An insight into the process of tablet formation of microcrystalline cellulose

The present paper aims to show whether the shrinking of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) tablets can be derived from underlying processes and whether these processes can be visualized on a nanoscale level. Tableting of MCC was performed on an instrumented eccentric tableting machine to a maximum relative density (ρ_rel,max) of 0.90 of the tablets. The apparent density of the tablets was analyzed by helium pycnometry after tableting. The breaking surface of a MCC tablet was analyzed directly after tableting continuously by video in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) at constant humidity. Further the breaking surface was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after freeze fracturing. The results show that firstly apparent density by helium pycnometry increases after tableting and that secondly inside the tablet the fiber strength decreased while also the gaps between the fibers increased as was visualized by ESEM. Further the results by TEM indicate that the decrease in fiber strength is caused by a parallel orientation of the MCC microcrystals which is induced by a mechanical activation due to tableting. In conclusion the measured shrinking MCC tablets after tableting is caused by processes on a nanoscale level.     

Determination of chlorotoluron, isoproturon and metoxuron in soil by GLC-NPD and confirmation using GLC-MS

Summary The analysis of several phenyl urea herbicides in soil by GLC-NPD, directly or after alkylation, and the confirmation of residues by GLC-ITD is reported. Soil was extracted with methanol, the organic solvent evaporated, the residue dissolved in hexane and then analyzed by gas chromatography on a 3% OV-17 glass packed column. An aliquot of the extract was ethylated overnight with EtI, NaH and Me₂SO as solvent. The mixture was hydrolyzed, the ethylated compounds extracted with hexane and determinated by GLC-NPD on a BP-5 fused silica capillary column. Values obtained with the direct GLC analysis were reproducible and similar to those obtained after ethylation. Recovery of each herbicide was higher than 80% and the limit of detection was 0.01 ppm. These compounds were also analyzed by GLC-ITD. The sensitivity in the SIM mode was near 0.1 ng and the residues can be confirmed with this technique down to 0.01 ppm.     

Separation and characterization of basic barley seed proteins

Basic proteins in barley starchy endosperm from developing seeds were separated by two-dimensional (2-D) nonequilibrium pH gel electrophoresis. Total as well as partial extracts were analyzed. Edman degradation sequencing and immunological detection were performed after transfer of separated proteins onto membranes. Only one protein could be analyzed by N-terminal sequencing of blotted and separated proteins from the total extract. Fractionation of extracts was done using cation exchange chromatography, concanavalin A and heparin affinity chromatography. Internal sequences were determined after in-gel cleavage of proteins using trypsin or cyanogen bromide and separation of the fragments by reversed-phase chromatography or in a gel electrophoresis system for peptide separation. This resulted in a new protocol for obtaining internal sequences from proteins separated by 2-D electrophoresis. A total of 16 sequences, including nine internal sequences, were analyzed, permitting the identification of ten proteins, including five that appeared to have a blocked N-terminus. An additional protein was identified using immunological detection. Three protein sequences remained unidentified. Separated proteins were also analyzed with a glycan detection method.     

Analysis of pitch deposits produced in kraft pulp mills using a totally chlorine free bleaching sequence

Two organic deposits accumulated in a Kraft pulp mill during pulping of Eucalyptus globulus wood and throughout a TCF (totally chlorine free) bleaching sequence were characterized. One deposit was collected after cooking and an oxygen delignification stage while the other was collected after bleaching with hydrogen peroxide. The deposits were Soxhlet extracted with acetone, and the extracts redissolved in chloroform and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (MS) using short and medium length high temperature capillary columns, respectively. On the other hand, the insoluble residues left after the acetone extraction were analyzed by Curie-point flash pyrolysis-GC-MS and by pyrolysis-methylation-GC-MS. The compounds identified in the deposits arise from the E. globulus wood lipophilic extractives that survive the pulping and bleaching processes. Triglycerides were completely hydrolyzed during the Kraft cooking and the fatty acids dissolved. Steroids (alcohols, hydrocarbons, ketones and esters) and waxes were the main components in the deposit collected after the oxygen delignification stage. After the bleaching with hydrogen peroxide, content of the waxes were reduced and fatty acids appeared. High amounts of fatty acids salts were also identified in the deposit collected after the oxygen stage, and in minor amounts in the deposit collected after hydrogen peroxide bleaching. In contrast, this deposit was mainly made up of high amounts of lignin-derived phenolic moieties.     

The effect of particle size and metal contents on arsenic distribution in coal-fired fly ash

Fly ash samples were collected from a Chinese power station and divided according to particle size. The solid fly ash samples were digested according to ASTM methods. The arsenic contents of samples with different particle sizes were analyzed using atomic fluorescence spectroscopy after digestion. Other metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer after digestion, and the carbon content was analyzed by a CHN elemental analyzer. The results show that the arsenic components are enriched in smaller fly ash particles. The arsenic contents have a positive relationship with calcium, magnesium, and iron contents, which indicate that stable compounds are formed between these components. Thermogravimetric experiments of fly ash samples with different particle sizes were conducted, and the results indicate the combination of calcium hydroxide with arsenic form stable compounds.     

氯丙嗪在大鼠体内的代谢研究

采用气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)检测大鼠尿液中的氯丙嗪及其代谢产物,并对其进行质谱解析,推测氯丙嗪在大鼠体内的代谢途径.通过对Wistar大鼠进行灌胃服用药物后收集24 h内尿样,经固相萃取(SPE)净化提取后,采用GC-MS(EI,PCI)检测.对比空白尿液与阳性尿液萃取液的质谱图,并根据质谱裂解规律鉴定其结构.实...     

Evaluation of the feasibility of preparing a reference material: Active charcoal tubes charged with benzene, toluene and m-xylene

Summary Volatile organic compounds in air are mostly determined after enrichment by adsorption on active charcoal. A batch of three hundred active charcoal tubes was charged with benzene, toluene and m-xylene by drawing a volume of air with known composition through the tubes in such a manner as to charge each tube of the batch with exactly the same amounts. From this batch every tenth tube was analyzed gas-chromatographically. Further 60 charged tubes were stored under different conditions and analyzed within one year. It appeared that the charging was homogeneous and that no significant alteration was found within one year.     

高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联四极杆质谱法研究人尿中毛果芸香碱代谢产物

本文采用高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联四极杆质谱法对人口服毛果芸香碱后的尿样的代谢产物进行了研究.     

Analysis of deprenyl metabolites in some body compartments of rats using GC-MSD

Summary Deprenyl metabolites were analyzed in various organs of rats after chronic oral treatment. The investigation was carried out by gas chromatography combined with MSD after derivatization of the metabolites. When (−)-deprenyl (selegiline) was administered to rats higher ratios of methamphetamine to amphetamine were found in the kidney, and the heart at 1 and 5 h after treatment, than after (+)-deprenyl administration. Both deprenyl and its demethylated metabolite were also detected; however, their level was generally lower than that of either methamphetamine or amphetamine. Coadministration of verapamil with selegiline did not essentially alter the major metabolic pathway of deprenyl metabolism.     

采用柱后抑制器技术降低流动相中三氟乙酸对质谱信号抑制作用的研究

研究柱后抑制器(CSRS)技术有效降低流动相中三氟乙酸(TFA)对质谱信号的抑制.采用双三元液相系统,左泵以反相模式分离细胞色素C酶解肽段(流动相含0.1%TFA,流速0.25 m L/min),柱后选择CSRS作为抑制器.同时右泵提供碳酸氢铵(浓度为0.05 mol/L,流速1.00 m L/min)作为再生液.碳酸氢铵和三氟乙酸在抑制器CSRS中通过阴离子交换膜进行离子交换,降低流动相中TFA离子抑制效应,提高肽段在质谱上的响应(S/N提高1~16倍).采用柱后抑制器技术对硫酸依替米星主成分及杂质进行定性分析(0.2 mol/L TFA),流动相经过抑制器后由强酸性变成中性,实现样品在LC和MS之间无缝连接分析.     

An interlaboratory study to evaluate potential matrix reference materials for herbicides in water

Matrix reference materials (MRM) are essential tools for the validation of analytical protocols. Nowadays, there are no such materials for the determination of herbicides in water. Pesticides stored in acetonitrile and stored on solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges previously percolated with a water sample spiked with triazines and phenylureas have proven to be good candidates for reference materials because of their satisfactory stability under appropriate temperature conditions. To evaluate the behaviors of these materials containing pesticides and to be analyzed by liquid chromatography, a collaborative study including 15 laboratories has been organized. Observed reproducibility on candidate materials after the removal of extreme results was 16.1% for the vials with pesticides in acetonitrile (at around 0.125 mg/L) directly analyzed, 29.2% for a water sample spiked with the pesticides (at around 0.5 microg/L) analyzed after preconcentration on a cartridge and 26.7% for the cartridges previously percolated with a water containing the pesticides (250 mL at around 0.5 microg/L for each pesticide) analyzed after elution. Such dispersion values are quite compatible with the requirement of a further certification for such materials.     

Effect of chitosan on peroxidase activity and isoenzyme profile in hairy root cultures of Armoracia lapathifolia

Hairy root cultures of Armoracia lapathifolia established by infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA 9402 present a level and isoenzyme pattern of peroxidases (POD) comparable to nontransformed roots. Elicitation with chitosan (10, 50, and 100 mg/L) was used in order to improve POD production. Total POD activity increased about 170% after 48h of treatment with chitosan 100 mg/L. Elicitation effect on soluble and ionically cell-wall-bound POD fractions of A. lapathifolia hairy roots was analyzed. POD activity of the ionically cell-wall-bound protein fraction increased in the presence of chitosan in a dose-response manner. No effect on soluble POD fractions was observed, but the isoenzyme pattern analyzed by isoelectrofocusing showed an increase of an acidic isoenzyme (pI=3.4) after the elicitation treatment. The ionically cell-wall-bound protein fraction showed only basic isoenzymes, with an increase of an isoenzyme of pI=8.7, after the elicitation treatment.     

Thermal analysis of CuMg alloys deformed by equal channel angular pressing

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The thermal behavior of two copper alloys, with 0.2 and 0.5 mass % of Mg, was analyzed after severe plastic deformation processing by Equal Channel...     

Does temperature increase induced by tableting contribute to tablet quality?

The aim of this paper is to determine temperature and structural changes caused by tableting and to deduce from the combination of temperature measurement and the determination of structural changes whether temperature increase induced by tableting contributes to tablet quality. Tablets were produced of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), spray-dried lactose, pregelatinized starch, and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) with an instrumented single punch tableting machine. The temperature pattern at the surface of the tablets was measured starting directly after tableting with an infrared thermoviewer and an infrared sensor. Powder and tablets were analyzed by FT-Raman spectroscopy, the tablets were analyzed directly after tableting and after one month of storage. The crushing force of the resulting tablets was determined. For all materials a temperature increase (TI) induced by tableting was determined with both methods used. The order of the temperature increase was the same for both methods used: TI (MCC)>TI (spray-dried lactose)>TI (pregelatinized starch)>TI (DCPD). The order was also identical for the crushing force of the tablets. The extent of differences in the spectra followed the same ranking. In conclusion, the temperature increase contributed to the changes in material structure and thus temperature increase is one factor which determined crushing force and thus tablet properties. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于MALDI-TOF-MS的脂质组学研究——鲫鱼受镉暴露的潜在生物标志物

以含镉(Cd)500 μg/L水体中养殖0, 10, 20 d的3组鲫鱼为研究对象, 测定鱼肉中Cd含量, 借助HPLC与MALDI-TOF-MS离线联用技术得到鱼肉磷脂图谱, 并采用偏最小二乘判别分析法(PLS-DA)针对图谱数据开展模式识别分析. 结果表明, 在20 d暴露期内, 鱼肉中Cd含量呈持续上升趋势, 而磷脂酰胆碱(PC)含量在暴露10 d后显著低于正常水平(未受镉暴露)(p<0.05), 暴露20 d后基本恢复到正常水平. PLS-DA分析实现了3组样本的组间判别, 说明磷脂指纹图谱能更好的反映外源Cd对鲫鱼的代谢影响. PC可以作为指示水体Cd对鲫鱼毒害作用的生物标志物. HPLC与MALDI-TOF-MS离线联用技术不仅能定量分析鱼肉中PC总量, 也分离纯化了PC组分, 从而使MALDI-TOF-MS成功用于复杂鱼肉样品的磷脂分析, 适用于脂质组学研究.     

Effect of Fermentation Time on Antioxidant and Anti-Ageing Properties of Green Coffee Kombucha Ferments

Kombucha, also known as the Manchurian mushroom, is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, the so-called SCOBY. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of the ferments obtained from green coffee beans after different fermentation times with kombucha. Results for the ferments were compared to the green coffee extract that was not fermented. In this study, the antioxidant potential of obtained ferments was analyzed by assessing the scavenging of external and intracellular free radicals and the assessment of superoxide dismutase activity. Cytotoxicity of ferments on keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines was assessed as well as anti-aging properties by determining their ability to inhibit the activity of collagenase and elastase enzymes. In addition, the composition of the obtained ferments and the extract was determined, as well as their influence on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) after application of samples on the skin. It has been shown that the fermentation time has a positive effect on the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. The highest values were recorded for the tested samples after 28 days of fermentation. After 14 days of the fermentation process, it was observed that the analyzed ferments were characterized by low cytotoxicity to keratinocytes and fibroblasts. On the other hand, the short fermentation time of 7 days had a negative effect on the properties of the analyzed ferments. The obtained results indicate that both green coffee extracts and ferments can be an innovative ingredient of cosmetic products.     

聚(2,5-苯并(口恶)唑)/多壁碳纳米管复合材料的制备与性能

采用强氧化性酸处理多壁碳纳米管(MWNTs),形成功能化的多壁碳纳米管(MWNTs-COOH)。用傅里叶红外光谱(FT-IR)对处理前后MWNTs的表面官能团进行了分析,并利用原位聚合法成功制备了聚(2,5-苯并噁唑)(ABPBO)/MWNTs-COOH纳米复合材料。结果表明:碳纳米管经过酸处理后,表面含有较多羰基和羟基极性官能团,在ABPBO基体中分散均匀;复合材料保持了ABPBO的优异耐高温性能,其力学性能和光物理性能也得到了很大的提高。     

Potential role of HMG CoA reductase inhibitor on oxidative stress induced by advanced glycation endproducts in vascular smooth muscle cells of diabetic vasculopathy

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) proliferation and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are emerging as one of the important mechanisms of diabetic vasculopathy but little is known about the antioxidative action of HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) on AGEs. We hypothesized that statin might reduce AGEs-induced intracellular ROS of VSMCs and analyzed the possible mechanism of action of statin in AGEs-induced cellular signaling. Aortic smooth muscle cell of Sprague-Dawley rat (RASMC) culture was done using the different levels of AGEs stimulation in the presence or absence of statin. The proliferation of RASMC, ROS formation and cellular signaling was evaluated and neointimal formation after balloon injury in diabetic rats was analyzed. Increasing concentration of AGEs stimulation was associated with increased RASMC proliferation and increased ROS formation and they were decreased with statin in a dose-dependent manner. Increased NF-κB p65, phosphorylated ERK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK, cyclooxygenase-2, and c-jun by AGEs stimulation were noted and their expression was inhibited by statin. Neointimal formation after balloon injury was much thicker in diabetic rats than the sham-treated group but less neointimal growth was observed in those treated with statin after balloon injury. Increased ROS formation, subsequent activation of MAPK system and increased VSMC proliferation may be possible mechanisms of diabetic vasculopathy induced by AGEs and statin may play a key role in the treatment of AGEs-induced diabetic atherosclerosis.     

8-羟基喹啉-5-磺酸纤维微柱分离富集电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法同时测定多种痕量元素

本文合成了8-羟基喹啉-5-磺酸纤维滤纸片,以此做为微柱填充物同时富集了10种痕量元素,并分离了样品中的高盐组分.本方法可使痕量组分的分离与富集同步进行,因而特别适用于原子光谱测定前样品的预处理.     

Non-invasive spatial visualization system of exhaled ethanol for real-time analysis of ALDH2 related alcohol metabolism

A novel imaging system of ethanol in exhaled breath induced by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2)-related alcohol metabolism has been developed. The system provides an image of ethanol distribution as chemiluminescence (CL) on an enzyme-immobilized support. The spatiotemporal change of CL generated by ethanol in exhaled breath after oral administration of ethanol was detected by employing an electron multiplier CCD (EM-CCD) camera, illustrated and analyzed. Prior to measurement of standard gaseous ethanol and ethanol in exhaled breath, the system was optimized by investigating the enzyme-immobilized supports, concentration of substrate and pH condition of Tris-HCl buffer solution. The ethanol skin patch test, a simple method as an indicator of ALDH2, was performed on healthy volunteers. Breath samples of 5 volunteers with ALDH2 (+) and 5 volunteers with ALDH2 (-) were used for exhaled ethanol analysis. Concentration-time profiles of exhaled ethanol obtained from all volunteers were analyzed over a period of 120 min after oral administration of ethanol (0.4 g per kg body weight) in the form of beer which contains 5% of alcohol. The results obtained from the system showed that the peaks of exhaled ethanol concentrations appeared at 30 min, which was considered as a rapid ethanol absorption phase following first-order kinetics. Exhaled ethanol concentrations of volunteers with ALDH2 (+) were lower than volunteers with ALDH2 (-) and the digestion of ethanol in volunteers with ALDH2 (+) was faster than in volunteers with ALDH2 (-). The eliminations were analyzed to follow zero-order kinetics with a rate constant for each group.