Gaseous acidity and basicity scales as guides to chemical ionization in reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with direct liquid introduction

During direct liquid introduction (DLI) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the detectability of acetone is shown to be predictable, based on consideration of the gas-phase acidities and basicities of solvents methanol and acetonitrile and modifiers formic acid and ammonium formate. Consequently, ion formation in DLI LC-MS resembles gas-phase chemical ionization processes; since the order of acidities is altered in solution, solution ionization must be much less important than gas-phase. Ion populations could be predicted on the basis of gas-phase proton affinities and acidities: acetone could be detected in all solvent mixture by positive ions, but it was not readily detected by negative ions when acid was also present. In solvents without additives it was always detected.     

Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and its N-demethylated metabolites in plasma using solid-phase extraction

An improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and its N-demethylated metabolites in plasma is described. Excellent resolution of all components is provided by reversed-phase chromatography using a mobile phase consisting of 1% acetic acid-methanol (83:17) at a flow-rate of 2.7 ml/min, in conjunction with a Waters Assoc. Nova-Pak C18 column which was protected by a Waters Assoc. Guard-Pak precolumn module containing a Guard-Pak CN cartridge. Rapid extraction of caffeine and the dimethylxanthines from plasma was achieved using reversed-phase octadecylsilane bonded-silica columns (Bond-Elut C18). With only 100 microliters of sample, plasma levels in the region of 50 ng/ml for the dimethylxanthines and 100 ng/ml for caffeine can be determined using ultraviolet detection at 273 nm. The method has been used for measuring umbilical cord plasma samples to provide information regarding foetal exposure to caffeine and its metabolites and is also suitable for therapeutic drug monitoring of caffeine and theophylline levels in the treatment of neonatal apnoea.     

Simultaneous estimation of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury in biological material by neutron activation analysis

Simultaneous determination of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury with high sensitivity is possible by neutron activation analysis. After irradiation, the samples are digested and an initial separation of the four elements made by means of an ion-exchange resin. The elements in the separated fractions are then treated to give radio-chemical purity, precipitated, and their activities measured. A purely instrumental technique for the analysis of zinc in samples of biological material is also described. The samples are irradiated for a week and after the activity has decayed for about three months it is measured on a gamma-spectrometer.     

PHOTOSENSITIZATION WITH BACTERIOCHLORINS

Abstract— Biophysical and photobiological properties of a group of bacteriochlorins were compared with efficacy of these products for photodynamic therapy of murine tumors. Predictive factors for selective photosensitization in vivo include affinity binding to lipoproteins greater than albumin, extinction coefficient at the wavelength of irradiation and tumor/skin distribution. Efficacy was correlated with circulating plasma levels of the different sensitizers but not with the photodynamic therapy response in cell culture.     

THE SYNERGISTIC ACTION OF ULTRAVIOLET AND X RADIATION ON MUTANTS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI K-12

Abstract— Prior UV irradiation increased the X-ray sensitivity of wild-type E. coli K-12. This synergistic effect of combined UV and X irradiation was also observed, but to a reduced extent, in uvrA, uvrB, uvrC , and polA mutants, but was absent in exrA, recA, recB , or recC mutants of E. coli K-12. Alkaline sucrose gradient studies demonstrated that the wand err gene-controlled, growth-medium-dependent (Type III) repair of X-ray-induced DNA single-strand breaks was inhibited by prior UV irradiation. This inhibition probably explains the synergistic effect of these two radiations on survival.     

Copolymerization of acrylic acid to nylon-6 by trapped radicals—I. Vapour phase grafting

Film of nylon-6 has been γ-irradiated in vacuo to various doses D. Grafting has been effected by subsequent exposure in vacuo to vapour at 50° of composition 9.1 wt% acrylic acid and 90.9 wt% water. Determinations have been made of total vapour uptake as well as the individual swellings due to monomer and water. For D ? ca. 2 Mrad, the initial rate of grafting R_g increased with D in accord with R_g ∝ D^β with β = 0.45 ± 0.05, thus suggesting bimolecular chain termination. However, for D ? ca. 2 Mrad, there is no further increase in R_g. This is attributed in part to the fact that the radical yield is proportional to dose only for D ? ca. 2.5 Mrad. Diffusion controlled grafting has been predicted elsewhere to be characterized by β = 0.67. Grafting proceeds from the surface and the initial stages are concluded to be essentially free from diffusion control, since (a) β ≠ 0.67, (b) the rate of uptake of monomer vapour >R_g and (c) a large change in film thickness yields only a very small change in R_g.