Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and its N-demethylated metabolites in plasma using solid-phase extraction

An improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and its N-demethylated metabolites in plasma is described. Excellent resolution of all components is provided by reversed-phase chromatography using a mobile phase consisting of 1% acetic acid-methanol (83:17) at a flow-rate of 2.7 ml/min, in conjunction with a Waters Assoc. Nova-Pak C18 column which was protected by a Waters Assoc. Guard-Pak precolumn module containing a Guard-Pak CN cartridge. Rapid extraction of caffeine and the dimethylxanthines from plasma was achieved using reversed-phase octadecylsilane bonded-silica columns (Bond-Elut C18). With only 100 microliters of sample, plasma levels in the region of 50 ng/ml for the dimethylxanthines and 100 ng/ml for caffeine can be determined using ultraviolet detection at 273 nm. The method has been used for measuring umbilical cord plasma samples to provide information regarding foetal exposure to caffeine and its metabolites and is also suitable for therapeutic drug monitoring of caffeine and theophylline levels in the treatment of neonatal apnoea.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of carbamazepine and carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide in plasma and saliva following solid-phase sample extraction

A rapid, sensitive and simple to operate high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of carbamazepine (CBZ) and carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide (CBZ-EP) in plasma and saliva is described. The drug and its metabolite are extracted from both plasma and saliva using commercially available reversed-phase octadecylsilane bonded silica columns (Bond-Elut C18, 2.8 ml capacity). Separation of CBZ and CBZ-EP was achieved by reversed-phase chromatography, using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-methanol-water (19:37:44) at a flow-rate of 1.8 ml/min in conjunction with a Nova-Pak C18 column. The analytical column, in Radial-Pak cartridge form, was used in combination with a Z-module RCSS and protected by a Guard-Pak precolumn module containing a Guard-Pak mu Bondapak C18 insert. Using ultraviolet detection at 214 nm, levels in the region of 50-100 ng/ml for CBZ and CBZ-EP can be measured with only 250 and 500 microliters of plasma and saliva, respectively. The method, which has been used to determine steady-state concentrations of the drug and its metabolite in paediatric patients receiving CBZ monotherapy, is also suitable for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Interrelation of mandibular laryngeal functions

The purpose of the experiment was to explore relations between jaw and laryngeal functions. The general question was whether laryngeal adduction was affected by jaw opening or by jaw biting. Twelve untrained, vocally healthy male and female adults participated as subjects. Subjects produced repeated tokens of /uh/ in each of 12 experimental conditions involving combinations of 3 jaw openings (10 mm, 25 mm, 40 mm), 2 jaw biting pressures (10 kPa, 200 kPa), and 2 fundamental frequencies (conversational and high). For each token, laryngeal adduction was estimated from the electroglottographic closed quotient. The most straightforward results were that (1) laryngeal adduction increased as jaw opening increased at the conversational pitch, for all subjects, independent of biting pressure, and (2) laryngeal adduction increased as biting pressure increased, at the conversational pitch, for males, independent of jaw opening. Other relations between estimated laryngeal adduction and jaw manipulations were more complex, varying with fundamental frequency and gender. Speculations are made about possible biomechanical and neurological explanations for the findings.     

Mesoscale Clusters in the Crystallisation of Organic Molecules

The early stages of the molecular self-assembly pathway leading to crystal nucleation have a significant influence on the properties and purity of organic materials. This mini review collates the work on organic mesoscale clusters and discusses their importance in nucleation processes, with a particular focus on their critical properties and susceptibility to sample treatment parameters. This is accomplished by a review of detection methods, including dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, small angle X-ray scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Considering the challenges associated with crystallisation of flexible and large-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, the dynamic nature of mesoscale clusters has the potential to expand the discovery of novel crystal forms. By collating literature on mesoscale clusters for organic molecules, a more comprehensive understanding of their role in nucleation will evolve and can guide further research efforts.