Determination of citrinin in corn and barley on thin layer chromatographic plates impregnated with glycolic acid

A method is described for the determination of citrinin in corn and barley. The mycotoxin is extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile-10% glycolic acid in water, defatted with isooctane, and transferred to chloroform according to published methods. The mycotoxin is separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) on plates previously impregnated with 10% glycolic acid solution in ethanol; identity is confirmed by chemical tests. Citrinin is then quantitated by the limit detection method. Recoveries of citrinin from corn and barley samples spiked at levels of 50, 80, 150, 300, 500, and 1000 micrograms/kg were in the range 91-98%. The minimum detectable concentration is 15-20 micrograms/kg. Recoveries obtained with and without glycolic acid in the extraction solvent were compared. Sensitivities on TLC plates (limits of detection, micrograms/spot) impregnated with glycolic acid were compared with those on plates impregnated with oxalic acid.

Cranial computed tomography in pediatric migraine

Two children with migraine showed low-density areas with an irregular enhancement pattern on CT scans of the head after contrast infusion. Angiography was normal in both patients. These abnormalities probably were due to transient blood-brain barrier damage. This knowledge is important when excluding other disorders like vascular malformations.

Juvenile proximal spinal muscular atrophy with early hypertrophy of calves

The clinical, electrophysiological, histological and ultrastructural features of a patient with chronic spinal muscular atrophy of adolescent onset associated with hypertrophied calf-muscle are described. This recently recognised entity must be distinguished from other types of spinal muscular atrophy.

Rapid thin layer chromatographic determination of zearalenone in corn, sorghum, and wheat

A rapid method is described for determining zearalenone in corn, sorghum, and wheat. The mycotoxin is extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile and 4% KCl in HCl. The extract is cleaned up with isooctane, evaporated, and redissolved in chloroform. Zearalenone is separated by thin layer chromatography; identity is confirmed with various developing solvents and spray reagents. Zearalenone is then quantitated by the limit detection method. The minimum detectable concentration is 140-160 micrograms/kg when aluminum chloride solution is used as spray reagent, and 85-110 micrograms/kg when Fast Violet B salt is used as spray reagent.

Rapid thin layer chromatographic determination of patulin, citrinin, and aflatoxin in apples and pears, and their juices and jams

A method is described to determine the mycotoxins patulin, citrinin, and aflatoxins in apples and pears and their juices and jams. The mycotoxins are extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile and 4% aqueous KC1 (9 + 1). The extract is cleaned up with water and then acidified, and the toxins are recovered with chloroform and separated by thin layer chromatography. Toxin identity is confirmed with various developing solvents, spray reagents, and chemical reactions, and then quantitated by the limit of detection method. The minimum detectable concentrations of the mycotoxins are patulin, 120-130 micrograms/kg; citrinin, 30-40 micrograms/kg; aflatoxin B1 or G1, 2-2.8 micrograms/kg; aflatoxin B2 or G2, 2 micrograms/kg.

Mitochondrial function in myasthenia gravis

We determined the respiration rate, respiratory control and ADP/O ratios, with different substrates in mitochondria isolated from 2 patients with myasthenia gravis and compared them with normal human muscle. In all cases studied, a severe alteration of the respiratory control with variable derangement of oxidative phosphorylation was found. This abnormality of mitochondrial metabolism was referred to by Luft as 'loosely coupled' and was reported in other neuromuscular diseases. In our opinion this defective oxidative metabolism is nonspecific.

T and B lymphocyte function in response to a protein-free diet

Groups of female adult rats were fed either isocaloric protein-free or 18% protein diets for various intervals. Four days before sacrifice, the animals were immunized either with sheep erythrocytes or with a trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS) conjugate. Spleen lymphoid cell populations, spleen plaque-forming cells, and serum hemolysins were measured. A persistent diminution, proportional to the duration of protein deprivation, was observed in all parameters studied after immunization with the T-dependent antigen, sheep erythrocytes. The immune dysfunction was more pronounced for hemolysin titers, which became undetectable after 15 days of protein-free diet. The response of the protein-free group to the T-independent antigen (TNP-LPS) after 15 days of diet was only 34% of the control. When a T-cell lymphokine, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, was measured, a normal response was observed in the protein-free group. Feeding a normal diet rapidly restored the spleen plaque-forming cell populations to 60% of normal after 4 days and to 100% after 6 days. Protein starvation influenced the production of antibodies more than it did the number of antibody-forming cells. The nutritional impairment of immunoglobulin synthesis appears to be reversible.

Mollaret meningitis: report of a case with recovery after colchicine

A 13-year-old boy developed closely spaced episodes of recurrent febrile meningitis that persisted for 22 months despite antibiotic therapy. During exacerbations the cerebrospinal fluid contained up to 2,500 leukocytes per cubic millimeter, including up to 20% activated monocytoid cells, with high IgM and IgG levels. No cause for the disorder was found, but steroids improved the condition and colchicine therapy apparently cured it.

Mitochondrial functions in chronic spinal muscular atrophy

We determined the respiration rate, respiratory control and ADP/O ratios, with different substrates in mitochondria isolated from seven patients with chronic spinal muscular atrophy and compared them with normal human muscle. In all cases studied, a severe alteration of the respiratory control with variable derangement of oxidative phosphorylation was found. Similar findings have been described in other neuromuscular disorders including the so-called "mitochondrial myopathy". We believe that this disturbance of mitochondrial function is non specific and only the hypermetabolic syndrome of Luft could be considered biochemically as a "mitochondrial myopathy", a disorder selectively involving mitochondria of skeletal muscle.

Modification of official method for analysis of carotenes and xanthophylls in dried plant materials and mixed feeds

The official method (43.018-43.023) for extraction and separation of carotenes and xanthophylls in dried plant materials and mixed feeds is modified. These pigments are extracted from samples lacking xanthophyll esters by stirring 2 hr, followed by 1-hr cold saponification. The official method recommends 16-hr static extraction preceding the cold saponification. For samples containing xanthophyll esters, we preceded the 20-min hot saponification step by 2 hr stirring. This extra step increased the yield of mono- and dihydroxy pigments, especially from marigold meal. For separation, Merck silica gel 60 plus Hyflo Supercel is substituted for silica gel G in adsorbent I, resulting in 30-min separation. Also, at least 4 separations can be performed using the same adsorbent, and the column is more easily cleaned between separations. Results of the modified method were comparable to those of the official method.

Thin layer chromatographic determination of aflatoxins, ochratoxins, sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, citrinin, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, penicillic acid, patulin, and penitrem A

A general method is described for determining 16 mycotoxins in mixed feeds and other food products used in the manufacture of these feedstuffs. The mycotoxins are extracted and cleaned up by extracting with solvents of different pH. Thin layer chromatography is used to separate the toxins; toxins are then quantitated by the limit detection method. The minimum detectable concentration of mycotoxins in various products is: aflatoxin B1 or G1, 4--5 micrograms/kg; ochratoxin A or ethyl ester A 140--145 micrograms/kg; citrinin 600--750 micrograms/kg; zearalenone, 410--500 micrograms/kg; sterigmatocystin, 140--145 micrograms/kg; diacetoxyscirpenol, 2400--2600 micrograms/kg; T-2 toxin, 800--950 micrograms/kg; patulin, 750--800 micrograms/kg; penitrem A 14,000--14,500 micrograms/kg; penicillic acid 3400--3650 micrograms/kg.

Multiple sclerosis: a clinico-biological study of 100 cases in Spain

A study was carried out on 100 cases with the clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Several clinical and analytical factors were considered and correlated. Special attention was paid to data obtained from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrophoresis. The degree of severity of the disease does not affect the selective evaluation frequency of gamma-globulin or its average values. A greater frequency of definite gamma-globulin increase is observed in patients with a stationary development than in those a progressive development although, in both instances, the average values of gamma-globulin do not show any significant difference. There is no correlation between the CSF data and the presumed clinical site of the lesion. Those patients with a single lesion have a lower incidence of pathological data in CSF than those with multiple lesions. A higher proportion of pathological results is seen in CSF of patients with a chronic evolution from the onset than in chronic-intermittent cases. The cases studied during a relapse show a marked decrease in the frequency of definite gamma-globulin increase and paretic colloidal curves. This group of patients gives lower average values of gamma-globulin, total protein and cells, than those patients examined out of relapse. These results are in agreement with recent immunopathological observations.

[Freeman-sheldon's syndrome (cranio-carpo-tarsal dysplasia) (author's transl)]

A case with typical features of Freeman-Sheldon's syndrome is reported. The proband, a five years old girl had not any other affected members in her family, and showed every other associated malformations previously described: soft tissue swelling of supraorbital area, deep set eyes, epicantus, convergent strabismus, small nose, long philtrum area, H-Defect of chin, craneal alterations, kyphoscoliosis, finger contractures, thickening of the skin over the dorsum of the fingers, talipes equinovarus, etc. A cylindrical morphology of the three last metacarpals of both hands is remarkable.