Interferences from titanium and zirconium during calcium determination by flame spectrometry

Titration methods based on an inhibition effect were used to investigate the interferences from Ti and Zr in the determination of Ca by atomic absorption and flame emission spectrometry using an air–acetylene flame. Changes either in the absorption or emission signal of Ca was continuously registered on a computer display and characteristic titration curves were obtained. The mole ratios between Ti or Zr and Ca at characteristic points on titration curves were used to explain the quantitative changes occurring in the solution being titrated and aspirated into the flame. In order to investigate procedures for eliminating these interferences, a method of atomic absorption inhibition release titration was used. For this purpose, a solution of La, as a releasing agent with a very low Ca concentration, used as an indicator, was continuously titrated with the solution of Ti as inhibitor. A comparative study of the activity of Ba, Sr and La as releasing agents was investigated during titration of Ca with Zr solution. Based on the calculated mole ratios between Zr and Ba, Sr or La, the effectiveness of these agents in eliminating the interferences was determined. Possible reactions occurring during evaporation of the aerosol in the air–acetylene flame are represented by chemical equations

The Knowledge About Celiac Disease Among Healthcare Professionals and Patients in Central Europe

OBJECTIVES: Celiac disease (CD) remains undiagnosed for a long time in many adult and pediatric patients. We assessed the knowledge about CD among healthcare professionals (HCPs) and CD patients in Central Europe (CE). METHODS: HCPs and CD patients from 5 CE countries were asked to complete the web-based questionnaire about CD. The questions were divided into subsections on epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up. Achieved scores of different specialists managing patients with CD were compared and regional differences in patients' knowledge were analyzed. RESULTS: Questionnaire was completed by 1381 HCPs and 2262 CD patients or their caregivers from Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia. Mean score achieved by HCPs was 50.9%, and by CD patients 56.4%. Pediatric gastroenterologists scored the highest (69.4%; P\u200a<\u200a0.001). There were significant differences in knowledge of patients from different CE regions with German participants scoring the highest (58.3%). Members of CD societies scored higher compared with nonmembers (mean score 58% vs 53.2%; P\u200a<\u200a0.001) and patients diagnosed less than 5 years ago scored higher compared with those diagnosed more than 10 years ago (mean score 57.3% vs 54.6%; P\u200a<\u200a0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about CD among HCPs and CD patients is not satisfactory. Further awareness-raising and learning activities are needed to improve HCPs' knowledge and to minimize the number of unrecognized patients and unnecessary diagnostic delays. Patients should be better informed about their disease to reach higher compliance with the gluten-free diet