scholarly journals Personal medicines storage in New Zealand

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Campbell Hewson ◽  
Chong Chi Shen ◽  
Clare Strachan ◽  
Pauline Norris

INTRODUCTION: Poor storage of medicines can reduce their efficacy, yet little is known about how people store medicines in their homes and elsewhere, why these locations are chosen, and whether the conditions are suitable for medicines storage. AIM: To investigate where medicines are commonly stored in New Zealand households, why, and the typical conditions – temperature and relative humidity – in those places of storage. METHODS: Data from a large qualitative study on the meanings of medicines were analysed to explore where people store medicines in their households, and why. A data logger was used to log temperature and relative humidity in common medicine storage places, such as homes and cars. RESULTS: Kitchens and bathrooms were the most commonly reported storage places, with people influenced by convenience, desire to remember to take medicines, and child safety when deciding where to store medicines. High temperatures and humidity were found in kitchens and bathrooms, extreme temperatures in a car and a backpack, and extremely low temperatures in checked-in luggage on a plane. DISCUSSION: Temperature- and humidity-sensitive medicines should not be stored long-term in common storage locations, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Conditions in these places may not comply with the recommended storage conditions given by the manufacturer. Furthermore, medicines should not be left in backpacks or cars, especially if the vehicle is in the sun. Medicines that may degrade upon freezing and thawing – such as protein-containing medicines, emulsions, suspensions and some solutions – should not be stored in the cargo hold of a plane. KEYWORDS: Drug storage; humidity; New Zealand; temperature

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
Scott B. Lukas ◽  
Joseph DeFrank ◽  
Orville C. Baldos ◽  
Ruijun Qin

Seed dormancy is an evolutionary adaptation for increasing seedling survival by delaying germination and is found in many families of seed plants. Although dormancy is ecologically important, it becomes problematic during agronomic production and restoration. Torrid panicgrass (Panicum torridum) is a native Hawaiian annual grass that has been identified as a re-vegetation candidate for seasonally dry areas. Torrid panicgrass seed appears to possess a nondeep to intermediate physiological dormancy. This research aimed to characterize dormancy relief parameters by 1) evaluating exogenous hormonal, reactive oxygen intermediates, and simulated combustion product treatments; and 2) determining optimized storage conditions of relative humidity (RH) and temperature over a 10-month duration. Results indicate that all exogenous chemical treatments tested were not effective at relieving the dormancy present in torrid panicgrass. Optimal storage conditions to relieve dormancy were found with seeds equilibrated to 12% RH, stored at 30 °C for a period of 8 months resulting in 55% germination. Maintenance of viability for long-term storage up to 10 months was best achieved with seeds stored at 12% RH at 10, 20, or 30 °C.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Andrea Jane Woods

<p>Four archival boxes made from different materials, were tested to see how effective they were at stabilizing fluctuations in temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) and if this method of passive environmental control could meet the environmental requirements of the Archives New Zealand Storage Standard (ANZSS), instead of using heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)systems. The boxes were placed in an un-insulated attic space in Auckland, New Zealand, during the winter for twelve weeks from June 7, to August 29, 2009. Twenty-four hour samples of T and RH of each box were taken by a Hobo LCD data-logger placed inside the boxes. Another Hobo LCD data-logger was placed in the ambient environment to determine the difference. The main results were; RH fluctuations inside all the boxes met part of Requirement 28, of the ANZSS, during the twelve weeks of the study, by not fluctuating more than 10% over a twenty-four hour period, even though the ambient RH fluctuated by as much 22%. However, although the T inside the boxes mostly fluctuated less than in the ambient environment it did not consistently reach the 4 degree centigrade or below fluctuation level of requirement, 29 of the ANZSS. The conclusion reached from the study is all the archival boxes used in study are effective in controlling fluctuations in RH and T; however, institutions needing to meet the ANZSS will require other methods to control environmental conditions.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Andrea Jane Woods

<p>Four archival boxes made from different materials, were tested to see how effective they were at stabilizing fluctuations in temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) and if this method of passive environmental control could meet the environmental requirements of the Archives New Zealand Storage Standard (ANZSS), instead of using heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)systems. The boxes were placed in an un-insulated attic space in Auckland, New Zealand, during the winter for twelve weeks from June 7, to August 29, 2009. Twenty-four hour samples of T and RH of each box were taken by a Hobo LCD data-logger placed inside the boxes. Another Hobo LCD data-logger was placed in the ambient environment to determine the difference. The main results were; RH fluctuations inside all the boxes met part of Requirement 28, of the ANZSS, during the twelve weeks of the study, by not fluctuating more than 10% over a twenty-four hour period, even though the ambient RH fluctuated by as much 22%. However, although the T inside the boxes mostly fluctuated less than in the ambient environment it did not consistently reach the 4 degree centigrade or below fluctuation level of requirement, 29 of the ANZSS. The conclusion reached from the study is all the archival boxes used in study are effective in controlling fluctuations in RH and T; however, institutions needing to meet the ANZSS will require other methods to control environmental conditions.</p>


Author(s):  
Mehmet K. Kuzlu ◽  
Atilla Taskin

This study was conducted to develop long-term storage methods for turkey semen using different extenders. During the study, the massage method was used twice a week to collect the semen from five turkeys, a total of 44 times. The collected fresh semen’s average ejaculate quantity, sperm concentration, motility and vitality values were determined as 0.22±0.01 ml, 3.5±0.17 x109 sp/ml, 77.0±1.44% and 86.2±0.95 % respectively. In this study, glucose (G) including 5% Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) cryoprotective, tris-glucose (TG), lactated Ringer’s (LR), and lactated Ringer’s glucose (LRG) extenders were used. The Turkey semen was combined and divided into four equal parts, and subsequently diluted at a ratio of 1:3 and equilibrated at +4°C for 90 minutes. Following equilibration, the samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor to - 80°C for five minutes, and stored at -196°C in liquid nitrogen. After freezing and thawing, the highest motility value was obtained from the G extender (43.3% ±1.62%) followed by LRG (24.6±1.53%), LR (12.6±0.92%) and TG (12.2±0.66%). The vitality values were recorded as 55.8±1.89%, 23.8±1.58%, 21.5±1.10% and 36.5±1.59% respectively. The motility and vitality values were significantly (p less than 0.01) more for the glucose extender than those for other extenders. Therefore, it was concluded that glucose extender is better option for the long-term storage of Turkey semen.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Suárez González ◽  
Ana Santoveña Estévez ◽  
Mabel Soriano ◽  
Jose Bruno Fariña

Background: In 2020 the composition and procedure to elaborate a new formulation containing Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Rifampicin to treat tuberculosis in pediatric patients was published. The temperature and relative humidity in Tuberculosis-endemic countries are high, > 30ºC and > 70% respectively and thus these meteorological conditions required a new dosage form. The objective of this work is to register changes in tablet quality and stability over time when exposed to different storage conditions according to ICH. Method: Tablets were subjected to accelerated, long term and low relative humidity conditions. The effect of light was also tested. Quality was measured by evaluating weight changes tensile strength, disintegration time, and drug content. Hydrazine formation was also evaluated as it is considered a mutagenic degradation product. Results: Tablets stored at low relative humidity showed the best stability. There was no statistically significant difference between tablets exposed to or protected from light. Moreover, the formation of Hydrazine was not detected during stability studies. Conclusion: This new dosage form for treating Tuberculosis is stable and able to maintain its quality when appropriate storage conditions are used.


2017 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 160-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.W. Bourdôt ◽  
S. Jackman ◽  
D.J. Saville

Flupropanate (sodium 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropanate), a slow-acting lipid bio- synthesis-inhibiting herbicide, was recently registered in New Zealand as Taskforce (745 g/L flupropanate as the sodium salt) for the selective and long-term control of Nassella trichotoma (nassella tussock) in pastures. In five dose-response experiments in permanent hill pastures in Canterbury, conducted between 2012 and 2016, we measured the efficacy of the herbicide against established plants of N. trichotoma and its residual activity against recruiting seedlings. Mortality, as an average across the five sites, was 93% 1.5 years after applying 1.49 kg flupropanate/ha (the label-recommended rate), and 100% at 2.98 kg/ha. This indicates that an application rate higher than the label rate will be necessary for complete control of a N. trichotoma infestation. The presence of 1,000 and 6,250 visible seedlings of N. trichotoma/ha in the autumn 3.2 and 2.1 years after applying 1.49 kg flupropanate/ha (at a Greta Valley and Scargill site respectively) indicates that the herbicide’s soil residues had decayed within 12 months to a concentration lower than necessary to kill the germinating seedlings of N. trichotoma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiran Thabrew ◽  
Karolina Stasiak ◽  
Harshali Kumar ◽  
Tarique Naseem ◽  
Christopher Frampton ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Approximately 10% to 12% of New Zealand children and young people have long-term physical conditions (also known as chronic illnesses) and are more likely to develop psychological problems, particularly anxiety and depression. Delayed treatment leads to worse physical and mental healthcare, school absence, and poorer long-term outcomes. Recently, electronic health (eHealth) interventions, especially those based on the principles of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), have been shown to be as good as face-to-face therapy. Biofeedback techniques have also been shown to enhance relaxation during the treatment of anxiety. However, these modalities have rarely been combined. Young people with long-term physical conditions have expressed a preference for well-designed and technologically-based support to deal with psychological issues, especially anxiety. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to co-design and evaluate the (i) acceptability and (ii) usability of a CBT and biofeedback-based, 5-module eHealth game called ‘Starship Rescue’ and (iii) to provide preliminary evidence regarding its effectiveness in addressing anxiety and quality of life in young people with long-term physical conditions. METHODS Starship Rescue was co-designed with children and young people from a tertiary hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. Following this, 24 young people aged 10 to 17 years were enrolled in an open trial, during which they were asked to use the game for an 8-week period. Acceptability of the game to all participants was assessed using a brief, open-ended questionnaire, and more detailed feedback was obtained from a subset of 10 participants via semi-structured interviews. Usability was evaluated via the System Usability Scale (SUS) and device-recorded frequency and duration of access on completion of the game. Anxiety levels were measured prior to commencement, on completion of the game, and 3 months later using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and Spence Child Anxiety Scales (SCAS), and at the start of each module and at the end of the game using an embedded Likert/visual analog scale. Quality of life was measured prior to commencement and on completion of the game using the Pediatric Quality of Life Scale (PEDS-QL). RESULTS Users gave Starship Rescue an overall rating of 5.9 out of 10 (range 3-10 and a mean score of 71 out of 100 (SD 11.7; min 47.5; max 90) on the System Usability Scale (SUS). The mean time period for use of the game was just over 11-weeks (78.8 days, 13.5 hours, 40 minutes). Significant reductions in anxiety were noted between the start and end of the game on the GAD-7 (-4.6 (p=0.000)), SCAS (-9.6 (p=0.005)), and the Likert/visual analogue scales (-2.4 (p=0.001)). Quality of life also improved on the PedsQL scale (+4.3 (p=0.042)). All changes were sustained at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary evidence for Starship Rescue being an acceptable, usable and effective eHealth intervention for addressing anxiety in young people with long-term physical conditions. Further evaluation is planned via a more formal randomized controlled trial. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12616001253493p;https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371443 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6sYB716lf)


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 5452
Author(s):  
Ludmila Motelica ◽  
Aurelian Popescu ◽  
Anca-Gabriela Răzvan ◽  
Ovidiu Oprea ◽  
Roxana-Doina Truşcă ◽  
...  

One of the main problems faced by libraries, archives and collectors is the mold degradation of the paper-based documents, books, artworks etc. Microfungi (molds) emerge in regular storage conditions of such items (humidity, usually over 50%, and temperatures under 21 °C). If the removal of the visible mycelium is relatively easy, there is always the problem of the subsequent appearance of mold as the spores remain trapped in the cellulosic, fibrillary texture, which acts as a net. Moreover, due to improper hand hygiene bacteria contamination, old books could represent a source of biohazard, being colonized with human pathogens. An easy and accessible method of decontamination, which could offer long term protection is therefore needed. Here, we present a facile use of the ZnO nanopowders as antimicrobial agents, suitable for cellulose-based products, conferring an extended antibacterial and anti-microfungal effect. The proposed method does not adversely impact on the quality of the cellulose documents and could be efficiently used for biodegradation protection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando do Pazo-Oubiña ◽  
Bartomeu Alorda-Ladaria ◽  
Ana Gomez-Lobon ◽  
Bàrbara Boyeras-Vallespir ◽  
María Margalida Santandreu-Estelrich ◽  
...  

AbstractMore thermolabile drugs are becoming available, and in most cases, these medications are dispensed to ambulatory patients. However, there is no regulation once medications are dispensed to patients and little is known with regard to what happens during transport and home storage. Previous studies suggest that these drugs are improperly stored. The present study was designed to determine the storage conditions of thermolabile drugs once they are dispensed to the patient in the Hospital Pharmacy Department. This is a prospective observational study to assess the temperature profile of 7 thermolabile drugs once they are dispensed to ambulatory patients at a tertiary care hospital. A data logger was added to the medication packaging. Temperature was considered inappropriate if one of the following circumstances were met: any temperature record less than or equal to 0 °C or over 25 °C; temperatures between 0–2 or 8–25 °C for a continuous period over 30 min. The time series of temperature measurements obtained from each data logger were analyzed as statistically independent variables. The data shown did not undergo any statistical treatment and must be considered directly related to thermal measurements. One hundred and fourteen patients were included and 107 patients were available for the analysis. On the whole, a mean of 50.6 days (SD 18.3) were measured and the mean temperature was 6.88 °C (SD 2.93). Three data loggers (2.8%) maintained all the measurements between 2 and 8 °C with less than 3 continuous data (< 30 min) out of this range but no data over 25 °C or below or equal to 0 °C. 28 (26.2%) data loggers had at least one measurement below zero, 1 data logger had a measurement greater than 25 °C and 75 (70.1%) were between 0 and 2 °C and/or between 8 and 25 °C for more than 30 min. In conclusion, once dispensed to patients, most thermolabile drugs are improperly stored. Future studies should focus on clinical consequences and possible solutions.


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