Operating manual for the RRL 8 channel data logger

A data collection device which takes measurements from external sensors at user specified time intervals is described. Three sensor ports are dedicated to temperature, air pressure, and dew point. Five general purpose sensor ports are provided. The user specifies when the measurements are recorded as well as when the information is read or stored in a minicomputer or a paper tape

Observation of highly decoupled conductivity in protic ionic conductors

YesIonic liquids (ILs) are key materials for the development of a wide range of emerging technologies. Protic ionic liquids, an important class of ILs, have long been envisioned as promising anhydrous electrolytes for fuel cells. It is well known that in comparison to all other cations, protons exhibit abnormally high conductivity in water. Such superprotonic dynamics was expected in protic ionic conductors as well. However, many years of extensive studies led to the disappointing conclusion that this is not the case and most protic ionic liquids display subionic behavior. Therefore, the relatively low conductivity seems to be the main obstacle for the application of protic ionic liquids in fuel cells. Using dielectric spectroscopy, herein we report the observation of highly decoupled conductivity in a newly synthesized protic ionic conductor. We show that its proton transport is strongly decoupled from the structural relaxation, in terms of both temperature dependence and characteristic rates. This finding offers a fresh look on the charge transport mechanism in PILs and also provides new ideas for design of anhydrous materials with exceptionally high proton conductivity.National Science Centre within the framework of the Opus project (Grant No. DEC 2011/03/B/ST3/02072). Financial assistance from FNP START. The LDRD Program of ORNL, managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. DOE. Support from the NSF under grant CHE-1213444

Heat induced evaporative antisolvent nanoprecipitation (HIEAN) of itraconazole

YesItraconazole (ITR) is an antifungal drug with a limited bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. In this study, ITR was used to investigate the impact of nanonisation and solid state change on drug’s apparent solubility and dissolution. A bottom up approach to the production of amorphous ITR nanoparticles (NPs), composed of 100% drug, with a particle diameter below 250 nm, using heat induced evaporative antisolvent nanoprecipitation (HIEAN) from acetone was developed. The NPs demonstrated improved solubility and dissolution in simulated gastrointestinal conditions when compared to amorphous ITR microparticles. NPs produced with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or its methoxylated derivative (MPEG) as a stabiliser enabled the production of smaller NPs with narrower particle size distribution and enhanced apparent solubility. MPEG stabilised NPs gave the greatest ITR supersaturation levels (up to 11.6 ± 0.5 μg/ml) in simulated gastric fluids. The stabilising polymer was in an amorphous state. Dynamic vapour sorption data indicated no solid state changes in NP samples with water vapour at 25 °C, while crystallisation was apparent at 50 °C. HIEAN proved to be an efficient method of production of amorphous ITR NPs, with or without addition of a polymeric stabiliser, with enhanced pharmaceutical properties.Libyan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the Libyan Embassy, London and supported by the Science Foundation Ireland under Grant No. 12/RC/2275 (Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceuticals Centre)

Impact of process variables on the micromeritic and physicochemical properties of spray-dried microparticles, part II: physicochemical characterisation of spray-dried materials

YesObjectives  In this work we investigated the residual organic solvent content and physicochemical properties of spray-dried chlorothiazide sodium (CTZNa) and potassium (CTZK) salts. Methods  The powders were characterised by thermal, X-ray diffraction, infrared and dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) analyses. Solvent levels were investigated by Karl–Fischer titration and gas chromatography. Key findings  Spray-drying from water, methanol (MeOH) and mixes of MeOH and butyl acetate (BA) resulted in amorphous microparticles. The glass transition temperatures of CTZNa and CTZK were ∼192 and ∼159°C, respectively. These materials retained their amorphous nature when stored at 25°C in dry conditions for at least 6 months with no chemical decomposition observed. DVS determined the critical relative humidity of recrystallisation of CTZNa and CTZK to be 57% RH and 58% RH, respectively. The inlet temperature dependant oxidation of MeOH to formaldehyde was observed; the formaldehyde was seen to deposit within the amorphous matrix of spray-dried product. Spray-drying in the open blowing mode coupled with secondary drying resulted in a three-fold reduction in residual BA (below pharmacopoeial permitted daily exposure limit) compared to spray-drying in the closed mode. Conclusions  Experiments showed that recirculation of recovered drying gas increases the risk of deposition of residual solvents in the spray-dried product.The Irish Research Council for Science and Engineering Technology (IRCSET), the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster (SSPC), supported by Science Foundation Ireland under grant number (07/SRC/B1158) and the Irish Drug Delivery Research Network, a Strategic Research Cluster grant (07/SRC/B1154) under the National Development Plan co-funded by EU Structural Funds and Science Foundation Ireland

Impact of alternative solid state forms and specific surface area of high-dose, hydrophilic active pharmaceutical ingredients on tabletability

YesIn order to investigate the effect of using different solid state forms and specific surface area (TBET) of active pharmaceutical ingredients on tabletability and dissolution performance, the mono- and dihydrated crystalline forms of chlorothiazide sodium and chlorothiazide potassium (CTZK) salts were compared to alternative anhydrous and amorphous forms, as well as to amorphous microparticles of chlorothiazide sodium and potassium which were produced by spray drying and had a large specific surface area. The tablet hardness and tensile strength, porosity, and specific surface area of single-component, convex tablets prepared at different compression pressures were characterized. Results confirmed the complexity of the compressibility mechanisms. In general it may be concluded that factors such as solid-state form (crystalline vs amorphous), type of hydration (presence of interstitial molecules of water, dehydrates), or specific surface area of the material have a direct impact on the tabletability of the powder. It was observed that, for powders of the same solid state form, those with a larger specific surface area compacted well, and better than powders of a lower surface area, even at relatively low compression pressures. Compacts prepared at lower compression pressures from high surface area porous microparticles presented the shortest times to dissolve, when compared with compacts made of equivalent materials, which had to be compressed at higher compression pressures in order to obtain satisfactory compacts. Therefore, materials composed of nanoparticulate microparticles (NPMPs) may be considered as suitable for direct compaction and possibly for inclusion in tablet formulations as bulking agents, APIs, carriers, or binders due to their good compactibility performanceSolid State Pharmaceutical Cluster (SSPC), supported by Science Foundation Ireland under Grant No. 07/SRC/B1158

Molecular dynamics and physical stability of amorphous nimesulide drug and its binary drug-polymer systems

yesIn this paper we study the effectiveness of three well known polymers: inulin, Soluplus and PVP in stabilizing amorphous form of nimesulide (NMS) drug. The re-crystallization tendency of pure drug as well as measured drug-polymer systems were examined at isothermal conditions by using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), and at non-isothermal conditions by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Our investigation has shown that the crystallization half-life time of pure NMS at 328 K is equal to 33 minutes. We found that this time can be prolonged to 40 years after adding to NMS 20% of PVP polymer. This polymer proved to be the best NMS’s stabilizer, while the worst stabilization effect was found after adding the inulin to NMS. Additionally, our DSC, BDS and FTIR studies indicate that for suppression of NMS’s re-crystallization in NMS-PVP system, the two mechanisms are responsible: the polymeric steric hindrances as well as the antiplastization effect excerted by the excipient.The authors J.K., Z.W., K.G. and M.P., are grateful for the financial support received within the Project No. 2015/16/W/NZ7/00404 (SYMFONIA 3) from the National Science Centre, Poland. H.M. and L.T. are supported by Science Foundation Ireland under grant No. 12/RC/2275 (Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceuticals Centre)

Ocena skuteczności leczenia hipotensyjnego pacjentów z nadciśnieniem tętniczym i chorobą niedokrwienną serca lub ekwiwalentem wieńcowym

Introduction. Arterial hypertension (AH) is a well-known cardiovascular risk factor. Currently, in Poland, approximately 32% of adults suffer from AH, and only 26% of them are treated successfully. The study aims to determine the incidence of atherosclerosis risk factors and their influence on the effectiveness of hypotensive treatment in the population of patients with AH and coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD) or coronary equivalent. Material and methods. The study included 204 adults. The inclusion criteria were: diagnosis of AH with coexisting a diagnosis of CAD (138 people) or coronary equivalent defined as high (≥ 5%) atherosclerosis-related risk of death in 10-year prognosis, estimated using the EURO SCORE scale (66 people). During observation, pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments were modified according to the current AH treating standards. After 6 months of observation, the effectiveness of AH control was assessed. Results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that main factors affecting poor blood pressure control after six months of observation were: obesity, age > 65 years, LDL cholesterol level > 130 mg/dL. Moreover, systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mmHg was more frequent in patients with diabetes mellitus. After six months of therapy, good control of SBP was found in 42.7% of patients and normal values of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) — in 65.2 % of patients. Conclusion. Independent risk factors for poor control of blood pressure were: high level of LDL-cholesterol, age > 65 years and female sex. Paradoxically, diabetes was not a risk factor for poor control of hypertension. The introduction of combined hypotensive and lipid-lowering drugs should contribute to a better control of hypertension in Poland.Wstęp. Nadciśnienie tętnicze (AH) jest uznanym czynnikiem ryzyka schorzeń układu sercowo-naczyniowego. Obecnie 32% Polaków ma stwierdzone nadciśnienie tętnicze, z czego tylko 26% jest skutecznie leczonych. Celem pracy było określenie częstości występowania czynników ryzyka miażdżycy i ich wpływu na skuteczność leczenia hipotensyjnego w populacji pacjentów z AH i współistniejącą chorobą niedokrwienną serca (CAD) lub ekwiwalentem wieńcowym. Materiał i metody. Kryterium włączenia do badania dla 204 osób stanowiło rozpoznanie HA (204 osoby), rozpoznanie CAD (138 osób) lub obecność ekwiwalentu wieńcowego rozumianego jako wysokie (≥ 5%) ryzyko zgonu z powodu miażdżycy w ciągu najbliższych 10 lat, szacowane według skali oceny ryzyka SCORE (66 osób). W czasie obserwacji modyfikowano postępowanie niefarmakologiczne i farmakologiczne zgodnie z obowiązującymi standardami leczenia AH, ponownie oceniając uzyskaną skuteczność kontroli AH po 6 miesiącach. Wyniki. Analiza wieloczynnikowa wykazała, że niezależnymi czynnikami wpływającymi na brak prawidłowej kontroli wartości ciśnienia tętniczego po 6 miesiącach były: otyłość, wiek > 65 lat, stężenie cholesterolu frakcji LDL > 130 mg/dl. Wykazano również, że pacjenci z cukrzycą łatwiej osiągali wartości skurczowego ciśnienia tętniczego (SBP) < 140 mm Hg. Po 6 miesiącach terapii zadowalającą kontrolę SBP odnotowano u 42,7%, a rozkurczowego ciśnienia tętniczego u 65,2% pacjentów. Wnioski. Niezależnymi czynnikami ryzyka braku prawidłowej kontroli wartości ciśnienia tętniczego były: podwyższone stężenia cholesterolu frakcji LDL, otyłość, wiek > 65 lat i płeć żeńska. Paradoksalnie, cukrzyca nie była czynnikiem zwiększającym ryzyko nieprawidłowej kontroli wartości ciśnienia tętniczego. Wprowadzenie skojarzonych preparatów hipotensyjno-hipolipemizujących powinno w szczególny sposób przyczynić się do lepszej kontroli nadciśnienia tętniczego w Polsce