Residual determination and risk assessment of buprofezin in plum (Prunus domestica) grown in open‐field conditions following the application of three different formulations

This study was conducted to characterize the residual level and perform a risk assessment on buprofezin formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, and suspension concentrate over various treatment schedules in plum (Prunus domestica). The samples were extracted with an AOAC quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe, ‘QuEChERS’, method after major modifications. As intrinsic interferences were observed in blank plum samples following dispersive‐solid phase extraction (consisting of primary secondary amine and C₁₈ sorbents), amino cartridges were used for solid‐phase extraction. Analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography with diode array detection and confirmed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The method showed excellent linearity with determination coefficient (R² = 1) and satisfactory recoveries (at two spiking levels, 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg) between 90.98 and 94.74% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤8%. The limit of quantification (0.05 mg/kg) was considerably lower than the maximum residue limit (2 mg/kg) set by the Codex Alimentarius. Absolute residue levels for emulsifiable concentrates were highest, perhaps owing to the dilution rate and adjuvant. Notably, all formulation residues were lower than the maximum residue limit, and safety data proved that the fruits are safe for consumers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reoxidation of uranium in electrolytically reduced simulated oxide fuel during residual salt distillation

Apoptosis is one of the fundamental phenomena behind successful radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Non-invasive imaging of apoptosis can offer an early diagnosis of disease and the true efficiency of an ongoing treatment procedure. The present study describes an attempt to develop ^99mTc-labeled 2-methyl-2-pentylmalonic acid ([^99mTc] 8) as a new SPECT based apoptosis imaging agent. An optimized chemical and radiosynthesis procedure provided desired product [^99mTc] 8 with high radiochemical yield (84%, n = 3) and radiochemical purity (>99%) as determined by radio HPLC. Biodistribution data indicated that the radiotracer has a rapid clearance from blood and other background tissues. High testes accumulation confirmed the ability of the radiotracer to detect testicular apoptosis in mice.

     

Real‐Time Measurement of the Size Distribution of Diesel Exhaust Particles using a Portable 4‐stage Electrical Low Pressure Impactor

For this study, a 4 stage electrical low pressure impactor was designed to measure the real‐time size distribution of diesel particulate matter (DPM). For the performance evaluation, sodium chloride (NaCl) particles and dioctyl sebacate (DOS) particles were used. After evaluating the collection efficiency of each stage of the impactor, the size distributions of test particles were estimated using electrical current data and their inversion algorithm, and this was found to agree with the results obtained by a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). For measurement of DPM, a common‐rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine, for engine speeds of 1,200 rpm and 1,500 rpm at 2.7 kgf·m, was used. Therefore, it was found that the size distribution of the DPM could be easily obtained, with the currents measured by the impactor and the data inversion algorithm, in less than 5 seconds. Furthermore, the effective density of the DPM could be obtained using the calculated results and the SMPS data.     

Characterization of Nitro-Substituted Polybenzimidazole Synthesized by the Reaction with Nitric Acid

Abstract

Nitro-substituted poly[2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole]s (PBIs) were synthesized by the reaction of PBI with nitric acid in sulfuric acid under various conditions. The number of nitro groups substituted on the aromatic ring of PBI per polymeric unit varied from 1.44 to 3.55 according to the reaction conditions. An increase in reaction temperature and concentration of the nitric acid increased the degree of substitution. The inherent viscosity of the substituted polymer increased as the reaction temperature decreased. When the reaction temperature was 30°C, the inherent viscosity of the polymer increased as the concentration of nitric acid increased. The nitro-substituted PBI exhibited polyelectrolyte behavior in formic acid. The nitro groups substituted on PBI were dissociated when the polymer was heated to 450°C, displaying exothermic behavior, and the decomposition of polymer was proportional to its nitro group content. All nitro-substituted PBIs showed better solubilities in polar aprotic and acidic solvents, such as dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, formic acid, sulfuric acid, and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.     

Composite of SiO2 and Hydrogel Having Microphase Separated Structure: Physical Properties Dependence on pH

Abstract

Organic-inorganic composite gel was prepared by using PEG-modified urethane acrylate (PMUA) gel and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). PMUA gel was prepared by the phase-inversion emulsion polymerization of PMUA emulsion. The gelation of PMUA emulsion using this method enables PMUA gel to swell with H₂O, TEOS, and ethanol. Hydrolysis and condensation reaction rates of the sol-gel process are strongly influenced by the pH controlled by catalysts such as HCl and NH₄OH. Additionally, the morphology on the cross section of composite and the amount of silica ingredient incorporated into the composite gel were dependent on solvent, the molar ratio of H₂O to TEOS, as well as the pH value.

As the silica content increased, due to hydrogen bonds interacting between PMUA gel and SiO₂, particles, the tensile strength of composites considerably increased, whereas the elongation at break decreased. The incorporation of silica ingredient in PMUA gel/silica composites was verified with FTIR/ATR and SEM. The amount of the silica component in the composite was indirectly investigated by using TGA thermal analysis.     

The application of an in situ karyotyping technique for mesenchymal stromal cells: a validation and comparison study with classical G-banding

The cytogenetic analysis of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is essential for verifying the safety and stability of MSCs. An in situ technique, which uses cells grown on coverslips for karyotyping and minimizes cell manipulation, is the standard protocol for the chromosome analysis of amniotic fluids. Therefore, we applied the in situ karyotyping technique in MSCs and compared the quality of metaphases and karyotyping results with classical G-banding and chromosomal abnormalities with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Human adipose- and umbilical cord-derived MSC cell lines (American Type Culture Collection PCS-500-011, PCS-500-010) were used for evaluation. The quality of metaphases was assessed by analyzing the chromosome numbers in each metaphase, the overlaps of chromosomes and the mean length of chromosome 1. FISH was performed in the interphase nuclei of MSCs for 6q, 7q and 17q abnormalities and for the enumeration of chromosomes via oligo-FISH in adipose-derived MSCs. The number of chromosomes in each metaphase was more variable in classical G-banding. The overlap of chromosomes and the mean length of chromosome 1 as observed via in situ karyotyping were comparable to those of classical G-banding (P=0.218 and 0.674, respectively). Classical G-banding and in situ karyotyping by two personnel showed normal karyotypes for both cell lines in five passages. No numerical or structural chromosomal abnormalities were found by the interphase-FISH. In situ karyotyping showed equivalent karyotype results, and the quality of the metaphases was not inferior to classical G-banding. Thus, in situ karyotyping with minimized cell manipulation and the use of less cells would be useful for karyotyping MSCs.