Eine neue Schnellmethode zur Untersuchung von Urin auf Opiate und deren Derivate

Zusammenfassung Der nephelometrische Nachweis des Morphins und Dilaudids nach Deckert ist für die Anzeige von Eukodal, Dicodid, Codein, Acedicon, Narcotin, Papaverin und Cocain nicht anwendbar, wenn diese Alkaloide, wie dies in der Praxis der Urinkontrolle suchtverdächtiger Personen fast ausschließlich der Fall ist, nur in geringeren Konzentrationen (unter 75g je 10 ml oder 7,5 mg je Liter) im Harn enthalten sind.Um möglichst alle Opiate und deren Derivate durch eine kurze Voruntersuchung auch in geringsten Mengen nachweisbar zu machen und dadurch eine rasche Entscheidung über die weitere Untersuchung möglich zu machen bzw. einwandfrei negativ reagierende Urine ausscheiden zu können, wurde eine neue Schnellmethode entwickelt. Diese Methode kann in einfacher, zeitsparender Weise mit der Prüfung nach Deckert verbunden werden und beruht auf charakteristischen Trübungsreaktionen mit den Halogenen Brom und Jod. Bei der Durchführung der Reaktionen in essigsaurem Medium wird durch Anwendung von Brom- und Jodlösungen bestimmter Zusammensetzung, je nachdem, ob dieselben einzeln oder zugleich den nach Deckert hergestellten Extraktlösungen hinzugefügt werden, nicht nur eine zuverlässige Anzeige, sondern auch eine gewisse Differenzierung der einzelnen Alkaloide ermöglicht. Die Empfindlichkeit der Reaktionen ist ausreichend groß, so daß mit einer Urinmenge von 20 ml — bzw. 10 ml bei allgemeiner Opiatanzeige mit beiden Halogenen zugleich — das Auslangen gefunden wird.Mit normalen, opiatfreien Urinen werden einwandfreie Blindproben erhalten, welche sich auch von den schwach positiven Befunden deutlich unterscheiden und dadurch eine große Sicherheit in der Anzeige geringster Opiatgehalte bedingen.Bei der Überprüfung des Verhaltens einer größeren Zahl von Arzneistoffen konnte festgestellt werden, daß eine Vortäuschung von Opiaten durch diese Stoffe nicht zu befürchten ist. Die als Störsubstanzen in Betracht kommenden Analgetica Polamidon, Dolantin und mit Einschränkung auch Cliradon sind ebenso wie Chinin leicht und rasch durch die Reaktion mit Bromkresolgrün zu erkennen. Die Halogenmethode besitzt demnach einen bedeutenden Grad von Spezifität.     

On a chip demonstration of a functional role for Odorant Binding Protein in the preservation of olfactory receptor activity at high odorant concentration

The molecular mechanisms underlying odorant detection have been investigated using the chip based SPR technique by focusing on the dynamic interactions between transmembrane Olfactory Receptor OR1740, odorant ligands and soluble Odorant-Binding Protein (OBP-1F). The OR1740 present in the lipid bilayer of nanosomes derived from transformed yeasts specifically bound OBP-1F. The receptor preferential odorant ligand helional released bound OBP-1F from the OR-OBP complex, while unrelated odorants failed to do so. OBP-1F modified the functional OR1740 dose-response to helional, from a bell-shaped to a saturation curve, thus preserving OR activity at high ligand concentration. This unravels an active role for OBPs in olfaction, in addition to passive transport or a scavenger role. This sensorchip technology was applied to assessing native OBP-1F in a biological sample: rat olfactory mucus also displayed significant binding to OR1740 nanosomes, and the addition of helional yielded the dissociation of mucus OBP from the receptor.     

Interaction of acetone with single wall carbon nanotubes at cryogenic temperatures: a combined temperature programmed desorption and theoretical study

The interaction of acetone with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) at low temperatures was studied by a combination of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and dispersion-augmented density-functional-based tight binding (DFTB-D) theoretical simulations. On the basis of the results of the TPD study and theoretical simulations, the desorption peaks of acetone can be assigned to the following adsorption sites: (i) sites with energy of approximately 75 kJ mol (-1) ( T des approximately 300 K)endohedral sites of small diameter nanotubes ( approximately 7.7 A); (ii) sites with energy 40-68 kJ mol (-1) ( T des approximately 240 K)acetone adsorption on accessible interstitial, groove sites, and endohedral sites of larger nanotubes ( approximately 14 A); (iii) sites with energy 25-42 kJ mol (-1) ( T des approximately 140 K)acetone adsorption on external walls of SWCNTs and multilayer adsorption. Oxidatively purified SWCNTs have limited access to endohedral sites due to the presence of oxygen functionalities. Oxygen functionalities can be removed by annealing to elevated temperature (900 K) opening access to endohedral sites of nanotubes. Nonpurified, as-received SWCNTs are characterized by limited access for acetone to endohedral sites even after annealing to elevated temperatures (900 K). Annealing of both purified and as-produced SWCNTs to high temperatures (1400 K) leads to reduction of access for acetone molecules to endohedral sites of small nanotubes, probably due to defect self-healing and cap formation at the ends of SWCNTs. No chemical interaction between acetone and SWCNTs was detected for low temperature adsorption experiments. Theoretical simulations of acetone adsorption on finite pristine SWCNTs of different diameters suggest a clear relationship of the adsorption energy with tube sidewall curvature. Adsorption of acetone is due to dispersion forces, with its C-O bond either parallel to the surface or O pointing away from it. No significant charge transfer or polarization was found. Carbon black was used to model amorphous carbonaceous impurities present in as-produced SWCNTs. Desorption of acetone from carbon black revealed two peaks at approximately 140 and approximately 180-230 K, similar to two acetone desorption peaks from SWCNTs. The characteristic feature of acetone desorption from SWCNTs was peak at approximately 300 K that was not observed for carbon black. Care should be taken when assigning TPD peaks for molecules desorbing from carbon nanotubes as amorphous carbon can interfere.     

Effect of the glass surface modification on the strength of methacrylate monolith attachment

The influence of glass surface modification in order to determine strength of the monolith attachment was studied. Modification consists of pre-treatment of the glass with chemicals or boiling in deionized water, silanization and drying has been investigated on different types of glass. Amount of silane groups was determined by measurement of the contact angle between the glass surface and water drop. The highest values were found for soda-lime glass. Strength of the monolith attachment was established by pumping ethanol through the monolithic capillaries and measuring the pressure drop at which monolith was dislodged. Surprisingly, it was found that the critical part of the glass surface modification procedure is glass pre-treatment. Good results were obtained with glass boiled in water for 2.5 h or more.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Helleborus odorus Waldst. & Kit, H. multifidus Vis. and H. hercegovinus Martinis

This study was undertaken in order to evaluate possible antioxidative and antiproliferative activities of three Helleborus taxa. The dry leaves and roots of three Helleborus taxa were extracted with ethanol and water. A phytochemical evaluation of the selected extracts was performed using spectrophotometric methods and a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay was used for measuring the antioxidative activity of extracts. The antiproliferative activity of the three Helleborus taxa was studied using Burkitt's lymphoma B cells (BJAB) cell lines. The phytochemical evaluation showed that the leaves contain high levels of total phenolic and flavonoid content. Results from the DPPH assay indicated that the activity of the ethanol and water extracts of the leaves was higher than that of positive control (thymol). Extracts from the roots of H. odorus also displayed higher antioxidant activity than the positive probe, while H. mulifidus and H. hercegovinus root extracts were less effective. A statistically significant correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidative properties indicates that these compounds contribute to the antioxidant activity. The highest percentage of cell growth inhibition was observed when testing the water root extracts of H. multifidus (50.14%) and H. hercegovinus (49.04%). In contrast, the water leaf extract of H. hercegovinus exhibited the lowest inhibition of cell growth (8.59%), although it showed strong antioxidant activity.     

Sensitivity of ammonia interaction with single-walled carbon nanotube bundles to the presence of defect sites and functionalities

Ammonia adsorption on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was studied by means of infrared spectroscopy at both cryogenic (approximately 94 K) and room (approximately 300 K) temperatures. At 94 K, vacuum-annealed SWNTs showed no detectable ammonia uptake. However, the ammonia adsorption was found to be sensitive to the functionalities and defects on the nanotube surfaces. NH3 adsorption was detected on HNO3-treated nanotubes, characterized by significant functionalities and defects, prior to vacuum annealing. NH3 desorbed from those nanotubes above 140 K, indicating a weak adsorbate-nanotube interaction (approximately 30 kJ/mol). Exposure of annealed samples to ambient air, which possibly regenerated functionalities and defects on nanotube surfaces, restored partially the ammonia uptake capacity. No ammonia adsorption on SWNTs was observed by infrared spectroscopy at room temperature with up to 80 Torr dosing pressure. This work suggests the influence of functionalities and/or defect densities on the sensitivity of SWNT chemical gas sensors. Our theoretical studies on NH3 adsorption on pristine and defective tubes, as well as oxidized tubes, corroborate these findings.     

Electrochemical biosensors for rapid pathogen detection

Rapid pathogen detection is an emerging issue in clinical, environmental, and food industry sectors. Biosensors can represent a solution to culture-based and molecular methods as they respond to sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity needs. Screen-printed electrodes have been used in association with nanoparticles to increase the signal and improve sensitivity reaching low numbers of the targets. Antibodies, DNA probes, and aptamers are mainly used to functionalize the working electrodes to ensure high specific pathogen detection by the use of voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, amperometry, and conductivity. Electrochemical biosensors can be miniaturized to construct portable devices useful for in situ assays.     

Quantitative assessment of olfactory receptors activity in immobilized nanosomes: a novel concept for bioelectronic nose

We describe how mammalian olfactory receptors (ORs) could be used as sensing elements of highly specific and sensitive bioelectronic noses. An OR and an appropriate G(alpha) protein were co-expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells from which membrane nanosomes were prepared, and immobilized on a sensor chip. By Surface Plasmon Resonance, we were able to quantitatively evaluate OR stimulation by an odorant, and G protein activation. We demonstrate that ORs in nanosomes discriminate between odorant ligands and unrelated odorants, as in whole cells. This assay also provides the possibility for quantitative assessment of the coupling efficiency of the OR with different G(alpha) subunits, without the interference of the cellular transduction pathway. Our findings will be useful to develop a new generation of electronic noses for detection and discrimination of volatile compounds, particularly amenable to micro- and nano-sensor formats.     

Characterization of ion exchange stationary phases via pH transition profiles

New non-destructive method for characterization of ion exchange chromatographic columns based on transient pH formed by a step change in ionic strength of buffer solutions was examined. The method was used to distinguish between cation and anion or weak and strong ion exchange chromatographic supports and to determine the capacity of the chromatographic resins. The general scheme to distinguish between most commonly used types of ion exchange chromatographic columns was proposed. The duration of pH transient was shown to be linearly proportional to the total ionic capacity and was used to estimate protein dynamic binding capacity of the resin. The effects of pH, concentration and temperature on transient pH duration were examined.     

Methacrylate-based short monolithic columns: enabling tools for rapid and efficient analyses of biomolecules and nanoparticles

This review describes the novel chromatography stationary phase--a porous monolithic methacrylate-based polymer--in terms of the design of the columns and some of the features that make these columns attractive for the purification of large biomolecules. We first start with a brief summary of the characteristics of these large molecules (more precisely large proteins like immunoglobulins G and M, plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and viral particles), and a list of some of the problems that were encountered during the development of efficient purification processes. We then briefly describe the structure of the methacrylate-based monolith and emphasize the features which make them more than suitable for dealing with large entities. The highly efficient structure on a small scale can be transferred to a large scale without the need of making column modifications, and the various approaches of how this is accomplished are briefly presented in this paper. This is followed by presenting some of the examples from the bioprocess development schemes, where the implementation of the methacrylate-based monolithic columns has resulted in a very efficient and productive process. Following this, we move back to the analytical scale and demonstrate the efficiency of the monolithic column--where the mass transfer between the stationary and mobile phase is greatly enhanced--for the in-process and final control of the new therapeutics. The combination of an efficient structure and the appropriate hardware results in separations of proteins with residence time less than 0.1 s.