Use of D–T-produced fast neutrons for in vivo body composition analysis: a reference method for nutritional assessment in the elderly

Body composition has become the main outcome of many nutritional intervention studies including osteoporosis, malnutrition, obesity, AIDS, and aging. Traditional indirect body composition methods developed with healthy young adults do not apply to the elderly or diseased. Fast neutron activation (for N and P) and neutron inelastic scattering (for C and O) are used to assess in vivo elements characteristic of specific body compartments. Non-bone phosphorus for muscle is measured by the ³¹P(n,)²⁸Al reaction, and nitrogen for protein via the ¹⁴N(n,2n)¹³N fast neutron reaction. Inelastic neutron scattering is used to measure total body carbon and oxygen. Body fat is derived from carbon after correcting for contributions from protein, bone, and glycogen. Carbon-to-oxygen ratio (C/O) is used to measure the distribution of fat and lean tissue in the body and to monitor small changes of lean mass. A sealed, D–T neutron generator is used for the production of fast neutrons. Carbon and oxygen mass and their ratio are measured in vivo at a radiation exposure of less than 0.06 mSv. Gamma-ray spectra are collected using large BGO detectors and analyzed for the 4.43 MeV state of carbon and 6.13 MeV state of oxygen, simultaneously with the irradiation. P and N analysis by delayed fast neutron activation is performed by transferring the patient to a shielded room equipped with an array of NaI(Tl) detectors. A combination of measurements makes possible the assessment of the quality of fat-free mass. The neutron generator system is used to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments, to study mechanisms of lean tissue depletion with aging, and to investigate methods for preserving function and quality of life in the elderly. It is also used as a reference method for the validation of portable instruments of nutritional assessment.     

Electrochemical and ESR study of 5-nitrofuryl-containing thiosemicarbazones antiprotozoal drugs

Cyclic voltammetry and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques were used in the investigation of several potential antiprotozoal thiosemicarbazones nitrofurane derivatives. A self-protonation process involving the protonation of the nitro group due to the presence of an acidic proton in the thiosemicarbazone moiety was observed in the first step of a CEE(rev) reduction mechanism of these derivatives. ESR spectra of the free radicals obtained by electrolytic reduction were characterized and analyzed. AM1 methodology was used to obtain the optimized geometries and UB3LYP calculations were performed to obtain the theoretical hyperfine coupling constants. The theoretical study exhibited an unusual assignment of the spin densities showing a free radical centered in the thiosemicarbazone moiety rather than the nitro which are in agreement with the experimental hyperfine pattern.     

Improved Extraction Method and Chromatographic Separation of Ginsenosides from Ginseng Roots,Leaves and Ginseng Drug Preparations

A new extraction method for ginsenosides from ginseng roots, ginseng leaves and ginseng drug preparations by Sep-Pak C₁₈ cartridges has been studied. Ginsenoside extraction by Sep-Pak cartridges is a rapid, efficient, reproducible method. In addition, the extracts were analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major components of ginseng saponins were effectively separated using an ODS-120T column.     

Comprehensive DFT and MO studies on glyoxilic acid oxime and related ions in gas phase and solution: Conformations,basicities and acidities

Density functional (BLYP, B3LYP and BHLYP) and highly correlated MP2 and CCSD(T) calculations have been performed to investigate conformers, energy barriers, intramolecular H-bond strength, gas-phase basicity and deprotonation energies of glyoxilic acid oxime (gao) and related ions in gas phase and in aqueous solution (SCRF-PCM method). BHLYP/6-311G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-31++G(d) predictions for the global minimum conformer of gao were consistent with experiment. BLYP level overestimated the H-bond and stabilized incorrectly the H-bonded conformer. The calculations in solution indicated destabilization of H-bonded conformers due to the small polarizability and weaken of the H-bond. The same global minimum structures in gas phase and aqueous solution were found for gao-neutral (ectt) and gao-dianion (e⁻²), whereas they were different for gao-anion because of the strong decrease of the conformational energies in solution. The global minimum structures of the neutral, anion and dianion of gao, obtained in solution, are in agreement with experiment. The gas-phase basicity (GB) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) calculations revealed the same sites for electrophilic attack, supported by the nature of HOMO: the carbonylic oxygen for the neutral, the carboxylic oxygen for the anion and the oxime nitrogen for the dianion. MEP results in gas phase and in solution suggested a region between the two atoms, but not on one atom in accordance with bidentate binding of gao ions to a metal. The BHLYP/6-31++G(d,p) molecular properties of gao were in best consistent with CCSD(T) results. The thermodynamical properties (GB and bond deprotonation energy) of gao were better estimated at B3LYP level.     

GC-MS监测生活饮用水输配水管材及防护材料中溶出的挥发性有机物

我国的生活饮用水行业中,目前常使用的管材分为金属类管材和非金属类管材两种。由于金属类管材本身的化学特性,行业内必须在此类管材的内壁上进行防腐处理,通常采用一些高分子防腐涂料。可用于给水行业的涂料品种繁多,涂料质量好坏直接影响到水质。我们针对一些常用产品作了浸泡试验,用吹扫捕集-GC-MS方法对水中溶出的可挥发性有机物进行了检测,发现一些产品在水中溶出了大量的甲苯、乙苯、二甲苯、甲乙苯等苯系物,且浸泡30d后仍有溶出物。这些物质长期存在会导致人体中枢神经系统紊乱,严重危害人体健康。行业内关于水源水中此类有机物污染的监测比较充分,而对于防护涂料可能污染水质的状况并未引起足够重视。     

Shortcut method for evaluation and design of a hybrid process for enantioseparations

Hybrid processes for enantioseparations have a considerable potential for reducing investment and operational costs. An example is the combination of simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography and selective crystallisation. However, the design of integrated processes is a difficult task. A shortcut method is presented that can serve as a tool for design and estimation of the potential of such processes. The approach requires only limited experimental data and thus allows for systematic parameter studies. The method is based on the determination of the purity-performance characteristic of the SMB process and rigorous application of mass balances. The use of relative mass fluxes allows derivation of simple algebraic expressions for essential process parameters. The significant potential of combining SMB and crystallisation is demonstrated for the example of the separation of mandelic acid enantiomers.     

CCSD(T) expectation value calculations of first-order properties

An expectation value approach to calculations of first-order properties using the non-iterative, triple-excitation amplitudes in the coupled cluster wave function is exploited. Three methods are suggested and analysed using the many body perturbation theory (MBPT) expansion arguments. The first method, in which non-iterative triple-excitation amplitudes are used in the expression for the expectation values, makes the wave function accurate through the second order of MBPT. In the second method, which is an extension of the first, effects of triple-excitation amplitudes are coupled with single- and double-excitation amplitudes. The correlated density matrix equivalent through the fourth order to that obtained when CCSDT-la amplitudes are used is employed in the third method. The suggested methods are tested on dipole moment and polarizability calculations for several diatomic closed-shell molecules and are compared to other related approaches. Received: 15 May 1997 / Accepted: 5 June 1997     

Forbidden electric quadrupole transitions between even OIII levels

The relativistic CI method is used to determine transition probabilities for electric quadrupole transitions between the 1s ² 2s ² 2p ² (³ P ₀,³ P ₂,¹ D ₂) and 1s ² 2p ^{4 3} P ₂ even levels of OIII. The variation of the results with the number of configurations used is discussed, both for the Coulomb and the Babushkin (length) gauge.     

A relativistic CI study on OIII: wavefunctions,excitation energies and transition probabilities

The relativistic CI method is used to determine N-electron wavefunctions for the 1s ² 2s ² 2p ² (³ P ₀,³ P ₂,¹ D ₂), 1s ² 2p ^{4 3} P ₂ even levels, and the 1s ²2s2p ³ (³ D ₁,³ P ₁,³ S ₁,¹ P ₁), 1s ²2s ²2p3s (³ P ₁ and¹ P ₁), 1s ²2s ²2p3d (³ D ₁,³ P ₁,¹ P ₁)J=1 OIII levels. Excitation energies and emission probabilities between these levels are reported in the electric dipole approximation, both for the Coulomb and the Babushkin gauges.ns, p,np,nd- andnd (n17) numerical basis functions have been used for the construction of CSF's entering the CI expansion for the ASF's of these levels. Radiative matrix elements of the type calculated here within the framework of the relativistic CI method, may be used in laser assisted spectroscopic studies of atoms and ions.