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Strychnine (STN) and its major metabolite Strychnine N-Oxide (SNO) were examined electrochemically. Both parent compounds and its major metabolite showed electroactivity on glassy carbon electrodes using CV and DPV techniques. One oxidation peak at 1008 mV was observed for STN with the optimum peak intensity at pH 7. SNO produced two oxidation peaks, at 617 mV and 797 mV, at pH 5. The peaks demonstrated irreversible behaviour and the irreversibility of the system was confirmed at different scan rates. A calibration curve was produced for both CV and DPV measurements and the sensitivity of the proposed EC method was good compared with previous electrochemical and non-electrochemical methods. The precision of oxidation peak of STN using the STN-MIP method produced a maximum value of 11.5% and 2.32% for inter-day and intraday %RSD, respectively. The average% recovery was around 92%. The electrochemical method has been successfully applied to the determination of STN in spiked plasma and urine samples. For SNO, both anodic peaks of SNO demonstrated irreversible behaviour. A different sweep rate was used for calculating the number of ‘transfer electrons’ in the system; based on this, the mechanism of oxidation reaction was proposed. Calibration curves for both oxidative peaks were produced using DPV measurements. The second anodic peak demonstrated high linearity and precision with %RSD < 1.96%.

A comprehensive and innovative guide to teaching, learning and assessment in forensic science education and practitioner training Includes student exercises for mock crime scene and disaster scenarios Addresses innovative teaching methods including apps and e-gaming Discusses existing and proposed teaching methods.

A comprehensive and innovative guide to teaching, learning and assessment in forensic science education and practitioner training Includes student exercises for mock crime scene and disaster scenarios Addresses innovative teaching methods including apps and e-gaming Discusses existing and proposed teaching methods

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to determine if any structural or compositional differences in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) bone mineral could be detected that might help to explain the bone fragility observed in this disease. A previous study by Cassella et al. used an electron probe X-ray microanalytical technique to compare the calcium to phosphorus (Ca/P) molar ratios in normal bone and bone from patients with OI. It was demonstrated that bone from OI patients had a lower Ca/P molar ratio. This study demonstrated that OI bone mineral had a general hydroxyapatite structure and that isomorphous substitutions in the carbanoapatite lattice could account for the low Ca/P molar ratio.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is an hereditary disease of connective tissue, characterised clinically by frequent fracture following minimal trauma. Advances in molecular biology have demonstrated type 1 procollagen gene mutations in OI, this has not been matched by studies in the transmission electron microscope. The aim of this study was to investigate histological and ultrastructural changes of bone collagen and microanalytical changes of bone mineral in OI. Ultrastructurally, cellular changes were observed, possibly due to the poor secretion of abnormal type I procollagen chains. Fibrils were observed associated with type I collagen, possibly representing degraded collagen or abnormal collagen formed de novo. Histomorphometry of bone osteoid type I collagen fibre diameters, demonstrated larger diameter fibrils in OI compared to normal bone, possibly indicating an altered packing of collagen molecules. An X-ray microanalysis technique was developed, and determined the molar calcium to phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio of OI cortical bone to be lower than normal. Analytical studies on bone mineral suggested an apatite lattice was maintained, despite the possible ionic substitutions resulting in a low Ca/P ratio. A transgenic mouse with a mutated type I procollagen was investigated using the methodologies applied to human OI bone. Radiography and alizarin red staining demonstrated multiple fractures. Fibrils associated with type I collagen were observed. Analytical studies correlated well with OI data, a lower Ca/P ratio was observed in transgenic mouse bone. Molecular biological results have indicated that some mutations cause substitutions for glycine, this study has shown that these appear to alter the quarternary structure of the type I collagen. Alteration in collagen architecture may change the stereochemistry and hence the nucleation and growth environment for apatite. Also, an increased opportunity for ionic substitution and adsorption of ions may result. The findings of this study point to certain abnormalities in type I collagen and mineral formation and may be associated with the increased ease and frequency of bone fractures in OI.