Determination of theophylline and ephedrine HCL in tablets by ratio-spectra derivative spectrophotometry and LC

Two methods are described for the determination of theophylline (THP) and ephedrine hydrochloride (EPH) in combined pharmaceutical tablet forms. The first method depends on the use of the first derivative of the ratio-spectra obtained by dividing the absorption spectrum of binary mixtures by a standard spectrum of one of the compounds. The first derivative amplitudes at 231.8 and 250.3 nm were selected for the assay of THP and EPH, respectively. Calibration graphs were established for 20-180 microg ml(-1) for THP and 10-50 microg ml(-1) for EPH. The second method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase column using a mobile phase of methanol-water (40+60,v/v) (pH 3) with detection at 217 nm. Linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 5-150 microg ml(-1) for THP and 15-75 microg ml(-1) for EPH. The detection limits for THP and EPH were 0.73 and 0.92 microg ml(-1) by ratio-spectra derivative spectrophotometry and 0.59 and 0.86 microg ml(-1) by HPLC, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in laboratory-prepared mixtures and in tablets. The relative standard deviations were found to be less than 1.5%, indicating reasonable repeatibility of both methods.     

Chemical necrotizing fasciitis due to household insecticide injection: is immediate radical surgical debridement necessary?

We describe two cases of chemical necrotizing fasciitis in the upper extremities, anterior chest wall and epigastric region of the abdominal wall caused by household insecticide injection. We suggest that surgical debridement can be successfully performed in the subacute period under close observation in hemodynamically stable patients.     

Yasargil-Phynox aneurysm clip: a simple and reliable device for making a peripheral nerve injury

A great number of devices were used to make a peripheral nerve injury. In the scientific literature, experimental crush injuries have been usually created using forceps or hemostatic forceps, neither of which allows quantitative or standard application of compression. Therefore, we used a Yasargil-Phynox aneurysm clip to make a reliable and standardized peripheral nerve injury. The advantages and disadvantages of this clip were discussed. In particular, we think that standardization of the compression is necessary to compare interlaboratory results.     

The prevalence of latex allergy among health care workers in Bolu (Turkey)

Allergic reactions to latex have become a significant public health problem, particularly among health care workers (HCWs). The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of latex allergy and risk factors for latex sensitization among HCWs in Bolu in Turkey. The prevalence of latex allergy or hypersensitivity among HCWs was 19.1%. HCWs with atopic disease, contact dermatitis, and increased glove use were at increased risk of sensitization. Increased awareness of the problem by HCWs is important to identify those at risk.     

Aberrant reduction of an inhibitory protein factor in a rat epileptic model

Certain forms of seizure involve excessive glutamate transmission. We have recently identified a protein, referred to as the inhibitory protein factor (IPF), which potently inhibits glutamate uptake into isolated synaptic vesicles. In an effort to understand the mechanism underlying excessive glutamate transmission associated with seizure, we have analyzed IPF content in various brain regions of the spontaneously epileptic rat, SER (tm/tm, zi/zi), the absence-seizure tremor rat, TM (tm/tm), and the seizure-free control rats zitter ZI (zi/zi) and Wistar tremor control, each at 13 weeks of age. IPF content was found to be markedly reduced in the hippocampus, but not in the other brain regions, of SER, compared to the control and TM rats. TM rats also exhibited reduced IPF content compared to seizure-free controls. These changes appear developmentally regulated; no such alteration was observed in 8-week-old rats, which rarely show seizure. These observations indicate that an aberrant decrease in IPF is associated with certain forms of seizure; this decrease could lead to an abnormal increase in the amount of exocytotically released glutamate through its excessive accumulation in synaptic vesicles.     

Effect of the size of regions of interest on the estimation of differential renal function in children with congenital hydronephrosis

The estimation of differential renal function from dynamic renography affects clinical decisions. The estimation requires the kidneys to be delineated with regions of interest. However, in the presence of unilateral hydronephrosis it is not unusual for the affected kidney to be enlarged so that the regions of interest required to delineate the normal and abnormal kidneys are themselves dissimilar in size. The question, which then arises is, will this difference in the sizes of the regions of interest affect the resultant estimation of differential renal function? Eighteen children aged 1 month to 7 years, with prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of unilateral hydronephrosis where the affected kidney was larger than the normal kidney, underwent a total of 57 diuretic renograms using 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine. The renographic data were retrieved from optical disc and re-analysed. Regions of interest were generated which enclosed each kidney plus a region of interest of equal size to the abnormal large kidney was placed over the normal kidney. The consensus report from the Scientific Committee of Radionuclides in Nephrology described the Rutland-Patlak plot and integral methods for the estimation of differential renal function from dynamic renography. These two methods were used to analyse renal curves with and without background subtraction. Evaluation of the results suggest that technical factors, including the size of the region of interest, may affect differential renal function, and may, in part, explain the reports of the super-normal kidney in the literature.     

Computed tomography features in malignant pleural mesothelioma and other commonly seen pleural diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the computed tomography (CT) features of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cases, comparing them to those in other malignant and benign pleural diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the CT findings of 215 patients; 99 with MPM, 39 with metastatic pleural disease (MPD), and 77 with benign pleural disease. The findings were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analysis for differentiation of pleural diseases. RESULTS: In patients with MPM, the most common CT features were circumferential lung encasement by multiple nodules (28%); pleural thickening with irregular pleuropulmonary margins (26%); and pleural thickening with superimposed nodules (20%). In the majority (70%) of cases, there was rind-like extension of tumor on the pleural surfaces. In multivariate analysis, the CT findings of "rind-like pleural involvement", "mediastinal pleural involvement", and "pleural thickness more than 1 cm" were independent findings in differentiating MPM from MPD with the sensitivity/specificity values of 70/85, 85/67, and 59/82, respectively. "Rind-like pleural involvement", "mediastinal pleural involvement", "pleural nodularity" and "pleural thickness more than 1 cm" were independent findings for differentiation of malignant pleural diseases (MPM+MPD) from benign pleural disease with the sensitivity/specificity values of 54/95, 70/83, 38/96, and 47/64, respectively. Invasion of thoracic structures such as pericardium, chest wall, diaphragm, mediastinum, with pleural disease and nodular involvement of fissures, was detected infrequently; however, since these invasions were not seen in benign pleural diseases, it was concluded these invasions, if detected on a CT scan, directly suggested malignancy. CONCLUSION: A patient has extremely high probability of malignant pleural disease if one or more of these CT findings are found and the possibility of MPM is high. These findings may be important for patients in bad state or patients who do not want any invasive biopsy procedures. It is also possible to identify cases with a low probability of malignant disease.     

CT of small bowel obstruction secondary to a cocaine-filled condom

Drug smuggling is prevalent in our society. It is now frequently seen in the emergency room as an acute life-threatening emergency. The following case describes one such patient with an emphasis on the CT findings in these cases. Electronic Publication     

Is 100% beating heart coronary by-pass justified?

Coronary by-pass on a beating heart may provide a safer form of surgical revascularization by avoiding the well-documented side effects of cardiopulmonary by-pass. In addition, off-pump bypass is suggested to be a good alternative to on-pump especially in high risk patients. This study reviews the feasibility of coronary by-pass on the beating heart in all patients referred to surgery. Two hundred and ninety-four patients operated on the beating heart were prospectively followed and compared to the control group of 100 consecutive patients operated with the conventional method. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to risk factors, except the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ejection fraction which were higher in the conventional group, whereas peripheral vascular disease was higher in the beating heart group. There was more distal anastomosis in the conventional group. Postoperative inotrope requirement, peak creatine phosphokinase- MB, ventilation time, blood loss in the first 24 h, transfusion needs, new atrial fibrillation and length of hospital stay were significantly lower in the beating heart operations. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of neurological complications, chest infection, intraaortic balloon pump usage and mortality. In conclusion, multivessel off pump coronary by-pass is feasible with the same or better results as it is observed in the conventional technique when postoperative bleeding, neurogenic complications, arrythmias, hospital stay, overall morbidity and mortality are compared.     

Development and behavior of non-handicapped preterm children from a developing country

BACKGROUND: There are many studies, mainly conducted in industrialized countries, concerning developmental and behavioral outcomes of preterm children. However, little is known about the outcomes of preterm children from developing countries. METHOD: Forty-three non-handicapped Turkish preterm children, 15 with very low birth weight and 28 with low birth weight at preschool age, as well as 36 term controls were compared on rates of developmental, emotional and behavioral impairments. Data were collected by review of hospital records and application of various questionnaires and inventories to both children and their parents. RESULTS: Preterm children had significant delays in general development and significant rise in somatic complaints with unknown medical etiologies. The very low birth weight group also had significant delay in language and cognitive development. Parents of the preterm children displayed significantly higher rates of democratic attitudes. Developmental outcome was significantly associated with birth weight and authoritarian parental attitudes where behavioral outcome was significantly influenced by birth weight. CONCLUSION: Presence of developmental delay is in accordance with existing data on the outcomes of preterm children from industrialized countries. An isolated increase in somatic complaints is an uncommon finding which might also be related to cultural factors.