Application of sulphur isotopes for stratigraphic correlation.

The sulphur isotopic composition of dissolved sulphate in seawater has varied considerably through time. Certain time intervals are characterised by distinct variations and a relatively high rate of change. These relatively rapid fluctuations allow for correlation of sediment sections using sulphur isotopes.

Determination of oxytocin in a dilute IV solution by LC-MS(n).

The most common drug prescribed to induce labor in the United States is oxytocin, a peptide hormone composed of nine amino acids. Oxytocin is often reconstituted in intravenous (IV) saline solutions at less than 0.05 units ml(-1) (125 ng ml(-1)) to be delivered at 1-4 drops per minute.

[What do dental students at the University of Stellenbosch know of the education and functions of oral hygienists?].

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of dental students regarding the requirements for the course in oral hygiene at the University of Stellenbosch, the functions of oral hygienists and how they rate the necessity of the profession compared with other health care providers. Students in their second, third, fourth and fifth years of study were asked to complete a questionnaire. Although obvious gaps existed in the knowledge of a notable number of students, the majority of students in all the years showed good insight into the requirements for and contents of the course and functions of an oral hygienist.

Termination of global warmth at the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary through productivity feedback.

The onset of the Palaeocene/Eocene thermal maximum (about 55 Myr ago) was marked by global surface temperatures warming by 5-7 degrees C over approximately 30,000 yr (ref. 1), probably because of enhanced mantle outgassing and the pulsed release of approximately 1,500 gigatonnes of methane carbon from decomposing gas-hydrate reservoirs. The aftermath of this rapid, intense and global warming event may be the best example in the geological record of the response of the Earth to high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and high temperatures.

Application of the colon-simulation technique for studying the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on basic parameters of porcine cecal microbial metabolism disturbed by clindamycin.

Aims: The present study analyzed the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on the biochemical parameters of microbial hindgut metabolism disturbed by clindamycin.

Methods: The experiments were carried out under in vitro conditions using the semicontinuous colon-simulation technique. This technique is standardized for quantitatively measuring parameters of microbial hindgut metabolism.