In Vitro Ultrasound Influence on Cutaneous Permeation of Hyaluronidase

In vitro skin permeation of hyaluronidase enzyme and the ultrasound (US) effects on cutaneous permeation of this enzyme were investigated. Diffusion cell technique, porcine skins, buffer solution, and a hydrophilic gel+hyaluronidase (100 TUR/g), were used for study. The experimental groups were: gel+enzyme and gel+enzyme+US. The activity of permeated hyaluronidase was determined by turbydimetric method in spectrophotometer at 400nm. Gel+enzyme group permitted a diffusion of 26.89 +/- 3.82 TUR of hyaluronidase in the total time of 240 minutes. However, the other group did not produce significant differences (p0.05) in the same period (13.68 +/- 5.35 TUR). Hyaluronidase permeation through the skin was verified; however US did not cause increase of this enzyme permeation.

Development and Validation of Stability-Indicating HPLC Methods for Quantitative Determination of Pravastatin, Fluvastatin, Atorvastatin, and Rosuvastatin in Pharmaceuticals

High-performance liquid-chromatographic (HPLC) methods were validated for determination of pravastatin sodium (PS), fluvastatin sodium (FVS), atorvastatin calcium (ATC), and rosuvastatin calcium (RC) in pharmaceuticals. Two stability-indicating HPLC methods were developed with a small change (10%) in the composition of the organic modifier in the mobile phase. The HPLC method for each statin was validated using isocratic elution. An RP-18 column was used with mobile phases consisting of methanol-water (60:40, v/v, for PS and RC and 70:30, v/v, for FVS and ATC). The pH of each mobile phase was adjusted to 3.0 with orthophosphoric acid, and the flow rate was 1.0mL/min. Calibration plots showed correlation coefficients (r)0.999, which were calculated by the least square method. The detection limit (DL) and quantitation limit (QL) were 1.22 and 3.08 mu g/mL for PS, 2.02 and 6.12 mu g/mL for FVS, 0.44 and 1.34 mu g/mL for ATC, and 1.55 and 4.70 mu g/mL for RC. Intraday and interday relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 2.0%. The methods were applied successfully for quantitative determination of statins in pharmaceuticals.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of functionalized 1,3-enynes by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of alpha-styrylbutyltelluride with alkynyltrifluoroborate salts

An ultrasound-assisted synthesis of functionalized 1,3-enyne scaffolds is described and illustrated by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of potassium alkynyltrifluoroborate salts and alpha-styrylbutyltellurides. This procedure offers easy access to 1,3-enyne architecture that contains aliphatic and aromatic groups in good to excellent yields.

Quantitative Determination of Amlodipine Besylate in Tablets by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and UV Spectrophotometry

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate analytical methods for determination of amlodipine besylate in tablets. Simple, accurate and precise liquid chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods are proposed. For the chromatographic method, the conditions were: a LiChrospher (R) 100 RP-18 Merck (R) (125 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 mu m) column; methanol/water containing 1 % of trietylamine adjusted to pH 5.0 with phosphoric acid (35:65) as mobile phase; a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and UV detector at 238 nm. Linearity was in the range of 50.0 - 350.0 mu g/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.9999. For the spectrophotometric method, the first dilutions of samples were performed in methanol and the consecutives in ultrapure water. The quantitation was made at 364.4 nm. Linearity was determined within the range of 41.0 - 61.0 mu g/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.9996. Our results demonstrate that both methods can be used in routine analysis for quality control of tablets containing amlodipine besylate.

Mercury speciation in seafood samples by LC-ICP-MS with a rapid ultrasound-assisted extraction procedure: Application to the determination of mercury in Brazilian seafood samples

This paper describes a simple method for mercury speciation in seafood samples by LC-ICP-MS with a fast sample preparation procedure. Prior to analysis, mercury species were extracted from food samples with a solution containing mercaptoethanol, L-cysteine and HCl and sonication for 15 min. Separation of mercury species was accomplished in less than 5 min on a C8 reverse phase column with a mobile phase containing 0.05%-v/v mercaptoethanol, 0.4% m/v L-cysteine and 0.06 mol L(-1) ammonium acetate. The method detection limits were found to be 0.25, 0.20 and 0.1 ng g(-1) for inorganic mercury, ethylmercury and methylmercury, respectively. Method accuracy is traceable to Certified Reference Materials (DOLT-3 and DORM-3) from the National Research Council Canada (NRCC). With the proposed method there is a considerable reduction of the time of sample preparation. Finally, the method was applied for the speciation of mercury in seafood samples purchased from the Brazilian market. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis in Oral Candidosis: Quantitative Analysis, Exoenzyme Activity, and Antifungal Drug Sensitivity

Candida albicans and C. tropicalis obtained from whole saliva of patients presenting signs of oral candidosis were assayed for quantification of colony forming units, exoenzyme activity (phospholipase and proteinase) and antifungal drug sensitivity (amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole) by the reference method of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The number of colony forming units per milliliter varied according to the Candida species involved and whether a single or mixed infection was present. Proteinase activity was observed in both C. albicans and C. tropicalis, but phospholipase activity was noted only in C. albicans. In vitro resistance to antifungals was verified in both species, but C. tropicalis appears to be more resistant to the tested antifungals than C. albicans.

Solid-phase extraction method with high-performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection for the quantitative analysis of oxycodone in human plasma

A sensitive and reproducible solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for the quantification of oxycodone in human plasma was developed. Varian Certify SPE cartridges containing both C-8 and benzoic acid functional groups were the most suitable for the extraction of oxycodone and codeine (internal standard), with consistently high (greater than or equal to 80%) and reproducible recoveries. The elution mobile phase consisted of 1.2 ml of butyl chloride-isopropanol (80:20, v/v) containing 2% ammonia. The quantification limit for oxycodone was 5.3 pmol on-column. Within-day and inter-day coefficients of variation were 1.2% and 6.8% respectively for 284 nM oxycodone and 9.5% and 6.2% respectively for 28.4 nM oxycodone using 0.5-ml plasma aliquots. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.

Dysmorphogenesis in psychosis: Quantitative and qualitative measures involving the head and face

In this study, we examined qualitative and quantitative measures involving the head and face in a sample of patients and well controls drawn from the Brisbane Psychosis Study. Patients with psychosis (n=310) and age and sex-matched controls (n=303) were drawn from a defined catchment area. Features assessed involved hair whorls (position, number, and direction), eyes (epicanthus), supraorbital ridge, ears (low set, protrusion, hypoplasia, ear lobe attachment, asymmetry, helix width), and mouth (palate height and shape, palate ridges, furrowed and bifid tongue). Quantitative measures related to skull size (circumference, width and length) selected facial heights and depths. The impact of selected risk factors (place and season of birth, fathers' occupation at time of birth, selfreported pregnancy and birth complications, family history) were examined in the entire group, while the association between age of onset and dysmorphology was assessed within the patient group. Significant group (cases versus controls) differences included: patients had smaller skull bases, smaller facial heights, larger facial depths, lower set and protruding ears, different palate shape and fewer palate ridges. In the entire sample significant associations included: (a) those with positive family history of mental illness bad smaller head circumference, cranial length and facial heights; (b) pregnancy and birth complications was associated with smaller facial beights: (c) larger head circumference was associated with higher ranked fathers' occupations at birth. Within the patient group, age of onset was significantly lower in those with more qualitative anomalies or with larger facial heights. The group differences were not due to outliers or distinct subgroups, suggesting that the factors responsible for the differences may be subtle and widely dispersed in the patient group. The Stanley Foundation supported this project.

Quantitative analysis of vascular to cardiac selectivity of L- and T-type voltage-operated calcium channel antagonists in human tissues

1. Classical L-type voltage-operated calcium channel (VOCC) antagonists dilate blood vessels, depress myocardial contractility and slow cardiac conduction. 2. We compared four L-type VOCC antagonists and a novel tetralol derivative, mibefradil, reportedly 10-fold more selective for T- (transient) over L-type VOCC in two in vitro assays of human tissue, namely isolated small arteries from the aortic vasa vasorum in a myograph and right atrial trabeculae muscle under isometric force conditions. 3. In arteries contracted with K+ (62 mmol/L), the relaxation pIC(50) values for the VOCC antagonists felodipine, nifedipine, amlodipine, verapamil and mibefradil were 8.30, 7.78, 6.64, 6.26 and 6.22, respectively. In atrial trabeculae, the pIC(50) values to inhibit the inotropic response to a submaximal concentration of isoprenaline (6 nmol/L) for felodipine, nifedipine, verapamil, amlodipine and mibefradil were 7.21, 6.95, 6.91, 5.94 and 4.61, respectively. 4. Taking the anti-log (pIC(50) vessel - pIC(50) atrium) the vascular relaxation to cardiac depression potency ratios for mibefradil, felodipine, nifedipine, amlodipine and verapamil were 41, 12, 7, 5 and 0.22, respectively. 5. We conclude that, in human tissue assays, perhaps T- over L-type VOCC selectivity confers the most favourable vascular selectivity on mibefradil. Alternatively, splice variants of L-type VOCC in the vasculature (CaV1.2b) may be more sensitive to mibefradil than the splice variants in the heart (CaV1.2a).

Initial results of ultrasound screening for aneurysm of the abdominal aorta in Western Australia: relevance for endoluminal treatment of aneurysm disease

Background. Increased life expectancy in men during the last thirty years is largely due to the decrease in mortality from cardiovascular disease in the age group 29-69 yr. This change has resulted in a change in the disease profile of the population with conditions such as aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (AAA) becoming more prevalent. The advent of endoluminal treatment for AAA has encouraged prophylactic intervention and fuelled the argument to screen for the disease. The feasibility of inserting an endoluminal graft is dependent on the morphology and growth characteristics of the aneurysm. This study used data from a randomized controlled trial of ultrasound screening for AAA in men aged 65-83 yr in Western Australia for the purpose of determining the norms of the living anatomy in the pressurized infrarenal aorta. Aims. To examine (1) the diameters of the infra-renal aorta in aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal cases, (2) the implications for treatment modalities, with particular reference to endoluminal grafting, which is most dependent on normal and aneurysmal morphology, and (3) any evidence to support the notion that northern Europeans are predisposed to aneurysmal disease. Methods. Using ultrasound, a randomized control trial was established in Western Australia to assess the value of a screening program in males aged 65-83 yr, The infra-renal aorta was defined as aneurysmal if the maximum diameter was 30 mm or more. Aortic diameter was modelled both as a continuous tin mm) and as a binary outcome variable, for those men who had an infra-renal diameter of 30 mm or more. ANOVA and linear regression were used for modelling aortic diameter as a continuum, while chi-square analysis and logistic regression were used in comparing men with and without the diagnosis of AAA. Findings. By December 1998, of 19.583 men had been invited to undergo ultrasound screening for AAA, 12.203 accepted the invitation (corrected response fraction 70.8%). The prevalence of AAA increased with age from 4.8% at 65 yr to 10.8% at 80 yr (chi (2) = 77.9, df = 3, P<0.001). The median (IQR) diameter for the non-aneurysmal group was 21.4 mm (3.3 mm) and there was an increase (<chi>(2) = 76.0, df = 1, P<0.001) in the diameter of the infra-renal aorta with age. Since 27 mm is the 95th centile for the non-aneurysmal infra-renal aorta, a diameter of 30 mm or more is justified as defining an aneurysm. The risk of AAA was higher in men of Australian (OR = 1.0) and northern European origin (OR = 1.0, 95%CL: 0.9. 1.2) compared with those of Mediterranean origin (OR = 0.5, 99%CL: 0.4, 0.7). Conclusion. Although screening has not yet been shown to reduce mortality from AAA. these population-based data assist the understanding of aneurysmal disease and the further development and use of endoluminal grafts for this condition. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery.

Ultrasound evaluation of polymer gel dosimeters

A new method for the evaluation of radiotherapy 3D polymer gel dosimeters has been developed using ultrasound to assess the significant structural changes that occur following irradiation of the dosimeters. The ultrasonic parameters of acoustic speed of propagation, attenuation and transmitted signal intensity were measured as a function of absorbed radiation dose. The dose sensitivities for each parameter were determined as 1.8 x 10(-4) s m(-1) Gy(-1), 3.9 dB m(-1) Gy(-1) and 3.2 V-1 Gy(-1) respectively. All parameters displayed a strong variation with absorbed dose that continued beyond absorbed doses of 15 Gy. The ultrasonic measurements demonstrated a significantly larger dynamic range in dose response curves than that achieved with previously published magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dose response data. It is concluded that ultrasound shows great potential as a technique for the evaluation of polymer gel dosimeters.