High-throughput sensing microtiter plate for determination of biogenic amines in seafood using fluorescence or eye-vision.

A new optical sensing microplate was developed for rapid screening for the presence of biogenic amines (BAs) in seafood samples with high sensitivity. The deposition of a sensing spot (containing a chameleon dye (Py-1) in a polymeric cocktail) on the bottom of the wells of a standard microplate renders the plate a new sensing tool for a rapid and parallel detection of up to 96 (real) samples. This sensing microplate enables (1) a semi-quantitative readout of analyte concentration by eye-vision, (2) a rapid fluorescence readout of 96 samples with standard instrumentation in less than two minutes (unlike chromatographic and electrophoretic methods), (3) a statistically robust data evaluation (with 8-12 replicates) and (4) a rapid parallel sample preparation with standard 8 or 12-channel micropipettes. On reaction with biogenic amines, the dye shows a significant visible color change from blue over green to red color. The appearance of red color favorably coincides with the concentration of BAs that can induce symptoms of poisoning. The linear ranges of fluorescence calibration data for six biogenic amines cover the clinical toxicological relevant range of BAs that is too low to be detected by the human nose. The LODs range from 0.16 to 0.56 µg mL(-1), with correlation coefficients (r(2)) between 0.985 and 0.999. Finally, the evolution of spoilage of four fish samples (monitored by determination of their BA status) and the increase of their total amine content were found to agree well with previous data on time-dependent evolution of BAs in fish.

Clinical and structural evaluation of arthroscopic double-row suture-bridge rotator cuff repair: early results of a novel technique.

PURPOSE: Assessment of repair integrity and clinical outcome after arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears in double-row suture-bridge technique with the use of a new knotless suture-anchor system. METHODS: The first treated 25 patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the suture-bridge technique using a novel knotless anchor and chain-link suture system were evaluated. Patients with isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tears were selected. They were followed clinically with functional scores (Constant score, ASES index), visual analog scale (VAS), and instrumentally with Isobex digital strength analyzer preoperatively, at 6 and 14 months postoperatively. The repair integrity was evaluated with MRI at an average of 14 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Significant improvement of pain, strength, range of motion, and functional scores occurred (P < 0.05). There was a re-tear rate of 20%. The subjective parameters (VAS and ASES Index) showed non-significant (n.s.) differences between the re-tear and intact repair groups, whereas the objective parameters (Constant score, muscle power and active ROM) showed significant differences between both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The functional outcome has improved significantly with this new knotless anchor-chain system and was more superior in shoulders with intact repair, whereas the resulted repair integrity was not better than other types of double-row repair techniques mentioned in the recent literature. However, this early report of the novel technique may show limited power for comparison due to the relatively small sample size.

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of Eu-anthracene-9-carboxylic acid towards N-acetyl amino acids and nucleotides in different solvents.

Europium (III) complex with anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AA) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and TG-DTG techniques. The results indicated that the composition of this complex is Eu (9-AA)(3). The luminescence properties of the complex in different solvents and at different pH values have been investigated. The results show that the complex exhibits more efficient luminescence in THF and ethyl acetate. The interactions of Eu-complex with different N-acetyl amino acids and nucleotides in different solvents have been investigated by fluorescence measurements. Enhancement of the fluorescence intensities has been observed in cyclohexane, acetone, acetonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran whereas the fluorescence intensities of the investigated complex in ethanol, water, and ethyl acetate exhibit relatively low intensity.

The effect of closed- and open-wedge high tibial osteotomy on tibial slope: a retrospective radiological review of 120 cases.

Radiographs of 110 patients who had undergone 120 high tibial osteotomies (60 closed-wedge, 60 open-wedge) were assessed for posterior tibial slope before and after operation, and before removal of the hardware. In the closed-wedge group the mean slope was 5.7 degrees (SD 3.8) before and 2.4 degrees (SD 3.9) immediately after operation, and 2.4 degrees (SD 3.4) before removal of the hardware. In the open-wedge group, these values were 5.0 degrees (SD 3.7), 7.7 degrees (SD 4.3) and 8.1 degrees (SD 3.9) respectively, when stabilised with a non-locking plate, and 7.7 degrees (SD 3.5), 9.4 degrees (SD 4.1) and 9.1 degrees (SD 3.8), when stabilised with a locking plate. The reduction in slope (-2.7 degrees (SD 4.1)) in the closed-wedge group and the increase (+2.5 degrees (SD 3.4), in the open-wedge group was significantly different before and after operation (p = 0.002, p = 0.003). In no group were the changes in slope directly after operation and before removal of the hardware significant (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between the amount of correction in the frontal plane and the post-operative change in slope. Posterior tibial slope decreases after closed-wedge high tibial osteotomy and increases after an open-wedge procedure because of the geometry of the proximal tibia. The changes in the slope are stable over time, emphasising the influence of the operative procedure rather than of the implant.

Effects of growth hormone on in vitro maturation of germinal vesicle of human oocytes retrieved from small antral follicles.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the effect of GH, administered in vivo, on in vitro maturation of human GV oocytes obtained from small follicles. METHODS: The study included 88 ICSI women stimulated with long agonist protocol. They were randomly allocated to two groups (Group 1, 44 women with 86 GV oocytes), were cotreated with GH (Group 2, no GH: 44 women with 67 GV oocytes). GV oocytes from small follicles were matured in vitro, injected, and their development observed. RESULTS: Resumption of meiosis was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (60 and 37.3% respectively). Significantly more M2 oocytes were obtained in Group 1 than in Group 2 (45.5 and 23.9% respectively). Fertilization rates were also significantly higher (51.9 and 18.8% respectively). No embryos were obtained in Group 2, whereas 21.1% of fertilized oocytes in Group 1 cleaved into class A embryos. CONCLUSION: In vivo administration of GH enhanced in vitro maturation and fertilization of human GV oocytes retrieved from small antral follicles.

Fetal plasma levels of circulating endothelial cell adhesion molecules in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Circulating levels of endothelial cell adhesion molecules are elevated in women with preeclampsia. The aim of the present study was to determine levels of these molecules in the fetal circulation of normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Fetal plasma samples from the umbilical vein and peripheral maternal plasma and serum sample were collected at delivery from women with preeclampsia and women with normal pregnancy. Women with non-proteinuric pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were excluded from the study. A sandwich ELISA technique was employed to quantitate concentrations of soluble ICAM-1 (CD54), VCAM-1 (CD106), and E-selectin (CD62E). RESULTS: The normal values of soluble endothelial cell adhesion molecules in the fetal circulation were determined as 162+/-45 ng/ml for ICAM-1, 1612+/-582 ng/ml for VCAM-1, and 154+/-58 ng/ml for E-selectin. They were found to markedly differ from the corresponding normal values in the maternal circulation (sICAM-1: 247+/-65 ng/ml; sVCAM-1: 715+/-170 ng/ml; sE-selectin: 34+/-14 ng/ml). The concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-selectin were significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia compared to healthy control pregnant women. In contrast, there was no difference in the circulating fetal concentrations of these molecules between normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Normal values of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-selectin in fetal circulation are markedly different from the values obtained for healthy adults. Plasma concentrations of these molecules are elevated in women with preeclampsia but not in the fetal circulation of preeclamptic pregnancies suggesting that based on the analysis of soluble adhesion molecules the fetal circulation may not be affected by the factor(s) that lead to disturbed endothelial cell function in women with preeclampsia.

Potentiometric determination of the dissociation constants of L-histidine, proline and tryptophane in various hydroorganic media.

The dissociation constant values of L-histidine, proline and tryptophane were determined at 25 +/- 0.1 degrees C by potentiometric pH titration in pure water and different hydroorganic solvent media. The organic solvents used were methanol, ethanol, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone and dioxane. Initial estimates of the dissociation constant values of the different amino acids studied have been refined with ESAP2M computer program. It was observed that changing the medium permittivity as the solvent is enriched in methanol or ethanol has little influence on the pK*(a) values of the amino acids studied. The results obtained are discussed in terms of average macroscopic properties of the mixed solvents and the possible variation in microheterogeneity of the salvation shells around the solute.

Assignment of standard pH values [pH*(s)] to buffers in 50 mass % methanol + water from 288.15 to 308.15 K.

The secondary dissociation constants of o-phthalic and phosphoric acids have been determined in methanol + water (50 mass %) from reversible e.m.f. measurements of the cell of the type: Pt, H(2)(1 atm)|M(2)A(m), MHA(m), MCl|AgCl; Ag at different temperatures (288.15-308.15 K) and at different ionic strengths. To minimize the unsteadiness in potential measurements palladium coated platinum electrodes have been used. The large set of such e.m.f. values has been analyzed in terms of a multi-linear regression method recommended in recent IUPAC documents. The thermodynamic values DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees , for the respective equilibria, were estimated. Standard pH values [pH*(s)] have been assigned to buffers in methanol + water (50 mass %) at temperatures between 288.15 and 308.15 K.

Studies on the equilibria of o-phthalic and phosphoric acids in mixed dimethyl sulphoxide-water mixture.

The secondary dissociation constants of o-phthalic and phosphoric acids have been determined in 50% w/w dimethyl sulphoxide-water from reversible emf measurements of the cell of the type: Pt, H(2) (1 atm), M(2)A (m), MHA (m), MCl, AgCl; Ag at different temperatures (288.15-308.15 K) and at different ionic strengths. To minimize the unsteadiness in potential measurements palladium-coated platinum electrodes have been used. The large set of such emf values has been analysed in terms of a multi-linear regression method recommended in recent IUPAC documents. The thermodynamic values DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees , DeltaS degrees , for the respective equilibria were estimated. The possibility of using these acids as a basis for some buffer solutions in 50% dimethyl sulphoxide (Me(2)SO)-water mixture is discussed.