Solvay (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACTBackground: Omega-3 fatty acids from fish and fish oils can protect against coronary heart disease (CHD), which is still the most common cause of death in the Western economies. Evidence from epidemiological and case cohort studies indicate that consumption of fatty fish and omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality.Objective: This article briefly reviews the evidence regarding omega-3 fatty acids and CHD and outlines the mechanisms through which omega-3 fatty acids might confer cardiac benefits over and above the standard secondary prevention strategies.Conclusion: The conclusion reached is that omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in secondary prevention post-myocardial infarction. The mechanisms through which two of these omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid, exert their action appear to be distinct and adjuvant to the available standard secondary prevention therapies. The role to be played by the administration of a newly licensed 90% concentrate EPA + DHA formulation (1 g/day capsule: Omacor) is explored.* Omacor is a trade name of Pronova Biocare, Norway

The solid acid catalyst SbF3 supported on hexagonal mesoporous silica is an active and reasonably selective catalyst for the oxidation of cyclohexanone to caprolactone using hydrogen peroxide.

Fibrosing colonopathy is a serious bowel disorder which was first seen in 1991 in patients with cystic fibrosis treated with high doses of pancreatic enzyme supplements. Epidemiological evidence from two case–control studies, temporal data and direct experimental evidence support the conclusion that there is a causal relationship between the disease and intake of high doses of the excipient, methacrylic acid copolymer, which is used to coat certain brands of pancreatic enzyme. A high intake of lipase, the active ingredient in pancreatic enzymes, is not a risk factor for fibrosing colonopathy in the absence of methacrylic acid copolymer. Excipients may be toxic if used in new patient populations such as children and in doses exceeding the safe levels predicted by animal toxicology. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A process has been developed for the oxidation of 4-t-butyltoluene to 4-t-butylbenzaldehyde via an indirect route involving the formation of either 4-t-butylbenzyl bromide or 4-t-butylbenzal bromide. The organic bromides were formed using a photolytic HBr/H2O2 route in the absence of solvent. The bromination steps were found to be highly efficient in that all the substrate could be converted, consuming all the hydrogen peroxide at this stage of the reaction. Partial hydrolysis (up to 50%) of the benzyl bromide to the aldehyde was achieved employing the Sommelet route using hexamethylenetetramine. However, up to 58% aldehyde yield could be afforded from the benzal bromide using a suitable phase transfer agent and a small amount of co-solvent. In both cases, the extent of over-oxidation to 4-t-butylbenzoic acid was reduced by careful control of the bromination step and eliminating dioxygen from the reactor. © 1998 SCI.

Laboratory experiments and full-scale trials in Brazil and Italy are reported that show that peracetic acid is a good disinfectant (better than sodium hypochlorite) of sewage in tropical and warm temperate climates. Its demonstrated effectiveness against V. cholerae suggests it should be a significant element in cholera control efforts.

Although a ‘traditional’ fibre, linen production has decreased substantially in recent years. In this article, William Hickman looks at the problems posed by linen, and research that is being carried out on linen fibres in order to secure its future.