Immunochemical detection of aminoglycosides in milk and kidney

In 1996, the European Union established provisional maximum residue limits (MRL) for gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin in milk and tissue (0.1-5 mg kg-1). For the detection of these four aminoglycosides, three enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for applications in milk and kidney were developed. The screening of defatted and diluted milk resulted in limits of determination (LDM) of < 0.01 mg l-1. Kidney samples were deproteinized with a trichloroacetic acid solution (3%) and after filtration and the addition of buffer, aliquots were used in the ELISA. The LDM of the four aminoglycosides in kidney were < 0.05 mg kg-1. The ELISA were found suitable for the semi-quantitative screening of milk and kidney for the presence of the four aminoglycosides far below the MRL levels. In randomly taken milk samples (n = 776) and in kidneys derived from healthy pigs (n = 124), the aminoglycoside residues found were far below their established MRL. In eight out of the 94 kidney samples obtained from diseased animals after emergency slaughter, aminoglycoside residues were above the MRL.     

Oxidation of organic substances by compounds of trivalent manganese : XXV. Determination of benzene polyhydroxy and aminohydroxy derivatives with a standard solution of the fluoride complex of trivalent manganese

The redox potential of the Mn(III)/Mn(II) system in a medium of potassium fluoride and sulfuric acid was measured and its dependence on the concentration of both substances was found. Furthermore, the influence of the concentration of potassium fluoride and sulfuric acid on the visible absorption spectrum of trivalent manganese was studied.     

Sequence distribution and intramolecular excimer formation in styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers

Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, like many other copolymers containing styrene, exhibit both normal and excimer fluorescence. We have shown that the ratio of the excimer to monomer fluorescence intensities in random styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers is linearly dependent upon the concentration of styrene-styrene bonds in the copolymer. This observation is consistent with a photophysical model which allows the energy absorbed by styrene units to migrate freely along the copolymer chain. Some of the energy is emitted in the form of normal fluorescence; some of the energy, trapped by neighbouring styrene-styrene pairs suitably oriented to allow excimer formation, is emitted as excimer fluorescence. The fluorescence characteristics of acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers are contrasted with those of methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymers, in which the methylmethacrylate sequences are believed to present partial barriers to energy migration along the copolymer chains.     

Determination of phthalic acid, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in human plasma and in blood products

Pretreatment for the determination of phthalic acid, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in human serum or plasma, and the determination of these compounds in blood products by high-performance liquid chromatography was studied. The amount of phthalic acid, MEHP and DEHP, migrated into blood products from a flexible bag, was studied. About 0.1% of DEHP in a flexible bag was found to have migrated into human platelet plasma. Most of the MEHP and phthalic acid detected in human platelet plasma was not derived from the flexible bag but was produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of the migrated DEHP. The amount of DEHP eluted into blood products from the flexible bag differed, depending upon storage time, storage temperature, etc.     

Collisional depolarization of NO2 fluorescence as studied by Hanle effect measurements

We report on collisional depolarization of NO₂ fluorescence with use of Hanle effect (zero magnetic field level crossing) experiments. Single fine structure levels of NO₂ in several regions of the visible absorption spectrum predominantly near 593 nm and 514 nm are prepared by selective optical excitation and the depolarization of the fluorescence light versus a magnetic field is investigated. We find that the Hanle signal is in general a superposition of two Lorentzian shaped signals, each with a characteristic dependence on light intensity and NO₂ pressure. For NO₂ pressures >1 µ bar the collisional depolarization follows simple Stern-Volmer kinetics. However, an unusual pressure dependence is observed at NO₂ pressures <1 µ bar. In the same pressure range (<1 µ bar) we see also an unexpected resonance with significantly different properties as the Hanle signal.     

Synthesis of 2,2,4-triphenyl-3-propenoyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzopyran via a lithiated allene

Synthetic routes to 2,2-disubstituted chromanes and their hetero-ring-unsaturated analogues are briefly reviewed. A variety of common alkylating agents has been involved in such routes. Here, however, the alkylating agent is the lithiated form of 4-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxybuta-1-2-diene V. This reacted with benzophenone to give XIV. The synthesis of chromane XIV is here reported for the first time. The route to XIV is also both new and may prove versatile to other hetero-ring-substituted chromanes.     

Effects of molecular structure and environment on the photodimerization of substituted anthracenes

Photochemical and photophysical studies of a number of 9-substituted anthracene sandwich pairs in their corresponding photodimer crystal matrices have been carried out. Corresponding studies have also been made in methylcyclohexane matrices at 6 K. Photodimerization of the 9-methyl, 9-chloro and 9-cyano derivatives in the photodimer matrices occurs at 6 K with unit quantum yield. The presence of excimer fluorescence from sandwich pairs indicates the lack of a perfect topochemical orientation while activation processes, leading to photodimerization, involve molecular re-orientation from more stable ground state configurations which are achieved within the constraints imposed by the solvent or crystalline cage.     

On the loss of cadmium, antimony and silver during dry ashing of biological material

Summary The loss of cadmium, antimony and silver during dry ashing of marine weeds, mussels and shrimps was studied with the aid of radioactive tracers. Except for antimony all biological material was labelled by uptake of the radioactive tracers by the organisms while still alive. At an ashing temperature of 500° C and below no significant loss by volatilization of these elements occurs. The results obtained at higher temperatures with cadmium show that the behaviour of this element may depend on the composition of the organic material. Retention on the wall of quartz crucibles did not cause serious losses.

---

Über den Verlust an Cadmium, Antimon und Silber bei der Trockenveraschung von biologischem Material

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe radioaktiver Tracer wurden die Verluste an Cadmium, Antimon und Silber bei der Trockenveraschung von Seetang, Muscheln und Krabben untersucht. Mit Ausnahme von Antimon wurden alle Materialien mit den Tracern durch Aufnahme im lebenden Zustand markiert. Bei Veraschungstemperaturen von 500° C und darunter konnten keine signifikanten Verluste durch Verflüchtigung der Elemente festgestellt werden. Das Verhalten von Cadmium bei höheren Temperaturen kann von der Zusammensetzung des organischen Materials abhängen. Verluste durch Haften an der Wand des Quarztiegels waren unbedeutend.

     

Syntheses and degradations of fluorinated heterocyclics III. Perfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkylether-1,3,4-oxadiazoles

2,5-Bis(perfluoro-n-heptyl)-, 2-perfluoroalkylether-5-perfluoro-n-heptyl-, and 2,5-bisperfluoroalkylether-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized and characterized. 2,5-Bis(perfluoro-n-heptyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole was thermally and hydrolytically stable at 325°C; however, in the presence of air, degradation took place at 235°C. The perfluoroalkylether analogue exhibited thermal and hydrolytic stability at 325°C; it was found to be unaffected by Jet-A fuel and air at 235°C. At 325°C in air some degradation occured as evidenced by volatiles production, oxygen consumption, and 96% starting material recovery.     

Reactions of sodium sulphide—I : With compounds containing hydroxyl groups

Aqueous solutions of sodium sulphide (ca 10%) reagent were reacted at 250° with compounds containing OH groups. This work was part of a programme designed to test the usefulness of the Na₂S solution degradation technique for determining the primary structure of humic acids. The compounds reacted here and the principal products detected (shown in brackets) were: cinnamyl alcohol (benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, 3-phenylpropionic acid), benzyl alcohol (little reaction), 3-phenylpropan-1-ol (little reaction), 1,2-dihydroxy-1-phenylethane (phenylacetic acid, acetophenone, 1-phenylethanol), catechol and hydroquinone (recovered starting compounds+ polymer products). Sodium hydroxide gave the same products with cinnamyl alcohol, but in different proportions. Possible mechanisms for these reactions are discussed.