Migration of iron, lead, cadmium and tin from tinplate-coated cans into chickpeas.

Migration studies of trace metals were carried out on coated chickpea cans marketed in Lebanon. Four elements--(Fe), tin (Sn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)--were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. Over 3 months, three different storage temperatures (5°C, room temperature and 40°C) were tested. In all cases, the migration of Fe reached a plateau after around 50 days of storage, while the migration of Pb was slow till 50 days, then it increased rapidly. Cd and Sn levels did not increase. Moreover, no effect of temperature was observed in the case of Fe, whereas Pb levels showed slower migration in cans stored at 5°C. Comparing cans from different chickpea brands (Lebanese and foreign) showed that the characteristics of the container have an effect on metal release.

Characterization of different diamond-like carbon electrodes for biosensor design.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are gaining big interest in electrochemistry research area. DLC electrodes made with different ratio of sp(3)/sp(2) carbon hybridization or doped with different percentages of nickel were characterized electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry and by amperometric measurements towards hydrogen peroxide. SiCAr1 and SiCNi5% were chosen as sensitive transducers for the elaboration of amperometric glucose biosensors. Immobilization of glucose oxidase was carried out by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Measurements were made at a fixed potential+1.0V in 40mM phosphate buffer pH 7.4. SiCAr1 seems to be more sensitive for glucose, 0.6875muA/mM, than SiCNi5%, 0.3654muA/mM. Detections limits were 20muM and 30muM, respectively. Apparent Michaelis-Menten constants were found around 3mM. Forty-eight percent and 79% of the original response for 0.5mM glucose remained after 10 days for both biosensors, respectively.

[Evaluation of enterogastric reflux in relation to functional status of the gallbladder]. / Procena enterogastricnog refluksa u odnosu na funkcionalno stanje zucne kese.

The aim of the study was estimation of the relation between the gallbladder (GB) motility function and the presence and quantity of enterogastric reflux (EGR). We investigated 172 patients with: physiological GB function (filling and emptying)(FGB), impaired GB function (prolonged filling and ejection fraction < 45%) and afunctional gallbladder (AGB)(without visualization). The study was performed during 90 min (1 f/min) after i.v. application of 185 MB 99mTc-dietil IDA. After 30 min. test meal was given while at the end stomach was marked. According to the parameters from time activity curves over stomach and hepatobiliary system, the index of ERG was calculated, while GB filling and ejection fraction were estimated from the GB time/activity curve. We can conclude that EGR occurs more frequently in the patients with afunctional GB in comparison to those with functional and decreased motor function. Also, EGR quantity is in correlation with the impairment of the GB function.

Estimation of the enterogastric reflux by modified scintigraphic method.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to introduce the chosen and modified model of the nuclear medicine method for the detection and quantification of enterogastric reflux, as well as evaluation of its clinical validity. METHODOLOGY: The study was performed in 172 patients: with gastric and duodenal ulcer, after Billroth I and Billroth II gastrectomy, with gastroesophageal reflux, after cholecystectomy, with chronic cholecystitis and chronic duodenal disease. Acquisition was performed with a gamma camera, during 90 min after intravenous application of 185MBq 99mTc-Dietil IDA. Test meal was given in the 30th minute, while the gastric region was marked at the end of the study. On the basis of the radioactivity changes in the regions of the stomach and hepatobiliary system, the presence of enterogastric reflux was determined and its index calculated. RESULTS: In all the groups of patients, values were significantly higher than in the controls (P < 0.05). The most frequent occurrence and the largest quantity of reflux was present in patients after Billroth II gastrectomy with significantly different values from other groups of patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results approve clinical value of the chosen and modified scintigraphy of enterogastric reflux, as a non-invasive and physiological method, which provides exact data about its presence and quantity.

Relationship between enterogastric reflux estimated by scintigraphy and the presence of Helicobacter pylori.

The aim of the study is assessment of the relationship between enterogastric reflux and the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection as factors that cause gastritis, peptic ulcer and adenocarcinoma ventriculi. The study was performed in 52 patients with different digestive disorders, using gamma camera, during 90 min (1 frame/min) after intravenous injection of 185 MBq 99mTc-dietil IDA in the cubital vein. According to time/activity curves from the region of hepatobiliary system and stomach, index of enterogastric reflux (EGR) was assessed. There was no correlation between the presence of Helicobacter pylori and EGR (r = 0.181, df = 52, p > 0.05). However, Helicobacter pylori was present more frequently in the patients with positive EGR (p < 0.01), but there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in reflux value in patients with either positive or negative findings of Helicobacter pylori.

[The presence and significance of Helicobacter pylori in patients with enterogastric reflux]. / Prisustvo i znacaj helikobaktera pilori kod bolesnika sa enterogastricnim refluksom.

The aim of the study is assessment of the relationship between enterogastric reflux and the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection as a factors that cause gastritis, peptic ulcer and adenocarcinoma ventriculi. The study was performed in 52 patients with different digestive disorders, using gamma camera, during 90 minutes (1 frame/min) after intravenous injection of 185 MBq 99mTc-dietil IDA in cubital vein. According to time activity curves from the region of hepatobiliary system and gaster, index of enterogastric reflux was assessed (EGR). There is no correlation between the presence of Helicobacter pylori and EGR (r = 0.181, DF = 52, P < 0.05). However, Helicobacter is present more frequently in the patients with positive EGR (p 0.01). However, there is no significant difference (p < 0.05) in reflux value in patients with both positive and negative finding of Helicobacter.

[Evaluation of enterogastric reflux using a modified scintigraphy method]. / Procena enterogastricnog refluksa modifikovanom scintigrafskom metodom.

The aim of the study is evaluation of the clinical validity of the chosen and modified own model of the nuclear medicine method for the detection and quantification of enterogastric reflux (EGR), as well as evaluation of its clinical validity. The study was performed in 172 patients: with gastric and duodenal ulcer, after Billroth I and Billroth II gastrectomy, with gastroesophageal reflux, after cholecystectomy, with chronic cholecystitis and chronic duodenal disease. Acquisition was performed with gamma camera, during 90 minutes after intravenous application of 185 MBq 99m-Tc-Dietil IDA. Test meal was given in 30th minute, while gastric region was marked at the end of the study. On the basis of the radioactivity changes in the regions of the stomach and hepatobiliary system, presence of enterogastric reflux is determined and its index calculated. In all the groups of patients, values are significantly different from physiological. The most frequent occurrence and the largest quantity of reflux is present in patients after Billroth II gastrectomy with significantly different values from other groups of patients. The obtained results approve clinical value of the chosen and modified scintigraphy of EGR as a non-invasive and physiological method, which provides data about its presence and quantity.