Forensic analysis of condom and personal lubricants by capillary electrophoresis

Condoms may offer sexual assailants a simple and relatively effective means by which they may remove and dispose of the biological evidence of their contact with the victim. Without this valuable probative evidence, the investigator may need to turn to such alternative forms of physical evidence, such as the residue remaining from the condom lubricant, and any other additional lubricating substances, which may have been used by the assailant. In this study, 68 different condom and personal lubricant samples were analysed using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) with ultraviolet absorbance detection. The electropherograms were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and classified with linear discriminant analysis. This classified 233 samples out of 263 into their correct sample group. An alternative method of classification in which the sample electropherograms were converted to vectors and a correlation was determined by the cosine of the angles between these vectors. This correctly classified 172 samples of the 296. Results indicate that the combination of CE with chemometric data treatment offers the potential of being a rapid and efficient means by which condom and personal lubricant samples may be differentiated. Although this analytical method at present lacks the sensitivity required for sexual assault swab analysis, it is hoped that future developments in instrumentation detection capabilities will permit its use one day as a routine casework tool.     

Cationic assembly of metal complex aggregates: structural diversity,solution stability,and magnetic properties

The tetradentate imino-carboxylate ligand [L](2)(-) chelates the equatorial sites of Ni(II) to give the complex [Ni(L)(MeOH)(2)] in which a Ni(II) center is bound in an octahedral coordination environment with MeOH ligands occupying the axial sites. Lanthanide (Ln) and Group II metal ions (M) template the aggregation of six [Ni(L)] fragments into the octahedral cage aggregates (M[Ni(L)](6))(x)(+) (1: M = Sr(II); x = 2,2: M = Ba(II); x = 2, 3: M = La(III); x = 3, 4: M = Ce(III); x = 3, 5: M = Pr(III); x = 3, and 6: M = Nd(III); x = 3). In the presence of Group I cations, however, aggregates composed of the alkali metal-oxide cations template various cage compounds. Thus, Na(+) forms the trigonal bipyramidal [Na(5)O](3+) core within a tricapped trigonal prismatic [Ni(L)](9) aggregate to give ((Na(5)O) subset [Ni(L)](9)(MeOH)(3))(BF(4))(2).OH.CH(3)OH, 7. Li(+) and Na(+) together form a mixed Li(+)/Na(+) core comprising distorted trigonal bipyramidal [Na(3)Li(2)O](3+) within an approximately anti-square prismatic [Ni(L)](8) cage in ((Na(3)Li(2)O) subset [Ni(L)](8)(CH(3)OH)(1.3)(BF(4))(0.7))(BF(4))(2.3).(CH(3)OH)(2.75).(C(4)H(10)O)(0.5), 8, while in the presence of Li(+), a tetrahedral [Li(4)O](2+) core within a hexanuclear open cage [Ni(L)](6) in ((Li(4)O) subset [Ni(L)](6)(CH(3)OH)(3))2ClO(4).1.85CH(3)OH, 9, is produced. In the presence of H(2)O, the Cs(+) cation induces the aggregation of the [Ni(L)(H(2)O)(2)] monomer to give the cluster Cs(2)[Ni(L)(H(2)O)(2)](6).2I.4CH(3)OH.5.25H(2)O, 10. Analysis by electronic spectroscopy and mass spectrometry indicates that in solution the trend in stability follows the order 1-6 > 7 > 8 approximately 9. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that there is net antiferromagnetic exchange between magnetic centers within the cages.     

l-Asparaginase as Potent Anti-leukemic Agent and Its Significance of Having Reduced Glutaminase Side Activity for Better treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is one of the leading types of malignant disorder seen in children. Viral infections, genetic factors and exposure to chemical carcinogens are some of the factors responsible for causing ALL. Treatment strategies followed for curing ALL include chemotherapy or radiation therapy, wherein, chemotherapy involves the use of the enzymatic drug l-Asparaginase. The enzyme can be produced from various plants, animals, bacterial and fungal sources but, among them, bacterial sources are widely used for production of this enzyme. The enzyme is non-human in origin having certain bottle necks with l-Asparaginase therapy in the form of side effects such as pancreatitis, thrombosis which are mainly due to glutaminase side activity. Hence, present-day research is mainly focussed on minimizing or completely eliminating the glutaminase activity of the enzyme l-Asparaginase. This review is focussed on the complications associated with glutaminase side activity and use of glutaminase free enzymatic drug l-Asparaginase in treating ALL and the other developments related to the modification of the drug for quality treatment.     

Measurement of the K S mean lifetime from π+π− and π0π0 decays using K L decays to determine the acceptance

A precision measurement of the K _S mean lifetime has been performed by comparing, in the same experimental setup, the distributions of two-pion decays of neutral kaons produced by high energy proton-beryllium interactions in two targets at a relative distance variable between 112 and 160 m. The value obtained combining the results from π⁺π^? and π⁰π⁰ decays is τ_s = (0.8971 ± 0.0021) 10^?10 s.     

Adult mesoblastic nephroma: appearances on magnetic resonance imaging

Mesoblastic nephroma presenting in an adult is extremely unusual. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances of this tumor in adulthood have not been widely reported. We present a 55-year-old patient who was diagnosed with this rare neoplasm and describe the MRI findings.     

A new measurement of the Σ+ magnetic moment

A new measurement of the Σ⁺ magnetic moment is reported. The measurement stems from 12 000 events of the reaction K^?p→Σ⁺π^? produced at beam momenta around 460 MeV/c in HYBUC, the hydrogen bubble chamber with an 11.5 T magnetic field. These events represent about 15% of the final statistics. The results from opposite field directions are in close agreement and yield an average value of 2.95 ± 0.31 nuclear magnetons for the total Σ⁺ magnetic moment.     

Developments in sample preparation and separation techniques for the determination of inorganic ions by ion chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.

A review is presented of sample preparation and separation techniques for the determination of inorganic ions by ion chromatography (IC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Emphasis has been placed on those sample treatment methods which are specific to inorganic analysis, and the developments in separation methods which are discussed are those which enhance the capabilities of IC and CE to handle complex sample matrices. Topics discussed include solid-phase extraction for sample clean-up and preconcentration, dialytic methods, combustion methods, matrix-elimination IC, electrostatic IC, electrically polarised ion-exchange resins, electromigration sample preparation in CE, chromatographic sample preparation for CE, use of high-ionic strength background electrolytes, buffering of background electrolytes in CE, use of capillary electrochromatography for inorganic determinations, and methods for the manipulation of separation selectivity in both IC and CE. Finally, some possible future trends are discussed.     

Biofouling and biodegradation of polyolefins in ocean waters

High density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) coupons were immersed for a period of 6 months in Bay of Bengal near Chennai Port (Port) and Fisheries Survey of India (FSI). Samples were retrieved every month and the extent of biofouling and biodegradation were monitored by measuring biological and physicochemical parameters. Dissolved oxygen and oxidation reduction potential were higher at Port than at FSI. Total suspended solids and organic matter were more on PP, followed by HDPE and LDPE indicating hydrophobic surfaces favour more biofouling. Pseudomonas sp., anaerobic, heterotrophic and iron-reducing bacteria were observed on polymer surface. Biofouling was found to depend on the season, loading being highest in the month of August. Chlorophyll was higher at FSI than at Port due to higher pollution levels and also being closer to the shores. Maximum weight loss was seen in LDPE (1.5-2.5%), followed by that in HDPE (0.5-0.8%) and finally in PP (0.5-0.6%) samples deployed at Port in the six month time period.