A New Voltammetric Approach for Electrochemical Determination of Lamotrigine in Pharmaceutical Samples

A new linear sweep voltammetric method for quantitative lamotrigine (LMT) determination based on an electrochemically pre-treated pencil graphite electrode (PGE*) is presented. Response characteristics of the PGE* toward the mentioned compound were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The quantitative determination of LMT revealed a wide linear range of 2.5 ⋅ 10⁻⁵–1.0 ⋅ 10⁻³ M with a detection limit of 1.94 ⋅ 10⁻⁵ M. The method was used successfully for LMT determination in a pharmaceutical formulation.     

Independence of the Total Reflexivity Conditions for Modules

We show that the conditions defining total reflexivity for modules are independent. In particular, we construct a commutative Noetherian local ring R and a reflexive R-module M such that Ext_Rⁱ(M,R)=0 for all i>0, but Ext_Rⁱ(M^*,R)≠0 for all i>0. Presented by Juergen Herzog Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) 13D07.     

Investigation of heavy-metal uptake by vegetables growing in contaminated soils using the modified BCR sequential extraction method

The heavy metal (Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, and Mn) concentrations in soils and in vegetable samples, i.e. lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and onion (Allium cepa L.), taken from three urban vegetable gardens in Kayseri, Turkey, were determined by FAAS. The modified three-step sequential extraction procedure proposed by the European Bureau of References (BCR), now the Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme, was used in order to evaluate trace elements mobility in soil samples, and heavy-metal uptake by vegetables. Three operationally defined fractions were isolated using the BCR procedure: acid extractable (i.e. bound to carbonates), reducible (bound to Fe/Mn oxides), and oxidizable (bound to organic matter and sulphides). The vegetable samples were prepared to analysis using the wet-ashing procedure. To estimate the accuracy of the method used in analysis of the vegetable samples, the standard reference material (NIST SRM 1573a, Tomato leaves) was used. The results of recovery for all the elements were relatively satisfactory (87.7–108%). For the soil samples, the recovery values were calculated by proportioning the sum of the steps of the BCR procedure to those of the pseudototal digestion (i.e. aqua regia). In soils, the mobility of heavy metals followed the order Mn>Cd>Cu>Pb>Zn>Cr>Ni>Co>Fe. The relationship between the vegetable–metal and soil–extractable metal concentrations was examined in order to evaluate the bioavailability of metals, and the positive correlation, especially for the first (i.e. water, acid-soluble and exchangeable fraction) and for the third (i.e. oxidizable fraction) extraction steps, was obtained.     

The uranium recovery from aqueous solutions using amidoxime modified cellulose derivatives. III. Modification of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose with amidoxime groups

Grafting of acrylonitrile on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films has been carried out by means of ⁶⁰Co-γ radiation, using a constant amount of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films, at different concentrations of acrylonitrile in dimethylformamide. Grafting percentage—dose curves were obtained. 63 % of grafting yield were reached at around 3 kGy dose. Conversion of nitrile groups to amidoxime groups were achieved by aqueous solutions of NH₂OH·HCl–NaOH at 50 °C. The amidoxime conversion was followed by using FTIR spectrophotometer and determined as percentage. 98 % amidoxime conversion was achieved within 50 h. The structural, morphological and thermal evaluations of acrylonitrile grafted hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films, before and after amidoxime conversion, were performed using FTIR, AFM, Contact Angle, SEM and TGA analyses.     

Development of Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on Reconstitution of Glucose Oxidase on Polymeric 3‐Aminophenyl Boronic Acid Monolayer

An amperometric biosensor for determining glucose based on deflavination of the enzyme glucose oxidase and subsequent reconstitution of the apo‐protein with a complexed flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) monolayer is described. The GOx‐reconstituted electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activities towards the reduction and oxidation of hydrogen peroxide as well. The prepared biosensor showed an excellent performance for glucose at +0.5 V with a high sensitivity (5.94 μA/mM) and relatively good response time (～12 s) in a wide concentration range of 1–17 mM (correlation coefficient of 0.9998). The applicability to blood analysis was also evaluated.     

Immobilization of Invertase in DAD Type Polymers: Combination of Benzothiadiazole Acceptor Unit and 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene and Thiophene Donor Units

Conductive polymers with donor-acceptor-donor (DAD) type units; benzothiadiazole acceptor unit and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and thiophene (Th) donor units, were investigated for immobilization of invertase. The polymers were prepared potentiodynamically from their monomers, M₁ (Th-benzothiadiazole-Th), M₂ (EDOT-benzothiadiazole-EDOT), M₃ (Th-benzothiadiazole-EDOT) and a copolymer, which is a homolog to homopolymer of M₃, was prepared from M₁ and M₂. Invertase was trapped between a two layer-composite; DAD polymer and polypyrrole. The characterization of immobilized invertase was performed using a spectrophotometric method at 540 nm. Kinetic parameters, V _max, maximum reaction rate and K_m , Michaelis-Menten constant values of immobilized invertase in DAD type homopolymer (P₃), 0.95 μmol min^?1 and 22.7 mM, respectively, are found between those of homopolymers P₁ and P₂ and are better than the copolymer. Polymers and copolymers exhibited a broad optimal temperature profile between 30 and 50°C compared to the free enzyme. Optimum pH (5.0) is the same as for free invertase. The electrodes were found to be stable with 100% activity during one day for 40 consecutive measurements. As to the self-life, 25% of the initial activity was lost in the first ten days, then the electrodes were stable with 75% activity for a 40 day storage at 4°C.     

Arguments constructed within the mathematical modelling cycle

Socio-cultural theories in mathematics education field recently emphasize the importance of the collective argumentation within small-group work. Since mathematical modelling tasks require a process in which students search for a solution for real life problems through small-group work, the arguments in this process become an issue of concern. This study examines the arguments constructed within the mathematical modelling cycle by considering the participants’ modelling processes. In this context, four primary pre-service mathematics teachers worked on a modelling task and their arguments were explained through the components of Toulmin’s argumentation schema. Findings revealed that the data and the claims of most of the arguments corresponded to the starting and ending points of the modelling transition in which the current arguments constructed. The existence of the arguments corresponded through warrant-claim originated from inquiring the assumptions in the modelling cycle. In addition, the participants made assumptions as warrants to support their arguments and as rebuttals to show the degree of certainty of claims in intra-group challenging situations. Both the warrants and the backings depended on modelling context as well as mathematics context.     

Two new phenolic compounds and some biological activities of Scorzonera pygmaea Sibth. & Sm. subaerial parts

Abstract

Phytochemical composition of ethyl acetate fraction and total phenolic content, in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of the ethanol extract obtained from the subaerial parts of Scorzonera pygmaea Sibth. & Sm. (Asteraceae) were investigated. Nine compounds; scorzopygmaecoside (1), scorzonerol (2), cudrabibenzyl A (3), thunberginol C (4), scorzocreticoside I (5) and II (6), chlorogenic acid (7), chlorogenic acid methyl ester (8), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (9) were isolated and identified using spectroscopic methods. All substances were isolated for the first time from this species. Compounds 1 and 2 are new. The fractions showed high antioxidant capacity correlated with their phenolic content and no significant antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria and fungi. COX inhibition test was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and all the fractions showed low inhibition in comparison with indomethacin.     

Topical emulgel formulation containing inclusion complex of calcipotriol with cyclodextrin

Psoriasis is a relatively common, chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the skin, scalp, and joints. Calcipotriol is one of the most commonly used topical agents for the treatment of psoriasis. However, it is a water-insoluble active substance and frequently leads to skin irritation in patients. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of (α-1,4-)-linked d-glucopyranose units. CD molecules have a hydrophilic outer surface and a lipophilic central cavity, and they are able to form inclusion complexes in aqueous solutions with many drugs. They can increase bioavailability, aqueous solubility, and stability and also reduce the side effects of the drugs. The aim of this study was to develop a new topical drug delivery system of calcipotriol in order to improve the solubility and dissolution characteristics of the drug and reduce the undesirable side effects. For this purpose, an inclusion complex of calcipotriol with Captisol^® was prepared, and complex formation was confirmed. The inclusion complex and pure drug were formulated separately in an emulgel base. Dissolution profiles of calcipotriol from emulgel formulations were compared with a commercial product of the drug. The drug release was significantly increased with the emulgel formulations compared to the commercial cream product.