Development of injectable microcapsules for use in the treatment of narcotic addiction

Injectible microcapsules containing narcotic antagonists have been prepared with dl-poly (lactic acid) as the coating material. The encapsulation technology has developed to the point that high yields of less than 180 mu capsules can be prepared routinely. Such capsules with an initial payload of 50 wt. % naltrexone pamoate provide 60-90% antagonism to the action of morphine 28 days after injection into mice as a peanut oil/aluminum monostearate suspension at a dose level of 40 miligrams naltrexone pamoate/ kg. mouse.     

Testing of drug delivery systems for use in the treatment of narcotic addiction

The evaluation of the drug release characteristic of four naltrexone delivery systems has been carried out together with the development of analytical techniques and an investigation of the metabolic profile of naltrexone. Pharmacologic evaluation of the four delivery systems in the mouse indicated significant analgesic antagonism for a period of from 16-22 days. Further evaluation of one of these systems by measurement of the rate of excretion of radioactivity after administration of radiolabelled naltrexone in the delivery system confirmed that significant release occurs for a time period of about 15 days. Electron capture gas-liquid chromatographic assays for naltrexone and naloxone in plasma or urine have been developed that yield linear calibration curves and are sensitive to one ng/ml. Studies on naltrexone disposition indicate that (a) binding to plasma proteins in several species varies from 20-26 per cent, (b) distribution of drug from blood is extremely rapid and extensive, (c) beta-naltrexol is a major metabolite of naltrexone in man, monkey and guinea pig among six species studied, whereas alpha-naltrexol is a minor metabolite in the monkey and guinea pig only, and (d) metabolic reduction of naltrexone occurs in the 100,000 x g supernatant of guinea pig liver. Pharmacokinetic studies of naltrexone in the dog and monkey indicate that the drug is rapidly distributed and eliminated, has a very large apparent volume of distribution and a total body clearance greater than the rate of liver blood flow.     

Drug and narcotic use among Danish drivers

An investigation was made of the presence of drugs and narcotics in samples from Danish drivers having violated the Danish Road Traffic act in 1993. Four hundred and twenty-five cases were received, but only 317 cases were analysed for drugs or narcotics. In 256 cases drugs or narcotics were found present with a total of 531 findings. In 112 of the cases only one compound was found present. Benzodiazepines, morphine, methadone, cannabinoids and amphetamine were the most frequently occurring compounds with 239, 52, 42, 32 and 28 findings, respectively. The study has shown that especially the benzodiazepines together with the illicit drugs seem to constitute a threat to traffic safety. For two countries very much alike, namely Denmark and Norway this study has shown a remarkable difference in the number of samples analysed and the results found.     

Physiologo-biochemical characteristics if Gluconobacter oxydans and prospects for its use in biotechnology and biosensor systems (review)

Gluconobacter oxydans possesses a unique organization of metabolic systems, which are characterized by reduction of major dissimilation pathways, surface localization of main oxidative enzymes responsible for partial oxidation of carbon substrates, high performance of electron-transport chains, and accumulation of partially oxidized metabolites in the medium. These features allow us to use the cells of these microorganisms in biotechnology for production of several food products and medicines. The use of G. oxydans in biosensors for estimation of concentrations of sugars, aldoses and polyalcohols is promising. Physiological and biochemical features of these microorganisms enabling their use in biotechnology and receptor elements of biosensors are reviewed.     

Potential adverse outcomes of psychotropic and narcotic drug use in Canadian seniors

Infants who ingest high amounts of fluoride can be at risk of dental fluorosis. The authors analyzed the fluoride concentration of 238 commercially available infant foods. Fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 8.38 micrograms of fluoride per gram, with the highest fluoride concentrations found in infant foods containing chicken. Infant foods, especially those containing chicken, should be considered when determining total fluoride intake.     

银电解精炼的技术改进及展望

本文总结了叙述了１９８３年以来沈阳冶炼厂银电解精炼过程技术改进，包括提高电银质量，钛阴极的应用，电解液的组成等，并对银电解精炼过程的继续改进提出建议。     

Service properties of aluminum-matrix precipitation-hardened composite materials and the prospects of their use on the modern structural material market

The methods of production, the structure, and the service properties of aluminum-matrix composite materials (CMs) hardened by high-strength high-module particles are discussed. Owing to high wear resistance, a low specific weight, and a low cost, such CMs are promising for application in many fields of machine building. The need for commercial development of these new functional reinforced CMs with hardening fillers of various natures and fraction compositions (including nanoparticles) as high-temperature and wear-resistant materials instead of traditional materials is grounded.     

Mechanical properties of Ti-Cr-Nb alloys and prospects for high-temperature applications

Four Ti-Cr-Nb alloys containing the C15 Laves phase have been given a series of mechanical tests, including compression, bending, notch toughness, elastic moduli measurement, microhardness, and a simple impact toughness test. Strength remains high between 900 °C and 1000 °C; moduli and specific moduli exceed those of titanium; 1000 °C ductility is substantial; but roomtemperature notch toughness is low. Since room-temperature impact toughness is substantial in unannealed samples, the effects of heat treatment will need to be studied. Oxidation rates have been measured on two of the alloys.     

The problems of ambulatory anesthesiology

Prospects of the development of ambulatory anesthesiology are greatly dependent on understanding its problems caused by the specific character of work of the ambulatory polyclinical institutions. The most important of them is responsibility for safety of the patients during general anesthesia and after it as well as comfort feelings of the patients in the nearest postoperative period. The solution of these problems is related not only with qualification of anesthesiologists but also with the adequate, corresponding to the present-day level of the material technical supply of their work. Of special importance are the "postnarcosis" wards, ability of the personnel to evaluate the psychophysiological state of the patients and correspondence of their life conditions to the requirements of ambulatory anesthesiology.     

2002年铝市场回顾与2003年展望

文章回顾了 2 0 0 2年的铝市场 ,2 0 0 2年前三个季度国内外铝价呈区间振荡走势 ,第四季度国内期货与现货价格开始急速走高。总体上讲 ,与上年比较 ,铝的价格重心仍在下移。市场供应快速增长 ,消费从第二季度开始温和回升 ,全年全球市场过剩量超过 90万t,但国内市场则短缺近 6万t,预计 2 0 0 3年国内外市场均将过剩。     

2002年氧化铝市场回顾与2003年展望

文章评述了2002年的氧化铝市场。2002年全球冶金级氧化铝产量的增幅低于消费的增长,2001年严重供过于求的局面大有好转,市场供需趋于平衡,全年价格基本平稳。国内氧化铝产量继续增长,但由于原铝产量增长迅速,氧化铝进口量仍大幅增长。预计2003年全球氧化铝产量将增长5.4％,消费量将增长7.7％,供给短缺约47万t,价格重心将比2002年明显上移。     

2002年铜市场评述及2003年展望

文章评述了 2 0 0 2年铜市场的变化 ,2 0 0 2年铜价呈窄幅低位震荡走势 ,受铜价长时间低迷的影响 ,铜矿山大量减产 ,全球精铜产量比上年下降了 1 5 %。同时由于全球经济有所回升 ,带动了铜消费增长 ,精铜市场供应得到一定改善 ,但消费仍处于低水平 ,库存仍较高。文章对 2 0 0 3年铜市场进行了预测 ,全球精铜消费增幅将高于 2 0 0 2年 ,供应将出现短缺。     

World market of germanium and its prospects

Based on publications of recent years, the modern state of the world market of germanium and germanium-containing products after the depression of 1999–2000 years is reviewed.