[Quality and quantity determination of brassino-steroid hormones by HPLC and related assay in some supplement capsules]

Background: Brassino-steroids as hormonal plants are of the most important components that have shown the biological effects. These compounds may be act as inducer of growth in the plant and their concentrations is increased under some stress conditions. Such clinical studies show that these hormones have also anabolic activities similar to the human anabolic hormones hence, may be administrated as supplements in athletes. Their increasing consumption as supplement suggests introducing a precise and accurate analytical method for determination of brassinosteroids in pharmaceutical dosage forms and also in some biological fluids

Objective: In the current study an HPLC method for detect and determination of brassino-steroids in capsules was developed and optimized in aspects of analytical conditions

Methods: In order to analysis of the sample a reversed phase HPLC system including a C18 column, and a mobile phase including water: Acetonitrile in an acidic media were used. Detection was carried out at 210 nm by an UV detector

Results: In this study, we attempted to optimize some analytical aspects e.g: solvent, stationary phase and other assay parameters to obtain best condition to assay. Also the validation parameters such as LOD, LOQ, accuracy, precision and linearity of the method were also studied and were satisfactory

Conclusion: Obtained data indicated that HPLC is a suitable analytical method for assay of brassino-steroids in pharmaceutical dosage forms

Preparation and antibacterial activity evaluation of 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticles

The aim of the present study was to formulate poly [lactide-co-glycolide] [PLGA] nanoparticles loaded with 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid [GLA] with appropriate physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activity. GLA loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared with different drug to polymer ratios, acetone contents and sonication times and the antibacterial activity of the developed nanoparticles was examined against different gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial effect was studied using serial dilution technique to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of nanoparticles. Results demonstrated that physicochemical properties of nanoparticles were affected by the above mentioned parameters where nanoscale size particles ranging from 175 to 212 nm were achieved. The highest encapsulation efficiency [53.2 +/- 2.4%] was obtained when the ratio of drug to polymer was 1:4. Zeta potential of the developed nanoparticles was fairly negative [-11 +/- 1.5]. In-vitro release profile of nanoparticles showed two phases: an initial phase of burst release for 10 h followed by a slow release pattern up to the end. The antimicrobial results revealed that the nanoparticles were more effective than pure GLA against P. aeuroginosa, S. aureus and S. epidermidis. This improvement in antibacterial activity of GLA loaded nanoparticles when compared to pure GLA may be related to higher nanoparticles penetration into infected cells and a higher amount of GLA delivery in its site of action. Herein, it was shown that GLA loaded PLGA nanoparticles displayed appropriate physicochemical properties as well as an improved antimicrobial effect

Docetaxel loaded PEG-PLGA nanoparticles: optimized drug loading, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor effect

In this study a 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design was used to prepare optimized docetaxel [DTX] loaded pegylated poly lactide-co-glycolide [PEG-PLGA] NPs with polymer concentration [X1], drug concentration [X2] and ratio of the organic to aqueous solvent [X3] as the independent variables and particle size [Y1], poly dispersity index [PDI] [Y2] and drug loading [Y3] as the responses. The cytotoxicity of optimized DTX loaded PEG-PLGA NPs was studied in SKOV3 tumor cell lines by standard MTT assay. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of DTX loaded PLGA-PEG NPs was assessed in tumor bearing female BALB/c mice. The optimum level of Y1, Y2 and Y3 predicted by the model were 188 nm, 0.16 and 9% respectively with perfect agreement with the experimental data. The in vitro release profile of optimum formulation showed a burst release of approximately 20% [w/w] followed by a sustained release profile of the loaded drug over 288 h. The DTX loaded optimized nanoparticles showed a greater cytotoxicity against SKOV3 cancer cells than free DTX. Enhanced tumor-suppression effects were achieved with DTX-loaded PEG-PLGA NPs. These results demonstrated that optimized NPs could be a potentially useful delivery system for DTX as an anticancer agent

Two matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors from scrophularia striata boiss

Many species belonging to the Scrophularia genus have been used since ancient times as folk remedies for many medical conditions such as scrofulas, scabies, tumors, eczema, psoriasis, inflammations. The aim of this study was to characterize the matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs] inhibitor compounds of the Scrophularia striata extract by bio-guide fractionation. The aerial parts of S. striata were collected and different extracts were sequentially prepared with increasingly polar solvents. The MMPs inhibitory activity of the crude extract and its fractions were evaluated by the Zymoanalysis method. The pure compounds were purified from the active fraction by chromatography methods. Chemical structures were deduced by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Two active compounds [acteoside and nepitrin] were identified by bio-guide fractionation. The inhibitory effects of nepitrin and acteoside at 20 Micro g/ml were about 56 and 18 percent, respectivly. The inhibitory effects of acteoside at 80 Micro g/ml were increased to about 73 percent. In summary, the results suggest that nepitrin effectively inhibited MMPs inhibitory activity at low concentrations, whereas acteoside showed inhibition at high concentrations

Unfavorable survival rates in Iranian patients with gastric cancers: a single center experience from Tehran

We examined the effect of potential interfering factors that play major roles in the outcome of our patients with stomach cancer. 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with gastric cancers were prospectively observed, treated and followed from November 2009 to January. Absence of Helicobacter pylori infection [P=0.027], absence of vascularisation [P<0.001], and undetermined histopathological type of adenocarcinoma [P=0.003] were factors significantly associated with higher grade of gastric lesions. Life tables were used to define survival of gastric cancers. Survival rates of these patients at 1st week, 1st month, 2nd month, 3rd month, and 6th month were 97%, 96%, 91%, 90%, and 82%, respectively. The only determinant of 6 months of survival was age over 68 [P=0.039]. Our study confirms our previous knowledge that gastric cancers have unfavorable outcome in Iran

Synthesis, evaluation of anticancer activity and QSAR study of heterocyclic esters of caffeic acid

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester [CAPE] suppresses the growth of transformed cells such as human breast cancer cells, hepatocarcinoma, myeloid leukemia, colorectal cancer cells, fibrosarcoma, glioma and melanoma. A group of heterocyclic esters of caffeic acid was synthesized using Mitsunobu reaction and the esters were subjected to further structural modification by electrooxidation of the catechol ring of caffeic acid esters in the presence of sodium benzenesulfinate and sodium toluensulfinate as nucleophiles. Both heterocyclic esters of caffeic acid and their arylsulfonyl derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HeLa, SK-OV-3, and HT-29 cancer cell lines. HeLa cells showed the highest sensitivity to the compounds and heterocyclic esters with no substituent on catechol ring showed better activity compared to their substituted counterparts. QSAR studies reemphasized the importance of molecular shape of the compounds for their cytotoxic activity

Synthesis and analgesic activity of novel hydrazide and hydrazine derivatives

The uses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] are limited by a variety of side effects. So research on preparing new analgesic agents is important. According to some reports about the analgesic activity of hydrazide and hydrazine derivatives a new series of these compounds were synthesized in order to obtain new analgesic compounds. The final compounds l0a-l0e and 15a-15d were prepared by condensation of corresponding hydrazides 7, 8 and 11-14 with different aldehydes 9a-9e. The structures of all synthesized compounds were confirmed by means of FT-IR, H-NMR and Mass spectra. All compounds were evaluated for their analgesic activities by abdominal constriction test [writhing test]. Most of the synthesized compounds induced significant reduction in the writhing response when compared to control and compound 15 was more potent than mefenamic acid in the writhing test

High performance liquid chromatography coupled with pre-column derivatization for determination of oxidized glutathione level in rats exposed to paraquat

Glutathione [GSH] is one of the most important antioxidants that plays an essential role in detoxification of reactive oxygen species [ROS] which oxidizes to glutathione disulfide [GSSG]. Paraquat [PQ], awidely used herbicide, causes pulmonary injury with the productionof ROS. Excessive ROS accumulation as a consequence of PQ exposure are frequently targeted by GSH thereby oxidative stress leads to depletion of cellular GSH by transforming of GSH to glutathione disulfide [GSSG]. A precise method of measuring of GSSG concentration in plasma as indicator of oxidative stress is needed. Some analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], gas chromatography and capillary electrophoresis have been used for determination of GSSG concentration. In the present study, a new HPLC method with fluorescence detection based on derivatization of the amine group of glutathione with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate [FMOC-C1] was developed. Male Wistar albino rats exposed to different doses of PQ [20-60 mg/kg] and control group were used and after protein precipitation, their plasma was subjected to derivatization with FMOC in the presence of borate buffer. The derivatized samples were injected to HPLC system with CIS column, mobile phase consisting of methanol and phosphate buffer, lambda[em]= 315 nm, lambda[ex]= 260 nm. Among all experimental groups, the rats which received 60 mg/kg PQ, showed a significant increase in the amount of oxidized glutathione [GSSG] compared to the control group. In this study, the applied derivatization and HPLC method made it possible to measure small amounts of glutathione in plasma using a precise and sensitive technique

Prevention of more complications in patients with head trauma

Head trauma and brain injuries are common causes of emergency admission and usually predispose multiple psychiatric complications. In turn, the traumas often occur after some psychiatric disorders. Therefore, the complicated interaction of these factors often causes difficulties in diagnosis and management of the patients. The side effects of surgical and medical treatments may also complicate these processes more, as well. In this study, we present a case of a young patient with these complex factors and discuss the diagnosis and management

Predictive value of having positive family history of cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

In the present study, we examined the relationship between family history of cardiovascular diseases [CVD], dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes with laboratorial abnormalities and syndromes in Iranian patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]. A total of 332 NAFLD patients from our outpatient clinic were consecutively entered into analysis. Exclusion criteria were having diabetes mellitus and fasting blood glucose over 126, active hepatitis B virus infection, having HCV positive serology, and to be under corticosteroid therapy. Family history of CVD, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were taken from patients and related to the study variables. Family history of cardiovascular diseases [CVD] was associated with low HDL levels [P=0.05]. Patients with positive family history of diabetes mellitus were significantly more likely to have AST/ALT levels proportion of higher than one [P=0.044]. Family history of dyslipidemia was a predictor for hypertriglyceridemia [P=0.02], higher prothrombin time levels [P=0.013], lower albumin [P=0.024] and T4 [P=0.043] levels. Family history of hypertension was associated with dysglycemia/diabetes [P=0.038], high ALT [P-0.008], and low TIBC [P-0.007] and albumin levels [P=0.001]. Family history for CVD, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were of clinical importance in the Iranian patients with NAFLD. We therefore recommend that physicians should precisely get family history of main disorders in all NAFLD patients; and to pay more attention to those having the mentioned family histories. Further studies with larger patient population and prospective approach are needed for confirming our findings

Helicobacter pylori genotypes can predict gastric tissue histopathology: a longitudinal study of Iranian patients

Several factors have been suggested to account for differences in the virulence of Helicobacter pylori infections in various populations. Evidence suggests the existence of different strains of H. pylori with different degrees of virulence. The present study aimed to investigate the gastric histopathology in Iranian patients infected with H. pylori and to investigate the relationship between the severity of gastritis and four different bacterial virulence-associated genotypes. All of the patients with positive results from a pathological examination, a rapid urease test, and PCR analysis for H. pylori infection were consecutively included into the study. The classification and grading of gastritis were performed according to the Sydney System. Esophagitis was classified endoscopically according to the Savary-Miller grading system. The primers used in this study targeted 16S rRNa [521 bp], Urease A [411 bp], Cag A [400 bp], and 26 kDa [303 bp]. Twenty-eight patients were included in the study. The presence of Cag A showed a significant relationship with higher gastritis grades [3.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.9, p = 0.024] and higher scores for H. pylori infection [3.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.7, p = 0.027]. The patients infected with 26 kDa-positive H. pylori had significantly higher infection scores [3.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.6, p = 0.020]. This study showed that CagA-positive H. pylori infection is associated with more severe gastritis and with increased bacterial density and inflammation in the biopsy specimens. The 303-bp positive genotype was also significantly associated with higher grades of esophagitis. Additional in-depth trials will be helpful in extending our findings. H. pylori [Helicobacter pylori], PCR [polymerase chain reaction]

Famotidine in the treatment oft unctional dyspepsia: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

In the present study, we aimed to investigate patients with a documented diagnosis of functional dyspepsia [FD] who had been admitted to our outpatient Gastroenterology Clinic and provided consent to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the therapeutic impact off amotidine on the symptoms and quality ofl ife of FD patients. A total of 160 patients attending our outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of FD according to Rome III criteria were enrolled in this double-blind study. They were randomized into case [famotidine treatment] and placebo groups; patients were asked to refill the Honk Kong dyspepsia index [a self global assessment tool] before the start of the study as well as after 3 months of treatment. Both famotidine and placebo led to significant improvements in dyspepsia symptoms, except for vomiting in both groups and loss of appetite in the placebo control group. However, the extent of these improvements was not different between the two study groups for most of the study parameters, whereas belching, feeling of acid regurgitation, heartburn, and the total score for the Hong Kong dyspepsia index were significantly more responsive to famotidine than placebo. No significant effectiveness off amotidine therapy was found regarding quality of life. This study showed a significant improvement in the total dyspepsia scores of FD, with a marked effect on belching, heartburn, and the feeling of acid regurgitation. These findings suggest that famotidine may be administered in certain FD patients who have significantly more symptoms of belching, heartburn, and acid regurgitation

Modulation of H2o2- induced neurite outgrowth impairment and apoptosis in PC12 cells by a 1,2,4-triazine derivative

Increased oxidative stress is widely accepted to be a factor in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Triazine derivatives possess a wide range of pharmacological activities including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of 3-thioethyl-5,6-dimethoxyphenyl-1,2,4-triazine [TEDMT] on H2O2-induced neurite outgrowth impairment and apoptosis in neuron-like PC 12 cells. We pretreated PC12 cells with 5, 7, and 10 uM of TEDMT followed by adding H2O2 as an oxidative stress agent. We found that TEDMT contributed to up-regulation of Bcl-2, down regulation of Bax protein and reduction of cleaved Caspase-3 and PARP proteins. Moreover, TEDMT could inhibit the phosphorylation of different mitogen activated protein kinases [extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase]. TEDMT induced heat shock protein 70 while decreased heat shock protein 90 level. Besides we measured six different parameters of neurite outgrowth and complexity. We showed that H2O2 increased cell body area, average neurite width and the proportion of bipolar cells, while decreased average neurite length, the numbers of primary neurites and the ratio of the total neurite branching nodes to the total number of primary neurites. Interestingly, we found that TEDMT not only protects PC12 cell against H2O2-induced apoptosis, but also defends against the destructive effect of oxidative stress on the criteria of neural differentiation. Protective effect of this compound could represent a promising approach for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

PEGylation of octreotide using an alpha,beta-unsaturated-beta-mono-sulfone functionalized Peg reagent

PEGylation is a well-established technique utilized to overcome the problems related to the therapeutic applications of pep tides and proteins. Reasons for the PEGylation of these biological macromolecules include reducing immunogenicity, proteolytic degradation and rapid clearance from blood circulation. Octreotide is an octapeptide analogue of naturally-occurred somatostatin. This peptide has elimination half-life of less than 2 h that requires frequent daily subcutaneous or intravenous administration. To address this issue, octreotide modification was investigated using bis-thiol alkylating PEG reagent. The required bisthiol alkylating reagent [V] was prepared from commercially available 4-acetyl benzoic acid in five steps. Octreotide disulfide bond was mildly reduced to liberate the two cysteine sulfur atoms followed by bis-alkylation to form PEGylated peptide. The PEG modification process was monitored through the reverse phase HPLC and 'H-NMR analysis. According to the HPLC chromatograms of PEGylation reaction, the peak with 30 min retention time was identified to be PEG-octreotide. In addition, H-NMR analysis showed a 7.44% degree of PEG substitution

[Minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin in combination with hexahydroquinoline derivatives against Staphylococcus aureus]

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen responsible for skin and soft tissue infections worldwide. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is a major cause of both nosocomial and community acquired infections. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant S. aureus is of global concern. Fluoroquinolone antimicrobials including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin are used to treat skin and soft tissue infections due to S. aureus. Emergence of ciprofloxacin resistance has increased in community acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains. The aim of this study was to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin and hexahydroquino-line derivatives against methicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus. Identification of S. aureus was performed by routine microbiological tests in the Department of Pathobiology in Winter 2012. The susceptibility of S. aureus strains to both methicillin and ciprofloxacin was examined by the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin, hexahydroquinoline derivatives and their combination were separately determined by broth microdilution method against methicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin decreased in the presence of hexahydroquinolinein derivatives in comparison with ciprofloxacin alone. This study showed that hexahydroquinoline derivatives enhance the antibacterial effect of ciprofloxacin against methicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus. Therefore, these derivatives could be used as inhibitors of antibiotic resistance in combination therapies. This enhancement may be related to the inhibitory effect of hexahydroquinoline derivatives on the expression of antibiotic efflux pump in the bacteria. However, the structural features of a fluoroquinolone that determine whether it is affected by efflux transporters are not fully defined.

[Validation of a revised version of the short-form Mc- Gill pain questionnaire [SF-MPQ-2] for IBS Patients]

The aim of this study was the validation of the revised McGill Pain Questionnaire [SF-MPQ-2] in patients with irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. A total of 107 [40 males, 67 females] IBS patients diagnosed according to Rome III criteria who referred to the Gastroenterology Clinic at Baqiyatallah Hospital in 1389 enrolled in this study. Enrolled patients completed a revised version of the short-form SF-MPQ-2 which had been translated into Farsi. To evaluate the validity of SF-MPQ-2 questionnaire, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. For assessment of reliability, we used Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the split-half method test. Factor analysis denoted a three-factor model that included perceptions of pain sensation, emotional pain and neuropathic pain. The validity of the SF-MPQ-2 was satisfactory according to factor analysis. A comparison between patients with pain and those without pain provided evidence that supported the criterion validity of the questionnaire. Evidence was also adequate to support the content validity of the questionnaire as a measure of pain in IBS patients. The reliability of the scales was also acceptable. The findings showed acceptable reliability and validity for the revised version of the short-form SF-MPQ-2 in confirming the presence of IBS.

Comparative chemical composition and antioxidant properties of the essential oils and aromatic water from teucrium persicum boiss

The essential oils and aromatic water, known as Arak in traditional Iranian medicine, comes from the aerial part of Teucrium persicum Boiss., which is grown in Fars Province located in Iran. The samples were collected in summer and the oils and aromatic water were obtained through steam distillation. The chemical composition of the oils was analyzed using GC-MS. An analysis of the chemical profile of the isolated oils revealed the presence of more than 80 compounds, mainly oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The principal components of essential oil were alpha-cadinene [9.7%], 1,4-cadinadiene [9.2%] and alpha-terpinyl acetate [7.9%]. The major constituents in the Arak were determined to be linalool [10.4%], alpha-cadinene [7.5%] and gamma-terpineol [7.3%]. Most of the compounds identified from different oils were similar, but their amounts differed. The oil revealed a higher content of total phenolics than the Arak [1.71 +/- 0.12 mg GAE/g DW and 1.36 +/- 0.11 mg GAE/g DW, respectively]. The antioxidant activity of the oils was calculated by using a ferric reducing antioxidant power assay [FRAP], DPPH radical scavenging activity, and a reducing power assay [RP]. The FRAP value points to a considerably higher reducing power of essential oil [220 +/- 7.2 micromol Fe[2+]/g DW] compared to that of Arak [113 +/- 5.4 micromol Fe[2+]/g DW]. Essential oil exhibited higher radical scavenging potential [IC[50] = 0.29 mg/mL] than Arak [IC[50] = 4.19 mg/mL]. The reducing power of essential oil [51.7 +/- 4.3 microg BHA/g DW] was higher than that of Arak [34.1 +/- 2.7 microg BHA/g DW]. The studied essential oils showed good antioxidant activities, which were higher than those of Arak

Elevated alanine aminotransferase activity is not associated with dyslipidemias, but related to insulin resistance and higher disease grades in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore demographic and metabolic factors associated with increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Overall 372 patients who consecutively attended to Gastroenterology Clinic of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran awere diagnosed as NAFLD entered into analysis. Exclusion criteria were having diabetes mellitus and fasting blood glucose over 126 mg/dL, active hepatitis B virus infection, having hepatitis C virus positive serology, and to be under corticosteroid therapy. ALT levels were considered pathologically high when it was over 30 IU/L for men and over 19 IU/L for women.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Bivariate analyses using t test and chi-square test showed that patients with pathologically augmented ALT levels had significantly higher NAFLD grades in their ultrasonographic evaluations (P=0.003). Moreover, these patients represented significantly higher homeostatic model assessment levels (P=0.003), levels of serum insulin (P=0.002), fasting blood glucose (P<0.001), and uric acid (P=0.02). The prevalence of insulin resistance was also higher in patients with increased serum ALT concentrations. Multifactorial logistic regression models showed that ultrasonographic grading of NAFLD (P=0.027) and insulin resistance (P=0.013) were the only variables significantly associated with abnormal ALT levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study shows that the associations of increased ALT serum levels in NAFLD patients are different from what are supposed before. By excluding diabetic patients from our population, we find that increased ALT levels are not associated with dyslipidemias but are independently associated with insulin resistance and NAFLD grading on ultrasonographic evaluations. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.</p>

Determination of residual methylmethacrylate monomer in denture base resins by gas chromatography

Acrylic base resins are widely used in orthopedics and dental surgery. It is generally accepted that due to the incomplete conversion of methyl methacrylate [MMA] monomer to the polymer form during polymerization of the resin, some MMA monomers remain in the hardened material. MMA monomer has been reported to cause abnormalities or lesions in several organs of animals. Study of the literatures showed that there are no perfect and valid methods for analysis of MMA. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and valid method for determination of MMA residual monomer in the denture base resins. We have developed and validated an analytical procedure employing gas chromatography with flame ionization detector [GC-FID], with temperature programming, and a close analogue internal standard for fast and repeatable analysis of MMA residual monomer contents in denture base polymers. For quantification of monomer, two calibration curves were used by two different methods of solution preparation and they were compared to each other. The assay was linear over the range of 0.03-0.6 mg/ml MMA with correlation coefficients [r[2]] of greater than 0.99. Accuracy, intra-day [Error<9.1%] and inter-day [Error<6.6%], precision [RSD<5.5% and RSD<6.5%, respectively] were in acceptable values over the examined concentration range. Limit of detection [LOD] and limit of Quantification [LOQ] for MMA were 0.01 and 0.02 mg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed method was a simple and fast assay for MMA residual monomer in denture base resins

Detection of morphine in opioid abusers hair by GC/MS

Thirty hair samples were collected from the male opioid abusers in which the presence of morphine in their urine samples was confirmed by Thin Layer Chromatography [TLC] analyses. The hair samples were washed, cut into small pieces and extracted in a mixture of methanol-triflouroacetic acid [9:1]. The methanolic phase was evaporated to dryness under nitrogen stream and derivitized by addition of N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl triflouroacetamide [MSTFA] and 1% trimethyl iodosilane [TMIS] with sonication. One micro liter of each derivitized sample was injected into a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer [GC/MS] system consisting of a capillary column and finnigan MS with selective ion monitoring [SIM] mode. The selected mass for ions codeine and morphine were 370 and 429, respectively. The limit of detection [LOD] was set at 0.03ng/mg of the hair. By using the above procedure, morphine was detectable in all of the examined samples and this method is capable to detec low levels of morphine in hair for a long period of time following the last intake of the drug