Quantitative analysis of metabolic gases by multichannel Raman spectroscopy: use of a newly designed elliptic-spherical integration type of cell holder

We describe the quantitative analysis of some metabolic gases bymultichannel Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra were measured forair, acetone, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and mixed gas consisting ofacetone, ammonia, and air. We designed a new elliptic-sphericalintegration type of cell holder to obtain the Raman spectra of gaseswith a high signal-to-noise ratio. Concentrations of acetone, ammonia, and carbon dioxide were determined by the peak intensities ofRaman bands at 2940, 3228, and 1385 cm(-1), respectively. To compensate for the fluctuations of Ramanintensities caused by several factors, such as the fluctuations oflaser power, the peak intensity of a band at 2324 cm(-1) dueto nitrogen gas was used as an internal intensity standard. Thecorrelation coefficient between the corrected Raman intensity at 2940cm(-1) and the concentration of acetone was calculated to be0.984 for a concentration range of 2-12 ppm. The detection limitof acetone gas was found to be 2 ppm.

Electrochemical assay system with single-use electrode strip for measuring lactate in whole blood

We have developed an assay system for measuring lactate in whole blood, consisting of a single-use strip of an enzyme-coated electrode and a small meter. The electrode strip is made of three plastic films: a cover sheet, a spacer, and an insulation layer printed with electrodes that are coated with lactate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.x) and ferricyanide as an electron mediator. The meter measures the magnitude of the anodic current of the reduced mediator by the enzymatic reaction and displays the lactate concentration 60 s after a blood sample (5 microL) is applied. The calibration curve was linear up to 20 mmol/L, and the between-run CVs at three concentrations were 1.7-8.4%. Lactate concentrations determined by this method (y) in blood samples from healthy individuals before and after exercise agreed with the results obtained by the conventional enzymatic method (x): y = 0.97x - 0.3, Sy/x = 0.7. This assay provides a rapid and convenient test for measuring blood lactate concentrations.

Electrochemical assay system with single-use electrode strip for measuring lactate in whole blood

We have developed an assay system for measuring lactate in whole blood, consisting of a single-use strip of an enzyme-coated electrode and a small meter. The electrode strip is made of three plastic films: a cover sheet, a spacer, and an insulation layer printed with electrodes that are coated with lactate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.x) and ferricyanide as an electron mediator. The meter measures the magnitude of the anodic current of the reduced mediator by the enzymatic reaction and displays the lactate concentration 60 s after a blood sample (5 microL) is applied. The calibration curve was linear up to 20 mmol/L, and the between-run CVs at three concentrations were 1.7-8.4%. Lactate concentrations determined by this method (y) in blood samples from healthy individuals before and after exercise agreed with the results obtained by the conventional enzymatic method (x): y = 0.97x - 0.3, Sy/x = 0.7. This assay provides a rapid and convenient test for measuring blood lactate concentrations.

[Clinical evaluation of cefodizime in children]

Cefodizime (THR-221, CDZM), a new parenteral cephalosporin, was evaluated for its efficacy and safety in 20 children with bacterial infections (Table 1), and the following results were obtained. 1. CDZM was administered in 3 or 4 divided doses at daily dosages ranging from 54.5 to 84.2 mg/kg administered by 30 minutes drip infusion or intravenous injection to 20 patients (7 cases of acute tonsillitis, 6 cases of pneumonia, 2 cases each of bronchitis and suppurative cervical lymphadenitis, and 1 case each of acute pharyngitis, acute enteritis and furunculosis) and the following clinical results were obtained: excellent, 7 cases; good, 11 cases; fair, 2 cases. The overall efficacy rate was 90% (Table 4). 2. MICs of CDZM against 15 strains of isolated organisms are shown in Table 2. MICs against all 7 strains of Haemophilus influenzae were less than 0.025 micrograms/ml. MIC against 1 out of 5 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae was 0.05 micrograms/ml and those against 2 strains were 0.10 micrograms/ml and against the other 2 were 0.20 micrograms/ml. MICs against 3 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were 1.56, 25 and higher than 100 micrograms/ml, respectively. 3. No clinical adverse reaction was observed in any of the 20 patients. Eosinophilia was observed in 2 cases. A slight elevation of S-GOT was found in 1 patient (case No. 8) and moderate elevation of S-GOT and S-GPT in another (case No. 18) (Table 4). In case No. 18, the S-GOT and S-GPT activity improved after the administration of the drug was stopped.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)