Helicobacter Pylori in Vivo Diagnosis after Food Intake: Results of Simultaneous [15N]Urea Urine and [13C]Acetate Breath Tests

Abstract

The protocols for ¹³C and ¹⁵N H. pylori tests stipulate that the diagnostic agent should be taken on an empty stomach. It is presumed that food intake prior to the tests leads to less reliable test results due to a prolongation of the gastric residence time of the diagnostic agent urea. This might allow the bacteria to split a higher proportion of urea, resulting in an increased number of false positives. 12 probands received 150mg [¹⁵N]urea and 75 mg sodium [¹³C]acetate in 75 ml orange juice as a test drink. [¹⁵N]Urea served as an agent to diagnose gastric H. pylori colonization. The ¹⁵N tests were evaluated using a urine sample of the second hour after test start. [¹³C]Acetate served as a marker of the gastric emptying of water-soluble food including the urea under the influence of food intake. Breath air samples were taken to calculate the gastric emptying half life (EHL) and the apparent resorption time (RT) of the urea. The double tests were carried out four times within four weeks using identical test protocols but different     

Theoretical investigation of zero field splitting parameters for Mn centers in ammonium tartrate

Zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters D and E for Mn²⁺ centers in ammonium tartrate single crystal are calculated with perturbation formulae using the superposition model. The theoretically calculated ZFS parameters for Mn²⁺ at site I and site II of ammonium ion are compared with the experimental values obtained by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at room temperature. The superposition model gives the ZFS parameters similar to those from experiment. The energy band positions of optical absorption spectrum of Mn²⁺in ammonium tartrate are calculated using the CFA package and crystal field parameters from superposition model. These are in good agreement with experimental energy band positions.     

Synthesis,growth and characterization of 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-4-nitrophenylhydrazone single crystals

4-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-4-nitrophenylhydrazone (DANPH) single crystals exhibit polymorphism such as DANPH-G form (greenish red) and DANPH-R form (red). The different polymorphic phases of the grown crystals have been identified by X-ray diffraction studies. The functional groups of the crystals have been identified by FT-IR study. Crystallographically independent environment of polymorphs has been confirmed by NMR study. The thermal properties such as melting and decomposition temperatures of the compound have been analyzed. Optical constants of DANPH polymorph crystals have been calculated.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cr ions in potassium sodium dl-tartrate tetrahydrate

EPR spectra of Cr³⁺ ions doped in potassium sodium dl-tartrate tetrahydrate single crystals are recorded at 77 K. The spin Hamiltonian and zero field parameters g, |D| and |E| are measured from the resonance lines obtained at various rotations of the magnetic field. The values obtained are: g_x=1.9257±0.0002, g_y=1.9720±0.0002, g_z=2.0102±0.0002, |D|=313±2 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹ and |E|=101±2 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹. From the results of EPR study, the site symmetry of Cr³⁺ ion in the crystal is discussed. The optical absorption at room temperature is also studied. From the observed band positions, the crystal field splitting parameter (D_q) and the Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameters (B and C) are evaluated. The bonding parameters are obtained by correlating optical and EPR data and the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed.     

Single crystal EPR and optical absorption study of Cr doped l-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate

EPR study of the Cr³⁺ ion doped l-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate single crystal is done at room temperature. Two magnetically inequivalent interstitial sites are observed. The hyperfine structure for Cr⁵³ isotope is also obtained. The zero field and spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated from the resonance lines obtained at different angular rotations and the parameters are: D=(300±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, E=(96±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, g_x=1.9108±0.0002, g_y=1.9791±0.0002, g_z=2.0389±0.0002, A_x=(252±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(254±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(304±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for site I and D=(300±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, E=(96±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, g_x=1.8543±0.0002, g_y=1.9897±0.0002, g_z=2.0793±0.0002, A_x=(251±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(257±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(309±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for site II, respectively. The optical absorption studies of single crystals are also carried out at room temperature in the wavelength range 195-925 nm. Using EPR and optical data, different bonding parameters are calculated and the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed. The values of Racah parameters (B and C), crystal field parameter (Dq) and nephelauxetic parameters (h and k) are: B=636, C=3123, Dq=2039 cm⁻¹, h=1.46 and k=0.21, respectively.     

Crystal growth and characterisation of new organic nonlinear optical materials: 6-cyano and 6-nitro-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-epoxychroman

Two chiral organic nonlinear optical materials, (3S,4S)-(−)-6-cyano-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-epoxychroman (1) and (3R,4R)-(+)-6-nitro-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-epoxychroman (2), have been grown into single crystals of cm³-size. Although both compounds crystallise in the orthorhombic P2₁2₁2₁ space group, they are not isomorphous and their crystal packings are quite different. Angle tuned type II phase-matched second harmonic generation between 0.8 and 1.064 μm has been evidenced, with effective nonlinear coefficients d_eff of 1 and 5 pm/V at 0.96 μm for 1 and 2, respectively. These values are in agreement with those estimated in the oriented gas model approximation using EFISH first order hyperpolarisability values (β₀=2.6 and 4.0×10⁻³⁰ esu for 1 and 2, respectively).     

An ab initio calculation of 17O and 29Si NMR parameters for SiO2 polymorphs

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations (Hartree–Fock, HF and density functional theories, DFTs) have been carried out for SiO₂ polymorphs coesite, low cristobalite, and -quartz, in order to investigate the reliability of this method for predicting ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) properties of silicates. Oxygen- and silicon-centered clusters consisting of one (1T) to three tetrahedral (3T) shells (one to four atomic shells), taken from real crystal structure, have been investigated. It is found that for reasonable predication of both the ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O chemical shifts (δ_i^Si and δ_i^O), the minimum cluster is one that gives the correct second neighbors to the nucleus of interest. Both the δ_i^Si and δ_i^O have reached convergence with respect to cluster size at the OH-terminated two tetrahedral (2T) shell (three atomic shells around Si and four atomic shells around O) model. At convergence, the calculated δ_i^Si values agree well (within ±1 ppm) with experimental data. The calculated ¹⁷O electric field gradient (EFG)-related parameters also agree with experimental data within experimental uncertainties. The calculation also reproduces small differences in δ_i^O for O sites with similar tetrahedral connectivities, but shows deviations up to about 10 ppm in relative difference for O sites with different tetrahedral connectivities. The poor performance for the latter is mainly due to the approximations of the HF method. Our study thus suggests that the ab initio calculation method is a reliable mean for predicting ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O NMR parameters for silicates. Such an approach should find application not only to well-ordered crystalline phases, but also to disordered materials, by combining with other techniques, such as the molecular dynamics simulation method.     

Measurement and Interpretation of Ethanol 13C Chemical Shifts Variations in Different Organic Solvents - Comparison with Aqueous Solvent

The carbon chemical shifts of ethanol are measured in varied aqueous and organic solvents. We determine the hydrogen bonding effect between alcohol and bases by correcting the experimental values from anisotropy and non specific medium effects.     

Thermal-expansion anomalies and spontaneous magnetostriction of Lu2Fe17−xSix intermetallic compounds

The thermal expansion of Lu₂Fe_17−xSi_x solid solutions has been measured by X-ray powder diffraction. The magnetic ordering in all compounds within the homogeneity range (x3.4) is accompanied by a large spontaneous volume magnetostriction, distributed anisotropically over the principal axes of the hexagonal crystal structure. The volume effect ω_s in the ground state reaches 14.7×10⁻³ in Lu₂Fe₁₇ and decreases monotonously to 8.9×10⁻³ for x=3.4, following the reduction of magnetic moment. Despite a still large ω_s, the Invar behavior observed in Lu₂Fe₁₇ changes to a positive thermal expansion for x>1 due to an increasing Curie temperature.     

An ab initio calculation of O and Si NMR parameters for SiO2 polymorphs

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations (Hartree–Fock, HF and density functional theories, DFTs) have been carried out for SiO₂ polymorphs coesite, low cristobalite, and α-quartz, in order to investigate the reliability of this method for predicting ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) properties of silicates. Oxygen- and silicon-centered clusters consisting of one (1T) to three tetrahedral (3T) shells (one to four atomic shells), taken from real crystal structure, have been investigated. It is found that for reasonable predication of both the ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O chemical shifts (δ_i^Si and δ_i^O), the minimum cluster is one that gives the correct second neighbors to the nucleus of interest. Both the δ_i^Si and δ_i^O have reached convergence with respect to cluster size at the OH-terminated two tetrahedral (2T) shell (three atomic shells around Si and four atomic shells around O) model. At convergence, the calculated δ_i^Si values agree well (within ±1 ppm) with experimental data. The calculated ¹⁷O electric field gradient (EFG)-related parameters also agree with experimental data within experimental uncertainties. The calculation also reproduces small differences in δ_i^O for O sites with similar tetrahedral connectivities, but shows deviations up to about 10 ppm in relative difference for O sites with different tetrahedral connectivities. The poor performance for the latter is mainly due to the approximations of the HF method. Our study thus suggests that the ab initio calculation method is a reliable mean for predicting ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O NMR parameters for silicates. Such an approach should find application not only to well-ordered crystalline phases, but also to disordered materials, by combining with other techniques, such as the molecular dynamics simulation method.     

Influence of the ferroelastic twin domain structure on the {100} surface morphology of LaAlO3 HTSC substrates

LaAlO₃ crystals have been investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high-precision X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning force microscopy (SFM). The DSC measurements show the second-order phase transition of LaAlO₃ at 544°C, where LaAlO₃ changes its symmetry from the cubic Pm3m high-temperature phase to the pseudocubic rhombohedral low-temperature phase. This paraelastic to improper ferroelastic phase transition causes twinning in the {100} and {110} planes of the pseudocubic lattice. The twin angles between the surface {100}_pseudocubic planes of twin domains were measured by SFM on the surface of a macroscopic (100)_cubic cut crystal plate. The misorientation angle ω₁₀₀ between {100} twins is 0.195(8)°, while {110} twinning gives an angle of ω₁₁₀=0.276(7)°. The two twin kink angles correspond to a rhombohedral angle of the pseudocubic cell of the phase as ₁=90.0973(40)° and ₂=90.0975(30)°, respectively. The XRD result for this rhombohedral angle is =90.096(1)°. The orientation of the misfit steps formed during annealing after mechanical surface polishing depends on the domain orientation and pattern during polishing. Any heating close to or above T_c changes the domain pattern. Footprints of previous domain patterns can thus be found on the surface in the form of surface corrugation and changes in the shape and orientation of misfit steps.     

冲击压缩下蓝宝石光学性质的晶向效应

本文基于第一性原理计算方法,研究了a向、c向和r向蓝宝石理想晶体和含氧离子空位点缺陷晶体在0-180 GPa冲击压力范围内的光学性质.波长在1550 nm处理想晶体的折射率数据表明,在蓝宝石Corundum、Rh2O3以及CalrO_3相区,其折射率分别表现出强、弱以及强的晶向效应.波长在0-250 nm范围内理想晶体的能量损失谱结果指明,在Corundum和Rh_2O_3结构相区,其晶向效应不明显;在CalrO_3结构相,主峰附近的波段范围内,蓝宝石的能量损失谱有一定的晶向效应:c和r向的主峰强度基本相同,但a向主峰强度明显高于c和r向主峰强度.缺陷晶体数据表明:氧离子空位点缺陷对蓝宝石折射率和能量损失谱晶向效应的影响较微弱.     

About specific features of the structure modulation in the Bi-ferrate compounds isostructural with Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

The single-crystalline specimens of the Fe-doped (5% ⁵⁷Fe) Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ (2212Cu) compound have been synthesized to compare the behavior of the structure modulation in Bi-cuprate and Bi-ferrate compounds. According to the Mössbauer data obtained, one can conclude that extra oxygen, related to the presence of Cu³⁺ in 2212Cu, is most probably arranged in the Ca layer rather than in the Bi layer, as was supposed in the model of extra oxygen. Based on the analysis of the experimental data we propose the explanation of the structure modulation in Bi compounds. Due to the mismatch between the internal perovskite block and the external BiO layers the structure of the Bi compounds is distorted. The Sr layer being boundary between these blocks probably is most distorted and stressed. We suppose that the different changes related to the modulation can occur just in this layer. The Bi excess, which is always present in Bi compounds (especially in single crystals), can be just the necessary condition at which the modulation appears. Extra oxygen in principle can be present in modulated structures. However, in our opinion, it only complements the influence of other factors and is not the driving force in the structure modulation.     

Isotope effects in the infrared spectra of the polar and nonpolar isomers of N2O dimer

The rotationally resolved spectra of ¹⁵N¹⁵N¹⁶O dimer for the polar and nonpolar isomers are studied in the region of the N-N stretching fundamental of the monomer (∼2150 cm⁻¹) using a rapid-scan tunable diode laser spectrometer to probe a pulsed supersonic jet expansion. These spectra are very similar to the corresponding spectra of the normal species, (¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁶O)₂. Structural parameters and vibrational shifts obtained here are compared with those of the normal species and ab initio values. These results confirm that the nonpolar isomer has a centrosymmetric slipped-antiparallel structure while the polar isomer consists of two slipped and (approximately) parallel monomer units.     

Hydrogen Bonding Effects on Electron Population and 13C Chemical Shift of Base: Alcohol Pyridine Complexes

The carbon chemical shifts of pyridine associated to various aliphatic and aromatic alcohols are measured. Actual effects of hydrogen bonding formation on 13c shifts, have been characterized by evaluating in first, anisotropy and non specific medium effects. Linear relationships are obtained between 13C shifts and the IR frequency shifts. Positive slopes are observed for C-β and C-γ in agreement with the electron population change, but a reverse slope results for C-α carbon.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of (13)C relayed (2)H-(2)H-COSY 2D experiments: application to the analysis of weakly aligned solutes

We describe new NMR 2D experiments denoted DECADENCY for DEuterium CArbon DEuterium Nuclear Correlation spectroscopY dedicated to the analysis of anisotropic deuterium spectra. They belong to the class of X-relayed Y,Y-COSY 2D experiments that was initially explored in the case of a (1)H-X-(1)H fragment (I(X)=1/2) in isotropic medium. DECADENCY 2D experiments permit to correlate the quadrupolar doublets associated with two inequivalent deuterium nuclei in an oriented CD(2) fragment through heteronuclear polarization transfers. Two kinds of pulse sequences are described here using either a double INEPT-type or DEPT-type process. DECADENCY 2D experiments provide an interesting alternative to (2)H-(2)H COSY experiments when the geminal (2)H-(2)H total coupling (scalar and dipolar) is null or too small to provide visible cross-correlation peaks. Such a situation is typically observed for geminal deuteriums in prochiral or chiral molecules dissolved in chiral liquid crystals. The efficiency of these techniques is illustrated using dideuterated prochiral molecules, the phenyl[(2)H(2)]methanol and the 1-chloro[1-(2)H(2)]nonane, both dissolved in organic solutions of poly-gamma-benzyl-l-glutamate. The advantages of each sequence are presented and discussed. It is shown that the relative sign of the quadrupolar doublets can be determined.     

Synthesis and performance of core-shell structured ZnO/In2O3 composites in situ growth

Core-shell structured ZnO/In₂O₃ composites were successfully synthesized via situ growth method. Phase structure, morphology, microstructure and property of the products were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TG-DTA, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL). Results show that the core-shell structures consist of spindle-like ZnO with about 800 nm in length and 200 nm in diameter, and In₂O₃ particles with a diameter of 50 nm coated on the surface of ZnO uniformly. HMTA plays an important role in the formation of core-shell structures and the addition of In₂O₃ has a great effect on PL spectrum. Possible mechanism for the formation of core-shell structures is also proposed in this paper.     

Effect of oxygen deficiency on the radiation sensitivity of sol-gel Ge-doped amorphous SiO2

We report experimental investigation by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements of room temperature γ-ray irradiation effects in sol-gel Ge doped amorphous SiO₂. We used materials with Ge content from 10 up to 10⁴ part per million (ppm) mol obtained with different preparations. These latter gave rise to samples characterized by different extents of oxygen deficiency, estimated from the absorption band at ~5.15 eV of the Ge oxygen deficient centers (GeODC(II)). The irradiation at doses up to ~400 kGy induces the E'-Ge, Ge(1) and Ge(2) paramagnetic centers around g ~ 2 with concentrations depending on Ge and on GeODC(II) content. We found correlation between Ge(2) and GeODC(II) contents, supporting the suggestion that the latter defect is the precursor of Ge(2). Even if the concentration of E'-Ge and Ge(1) defects cannot be strictly related to GeODC(II) one, the concentration growth of these paramagnetic defects with irradiation evidences that the radiation sensitivity is enhanced by the oxygen deficiency for Ge doping above 1000 ppm mol and it is reduced below 100 ppm mol. Moreover, the investigation of samples with different GeODC(II) concentration but fixed Ge content has shown that the oxygen deficiency enhances the overall radiation sensitivity for [GeODC(II)]/[Ge] in the range 10^-3 10^-2.     

NQR, NMR and Crystal Structure Studies of [C(NH2)3]3Sb2Br9

The crystal structure of [C(NH₂)₃]₃Sb₂Br₉ was determined at 143 K: monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 15.695 (3), b = 9.039(2), c = 18.364(3) Å, β = 96.94(1)°. The structure consists of two crystallographically independent guanidinium ions and two-dimensional corrugated sheets of (Sb₂Br₉ ^3?) _n , in which SbBr₆ octahedra are connected through three bridging Br atoms each other. One of the cations situates in a cavity of the (Sb₂Br₉ ^3?) _n layer with statistical disorder, while the other situates between the layers without disorder. Three ⁸¹Br NQR resonance lines were assignable to terminal Br atoms, while only one line was found for two inequivalent bridging Br atoms. All the ⁸¹Br NQR resonance lines were subjected to fade-out at low temperatures. The temperature dependence curve of ¹H NMR T ₁ showed well defined two minima, which were explained by postulating the C₃ reorientations of two types of cations with very different activation energies. The DTA (DSC) measurement revealed a phase transition of a first-order type at 444 K.     

Surface chemistry and catalysis of oxide model catalysts from single crystals to nanocrystals

Fundamental understandings of surface chemistry and catalysis of solid catalysts are of great importance for the developments of efficient catalysts and corresponding catalytic processes, but have been remaining as a challenge due to the complex nature of heterogeneous catalysis. Model catalysts approach based on catalytic materials with uniform and well-defined surface structures is an effective strategy. Single crystals-based model catalysts have been successfully used for surface chemistry studies of solid catalysts, but encounter the so-called “materials gap” and “pressure gap” when applied for catalysis studies of solid catalysts. Recently catalytic nanocrystals with uniform and well-defined surface structures have emerged as a novel type of model catalysts whose surface chemistry and catalysis can be studied under the same operational reaction condition as working powder catalysts, and they are recognized as a novel type of model catalysts that can bridge the “materials gap” and “pressure gap” between single crystals-based model catalysts and powder catalysts. Herein we review recent progress of surface chemistry and catalysis of important oxide catalysts including CeO₂, TiO₂ and Cu₂O acquired by model catalysts from single crystals to nanocrystals with an aim at summarizing the commonalities and discussing the differences among model catalysts with complexities at different levels. Firstly, the complex nature of surface chemistry and catalysis of solid catalysts is briefly introduced. In the following sections, the model catalysts approach is described and surface chemistry and catalysis of CeO₂, TiO₂ and Cu₂O single crystal and nanocrystal model catalysts are reviewed. Finally, concluding remarks and future prospects are given on a comprehensive approach of model catalysts from single crystals to nanocrystals for the investigations of surface chemistry and catalysis of powder catalysts approaching the working conditions as closely as possible.