Ultrafast proton-coupled electron-transfer dynamics in pyrene-modified pyrimidine nucleosides: model studies towards an understanding of reductive electron transport in DNA.

5-(Pyren-1-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine (PydU) and 5-(Pyren-1-yl)-2'-deoxycytidine (PydC) were used as model nucleosides for DNA-mediated reductive electron transport (ET) in steady-state fluorescence and femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy studies. Excitation of the pyrene moiety in PydU and PydC leads to an intramolecular electron transfer that yields the pyrenyl radical cation and the corresponding pyrimidine radical anion (dU.- and dC.-. By comparing the excited state dynamics of PydC and PydU, we derived information about the energy difference between the two pyrimidine radical anion states. To determine the influence of protonation on the rates of photoinduced intramolecular ET, the spectroscopic investigations were performed in acetonitrile, MeCN, and in water at different pH values. The results show a significant difference in the basicity of the generated pyrimidine radical anions and imply an involvement of proton transfer during electron hopping in DNA. Our studies revealed that the radical anion dC.- is being protonated even in basic aqueous solution on a picosecond time scale (or faster). These results suggest that protonation of dC.- may also occur in DNA. In contrast, efficient ET in PydU could only be observed at low pH values (< 5). In conclusion, we propose--based on the free energy differences and the different basicities--that only dT.- but not dC.- can participate as an intermediate charge carrier for excess electron migration in DNA.     

Corrosion-stable nickel- and cobalt-based alloys for dental applications

In a comparative study the in vitro corrosion behavior of a selection of nickel- and cobalt-based alloys for application in dentistry containing no noble metals was studied with slow scan cyclic voltammetry. The obtained breakthrough potentials, the repassivation behavior and further typical features of the cyclic voltamograms are correlated with the chemical composition as measured with electron beam microanalysis. Surface inhomogenities detected with the latter method are discussed with respect to the electrochemical behavior. For all alloys stabilities in terms of breakthrough potential superior to previously reported data for nickel-base alloys are found.     

Simultaneous determination of ondansetron and tropisetron in human plasma using HPLC with UV detection

A rapid and sensitive HPLC method for the simultaneous quantitation of ondansetron and tropisetron, two serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonists frequently used in treatment and prevention of nausea and emesis, is described. The procedure involves liquid-liquid extraction of human plasma with dichloromethane coupled with reversed-phase HPLC and UV detection. The lower limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.62 ng/mL for ondansetron and 1.25 ng/mL or tropisetron. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation ranged from 1.5 to 7.5% and 5.3 to 13.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and precision were sufficient for determination of plasma concentrations after therapeutic administration of both drugs and the method can be used for the estimation of pharmacokinetic parameters.     

Polymerase chain reaction techniques for food allergen detection

Food allergies represent an important health problem in industrialized countries. Undeclared allergenic foods as contaminants in food products pose a major risk for sensitized persons. Reliable detection and quantification methods for food allergens are necessary to ensure compliance with food labeling and improve consumer protection. The methods currently used for the detection of potential allergens in foods are to target either the allergen itself or a marker that indicates the presence of the offending food. As markers for the presence of potentially allergenic foods or ingredients, specific proteins or DNA fragments are targeted. In routine food analysis, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the form of a real-time PCR or in combination with an ELISA have been used. The availability, the characteristics, and some future aspects of DNA-based methods in the rapid and sensitive detection of potentially allergenic food constituents or contaminations are discussed in this review.     

Die Reaktionen von Eisen(III)-chlorid mit Trithiazylchlorid. Die Kristallstruktur von [S4N4Cl]+[FeCl4]⊖

Reactions of Iron Trichloride with Trithyazyl Chloride. Crystal Structure of [S₄N₄Cl]⁺[FeCl₄]^? Iron trichloride reacts with (NSCl)₃ yielding S₄N₄[FeCl₄]₂, S₃N₃Cl₂[FeCl₄] or S₄N₄Cl[FeCl₄], depending on the reaction conditions. The i.r. spectra prove the presence of [FeCl₄]^? ions for all three compounds. The ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectra show a slight quadrupole splitting at 80 K for S₃N₃Cl₂[FeCl₄] (ΔE^Q = 0.42 mm · s^?1) and S₄N₄Cl[FeCl₄] (ΔE^Q = 0.23 mm · s^?1), which indicates a slight deformation of the FeCl₄^? tetrahedra. The crystal structure of S₄N₄Cl[FeCl₄] was determined and refined with X-ray diffraction data (2549 independent reflexions, R = 0.026). S₄N₄Cl[FeCl₄] crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with two formula units per unit cell. The lattice constants are a = 712, b = 911, c = 1006 pm, α = 76.5°, β = 83.8° and γ = 80.5°. The structure consists of the so far unknown [S₄N₄Cl]^⊕ cations and slightly deformed FeCl₄^? ions. The [S₄N₄Cl]^⊕ ion consists of a S₄N₄ ring built up of two nearly planar S₃N₂ fragments having a dihedral angle of 136°. The average SN bond length is 157 pm, the SCI bond length 214 pm.     

Validation studies and proficiency testing

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) entered the European food market in 1996. Current legislation demands the labeling of food products if they contain <1% GMO, as assessed for each ingredient of the product. To create confidence in the testing methods and to complement enforcement requirements, there is an urgent need for internationally validated methods, which could serve as reference methods. To date, several methods have been submitted to validation trials at an international level; approaches now exist that can be used in different circumstances and for different food matrixes. Moreover, the requirement for the formal validation of methods is clearly accepted; several national and international bodies are active in organizing studies. Further validation studies, especially on the quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods, need to be performed to cover the rising demand for new extraction methods and other background matrixes, as well as for novel GMO constructs.     

Reaktionen von Uranpentabromid Die Kristallstrukturen von PPh4[UBr6], PPh4 [UBr6] · 2CCl4, (PPh4)2[UBr6] · 4CH3CN und (PPh4)2[UO2Br4] · 2CH2Cl2

Reactions of Uranium Pentabromide. Crystal Structures of PPh₄[UBr₆], PPh₄[UBr₆] · 2CCl₄, (PPh₄)₂[UBr₆] · 4CH₃CN, and (PPh₄)₂[UO₂Br₄] · 2CH₂Cl₂ PPh₄[UBr₆] and PPh₄[UBr₆] · 2CCl₄ were obtained from UBr₅ · CH₃CN and tetraphenylphosphonium bromide in dichloromethane, the latter being precipitated by CCl₄. Their crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. PPh₄[UBr₆]: 2101 observed reflexions, R = 0.090, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 2315.5, b = 695.0, c = 1805.2 pm, β = 96.38°. PPh₄[UBr₆] · 2CCl₄: 2973 reflexions, R = 0.074, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 1111.5, b = 2114.2, c = 1718.7 pm, β = 95.42°. Hydrogen sulfide reduces uranium pentabromide to uranium tetrabromide. Upon evaporation, bromide is evolved from solutions of UBr₅ with 1 or more then 3 mol equivalents of acetonitrile in dichlormethane yielding UBr₄ · CH₃CN and UBr₄ · 3CH₃CN, respectively. These react with PPh₄Br in acetonitrile affording (PPh₄)₂[UBr₆] · 4CH₃CN, the crystal structure of which was determined: 2663 reflexions, R = 0.050, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, a = 981.8, b = 2010.1, c = 1549.3 pm, β = 98.79°. By reduction of uranium pentabromide with tetraethylammonium hydrogen sulfide in dichloromethane (NEt₄)₂[U₂Br₁₀] was obtained; (PPh₄)₂[U₂Br₁₀] formed from UBr₄ and PPh₄Br in CH₂Cl₂. Both compounds are extremely sensitive towards moisture and oxygen. The crystal structure of the oxydation product of the latter compound, (PPh₄)₂[U0₂Br₄]· 2 CH₂Cl₂, was determined: 2163 reflexions, R = 0.083, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 2006.3, b = 1320.6, c = 2042,5 pm, β = 98.78°. Mean values for the UBr bond lengths in the octahedral anions are 266.2 pm for UBr₆-, 276.7 pm for UBr₆^2? and 282.5 pm for UO₂Br₄^2?     

Comparison of two post-column derivatization systems, ultraviolet irradiation and electrochemical determination, for the liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins in food

This study compared 2 post-column derivatization (PCD) techniques for the determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) by fluorescence detection after liquid chromatographic separation: ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (PCD(UV)) and electrochemical bromination (PCD(EC)). Photochemical fluorescence enhancement was obtained with 2 different commercially available systems (PCD(UV1) and PCD(UV2)). An electrochemical bromination apparatus was used for bromination. Analyses of naturally contaminated or spiked samples of corn, pistachio paste, peanut butter, fig paste, and animal feed showed that neither of the techniques resulted in derivatization-specific matrix interferences for any of the matrixes under study, even when extracts were not completely purified. The response ratios PCD(UV)/PCD(EC) for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 were 0.86, 0.96, 0.70, and 0.96, respectively, for PCD(UV1) and 0.82, 0.95, 0.60, and 0.90, respectively, for PCD(UV2). The long-term use of the UV lamps (300 h for PCD(UV1) and 343 h for PCD(UV2)) in the photochemical detectors showed that these ratios remained stable throughout the time frame investigated. The relative standard deviation obtained for each of the devices during the in-house validation study ranged from 0.3 to 1.8% for PCD(UV1), from 0.8 to 1.3% for PCD(UV2), and from 0.9 to 2.0% for PCD(EC).