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948 results on '"Hargreaves M"'

192. A forensic case study: the detection of contraband drugs in carrier solutions by Raman spectroscopy.

Author

Burnett, A. D., Edwards, H. G. M., Hargreaves, M. D., Munshi, T., and Page, K.

Abstract

Recently, cocaine has been concealed by dissolving it in alcohol and then transporting it in solution through ports and airports. At the present time it is very difficult to detect cocaine in this form in these environments. However, it has been shown that Raman spectroscopy can successfully detect the presence of these drugs without removing specimens from their containers. Using two portable 785 nm instruments and a 1064 nm laboratory-based instrument, several common containers used in smuggling were analyzed with varying concentrations of cocaine in ethanol solutions. The presence of cocaine is detectable to about 6% w/ v in most containers. Green glass presents a problem at 785 nm due to fluorescence but by switching to 1064 nm this can be removed. To apply this technique to real samples as met within law enforcement scenarios, cocaine was dissolved in a selection of dark and white rums including Lamb's Navy Rum™, Brugal Añejo™, Bacardi™ and Captain Morgan™; cocaine was detected in all these rum solutions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2011
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198. A nested real-time PCR assay has an increased sensitivity suitable for detection of viruses in aerosol studies.

Author

Perrott, P., Smith, G., Ristovski, Z., Harding, R., and Hargreaves, M.

Subjects
VIRAL transmission, AEROSOLS, INFLUENZA, RESPIRATORY syncytial virus, VIRAL disease prevention, POLYMERASE chain reaction, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL research, BACTERIOPHAGES
Abstract

Aims: Influenza is commonly spread by infectious aerosols; however, detection of viruses in aerosols is not sensitive enough to confirm the characteristics of virus aerosols. The aim of this study was to develop an assay for respiratory viruses sufficiently sensitive to be used in epidemiological studies. Method: A two-step, nested real-time PCR assay was developed for MS2 bacteriophage, and for influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1 and human respiratory syncytial virus. Outer primer pairs were designed to nest each existing real-time PCR assay. The sensitivities of the nested real-time PCR assays were compared to those of existing real-time PCR assays. Both assays were applied in an aerosol study to compare their detection limits in air samples. Conclusions: The nested real-time PCR assays were found to be several logs more sensitive than the real-time PCR assays, with lower levels of virus detected at lower Ct values. The nested real-time PCR assay successfully detected MS2 in air samples, whereas the real-time assay did not. Significance and Impact of the Study: The sensitive assays for respiratory viruses will permit further research using air samples from naturally generated virus aerosols. This will inform current knowledge regarding the risks associated with the spread of viruses through aerosol transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2009
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