Sounding Out Pharmaceutical Processes

High-resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy is a novel technique with enormous potential for analysis of a wide range of samples and processes. This technique is based on precision measurements of velocity and attenuation of acoustical waves at high frequencies propagating through materials. It allows fast at/on line measurements analysis of formulation consistency (composition, structure) of raw materials, ingredients and intermediates, process impurity analysis, particle sizing, batch to batch variation, stability assessment etc in pharmaceutical industry. The technology can be used for static fingerprint measurements or for dynamic analysis of systems. Optical transparency is not required as ultrasonic waves propagate through opaque samples. The analysis is fast and non-destructive. High-resolution ultrasonic spectrometers were developed, patented and brought to the market by Ultrasonic Scientific Ltd. and recognised with various international awards. These instruments require small sample volumes, down to 0.03 ml, and give excellent resolution. They can be used for the analysis of composition, aggregation, particle sizing, gelation, micellisation, crystallisation, sedimentation, enzymatic activity, conformational transitions in polymers, biopolymer-ligand binding and antigen-antibody interactions, etc. This article describes main features of High-Resolution Ultrasonic Spectroscopy and area of applications of new high-resolution HR-US series of ultrasonic spectrometers. Several applications are illustrated including the monitoring of denaturation and aggregation of proteins in antibody solution, the measurements of the particle size in emulsions, precipitation in synthetic blood substitutes and crystallisation     

Light optical and electron microscopic studies of the tumor cells in rats exposed to vinblastine against a background of increased activity of the anticoagulating system

It is shown that the damage of sarcoma 45 cells at different stages of cell life cycle occurs under the effect of vinblastine treatment against a background of higher activity of the blood anticoagulating system. A decrease in the mitotic activity, mitosis accumulation in prophase and especially in the metaphase as well as essential changes in the interphase cell ultrastructure are detected.     

Fibrinolysis in the blood of animals exposed to the chronic per os use of a heparin-urea complex

When given per os a complex heparin-urea produces in the organism an intensive anticoagulant and fibrinolytic background which makes itself manifest in 1 hour time and continues to exist for as long as 16 hours after the last (10th) introduction. Upon abolishing the intake of the complex the study figures for the coagulation, anticoagulation and fibrinolytic activity return back to their physiological level. Introduction per os of the complex heparin-urea did not cause any changes in the tissues of the liver, heart, lungs, spleen and kidneys, while administration by the same route of an equivalent amount of urea caused mainly an increased non-fermentative fibrinolysis in the kidneys.     

Effect of desympathization on thrombocyte aggregation capacity and the blood clotting potential of rats

It was shown that platelet aggregation in partially (with stellate ganglia containing 25% neurons of normal amount) and completely (0,5% neurons) sympathectomized rats was significantly lower than in intact animals. Concurrently the blood coagulation system of sympathectomized rats was hyperactive. The reasons for sympathectomy-induced changes seems likely to be elevated adrenalin blood concentration in such rats.     

Influence of the Design Features of a Magnetron Sputtering Deposition System on the Electrical and Optical Properties of Indium—Tin Oxide Films

Semiconductors - The influence of the relative position of a magnetron and substrate on the electrical and optical properties of a forming indium–tin oxide (ITO) layer is shown. The reasons...     

Mechanisms of biophysical effects of microwaves

According to our and other investigators theoretical and experimental dates biophysical effects of microwaves are defined by thermal and specific biological action. Specific influence are realized by more delicate and precise ways and mechanisms of absorption and molecular relaxation of microwave energy, energy-informative interaction of radio-emission with biosystem. It include three mechanisms: synchronisation of oscillatory processes (oscillators) of irradiated object in acting electromagnetic field; selective influence of microwaves on the biomembranes, on nervous and other highly-organized systems of living organism, on the complex formation processes and fermentative activity; resonance phenomena. These mechanisms connected with parameters of acting electromagnetic field and with electrical, magnetic and other properties of biological systems.