Electroanalytical investigation of paracetamol on glassy carbon electrode by voltammetry

An electroanalytical method was developed for the direct quantitative determination of paracetamol (or acetaminophen) in tablet dosage forms based on its oxidation behavior. The electrochemical oxidation and determination of paracetamol were easily carried out on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using a variety of voltammetric techniques. The electrochemical measurements were carried out on GCE in various buffer solutions in the pH range from 0.51 to 12.00 by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The dependence of pH on the anodic peak current and peak potential was investigated. Acetate buffer (pH 4.51) was selected for analytical purposes. Scan rate studies were also completed. The diffusion controlled nature of the peak was established. A linear calibration curve for DPV analysis was constructed in the paracetamol concentration range from 4x10-6 mol/L to 1x10-4 mol/L. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were obtained as 3.69x10-7 mol/L and 1.23x10-6 mol/L respectively. Validation of applied voltammetric techniques was checked with recovery studies. © 2015 The Authors

Electroanalytical Investigation of Paracetamol on Glassy Carbon Electrode by Voltammetry

An electroanalytical method was developed for the direct quantitative determination of paracetamol (or acetaminophen) in tablet dosage forms based on its oxidation behavior. The electrochemical oxidation and determination of paracetamol were easily carried out on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using a variety of voltammetric techniques. The electrochemical measurements were carried out on GCE in various buffer solutions in the pH range from 0.51 to 12.00 by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The dependence of pH on the anodic peak current and peak potential was investigated. Acetate buffer (pH 4.51) was selected for analytical purposes. Scan rate studies were also completed. The diffusion controlled nature of the peak was established. A linear calibration curve for DPV analysis was constructed in the paracetamol concentration range from 4x10(-6) mol/L to 1x10(-4) mol/L. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were obtained as 3.69x10(-7) mol/L and 1.23x10(-6) mol/L respectively. Validation of applied voltammetric techniques was checked with recovery studies

Electrooxidation of Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride and its Voltammetric and HPLC Determination in Human Urine and Tablet Dosage Form

The electrochemical oxidation of phenazopyridine hydrochloride (PAP) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques at ultra trace graphite electrode (UTGE). PAP exhibited a diffusion controlled process which is pH dependence. The dependence of the current and potential on pH, the concentration and nature of buffer, and scan rate was investigated to optimize the experimental conditions for the determination of PAP. It was found that the optimum buffer for the determination of PAP is 0.1 NaOH solutions with the pH 12.97. In the concentration range from 6.0x10(-8) to 1.0x10(-6) M, the current measured by DPV present a good linear property as a function of the concentration of PAP. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were obtained as 8.1x10(-10) and 2.7x10(-9) M, respectively. PAP was determined in human urine and tablet dosage form. Precision and accuracy of the developed technique were checked by recovery studies in spiked urine and tablet dosage form. In addition, for the comparison, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique was applied for the determination of PAP in the same samples.Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [TBAG-2173, 102T062]; Ege University Department of Scientific Research Projects (BAP) [05/ECZ/007]The authors gratefully acknowledge to the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Grant No: TBAG-2173; 102T062). The authors would also like to thank Faco Inc., (Istanbul, Turkey) for supplying pure PAP and its commercial tablet forms for proposed voltammety and comparison HPLC technique. Emrah KILINC acknowledges financial support from Ege University Department of Scientific Research Projects (BAP, Project number: 05/ECZ/007)

Health and health belief factors associated with screening and help-seeking behaviours for breast cancer symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the European evidence

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to identify health or health belief factors associated with mammography attendance or with self-initiated medical help-seeking for breast cancer symptoms among women in Europe. Methods: Five databases were searched for articles published between 2005 and 2018. Meta-analyses were conducted for 13 factors related to screening attendance and two factors associated with help-seeking behaviour. Where there were too few studies to include in the meta-analysis a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Results: Sixty-five studies were included. Never having had cervical screening (d=-0.72, p<0.001) and higher perceived barriers to mammography (d=-0.40, p<0.001) were associated with lower levels of screening attendance. Possessing health insurance (d=0.49, p<0.001), greater perceived benefits (d=0.31, p<0.001) and motivation (d=0.36, p=0.003) towards screening, and higher perceived seriousness (d=0.24, p=0.019) and susceptibility (d=0.20, p=0.024) towards breast cancer were associated with a higher level of screening attendance. Presenting with a non-lump symptom was associated with a longer time to presentation (d=0.32, p<0.001). The narrative synthesis revealed that previous benign breast disease was associated with a higher level of screening attendance but with a longer time to presentation. Conclusions: The review identified key similarities in factors associated with screening and help-seeking behaviours which offer scope for combined interventions aimed at women that target both behaviours. Furthermore, the review highlighted that fewer studies have focused on help-seeking behaviour, despite two thirds of breast cancer cases being self-detected. Future research should further examine predictors of help-seeking behaviour including a focus on modifiable factors, such as BMI, and physical activity

Are `Giving bad news` difficult situations for medical students?

Backround: Discussions about end-of-life are difficult issues for physicians to initiate. What about medical students? Do they have enough education about these issues? Aim: In this study our aim was not only to learn their approaches about giving bad news but also to apply a learning method by adding role playing to the elective lesson titled as `giving bad news` to our undergraduate curriculum.Methods: Study group was the third year medical students, who were elected `Approaches to Primary Care Patients` lesson which was given from lecturers of Family Medicine Department. A questionnarie was performed in the beginning and at the end of the lesson. Between these two period a role-playing demonstration was performed from two voluntary students related the subject.Results: Fifteen female (62,5%), 9 male (37;5%), total 24 elective lesson students were par tic i pated. Most of the stu dents (79,2%) stated our pres ent un der grad u ate cur ric u lum de fi cient related giving bad news. More than 90% feeling disturbed, concerned and insecure in giving bad news. After the lesson and role-playing demonstrations more than 90% of the students found this type of training efficacious and practical.Conclusion: Giving bad news is a very important communication skill. As family physicians play a key role on patient care we need to learn the methods and as lecturer to teach them to our medical students. Student integration to the training method can be benefical to internalize the subject. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2007;39(1):95-9

Full factorial experimental design for mechanical properties of electrospun vascular grafts

In this study, single layer vascular grafts were produced by a custom designed electrospinning apparatus. Both polymer type and rotational speed of the rotating collector were varied in single layer designs. Surface morphology of the fibrous scaffolds was observed under scanning electron microscope. Fiber diameter was measured and fiber orientation was analyzed by Image J Software. Scanning electron microscope images and fiber orientation analysis results indicated that fiber orientation was improved with increased rotational speed. Ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break values of the scaffolds were tested in planar forms. In addition to the experimental analysis, statistical analysis was also realized; 22 full factorial design was adapted to the test results in order to investigate the effect of polymer type and the rotational speed on elongation at break and ultimate tensile strength values. Results have shown that both polymer type and the rotational speed of the collector significantly influenced ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break values of scaffolds tested in the radial direction. When the scaffolds tested in the horizontal direction were considered, while both factors have had a poor effect on ultimate tensile strength, they were either significant or were very close to the confidence limits. On the other hand, the interaction effect of factors had a statistically significant influence on mechanical properties of both testing directions. The achieved results supported by statistical analysis can provide a reference for further studies in designing multilayer vascular grafts. </jats:p

Socio-demographic characteristics of osteoarthritis patients in Turkey and physicians' therapeutic approaches

Objective: With increased life expectancy throughout the world, the prevalence of musculoskeletal system disorders among the elderly has become an important health care concern in many countries. Osteoarthritis in particular is among the leading causes of chronic disability in the older population. Aims: This study aims to assess osteoarthritis patients with respect to demographic characteristics and investigate the therapeutic approaches of primary care physicians for treating patients who are diagnosed with this disorder. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was performed at primary health care centers in which osteoarthritis could be diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians. A pre-tested and validated form was used to obtain disease characteristics of patients who were diagnosed clinically as having osteoarthritis. These forms were then evaluated by using the "Investigator Global Assessment of Disease Status" system. Results: A total of 210 physicians and 13,203 patients (52.6% female and 47.4% male) enrolled in the study. Almost 98.4% of patients were prescribed at least one pharmacological agent. Non-pharmacologic approaches including physical therapy and rehabilitation, recommendations for dietary changes, and nutritional treatment, surgical weight loss methods, and other alternative treatment modalities were also commonly suggested. Conclusion: Osteoarthritis is commonly diagnosed and treated in the primary care setting. Therefore, updated osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment protocols should be a part of the continuing medical training of primary care physicians