Standardization of BSE rapid test performances and experiences gathered during the implementation of large-scale testing

The accumulation of pathological prion protein is used as a diagnostic marker for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. According to European Union (EU) regulations cattle older than 30 months of age (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain by national law >24 months) and slaughtered for human consumption must be tested by using rapid tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Likewise fallen stock and clinically affected animals must be tested. This article gives a short overview of the incidence of BSE in Europe. The diagnostic hierarchy, i.e., the officially approved methodology for the confirmation of suspect rapid test cases, and the organization of the numerous laboratories involved in this large-scale testing for BSE are described. Special emphasis is given to necessary quality control measures currently in place for BSE rapid testing laboratories and to measures intended to assure a consistent performance of the commercially available rapid test kits.Presented at BERM-9—Ninth International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials, 15–19 June 2003, Berlin, Germany.     

Complexation of Some Amino Acids and Peptides by p-Sulfonatocalix[4]arene and Hexasodium p-Sulfonatocalix[6]arene in Aqueous Solution

The stability constants (log K), the reaction enthalpy( H) and entropy ( S) of the complexesformed between some amino acids (glycine, L-alanine,L-valine, L-leucine, L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan,L-threonine, and L-lysine) and peptides (glycyl-glycine,glycyl-L-alanine, glycyl-L-leucine, glycyl-L-phenylalanine,L-leucyl-glycine, L-leucyl-L-alanine, glycyl-L-valine,L-leucyl-glycyl-glycine, and glycyl-glycyl-glycine) withp-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and hexasodiump-sulfonatocalix[6]arene in aqueous solutions by meansof calorimetric titration have been investigated. The reportedresults demonstrate that the amino acids and peptides under studyform complexes with both p-sulfonatocalix[4]areneand hexasodium p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene. In the case of theamino acids and peptides the complexation with water-solublecalixarenes in aqueous solution is favored by enthalpiccontributions and disfavored by entropic contributions. However,no influence of the ring size of the calixarenes upon thecomplexation is observed. By comparison with the reaction ofthe sodium salt of phenol-4-sulfonic acid with amino acids amacrocyclic effect in case of the calixarenes is possible.     

A Novel Dimeric Eremophilane from Ligularia virgaurea spp. oligocephala

A novel dimeric eremophilane, ligulolide B, was isolated from the alcoholic extract of the whole plant of Ligularia virgaurea spp. oligocephala. The structure was elucidated by various spectroscopic methods including intensive 2D NMR techniques （^1H-^1H COSY, gHMQC, gHMBC and ^1H-^1H NOESY） and HR-ESI-MS.     

Sulfur Compounds. 183. A Derivative of Perthiocarbonic Acid H2CS4: X-ray structural analysis of bis(triphenylmethyl) perthiocarbonate (Ph3C)2CS4

The molecular structure of Ph₃CSSC(S)SCPh₃ · CS₂ has been determined by X-ray structural analysis. The substance crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system [a = 884.9(2) pm, b = 1 039.5(2) pm, c = 2 064.6(3) pm, α = 75.86(1)°, β = 79.83(2)°, γ = 77.31(5)°, Z = 2, space group P1 ]. The CS₃ group is planar; the S? S-bond (201.4 pm) forms an angle of 5.7° with the CS₃ plane. The torsional angle CSSC equals 96.3°. (Ph₃C)₂CS₄ was obtained by reaction of TosNSCl₂ (Tos = p-MeC₆H₄SO₂) with Ph₃CSH in CS₂ in the presence of triethylamine. The reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Silver(I) Complexes with Nitrogen-Containing Noncyclic, Macrocyclic, and Macrobicyclic Ligands in Propylene Carbonate

Stability constants and thermodynamic data for complex formation of silver(I) with noncyclic, macrocyclic, and macrobicyclic ligands have been measured in propylene carbonate using potentiometric and calorimetric methods. All ligands containing two nitrogen donor atoms form extremely stable complexes. Only if substituents reduce the basicity of the nitrogen donor atoms, the stability of the complexes decreases drastically. However, the cryptand (221) forms the most stable complex of all ligands examined. In this case, the dimensions of the ligand cavity and of the cation are nearly identical.     

Hemicucurbit[6]uril a Macrocyclic Ligand with Unusual Complexing Properties

The complex formation of the macrocyclic ligand hemicucurbit[6]uril with various salts has been studied in aqueous solution. Due to the low solubility of this ligand the formation of complexes results in an increase of the amount of ligand present in solution. From these measurements the stability constants of the complexes formed are calculated. Hemicucurbit[6]uril only forms cation complexes with cobalt(II), nickel(II) and the uranylion. All other cations examined e.g. silver(I), lead(II) and copper(II) do not form detectable complexes in aqueous solution. For a better understanding of the complexation behaviour some quantum mechanical chemical calculations are performed with Gaussian.Dedicated to Prof. H. Möhwald on the occasion of his 60th birthday.