Simultaneous quantification of acylated and desacylated ghrelin in biological fluids

This study reports simultaneous quantification of both acylated and desacylated forms of ghrelin in biological samples, utilizing a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The HPLC assay was also compared with RIA assays in use. Biological samples (serum, saliva, urine, milk) known for the presence of ghrelin were collected from a total of eight post-partum women and eight male volunteers. Analysis of ghrelin with HPLC was also validated for linearity, precision, detection limit and accuracy. An elution time of 6 min was observed for pure (commercial) desacylated human ghrelin and for the same form of the hormone from all body fluids studied. The elution time for acylated pure human ghrelin and that in body fluids, however, was around 16 min. The mean recovery rate was over 90% for both forms with no significant interference. The lowest detectable levels for acylated and desacylated ghrelin with the method used here were 11 (+/-2) and 14 (+/-3) pg mL(-1), respectively. Given its simplicity, accuracy, time and cost-effectiveness, the HPLC method described here for determination of two forms of ghrelin (active and inactive) might prove useful for certain diagnostic purposes.     

Effects of mechanical and thermal stresses on electric degradation of polyolefins and related materials

Degradation under the simultaneous effects of mechanical stress and temperature in polyolefins (PE, PP), composites on their basis (PE+PP fibre, PP+PP fibre, PP+glass fibre) and radiation low-density polyethylene (X-LDPE) used in high-voltage cables obeys the thermofluctuation theory of Zhourkov (in certain σ and τ₀ intervals) based on the theory of Arrhenius is presented in the following form: τ_σ = τ₀ exp[(U₀ − γσ)/ RT] (1) where τ is durability. τ₀ is a constant (10⁻¹²-10⁻¹³s) equal to period of vibrations of atoms around equilibrium position, U₀ is the activation energy of the mechanical destruction process (at σ = 0), γ is a structure-sensitive parameter, T is absolute temperature and R is universal gas constant. Electric degradation under the effects of electric field and temperature in the materials mentioned above obeys the equation: τ_E = τ₀ exp[(W₀ − χE)/ RT] (2) Here, τ_E, W₀ and χ are analogous to τ_σ, U₀ and γ, respectively. It is assumed that the following equation is valid under the simultaneous effects of E, σ and T: τ_σ,E = τ₀ exp[(U₀ − (γσ + χE))/ RT]. (3) electric degradation