A Comparative Evaluation of Mono-, Di- and Triglyceride of Medium Chain Fatty Acids by Lipid/Surfactant/Water Phase Diagram, Solubility Determination and Dispersion Testing for Application in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form Development

Purpose To compare physiochemical properties of mono-, diand triglycerides of medium chain fatty acids for development of oral pharmaceutical dosage forms of poorly water-soluble drugs using phase diagrams, drug solubility, and drug dispersion experiments. Methods Phase diagrams were prepared using a monoglyceride (glycerol monocaprylocaprate: Capmul MCM ® EP), a diglyceride (glycerol dicaprylate) and two triglycerides (glycerol tricaprylate

Age related factors influence HIV testing within subpopulations: a cross sectional survey of MSM within the Celtic nations

Objectives: Despite a recent fall in the incidence of HIV within the UK, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately affected. As biomedical prevention technologies including pre-exposure prophylaxis are increasingly taken up to reduce transmission, the role of HIV testing has become central to the management of risk. Against a background of lower testing rates among older MSM, this study aimed to identify age-related factors influencing recent (≤12 months) HIV testing. Methods: Cross-sectional subpopulation data from an online survey of sexually active MSM in the Celtic nations—Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland (n=2436)—were analysed to compare demographic, behavioural and sociocultural factors influencing HIV testing between MSM aged 16–25 (n=447), 26–45 (n=1092) and ≥46 (n=897). Results: Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that for men aged ≥46, not identifying as gay (OR 0.62, CI 0.41 to 0.95), location (Wales) (OR 0.49, CI 0.32 to 0.76) and scoring higher on the personalised Stigma Scale (OR 0.97, CI 0.94 to 1.00) significantly reduced the odds for HIV testing in the preceding year. Men aged 26–45 who did not identify as gay (OR 0.61, CI 0.41 to 0.92) were also significantly less likely to have recently tested for HIV. For men aged 16–25, not having a degree (OR 0.48, CI 0.29 to 0.79), location (Republic of Ireland) (OR 0.55, CI 0.30 to 1.00) and scoring higher on emotional competence (OR 0.57, CI 0.42 to 0.77) were also significantly associated with not having recently tested for HIV. Conclusion: Key differences in age-related factors influencing HIV testing suggest health improvement interventions should accommodate the wide diversities among MSM populations across the life course. Future research should seek to identify barriers and enablers to HIV testing among the oldest and youngest MSM, with specific focus on education and stigma

Searching for primes in the digits of [pi]

Many people are fascinated by π. Vast amounts of human and computer resources have been spent producing billions of its digits. Similarly, many people are intrigued by primes. How many primes are there within the digits of π? How many can we expect to find? We present the results of some computer searches and develop a theory to predict how many of these primes extensive computer searches are likely to find

Radiation-induced nucleic acid synthesis in L cells under energy deprivation

Radiation induced nucleic acid synthesis in energy deprived L cell

Transplacental haemorrhage and the mode of placental delivery

A study was undertaken to determine whether the incidence and degree of transplacental haemorrhage would be affected by the following methods of placental  delivery: Brandt-Andrew's manoeuvre, spontaneous or natural delivery, and manual removal. A total of 445 patients were studied, 10-1% of whom were found to have had evidence of a clinically significant foeto-maternal haemorrhage. Except for manual removal, foeto-maternal transfer was not affected by the method of handling of the third stage

Horticultural Protocols to Aid the Conservation of Melampyrum sylvaticum, Orobanchaceae (Small Cow-Wheat), an Endangered Hemiparasitic Plant

Small cow-wheat is an annual, hemiparasitic plant that is endangered in the UK. Attempts at restoration have been hampered by a lack of species-specific horticultural knowledge. This paper outlines the methods used to collect, store and germinate small cow-wheat seed, and to cultivate the plant at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The germination rates achieved using two different approaches are reported and the factors potentially influencing germination and establishment success are discussed