Orientation-reversing involutions on handlebodies

The observation that the quotient orbifold of an orientation- reversing involution on a 3-dimensional handlebody has the structure of a compression body leads to a strong classification theorem, and general structure theorems. The structure theorems decompose the action along invariant discs into actions on handlebodies which preserve the -fibers of some -bundle structure. As applications, various results of R. Nelson are proved without restrictive hypotheses.

     

Lattice and continuum wavelets and the block renormalization group

We obtain a resolution of the identity operator, for functions on a latticeZ ^d, which is derived from the block renormalization group. We use eigenfunctions of the terms of the decomposition to form a basis forl ₂(Z^d) and show how the basis is generated from lattice wavelets. The lattice spacing is taken to zero and continuum wavelets are obtained.     

Application of laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) to investigate trace metal spatial distributions in human tooth enamel and dentine growth layers and pulp

Human tooth enamel provides a nearly permanent and chronological record of an individuals nutritional status and anthropogenic trace metal exposure during development; it might thus provide an excellent bio archive. We investigated the micro-spatial distribution of trace metals (Cu, Fe, Mg, Sr, Pb, and Zn) in 196×339 m² raster pattern areas (6.6×10⁴ m²) in a deciduous tooth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS). Ablated areas include prenatal and postnatal enamel, the neonatal line, the dentine–enamel junction (DEJ), dentine, and the dentine–pulp junction. Topographic variations in the surface elemental distribution of lead, zinc, strontium, and iron intensities in a deciduous tooth revealed heterogeneous distribution within and among regions. ⁴³Ca normalized elemental intensities showed the following order: Sr>Mg>>Zn>Pb>Fe>Cu. Elevated zinc and lead levels were present in the dental pulp region and at the neonatal line. This study demonstrates the ability of LA–ICP–MS to provide unique elemental distribution information in micro spatial areas of dental hard tissues. Elemental distribution plots could be useful in decoding nutrition and pollution information embedded in their bio apatite structure.Presented in part at the 2002 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Scottsdale, AZ, January 6–12, 2002. The poster was selected as an outstanding poster presentation.     

Non-aqueous capillary zone electrophoresis method for the analysis of paroxetine, tamoxifen, and their main metabolites in urine

The potential of non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) was investigated for the simultaneous separation of paroxetine, tamoxifen, and their main metabolites. Baseline separation of the studied solutes was obtained on a  μm capillary using a non-aqueous buffer composed of 18 mM ammonium acetate and 1.1% acetic acid in 80:20 (v/v) methanol-acetonitrile, with a temperature and voltage of 22 °C and 15 kV, respectively. Clomipramine was used as internal standard. Aspects such as stability of the solutions, linearity, accuracy, precision and ruggedness were examined in order to validate the proposed method. Detection limits obtained for all the studied compounds ranged between 3.0 and 7.1 μg l⁻¹. The developed method is sensitive and robust and was used to determine paroxetine, tamoxifen, and their metabolites at clinically relevant levels in human urine. Before NACE determination, the samples were purified and enriched by means of an extraction-pre-concentration step with a pre-conditioned C₁₈ cartridge. Determination of these analytes in the urine of four females urines was demonstrated.     

Silicone-modified starch/protein microparticles: protecting biopolymers with a hydrophobic coating

Silicone-coated starch/protein (human serum albumin, HSA) microparticles were prepared by precipitation of a starch/HSA/DMSO/water (water-in-oil) emulsion into acetone containing a silicone: the silicone polymer was either unfunctionalized (SiMe₃ terminated, PDMS) or functionalized at its termini with Si(OEt)₃ groups (TES-PDMS). The microparticles of approximate diameter 2–7 μm were highly hydrophobic with advancing contact angles 115°. Over several minutes, however, the contact angle decreased to ca. 40–70°. Soxhlet extraction with water led to degradation of the microparticles, irrespective of the nature of their silicone coating, as evidenced by release of the protein from them. Intraperitoneal (IP) or gastric administration of the two different particles to mice, however, showed a clear difference between the two silicones. The microparticles coated with either PDMS or TES-PDMS led to very different immune responses. Oral administration of the microparticles prepared with functionalized silicone elicited a significant production of antibodies, whereas the particles prepared with the unfunctionalized silicone (PDMS) were only weakly active. By contrast, the IP results demonstrated that particles coated with PDMS elicited an immune response that was established much more rapidly than with the particles modified with TES-PDMS. It is proposed that the TES-PDMS forms a physically adhering film or covalent bond to the protein molecules, which serves to protect the microparticle from biological degradation in the gut and/or facilitates the microparticle/protein interaction with the immune system.     

Identification of selenium species in urine by ion-pairing HPLC–ICP–MS using laboratory-synthesized standards

This study focused on the detection/identification of possible selenium metabolites in human urine. Organoselenium compounds not commercially unavailable were synthesized and characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry. Separation of selenomethionine, methylselenomethionine, trimethylselonium, selenoethionine, and selenoadenosylmethionine was achieved by ion-pairing HPLC with a mobile phase of 2 mmol L^–1 hexanesulfonic acid, 0.4% acetic acid, 0.2% triethanolamine (pH 2.5), and 5% methanol. The column effluent was introduced on-line to inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for selenium-specific detection (⁷⁷Se and ⁷⁸Se). For selenium speciation in urine, solid-phase extraction was carried out using C₁₈ cartridges modified with hexanesulfonic acid. Selective retention of cationic species was observed from acidified urine (perchloric acid, pH 2.0). After elution with methanol, evaporation, and dissolution in the mobile phase, the sample was introduced to the HPLC–ICP–MS system and the chromatographic peaks were assigned by adding standards. The species identified in urine were selenomethionine, trimethylselonium ion, and selenoadenosylmethionine. The last species was detected for the first time and our results suggest that selenomethionine might enter the metabolic pathway of its sulfur analog in the activated methylation cycle.Kazimierz Wrobel and Katarzyna Wrobel are on the leave from the Institute of Scientific Research, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana No. 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico     

高分子效应

用许多杰出的实例,从高分子骨架的机械支架作用、邻基效应、协同效应、模板聚合等诸方面探论了高分子效应。     

Untersuchungen zurFriesschen Verschiebung von Estern derortho- undpara-Methoxybenzoesäure

TheFries rearrangement of different methoxy benzoates has been investigated. Frompara-methoxy benzoates the corresponding hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenones could be obtained in good yields by treatment withLewis acids (especially TiCl₄) in nitromethane at 20°C (4-hydroxy derivatives) or without solvent at 120°C (2-hydroxy derivatives). Under the same conditions only demethylation occurs withortho-methoxy benzoates leading to the corresponding salicylates. Small amounts of hydroxy-2-methoxy benzophenones were obtained by treatment with polyphosphoric acid.

     

Chiral discrimination ofN-(dansyl)-dl-amino acids on human serum albumin stationary phase: Effect of a mobile phase modifier

Summary The effect of perchlorate anion as mobile phase modifier on the separation factor, α, forN-(dansyl)-dl-norvaline andN-(dansyl)-dl-tryptophan on a human serum albumin (HSA) column was studied by varying the concentration,c, of the chaotropic agent and the column temperatureT. Gibbs-Helmholtz parameters Δ(ΔH) and Δ(ΔS) between thed andl enantiomers were determined from linear van't Hoff plots of lnα against 1/T. Thermodynamic results indicated that the enhancement of the separation factor observed asc was increased was enthalpically controlled owing to stereoselective H-bonding interactions. Such behavior was used to optimize the chromatographic conditions for separation ofN-(dansyl)-amino acids on HSA.     

Voltammetric behaviour and determination of moxifloxacin in pharmaceutical products and human plasma

The oxidative behaviour of moxifloxacin was studied at a glassy carbon electrode in different buffer systems using cyclic, differential pulse, and Osteryoung square-wave voltammetry. The oxidation process was shown to be irreversible over the entire pH range studied (2.0–10.0) and was diffusion-controlled. The methods were performed in Britton–Robinson buffer and the corresponding calibration graphs were constructed and statistical data were evaluated. When the proposed methods were applied at pH 6.0 linearity was achieved from 4.4×10^–7 to 1.0×10^–5 mol L^–1. Applicability to tablets and human plasma analysis was illustrated. Furthermore, a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with diode-array detection was developed. A calibration graph was established from 4.0×10^–6 to 5.0×10^–5 mol L^–1 moxifloxacin. The described methods were successfully employed with high precision and accuracy for estimation of the total drug content of human plasma and for pharmaceutical dosage forms of moxifloxacin.