Anaerobic treatment of oil-contaminated wastewater with methane production using anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactors.

Oil-contaminated wastewaters are generally treated by a combination of physico-chemical and biological methods. Interest in the anaerobic treatment of oily wastewaters has increased since it complements aerobic treatment and produces energy in the form of methane. The objectives of this study were to characterise the anaerobic process spontaneously occurring in a full-scale storage tank at a facility treating waste oil and oil-contaminated effluents, and to evaluate the applicability of an anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (AnMBBR) and an anaerobic contact reactor (ACR) for treating the oil contaminated wastewater feeding the storage tank. Three lab-scale reactors were operated in parallel over 465 days: one mesophilic and one thermophilic AnMBBR, and one thermophilic ACR. The wastewater had a high strength with an average chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 36 g/L with a soluble fraction of 80%. The BOD7/COD ratios varied between 0.1 and 0.5, indicating low aerobic degradability. However, biomethane potential tests indicated some level of anaerobic degradability with methane yields between 150 and 200 NmL/gCOD. The full-scale storage tank operated at low organic loading rates (0.35-0.43 kgCOD/m3d), and long hydraulic retention times (HRT = 83-104 d). In comparison, the AnMBBRs achieved similar COD reductions (60%) as the full-scale tank but at a much shorter HRT of 30 d. Similar efficiency could only be reached at longer HRTs (43 d) in the ACR due to low biomass levels resulting from poor sludge settleability. The methane yield was higher (210 NmLCH4/COD removed) in the AnMBBR operated at 37 °C, compared to the other reactors working at 50 °C (180 NmLCH4/COD removed). This reactor also maintained a higher COD removal (67%) at an increased OLR of 1.1 kgCOD/m3d than the AnMBBR at 50 °C. The microbial composition of the biomass from the full-scale tank and the laboratory reactors provided evidence for the conversion of oil-contaminated wastewater into methane with a relatively high abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens.

Clinical presentation of invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y in Sweden, 1995 to 2012.

Over the period 1995-2012, the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y (NmY) increased significantly in Sweden. This is mainly due to the emergence of a predominant cluster named strain type YI subtype 1, belonging to the ST-23 clonal complex (cc). The aim of this study was to examine the clinical picture of patients with invasive disease caused by NmY and to analyse whether the predominant cluster exhibits certain clinical characteristics that might explain the increased incidence. In this retrospective observational study, the medical records available from patients with IMD caused by Nm serogroup Y in Sweden between 1995 and 2012 were systematically reviewed. Patient characteristics, in-hospital findings and outcome were studied and differences between the dominating cluster and other isolates were analysed. Medical records from 175 of 191 patients were retrieved. The median age was 62 years. The all-cause mortality within 30 days of admission was 9% (15/175) in the whole material; 4% (2/54) in the cohort with strain type YI subtype 1 and 11% (12/121) among patients with other isolates. Thirty-three per cent of the patients were diagnosed with meningitis, 19% with pneumonia, 10% with arthritis and 35% were found to have bacteraemia but no apparent organ manifestation. This survey included cases with an aggressive clinical course as well as cases with a relatively mild clinical presentation. There was a trend towards lower mortality and less-severe disease in the cohort with strain type YI subtype 1 compared with the group with other isolates.

Surveillance of invasive Neisseria meningitidis with a serogroup Y update, Sweden 2010 to 2012.

An increase of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y has been noted in Sweden since 2005, and to a lower extent throughout Europe. The present study describes the epidemiology of invasive N. meningitidis isolates in Sweden in the period between 2010 and 2012, with a focus on serogroup Y. We also aimed to find an optimal molecular typing scheme for both surveillance and outbreak investigations. All invasive N. meningitidis isolates in Sweden during the study period (n=208) were genetically characterised. Serogroup Y predominated with 22/57, 31/61 and 44/90 of all invasive isolates (incidence 0.23, 0.33 and 0.46 per 100,000 population) in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. In each of these years, 15/22, 22/31 and 19/44 of serogroup Y isolates were genetically clonal (Y: P1.5­2,10­1,36­2: F4­1: ST-23(cc23), 'porB allele 3­36, fHbp allele 25 and penA allele 22). Our findings further support those of others that currently recommended FetA typing could be replaced by FHbp. Moreover, in line with a previous study that we conducted, the current results indicate that highly variable multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (HV-MLVA) can be used as a first-hand rapid method for small outbreak investigations.

Low holotranscobalamin and cobalamins predict incident fractures in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden.

UNLABELLED: In a population-based study on cobalamin status and incident fractures in elderly men (n = 790) with an average follow-up of 5.9 years, we found that low levels of metabolically active and total cobalamins predict incident fractures, independently of body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), and cystatin C. INTRODUCTION: Cobalamin deficiency in elderlies may affect bone metabolism. This study aims to determine whether serum cobalamins or holotranscobalamin (holoTC; the metabolic active cobalamin) predict incident fractures in old men. METHODS: Men participating in the Gothenburg part of the population-based Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Sweden cohort and without ongoing vitamin B medication were included in the present study (n = 790; age range, 70-81 years). RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 5.9 years, 110 men sustained X-ray-verified fractures including 45 men with clinical vertebral fractures. The risk of fracture (adjusted for age, smoking, BMI, BMD, falls, prevalent fracture, tHcy, cystatin C, 25-OH-vitamin D, intake of calcium, and physical activity (fully adjusted)), increased per each standard deviation decrease in cobalamins (hazard ratio (HR), 1.38; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.11-1.72) and holoTC (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.54), respectively. Men in the lowest quartile of cobalamins and holoTC (fully adjusted) had an increased risk of all fracture (cobalamins, HR = 1.67 (95% CI, 1.06-2.62); holoTC, HR = 1.74 (95% CI, 1.12-2.69)) compared with quartiles 2-4. No associations between folate or tHcy and incident fractures were seen. CONCLUSIONS: We present novel data showing that low levels of holoTC and cobalamins predicting incident fracture in elderly men. This association remained after adjustment for BMI, BMD, tHcy, and cystatin C. However, any causal relationship between low cobalamin status and fractures should be explored in a prospective treatment study.

Taxonomy and evolutionary relationships within species of section Rimosae (Inocybe) based on ITS, LSU and mtSSU sequence data.

The present study aimed at elucidating the structure of Inocybe subg. Inosperma sect. Rimosae but included also representatives from subg. Mallocybe and the genus Auritella. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using ITS, LSU and mtSSU sequence data. The analyses recovered the ingroup as a monophyletic, strongly supported clade. The results indicate that recognizing Auritella on the genus level renders Inocybe paraphyletic. The species traditionally placed in sect. Rimosae were found to be distributed over two strongly supported clades, Maculata and Rimosae s.s. The Maculata clade clusters with sect. Cervicolores and the two represent subg. Inosperma in a strict sense. Rimosae s.s. emerges as an independent, supported clade well separated from Inosperma s.s. Twenty-one terminal groups were correlated with morphologically distinct species. In addition several taxa on single branches and minor less supported clades were recovered. A key to the identified species of the Maculata and Rimosae s.s. clades which occur in Northwest Europe is provided.

New modes of data partitioning based on PARS peak alignment for improved multivariate biomarker/biopattern detection in 1H-NMR spectroscopic metabolic profiling of urine.

This paper addresses the possibility of mathematically partition and process urine 1H-NMR spectra to enhance the efficiency of the subsequent multivariate data analysis in the context of metabolic profiling of a toxicity study. We show that by processing the NMR data with the peak alignment using reduced set mapping (PARS) algorithm and the use of sparse representation of the data results in the information contained in the original NMR data being preserved with retained resolution but free of the problem of peak shifts. We can now describe a method for differential expression analysis of NMR spectra by using prior knowledge, i.e., the onset of dosing, a partitioning not possible to achieve using raw or bucketed data. In addition we also outline a scheme for soft removal of "biological noise" from the aligned data: exhaustive bio-noise subtraction (EBS). The result is a straightforward protocol for detection of peaks that appear as a consequence of the drug response. In other words, it is possible to elucidate peak origin, either from endogenous substances or from the administered drug/biomarkers. The partition of data originating from the normally regulating metabolome can, furthermore, be analyzed free of the superimposed biological noise. The proposed protocol results in enhanced interpretability of the processed data, i.e., a more refined metabolic trace, simplification of detection of consistent biomarkers, and a simplified search for metabolic end products of the administered drug.

Efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfadoxine against Escherichia coli in a tissue cage model in calves.

Tissue cages implanted subcutaneously in calves were infected with Escherichia coli. Twenty-four hours later, the calves were treated either with single doses of 2.5 + 12.5 or 5 + 25 mg/kg trimethoprim (TMP) + sulfadoxine (SDX) or with five doses of 7.5 + 37.5 mg/kg TMP + SDX at 12-h intervals. In addition, one cage in each of three calves in the highest dose group was infected 3 h after initiation of treatment. Untreated calves were kept as controls. Concentrations of TMP and SDX in plasma and tissue cage fluid (TCF) and counts of viable bacteria in TCF were determined. In the highest dose group, concentrations of TMP in TCF remained above the minimum inhibitory concentration of the test strain for 94-101 h and peak to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio was close to 10. In spite of this, an effect of treatment was noted only in cages infected after initiation of treatment. In vitro studies and analysis of thymidine content in serum and TCF from calves suggest that levels of thymidine in TCF are high enough to antagonize the antibacterial effect of TMP. The results indicate that soft tissue infections in secluded infection sites of calves are refractory to treatment with TMP + SDX.

Cellular transport of anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol and palmitoylethanolamide--targets for drug development?

The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) is transported into cells by a temperature-sensitive process of facilitated diffusion. This uptake process has been characterised both biochemically and pharmacologically, and shown to be regulated at least in part by the intracellular metabolism of the accumulated AEA by fatty acid amide hydrolase. In this review, the properties of this transport process are briefly reviewed together with the corresponding transport mechanisms for the related endogenous compounds 2-arachidonoylglycerol and palmitoylethanolamide. In addition, the possibility that these transport mechanisms can be targets for therapeutic strategies aimed at prolonging the effects of the endocannabinoids is discussed.

Inhibition of rat C6 glioma cell proliferation by endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids. Relative involvement of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors.

The effects of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) upon rat C6 glioma cell proliferation were examined and compared with a series of synthetic cannabinoids and related compounds. Cells were treated with the compounds each day and cell proliferation was monitored for up to 5 days of exposure. AEA time- and concentration-dependently inhibited C6 cell proliferation. After 4 days of treatment, AEA and 2-AG inhibited C6 cell proliferation with similar potencies (IC(50) values of 1.6 and 1.8 microM, respectively), whereas palmitoylethanolamide showed no significant antiproliferative effects at concentrations up to 10 microM. The antiproliferative effects of both AEA and 2-AG were blocked completely by a combination of antagonists at cannabinoid receptors (SR141716A and SR144528 or AM251 and AM630) and vanilloid receptors (capsazepine) as well as by alpha-tocopherol (0.1 and 10 microM), and reduced by calpeptin (10 microM) and fumonisin B(1) (10 microM), but not by L-cycloserine (1 and 100 microM). CP 55,940, JW015, olvanil, and arachidonoyl-serotonin were all found to affect C6 glioma cell proliferation (IC(50) values of 5.6, 3.2, 5.5, and 1.6 microM, respectively), but the inhibition could not be blocked by cannabinoid + vanilloid receptor antagonists. It is concluded that the antiproliferative effects of the endocannabinoids upon C6 cells are brought about by a mechanism involving combined activation of both vanilloid receptors and to a lesser extent cannabinoid receptors, and leading to oxidative stress and calpain activation. However, there is at present no obvious universal mechanism whereby plant-derived, synthetic, and endogenous cannabinoids affect cell viability and proliferation.

Effects of the cannabimimetic fatty acid derivatives 2-arachidonoylglycerol, anandamide, palmitoylethanolamide and methanandamide upon IgE-dependent antigen-induced beta-hexosaminidase, serotonin and TNF alpha release from rat RBL-2H3 basophilic leukaemic cells.

There are conflicting reports in the literature as to whether palmitoylethanolamide affects the function of mast cell-related cell lines in vitro, in contrast to the well-documented effects of this compound upon mast cell function in vivo. In the present study, we have reinvestigated the effects of palmitoylethanolamide upon antigen-induced release of [3H]serotonin and beta-hexosaminidase from rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells and compared these effects with those of 2-arachidonoylglycerol, anandamide and R1-methanandamide. RBL-2H3 cells were sensitized with a monoclonal anti-DNP IgE, after which they were stimulated with antigen (DNP-HSA). Palmitoylethanolamide produced a small, but significant reduction in antigen-stimulated [3H]serotonin release at high concentrations, whereas anandamide was without effect. In contrast, 2-arachidonoylglycerol and methanandamide increased the antigen-stimulated release of both [3H]serotonin and beta-hexosaminidase. It is concluded that in RBL-2H3 cells, these cannabimimetic fatty acid derivatives do not have potent stabilizing effects upon antigen-induced degranulation.

Determination of the content and identity of lidocaine solutions with UV-visible spectroscopy and multivariate calibration.

A method is proposed for the determination of the content and identity of the active compound in pharmaceutical solutions by means of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, orthogonal signal correction (OSC) and multivariate calibration with soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) classification and partial least squares (PLS) regression. The content was determined with PLS regression and the identity with PLS regression and SIMCA classification. The method was tested on the local anaesthetic compound lidocaine. For the validation, external test sets of both manufactured sample solutions and samples from a stability study were used. For comparison with this new method, liquid chromatography was used as a reference method. The results show that in respect of accuracy, precision and repeatability, the new method is comparable to the reference method. The main advantage over liquid chromatography is the much shorter time of analysis and the simpler analytical procedure. An estimate of the analysis time saved with the proposed method compared with using liquid chromatography, together with practical considerations, is given.

Pharmacological properties of cannabinoid receptors in the avian brain: similarity of rat and chicken cannabinoid1 receptor recognition sites and expression of cannabinoid2 receptor-like immunoreactivity in the embryonic chick brain.

The pharmacological properties of brain cannabinoid receptors were investigated in brains of 35 day-old chickens, since little is known about the avian cannabinoid system. The cannabinoid1 receptor-selective antagonist ligand [3H]SR 141716A bound to chicken brain membranes with K(D) and Bmax values of 0.92+/-0.28 nM and 790+/-58 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The binding was inhibited by CP 55,940 with a pI50 value of 7.63+/-0.14 and by a series of compounds with the order of potency CP 55,940>R(+)WIN 55,212-2>R-1 methanandamide approximately DAK. S(-)WIN 55,212-3 and AM404 were without inhibitory effect at 1 microM. Similar results were found for rat brain membranes. For both rat and chicken brain membranes, addition of the non-hydrolysable GTP analogues Gpp[NH]p and GTPgammaS shifted the CP 55,940 inhibition curve to the right, consistent with an intact coupling to G-proteins in the preparations. Fatty acid amidohydrolase in chicken brain membranes was less sensitive to inhibition by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride and arachidonoyl serotonin than its rodent equivalent. However, when fatty acid amidohydrolase activity in the preparations was reduced by use of a lower assay membrane concentration, anandamide was found to inhibit the binding of [3H]SR 141716A to chicken membranes with a pI50 value of 6.39+/-0.16. Using a novel antibody raised to amino acids 346-359 from the C-terminal tail of the human cannabinoid2 receptor, it was found that embryonic chick brain tissue (and embryonic chick neurones in primary culture) expressed a approximately 53 kDa immunoreactive band. This immunoreactivity, which was prevented by preincubation of the antibody with the immunising peptide, was also seen in cells expressing the recombinant human cannabinoid, receptor, but was not seen in adult chicken brain homogenates or in rat cerebellar homogenates. However, a "classical" cannabinoid2-receptor component of [3H]WIN 55212-2 binding (i.e. a fraction inhibited by low concentrations of the cannabinoid2-receptor-selective antagonist SR 144528) was not found.

Characterization of palmitoylethanolamide transport in mouse Neuro-2a neuroblastoma and rat RBL-2H3 basophilic leukaemia cells: comparison with anandamide.

The endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist anandamide (AEA) and the related compound palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) are inactivated by transport into cells followed by metabolism by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The cellular uptake of AEA has been characterized in detail, whereas less is known about the properties of the PEA uptake, in particular in neuronal cells. In the present study, the pharmacological and functional properties of PEA and AEA uptake have been investigated in mouse Neuro-2a neuroblastoma and, for comparison, in rat RBL-2H3 basophilic leukaemia cells. Saturable uptake of PEA and AEA into both cell lines were demonstrated with apparent K(M) values of 28 microM (PEA) and 10 microM (AEA) in Neuro-2a cells, and 30 microM (PEA) and 9.3 microM (AEA) in RBL-2H3 cells. Both PEA and AEA uptake showed temperature-dependence but only the AEA uptake was sensitive to treatment with Pronase and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The AEA uptake was inhibited by AM404, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), R1- and S1-methanandamide, arachidonic acid and olvanil with similar potencies for the two cell types. PEA, up to a concentration of 100 microM, did not affect AEA uptake in either cell line. AEA, 2-AG, arachidonic acid, R1-methanandamide, (9)-THC, and cannabidiol inhibited PEA transport in both cell lines. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin inhibited the AEA uptake but had very weak effects on the uptake of PEA. From these data, it can be concluded that PEA is transported in to cells both by passive diffusion and by a facilitated transport that is pharmacologically distinguishable from AEA uptake.

Adult skeletal profile in isolated cleft palate: a comparison of the von Langenbeck and Wardill procedures for primary repair of the palate.

Sixty-four adult patients operated on for isolated cleft palate were evaluated with regard to facial skeletal morphology using conventional radio-cephalometry. Dental occlusion was assessed clinically. Forty-two had had a von Langenbeck repair at the age of 7 months and 22 a Wardill repair at 18 months. The mean error of the method was 0.7 degree for angular, and 0.9 mm for linear, measurements. The group with clefts had less maxillary prognathism (s-n-ss), more maxillary inclination (NSL/NL), more retroclined lower incisors (ILI/ML), and shorter total and upper facial heights (n-gn, n-sp) compared with the reference group. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate differences between the two treatment regimens. Explanatory variables in addition to surgical technique were sex, severity of cleft, and presence of a velopharyngeal flap. Only one variable, lower incisor inclination (ILI/ML), was different for the two regimens. Ten (24%) in the von Langenbeck group had a lateral cross-bite compared with one (5%) in the Wardill group. Other variables in a multivariate regression analysis were affected by sex and severity of cleft to various degrees. This study showed no obvious differences in facial skeletal morphology that could be attributed to surgical technique. Factors other than technique, including sex, age, and severity of cleft merit attention.

Serum-dependent effects of tamoxifen and cannabinoids upon C6 glioma cell viability.

In the present study, the effects of the combination of tamoxifen ((Z)-2[p-(1,2-diphenyl-1-butenyl)phenoxy]-N,N-dimethylamine citrate) and three cannabinoids (Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol [Delta(9)-THC], cannabidiol, and anandamide [AEA]) upon the viability of C6 rat glioma cells was assessed at different incubation times and using different culturing concentrations of foetal bovine serum (FBS). Consistent with previous data for human glioblastoma cells, the tamoxifen sensitivity of the cells was increased as the FBS content of the culture medium was reduced from 10 to 0.4 and 0%. The cells expressed protein kinase C alpha and calmodulin (the concentration of which did not change significantly as the FBS concentration was reduced), but did not express estrogen receptors. Delta(9)-THC and cannabidiol, but not AEA, produced a modest reduction in cell viability after 6 days of incubation in serum-free medium, whereas no effects were seen in 10% FBS-containing medium. There was no observed synergy between the effects of tamoxifen and the cannabinoids upon cell viability.

A transforming growth factor-beta1-mediated bystander immune suppression could be associated with remission of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Bystander immune suppression has been demonstrated in experimental models of oral immune tolerance induction. This phenomenon is associated with expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and T-helper cell (Th) 2 cytokines. We have studied serum levels of Th cytokines and B- and T-lymphocyte subsets in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disorder in which the production of platelet autoantibodies might be caused by a cytokine network dysregulation. Forty-six patients with ITP were separated into three groups depending on the platelet count (pltc): (1) < 50 x 10(9)/l, (2) 50-150 x 10(9)/l and (3) > 150 x 10(9)/l. We found significantly elevated plasma levels of the Th3 cytokine TGF-beta1 in patients with pltc >150x10(9)/l (23.5+/-2.8ng/ml), compared with patients with pltc <50x10(9)/l (2.3+/-0.6 ng/ml; P<0.0001), patients with pltc 50-150x 10(9)/l (7.2+/-1.7 ng/ml; P<0.0001) and healthy volunteers (9.8+/-1.3 ng/ml; P<0.01). The serum levels of the Thl cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-y were below the detection limits of the assays. Likewise, the Th2 cytokine IL-4 was not detectable or was very low both in patients and controls. The serum levels of IL-10, a Th2 cytokine, were within the assay range and patients with pltc <50 x 10(9)/l had significantly lower levels (0.6+/-0.1 pg/ml) than both patients with pltc 50-150 x 10(9)/l (1.8 +/- 0.1 pg/ml; P<0.005) and healthy volunteers (1.4+/-0.1 pg/ml; P<0.005). Furthermore, patients with pltc <50 x 10(9)/l and splenectomised patients had significantly higher levels of CD4 + CD25 + activated T cells [26.2 +/- 14.8% (P<0.05) and 26.7+/-11.9% (P<0.005), respectively] than healthy controls (16.5+/-4.0%). Also, the number of natural killer (NK) cells among patients with pltc >150 x 10(9)/l were significantly elevated (26.6+/-16.0%; P<0.05) compared with controls (17.4+/-7.6%). In conclusion, our data corroborate previous findings of elevated numbers of activated T cells in chronic ITP patients with active disease, but neither a clear-cut Th1 nor a Th2 serum cytokine profile could be established. However, ITP in remission was associated with elevated TGF-beta1, which might be a part of a bystander immune suppression. We propose that the effect of possible expression of TGF-beta1 by oral immune tolerance induction deserves to be explored in ITP patients with an active disease.

A tomographic method for experimental verification of the integrity of spent nuclear fuel

A tomographic method for verification of the integrity of spent nuclear fuel assemblies has been developed. The gamma radiation field emanating from emitted radiation from within the assembly is recorded and utilised for reconstructing the internal source distribution. Simulations of an experimental procedure have indicated the ability of detecting the absence of fuel rods with high confidence. The method has been verified experimentally, both for a fuel model in laboratory environment and for spent fuel in a fuel handling pool.

Optimization of capillary electrophoresis conditions for coupling to a mass spectrometer via a sheathless interface.

When optimizing a capillary electrophoresis/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (CE/ESI-MS) system, consideration has to be given not only to the separation but also to the electrospray stability. Methods developed for CE/UV analysis of drugs and peptides were considered and modified to be suitable for a CE/MS system with a robust sheathless interface. Different concentrations of the organic modifiers acetonitrile, methanol and 2-propanol were used in the separation buffer. The type and concentrations of these modifiers were also compared with reference to electrospray stability, sensitivity and time of analysis. In addition, different ionic strengths in the buffers were evaluated with reference to electrospray stability. The repeatability was used for the estimation of electrospray stability. The degree to which these parameters influenced the separation and the ESI stability was studied using a nine-peptide standard mixture and the antibiotic drugs bacampicillin and ampicillin as test substances. The analysis time and resolution were used as measures of the efficiency of the separation. A time-of-flight MS analyzer was used since it has the potential advantages of becoming a better fit for integration of CE with MS owing to the speed and sensitivity of this mass analyzer. The detection limit, i.e. 1 microM, for bacampicillin was comparable to what could be achieved with CE/MS on a quadrupole instrument using selected ion monitoring and sheath flow ESI.

Current awareness.

In order to keep subscribers up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of mass spectrometry. Each bibliography is divided into 11 sections: 1 Books, Reviews & Symposia; 2 Instrumental Techniques & Methods; 3 Gas Phase Ion Chemistry; 4 Biology/Biochemistry: Amino Acids, Peptides & Proteins; Carbohydrates; Lipids; Nucleic Acids; 5 Pharmacology/Toxicology; 6 Natural Products; 7 Analysis of Organic Compounds; 8 Analysis of Inorganics/Organometallics; 9 Surface Analysis; 10 Environmental Analysis; 11 Elemental Analysis. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author (5 Weeks journals - Search completed at 27th. Apr 2000)

Evaluation of OAE-recording as a complementary test method for adults with moderate to profound mental retardation.

The recording of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) was evaluated as a complementary test method for adults with moderate to profound mental retardation (MR). A portable apparatus, ILO 288 Echoport linked to a Compaq LTE 5100 notebook with software ILO 88 V 4.2, was used. Otoscopy and tympanometry were also performed. Criteria for emissions were S/N 3 dB or more and reproducibility 60% or more for at least three frequency-bands. The criteria for partial emissions were the same, but for only one or two frequencies. Two examiners were needed: one to keep the tested person calm and quiet and the other to handle the keyboard. Thirty-eight people with different degrees of MR in connection with other disabilities were included. They had all exhibited incomplete results in a previous hearing screening of more than 1,000 adults with MR. Reproducible transiently evoked OAEs (TEOAE) were recorded from 11 ears (7 people), partial TEOAEs from 6 ears (4 people) and no emissions from 15 ears (10 people). Registration from 24 ears (13 people) could not be evaluated because of too much external and internal noise. Eight people rejected the examination. Only four people showed emissions in both ears. Accordingly, 34 people (89.5%) had to be re-tested or referred for further investigation, 21 of them (55%) because of noisy recordings or no co-operation. It is concluded that the TEOAE-test in its present form cannot fulfil the demands for a functioning test method for this population. In single cases, however, TEOAE-recording can complement other audiological tests.