DSpace Collection:

Knowledge and perceptions of community patients about generic medicines

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Title: Knowledge and perceptions of community patients about generic medicines Author: Ibrahim, Rafie; McKinnon, Ross Allan; Ngo, Suong Ngoc Thi Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients’ knowledge and perceptions about generic medicines are extremely important for promoting generic substitution. Few studies have investigated patients’ acceptance or understanding of generic medicines. AIM: To explore knowledge and perceptions of community patients about generic medicines. METHOD: A self-administered anonymous survey was completed by patients presenting at 1 of 18 community pharmacies in Adelaide, South Australia. The questionnaire comprised items on: demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, self-rated health status), safety, effi cacy, cost and value of generic medicines, and patients’ willingness to use these. RESULTS: 503 patients completed the survey – 51% females and 49% males. 60% of patients were on more than one prescription medication. 67% of patients rarely asked for a generic medicine when their prescriptions were being fi lled. Around 47% of patients believed that they needed more information on the difference between generic and brandname medicines. Around 81% of patients knew that generic medicines were less expensive than brand-name medicines; and 51% believed generic medicines offered better value. When asked whether ‘they would rather take generic medicines than brand-name medicines’ – about 30% indicated they would, 25% would not, 40% were neutral and 5% did not provide an answer. Younger patients (55 years or less) asked for generic medicines more often than older patients (over 55 years) (p < 0.05). There were no other signifi cant differences. CONCLUSION: Most patients had some knowledge about generic medicines. However, many were unsure if they preferred generic to brand-name medicines or brand-name to generic medicines.

A longitudinal study of mastitis on an experimental farm with two herds, one managed organically, the other conventionally

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:30:00 GMT

Title: A longitudinal study of mastitis on an experimental farm with two herds, one managed organically, the other conventionally Author: Thatcher, Aimee; Petrovski, Kiro Risto; Holmes, C.; Dowson, K.; Kelly, T.; McLeod, K. Abstract: Mastitis in two herds managed as a comparison between organic and conventional dairy farming systems was monitored for 4 years utilising regular bacterial culture of milk samples, individual and bulk somatic cell counts and observation by farm staff. The objective was to develop strategies for the control of mastitis in organic cows without the use of antibiotics. The herds showed differences in clinical mastitis incidence, subclinical mastitis prevalence and bulk milk somatic cell count. Despite these differences, the level of mastitis in the organic herd remained manageable.

Maize evapotranspiration and water-use efficiency in response to row spacing

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Title: Maize evapotranspiration and water-use efficiency in response to row spacing Author: Barbieri, P.; Echarte, L.; Della Maggiora, A.; Sadras, Victor Oscar; Echeverria, H.; Andrade, Fernando H. Abstract: Reduced row spacing has shown to increase maize (Zea mays L.) yield; however there are conflicting results on whether narrow rows increases maize crop evapotranspiration and/or water use efficiency. This work analyzes the response of maize yield, crop evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency to reduced row spacing under different water and N regimes. Maize crops were grown at Balcarce, Argentina, during two seasons. Treatments included two water regimes (rain-fed and irrigated), two rows spacing (35 and 70 cm) and two rates of N (i.e., 180 kg N ha−1 or nonfertilized). Soil water content was measured through the growing seasons using a neutron probe, grain yield and shoot dry matter were determined at physiological maturity. Grain yield response to narrow rows ranged from 0 to 23%; it was higher for water limited (i.e., rain-fed crops) and/or N deficient crops (i.e., nonfertilized crops) and lower for crops with high N fertilization and irrigation. Narrow rows consistently increased (8%) crop ET during the initial stages of crop growth; and N fertilization did not influence ET response to reduced row spacing during this period. Initial differences in ET between row spacing treatments were diluted as the season progressed, and seasonal crop ET was not influenced by row spacing. Reduced row spacing increased water use efficiency for grain production up to 17%; increments were larger in N deficient crops and/or with water limitations but were negligible in N fertilized and irrigated crops.

Intestinal microbiota associated with differential feed conversion efficiency in chickens

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Title: Intestinal microbiota associated with differential feed conversion efficiency in chickens Author: Stanley, D.; Denman, Stuart E.; Hughes, Robert James; Geier, Mark Steven; Crowley, Tamsyn; Chen, Honglei; Haring, V. R.; Moore, Robert J.