The ammonium bromomercurates(II) (NH4)Hg5Br11 and (NH4)(4)HgBr6

The crystal structures of two ammonium bromomercurates(II), (NH4)Hg5Br11 (1) and (NH4)(4)HgBr6 (2), were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: 1: monoclinic, C2/m (no. 12), a = 1231.3(3), b = 1517.4(3), c = 680.4(2) pm, beta = 118.78(2)degrees, Z = 2, R-1 = 0.0391 for I-0 > 2 sigma(I-0); 2: tetragonal, P4/mnc (no. 128), a = 925.6(1), c = 887.2(1) pm, Z = 2, R-1 = 0.0370 for I(0 >)2a(I-0). According to (NH4)Br[HgBr2](5) and (NH4)(4)Br-4[HgBr2] they both contain [Br-Hg-Br] molecules. Additional bromide ions are only loosely attached to the mercury atoms, however involved in (NH4)(+)-Br- bonding.

Development and validation of a method for the confirmation of nicarbazin in chicken liver and eggs using LC-electrospray MS-MS according to the revised EU criteria for veterinary drug residue analysis

A method is described for the quantitative confirmation of 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), the marker residue for nicarbazin in chicken liver and eggs. The method is based on LC coupled to negative ion electrospray MS-MS of tissue extracts prepared by liquid-liquid extraction. The [M-H](-) ion at m/z 301 is monitored along with two transition ions at m/z 137 and 107 for DNC and the [M-H](-) ion at m/z 309 for the internal standard, d(8)-DNC. The method has been validated according to the new EU criteria for the analysis of veterinary drug residues at 100, 200 and 300 mug kg(-1) in liver and at 10, 30 and 100 mug kg(-1) in eggs. Difficulties concerning the application of the new analytical limits, namely the decision limit (CC) and the detection capability (CC) to the determination of DNC in both liver and eggs are discussed.

The relationship between BMI and the prescription of anti-obesity medication according to social factors: a population cross sectional study

Background: Obesity is a global public health problem. There are a range of treatments available with varying short and long term success rates. One option is the use of anti-obesity medication the prescription of which has increased dramatically in recent years. Despite this, little is known about the individual and GP practice factors that influence the prescription of anti-obesity medication. Methods: Multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with the prescription of anti-obesity medication in Northern Ireland using a population primary care prescribing database (~1.5 million people aged 16+ years) during 2009/10. Results: While 25.0% of people are obese, only 1.3% (2.1% of females, 0.6% of males) received anti-obesity medication. The relationship between medication rates and age differed by gender (P < 0.001) with prescriptions higher in younger females and older males. Prescribing of anti-obesity medication reflected obesity prevalence across urban/rural areas and deprivation. There was an unexplained two-fold difference, between the 25th and 75th percentile, in the GP practice prescription of anti-obesity medication. Conclusions: There is evidence of relative under-prescribing in males compared to females despite a similar prevalence of obesity. While the prevalence (and presumably the health consequences) of obesity worsens with age, younger females are more likely to be prescribed anti-obesity medication. This suggests an element of patient demand. Educational material to improve the understanding of the role of anti-obesity medication, for patients and practitioners, is recommended. But further study is needed to understand the factors responsible for the variation in prescribing between GP practices.