Analysis of a simulated heroin distribution chain by HPLC.

A heroin distribution chain was simulated by taking three different seizures and preparing four additional samples from each seizure by adding a paracetamol-caffeine mixture in varying amounts, resulting in three different batches each composed of five samples. All of the samples from the three batches were analyzed using HPLC with a UV-PDA detector at a wavelength of 230 nm. The area ratio of various opium alkaloids, acetylation products and components were compared.

Anhydride prodrugs for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to synthesize anhydride prodrugs for prolong action to shield the carboxylic acid group from irritative effects and to temporary hydrophobize the drug so that it becomes accessible to aqueous media when the anhydride residue is hydrolyzed.

Methods: Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, was used as a representative drug for anhydride derivatization. Mixed anhydrides of ibuprofen with fatty acids of different chain length were prepared by reacting acid chloride derivatives with the corresponding acid in the presence of acid acceptor and two-phase reaction.

Gamma-irradiation stability of saturated and unsaturated aliphatic polyanhydrides--ricinoleic acid based polymers.

The effect of terminal sterilization by gamma-irradiation on several ricinoleic acid based polyanhydrides was investigated. The following polymers were used: poly(ricinoleic acid maleate) [P(RAM)], poly(ricinoleic acid succinate) [P(RAS)], poly(hydroxy stearic acid succinate) [P(HSAS)], poly(hydroxy stearic acid maleate) [P(HSAM)], and their copolymers with sebacic acid. The polymers were irradiated with an absorbed dose of 2.

Comparison of the enantioseparation of racemic uridine analogs on Whelk-O 1 and ChiralPak-AD columns.

The commercially available, brush-type (S,S)-Whelk-O 1 chiral stationary phase (CSP) has been used to separate 10 racemates of structurally related uridine analogs, potentially anti-viral agents, under various mobile phase compositions, using various temperatures. The enantioseparation was evaluated by comparing the Whelk-O 1 column performance with that of ChiralPak-AD column, reported previously. The comparison involved the role of some distinctive structural features of the racemates, type and composition of the solvent modifiers, as well as effect of temperature on the chiral discrimination.

Resolution of enantiomers of uridine analogs, potential antiviral agents.

Racemic mixtures of 5-substituted carbocyclic analogs of uracil nucleosides, 2"- and 3"-furyl, 2"- and 3"-thienyl and 2"-selenienyl, potentially anti-viral agents, were resolved using amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl)carbamate as the stationary phase. The mobile phase was n-hexane with ethanol or 2-propanol. Effects of some structural features on the extent of discrimination between the enantiomers were examined through the selectivity and resolution factors as well as the elution order.

Electronic pressure algometry of deep pain in healthy volunteers.

Deep pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pressure pain tolerance (PPtol) were measured by pressure algometry at the mastoid processes, external malleoli, and sternum in 24 healthy volunteers. The algometer consisted of a force displacement transducer with a 0.25 cm2 pressure tip linked to a recorder.

Diagnostic value of computer analysis of multipeaked EMG spikes.

Computer analysis of absolute number of peaks per second and the number of peaks in the multipeaked spikes/sec was carried out in the EMG interference recordings of 5 healthy, 6 myopathic and 8 neuropathic subjects. The purpose of the study was to detect diagnostically different patterns. A spike was considered multipeaked if it had 6 or more peaks.

Fourier series analysis of the electrophysiological pattern of fatigue in healthy human beings, after curare administration.

Real time computer analysis of the electrophysiological development of muscular fatigue after small doses of d-tubocurarine (TC), has been examined in anesthetized human beings. As compared to a decrease of frequency in the control measurements, previous studies have shown an increase of the frequency of spikes after TC administration. The present experiments were carried out on the biceps brachii of 8 healthy human volunteers maintained in isometric contraction against a constant counter load until complete fatigue occurred.

Comparison of the electrophysiological pattern of fatigue between athletes required to perform explosive and endurance sports.

The electrophysiological behavior of an isometric contraction sustained to fatigue, was examined in 6 long distance runners and 9 athletes involved in explosive (burst) sports, by on line computer analysis of the electrical activity of vastus medialis, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis. The experiments were carried out with a counterload of 50% of the maximal strength of the muscle. The duration of spike increased and the frequency decreased in the 3 examined muscles, in both types of sport.

Effect of filter setting on the electromyographic parameters of muscles contracting to fatigue.

The effects of various filter settings on the electrophysiological behavior of the development of muscular fatigue were studied. Eleven healthy volunteers were examined during isometric contraction of biceps brachii and rectus femoris against a constant load until fatigue occurred. The electrical activity was taped and computer processing was carried out at the basic setting of 15-5000 cycles and at low (15-200 Hz) and high (200-5000 Hz) frequence filter.

Proximal monomelic amyotrophy of the upper limb.

A 30-year-old patient of Central European origin, suffering from monomelic amyotrophy, is presented. The disease was characterized by proximal weakness of one upper limb, mainly of the shoulder girdle, accompanied by atrophy. The electrodiagnostic examination revealed signs of partial denervation in the presence of normal motor and sensory conduction.

Electrodiagnostic investigation of the neuromuscular lesions in rheumatoid arthritis.

85 muscles, in 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients, were examined by EMG. The patients were subdivided into steroid and non-steroid treated groups. In both groups, the EMG demonstrated myopathic, polymyositic and neuropathic lesions, the first two predominating.

Prolonged effect of bupivacaine hydrochloride after cuff release in i.v. regional anaesthesia.

Bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.25% and 0.50% solutions, were administered 115 times by the i.

Motor nerve conduction in intravenous regional anaesthesia with bupivacaine hydrochloride.

Motor nerve conduction (MNC) from proximal and distal points of the median and ulnar nerve was examined in 14 patients receiving a total of 29 i.v. regional anaesthetics (IRA) with bupivacaine hydrochloride in doses ranging from 100 to 300 mg.