Direct Determination of Saccharin and Acesulfame-K in Sweeteners and Fruit Juices Powders

A simple and rapid analytical procedure for determination of saccharin (SAC) and acesulfame-K (AC-K) based on UV-vis measurements and partial least squares (PLS) was proposed. Thus, an experimental design at levels 2 and 15 mg l⁻¹ for SAC and 2 and 20 mg l⁻¹ for AC-K was applied. Because real samples usually contain SAC and AC-K combined with aspartame (ASP), this interference was also included in the model. The procedure was successfully applied for SAC and AC-K simultaneous determination in sweeteners and fruit juice powders, without any separation step to remove ASP. The results were validated by using spiked samples, and the obtained recoveries were satisfactory.     

Restoring continuity: The view from within.

Illustrates continuity and discontinuity through comparison of a female patient's 2 consecutive courses of psychotherapy, the 1st (at age 24 yrs) using drive theory and the 2nd (at age 29 yrs) using the concepts of self psychology. Attention is centered on the manner in which continuity and discontinuity are experienced within the patient and then become a part of that person's ability to redirect, striving toward realizable goals. The manner is examined in which the weakened nuclear self experiences restored cohesion and a renewal of structure building through the response of the therapist to the selfobject needs expressed in the transference. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sorption of propylene oxide by various commodities

Sorption of propylene oxide (PPO) by various commodities was studied at different concentrations during a 4-h exposure at 30 °C. A gas chromatograph was used to determine sorption of PPO applied at concentrations of 24, 49, 82 and 112 mg/l by 1±0.01 kg of narcissus bulbs, wheat, corn and cocoa beans in 2.64-l fumigation chambers. Results showed that for corn and cocoa beans the decrease in concentration during the first hour, that ranged from 40% to 76% of the initial concentration applied, was much greater than that for narcissus bulbs and wheat, which ranged from 25% to 41% of the initial concentration applied. PPO was initially taken up faster by corn and cocoa beans than by narcissus bulbs and wheat. The average sorption rate for each commodity increased with increasing initial concentration. The average sorption rate of PPO by corn and cocoa beans ranged from 14.9 to 48.6 ((mg/kg)/h) which was higher at each concentration than sorption by narcissus bulbs and wheat. In spite of the relatively high rates of sorption, the PPO residues among wheat, corn and cocoa beans immediately following a 4-h fumigation were well below the 300 ppm tolerance. These data show that PPO rapidly desorbed from the commodities under fumigation at 30 °C and at ambient atmospheric pressure.     

The G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER/GPR30) in Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors

Ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are thought to arise from cells of the ovarian follicle and comprise a rare entity of ovarian masses. We recently identified the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER/GPR30) to be present in granulosa cells, to be regulated by gonadotropins in epithelial ovarian cancer and to be differentially expressed throughout folliculogenesis. Thus, supposing a possible role of GPER in GCTs, this study aimed to analyze GPER in GCTs. GPER immunoreactivity in GCTs (n = 26; n (primary diagnosis) = 15, n (recurrence) = 11) was studied and correlated with the main clinicopathological variables. Positive GPER staining was identified in 53.8% (14/26) of GCTs and there was no significant relation of GPER with tumor size or lymph node status. Those cases presenting with strong GPER intensity at primary diagnosis showed a significant reduced overall survival (p = 0.002). Due to the fact that GPER is regulated by estrogens, as well as gonadotropins, GPER may also be affected by endocrine therapies applied to GCT patients. Moreover, with our data supposing GPER to be associated with GCT prognosis, GPER might be considered as a possible confounder when assessing the efficacy of hormone-based therapeutic approaches in GCTs.     

Magnetic Force Microscopy in Liquids

In this work, the use of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to acquire images of magnetic nanostructures in liquid environments is presented. Optimization of the MFM signal acquisition in liquid media is performed and it is applied to characterize the magnetic signal of magnetite nanoparticles. The ability for detecting magnetic nanostructures along with the well‐known capabilities of atomic force microscopy in liquids suggests potential applications in fields such as nanomedicine, nanobiotechnology, or nanocatalysis.     

Radon index of a local administrative unit

The determination of radon-prone areas is usually based on indoor radon data and on the prognosis of the occurrence of houses exceeding the action level. However, the sample of houses in the survey must be representative and large enough, which is not easy to fulfill. Despite this, the determination of localities with high radon risk is useful not only for planning of indoor radon surveys, but also mainly for predicting the risk in newly built houses. There exist two more sources of data that can be used when assigning radon-related index to territories: soil gas radon measurements and gamma dose rate maps, both having their own inaccuracies. An attempt has been made to combine Czech indoor radon data, soil gas radon data and gamma dose rate maps for municipalities, where available. The radon-related index has been constructed by means of statistical analysis (linear regression). The equations found can be used for predicting the radon risk of the municipalities where the data sets are not large enough.