Determination of oxytetracycline in tomatoes by HPLC using fluorescence detection

An analytical method for the determination of oxytetracycline (OTC) in tomatoes was developed and validated. Liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and a solid-phase extraction (SPE) were used for sample preparation. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using a C₁₈ column and a mobile phase containing MeOH: calcium chloride, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and sodium acetate, pH 7.3 (30:70, v/v), with fluorescence detection at 390 nm excitation and 512 nm emission, was used for separation and quantitation of OTC. The method was validated through the following performance criteria: linearity and linear range, sensitivity, selectivity, intra-day and inter-day precision, detection and quantitation limits and accuracy. Limit of quantitation show that the method developed is suitable for the determination of OTC at a level below the maximum residue limits established by the Brazilian legislations (250 μg kg⁻¹). Of 40 samples analyzed, none contained OTC above the limit of quantitation.     

Mobile Sensoren für die Biotechnologie – Ortsunabhängige,miniaturisierte Prozessmessung

Due to the wide variety of reactor forms in the field of biotechnology, conventional rod probes do not provide sufficiently representative measurement results. In this publication novel mobile spherical sensor units with a total diameter of 7.9 mm are presented. Based on simulations, these were optimized in their density for the best distribution in the aqueous medium. Furthermore, it was determined how different stirring speeds in typical bioreactors affect the distribution of the probes. The applicability of the probes is shown by means of three bioreactor types.     

A Prototype Expert System for Automatic Generation of Image Processing Programs

A prototype expert system for generating image processing programs using the subroutine package SPIDER is described in this paper.Based on an interactive dialog,the system can generate a complete application program using SPIDER routines.     

ALL-1 gene rearrangements in DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor-related leukemia in children

We examined clinical, morphologic, and cytogenetic features and ALL-1 (MLL, Htrxl, HRX) gene rearrangements in 17 cases of secondary leukemia that occurred 11 months to 9 years from diagnoses of primary cancers in children who received topoisomerase II inhibitors or developed secondary leukemias typical of those associated with this therapy. Primary diagnoses included nine solid tumors and eight leukemias. Ten secondary leukemias were acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one was of mixed lineage, two were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and four presented as myelodysplasia. Of 15 cases with 11q23 involvement, 11 (73%) were cytogenetically identifiable; four cases had molecular rearrangement only. By Southern blot, rearrangements within the ALL-1 gene were similar to sporadic cases. The results of this analysis suggest the following: (1) In most pediatric cases of topoisomerase II inhibitor-associated leukemia, there is disruption of the breakpoint cluster region of the ALL-1 gene at chromosomal band 11q23. (2) Exposure histories vary in secondary 11q23 leukemia, as the only topoisomerase II inhibitor was dactinomycin in one case, and, in another case, no topoisomerase II inhibitor was administered. (3) There is clinical, morphologic, cytogenetic, and molecular heterogeneity in pediatric secondary 11q23 leukemia. (4) There are some survivors of pediatric secondary 11q23 leukemia, but the outcome is most often fatal.     

Sorption of cadmium and lead ions on modified groundnut (Arachis hypogea) husks

The removal of cadmium and lead ions from aqueous solutions by groundnut husks modified by reaction with EDTA (% N = 12.05) was examined by equilibrium sorption studies at 29°C. The maximum metal ion binding capacity of the EDTA-modified husk determined from the sorption isotherm from solutions of pH 6.8 was found to be 0.36 mmol g^?1 and 0.19 mmol g^?1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions, respectively. It was found that the rate of sorption was particle-diffusion controlled, and the particle-diffusion control rate coefficient was determined to be of the order of 10^?2 min^?1.     

Fast spin-echo MR imaging of the eye

Magnetic resonance imaging of the eye usually includes T2-weighted images both for screening purposes and for characterization of melanoma. Conventional T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) imaging suffers both from long acquisition times and incomplete recovery of the vitreous' signal. A fast SE sequence was therefore compared prospectively with conventional sequences in 29 consecutive patients with lesions of the eye. Fast SE images delineated melanoma and other lesions of the eye from vitreous better than conventional T2-weighted images. Image quality and lesion conspicuity were improved on the fast sequence. Whereas melanoma appeared hypointense to vitreous on both types of images, subretinal effusion was hypointense on fast images and hyperintense on conventional T2-weighted images. Ghosting of the globe, which, however, did not decrease diagnostic value, was more pronounced on fast images. Conventional T2-weighted images may be replaced by fast SE images in MR studies of the eye with a gain in lesion conspicuity and significant time saving.     

Influence of microalloying on the mechanical properties of medium carbon forging steels after a newly designed post forging treatment

For more than twenty years the classical quench and tempering of medium carbon Cr-alloyed steels has been substituted in the production of drop-forged parts for the automotive industry by a direct continuous cooling of less expensive V-microalloyed steels with lower carbon content. However, this simplified treatment has serious limitations concerning the yield strength and ductility if compared with the properties after quench and tempering. On a group of such V-bearing steels additionally microalloyed with Ti and Nb and with different N contents, an alternative two-step-cooling (TSC) strategy after forging, combined with an additional annealing (AN), has been applied. This new post forging treatment results in a significant improvement of the final mechanical properties. The paper is focused on the particular contributions of a different microalloying in the optimized deformation schedules to improve mechanical properties after TSC + AN. The aim of this additional microalloying is to achieve a more homogeneous distribution of ferrite in the final multi-phase microstructure due to a proper austenite conditioning as well as to make a full use of the strengthening potential of vanadium in these forging steel grades.     

Panhandle PCR: a technical advance to amplify MLL genomic translocation breakpoints

Translocations involving a breakpoint cluster region of the MLL gene at chromosome band 11q23 are the most common molecular abnormalities in acute leukemias of infants and acute leukemias related to chemotherapy with DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors. Molecular cloning of MLL genomic breakpoints by PCR has previously been difficult because MLL has many translocation partners and several breakpoints involve unknown partner genes. We review a new approach to MLL genomic breakpoint cloning called panhandle PCR. By adding an oligonucleotide sequence to the unknown 3' partner gene that is complementary to a known 5' MLL sequence, we have been able to generate a genomic template with an intrastrand loop for PCR schematically shaped like a pan with a handle. The intrastrand loop contains the translocation breakpoint and unknown partner DNA, while the handle contains the known 5' sequence from MLL and a complement to that sequence. Primers both derived from MLL are used to amplify the breakpoint by panhandle PCR. Panhandle PCR offers the advantage of having specificity for the strand of interest at both primer annealing sites without requiring specific primers for the many partner genes of MLL. Panhandle PCR is a straightforward method that represents a technical advance in MLL genomic breakpoint cloning.