On-line steam distillation/purge and trap analysis of halogenated, nonpolar, volatile contaminants in foods

An on-line, steam distillation/purge and trap gas chromatographic procedure is described for determination of halogenated analytes in foods and beverages. Recoveries were generally >80% (versus aqueous standards) from vegetable oil, flour, root beer, cream (10% butter fat), and milk spiked at 1-3 micrograms/kg for each of the 32 analytes studied. Analytes ranged in volatility from vinyl chloride to 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene. Repeatabilities from aqueous standards were <10% for most analytes. For a 1 g food sample, method detection limits ranged from 0.02 to 0.2 micrograms/kg for the 32 analytes. Reduced recoveries for less volatile analytes, however, occurred when steam-distillable, nonpolar food components were carried to the sparger. This effect was observed for citrus beverages containing steam-volatile limonene, roasted and ground coffees, and some salad dressings. The method was applied to a variety of foods.     

Intravitreal tolerance of a new perfluorocarbon vitreous replacement, Multifluor APF-144

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intravitreal tolerance of a new perfluorocarbon vitreous replacement, Multifluor APF-144 (perfluorotetramethylcyclohexane). DESIGN: Ten New Zealand albino rabbits (one eye from each) underwent vitrectomy. The vitreous was replaced in five eyes with Multifluor APF-144 and in five eyes with saline (control group). OUTCOME MEASURES: Appearance on indirect ophthalmoscopy, electroretinography recordings before and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after vitrectomy, findings on electron and light microscopy at 8 weeks. RESULTS: Endophthalmitis did not develop in any of the eyes. There was no significant change in electroretinography values for the experimental eyes after vitrectomy. No evidence of retinal toxicity was found on light or electron microscopic examination. CONCLUSIONS: Multifluor APF-144 shows promise as a short-term postoperative retinal tamponading agent.     

Effects of irradiation in combination with waxing on the essential oils in orange peel

The study evaluated the effects of waxing, irradiation dose and post‐irradiation storage time on the essential oils in orange peel. Mature oranges (Maroc late) waxed or unwaxed were treated with 1 or 2 kGy radiation and stored for 9 weeks at 20 °C and 40–50% RH. Essential oils from the peel were extracted and analysed by GC. Results showed that D ‐limonene was significantly lower in waxed oranges; levels in samples treated with 2 kGy were higher than those in non‐irradiated or treated with 1 kGy. Linalool, methyl anthranilate and 3,7‐dimethyl‐2,6‐octadienal decreased as the dose increased. Levels of linalool increased with storage time but D ‐limonene was unaffected. These results may aid in guaranteeing the quality of orange essential oils during storage time. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dual recognition of lipid A and DNA by human antibodies encoded by the VH4-21 gene: a possible link between infection and lupus

The VH4-21 (V4-34) gene segment, a member of the VH4 family, is expressed early in B-cell maturation and is utilized by approximately 6% of normal adult B lymphocytes. This prevalence indicates an importance of VH4-21 in the B-cell repertoire. The gene also encodes certain autoantibodies being mandatory for pathological IgM anti-red cell antibodies directed against the I/i antigen, and also capable of encoding anti-DNA antibodies. Recognition of I/i antigen or DNA appears to be via two distinct sites on VH, with I/i binding mediated by sequences in the framework region, and DNA binding correlating with the presence of positively charged amino acids in complementarity-determining region 3. However, these positively charged residues appear to suppress the ability of the framework region to interact with I/i, rendering a single sequence monospecific for I/i or DNA. The IgM anti-DNA antibodies also recognize bacterial lipid A, whereas the anti-I/i antibodies do not, indicating that CDR3 may be involved in binding the negatively charged lipid A. Structural similarities between the DNA backbone and lipid A provide a possible explanation for this cross-reactivity. This dual recognition of bacterial antigen and autoantigen provides a potential link between infection and autoimmunity.     

Acquired carnitine abnormalities in critically ill children

In order to characterize the role of carnitine during metabolic stress, we prospectively determined carnitine profiles in plasma and urine on admission, days 2, 5, 10 and 15, among 28 critically ill children free of any known conditions associated with secondary carnitine deficiency. More than 25% of plasma and 50% of urinary carnitine measurements were abnormal; 96% (27/28) of patients displayed on at least one occasion an abnormal [< -2 SD or > +2 SD] carnitine value in plasma. Three children had extremely low [< 10 micromol/l] free carnitine (FC) levels in plasma. Plasma esterified and FC levels on admission were not related to the risk of mortality [PRISM score], to muscle lysis [CK values], and to the caloric intake. Levels of FC and esterified carnitine in plasma were unrelated to those measured in urine. Conclusion: Abnormal plasma and urine carnitine measurements are frequently found in critically ill children; the biological significance of these perturbations remains unclear. Caution must be exercised before concluding that an abnormal carnitine value is indicative of an underlying hereditary metabolic disorder in this population.     

The significance of gastric helicobacteriosis in the genesis hemorrhage from duodenal peptic ulcer

Based on a comprehensive analysis of findings from examination and surgical treatment of 196 patients with bleeding pyloroduodenal ulcers, it was found out that patients with concurrent helicobacteriosis of the stomach are prone to more unfavourable course of their illness, which fact is evidenced by a greater loss of blood and higher risk for bleeding recurrences. A classification is proposed by the authors, taking advantage of the data from endoscopic, microscopic and immunoenzymatic techniques, with the purpose of providing an assessment of degree of severity of helicobacteriosis of the stomach.     

Mutation analysis of the MEN1 gene in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, familial acromegaly and familial isolated hyperparathyroidism

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by neoplasia of the parathyroid glands, the endocrine pancreas, and the anterior pituitary gland. In addition, families with isolated endocrine neoplasia, notably familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP) and familial acromegaly, have also been reported. However, whether these families constitute MEN 1 variants or separate entities remains speculative as the genetic bases for these diseases are unclear. The gene for MEN 1 has recently been cloned and characterized. Using single strand conformation analysis (SSCA) and sequencing, we performed mutation analysis in: a) a total of 55 MEN 1 families from 7 countries, b) 13 isolated MEN 1 cases without family history of the disease, c) 8 acromegaly families, and d) 4 FIHP families. Mutations were identified in 27 MEN 1 families and 9 isolated cases. The 22 different mutations spread across most of the 9 translated exons and included frameshift (11), nonsense (6), splice (2), missense mutations (2), and in-frame deletions (1). Among the 19 Finnish MEN 1 probands, a 1466del12 mutation was identified in 6 families with identical 11q13 haplotypes and in 2 isolated cases indicating a common founder. One frameshift mutation caused by 359del4 (GTCT) was found in 1 isolated case and 4 kindreds of different origin and haplotypes; this mutation therefore represents a common "warm" spot in the MEN1 gene. By analyzing the DNA of the parents of an isolated case one mutation was confirmed to be de novo. No mutation was found in any of the acromegaly and small FIHP families, suggesting that genetic defects other than the MEN1 gene might be involved and that additional such families need to be analyzed.