In-channel indirect amperometric detection of nonelectroactive anions for electrophoresis on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchip

In the present paper, we describe a microfluidics-based sensing system for nonelectroactive anions under negative separation electric field by mounting a single carbon fiber disk working electrode (WE) in the end part of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannel. In contrast to work in a positive separation electric field described in our previous paper (Anal. Chem. 2004, 76, 6902-6907), here the electrochemical reduction reaction at the WE is not coupled with the separation high-voltage (HV) system, whereas the electrochemical oxidation reaction at the WE is coupled with the separation HV system. The electroactive indicator is the carbon fiber WE itself but not dissolved oxygen. This provides a convenient and sensitive means for the determination of nonelectroactive anions by amperometry. The influences of separation voltage, detection potential, and the distance between the WE and the separation channel outlet on the response of the detector have been investigated. The present detection mode is successfully used to electrochemically detect F-, Cl-, SO4(2-), CH3COO-, H2PO4-. Based on the preliminary results, a detection limit of 2 microM and a dynamic range up to three orders of magnitude for Cl- could be achieved.     

The determination of manganese status in the Australian diet using neutron activation analysis

Fifty representative foods sampled Australia-wide from each of the State capitals were analysed for manganese by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Calculated daily intake of manganese for Australian diets was compared with recommendations by US authorities for the safe and adequate dietary intake of this essential trace element. The contribution of tea to adult daily intakes was determined.     

Absorption of diltiazem in beagle dog from pulsatile release tablet.

An orally applicable pulsatile drug delivery system in dry-coated tablet form was prepared using diltiazem hydrochloride as the model drug, and a polyvinyl chloride-hydrogenated castor oil-polyethyleneglycol mixture as the outer shell of the tablet. In vitro drug release from the prepared tablet exhibited a typical pulsatile pattern with a 7 h lag phase (non-drug release period). This dosage form was orally administered to three beagle dogs under non-fasting and fasting conditions, and the plasma concentration level of diltiazem was determined according to time after administration. The result of the in vivo study in non-fasting dogs suggested that the drug could be released in the gastrointestinal tract as in the in vitro test. However, under the fasting condition, a large difference in the plasma concentration profile was found, suggesting that the disintegration time of the tablet tended to be influenced by the feeding condition of subject.     

A study of embolizing materials for chemo-embolization therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: embolic effect of cisplatin albumin microspheres using chitin and chitosan in dogs, and changes of cisplatin content in blood and tissue.

Hepatic artery of dogs was embolized with cisplatin (CDDP) albumin microspheres containing chitin and chitosan to investigate the in vivo CDDP release kinetics from CDDP albumin microspheres, the CDDP cumulative characteristics in the liver, and the influence of microsphere administration on hepatic tissue. Results showed that changes in blood CDDP content were dependent on CDDP albumin microsphere type and that release kinetics were better sustained when chitin was added to the microspheres or when the microspheres were treated with chitosan. In particular, the administration of CDDP in the chitin-containing CDDP chitosan albumin microspheres showed a blood CDDP content of approximately 0.26 micrograms Pt/ml 14 d after administration. The administration of chitin-containing or chitosan treated CDDP microspheres showed a CDDP content in the hepatic tissue of 0.14 to 0.23 micrograms Pt/g 28 d after administration. They also showed better control of CDDP release than those without chitin or chitosan treatment. No CDDP influence on hepatic tissue was observed. We conclude that, even in vivo, chitin and chitosan are effective embolic materials.     

10B quantitative determination in ppb range by particle tracks reading for boron neutron capture therapy

Quantitative determination of ppb-order ¹⁰B was carried out in a small number of cultured tumor cells by particle tracks by the ₁₀B(n,)⁷Li reactions using solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) for boron neutron capture therapy research. The detection limit of ¹⁰B concentration in tumor cells is less than 1·10^-3 ppm under our experimental conditions which permits the quantitative determination of ¹⁰B in a small number of boronated tumor cells (10⁵/ml = ca. 0.1 mg). Boron quantities in tumor cells determined were well compatible with the tumor cell killing effects of boron neutron capture therapy.     

Kinetic equations for thermal dissociation processes

Relationships between average degree of transformation and time of dissociation were derived for polydisperse granular materials with account to the type of grain size distribution. It has been checked, under what conditions the kinetic curves obtained by numeric solution of those relationships may be described in terms of equations D1 α²=kt , F2 [1/(1 - α) - 1 =kt] and F3 [1/(1 - α)² - 1=kt]. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.