Mixing method influence on compatibility and polymorphism studies by DSC and statistical analysis

Most of the pharmaceutical products are formulated as solid dosage form, which may present drug–excipient interactions that lead to changes in the chemical nature of the drug, such as solubility and bioavailability and may compromise its safety and effectiveness. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a widely used method for the rapid evaluation of the drug-excipient compatibility and the stability of the mixture formed; however, there is no consensus on the preparation methods of the drug–excipient mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the mixing method on the drug–excipient compatibility studies by means of DSC analysis, using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate as a drug model. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the heat of fusion of the drug in the mixtures prepared by several mixing methods. Vortex Mixer with a Pop-Off Cup used for 3 min proved to be very satisfactory for these studies. A polymorphic transition was observed in the mixture prepared with the mortar and pestle. Therefore, this method should be avoided since it may induce errors in the interpretation of DSC results. In this way, the mixing method used to prepare a mixture for studies of interactions between the API and the excipients in a pharmaceutical formulation has a great influence on the results and it must be chosen carefully.     

Flexible cellulose derivative PDLC type cells

In this work we perform a study of 250 ≈ μm thick flexible electro-optical PDLC type cells made from a biocompatible cellulose derivative film and several conductive substrates. The deposition of an ITO layer by reactive thermal evaporation on a polymeric substrate was referred to in the literature very recently and this type of coated substrate was used in the present work. In order to consider the influence of the substrates on the electro-optical behaviour of the cells, five cells were made using different substrates (three flexible polymers and two glass for comparison). Three of the substrates were coated under the same conditions, and the other two were commercially available substrates.     

Functionality and Functionality Distribution Measurements of Binder Prepolymers

Abstract

The functionality of a prepolymer, which is defined as the ratio of molecular weight to equivalent weight, is probably the most important single parameter that determines the properties of the cross-linked polymer network. The determination of prepolymer functionality therefore requires accurate knowledge of both number average molecular weight and equivalent weight. Ideally, a suitable prepolymer for propellant binder applications has terminal functionality (OH or COOH). Such a prepolymer theoretically has a functionality of 2.0. Because of uncontrolled chain termination reactions during the prepolymer synthesis, however, not all polymer chains have the desired functional end group. As a result, prepolymers generally have a distribution of functionalities, including onfunctional, monofunctional, and the desired difunctional prepolymer.     

The Effect of Silver Perchlorate of the Reaction of Trialkyl Phosphite with α-Halogenoketones

Abstract

Trialkyl phosphites are known to react with α-halogenoketones to yield β-ketophosphonates (Arbuzov product) or vinyl phosphates (Perkow product) according to coniiitions.¹ α-Hydroxyphosphonate may be formed in addition, in prcltic media.² We have now shown that none of these products is formed in the presence of silver perchlorate (in benzene sclutim); nor could we detect the ketophosphonium perchlorate reported previously. Phosphorus-31 nmr showed the formation of trimethyl phosphate and tetramethyl pyrophosphate as the exclusive phosphorus-containing products. The sequence of possible reaction is complex and the overall stoichiometry may vary somewhat according to the rate and order of rixing. Trialkyl phosphate could be formed by elimination of alkyne from vinyloxyphosphonium intermediate produced together with silver iodine in first stage of the interaction. Pyrophosphate formation would then result from nucleophilic attack of trimethyl phosphate on the trimethoxy(1-nethylvinyloxy)phosphoniun ion, which may be formed as a reactive intermediate. Evidence for formation of methyl perchlorate in the final dealkylation of the quasiphosphonium intermediate is provided by proton nmr spectroscopy and by the formation of the N-methylquino-linium salt on addition of quinoline. No change in the ³¹P nmr spectrum occurs at this stage. Other by-products of the main reactions include the dehalogenated ketone (acetone from iodoacetone or acetnphenone from α-iodoacetophenone).     

Biolabeling with nanoparticles based on Y2O3: Nd and luminescence detection in the near-infrared

Neodymium based fluorescence presents several advantages in comparison to conventional rare earth or enzyme-substrate based fluorescence emitting sources (e.g.Tb, HRP) . Based on this fact we have herein explored a Nd-based fluoroimmunoassay. We efficiently detected the presence of an oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in human plasma a well-known marker for cardiovascular diseases, which causes around 30% of deaths worldwide. Conventional fluoroimmunoassay uses time-resolved luminescence techniques, with detection in the visible range, to eliminate the fluorescence background from the biological specimens. By using an immunoassay based on functionalized Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ nanoparticles, where the excitation and emission processes in the Nd³⁺ ion occur in the near-infrared (NIR) region, we have succeeded in eliminating the interferences from the biological fluorescence background, avoiding the use of time-resolved techniques. This yields higher emission intensity from the Nd³⁺-nanolabels and efficient detection of anti-oxidized low-density lipoproteins (anti-oxLDL) by Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺-antibody-antigen conjugation, leading to a novel biolabeling method.