Dissolution tests for self-setting calcium phosphate cement-containing nifedipine

Nifedipine-containing calcium phosphate cement (CPC) was prepared, and nifedipine (NF) release from this preparation was evaluated by the shaking method (SK), Japanese Pharmacopoeia XIV (JPXIV) paddle method (PD), and JPXIV flow-through cell method (FT). The release of NF from the CPC preparation continued for 7 d or longer by all these methods. This suggests that the release of NF can be controlled by preparing NF-containing CPC. The release pattern of NF from CPC in these tests was found to follow the Higuchi equation. However, the Higuchi constant differed among the three dissolution tests, probably because the apparent tortuosity of capillary system (tau) varied.     

Enhanced optical sensing of anions with amide-functionalized gold nanoparticles

A gold nanoparticle surface-modified with amide ligands shows enhanced optical sensing of anions: the detection limit is increased by about three orders of magnitude higher than that originally expected from the anion binding ability of neutral amide ligands.     

Superconductivity and magnetic fluctuations in Cd(2))Re(2)O(7) via Cd nuclear magnetic resonance and re nuclear quadrupole resonance

We report Cd nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Re nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) studies on Cd(2)Re(2)O(7), the first superconductor among pyrochlore oxides (T(c) approximately 1 K). The Re NQR spectrum at zero magnetic field below 100 K rules out any magnetic or charge order. The spin-lattice relaxation rate below T(c) exhibits a pronounced coherence peak and follows the weak-coupling BCS theory with nearly isotropic energy gap. The results of Cd NMR point to a moderate ferromagnetic enhancement at high temperatures followed by a rapid decrease of the density of states below the structural transition temperature of 200 K.     

Determination of strontium in biological samples by atomic emission spectrometry with electrothermal atomization

Summary Strontium showed a high atomic emission in a molybdenum microtube. The addition of hydrogen in the argon gas atmosphere served to increase the atomic emission. No interferences from less than 5 ng of potassium, calcium and magnesium were found. Other elements also had no interferences at the concentration levels usually found in biological samples. Samples were digested with nitric acid in a Uni-Seal decomposition vessel. The results obtained showed good agreement with the certified values. Atomic emission spectrometry with a molybdenum microtube atomizer permits a simple and sensitive determination of strontium in biological samples (coefficient of variation 2.5% for 10 pg Sr).

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Strontiumbestimmung in biologischem Material durch Atomemissions-Spektrometrie mit elektrothermischer Atomisierung

Zusammenfassung Eine hohe Atomemission wurde für Strontium bei Verwendung einer Molybdän-Mikroröhre beobachtet. Durch Wasserstoffzusatz zum Argon konnte sie noch weiter erhöht werden. Weniger als 5 ng K, Ca und Mg verursachen keine Störung. Andere Elemente stören nicht in den Konzentrationsbereichen, wie sie üblicherweise in biologischen Materialien vorkommen. Der Aufschluß der Proben wurde mit Salpetersäure in Uni-Seal-Gefäßen vorgenommen. Die erhaltenen Werte stimmten gut mit zertifizierten Daten überein. Die vorgeschlagene Methode ermöglicht eine einfache und empfindliche Strontiumbestimmung in biologischen Proben (Variationskoeffizient 2,5% bei 10 pg Sr).

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This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan through a Grant-in-Aid for Special Project Research.     

Raman scattering in 3RNbS2

Raman scattering spectra on a layer type compound 3RNbS₂ were measured at 300 and 77 K, and three peaks were observed at 382, 325 and 281 cm^?1 at 300 K. The vibration modes were analyzed in terms of Bromley's nearest neighbour model, and a good agreement with the experiment was obtained.     

ESR in GeS glasses

In GeS glasses ESR signals were observed at g ? 2.00. The signal in GeS₂ was a single Gaussian line with linewidth of ca. 15 G. The signal in the glass containing more sulfer than GeS₂ changed into multi-lined spectra. The signal disappeared by addition of 5 molar % arsenic. Discussion is given in the concept of ‘defects’ in the chalcogenide glass.     

Parallel vs. anti-parallel orientation in a curdlan/oligo(dA) complex as estimated by a FRET technique

We already found that beta-1,3-glucan polysaccharides form polymeric complexes with certain polynucleotides, but the parallel vs. anti-parallel orientation in those complexes had remained unsolved. In this paper, this controversial problem has been discussed for curdlan/oligo(dA) complexes utilizing two different energy transfer techniques. The first system consists of a combination of fluorescein-labeled curdlan and 3'-(or 5'-)tetramethyl-rhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled oligo(dA). The second system utilizes gold nanoparticles: that is, two curdlan chains were linked by a disulfide bond and after complexation with oligo(dA), the complex was immobilized on gold nanoparticles. In this system, TAMRA was attached to the 3'(or 5') end of oligo(dA) and the gold particle acted as a fluorescence quencher (energy acceptor). These experiments have led us to conclude that in the curdlan/oligo(dA) complex, parallel orientation is more favourable than anti-parallel orientation. These findings have enabled us to envision a clearer image for the complexation mode between beta-1,3-glucan polysaccharides and polynucleotides.