Seasonal Variation by Race in the Male-to-Female Ratio at Birth in the United States

ABSTRACT Objective: In humans, males' births exceed females' births. This ratio is conventionally referred to as M/F and is used to denote male births divided by total births. This ratio is influenced by a large number of factors and has been shown to exhibit seasonality. This study was carried out in order to ascertain whether seasonal variation in M/F exists in the United States of America and whether such variations are influenced by race. Materials and Methods: Data on births by gender and race from 2003 to 2013 were obtained from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Wonder section as four races: White, Black/African American, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native. ANOVA and ARIMA tests were carried out. Results: This study analysed 45 103 146 live births (M/F 0.51182) over 2003 to 2013. M/F was highest in Asian/Pacific Islander (p < < 0.0001), followed by White (p = 0.002), American Indian/Alaska Native (p = 0.04) and Black/African American. Significant seasonality was present overall, with a peak in June, for Whites more than Black/African American. Conclusion: Parental stress lowers M/F, and lower M/F found in Black/African and American Indian/Alaskan births may be stress related. The dampened seasonality noted in Black/African American births may also be due to this phenomenon. More males were born in spring, as in other species, with interesting inter-racial differences.

Formulation and evaluation of novel mucoadhesive ketorolac tromethamine liquid suppository

Ketorolac tromethamine (KT) loaded mucoadhesive liquid suppository was prepared as a site-specific mucoadhesive rectal dosage form. Poloxamer mixture formed of 21P407 and 9P188 were used as liquid suppository base. In-vitro release rate of KT from liquid suppository was studied and compared to that from conventional suppository. The safety of the prepared suppository on GIT was conducted; hepatotoxicity of KT after 5 days of administration of liquid suppository was evaluated histologically and biochemically. The levels of liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate amino transferase (AST); alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were used as the biochemical markers of liver damage. The results obtained revealed that the addition of KT increased the gelation temperature of poloxamer gel and reduced the gel strength and the mucoadhesive force. The study of the release rate of KT from liquid suppository was significantly higher than from conventional suppositories. Histological pictures of the GI tissues indicated no pathological damage after 5 days of rectal administration compared to oral administration. Also; it was revealed that no hepato-cellular damage occurred after administration of liquid suppository; unlike oral administration; which produced certain hepato-toxicity. The administration of KT liquid suppository did not significantly increase the basic levels of ALT and AST when compared to the control. On the other hand; the administration of KT oral solution in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 5 days significantly increased serum ALT and AST levels; thus; KT liquid suppository in poloxamer gel was a convenient; safe and effective rectal dosage form for administration with lower hepato-toxic effect