Absence of discontinuation symptoms with agomelatine and occurrence of discontinuation symptoms with paroxetine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled discontinuation study.

The effects of an abrupt interruption of agomelatine, a new melatonergic/serotonergic antidepressant, were explored in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Paroxetine was used as active control. After 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with agomelatine 25 mg/day or paroxetine 20 mg/day, sustained remitted depressed patients were randomized for 2 weeks, under double-blind conditions, to placebo or to their initial antidepressant treatment.

Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.

The efficacy of acetyl-L-carnitine (gamma-trimethyl- beta-acetylbutyrobetaine (Alcar) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild (early) Alzheimer's disease (AD) was investigated with a meta-analysis of double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective, parallel group comparison studies of at least 3 months duration. The duration of the studies was 3, 6 or 12 months and the daily dose varied between studies from 1.5-3.

Structural characterisation of Baltic amber and its solvent extracts by several mass spectrometric methods.

A sample of Baltic amber ( approximately 40 million yrs old) has been extracted using pentane, toluene and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). The relationship between solubility characteristics of the extracts in relation to molecular mass and chemical makeup has been investigated. The extracts were first characterised by (13)C-NMR spectrometry, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and UV-fluorescence spectroscopy.

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of a coal extract and its fractions separated by planar chromatography: correlation of structural features with molecular mass.

The structural characterisation of a coal liquefaction extract and its three fractions separated by planar chromatography has been described. Size exclusion chromatography showed the molecular mass distributions to become progressively larger with decreasing mobility on the plate. UV-fluorescence spectroscopy of the fractions indicated parallel increases in the sizes of polynuclear aromatic ring systems.

Determination of trace elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of biomass and fuel oil reference materials using milligram sample sizes.

Most of the analytical techniques used to quantify elements associated with solid samples suffer from high detection limits and cannot be used for trace elements in biomass samples, particularly when only 20 mg are available for analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can achieve detection limits of parts-per-trillion with liquid sample introduction by solution nebulisation. This technique was therefore tested with two standard biomass reference materials: oriental tobacco leaves and cabbage leaves.

Identification of organically associated trace elements in wood and coal by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) was used to extract samples of wood (forest residue) and coal; the extracts were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using two different sample preparation methods, in order to identify trace elements associated with the organic part of the samples. A sample of fly ash was similarly extracted and analysed in order to assess the behaviour of the mineral matter contained within the wood and coal samples. 32% of the biomass was extracted at the higher temperature and 12% at room temperature while only 12% of the coal was extracted at the higher temperature and 3% at room temperature.

Determining a 'safe' high-mass limit in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectra of coal derived materials with reference to instrument noise.

Three methods for determining a 'safe' estimate for high-mass limits of MALDI spectra of coal derived liquids were explored, using a sample of coal-tar pitch and its pyridine-insoluble fraction. Co-addition of increasing numbers of single-shot spectra (10, 30, 50 and 100 pulses) showed visually observable reductions in noise levels, consistent with robust and statistically meaningful signals. Three separate types of post-acquisition calculation were used to identify high-mass limits of the spectra.

High-resolution magic angle spinning 1H NMR spectroscopic studies on intact rat renal cortex and medulla.

High-resolution magic angle spinning 1H NMR (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the biochemical composition of normal renal cortex and renal papilla samples from rats, and results were compared with those from conventional 1H NMR analysis of protein-free tissue extracts. 1H MAS NMR spectra of samples obtained from inner and outer cortex were found to be broadly similar in terms of metabolite profile, and intra- and inter-animal variability was small. However, the MAS NMR spectra from renal papilla samples were qualitatively and quantitatively different from those obtained from cortex.

Community leg ulcer clinics: cost-effectiveness.

This study investigates the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of a new service provided by community leg ulcer clinics, and compares it with treatment in existing hospital-based venous ulcer care clinics. Data were provided prospectively from district nurses and retrospectively from patients. Success in treatment was assessed as a percentage of ulcers completely healed after 12 weeks of treatment, analysed by the up-table method.