Copies of author's previously published articles in back-cover pocket. / Bibliography: leaves 180-205. / x, 205 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Examines aspects of the potential enantioselective pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ketoprofen in humans, and develops methods for quantifying total (bound plus unbound) and unbound ketoprofen enantiomers in plasma. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, 1993?

Foram estimados custos diretos de diferentes opções de tratamento para artrite reumatóide com base em dados de eficácia obtidos por revisão de literatura. O modelo analítico de tomada de decisão para o tratamento e desfechos durante um período de 48 meses baseado no modelo de Markov foi fundamentado em protocolos clínicos recomendados pela Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia, com esquemas alternativos para cinco ciclos de tratamento durante o período de quatro anos. O paciente pode permanecer em algumas das etapas ou migrar entre elas, de acordo com a resposta à terapia. Foram analisados custos diretos (medicamentos, materiais médico-hospitalares e exames laboratoriais). As doses dos medicamentos e o monitoramento foram baseados no Consenso Brasileiro para o Diagnóstico e Tratamento da Artrite Reumatóide, considerando-se o peso médio do paciente de 70 kg. Na comparação entre o custo das cinco etapas de tratamento os resultados mostram que a etapa que usa o medicamento infliximabe tem um custo superior às outras, este causado pelo preço de aquisição do medicamento. O custo do monitoramento tem impacto nas etapas que utilizam os medicamentos com preço de aquisição menor. O ciclo com a menor razão custo/efetividade foi o 1 (respondedor ao MTX). Aquele que usa o biológico desde o início do tratamento é responsável pela maior razão de custo/efetividade. A variação do custo entre os outros ciclos não foi muito grande, mas todas devem ser consideradas quando da escolha do prescritor. Estes resultados se mostraram robustos com a análise de sensibilidade. / The costs of the different rheumatoid arthritis therapy options were estimated and they were compared by cos/efficacy reason, through the development of an analytical model for a 48-month period. For the calculation of these costs, it was developed an analytical decision model based on the Markov Analysis, where five different therapy stages were elaborated based on clinical protocols recommended by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, and then five therapy cycles, where patients may continue in some of those stages or shift between them according to the therapy response, for a time horizon of 4 years. Only direct costs with drugs, medical-hospital materials for drug administration and laboratory examinations required for the patient monitoring because of the use of some drugs, were comprised in the analyzed data. The doses of drugs and the monitoring were based on the Brazilian Consensus for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, considering the average patient weight of 70 kg. When comparing the cost of the five treatment stages, the results show that the stage in which the infleximabe drug is used has a cost higher than that of the other stages and that the impact is caused by the drug acquisition price. The monitoring cost impacts the stages that employ drugs with smaller acquisition price. The cost-effectiveness cycle was the number 1 (good response with MTX). When we use de biologic in the beginning, it is responsible for the higher cost-effectiveness reason. The cost variation between cycles 2, 3 and 4 was smaller, but they have to be considered for the decision maker. The sensitivity analysis confirm this results.

Ketoprofen is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The oral administration of ketoprofen can cause gastric irritation and adverse renal effects. Transdermal delivery of the drug can bypass gastrointestinal disturbances and provide relatively consistent drug concentrations at the site of administration. The release of ketoprofen from proprietary gel products from three different countries was evaluated by comparing the in vitro release profiles. Twenty extemporaneously prepared ketoprofen gel formulations using Carbopol® polymers were manufactured. The effect of polymer, drug concentration, pH and solvent systems on the in vitro release of ketoprofen from these formulations were investigated. The gels were evaluated for drug content and pH. The release of the drug from all the formulations obeyed the Higuchi principle. Two static FDA approved diffusion cells, namely the modified Franz diffusion cell and the European Pharmacopoeia diffusion cell, were compared by measuring the in vitro release rate of ketoprofen from all the gel formulations through a synthetic silicone membrane. High-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometric analytical techniques were both used for the analysis of ketoprofen. The validated methods were employed for the determination of ketoprofen in the sample solutions taken from the receptor fluid. Two of the three proprietary products registered under the same manufacturing license exhibited similar results whereas the third product differed significantly. Among the variables investigated, the vehicle pH and solvent composition were found have the most significant effect on the in vitro release of ketoprofen from Carbopol® polymers. The different grades of Carbopol® polymers showed statistically significantly different release kinetics with respect to lag time. When evaluating the proprietary products, both the modified Franz diffusion cell and the European Pharmacopoeia diffusion cell were deemed adequate although higher profiles were generally obtained from the European Pharmacopoeia diffusion cells. Smoother diffusion profiles were obtained from samples analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography than by ultraviolet spectrophotometry in both diffusion cells. Sample solutions taken from Franz diffusion cells and analysed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry also produced smooth diffusion profiles. Erratic and higher diffusion profiles were observed with samples taken from the European Pharmacopoeia diffusion cell and analysed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The choice of diffusion cells and analytical procedure in product development must be weighed against the relatively poor reproducibility as observed with the European Pharmacopoeia diffusion cell.

Ngan, Kit Shan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-187). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

M.A. / As compared with psychoanalytic and other psychotherapies, behaviour therapy appears to have three distinct advantages. First of all, the treatment approach is precise. The target behaviours to be modified are specified, the methods to be used are clearly delineated, and the results can be readily evaluated (Marks, 1982). Second, the use of explicit learning principles is a sound basis for effective interventions as a result of their demonstrated scientific validity (Kazdin & Wilson, 1978). Third, the economy of time and costs is quite good. Not surprisingly, then, the overall outcomes achieved with behaviour therapy compare favourably with those of other approaches (Smith, Glass & Miller, 1980). Behaviour therapy usually achieves results in a short period of time because it is generally directed to specific symptoms, leading to faster relief of an individual's distress and to lower financial costs. In addition, more people can be treated by a given therapist.

Eighty-two patients with breast cancer, twenty-seven patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and sixty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis in this study were selected based on voluntary, randomization and double blind grouping criteria. / In nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, the decrease in percentage and the absolute count of T lymphocytes in the TCM group was significantly lower than those in the placebo group. Besides, the decrease of the absolute count of T helper and T suppressor in the TCM group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group (all p < 0.05). The decrease may be due to radiotherapy. However, there was no significant difference in plasma sIL-2R and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2) between the TCM group and the placebo group. / In rheumatoid arthritis patients, there was no significant difference in plasma. C-reactive protein (CRP), in the percentage, absolute count, and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+/NK/B lymphocytes between the TCM group and the placebo group. / Results showed that the absolute count of T helper lymphocytes (CD4+), the ratio of T helper lymphocytes (CD4+)/T suppressor and cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+), and the percentage and the absolute count of B lymphocytes were significantly elevated in the patients with breast cancer after taking Yunzhi-Danshen capsules, while plasma soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) concentration was significantly decreased (all p < 0.05). / This study shows that the selected traditional Chinese medicine have determinable immunomodulatory effects in patients with cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat chronic diseases and tumor allegedly by immunomodulatory mechanisms. Breast cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer are prevalent carcinoma diseases in Hong Kong. The immune system of such patients could be adversely affected during the course of conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the joints. The aim of this study was to assess the immunomodulatory effects of TCM Yunzhi-Danshen in auxiliary treatment of both kinds of cancer patients, and Lingzhi (Ganoderma Lucidum)-San Miao San ( Atractylodes lancea, Phellodendron amurense and Achyranthes bidentata B1) in supplementation treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. / by Bao Yixi. / "July 2005." / Adviser: Wai-Kei Lam. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0166. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-167). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.