Pharmaceutical polymorphism: An investigation using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The study of two pharmaceutically active systems that each display polymorphism has provided a platform upon which to develop and apply solid-state NMR techniques in order to increase the understanding of the solid-state structure of small organic molecules. The multidisciplinary approach adopted has highlighted the advantages of solid-state NMR as a non-invasive probe of molecular conformation and crystallographic packing.Carbon-13 CP/MAS spectra of the two polymorphs of BRL55834 - a fluorinated benzopyran derivative - immediately suggest the presence of one and three molecules in the asymmetric unit. A lack of crystals suitable for single-crystal XRD has catalysed the application of high-power powder X-ray diffraction studies. Subsequent attempts at structure solution using Genetic Algorithm techniques are showing preliminary results that reinforce predictions made from solid-state NMR. Novel triple-channel techniques have aided assignment and resolution of die complex (^13)C CP/MAS spectra. Enrichment of the (^15)N site appears to have resulted in the formation of a new polymorph. Techniques for the analysis of detection Units have been developed using solid-state Raman spectroscopy and chemometric analysis. The aminoxanthine derivative, BRL61063, provides interesting inter-form variations in molecular disorder, solid-state packing, and hydrogen bonding. A previously basic understanding of the single-crystal XRD data has been further evaluated through the course of this Ph.D. and solid-state NMR spectral editing techniques have been developed and applied to identify these phenomena. Recrystallisation studies have produced two samples that appear to exist in an intermediate state between the rigid and mobile structural limits. Temperature variation causes interesting changes in the relaxation characteristics and natural abundance (^15)N and (^13)C CP/MAS spectra. Residual dipolar coupling effects vary in their manifestation within the (^13)C CP/MAS spectra of the polymorphic systems studied and comparison with the literature yields important information regarding molecular conformation. Nitrogen-15 enrichment and operation at higher magnetic field have been applied to reduce these second order effects. Finally, some distance has been travelled along the path towards decoupling (^14)N. Future development of this technique holds potential for resolution enhancement in the solid state spectra of most naturally occurring, nitrogen-containing molecules

Introspection within the organic

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Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that women of childbearing age should adopt a lifestyle optimizing health and reducing risk of birth defects, suboptimal fetal development, and chronic health problems in both mother and child. Components leading to healthy pregnancy outcome include healthy prepregnancy weight, appropriate weight gain and physical activity during pregnancy, consumption of a wide variety of foods, appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation, avoidance of alcohol and other harmful substances, and safe food handling. Pregnancy is a critical period during which maternal nutrition and lifestyle choices are major influences on mother and child health. Inadequate levels of key nutrients during crucial periods of fetal development may lead to reprogramming within fetal tissues, predisposing the infant to chronic conditions in later life. Improving the well‐being of mothers, infants, and children is key to the health of the next generation. This position paper and the accompanying practice paper on the same topic provide registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians, registered; other professional associations; government agencies; industry; and the public with the Academy’s stance on factors determined to influence healthy pregnancy, as well as an overview of best practices in nutrition and healthy lifestyles during pregnancy

Awareness and method of oral health care among people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome attending Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Nigeria

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral health knowledge and oral health seeking behavior among people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWHA) have been found to be very low. The importance of education to improve awareness and oral health practices cannot be overemphasized. The study determined the level of awareness, perceived oral status and practices of oral health care among PLWHA attending Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta (FMCA), Nigeria. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 204 participants using systematic random sampling technique. The self-designed, pre-tested questionnaire was interviewer-administered by trained research assistants in October 2014 for 4 weeks. All research protocols were strictly adhered to. The data were analyzed with SPSS, chisquare, ANOVA, Fischer’s exact test and P value was calculated. RESULTS: Out of 204 patients, 191, predominantly females 100 (52.4%); married 120 (62.8%), participated, with a response rate of 93.6%. The age range was 18-69 years with a mean of 37.64 ± 11.30 years. Oral health awareness was low 47 (24.6%), but 138 (72.3%) were aware of the role of fluoride toothpaste. Awareness on oral health was statistically significant with the level of education (P < 0.050). The majority 189 (99.0%); 168 (88.9%) used toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, respectively, 69 (36.1%) brushed at least twice daily, none used dental floss, 14 (7.3%) had visited the dentist within 6 months, and 123 (64.4%) never received dental care. CONCLUSION: The limited awareness on oral health and its practices can be improved by oral health information and education among the respondents, and further help reduce the severity of some further complications. KEYWORDS: Oral Health, Awareness, Method, PLWH

Validation and examination of the Ohio Youth Assessment System with juvenile sex offenders

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155472/1/capp12464.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155472/2/capp12464_am.pd

Accuracy of physical activity assessment during pregnancy: an observational study

BACKGROUND: Prenatal physical activity may improve maternal and infant health and lower future disease risk for both mother and baby; however, very few physical activity assessment methods have been validated for use during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a subjective physical activity record (PAR) and an objective activity monitor, against a reference standard to quantify moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in pregnant women. The reference standard was based on participant interviews to determine if a woman was an exerciser and confirmed with information obtained from the PAR and a heart rate monitor. METHODS: Fifty-two pregnant women completed a physical activity record (PAR) and wore a SenseWear(® )Mini Armband (SWA) activity monitor over a 7-day period at 18 weeks gestation. Total minutes spent in MVPA were totaled from both modalities and evaluated against the reference standard using contingency analysis and Pearson's chi-square test to evaluate the number of women meeting minimum prenatal physical activity recommendations (at least 3, 30 minute sessions of exercise per week). Both modalities were also tested individually and collectively to assess their ability as indicators of activity using empirically determined cut-offs as indicated by receiver-operator characteristic curves. These experimentally-derived criteria were also tested with Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: According to the reference standard, 13 of 52 participants (25%) met the criterion of 3, 30 minute sessions of volitional, moderate-intensity activity. When compared to the reference standard, both the PAR and SWA overestimated exercise status; 42 (81%) and 52 (100%) participants, respectively, achieved 90 minutes of MVPA (P < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Single-modality predictors of MVPA did not show a significant correlation. A composite predictor of MVPA offered the most favorable option for sensitivity and specificity (true positives, n = 8 and true negatives, n = 36) using cut-offs of 280 and 385 minutes/week for the PAR and SWA, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared to the reference standard, time spent in MVPA obtained from the PAR or SWA overestimated the prevalence of women meeting prenatal exercise recommendations. The most accurate predictor of women meeting current prenatal exercise guidelines was identified by using the PAR and SWA collectively

Constraints on Mars Aphelion Cloud Belt Phase Function and Ice Crystal Geometries

This study constrains the lower bound of the scattering phase function of Martian water ice clouds (WICs) through the implementation of a new observation aboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). The Phase Function Sky Survey (PFSS) was a multiple pointing all-sky observation taken with the navigation cameras (Navcam) aboard MSL. The PFSS was executed 35 times during the Aphelion Cloud Belt (ACB) season of Mars Year 34 over a solar longitude range of L_s=61.4{\deg}-156.5{\deg}. Twenty observations occurred in the morning hours between 06:00 and 09:30 LTST, and 15 runs occurred in the evening hours between 14:30 and 18:00 LTST, with an operationally required 2.5 hour gap on either side of local noon due the sun being located near zenith. The resultant WIC phase function was derived over an observed scattering angle range of 18.3{\deg} to 152.61{\deg}, normalized, and compared with 9 modeled phase functions: seven ice crystal habits and two Martian WIC phase functions currently being implemented in models. Through statistical chi-squared probability tests, the five most probable ice crystal geometries observed in the ACB WICs were aggregates, hexagonal solid columns, hollow columns, plates, and bullet rosettes with p-values greater than or equal to 0.60, 0.57,0.56,0.56, and 0.55, respectively. Droxtals and spheres had p-values of 0.35, and 0.2, making them less probable components of Martian WICs, but still statistically possible ones. Having a better understanding of the ice crystal habit and phase function of Martian water ice clouds directly benefits Martian climate models which currently assume spherical and cylindrical particles.Comment: Accepted Manuscript by Planetary and Space Scienc

Ethnic and Immigration Status Differences on Child Indicators of Health for European Americans and Latinos

This study examined the effects of ethnicity and immigration status on subjective and objective health (Body Mass Index; BMI) for Latino and European American children. Social identity and comparison theories were used to frame the investigation. Southern California parents were randomly selected to complete a telephone interview about their children’s health yielding a sample of 165 European American and 152 Latino participants. Compared to European Americans, Latinos evidenced poorer subjective and objective health. Latino children who had a caregiver who was a citizen had better subjective health than Latino children whose caregiver was not a citizen. BMI was correlated with subjective health for European American children but not for Latinos. Our findings add to the literature on the Latino Paradox and the healthy immigrant effect, specifically as it relates to children

Exploring the Latino Paradox: How Economic and Citizenship Status Impact Health

We examined the contributions of economic status (ES) and citizenship status to health differences between European Americans, Latino Americans, and non-citizen Latinos. The investigation was framed using social identity and comparison theories. Southern California residents (N = 2164) were randomly selected to complete a telephone interview. Increases in ES predicted health improvements for European Americans across ES levels. For Latino citizens and non-citizens, ES improvements had no effect on objective health. For subjective health, the Latino paradox existed at the lowest ES level for Latino Americans, and did not exist for non-citizens. For objective health, the paradox existed in both Latino groups at low ES, and additionally for Latino Americans at mid ES. Our findings suggest that compared to Latinos, improvements in ES have a stronger positive impact on the health of European Americans, which is likely due to the social comparisons being made by each cultural group