Determination of salsolinol and related catecholamines through on-line preconcentration and liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry

A new analytical approach has been developed for simultaneous measurements of endogenous salsolinol and major catecholamines in brain tissue of experimental animals. This procedure involves a combination of on-line phenyl boronate affinity preconcentration and microcolumn liquid chromatography, followed by mass spectrometry equipped with an atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source. Flow conditions of the APPI source were optimized for detection sensitivity while different dopants were evaluated. The on-line preconcentration was found essential for the sensitivity requirements of salsolinol measurements in the brain tissue from alcohol-preferring rats subjected to different levels of alcohol exposure.     

浅谈溅渣护炉技术对炉寿命的影响

论述了溅渣护炉技术的工艺特点及其在工业生产中的应用,分析了该技术对炉寿命的影响原因,提出了有色金属工业应用该技术的发展方向。     

Real-time PCR detection and quantification of nine potential sources of fecal contamination by analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b targets

We designed and tested real-time PCR probe/primer sets to detect and quantify Cytochrome b sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from nine vertebrate species of pet (dog), farm (cow, chicken, sheep, horse, pig), wildlife (Canada goose, white-tailed deer), and human. Linear ranges of the assays were from 10(1) to 10(8) copies/microl. To formally test the performance of the assays, twenty blinded fecal suspension samples were analyzed by real-time PCR to identify the source of the feces. Sixteen of the twenty samples were correctly and unambiguously identified. Average sensitivity was calculated to be 0.850, while average specificity was found to be 0.994. One beef cow sample was not detected, but mtDNA from 11 other beef cattle of both sexes and varying physiological states was found in concentrations similar (3.45 x 10(7) copies/g) to thatfound in human feces (1.1 x 10(7) copies/g). Thus, environmental conditions and sample handling are probably important factors for successful detection of fecal mtDNA. When sewage samples were analyzed, only human mtDNA (7.2 x 10(4) copies/ 100 mL) was detected. With a detection threshold of 250 copies/reaction, an efficient concentration and purification method resulted in a final detection limit for human feces of 1.8 mg/ 100 mL water.     

Effect of beta-lactoglobulin polymorphism and seasonality on bovine milk composition

The objective was to evaluate the effect of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg) polymorphism and seasonality on milk composition (fat, lactose, total solids, milk urea nitrogen, total protein, true protein, casein and somatic cell counts) of Holstein and Girolando cows. Milk and blood samples from 278 Holsteins cows and 156 Girolando cows were taken during two dry seasons and two rainy seasons, for milk composition analysis and to determine beta-lg genotypes, respectively. BB genotype was the most frequent for both breeds, followed by AA genotype for Holstein (BB>AA>AB) and by AB for Girolando cows (BB>AB>AA). No differences were found in milk compositional characteristics among genetic variants of beta-lg (AA, AB and BB) either between Holstein or Girolando cows. No association between milk composition and beta-lg genetic polymorphism was observed. During the dry season, independently of the breed considered, higher contents of lactose, true protein, casein and casein:true protein ratio were found.     

Real-time PCR based procedures for detection and quantification of Aspergillus carbonarius in wine grapes

Aspergillus carbonarius is the main species responsible for ochratoxin A accumulation in wine grapes and consequently, its rapid and sensitive detection is increasingly investigated. A new real-time PCR (RTi-PCR) based procedure was developed for the rapid and specific detection and quantification of A. carbonarius in wine grapes. The procedure includes the use of the pulsifier equipment to remove conidia from grapes which prevents releasing of PCR inhibitors, and DNA extraction with the EZNA Fungal DNA kit. It reduced the time for A. carbonarius DNA extraction from grapes to 30 min. Two specific primers (AcKS10L/AcKS10R) delimiting a 161 bp fragment, and a probe were designed and directed to the beta-ketosynthase domain of a polyketide synthase from A. carbonarius. Specificity was confirmed by testing primers towards purified DNA from 52 fungal strains, including reference and food isolates. Quantification was linear over at least 5 log units using both serial dilutions of purified DNA and calibrated conidial suspensions from A. carbonarius. The SYBR-Green I and TaqMan RTi-PCR approaches established were able to detect at least 2.4 and 24 genomic equivalents, respectively, using purified DNA. Results obtained from conidial suspensions, after DNA extraction, showed that at least 5 conidia per reaction should be present for a positive result with SYBR-Green I and 50 in the case of TaqMan. The quantification of fungal genomic DNA in artificially inoculated wine grapes performed successfully, with a minimum threshold of 10(3) conidia mL(-1) for accurate quantification. The developed RTi-PCR assay is a promising tool in the prediction of potential ochratoxigenic risk, even in the case of low-level infections, and suitable for a rapid, automated and high throughput analysis.     

Performance characteristics of a compact position-sensitive LSO detector module

We assembled a compact detector module comprised of an array of small, individual crystals of lutetium oxyorthosilicate:Ce (LSO) coupled directly to a miniature, metal-can, position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT). We exposed this module to sources of 511-keV annihilation radiation and beams of 30- and 140-keV photons and measured spatial linearity; spatial variations in module gain, energy resolution, and event positioning; coincidence timing; the accuracy and sensitivity of identifying the crystal-of-first-interaction at 511 keV; and the effects of intercrystal scatter and LSO background radioactivity. The results suggest that this scintillator/phototube combination should be highly effective in the coincidence mode and can be used, with some limitations, to image relatively low-energy single photon emitters. Photons that are completely absorbed on their first interaction at 511 keV are positioned by the module at the center of a crystal. Intercrystal scatter events, even those that lead to total absorption of the incident photon, are placed by the module in a regular "connect-the-dot" pattern that joins crystal centers. As a result, the accuracy of event positioning can be made to exceed 90%, though at significantly reduced sensitivity, by retaining only events that occur within small regions-of-interest around each crystal center and rejecting events that occur outside these regions in the connect-the-dot pattern.     

射频热等离子体制备球形氧化铝粉末的数值模拟及实验研究

研究粉末颗粒在热等离子体(ICTP)中的行为可以为射频等离子体制备球形粉末工艺过程的优化提供参考。首先, 利用FLUENT软件对具有不同粒径分布的氧化铝粉末颗粒在射频热等离子体中的运动轨迹及加热历程进行了数值模拟; 然后, 根据模拟结果所确定的实验参数范围进行了射频热等离子体粉末球化实验, 并将实验测量与数值模拟的结果相结合, 研究了输入功率、送粉速率等参数的改变对具有不同粒径分布的氧化铝粉末球化效果的影响。研究结果表明: 粒径较小的氧化铝粉末颗粒在飞行过程中可以从等离子体内吸收更多的热量, 因此能够被充分加热至完全熔化; 增加系统输入功率、降低送粉速率均能提高单位质量的颗粒从等离子体中获得的能量, 从而在一定程度上提升氧化铝粉末的球化率。     

Two-screen single-shot electron spectrometer for laser wakefield accelerated electron beams

The laser wakefield acceleration electron beams can essentially deviate from the axis of the system, which distinguishes them greatly from beams of conventional accelerators. In case of energy measurements by means of a permanent-magnet electron spectrometer, the deviation angle can affect accuracy, especially for high energies. A two-screen single-shot electron spectrometer that correctly allows for variations of the angle of entry is considered. The spectrometer design enables enhancing accuracy of measuring narrow electron beams significantly as compared to a one-screen spectrometer with analogous magnetic field, size, and angular acceptance.