An improved HPLC method for determination of carotenoids in human serum

An HPLC method was developed to determine the various carotenoids in human serum. A C-30 column and a mobile phase of 100% methanol (A) and 100% methylene chloride (B) with the following gradient elution were used: 90% A and 10% B in the beginning, maintained for 5 min, decreased to 78% A at 15 min, 62% A at 30 min, 52% A at 40 min, 41% A at 50 min, 38% A at 55 min, maintained for 3 min, and returned to 100% A at 65 min. A total of 21 carotenoids, including all-trans forms of lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha-cryptoxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene, as well as their 14 cis-isomers were resolved within 51 min at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detection at 476 nm. all-trans-beta-Carotene was found to be present in highest amount (256.3-864.2 ng/mL), followed by all-trans-lycopene (64.4-569.2 ng/mL), all-trans-lutein (137.9-450.3 ng/mL), all-trans-alpha-cryptoxanthin (55.7-188.2 ng/mL), all-trans-beta-cryptoxanthin (43.1-134.5 ng/mL), all-trans-alpha-carotene (20.0-122.1 ng/mL) and all-trans-zeaxanthin (9.1-21.3 ng/mL). Similar trend was observed for cis-isomers of carotenoids.

Improved liquid chromatographic method for determination of carotenoids in Taiwanese mango (Mangifera indica L.)

An HPLC method was developed to determine the various carotenoids in Taiwanese mango (Mangifera indica L.). Initially, the peel and seed of mangoes were removed, the pulps were cut into pieces, freeze-dried, ground into powder, extracted and subjected to HPLC analysis. A mobile phase of methanol-isopropanol (99:1, v/v) (A) and methylene chloride (100%) (B) with the following gradient elution was developed: 100% A and 0% B in the beginning, maintained for 15 min, decreased to 70% A in 45 min, maintained for 15 min and returned to 100% A in 65 min. A total of 25 carotenoids were resolved within 53 min by using a C-30 column with flow rate at 1 mL/min and detection at 450 nm. alpha-Carotene was used as an internal standard to quantify all the carotenoids. All-trans-beta-carotene was present in largest amount (29.34 microg/g), followed by cis isomers of beta-carotene (9.86 microg/g), violaxanthin and its cis isomers (6.40 microg/g), neochrome (5.03 microg/g), luteoxanthin (3.6 microg/g), neoxanthin and its cis isomers (1.88 microg/g), zeaxanthin (1.16 microg/g) and 9- or 9'-cis-lutein (0.78 microg/g).

Effects of heating time and antioxidants on the formation of heterocyclic amines in marinated foods

The effect of heating time and antioxidants on the heterocyclic amine (HAs) formation in marinated foods were studied. Food samples were cooked at 98 +/- 2 degrees C for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 h in a closed pan in the presence of water, soy sauce and rock candy with or without antioxidants. The various HAs in marinated food samples and juice were analyzed by HPLC with photodiode-array detection. Results showed that the amount of HAs formed during heating followed an increased order for each increasing heating time. A larger variety and higher amount of HAs were generated in marinated pork when compared to marinated eggs and bean cake. In marinated juice, the levels of HAs were present in greater amount than in marinated foods. The incorporation of antioxidants Vitamin C, Vitamin E and BHT were found to be effective towards HAs inhibition, however, the effect was minor.

Determination of carotenoids in tomato juice by liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to determine the various carotenoids in tomato juice. A C30 column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-1-butanol (7:3, v/v) (A) and methylene chloride (B) with the following gradient elution were used: 99% A and 1% B intitally, increased to 4% B in 20 min, 10% B in 50 min and returned to 1% B in 55 min. Sixteen carotenoids, including all-trans-lutein, all-trans-beta-carotene, all-trans-lycopene and their 13 cis isomers were identified and resolved within 52 min with flow-rate at 2.0 ml/min and detection at 476 nm. Of the various extraction solvent systems, the best extraction efficiency of carotenoids in tomato juice was achieved by employing ethanol-hexane (4:3, v/v). Lycopene was found to be present in largest amount in tomato juice, followed by beta-carotene and lutein.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fumes from fried chicken legs

The amount and variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fumes during frying of chicken legs in edible oils were determined using a modified smoke collection device and a GC-MS technique. Chicken legs were fried in soybean oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil at 163 degrees C for 1-4 h. Results showed that most smoke (99%) was collected in the condensation apparatus, whereas the rest (1%) was adsorbed onto adsorption wool. A large proportion of PAHs in the smoke were detected in adsorption wool, whereas a small portion was found in the condensation apparatus. Canola oil generated the largest content (500.9 g for a frying time of 4 h) of smoke, followed by soybean oil, and sunflower oil. A similar trend was observed for PAH formation in fumes, with the exception that soybean oil produced a higher level than canola oil.

Mutagenicity of fumes from fried chicken legs

The mutagenicity of fumes formed during the frying of chicken legs at 163 degrees C for 1 to 4 h in soybean oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil was studied. A modified smoke adsorption device was used to collect fumes, and the mutagenicity of the fumes was determined with the Ames test. The results obtained show that the mutagenicity of the fumes from all three oils increased with an increase in frying time. Under the same heating conditions, the oil showing the most extensive mutagenicity was soybean oil, followed by canola oil and sunflower oil. For the smoke adsorption device, the strongest mutagenicity was exhibited by the adsorptive wool, followed by the condensates and glass bead extracts.

Creating new supramolecular materials by architecture of three-dimensional nanocrystal fiber networks

The architecture of three-dimensional interconnecting self-organized nanofiber networks from separate needlelike crystals of L-DHL (lanosta-8,24-dien-3beta-ol:24,25-dihydrolanosterol = 56:44) in di-isooctylphthalate has been achieved for the first time, on the basis of the completely new concept of branching creation by additives (branching promoters). [In this work, an additive, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (EVACP), is used at a concentration of several 10 ppm.] We demonstrate that this novel technique enables us to produce previously unknown self-supporting supramolecular functional materials with tailormade micro- or nanostructures, possessing significantly modified macroscopic properties, by utilizing materials thus far considered to be "useless". In addition, both the self-organized structure and the properties of the new materials can be fine-tuned by altering the processing conditions. Our results show that the formation of the interconnecting 3D self-organized network structure is controlled by a new mechanism, so-called crystallographic mismatch branching mechanism, as opposed to the conventionally adopted molecular self-assembly mechanism. The principles and criteria for the selection of branching promoters are also discussed from the point of view of molecular structures.

Collagen metabolism and turnover in women with stress urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse

The aim of this study was to investigate quantitative mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3, in vaginal wall tissue from women with stress urinary incontinence compared to continent controls. Vaginal wall tissues were obtained from 7 women with stress urinary incontinence/severe pelvic prolapse and 15 continent controls. RNA was then extracted and quantified. Quantitative competitive reverse transcription (QC-RT-PCR) was carried out with oligonucleotide primers to quantify MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 mRNA expression. Stress continent women demonstrated a significant decrease in TIMP-1 and mRNA expression (P = 0.03). There was no difference in TIMP-2, TIMP-3, MMP-2 or MMP-9 mRNA expression between stress incontinent women and controls. However, MMP-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P = 0.05) in the incontinent group and the MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio (P = 0.04) was consistent with increased collagen degradation in the stress incontinence. Stress incontinent women demonstrated an increase in MMP-1 mRNA expression and a decrease in the inhibitor TIMP-1 mRNA expression. Both these findings are consistent with increased collagen breakdown as a pathologic etiology of incontinence.

Effects of soy sauce and sugar on the formation of heterocyclic amines in marinated foods

The effects of soy sauce and sugar on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in marinated pork, eggs, and bean cakes were studied. Food samples were immersed in water in the presence of various levels of soy sauce and sugar, and the mixtures were subjected to simmering at 98+/-2 degrees C for 1 h in a closed saucepan. The various HAs in marinated food samples were analyzed by HPLC with photodiode-array detection. Results showed that seven HAs: 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ); 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx); 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ); 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx); 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1); 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-f]pyridine (PhIP); and 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3,-b]indole (AalphaC) were detected in marinated pork, while five HAs: IQ, MeIQx; 4,8-DiMeIQx; PhIP; and AalphaC in bean cakes, as well as four HAs, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, Trp-P-1 and PhIP in eggs. In most samples PhIP was formed in largest amount, followed by MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, IQ, AalphaC, Trp-P-1 and MeIQ. The amounts of HAs produced in marinated food samples followed an increased order for each increasing level of soy sauce or sugar. Marinated juice was found to contain a higher content of HAs than marinated foods.

Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the smoke from heated model lipids and food lipids

The contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the smoke from model lipids and food lipids during heating were determined and the mechanism of PAH formation was studied. A Rancimat oil stability analyzer was used as a model system for heating model lipids and food lipids at 220 degrees C for 2 h and for adsorption of smoke. The various lipid degradation products and PAHs in the smoke were identified and quantified by a GC/MS technique. Results showed that model lipids were more susceptible to smoke formation than food lipids during heating, but the PAH levels were lower for the former than latter. Methyl linolenate produced the highest amount of PAHs, followed by methyl linoleate, methyl oleate, and methyl stearate. Also, soybean oil generated a larger amount of PAHs than canola oil or sunflower oil. Benzene-like compounds were found to be possible precursors for PAHs formation. Several PAH derivatives were also present in heated model lipids and food lipids.

Turbidity and critical behavior of a colloid-polymer system

The osmotic compressibility and correlation length of a colloid-polymer system, consisting of grafted silica particles in cyclohexane in the presence of the soluble polymer polydimethylsiloxane, are determined by turbidity measurements in the entire one-phase liquid region, with emphasis on the critical region. The renormalized critical exponents of the osmotic compressibility and the correlation length are found to be respectively gamma(*)=1.39+/-0.01 and nu(*)=0.71+/-0.01, while the amplitude of the correlation length is 16.0+/-0.3 nm. Comparison is made with theoretical predictions.

Seroprevalence and demographic characteristics of HTLV-I among blood donors in Taiwan: 1996-1999

Screening for the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and-II in blood donors was implemented in Taiwan beginning in February 1996. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in HTLV-I seroprevalence in all unpaid blood donors in Taiwan during the period from February 1996 to December 1999 and to determine the influence of age and sex on the HTLV-I seropositivity of donors. HTLV-I and HTLV-II screening was performed using combined HTLV-I/II immunoassay. Repeated reactive samples were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Of a total of 3,701,087 donors in all 6 blood centers in Taiwan, 2,311 (0.058%) were seropositive for HTLV-I. The HTLV-I seropositivity was 0.130%, 0.063%, 0.044%, and 0.032% in the years 1996, 1997,1998, and 1999, respectively. There was a linear increase of HTLV-I seropositivity with advancing age. The HTLV-I carrier rate for female donors was twice that for the male donors. Ninty-seven percent of HTLV-I seropositive results came from first-time donors. Our findings suggest that Taiwan is a low-prevalence nonendemic area for HTLV-I infection. The large-scale HTLV-I screening program has decreased HTLV-I seropositivity among blood donors and is useful for preventing HTLV-I transmission via blood transfusion.

A novel cloud-point extraction process for preconcentrating selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous solution

A novel but simple cloud-point extraction (CPE) process is developed to preconcentrate the trace of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with the use of the readily biodegradable nonionic surfactant Tergitol 15-S-7 as extractant. The concentrations of PAHs, mixtures of naphthalene and phenanthrene as well as pyrene, in the spiked samples were determined with the new CPE process at ambient temperature (23 degrees C) followed by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) with fluorescence detection. More than 80% of phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively, and 96% of naphthalene initially present in the aqueous solutions with concentrations near or below their aqueous solubilities were recovered using this new CPE process. Importantly Tergitol 15-S-7 does not give any fluorometric signal to interfere with fluorescence detection of PAHs in the UV range. No special washing step is, thus, required to remove surfactant before HPLC analyses. Different experimental conditions were studied. The optimum conditions for the preconcentration and determination of these selected PAHs at ambient temperature have been established as the following: (1) 3 wt% surfactant; (2) addition of 0.5 M Na2SO4; (3) 10 min for equilibration time; and (4) 3000 rpm for centrifugal speed with duration of 10 min.

GAD65 antibody prevalence and association with thyroid antibodies, HLA-DR in Chinese children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Persistent humoral autoimmunity to the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has been described in a substantial proportion of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Higher prevalence of GAD antibody in diabetes patients using a new radioligand-binding assay with recombinant human GAD65 antibodies (GAD65Ab) has been seen in several studies. Using this method, we have reassessed the prevalence of GAD65Ab and investigated the association of GAD65Ab with HbA1C values, C-peptide values, HLA-DR typing and thyroid autoimmune antibody in 70 Chinese children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (mean age of onset 8.21+/-3.84 years, mean duration 3.39+/-2.54 years). Our result revealed that GAD65 antibodies were present in 54.3% (38/70) of diabetes children. There was no significant difference in gender, diabetes onset and duration, HbA1c, C-peptide concentration and frequencies of HLA DR3, DR4, DR9, DR3/DR4, DR3/DR9 and DR4/DR9 genotypes between GAD65Ab+ and GAD65Ab- groups. There was no negative correlation between GAD65Ab values and duration of diabetes in those with GAD65Ab positivity (r=-0.239, P>0.05). The frequencies of antimicrosomal and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in GAD65Ab+ (13.5,8.1%, respectively) were not different from GAD65- patients (9.4,12.5%, respectively).

Slow release of drug through deformed coating film: effects of morphology and drug diffusivity in the coating film

The effects of the morphology and drug diffusivity in the coating film on the slow release characteristics have been analyzed numerically under the constraint that the volume of the coating film and the drug matrix is maintained constant. Two different systems of coated particles with deformed coating films were studied and their release characteristics compared with those of the coated particles having spherical coating films. The average release rate, fractional release, drug concentration profiles, and the initial burst of drug were found to be strongly influenced by the ratio of drug diffusivity in the coating film to that in the drug matrix D(r) (i.e., dimensionless drug diffusivity in the coating film). Increasing D(r) always increased the release rate, the fractional release, and the initial burst of drug, but reduced the initial lag times of drug release. The effect of shape deformation was very significant in the drug concentration profiles and the initial lag times; in contrast, it was not so substantial on the fractional release and the average release rates. The morphology difference in the deformed systems was also found to affect the release characteristics to different extents. Increasing the degree of the shape deformation, represented by the perturbation parameter epsilon, always reduced the effective surface area for the controlled release of drug. Because of the compensation effects between decreasing surface area and the non-uniform mass flux distribution, even though the heterogeneity of surface mass flux distribution would become more considerable, the effects of increasing shape deformation to the overall release rate would be less than expected unless the coating film was deformed significantly enough. The effect of the shape deformation and the morphology difference become less effective to differentiate the release characteristics with increasing D(r).

Prenatal diagnosis of der(11)t(11;18)(q24;q21.3) due to paternal balanced translocation and both parents are carriers of alpha-thalassemia-1--a case report

A couple were identified as alpha-thalassemia-1 carriers (father: alpha-thal-1 of Filipino type, mother: alpha-thal-1 of SEA type). Amniocentesis was done at 19 weeks of gestation by a local obstetrician. Molecular study of amniotic fluid presented a non-thalassemia fetus, but the cytogenetic study revealed a karyotype of 46,XX,der(11)t(11;18)(q24;q21.3), resulting from a paternal balanced reciprocal translocation and unbalanced adjacent 1 segregation. The pregnancy was terminated at 23 weeks of gestation. The gross of fetus revealed bilateral cleft lip and palate, hypertelorism, flat nasal bridge, frontal bossing, micrognathia, low set ears, short neck with cystic hygroma, overlapping fingers, prominent heels, and limited hip abduction. The chromosome complement of the present case was partial monosomy for 11q24-qter and partial trisomy for 18q21.3-qter. This is the first prenatal diagnosis of unbalanced translocation with der(11)t(11;18)(q24;q21.3) pat due to paternal balanced translocation and both parents being carriers of alpha-thalassemia-1.

Primary hyperparathyroidism and acute pancreatitis during the third trimester of pregnancy

The simultaneous occurrence of maternal primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is very rare. We report a case of concurrent PHPT and pancreatitis during the third trimester of pregnancy. A summary of the relevant literature regarding the clinical course and recommended management in relation to this case is also presented.

Intrafamilial transmission and risk assessment of HTLV-I among blood donors in southern Taiwan

The human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is one of the important etiological agents of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and of HTLV-I associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis. There is still a lack of data concerning HTLV-I transmission by seropositive carriers in Taiwan. We investigated the patterns of HTLV-I intrafamilial transmission in HTLV-I seropositive blood donors and assessed the risk factors of HTLV-I transmission in relatives of HTLV-I carriers in Taiwan. A total of twenty HTLV-I seropositive donors and their 103 relatives were enrolled. Among those 103 relatives, 40 (38.8%) were seropositive for HTLV-I. Their ages ranged from one to 70 years old with a mean age of 31.0 +/- 1.65 year-old. Three of the ten wives of male carriers were HTLV-I seropositive. However, none of the six husbands of female carriers were HTLV-I seropositive. Mother-to-child vertical transmission was found in nine of 48 (18.8%) tested. Significant risk factors of HTLV-I transmission among relatives of HTLV-I carriers were hospital admission, previous transfusion, breast feeding, anti-HCV seropositivity and female relatives of age >/= 30 with odds ratio (OR) of 9.73, 8.64, 4.36, 8.86 and 4.91, respectively (all p < 0.05). Nonsignificant risk factors of HTLV-I transmission were sharing needles, operation history, HBsAg seropositivity and male relatives of age >/= 30. Our findings suggest that mother-to-child and husband-to-wife transmissions are the important forms of intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-I in Taiwan. Screening for HTLV-I in family members of HTLV-I seropositive blood donors may be warranted.

Comparison of biomechanical response to surgical procedures used for cervical radiculopathy: posterior keyhole foraminotomy versus anterior foraminotomy and discectomy versus anterior discectomy with fusion

The objective of this study was to compare the change in flexibility of C5-C6 caused by three procedures using a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model: posterior foraminotomy (keyhole procedure), anterior foraminotomy with discectomy, and anterior discectomy with fusion. The keyhole procedure produced a minor increase in motion. The anterior foraminotomy and discectomy produced one to two times greater motion. Anterior discectomy with fusion produced 50% to 100% reduction in motion. The posterior keyhole foraminotomy has a much lesser effect on the stability of the cervical spine segment than does an anterior procedure, and fusion is a requisite part of the anterior decompression procedure.

Analysis and stability of carotenoids in the flowers of daylily (Hemerocallis disticha) as affected by various treatments

The analysis and stability of carotenoids in the flowers of daylily (Hemerocallis disticha) as affected by soaking and drying treatments were studied. The various carotenoids in the flowers of daylily were analyzed using a reversed-phase C(30) HPLC column and a mobile phase of methanol/methylene chloride/2-propanol (89:1:10, v/v/v) with methanol/methylene chloride (45:55, v/v) as sample solvent. Twenty-one pigments were resolved, of which 14 carotenoids were identified, including neoxanthin, violaxanthin, violeoxanthin, lutein-5,6-epoxide, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, all-trans-beta-carotene, and their cis isomers, based on spectral characteristics and Q ratios. Prior to hot-air-drying (50 degrees C) or freeze-drying, some of the daylily flowers were subjected to soaking in a sodium sulfite solution (1%) for 4 h. Under either the hot-air- or the freeze-drying treatment, the amounts of most carotenoids were higher in the soaked daylily flowers than in those that were not soaked. With hot-air-drying, the amount of cis carotenoids showed a higher yield in soaked samples than in nonsoaked samples. However, with freeze-drying, only a minor change of each carotenoid was observed for both soaked and nonsoaked samples. Also, air-drying resulted in a higher loss of carotenoids than freeze-drying.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in one of two siblings with Alstrom syndrome

Alstrom syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease; less than 60 cases have been reported. No Chinese patient with this disease has been reported previously in the literature. Here, we describe an 11-year-old Chinese boy with this condition. His elder sister also had Alstrom syndrome, and his father had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Both siblings had degenerative retinopathy, obesity, mental retardation, perceptive hearing loss, short stature, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, hyperlipidemia, acanthosis nigricans, and hepatic dysfunction. The boy also developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which was confirmed by cytochemistry and immunophenotyping findings. He received chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the malignancy. The present case suggests that acute lymphoblastic leukemia may be coincident with or may be a previously undescribed systemic manifestation of Alstrom syndrome.

Formation of heterocyclic amines in fried fish fiber during processing and storage

The formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in fried fish fiber during processing and storage was studied. Fried fish fiber was prepared by boiling of raw fish, followed by eviscerating, pressing, chopping, and then the fish meat was subjected to frying, during which the various additives such as sugar, soybean sauce, and edible oil were added. The various HAs in fried fish fiber were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection. Only four HAs, Norharman, Harman, 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole, and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole were detected in fried fish fiber. The amount of HAs increased with increasing frying temperature. Amino acids might play a more important role for HA formation than reducing sugar during processing of fried fish fiber. During storage, the HAs increased with increasing storage temperature when the fried fish fiber was packed in an aluminum foil bag. However, the relationship between storage temperature and HAs formation was not consistent when the fried fish fiber was packed in a plastic bag.