A new method was established for the simultaneous determination of Sn(II) and Sn(IV) using differential pulse polarography (DPP). Among several electrolytes, 0.1 M NaOH in the presence of 0.1 M KNO 3 was found to be the most suitable one. In this medium, Sn(II) had 2 peaks, at -0.74 and -1.17 V, which were sharp and very sensitive. Sn(IV), on the other hand, had a very small peak at -0.92 V when its concentration was higher than 4.0 × 10 −4 M. Thus, it was decided to determine Sn(IV) after reduction into Sn(II). In the presence of both Sn(II) and Sn(IV), Sn(II) was first determined from the peak at -1.17 V, and then Sn(IV) was determined after its reduction with NaBH 4 into Sn(II). The detection limit was 5.5 × 10 −7 M and 8.2 × 10 −7 M for Sn(II) and Sn(IV), respectively. The interference effect of the most common ions, Fe(III), Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II), was investigated. Only copper and iron had an interfering effect during the speciation procedures, since they oxidized Sn(II), which was formed after reduction of Sn(IV) for its determination. This effect of Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions could be eliminated by the reducing agent NaBH 4 , which was used for the reduction of Sn(IV). Since Pb(II) and Cd(II) peaks overlap with the first peak of Sn(II) at -0.74V, Sn(II) was determined using the second peak, at -1.17 V. In a synthetic sample containing Sn(II), Sn(IV), and all common ions, the total content of tin (2.0 × 10 −5 M) was found to be (2.07 ± 0.38) × 10 −5 M (90% CI, N = 3). This method was applied for the determination of tin in canned tomato sauce.

Allergic rhinitis has been identified as a major respiratory disease that places a significant burden on patients and the healthcare system. Nevertheless, the management of allergic rhinitis is challenging for both patients and practitioners. Pharmacists have been recognised as strategic in providing advice for allergic avoidance, disease information, and pharmacological care for allergic rhinitis management. This role has been underutilised in the public health service sector in Malaysia due to variation in practice, regulation, and health system structures when compared to the international guidelines. This article proposed a PhaRmacISt-led Education Model (AR-PRISE) that includes explicit patient education materials and an algorithm for structured counselling by pharmacists in the management of patients with allergic rhinitis.

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There are various causes that can lead to compressive optic neuropathy. We present here orbital apex cyst as an unusual cause of compressive optic neuropathy in a 49-year-old male. He presented with 2 weeks painless loss of vision in the left eye with left-sided headache. He had had left functional endoscopic sinus surgery for left nasal polyps 4 years earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain and orbit revealed a left discrete orbital nodule, possibly orbital cyst or mucocele, which was compressing on the left optic nerve. Left eye vision improved markedly from hand movement to 6/36 pinhole 6/18 after initiation of intravenous dexamethasone. A subsequent endoscopic endonasal left optic nerve decompression found the orbital nodule lesion to be an orbital cyst. Marsupialization was performed instead of excision, as the cyst ruptured intraoperatively. Postoperative vision improved to 6/7.5 with normal optic nerve function postoperatively. Possible cause of orbital apex cyst is discussed.

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