interesting new possibilities for the treatment of methylation deficiencies.
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