Problems associated with interferences in the analysis of serum for polychlorinated biphenyls

During a recent survey to determine serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) among people living around New Bedford, MA, U.S.A., an unidentified contaminant precluded the quantification of some early eluting Webb and McCall peaks. Loss of data is estimated to have reduced reported serum levels by 12%. Efforts to identify the contaminant by gas chromatography with an electron-capture detector, a Hall electrolytic condutivity detector, and mass spectrometer were not successful. Researchers ascertained, however, that the contaminant is not a PCB, it does not contain halogens, but it may contain phthalates. Vacutainer tubes and closures for serum storage bottles are suspected sources of contamination.     

Interactions of the mitochondrial membrane rat liver D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase with glass beads during adsorption chromatography. Relationships with the activation of the enzyme by phospholipids

D-3-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH) is an NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenase of the mitochondrial inner membrane involved in the energetic balance between the liver and peripheral organs in mammals. It allows the conversion of ketone bodies (acetoacetate and D-3-hydroxybutyrate) and it is one of the best documented lipid-requiring enzymes with a dependence on lecithins. After release of proteins from the membrane by phospholipase A2 treatment of salt-treated mitochondria, the rat liver enzyme is absorbed on controlled-pore glass beads. After batch washing, the enzyme, devoid of lipids (apoBDH), is specifically eluted at pH 8.05-8.15 with a 0.1 M Tris-1 M LiBr buffer under reducing conditions (5 mM dithiothreitol). It appears that during BDH absorption, the glass beads mimic the phospholipid surface of biomembranes.     

The influence of photodissociated N2O in pulsed-laser deposition of Y-Ba-Cu-O films

Pulsed-laser deposition of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ in N₂O permits lowering of the substrate temperature with respect to deposition in O₂ atmosphere. Additional photodissociation of N₂O near the substrate surface deteriorates the superconducting properties of deposited films.On leave from: Institute of Applied Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, SU-603600 Nishni Nowgorod, USSR     

Photolysis of 2-dialkylamino-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinones

The photolysis of 2-dialkylamino-1,4-naphthoquinones is significantly more efficient when a methyl group is at C³. The quantum yields are 2–6 times greater than for 2-dialkylaminonaphthoquinones lacking a methyl group. 2-Monoalkyl-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones also undergo photochemical dealkylation.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2387–2392, October, 1991.     

Band structures in73Se

Excited states of⁷³Se have been investigated up to spin, 21/2 using techniques of in-beamγ-ray spectroscopy in connection with the⁷⁰Ge(α, n) reaction. Mean lifetimes of 12 levels have been determined applying Doppler-shift andγ-RF-methods. Five different bands have been identified that reflect a variety of different excitation modes. The decoupled 9/2⁺ band is likely to correspond to an oblate deformation while the 5/2⁺ band is interpreted as a strongly coupled prolate band built on the Nilsson configuration [422] 5/2⁺. The 3/2^? band is a strongly coupled band built on the [301] 3/2^} configuration.Nuclear reactions:⁷⁰Ge(α,n),E=14, 16, 18, 19, 20MeV; measuredE _γ,I _γ,σ(E _γ,θ),γγ-coin, linear polarization, DSA,γ(t).⁷⁵Se deduced levels,I, π, τ, δ(E2/M1), B(σλ). Enriched targets, Ge detectors.     

Surface enhanced Raman scattering from mildly roughened surfaces: variation of signal with metal grain size

The intensity of surface enhanced Raman scattering from benzoic acid derivatives on mildly roughened, thermally evaporated Ag films shows a remarkably strong dependence on metal grain size. Large grained (slowly deposited) films give a superior response, by up to a factor of 10, to small grained (quickly deposited) films, with films of intermediate grain size yielding intermediate results. The optical field amplification underlying the enhancement mechanism is due to the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Since surface roughness characteristics, as determined by STM, remain relatively constant as a function of deposition rate, it is argued that the contrast in Raman scattering is due to differences in elastic grain boundary scattering of SPPs (leading to different degrees of internal SPP damping), rather than differences in the interaction of SPPs with surface inhomogeneities.     

Serial magnetic resonance imaging in patients following acute myocardial infarction.

The detection of serial changes in magnetic resonance (MR) signal intensity of the heart following acute myocardial infarction may provide a useful method of characterizing tissue healing. Fourteen patients with acute Q-wave infarction underwent T2-weighted, spin-echo cardiac imaging during hospitalization, followed by one or more additional MR studies (total 31) over a 6- to 27-wk period (mean: 3 mo). Visual assessment of the images demonstrated a gradual reduction in signal intensity and localization of the bright signal to the subendocardium of the infarction region over the three-mo study period. A quantitative measurement of signal intensity (infarction/normal myocardium) fell from 1.81 +/- 0.42 on the initial study to 1.34 +/- 0.37 (p less than 0.05) at a mean of 14 wk. Two patients had an increase in signal intensity on the follow-up study and both patients had been readmitted with acute coronary syndromes. In summary, characterization of changes in signal intensity may provide a useful method of assessing myocardial healing following acute myocardial infarction. Further studies are indicated to determine the prognostic significance of these parameters.     

Paramagnetic defects in BaTiO3 and their role in light-induced charge transport — Optical studies

On the basis of a previous identification of paramagnetic defects in nominally undoped as grown BaTiO₃ single crystals, we have investigated the changes of the concentrations of these centers and their optical absorptions under illumination with light of varying wavelengths. The most pronounced charge transfers occur by hole ionization of Fe⁴⁺ and — to a lesser extent — of Cr⁵⁺ and Cr⁴⁺. At low temperatures the created holes are trapped in the form of O^–-ions next to Al³⁺ or unknown acceptor defects. Corresponding Fe⁴⁺ and O^– absorptions have been identified.