AGRICULTURAL ANALYSIS BY PLASMA EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY WITH SLURRY ATOMISATION

The three electrode direct current plasma (DCP), has been investigated for the analysis of samples introduced using aqueous solution nebulisation, hydride generation and slurry atomisation. For aqueous solutions, simplex optimisation with signal to background ratio as the criterion of merit, vertical viewing position was found to be most critical. A continuous-flow hydride generator was interfaced to the DCP via a modified sample introduction chimney. Optimisation indicated that total sample introduction gas flow rates were essentially similar to those for conventional nebulisation and that vertical viewing position was again critical. Generation conditions for lead hydride were also simplex optimised. Acid, sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide concentration were all found to be critical. Detection limits for hydride generation were: As 4 ng cmˉ³, Se 4 ng cmˉ³, Pb 10 ng cmˉ³. Arsenic and selenium were accurately determined in various reference materials. The determination of Mg in aqueous slurries of kaolin was optimised using the Mg(II) 279.079 nm line and conventional sample introduction. Vertical viewing position was again critical with the optimum on the boundary of the analytical zone and over the plasma core. A reduction of emission intensity at high slurry concentrations (> 12%), was observed. Particle size was the most important parameter in slurry atomisation, < 5 µm being preferred. Soils, milk, plant materials and sewage sludges were successfully analysed by slurry atomisation. Where necessary, particle size was reduced using simple grinding procedures. For fibrous materials, prior matrix carbonisation was advantageous. Results obtained using these procedures and simple aqueous calibration showed excellent agreement with certified values of reference materials. Electron number density (ne), excitation temperature (Texc) and ionisation temperature (Tion), were measured for two series of kaolin slurries, (1-20% m/V), one containing 5 g 1ˉ¹ lithium as enhancement buffer. For the slurries containing added lithium, Texc and ne were found to be reduced with increasing slurry concentration. Observed decreases in analyte emission with increased sample loadings (> 12%), are considered to be consistent with proposed excitation models.Agricultural Development Advisory Service, Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristo

Assignment of the Human and Mouse Prion Protein Genes to Homologous Chromosomes

Purified preparations of scrapie prions contain one major macromolecule, designated prion protein (PrP). Genes encoding PrP are found in normal animals and humans but not within the infectious particles. The PrP gene was assigned to human chromosome 20 and the corresponding mouse chromosome 2 using somatic cell hybrids. In situ hybridization studies mapped the human PrP gene to band 20p12→pter. Our results should lead to studies of genetic loci syntenic with the PrP gene, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases or other degenerative neurologic disorders

Safety and physiological effects of two different doses of elosulfase alfa in patients with morquio a syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, pilot study.

The primary treatment outcomes of a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, pilot study evaluating safety, physiological, and pharmacological effects of elosulfase alfa in patients with Morquio A syndrome are herewith presented. Patients aged ≥7 years and able to walk ≥200 m in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) were randomized to elosulfase alfa 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg/week for 27 weeks. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety of both doses. Secondary objectives were to evaluate effects on endurance (6MWT and 3-min stair climb test [3MSCT]), exercise capacity (cardio-pulmonary exercise test [CPET]), respiratory function, muscle strength, cardiac function, pain, and urine keratan sulfate (uKS) levels, and to determine pharmacokinetic parameters. Twenty-five patients were enrolled (15 randomized to 2.0 mg/kg/week and 10 to 4.0 mg/kg/week). No new or unexpected safety signals were observed. After 24 weeks, there were no improvements versus baseline in the 6MWT, yet numerical improvements were seen in the 3MSCT with 4.0 mg/kg/week. uKS and pharmacokinetic data suggested no linear relationship over the 2.0-4.0 mg/kg dose range. Overall, an abnormal exercise capacity (evaluated in 10 and 5 patients in the 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg/week groups, respectively), impaired muscle strength, and considerable pain were observed at baseline, and there were trends towards improvements in all domains after treatment. In conclusion, preliminary data of this small study in a Morquio A population with relatively good endurance confirmed the acceptable safety profile of elosulfase alfa and showed a trend of increased exercise capacity and muscle strength and decreased pain

Thermal Expansion of Carbamazepine:Systematic Crystallographic Measurements Challenge Quantum Chemical Calculations

We report systematic temperature-dependent X-ray measurements on the most stable carbamazepine polymorph. This active pharmaceutical ingredient is used to demonstrate how the thermal expansion can probe certain intermolecular interactions resulting in anisotropic expansion behavior. We show that most structural features can be captured by electronic structure calculations at the quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA) provided a dispersion-corrected density functional based method is employed. The impact of thermal expansion on the phonon modes and hence free energy contributions is large enough to impact the relative stability of different polymorphs

Lamotrigine ethanol monosolvate

Lamotrigine is an active pharmaceutical ingredient used as a treatment for epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. Single crystals of an ethanolate solvate, C9H7Cl2N5·C2H5OH, were produced by slow evaporation of a saturated solution from anhydrous ethanol. Within the crystal structure, the lamotrigine molecules form dimers through N—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the amine N atoms in the ortho position of the triazine group. These dimers are linked into a tape motif through hydrogen bonds involving the amine N atoms in the para position. The ethanol and lamotrigine are present in a 1:1 ratio in the lattice with the ethyl group of the ethanol molecule exhibiting disorder with an occupancy ratio of 0.516 (14):0.484 (14)

Midwives Understanding of Physical Activity Guidelines During Pregnancy

Objective to examine the current level of understanding held by midwives regarding the NICE physical activity guidelines in the UK, and to investigate the physical activity guidance given to women during pregnancy. Design an 11 question online survey comprising of a mixture of closed and open ended questions. Setting data reflects participants sampled across the United Kingdom. Participants fifty-nine midwives completed the online survey Measurements and findings an electronic survey was used to explore the midwives understanding of physical activity guidelines during pregnancy, and the advice they offered to women in their care. Qualitative content analysis was used to gain a more in-depth understanding of midwife knowledge. Two per cent of midwives correctly identified the physical activity guidelines, with 44 giving partially correct responses, 25 giving incorrect responses and 29 unsure of what the guidelines are. Despite the low level of correct responses, 59 of respondents reported they were confident or very confident in answering questions regarding physical activity. Only 4 of respondents reported having access to continual professional development (CPD) in the area of PA guidance. Key conclusions there appears to be a misplaced confidence amongst midwives in their knowledge of the NICE PA guidelines for pregnancy. Implications for practice as physical inactivity can be detrimental for the health of both mother and baby, there is a clear need for better dissemination of the current and future NICE physical activity guidelines in primary health care settings. The current study determined a substantial lack of CPD in the area of PA guidance, which may be a contributing factor to the lack of knowledge of the guidelines. As such, increasing CPD may in turn improve the accuracy of the advice given to pregnant women and consequently benefit the health of both mother and baby. © 2018 Elsevier Lt