中国西南地区大气降水中低分子有机酸研究（以贵阳市和尚重镇为例）

近几年随全球变暖和大气污染的加剧，有机气溶胶对气候和环境的影响引起了广泛的关注。其中低分子有机酸由于易溶于水，易挥发等特性可以改变大气颗粒物吸湿性、粒径分布以及形成云凝结核活性，进而改变全球的水循环和辐射平衡，而日益成为大气化学研究的重要内容。低分子有机酸极强的水溶性使雨水成为研究大气有机酸的理想载体。有机酸进入降水后是降雨的酸度重要贡献者，尤其是边远地区有机酸对降水酸度贡献高达65%。传统的大气降水研究主要侧重无机离子，认为硫酸和硝酸是降水酸度的主要贡献者，而忽略对降水中有机组分的研究。以贵阳和重庆等为代表的西南地区是我国酸雨污染的重灾区，该地区是典型喀斯特地形地貌区，生态环境具有极端的脆弱性和破坏后难以恢复性，在该地区研究酸雨形成和影响因素具有特殊的重要意义。本研究选取典型酸雨区(贵阳市)和人为污染较少黔东南州黎平县尚重镇为研究对象，2006-4～2007-4期间，收集大气降水样品221个，测定了大气降水中7种有机酸和主要阴、阳离子。对有机酸对酸雨的贡献及大气降水中无机离子和有机酸的浓度分布、变化规律、主要来源和沉降通量进行研究。主要得到了以下几点认识： 1、建立了离子色谱同时测定雨水中有机酸和无机酸分析条件。以戴安AS11-HC为分离柱、AG11-HC为保护柱，RFC-30淋洗液发生器在线产生KOH淋洗液，主要梯度条件为1mmol ( 0～6min) 、1mmol～30mmol (6～31min)。淋洗液流速1.5ml/min，柱温39℃。此条件下主要有机酸线性相关系数0.9992~0.9999，RSD%≤5%，精密度RSD%≤5%(丙酮酸RSD%=13.8%)，样品的加标回收率在80~120%之间，满足分析测试要求。 2、 贵阳市降水样品pH值的分布范围为2.49～6.92，年均值为3.28。雨水酸化率为73.8%，其中pH值小于4.0雨水占样品总数42%。尚重镇降水样品pH值的分布范围为5.01～6.50，年均值为5.83，降水的酸雨率为18.4%。贵阳市酸雨污染仍十分严重，重酸雨尤为突出(pH<4.0)，尚重镇酸雨污染较轻。 贵阳市降水样品电导率在10～1028μS/cm之间，平均值为248μS/cm，降水电导率高反映了贵阳市大气污染显著。尚重镇降水样品电导率在2.2～52.8μS/cm之间，平均值为18.1μS/cm，降水电导率低反映大气污染较轻。 3、贵阳市大气降水主要无机离子是SO42-、NO3-、H+、Ca2+、NH4+，雨量加权平均浓度分别为154.1μmol/L、33.9μmol/L、520.7μmol/L、226.4μmol/L和158.3μmol/L。采样期间，贵阳市H+年沉降通量为496.9mmol/m2/yr，夏季H+沉降占全年沉降总量的78%，贵阳市SO42-年沉降通量达到151.5mmol/m2/yr，有195.3mmol/m2/yr的Ca2+沉降。NH4+、Mg2+、Na+、K+、NO3-、Cl-的沉降通量分别为138.7mmol/m2/yr、50.9mmol/m2/yr、26.8mmol/m2/yr、11.4mmol/m2/yr、32.3mmol/m2/yr和12.6mmol/m2/yr。 尚重镇贵阳市大气降水主要无机离子是SO42-、NO3-、Ca2+、NH4+，其雨量加权平均浓度分别为43.1μmol/L、19.3μmol/L、33.0μmol/L和49.5μmol/L。采样期间，尚重镇[H+]年沉降通量为0.5mmol/m2/yr。SO42-、Ca2+和NH4+是发生沉降主要离子，分别为13.9mmol/m2/yr、10.6mmol/m2/yr和15.9mmol/m2/yr。Mg2+、Na+、K+、NO3-、Cl-的沉降通量分别为2.1mmol/m2/yr、5.9mmol/m2/yr、3.0mmol/m2/yr、6.2mmol/m2/yr和3.2mmol/m2/yr。 4、在贵阳市、尚重镇大气降水中共检测出7种低分子有机酸，分别是甲酸、乙酸、草酸、丙酮酸、丙酸、甲烷磺酸和乳酸。其中甲酸、乙酸和草酸是三种主要的有机酸。贵阳市甲酸、乙酸和草酸年平均浓度分别为14.24μmol/L、9.35μmol/L和2.79μmol/L，而在尚重镇它们浓度分别为4.95μmol/L、1.35μmol/L和2.31μmol/L。根据酸平衡常数计算法，贵阳市有机酸对自由酸贡献分别为：甲酸-7.9%，乙酸-4.7%，草酸-6.1%，三种主要有机酸贡献了18.7%的自由酸；尚重镇有机酸对自由酸贡献分别为：甲酸-25.1%，乙酸-7.5%，草酸-25.5%，有机酸对自由酸贡献率为58.1%。贵阳市有机酸占阴离子比值1.7～19.2%，平均值为6.6%。尚重镇有机酸对阴离子的贡献为0.5～92.2%，平均值为13.2%。有机酸对酸雨形成和大气降水化学起不可忽视的重要作用。 采样期间，贵阳市甲酸、乙酸和草酸的湿沉降通量分别为13.5mmol/m2/year 、8.9mmol/m2/year和2.6mmol/m2/year，甲酸和乙酸干沉降通量分别为26.7mmol/m2/year 和14.5mmol/m2/year，干沉降和湿沉降是贵阳市有机酸的主要沉降形式。尚重镇甲酸、乙酸和草酸的湿沉降通量分别为1.59mmol/m2/year 、0.43mmol/m2/year和0.04mmol/m2/year，甲酸和乙酸干沉降通量分别为0.1mmol/m2/year 和0.17mmol/m2/year，湿沉降是尚重镇有机酸的主要沉降形式。 5、尚重镇大气降水有机酸生长季节浓度高于非生长季节浓度，说明生长植物或土壤的释放可能是尚重镇大气有机酸的主要来源。贵阳市大气降水中有机酸非生长季节浓度高于生长季节浓度，主要原因是贵阳市降雨主要发生在夏季，降雨量的增加加大了对大气中微量气体的淋滤作用，降低了大气中有机酸浓度，同时夏季降雨pH值较低也不利于雨水对大气有机酸的溶解吸收。气象条件是影响有机酸浓度的重要因素。贵阳市大气有机酸主要在降雨初期进入降水并被清除的，降雨初期(1～2h)对大气有机酸清除占总清除的50～80%。随降雨的进行雨水中有机酸浓度逐渐降低，降雨后期略有升高，大降雨量对雨水中有机酸浓度起稀释的作用。尚重镇降雨量对有机酸浓度影响作用不明显，说明有机酸浓度不受雨量稀释作用控制，在降雨过程可能存在有机酸的液相来源。不同来源气团对贵阳市雨水中有机酸浓度影响不同，其中以北面方向气团降水中有机酸最高，与我国内陆大气污染较重有关。而源于海洋方向的东南气团雨水中有机酸浓度最低。 6、利用统计分析方法(相关性分析、主成分分析和聚类分析)和有机酸来源判别方法结合不同的来源释放有机酸通量得出：尚重镇大气中有机酸主要来源植物或者土壤直接或间接释放，而贵阳市有机酸来源相对复杂，其中植物的直接释放和机动车辆尾气排放不是大气有机酸的主要来源，生物质燃烧直接释放以及植物和人类活动向大气排放大量的不饱和有机物大气氧化可能是大气有机酸的重要来源。 7、从大气降水的电导率和pH值对比来看，贵阳市大气污染严重，雨水酸化率高，尚重镇大气污染较轻，雨水酸化率低。贵阳市大气降水中水溶性离子浓度是尚重镇的2～5倍左右，尚重镇地区酸沉降只有贵阳市0.1%，酸沉降对尚重镇不会造成太大影响。有机酸占贵阳市大气降水自由酸的19%，而尚重镇有超过1/2的自由酸是来源于低分子有机酸，是边远地区大气降水酸度的主要贡献者。来源分析表明尚重镇有机酸主要为生物源，贵阳市有机酸为人为源和生物源并重。 8、 传统的大气降水化学研究主要侧重于无机离子的研究，而忽略了对大气降水中有机组分的研究。本文第一次较全面、系统的研究了西南典型酸雨污染区大气降水化学组成以及降水酸度的来源，指出有机酸组分是西南地区大气降水化学的重要组成部分，对酸雨形成有不可忽视的影响。

安顺大气降水中低分子有机酸及其与贵州其它地区对比研究

低分子有机酸是对流层大气的重要组成成分，广泛分布于大气中的气相、液相、气溶胶中。本文以贵州省安顺作为研究区域，在 2007 年 6 月~2008年 6月期间，收集大气降水样品118个，对降水中主要成份尤其是低分子有机酸及其对自由酸度的贡献进行了为期一年的研究。并通过与贵州其它3个地区的对比，重点讨论了大气降水中低分子有机酸时间和空间的变化规律、成因机制、对降水自由酸度的贡献以及来源等关键问题。得出的主要结论如下： （1） 安顺降水总体呈酸性，pH雨量加权平均值为 4.89，范围在3.57～7.09，酸雨频率为 57.0%。降水的电导率平均值为46.52μs•cm-1，变化范围为6.01～298.00 μs•cm-1，该值远远高于降水背景站点，表明该地区受到了明显的人为活动影响。 （2） 安顺大气降水中离子浓度的顺序依次为SO42->Ca2+>NH4+>NO3-> Mg2+>K+>Na+>Cl->H+>HCOOHt>CH3COOHt >(COOH)2(t)2-。大气降水中最重要的离子为SO42-、NO3-（阴离子）和Ca2+、NH4+ 和Mg2+（阳离子），平均浓度依次为140.9、46.1、124.2、45.4和36.2µmol/L。相关性分析和聚类分析表明，安顺SO2和NOx具有同源特征，且进入降水的途径相同。大气中的铵主要以硫酸铵与硝酸铵的形式存在于大气中，成为大气中重要的酸性气溶胶。另外，CaSO4、NaCl、MgCl2、(NH4)2SO4、NH4NO3、KNO3、H2SO4、HNO3是降水的主要化学组分。降水中Ca2+、NH4+、Mg2+和K+的中和因子分别为0.38、0.14、0.22、0.05，表明降水中最重要的中和物质是Ca2+，其次是Mg2+和NH4+。源分析表明，安顺大气降水中的K+和Ca2+主要来自以岩石和土壤为主的陆相输入，而SO42-和NO3-主要来自人为活动的贡献，其人为贡献量高达97.0%和94.3%。Mg2+主要来自陆源输入，仅有9.1%来自海水的贡献。Cl-属于海盐性离子，但在安顺降水中，仅有57.3%来自海相输入，小部分（1.3%）来自岩石和土壤风化的贡献，人类活动排放的Cl-也是该地区一个重要来源。 （3） 安顺大气降水中共检测出7种低分子有机酸，含量最高的有机酸组成依次是甲酸(HCOO-)、乙酸(CH3COO-)和草酸（(COO)22-），雨量加权平均浓度分别为8.77、6.90和2.84µmol/L。降水中所测有机酸的平均总含量为19.00µmol/L，对阴离子总和的贡献为12.6%。对于 pH<5 的降水，甲酸、乙酸和草酸对自由酸度的平均贡献值（按最大贡献率法计算）分别为 19.2%、5.9和7.8%，总有机酸（三者之和）对自由酸度的平均贡献值为32.9%。这些事实表明，安顺大气降水中的有机酸是降水化学物质的重要组成部分，会对降水的物理和化学特征产生重要的影响。采样期间，安顺甲酸、乙酸和草酸的湿沉降通量分别为10.81、10.46和3.94 mmol/m2/year。根据气液平衡理论，估算出甲酸和乙酸的干沉降量，分别为4.78和1.63mmol/m2/year。 （4） 安顺降水有机酸浓度存在着明显的季节性变化，四季的有机酸浓度由高到低分别为：冬季>春季>夏季>秋季；非生长季节>生长季节。这种季节变化特征显然与植物生长的季节变化特征不一致。表明安顺大气中的有机酸浓度的影响因素非常复杂；植物生长、降雨量（降雨强度和持续时间）和人为活动等因素的季节变化都会影响大气有机酸的组成和分布特征。在连续降雨过程的监测中发现甲酸和乙酸的浓度是随降雨过程（时间）同步变化，这说明甲酸与乙酸很可能存在相同的来源或者相似的源强，它们在大气中的清除方式也可能相同。而草酸的浓度与日照强度和温度有关，与降雨发生的时间有很重要的关系，表明草酸多来源于光化学反应为主的间接来源。另外，还发现降雨初期降水酸性要强于降雨后期，这表明降雨对大气中污染物质有明显的清除和稀释作用。 （5） 相关性分析表明，甲酸和乙酸之间存在显著的相关关系，相关系数为0.80，这种强烈的正相关表明甲酸和乙酸具有相似的排放源或者排放源不同但有相似的排放强度；草酸与甲酸和乙酸也都具有显著相关关系,这可能是因为草酸与甲酸和乙酸具有相同的排放源或者是草酸的前体物如甲醛与甲酸、乙酸具有相似的排放源；甲酸与NH4+、NO3- 和NO2-的相关关系也很高，表明甲酸的主要来源是农业活动或者生物质燃烧和汽车尾气排放等。乙酸和草酸的情况与甲酸类似。论文建立了甲酸与乙酸分析浓度比值(F/A)T的判定方程曲线，结果表明安顺有机酸主要来源于直接来源，包括植物直接释放，生物质燃烧，汽车尾气排放等；间接来源如不饱和碳烃化合物（如烯烃和异戊二烯）和醛类物质(如甲醛）的光化学氧化不是该地区有机酸的主要来源。 （6） 对比贵州其它3个监测站点的降雨数据后，发现大气降水对降水酸度的贡献，偏远地区（尚重）要远大于工业城市。另外，安顺和尚重大气有机酸以直接来源为主。其中，尚重有机酸的主要来源是植物释放，而安顺有机酸的主要来源是生物质燃烧、汽车尾气等人类活动的释放。贵阳市有机酸的主要来源是间接来源，即有机酸前体物的光化学氧化。遵义有机酸的来源具有明显的季节周期性，在夏秋以直接释放为主，而春冬季节以间接释放为主。

Cirurgia oral em hipocoagulados

Monografia apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa para obtenção do grau de Licenciado em Medicina Dentária

The formulation, testing and stability of 16% fat cream liqueurs

Cream liqueurs manufactured by a one-step process, where alcohol was added before homogenisation, were more stable than those processed by a two -step process which involved addition of alcohol after homogenisation. Using the one-step process, it was possible to produce creaming-stable liqueurs by using one pass through a homogeniser (27.6 MPa) equipped with "liquid whirl" valves. Test procedures to characterise cream liqueurs and to predict shelf life were studied in detail. A turbidity test proved simple, rapid and sensitive for characterising particle size and homogenisation efficiency. Prediction of age thickening/gelation in cream liqueurs during incubation at 45 °C depended on the age of the sample when incubated. Samples that gelled at 45 °C may not do so at ambient temperature. Commercial cream liqueurs were similar in gross chemical composition, and unlike experimentally produced liqueurs, these did not exhibit either age-gelation at ambient or elevated temperatures. Solutions of commercial sodium caseinates from different sources varied in their calcium sensitivity. When incorporated into cream liqueurs, caseinates influenced the rate of viscosity increase, coalescence and, possibly, gelation during incubated storage. Mild heat and alcohol treatment modified the properties of caseinate used to stabilise non-alcoholic emulsions, while the presence of alcohol in emulsions was important in preventing clustering of globules. The response to added trisodium citrate varied. In many cases, addition of the recommended level (0.18%) did not prevent gelation. Addition of small amounts of NaOH with 0.18 % trisodium citrate before homogenisation was beneficial. The stage at which citrate was added during processing was critical to the degree of viscosity increase (as opposed to gelation) in the product during 45 °C incubation. The component responsible for age-gelation was present in the milk-solids non fat portion of the cream and variations in the creams used were important in the age-gelation phenomenon Results indicated that, in addition to possibly Ca++, the micellar casein portion of serum may play a role in gelation. The role of the low molecular weight surfactants, sodium stearoyl lactylate and monodiglycerides in preventing gelation, was influenced by the presence of trisodium citrate. Clustering of fat globules and age-gelation were inhibited when 0.18 % citrate was included. Inclusion of sodium stearoyl lactylate, but not monodiglycerides, reduced the extent of viscosity increase at 45 °C in citrate containing liqueurs.

Prediction and prevention of venous thrombosis in pregnancy

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality. Reports identified further research is required in obese and women post caesarean section (CS). Risk factors for VTE during pregnancy are periodically absent indicating the need for a simple and effective screening tool for pregnancy. Perturbation of the uteroplacental haemostasis has been implicated in placenta mediated pregnancy complications. This thesis had 4 main aims: 1) To investigate anticoagulant effects following a fixed thromboprophylaxis dose in healthy women post elective CS. 2) To evaluate the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) assay as a potential predictive tool for thrombosis in pregnancy. 3) To compare the anticoagulant effects of fixed versus weight adjusted thromboprophylaxis dose in morbidly obese pregnant women. 4) To investigate the LMWH effects on human haemostatic gene and antigen expression in placentae and plasma from the uteroplacental , maternal and fetal circulation. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), thrombin antithrombin (TAT), CAT and anti-Xa levels were analysed. Real-time PCR and ELISA were used to quantify mRNA and protein expression of TFPI and TF in placental tissue. In women post CS, anti-Xa levels do not reflect the full anticoagulant effects of LMWH. LMWH thromboprophylaxis in this healthy cohort of patients appears to have a sustained effect in reducing excess thrombin production post elective CS. The results of this study suggest that predicting VTE in pregnant women using CAT assay is not possible at present time. The prothrombotic state in pregnant morbidly obese women was substantially attenuated by weight adjusted but not at fixed LMWH doses. LMWH may be effective in reducing in- vivo thrombin production in the uteroplacental circulation of thrombophilic women. All these results collectively suggest that at appropriate dosage, LMWH is effective in attenuating excess thrombin generation, in low risk pregnant women post caesarean section or moderate to high risk pregnant women who are morbidly obese or tested positive for thrombophilia. The results of the studies provided data to inform evidence-based practice to improve the outcome for pregnant women at risk of thrombosis.

Physico-chemical properties and component interactions in high solids food systems

The present study aimed to investigate interactions of components in the high solids systems during storage. The systems included (i) lactose–maltodextrin (MD) with various dextrose equivalents at different mixing ratios, (ii) whey protein isolate (WPI)–oil [olive oil (OO) or sunflower oil (SO)] at 75:25 ratio, and (iii) WPI–oil– {glucose (G)–fructose (F) 1:1 syrup [70% (w/w) total solids]} at a component ratio of 45:15:40. Crystallization of lactose was delayed and increasingly inhibited with increasing MD contents and higher DE values (small molecular size or low molecular weight), although all systems showed similar glass transition temperatures at each aw. The water sorption isotherms of non-crystalline lactose and lactose–MD (0.11 to 0.76 aw) could be derived from the sum of sorbed water contents of individual amorphous components. The GAB equation was fitted to data of all non-crystalline systems. The protein–oil and protein–oil–sugar materials showed maximum protein oxidation and disulfide bonding at 2 weeks of storage at 20 and 40°C. The WPI–OO showed denaturation and preaggregation of proteins during storage at both temperatures. The presence of G–F in WPI–oil increased Tonset and Tpeak of protein aggregation, and oxidative damage of the protein during storage, especially in systems with a higher level of unsaturated fatty acids. Lipid oxidation and glycation products in the systems containing sugar promoted oxidation of proteins, increased changes in protein conformation and aggregation of proteins, and resulted in insolubility of solids or increased hydrophobicity concomitantly with hardening of structure, covalent crosslinking of proteins, and formation of stable polymerized solids, especially after storage at 40°C. We found protein hydration transitions preceding denaturation transitions in all high protein systems and also the glass transition of confined water in protein systems using dynamic mechanical analysis.

IR/Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations of cyclic di-amino acid peptides. Part III: comparison of solid state and solution structures of cyclo(L-Ser-L-Ser)

B3-LYP/cc-pVDZ calculations of the gas-phase structure and vibrational spectra of the isolated molecule cyclo(L-Ser-L-Ser), a cyclic di-amino acid peptide (CDAP), were carried out by assuming C-2 symmetry. It is predicted that the minimum-energy structure is a boat conformation for the diketopiperazine (DKP) ring with both L-Beryl side chains being folded slightly above the ring. An additional structure of higher energy (15.16 kJ mol(-1)) has been calculated for a DKP ring with a planar geometry, although in this case two fundamental vibrations have been calculated with imaginary wavenumbers. The reported X-ray crystallographic structure of cyclo(L-Ser-L-Ser), shows that the DKP ring displays a near-planar conformation, with both the two L-Beryl side chains being folded above the ring. It is hypothesized that the crystal packing forces constrain the DKP ring in a planar conformation and it is probable that the lower energy boat conformation may prevail in the aqueous environment. Raman scattering and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of solid state and aqueous solution samples of cyclo(L-Ser-L-Ser) are reported and discussed. Vibrational band assignments have been made on the basis of comparisons with the calculated vibrational spectra and band wavenumber shifts upon deuteration of labile protons. The experimental Raman and IR results for solid-state samples show characteristic amide I vibrations which are split (Raman:1661 and 1687 cm(-1), IR:1666 and 1680 cm(-1)), possibly due to interactions between molecules in a crystallographic unit cell. The cis amide I band is differentiated by its deuterium shift of ~ 30 cm(-1), which is larger than that previously reported for trans amide I deuterium shifts. A cis amide II mode has been assigned to a Raman band located at 1520 cm(-1). The occurrence of this cis amide II mode at a wavenumber above 1500 cm(-1) concurs with results of previously examined CDAP molecules with low molecular weight substituents on the C-alpha atoms, and is also indicative of a relatively unstrained DKP ring.

Aquatic Distribution And Heterotrophic Degradation Of Polycyclic Aromatic-Hydrocarbons (PAH) In The Tamar Estuary

Variations in the concentrations and microheterotrophic degradation rates of selected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in the water column of the Tamar Estuary were investigated in relation to the major environmental variables. Concentrations of individual PAH varied typically between i and 50 ng l−1 Based on their observed environmental behaviour the PAH appeared divisible into two groupings: (1) low molecular weight PAH incorporating naphthalene, phenanthrene and anthracence and (a) the larger molecular weight homologues (fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)-pyrene). Group 1 PAH showed a complex distribution throughout the estuary with no significant correlations with either salinity or suspended particulates. Based on their relatively low particle affinity and high water solubilities and vapour pressures, volatilization is proposed as an important process in determining their fate. Microheterotrophic turnover times of naphthalene varied between x and 30 days, and were independent of suspended solids with maximum degradation rates located in the central and urban regions of the Estuary. When compared with the flushing times for the Tamar (3–5 days), it is probable that heterotrophic activity is important in the removal of naphthalene (and possibly the other Group 1 PAH) from the estuarine environment. In contrast Group 2 PAH concentrations exhibited highly significant correlations with suspended particulates. Highest concentrations occurred at the turbidity maximum, with a secondary concentration maximum localized to the industrialized portion of the estuary and associated with anthropogenic inputs. Laboratory degradation studies of benzo(a)pyrene in water samples taken from the estuary showed turnover times for the compound of between 2000 and 9000 days. Degradation rates correlated positively with suspended solids. The high particulate affinity and microbial refractivity of Group 2 PAH indicate sediment burial as the principal tate of these PAH in the Tamar Estuary. Estuarine sediments contained typically 50–1500 ng g−1 dry weight of individual PAH which were comparable to the levels of Group 2 PAH associated with the suspended particulates. Highest concentrations occurred at the riverine end of the estuary resulting from unresolved inputs in the catchment. Subsequent dilution by less polluted marine sediments together with slow degradation results in a seaward trend of decreasing concentrations. However, there is a secondary maximum of PAH superimposed on this trend which is associated with urban Plymouth.

Emissions of CH3Br, organochlorines, and organoiodines from temperate macroalgae

The production rates of a range of low molecular weight halogenated organics have been determined in cultures of five temperate species of macroalgae collected from the north coast of Norfolk, England. Compounds studied included CH3Br, the chlorinated organics CH3Cl, CH2Cl2 and CHCl3, and the iodinated organics CH3I, C2H5I, and CH2ClI. Measurements of a wider range of halocarbon concentrations in an isolated rockpool and in air over the seaweed bed were also conducted to evaluate the local impact of the seaweeds on halocarbon concentrations in the natural environment. Estimates for the global emissions of some of the key halogenated compounds from macroalgae have been derived. In general macrophytes appear not to be globally significant producers of the particular halocarbons studied. In coastal regions, however, the impact on local atmospheric composition and chemistry could be greater.

Influence of silicone elastomer solubility and diffusivity on the in vitro release of drugs from intravaginal rings

The in vitro release characteristics of eight low-molecular-weight drugs (clindamycin, 17beta-estradiol, 17beta-estradiol-3-acetate, 17beta-estradiol diacetate, metronidazole, norethisterone, norethisterone acetate and oxybutynin) from silicone matrixtype intravaginal rings of various drug loadings have been evaluated under sink conditions. Through modelling of the release data using the Higuchi equation, and determination of the silicone solubility of the drugs, the apparent silicone elastomer diffusion coefficients of the drugs have been calculated. Furthermore, in an attempt to develop a quantitative model for predicting release rates of new drug substances from these vaginal ring devices, it has been observed that linear relationships exist between the log of the silicone solubility of the drug (mg ml(-1)) and the reciprocal of its melting point (K-1) (y = 3.558x - 9.620, R = 0.77), and also between the log of the diffusion coefficient (cm(2) s(-1)) and the molecular weight of the drug molecule (g mol(-1)) (y = - 0.0068x - 4.0738, R = 0.95). Given that the silicone solubility and silicone diffusion coefficient are the major parameters influencing the permeation of drugs through silicone elastomers, it is now possible to predict through use of the appropriate mathematical equations both matrix-type and reservoir-type intravaginal ring release rates simply from a knowledge of drug melting temperature and molecular weight. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Differences In Metabolic Profile In the Testes of Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes Mellitus Mice As Detected By 1H NMR

Contrary to the traditional view, recent studies suggest that diabetes mellitus has an adverse influence on male reproductive function. Our aim was to determine the affect of diabetes on the testicular environment by identifying and then assessing perturbations in small molecule metabolites. Testes were obtained from control and streptozotocin induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice, two, four and eight weeks post treatment. Diabetic status was confirmed by HbA1c, non fasting blood glucose, physiological condition and body weight. Protein free, low molecular weight, water soluble extracts were assessed using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Principal Component Analysis of the derived profiles was used to classify any variations and specific metabolites were identified based on their spectral pattern. Characteristic metabolite profiles were identified for control and diabetic animals with the most distinctive being from mice with the greatest physical deterioration and loss of bodyweight. Eight streptozotocin treated animals did not develop diabetes and displayed profiles similar to controls. Diabetic mice had decreases in creatine, choline and carnitine and increases in lactate, alanine and myo-inositol. Betaine levels were found to be increased in the majority of diabetic mice but decreased in two animals with severe loss of body weight and physical condition. The association between perturbations in a number of small molecule metabolites known to be influential in sperm function, with diabetic status and physiological condition, adds further impetus to the proposal that diabetes influences important spermatogenic pathways and mechanisms in a subtle and previously unrecognised manner.

Application of NMR based metabolomics for mapping metabolite variation in European wheat

In this study, we report on the use of NMR-based metabolomics to access variation in low molecular weight polar metabolites between the European wheat cultivars Apache, Charger, Claire and Orvantis. Previous unassigned resonances in the published NMR spectra of wheat extracts were identified using C NMR and two dimensional proton-carbon NMR. These included a peak for trans-aconitate (d3.43) and resonances corresponding to fructose in the crowded carbohydrate region of the spectra. Large metabolite differences were observed between two different growth stages, namely the coleoptile and two week old leaf tissue extracts which were consistent across cultivars. Two week old leaf tissue extracts had higher abundances of glutamine, glutamate, sucrose and trans-aconitate and less glucose and fructose than were observed in the coleoptile extracts. Across both growth stages the cultivars Apache and Charger showed the greatest differences in metabolite profiles. Charger had higher abundances of betaine, the single most influential metabolite in the principal component analysis, in addition to fructose and sucrose. However, Charger had lower levels of aspartate, choline and glucose than Apache. These findings demonstrate the potential for a biochemical mapping approach using NMR, across European wheat germplasm, for metabolites of known importance to functional characteristics. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.

Rheological Evaluation of the Isothermal Cure Characteristics of Medical Grade Silicone Elastomers

Silicone elastomer systems have been shown to offer potential for the fabrication of medical devices and sustained release drug delivery devices comprising low molecular weight drugs and protein therapeutics. For drug delivery systems in particular, there is often no clear rationale for selection of the silicone elastomer grade, particularly in respect of optimizing the manufacturing conditions to ensure thermal stability of the active agent and short cycle times. In this study, the cure characteristics of a range of addition-cure and condensation-cure, low-consistency, implant-grade silicone elastomers, either as supplied or loaded with the model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the model hydrophilic excipient glycine, were investigated using oscillatory rheology with a view to better understanding the isothermal cure characteristics. The results demonstrate the influence of elastomer type, cure temperature, protein loading, and glycine loading on isothermal cure properties. By measuring the cure time required to achieve tan delta values representative of early and late-stage cure conditions, a ratio t(1)/t(2) was defined that allowed the cure characteristics of the various systems to be compared. Sustained in vitro release of BSA from glycine-loaded silicone elastomer covered rod devices was also demonstrated over 14 days. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 2320-2327, 2010

Investigation of swelling and network parameters of poly (ethylene glycol)-crosslinked poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) hydrogels

he influence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) plasticiser content and molecular weight on the physicochemical properties of films cast from aqueous blends of poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) was investigated using thermal analysis, swelling studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy revealed a shift of the CO peak from 1708 to 1731 cm-1, indicating that an esterification reaction had occurred upon heating, thus producing crosslinked films. Higher molecular weight PEGs (10,000 and 1000 Da, respectively), having greater chain length, producing hydrogel networks with lower crosslink densities and higher average molecular weight between two consecutive crosslinks. Accordingly, such materials exhibited higher swelling rates. Hydrogels crosslinked with a low molecular weight PEG (PEG 200) showed rigid networks with high crosslink densities and, therefore, lower swelling rates. Polymer:plasticizer ratio alteration did not yield any discernable patterns, regardless of the method of analysis. The polymer–water interaction parameter (?) increased with increases in the crosslink density. SEM studies showed that porosity of the crosslinked films increased with increasing PEG MW, confirming what had been observed with swelling studies and thermal analysis, that the crosslink density must be decreased as the Mw of the crosslinker is increased. Hydrogels containing PMVE/MA/PEG 10,000 could be used for rapid delivery of drug, due to their low crosslink density. Moderately crosslinked PMVE/MA/PEG 1000 hydrogels or highly crosslinked PMVE/MA/PEG 200 systems could then be used in controlling the drug delivery rates. We are currently evaluating these systems, both alone and in combination, for use in sustained release drug delivery devices.

Comparison of three adjuvants used to produce polyclonal antibodies to veterinary drugs

Two commercially available adjuvants, Gerbu LQ 3000 and Montanide ISA 50V, were assessed as potential replacements for Freund's adjuvant by evaluating their efficacy in the production of polyclonal antibodies to veterinary drugs in rabbits. The aim was to find an adjuvant that could produce a similar (or enhanced) immune response in the host animal without the undesirable side effects associated with Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvant. The assessment involved the examination of each injection site and the characterisation of the resultant antibodies with regards to antibody titre and sensitivity. It was found that the rabbits immunised with Gerbu adjuvant produced some of the most sensitive antibodies. However, titres were relatively low and adverse effects at injection sites were relatively common. Montanide adjuvant produced no adverse effects and the related antibodies were found to be of adequate sensitivity when compared to those from rabbits immunised with Freund's. It was concluded that Montanide ISA 50V could be considered as a suitable replacement to Freund's for the production of polyclonal antibodies, to low molecular weight compounds in rabbits. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.