Preparation of poly(thionine) modified screen-printed carbon electrode and its application to determine NADH in flow injection analysis system

A poly(thionine) modified screen-printed carbon electrode has been prepared by an electrooxidative polymerization of thionine in neutral phosphate buffer. The modified electrodes are found to give stable and reproducible electrocatlytic responses to NADH and exhibit good stability. Several techniques, including cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), have been employed to characterize the poly(thionine) film. Further, the modified screen-printed carbon electrode was found to be promising as an amperometric detector for the flow injection analysis (FIA) of NADH, typically with a dynamic range of 5-100 muM.

Amperometric enzyme electrode for the determination of hydrogen peroxide based on sol-gel/hydrogel composite film

A new type of organic-inorganic composite material was prepared by sol-gel method, and a peroxidase biosensor was fabricated by simply dropping sor-gel-peroxidase mixture onto glassy carbon electrode surface. The sol-gel composite film and enzyme membrane were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and EQCM, the electrochemical behavior of the biosensor was studied with potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) as a mediator, and the effects of pH and operating potential were explored for optimum analytical performance by using amperometric method. The response time of the biosensor was about 10 s; the linear range was up to 3.4 mM with a detection limit of 5 x 10(-7) M. The sensor also exhibited high sensitivity (15 mu A mM(-1)) and good long-term stability. In addition, the performance of the biosensor was investigated using flow injection analysis (FIA), and the determination of hydrogen peroxide in real samples was discussed. (C)2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

时间分辨激光荧光光谱技术在免疫分析中的应用

本研究以时间分辨激发荧光光谱分析技术为基础 ,进行稀土离子标记的激光激发的时间分辨荧光免疫分析 (TRFIA)研究。实验以自行合成的二乙三胺五醋酸酐 (DTPAA)为双功能螯合剂。用 Eu3+标记兔抗人 (RAH) Ig G抗体 ,依据解离增强原理 (DEL FIA) ,研究了 Eu3+ -β萘甲酰三氟丙酮 (β- NTA)的荧光分辨体系 ,测定了荧光光谱和荧光寿命 ,建立了铕离子分析检出方法 ,其工作曲线范围为 1× 10 - 7～ 1× 10 - 1 1g· m L- 1 ,检测限为 1× 10 - 1 3g· m L- 1 ,相对标准偏差为 6 .4%。结合 TRFIA方法学研究 ,进行了人血清丙型肝炎病毒抗体 (Anti- HCV)检测。并同酶联免疫法 (EL ISA)对比。取得 TRFIA法阳性检测率明显高于EL ISA法的结果。

Electrochemiluminescence of tris(2,2 '-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) immobilized in poly(p-styrenesulfonate)-silica-Triton X-100 composite thin-films

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii) [Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)] immobilized in poly(p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS)-silica-Triton X-100 composite films was investigated. The cooperative action of PSS, sol-gel and Triton X-100 attached Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) to the electrode strongly, and the presence of Triton X-100 prevented drying fractures of the sol-gel films during gelation and even on repeated wet-dry cycles. The modified electrode was used for the ECL detection of oxalate, tripropylamine (TPA) and NADH in a flow injection analysis (FIA) system with a newly designed flow cell. The detection scheme exhibited good stability, short response time and high sensitivity. Detection limits were 0.1, 0.1 and 0.5 mu mol L-1 for oxalate, TPA and NADH, respectively, and the linear concentration range extended from 0.001 to 1 mmol L-1 for the three analytes. Applications of the flow cell in ECL and electrochemical detection, as well as the immobilization of reagents based on the cooperative action, are suggested.

Sol-gel thin-film immobilized soybean peroxidase biosensor for the amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide in acid medium

An acid-stable soybean-peroxidase biosensor was devel oped by immobilizing the enzyme in a sol-gel thin film. Methylene blue was used as a mediator because of its high electron-transfer efficiency. The sol-gel thin film and enzyme membrane were characterized by FT-IR, and the effects of pH, operating potential, and temperature were explored for optimum analytical performance by using the amperometric method. The H2O2 sensor exhibited a fast response (5 s), high sensitivity (27.5 mu A/mM), as well as good thermostability and long-term stability. In addition, the performance of the biosensor was investigated using flow-injection analysis (FIA).

Donut-shaped spray chamber for inductively coupled plasma spectrometry

A donut-shaped spray chamber has been developed for the introduction of aerosol and/or volatile chemical species into the inductively coupled plasma. Compared with the Fassel-Scott spray chamber, it gives a higher efficiency of aerosol generation and transportation and superior stable inner pressure. As a result, it brings the benefits of higher intensity signal, lower background, higher measurement precision, and better detection limits. Using:his spray chamber, it is more convenient to introduce volatile chemical species into the sampling system, and more flexible for the choice of introducing aerosol and volatile chemical species separately or simultaneously into the plasma. It is also suitable for FIA technique. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

DETERMINATION OF CYSTEINE AND REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN HUMAN PLASMA BY LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH PULSED AMPEROMETRIC ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION USING A PLATINUM-PARTICLES MODIFIED GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE

An assay procedure utilizing pulsed amperometric detection at a platinum-particles modified electrode has been developed for the determination of cysteine and glutathione in blood samples following preliminary separation by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. A chemically modified electrode (CME) constructed by unique electroreduction from a platinum-salt solution to produce dispersed Pt particles on a glassy carbon surface was demonstrated to catalyze the electo-oxidation of sulfhydryl-containing compounds: DL-cysteine (CYS), reduced glutathione (GSH). When used as the sensing electrode in flow-system pulsed-amperometric detection (PAD), electrode fouling could be avoided using a waveform in which the cathodic reactivation process occurred at a potential of - 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl to achieve a cathodic desorption of atomic sulfur. A superior detection limit for these free thiols was obtained at a Pt particle-based GC electrode compared with other methods; this novel dispersed Pt particles CME exhibited high electrocatalytic stability and activity when it was employed as an electrochemical detector in FIA and HPLC for the determination of those organo-sulfur compounds.

SENSITIVE AMPEROMETRIC DETECTION OF GLUCOSE BY REVERSED PHASE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY AT A PRUSSIAN BLUE CHEMICALLY MODIFIED ELECTRODE OF NOVEL CONSTRUCTION

A new liquid chromatography electrochemical (LCEC) scheme for glucose sensing has been developed on the basis of a Prussian Blue chemically modified electrode (CME) of novel construction and characterized in terms of various experimental parameters by the flow injection analysis (FIA) technique. Unique hydrodynamic voltammograms were obtained for the first time at the CME in the flow-through amperometric detection of glucose, and subsequently both anodic and cathodic peaks could be expected on monitoring the operating potential in the modest positive or negative region. The unique pH dependence on the CME response towards glucose makes it perfectly compatible with conventional reversed phase liquid chromatography systems. On the basis of these features, practical application in glucose LCEC detection has been effectively performed; a linear response range over three orders of magnitude and a detection limit of subpicomole level were readily obtained. The capability of the established LCEC mode in the direct sensing of urinary glucose has been demonstrated.

流动注射-分光光度法测定植物中钼

本文将流动注射分析(FIA)引入Mo-SCN~--RhB三元缔合体系测定痕量Mo。不需萃取,反应迅速,重现性好。0～1.6μg/ml Mo符合比耳定律,检测限0.02μg/ml。用预混线圈R_1可克服Fe~(3+)等元素与SCN~-络合的干扰。测定了植物中Mo,结果满意。

溶液介质条件和腐殖影响下REE在水/粘土界面分配和分馏的实验研究

过去几十年，由于REE具有重要的物源和过程示踪的地球化学意义，又与核放射性元素（钢系元素）的地球化学结构类似，因此，稀土元素的表生地球化学分配和行为研究便成为微量元素地球化学研究的一个重要部分。目前"通过水体悬浮物吸附态REE组成变化分析研究水／微粒界面作用REE分异现象．的工作不少，但至今进行的胶体或其他微粒吸附REE的实验研究不多，且已有的实验未能对溶液介质条件（如pH、离子强度、阴离子、固／液比），尤其是天然有机物的控制机理进行系统研究，对所观察到的水体中REE及其他微量元素分布变化多样性的解释仍缺乏实验依据。本文用结晶良好且粘土矿物含量高的苏州高岭土、美国粘土协会高岭土（Kga-1b）和蒙脱土（Wwy-2）作为吸附剂，采用系列吸附实验定量研究了不同理化条件（如pH值、离子强度、固／液比）下，受溶液阴离子（Cl-、C1O4-、SO42-、HCO3-）和Fluka胡敏酸（HA）影响，REE在粘土／水界面的分配和分馏，并讨论了HA和粘土的相互作用及胡敏酸存在与不存在时的REE形态分布。得到以下几点重要认识，为合理解释地表水体中既E和其他微量元素分布变化的多样性提供了实验依据：1、REE在苏州高岭土／水界面的重现性实验结果为：稀土配分系数D的相对标准偏差最大值为Eu8.4％，其他大多介于5．0％和6．6％间。而稀土吸附率Rd的相对标准偏差最大值为D2.2％，其他大多＜2％。较小误差表明本次研究所用实验方法是可行的。2、REE在苏州高岭土／水界面的动力学实验结果表明：短时间内（几分钟）稀土快速吸附在高岭土：接着因为粘土的层状结构，在20h内粘土层间金属与REE发生交换，稀土分配系数变化较大；20h以后能达到稳定的吸附／解吸平衡。因此本次研究采用的平衡时间为24h。3、pH分别为4.5和6.5时REE在苏州高岭土冰界面的分配能用Langmuir吸附等温线模拟和MINEQL＋软件表达。与静电吸附相对应，pH值越高REE最大吸附量越大。同时REE浓度的差异造成了REE分馏，总的趋势是REE含量越高，分馏越不明显。4、近中性（pH＝6.5）条件下不同阴离子的存在对REE在苏州高岭土／水界面分配和分馏的影响表明：随阴离子（Cl-、ClO4-、SO42-）含量升高REE吸附率降低，其中SO42-对REE吸附的影响最大，说明Na＋质量效应和阴离子配合的影响；同时由于不同阴离子与轻重R陇的络合差异所致，阴离子含量越高，轻重稀土的分馏越明显（La／Yb＝0.14-0.96），一般为阴离子含量的增加使得重稀土更多的被吸附，其中C1-和SO42+的影响最为明显。HCO3-虽然与REE有较强配合，但可能由于我们的HCO3-实验浓度低（＜0.0O25mol／L），在我们的实验结果中其对REE吸附和分馏的影响较小。5、由于不同pH和介质条件下，REE的络合形态分布不同，它们可以影响其在水／粒界面的分配。应用MINEQL＋模型，考虑REE的氢氧化物、碳酸盐和腐殖酸的影响，研究了REE的形态分布，结果表明fIA的存在对REE形态有很大影响：在HA不存在时，pH7-8间REECO3＋为主要的REEs形态，在更低和更高pH值，REE主要存在形式分别为REE加和REE（CO3）2-；而当HA存在时，在1）H值3-9，REEHA成为主要形态，在低pH（＜3）和高pH（＞9）时REE3+和REE（CO3）2-分别为主要形态。6、在较宽的pH范围HA能吸附在粘土上意味着在大多数含HA的天然水体中，粘土表面被HA覆盖。随H增加粘土对HA的吸附降低，反应了配位体交换或表面络合反应引起的专属吸附，其他如疏水性、、腐殖物质的溶解和HA的结构变化可能也影响了吸附。HA含量、矿物表面积和离子强度等理化条件对HA吸附会产生影响，从而影响HA对粘土表面的覆盖和接下来的粘土对REE的吸附。7、溶液介质条件对REE在粘土（Kga-1b和SWy-2）／水界面分配和分馏的影响表明：主要与静电相互作用、离子交换反应相对应，除低PH外，REE在高岭土上的吸附表现出弱的pH依赖性；而随pH增加REE在蒙脱土上的吸附呈下降趋势，显示交换反应为吸附过程的主要因素。在两种粘土中REE吸附均为随离子强度增加而降低，反应了Na质量效应。8、腐殖物质在粘土表面的吸附改变了吸附剂的属性。HA存在时REE在固液界面的分配反应了REEHA在固液界面的分配和HA在高岭土或蒙脱土／水界面上的分配，其他如静电吸附等机制也影响了吸附：在高岭土中，HA会增加低pH（＜4）吸附，随pH增加（＞5）HA会降低吸附。与此不同，在整个PH范围（3-10），HA的存在明显降低了REE在蒙脱土上的吸附。REE吸附在高岭土上随队含量增加是先增加后降低。而蒙脱土实验中，在低HA含量（＜5mg／L）处，RE阮吸附率与HA含量增加呈线性降低至几个百分比，而在高队含量处，REEs吸，附率无明显变化。这些清楚地说明水体环境中有机物的存在通常降低微量金属吸，附在微粒上，增加微量金属在水体中的溶解量，从而促进微量金属在水体环境中的长距离迁移。9、HA存在和不存在时，吸附／解吸过程中的REE分馏随pH或离子强度的变化都不明显，但由于REE系列与腐殖物质和矿物络合的差异，会随队含量的变化发生明显变化。通常溶液中高队含量增加了LREE在高岭土／蒙脱土上的吸附。这些结果是在HA存在时，微粒相上产生LREE富集的一个实验证实，也和大多数天然水体中的REEs分馏相一致。

Synthesis of a terbium fluorescent chelate and its application to time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay

A new nonadentate ligand, N, N, N-1, N-1-[2,6-bis(3'-aminomethyl-1 1'-pyrazolyl)-4-phenylpyridine]tetrakis(acetic acid) (BPTA) for a Tb3+ fluorescent complex was synthesized. The Tb3+ complex is strongly fluorescent, having a large fluorescence quantum yield of 1.00 and very long fluorescence lifetime of 2.681 ms in 0.05 M berate buffer of pH 9.1. Streptavidin (SA) was labeled with SPTA by using its succinimidyl monoester, and the BPTA-Tb3+-labeled SA was used in sandwich-type time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) of alpha -fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in human sera. The Tb3+-labeled SA was also used in competitive type TR-FIA of bensulfuron- methyl (BSM) in water. The detection limits of these assays are 42 pg/mL for AFP, 70 pg/mL for CEA, and 0.4 ng/mL for BSM. In addition, a new simultaneous measurement method for AFP and CEA in a human serum sample was developed by using 4,4'-bis(1 " ,1 " ,1 " ,2 " ,2 " ,3 " ,3 " -heptafluoro-4 " ,6 " -hexanedion-6 " -yl)chlorosulfo-o-terphenyl ((BHHCT)-Eu3+-labeled anti-AFP antibody, biotinylated anti-CEA antibody, and BPTA-Tb3+-labeled SA. The concentrations of AFP and CEA in 39 human serum samples were determined, and the results were compared with those of the independently determined AFP and CEA by TR-FIA with a single-label method. A good correlation was obtained with the correlation coefficients of 0.991 for AFP and 0.994 for CEA.

Homogeneous time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of bensulfuron-methyl by using terbium fluorescence energy transfer

A sensitive homogenous time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) method for bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a Tb3+ fluorescent chelate with N,N,N',N'-[2,6-bis(3'-aminomethyl-1'-pyrazoly)-4-phenylpyridine] tetrakis(acetic acid) (BPTA-Tb3+) to organic dye, Cy3 or Cy3.5 has been developed. New method combined the use of BPTA-Tb3+ labeled streptavidin, Cy3 or Cy3.5 labeled anti-BSM monoclonal antibody and biotinylated BSM-BSA conjugate (BSA is bovine serum albumin) for competitive-type immunoassay. After BPTA-Tb3+ labeled streptavidin was reacted with a competitive immune reaction solution containing biotinylated BSM-BSA, BSM sample and Cy3 or Cy3.5 labeled anti-BSM monoclonal antibody, the sensitized and long-lived emission of Cy3 or Cy3.5 derived from FRET was measured, and thus the concentration of BSM in sample was calculated. The present method has the advantages of rapidity, simplicity and high sensitivity since the B/F (bound reagent/free reagent) separation steps and the solid-phase carrier are not necessary. The method gives the detection limit of 2.10 ng ml(-1). The coefficient variations of the method are less than 1.5% and the recoveries are in the range of 95-105% for BSM water sample measurement. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation and a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay application of new europium fluorescent nanoparticles

New silica-based europium fluorescent nanoparticles having surface amino groups were prepared by a covalent binding-copolymerization technique. In the nanoparticles, the fluorescent Eu3+ chelate molecules were covalently bound to silicon atoms to protect the nanoparticles from dye leaking in bio-applications. The amino groups on the surface of nanoparticles made the surface modification and bioconjugation of nanoparticles easier. The nanoparticles were characterized and developed as a new type of fluorescence probe for a highly sensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) of human hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

Prehistoric burnt mound archaeology in Ireland

It is apparent from the widespread distribution of burnt mounds that Ireland was the most prolific user of pyrolithic technology in Bronze Age Europe. Even though burnt mounds are the most common prehistoric site type in Ireland, they have not received the same level of research as other prehistoric sites. This is primarily due to the paucity of artefact finds and the unspectacular nature of the archaeological remains, compounded by the absence of an appropriate research framework. Due to the widespread use of the technology and the various applications of hot water, narratives related to these sites have revolved around discussions of age and function. This has resulted in a generalised classification, where the term ‘fulacht fia’ covers several site types that have similar features but differing functions and age. The study presents a re-evaluation of fulachtaí fia in light of some 1000 sites excavated in Ireland. This is the most comprehensive study undertaken on the use of pyrolithic technology in prehistoric Ireland, dealing with different aspects of site function, chronology, social role and cultural context. A number of key areas have been identified in relation to our understanding of these sites. Previous investigations of burnt mounds have provided little information on the temporality of individual sites. It has been established that appropriate sampling strategies can provide important information about the formation of individual sites, their relationships to each other and to other monuments in the same cultural landscape. The evidence suggests that considerable caution should be exercised with regard to certain single radiometric dates from burnt stone deposits, based on the degree of certainty of the dated sample and its association with pyrolithic activity. Previously regarded as Bronze Age in date, there are now numerous examples of pyrolithic-type processes in earlier contexts, with the origins of the water-boiling phenomenon now considered to be Early Neolithic. A review of recent excavation evidence provides new insights into the use of pyrolithic technology for cooking. This is based on the discovery of faunal remains at several sites, combined with insights gained through experimental studies. The model proposed here is of open-air communal feasting and food sharing hosted by small family groups, as a medium for social bonding and the construction of community. It is also argued that if cooking was the primary activity taken place at these sites, this should not be viewed as a mundane functional activity, but rather one that actively contributed to the constitution of social relations. The formality of the technology is also supported by the presence of possible specialised structures, some of which were used for cooking/feasting while others were for ritualised sweat-bathing. The duration and frequency of activities associated with burnt mounds and the opportunities they provided for social interaction suggest that these sites contributed some familiar frames of reference to contemporary discourse.

Development and validation of dry reagent time-resolved fluoroimmuno assays for zeranol and alpha-zearalenol to assist in distinguishing zeranol abuse from Fusarium spp. toxin contamination in bovine urine

Zeranol, an oestrogenic growth promoter in food animals, is banned within the European Union (EU). However, commercially available immunoassay kits for zeranol cross-react with toxins formed by naturally occurring Fusarium spp. fungi, leading to false-positive screening results. This paper describes the validation of a specificity enhanced, rapid dry reagent time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) for zeranol (recovery 99%, limit of detection 1.3 ng ml(-1)) demonstrating that up to 150 ng ml(-1) of Fusarium spp. toxins in urine do not lead to false-positive results. This assay will assist EU Member States to implement Council Directive 961 23\EC, which requires states to monitor for potential abuses of zeranol. A similar TR-FIA for the Fusarium spp. toxin a-zearalenol, using the same sample extract, is also described (recovery 68%, limit of detection 5.6 ng ml(-1)). Only the addition of diluted sample extract is required to perform these dry-reagent TR-FIAs, the results being available within 1 h of extract application. The EU-funded project 'Natural Zeranol' (FAIR5-CT97-3443) will use these fluoroimmunoassays to screen bovine urine in four Member States to gather data on the seasonality of Fusarium spp. toxin contamination of urine and the incidence of zeranol screening test positives.