Quantification of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl adducts in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells dosed with N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl and their relationship to mutation, toxicity, and gene expression profiling

Gene expression profiles that are anchored to phenotypic endpoints may lead to the identification of signatures that predict mutagenicity or carcinogenicity. The study presented here describes the analysis of DNA adducts in the human TK6 lymphoblastoid cell line after exposure to N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl, a mutagenic metabolite of 4-aminobiphenyl. A validated nano-LC microelectrospray mass spectrometry assay is reported for the detection and quantification of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (dG-C8-ABP), the principal DNA adduct of 4-aminobiphenyl. Limits of quantification, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1, are determined to correspond to approximately 27 fg of dG-C8-ABP injected on-column. The assay has been used to measure the steady-state levels of the adduct in the human TK6 lymphoblastoid cell line as a function of dose (0.5, 1.0, and 10.0 microM) and time (2, 6, and 27 h) after exposure to N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl. The levels of dG-C8-ABP adducts in the cells, ranging from 18 to 500 adducts in 10(9) nucleotides, were then correlated to cell toxicity, induced mutation at the TK (thymidine kinase) and HPRT loci, and gene expression profiling through microarray analysis. Cell cultures were evaluated for toxicity by growth curve extrapolation, mutation assays were performed on the HPRT and TK loci, and gene expression profiles were generated by analyses using microarray technology. In the mutation assay analysis, as the toxicant concentration increased, there was an increase in mutation fraction, indicating a direct correlation to metabolite dosing level and mutations occurring at these two loci. Statistical analysis of the gene expression data determined that a total of 2250 genes exhibited statistically significant changes in expression after treatment with N-OH-AABP (P < 0.05). Among the genes identified, 2245 were up-regulated, whereas 5 genes that had functions in cell survival and cell growth and, hence, could be indicators of toxicity, were down-regulated relative to controls. The results demonstrate the value of anchoring gene expression patterns to phenotypic markers, such as DNA adduct levels, toxicity, and mutagenicity.     

Metal–support interactions on rhodium model catalysts

Metal–support interactions on supported rhodium catalysts were studied by using specially prepared Rh/TiO₂/Mo model systems. For their characterization and the analysis of modifications due to various heat treatments several surface analytical methods were applied: low-energy ion scattering, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy. Heating in ultrahigh vacuum to 670 K leads to Rh agglomeration followed (above 720 K) by encapsulation including the formation of reduced titanium oxide species. These morphological and chemisorption changes are reversible upon reoxidation and low-temperature reduction and thus exhibit the characteristic features of strong metal–support interactions. For the effective mechanism a reaction is suggested that involves oxygen chemisorption on the Rh clusters and partial reduction of the surrounding support oxide.     

Ausmaß und Dynamik der Sohlerosion der Donau östlich von Wien – flussmorphologische und wasserwirtschaftliche Aspekte

The Danube east of Vienna was originally an untamed, widely branching river with an approximately stable bed elevation. Regulation in the second half of the 19th century changed its morphology fundamentally—initially through upstream regulation and the consequent bedload deposit resulting in heavy aggradation—and subsequently left the bed elevation and water level almost the same until around the 1940s. Only in the second half of the 20th century did the bed elevation and low and mean water levels decrease significantly, and this trend—amplified by the power plant extension—continues today, despite constant bedload dumps to ensure the tailwater supply for the power plant at Vienna Freudenau. Further east from the Austrian-Slovak stretch of border, congestion due to the Gab?íkovo power plant becomes apparent: most of the bedload is again deposited here. This study investigates these processes using hydrographic observations in their spatial and temporal context, and, based on actual bed elevation measurements, creates a bedload balance and compares it with the results of previous studies. Bed erosion in the Danube floodplains and the local national park has far-reaching consequences, especially through siltation and scrub encroachment in the river’s branches, which are further amplified by flat, fine sediment deposits in the foothills and the formation of embankments. In the long term, flood and other water management objectives will also be adversely affected.     

Auswirkungen von Baggerungen und Verklappungen hochwasserbedingter Feinsedimentablagerungen am Fallbeispiel Winterhafen Linz/Donau

In the case study “Winterhafen Linz” the effects of dredging/excavating fine sediments previously deposited by flood events and their subsequent dumping into the Danube mainstream were investigated. While this maintenance work was in progress, the temporal and spatial extent of the sediment plume and the changes in bed topography were measured. By employing air-lift samplers and grab samplers in the dredging and dumping areas, the question as to whether, and if so to what extent, the benthic invertebrate community was disturbed by the maintenance work. It could be clearly demonstrated that the sediment dredging severely affected the benthic invertebrates (an 82 % decline in biomass), while the dumping of the material had no effects on the Danube biota. Numerical modeling was used to simulate discharges and dumping locations other than those actually encountered during the monitoring campaign, thus making it possible to extrapolate and draw conclusions beyond the concrete results. These findings in turn provided the basis for recommendations on how to optimize dredging and dumping procedures on the Danube in future.     

Continuous Determination of the Oxidation State in a Soda-Lime-Silica Glassmelt During Refining

Influences on the oxidation state of glassmelts can be studied by using an electrochemical oxygen sensor which allows in-situ measurements at melting temperatures. The action of fining agents such as arsenic and sodium sulfate was investigated. The behavior of arsenic (i.e. release and uptake of oxygen) and the decomposition of sodium sulfate with and without carbon additions can be seen electrochemically.     

Extraktion von Lupinenöl mit überkritischem Kohlendioxid

Extraction of Lupine Oil with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Ground seeds of the South American lupine, Lupinus mutabilis SWEET, are treated with supercritical carbon dioxide at a pressure of 300 bar, a temperature of 40°C, and a throughput corresponding to 20 NL gas per g seed. Clear and slightly yellow lupine oil is obtained in almost quantitative yield. It is virtually free of lecithins and other phospholipids, whereas the oil extracted with hexane contains about 3% of such compounds. The two oils differ only slightly in their fatty acid compositions. Their alkaloid contents are also similar. Neither the yield of oil nor the extent of extraction of the various alkaloids is influenced by the water content of the ground seeds.     

Analytical models for the series resistance of selective emitters in silicon solar cells including the effect of busbars

A theoretical analysis of the power loss and series resistance of the front side emitter in silicon solar cells is presented. Existing 1D models (infinitely long finger) and 2D models (including the effect of busbars) of emitter series resistance contribution are extended to the case of selective emitters. The general case of different current densities for both emitters in the selective emitter scheme is considered in these extensions. The resulting models depend on the individual sheet resistances and current densities in both emitters and the device's overall grid geometry. The models are corroborated by finite element simulation of the potential in the emitter. An excellent agreement is found between the analytical models, and the simulations for a wide range of sheet resistances typically encountered in silicon solar cells. Grid simulations using the 2D model are applied to solar cells with selective emitters, where the width of the low‐resistive emitter was varied. The simulations demonstrate that the 2D model can explain the absolute change in fill factor observed in these cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.