Determinants of quality of life among pregnant women in the city centre of the Central Anatolia region of Turkey

Background

To evaluate the quality of life in pregnancy is very important because of the changes in the female body during pregnancy. Quality of life should be evaluated in terms of health protection during pregnancy, prevention of health problems and treatment.

Aims

The aim of this study is to determine the quality of life and the affecting factors by trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods

The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of pregnant women in a city center of the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. The study included 12 districts across a range of socioeconomic structures. Every district was selected by a simple random sampling method. The study was conducted by the researchers in the home of pregnant women by face to face interview method. The data were collected using "Personal Information Form" and "Quality of Life Scale". The total sample consisted of 1010 pregnant women, 192 of which were in first trimester, 277 of which were in second trimester and 541 of which were in third trimester. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between trimesters in physical domain (P = 0.96), mental domain (P = 0.94) and social domain (P = 0.47) of quality of life scale and there was a difference only in environmental domain (P = 0.02). The lowest quality of life in all three trimesters was found to be in physical domain.

Conclusion

There was no statistically significant difference between trimesters in physical, mental and social domains of quality of life scale and there was a difference only in environmental domain. The lowest quality of life scores in all three trimesters were in the physical domain. The quality of life of pregnant women differed according to the trimesters and some sub-dimensions of quality of life of pregnant women were negatively affected in all three timester.

The effect of maternal fatigue on breastfeeding

Background

Postpartum fatigue means tiredness, sense of suffocation, and decreased physical and mental capacity. Fatigue reduces postpartum women's ability of concentrate, which may increase the frequency of postpartum depression, and their babies and cause babies' weaning off breastmilk earlier.

Aim

Postpartum fatigue reduces the ability of mothers to concentrate and has a negative effect on communication between mothers and their babies. This study was performed to determine the effect of fatigue on breastfeeding and breastfeeding behaviors in postpartum women.

Subjects and Methods

The study had a descriptive desing and was carreid out in a postpartum clinic of a maternal, obstetric, and pediatric diseases hospital. It included 374 women giving normal vaginal birth. Data were gathered with a socio-demographic features form and Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue.

Results

The mean score was 6,91 ± 2,25 for the subscale fatigue and 2,38 ± 0,91 for the subscale energy. The women reporting that it was not difficult to give birth and that they had little or some fatigue had significantly higher scores for energy (P = 0.001). The women starting to breastfeed in the hour of giving birth (P = 0.003) and the women breastfeeding at 1-hour intervals (P = 0.100) had a lower score for fatigue. The women not needing help while breastfeeding had a significantly lower score for fatigue (P = 0.001), while those reporting to give additional food had a significantly higher score for fatigue (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

Women feel tired in the early postpartum period due to giving birth and their tiredness is increased by breastfeeding and infant care.

Targeting and sensing of some cancer cells using folate bioreceptor functionalized nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots

In recent years, study of folate receptor (FR) expression related to targeting, drug delivery and counting of tumoral cells have been followed. In this work, a fast and simple strategy was reported to determine the FR expressed cancer cells based on the selective bonding of the folic acid/folate (FA) to the FR-positive tumor cells. The folate decorated Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) were utilized as selective targeting of the MKN 45 cells. Fluorescent microscopy imaging investigations revealed that the produced FA conjugated N-GQDs could specifically attach to the target FR-positive tumor cells. Due to the fluorescence emission of N-GQDs, the developed cytosensor is free from attaching any fluorescent ligand i.e. Rhodamine B to capture the florescence microscopy images and also flow cytometry analysis. The fabricated cytosensor possesses a dynamic range from 100 to 7.0 × 10⁴ cell·mL^-1 with high selectivity. Furthermore, the cytosensor also could visualized the MCF 7 and HT 29 cells where the dynamic ranges were 100 to 1.0 × 10⁴ and 500 to 4.0 × 10⁴ cells·mL^-1, respectively. In vitro toxicity tests has shown low toxicity of the synthesized N-GQDs where the minimum viability is 68%. The proposed FA-N-GQDs based cytosensor provides a novel platform for detection of MKN 45, HT 29 and MCF 7 cancer cell lines which could be used in multi-channel cancer diagnosis biodevice.

Trimetazidine revisited: a comprehensive review of the pharmacological effects and analytical techniques for the determination of trimetazidine

Trimetazidine (TMZ) is an effective and well-tolerated antianginal drug that possesses protective properties against ischemia-induced heart injury. Growing interest in metabolic modulation in recent years urged an up-to-date review of the literature on TMZ. This review consists of two major sections: (1) comprehensive and critical information about the pharmacological effects, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, side effects, and current usage of TMZ, and (2) developments in analytical techniques for the determination of the drug in raw material, pharmaceutical dosage forms, and biological samples.

Electroanalytical determination of donepezil HCl in tablets and human serum by differential pulse and osteryoung square wave voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode

Donepezil hydrochloride (DNP) is used for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The voltammetric behavior of DNP was studied at a glassy carbon electrode using cyclic, linear sweep, differential pulse (DPV) and square-wave (OSWV) voltammetric techniques. DNP exhibited irreversible anodic waves within the pH range 1.80 and 9.00 in different supporting electrolytes. The peak was characterized as being irreversible and diffusion-controlled. The possible mechanism of the oxidation process is discussed. The current-concentration plot was rectilinear over the range from 1 x 10(-6) to 1 x 10(-4) M in Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 7.0 with a correlation coefficient between 0.997 and 0.999 in supporting electrolyte and human serum samples using the DPV and SWV techniques. The repeatability and reproducibility of the methods for both media (supporting electrolyte and serum sample) were determined. Precision and accuracy of the developed methods were demonstrated by recovery studies. The standard addition method was used for the recovery studies. No electroactive interferences were found in biological fluids from endogenous substances or additives present in tablets. The methods developed were successfully applied to the determination of DNP in tablets and in spiked human serum.

Humoral immune response against 38-kDa and 16-kDa mycobacterial antigens in tuberculosis

Several ELISA tests based on mycobacterial antigens have been used for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), although demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a smear or culture is the most reliable method. In the present study, the diagnostic value of 16-kDa and 38-kDa mycobacterial antigens was investigated in patients who were diagnosed with tuberculosis by clinical and/or bacteriological findings in Turkey. The PATHOZYME-TB Complex Plus commercial ELISA kit was used for measuring immunoglobulin G against 38-kDa and 16-kDa recombinant antigens. Humoral immune response was analysed in a group of 179 TB patients (143 smear-positive, 19 smear-negative, eight lymphadenitis and nine pleuritis), 15 inactive TB cases and in control groups consisting of 40 healthy volunteers and 20 subjects with pulmonary diseases other than TB. The sensitivity, specifity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the test were determined at 52.5%, 93.3%, 95.9% and 39.7%, respectively in TB cases. Antibodies were detected at above cut-off level in three (20%) out of 15 subjects with inactive TB. In conclusion, the ELISA test has a very good specifity and an acceptable sensitivity and positive predictive value. It is thought that it could be used in combination with other methods to increase diagnostic accuracy, especially for culture-negative tuberculosis cases, which are difficult to diagnose.

Electrochemical methods for determination of the protease inhibitor indinavir sulfate in pharmaceuticals and human serum

Indinavir sulfate is an inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease. The aim of this study was to determine indinavir levels in serum and pharmaceuticals, by means of electrochemical methods using the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Indinavir exhibited irreversible cathodic waves over the pH range 2.00-12.00 in different supporting electrolytes. The current-concentration plot was rectilinear over the range from 8 x 10(-7) M to 8 x 10(-6) M with a correlation coefficient of 0.996 for differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and 8 x 10(-7) M to 1 x 10(-5) M with correlation of 0.999 M for osteryoung square ware voltammetry (OSWV) in Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 10.00. The wave was characterized as being irreversible and diffusion-controlled. The proposed methods were fully validated and successfully applied to the determination of indinavir in capsules and spiked human serum samples with good recoveries. The repeatability and reproducibility of the methods as well as precision and accuracy (such as supporting electrolyte, serum samples) were determined. No electroactive interferences from the endogenous substances were found in serum samples.

Determination of the antihyperlipidemic simvastatin by various voltammetric techniques in tablets and serum samples

The electrochemical behavior and determination of simvastatin (SMV), a lipid-lowering drug, were studied in aqueous alcohol medium at a stationary glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed one main, well-defined, sharp oxidation peak between pH 2 and 8. The oxidation was irreversible and exhibited a diffusion controlled mechanism. Differential pulse and square wave voltammetric methods for the quantitative determination of SMV in pharmaceutical dosage forms and spiked serum samples were developed based on the linear relationship between the peak current and the concentration. Differential pulse and square wave voltammetric techniques for the determination of SMV in 0.1 M H2SO4 and a constant amount of methanol (20%), which allow quantitation over the 2 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) M range in supporting electrolyte with a detection limit of 2.71 x 10(-7) M and 5.50 x 10(-7) M for differential pulse and square wave voltammetric methods, respectively, are proposed. The repeatability and reproducibility of the methods were determined. Precision and accuracy were also checked. These methods were used for the determination of SMV in tablets. The standard addition method was used in biological media. No electroactive interferences from endogenous substances and excipients were found in biological fluids and pharmaceutical dosage forms, respectively.

Anodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry of the antihypertensive drug candesartan cilexetil at a glassy carbon electrode

The electrochemical behaviour of candesartan cilexetil (CND) was investigated in an acetonitrile: supporting electrolyte mixture (30% acetonitrile) in the pH range 1.5-11.00 by cyclic, linear sweep, differential pulse (DPV), adsorptive stripping differential pulse (AdSDPV), square wave (SWV) and adsorptive stripping square wave (AdSSWV) voltammetric techniques. CND exhibited one wave and one peak to the anodic direction. The oxidation process was found to be irreversible and adsorption controlled. To obtain good sensitivity, the instrumental and accumulation variables were studied using DPV and SWV techniques. Two linear calibration plots were obtained for both techniques. The detection limits were 9.15 x 10(-7) M and 7.94 x 10(-6) M for AdSDPV and AdSSWV, respectively. The method was validated and successfully applied for the analysis of CND tablets.

Validated RP-hPLC method for the assay of zalcitabine in drug substance, formulated products and human serum

A HPLC method for zalcitabine determination in bulk form, pharmaceutical dosage forms and human serum has been developed and validated. The proposed method was conducted using a reverse phase technique, and UV monitoring at 265 nm. The mobile phase consisted of methanol: 0.01 M NaH2PO4 (85:15; v/v) adjusted to pH 4.62 with 1 M NaOH. The detector response was linear in the range of 0.015-50 microg mL(-1). The limit of detection and the limit of quantification of the procedure were 0.0066 microg mL(-1) and 0.022 microg mL(-1), respectively. The retention time was 2.5 min for zalcitabine and 3.5 min for the internal standard. No interferences from tablet additives were observed and analysing tablets containing zalcitabine proved the applicability of the method. This method was also applied for the determination of zalcitabine in spiked human serum samples.

Simultaneous determination of melatonin and pyridoxine in tablet formulations by differential pulse voltammetry

A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of melatonin (MT) and pyridoxine hydrochloride (PY) in pharmaceutical dosage forms by differential pulse voltammetry, based on the oxidation of both drugs at a glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic and linear scan voltammetry were used to examine the influence of pH, nature of the buffer, scan rate and concentration. The results in 0.5 M H2SO4 with 20% methanol allowed a method to be developed for the determination of MT and PY simultaneously and in the presence of each other in the ranges 2 x 10(-5)-8 x 10(-5) and 2 x 10(-5)-4 x 10(-4) M, with the detection limits of 5.86 x 10(-6) and 2.45 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the commercial tablets containing this drug combination without any interference by the excipients.

Synthesis and analytical evaluation by voltammetric studies of some new indole-3-propionamide derivatives

Some biologically important and melatonin-related indole-3-propionamide derivatives were synthesized. The compounds synthesized were analyzed and characterized first by NMR and mass spectrometry and then investigated by analytical voltammetric techniques. Based on this study a simple, rapid and sensitive voltammetric method was developed for the determination of the indole derivatives that are readily oxidized at the carbon-based electrodes. The oxidative behavior of the indole derivatives was studied as a function of pH at a glassy carbon electrode. The characteristics of the corresponding electrode reaction were discussed.

Simultaneous determination of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets by first-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry and LC

First-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide simultaneously in combined pharmaceutical dosage forms. The derivative procedure was based on the linear relationship between the drug concentration and the first derivative amplitudes at 270.6 and 335 nm for valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 12.0-36.1 microg x ml(-1) for valsartan and 4.0-12.1 microg x ml(-1) for hydrochlorothiazide. Furthermore, a high- performance liquid chromatographic procedure with ultraviolet detection at 225 nm was developed for a comparison method. For the HPLC procedure, a reversed phase column with a mobile phase of 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.2)-acetonitrile (55: 45; v/v), was used to separate for valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide. The plot of peak area ratio of each drug to the internal standard versus the respective concentrations of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide were found to be linear in the range of 0.06-1.8 and 0.07-0.5 microg x ml(-1), respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in laboratory-prepared mixtures and commercial tablets.

Determination of olsalazine sodium in pharmaceuticals by differential pulse voltammetry

The electrochemical oxidation of olsalazine sodium was investigated by cyclic, linear sweep, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry using glassy carbon disc electrode in different buffer systems. Best results were obtained for the determination of olsalazine using the differential pulse voltammetric technique in phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. The electroactive species exhibits a diffusion-controlled voltammetric wave and its differential pulse peak current shows a linear dependence on olsalazine concentration in the range between 2 x 10(-6) M and 2 x 10(-4) M. This relationship has been applied to the determination of olsalazine in commercial capsule dosage forms. The recovery study shows good accuracy and precision for the assay developed. A UV spectrophotometric assay is also reported for comparison.

A rapid, sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of meropenem in pharmaceutical dosage form, human serum and urine

A new, simple, precise and rapid high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of meropenem in human serum, urine and pharmaceutical dosage forms. Chromatography was carried out on an LC(18) column using a mixture of 15 mM KH(2)PO(4):acetonitrile:methanol (84:12:4; v/v/v), adjusted to pH 2.8 with H(3)PO(4). The proposed method was conducted using a reversed-phase technique, UV monitoring at 307.6 nm and cefepime as an internal standard. The retention times were 5.98 and 7.47 min for cefepime and meropenem, respectively. The detector response was linear over the concentration range of 50-10,000 ng/mL. The detection limit of the procedure was found to be 22 ng/mL. The detection limit for meropenem in human plasma was 108.4 ng/mL and the corresponding value in human urine was 179.3 ng/mL. No interference from endogenous substances in human serum, urine and pharmaceutical preparation was observed. The proposed method is sufficiently sensitive for determination of the concentrations of meropenem and may have clinical application for its monitoring in patients receiving the drug.

Simultaneous determination of paracetamol and methocarbamol in tablets by ratio spectra derivative spectrophotometry and LC

The application of the ratio spectra derivative spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to the simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PAR) and methocarbamol (MET) in combined pharmaceutical tablets is presented. The spectrophotometric procedure is based on the use of the first derivative of the ratio spectra obtained by dividing the absorbtion spectrum of the binary mixtures by a standard spectrum of one of the compounds. The first derivative amplitudes were measured at 243.0 and 230.3 nm for the assay of PAR and MET, respectively. Calibration graphs were established for 2-30 microg ml for PAR and 2-36 microg/ml for MET in binary mixture. The detection limits for PAR and MET were found 0.097 and 0.079 microg/ml, respectively; while the quantification limits were 0.573 microg/ml for PAR and 1.717 microg/ml for MET. For the HPLC procedure, a reversed-phase column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (60:40, v/v), was used to separate both compounds with a detection of 274.0 nm. Linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 2 300 and 1.5-375 microg/ml for PAR and MET, respectively. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 0.42 and 1.4 microg/ml for PAR and 0.36 and 1.2 microg/ml for MET, respectively. The relative standard deviations were found to be less than 0.52%, indicating reasonable repeatibility of both methods. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in commercial tablets.

Study on electrooxidation of cefadroxil monohydrate and its determination by differential pulse voltammetry

In this work electrooxidation of cefadroxil monohydrate was investigated using a glassy carbon electrode depending on pH and supporting electrolyte. It was shown that the direct determination of the substance from capsules and in oral suspension could be made by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). UV and first derivative UV spectrophotometric methods are also proposed as comparative methods.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of verapamil and its application to determination in tablet dosage forms and to drug dissolution studies

A high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure with two detectors is presented for the determination of verapamil in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The procedure is based on the use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV and fluorimetric detectors. Each analysis required no longer than 6 min for both detection procedures. Quantification was achieved by measurement of the ratio of the peak area of the drug to the internal standard (fluoxetine) and the detection limit was 10 ng/ml for the UV detector and 750 pg/ml for the fluorimetric detector. There was no significant difference between inter- and intra-day studies for verapamil determined for two different concentrations (0.05 and 1.00 microgram/ml). This process could be used to determine verapamil concentrations in the range 0.025-50 and 0.0008-20 micrograms/ml for UV and fluorimetric detection, respectively. These methods were applied, without any interference from the excipients, for the determination of the drug in tablets and in drug dissolution studies. It is suggested that the proposed HPLC procedures could be used for routine quality control and dosage form assay of verapamil hydrochloride.

Voltammetric investigation of oxidation of zuclopenthixol and application to its determination in dosage forms and in drug dissolution studies

The oxidative voltammetric behaviour of zuclopenthixol (ZPT) at a glassy carbon has been studied using cyclic, linear sweep and differential pulse voltammetry. Oxidation of the drug produced three pH dependent anodic steps (representing an irreversible oxidation). Using differential pulse voltammetry, the drug yielded a well-defined voltammetric response in phosphate buffer, pH 5.2 at + 0.82 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). This process could be used to determine ZPT concentrations in the range 8 x 10(-7)-2 x 10(-4) M. The method was applied, without any interferences from the excipients, to the determination of the drug in tablets and oral drops, and in drug dissolution studies.

Comparative dissolution testing of paracetamol commercial tablet dosage forms

Dissolution can best be described as a tool that can provide valuable information about the availability of a drug product. In this study, nine different paracetamol tablet dosage forms available on the Turkish Drug Market have been investigated and physical controls were realized. Paddle and rotating basket apparatus methods were applied to all the formulations. In order to evaluate the dissolution rates, five different kinetics have been studied and the best fitting kinetics was found to be the Hixson-Crowell kinetics. It was found that all the preparations are in accordance with the Pharmacopeia standards.

Determination of terbutaline based on oxidation by voltammetry

A voltammetric study of the oxidation of terbutaline has been carried out at an activated glassy carbon electrode. The compound was oxidized irreversibly at high positive potential. The response was evaluated with respect to pH, scan rate, nature of the buffer and other variables. The peak current, at about 0.8 V (versus a saturated calomel electrode), was proportional to the terbutaline concentration in the range of 8 x 10(-6)-8 x 10(-4) M in phosphate buffer pH 6.0. This method was applied, without any interferences from the excipients, to determine the drug in a tablet dosage form.

Electrochemical reduction of metronidazole at activated glassy carbon electrode and its determination in pharmaceutical dosage forms

A voltammetric method has been developed for the determination of metronidazole in dosage forms. The method is based on the electrochemical reduction of the drug at a glassy carbon electrode activated by applying a new pretreatment. The influence of pH, concentration, scan rate and presence of organic solvent and surfactant has been studied. The current is proportional to the concentration and permits the drug to be determined in the concentration range 2 x 10(-6)-6 x 10(-4) M in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 10). Furthermore, results obtained by the proposed method have been compared with USP XXIII procedure which involves a HPLC method.

Electroanalytical study of nifedipine using activated glassy carbon electrode

The electrochemical properties of nifedipine have been investigated in aqueous solution by linear sweep and cyclic voltammetry. The method is based both on the reduction and on the oxidation of the drug at a glassy carbon electrode activated by applying a new pre-treatment. The voltammograms of nifedipine on pH, concentration and scan rate have been carefully examined. Both the electroreduction and electrooxidation of nifedipine allow its determination at pH 1.5 in the concentration range of 2 x 10(-5)-6 x 10(-4) M and 8 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) M, respectively. The method has been applied to commercial samples (tablets and capsules).

Voltammetric determination of droperidol and benperidol

In this study two butyrophenones, droperidol and benperidol were voltammetrically investigated using platinum and specially activated glass carbon electrodes. The behaviours of the substance were investigated in various electrolyte solutions having different pH values and by different scan rates. As a result of the studies it was shown that the quantitative determinations of the substances from their pharmaceutical preparations could be made rapidly and simply without any separation from the excipients.

Anodic voltammetry of fluphenazine at different solid electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of fluphenazine based on its oxidation at platinum and glassy carbon electrodes was investigated by linear sweep and cyclic voltammetry. The influence of pH, concentration, nature of the buffer and scan rate was carefully examined. At both electrodes, three anodic steps (representing an irreversible oxidation) were obtained. The method was applied to the determination of fluphenazine in sugar-coated tablets.