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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1979

Interaction of nucleic acids with electrically charged surfaces. VI. A comparative study on the electrochemical behaviour of native and denatured DNAs at graphite electrodes.

Adsorption and electrochemical oxidation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at a pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) and a paraffin wax-impregnated spectroscopic graphite electrode (WISGE) were studied using differential pulse voltammetry. DNA is adsorbed at the surface of the graphite electrodes in a broad range of potentials including the potentials of electrochemical oxidation of DNA. Both native and denatured DNAs yield two single, well-defined and separated peaks, G and A, on the differential pulse voltammograms at the PGE and WISGE. The more negative peak, G, corresponds to electrochemical oxidation of adenine residues. Peaks G and A of native DNA occur at the same potentials as peaks G and A of denatured DNA. However, electrochemical oxidation of adenine and guanine residues at graphite electrodes is markedly suppressed in native DNA. The heights of the peaks G and A represent a sensitive indicator of the helix-coil transition of DNA. An analysis of the product of interaction of a sample of native DNA with a large pyrolytic graphite electrode in the presence of formaldehyde at approximately neutral pH did not prove changes in the secondary structure of native DNA due to its interaction with the graphite electrode. It is suggested that the decreased differential pulse-voltammetric activity of native DNA is connected with its decreased flexibility.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Evaluation of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a coke production and a graphite electrode manufacturing plant: assessment of urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene as a biological indicator of exposure.

OBJECTIVES: Characterisation of the airborne concentration of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at various workplaces in a graphite electrode and a coke production plant. Validation of the urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (hydroxypyrene) as a biological marker of exposure to PAH. DESIGN: Cross sectional study of workers exposed to PAHs (106 in the graphite electrode producing plant and 16 in the coke works). METHODS: Personal air sampling during at least six hours per workshift using a glass fibre filter and a Chromosorb 102 solid sorbent tube and analysis of PAHs by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrofluorometric detection (SFD). Collection of spot urine samples before and after the shift and analysis of 1-hydroxypyrene by HPLC and SFD. RESULTS: The workers most exposed to PAHs were those occupied at the topside area of the coke oven plant and those working in the blending and impregnation areas of the graphite electrode producing plant (mean airborne concentration of total PAHs: 199 and 223 micrograms/m3 respectively). Except for naphthalene and perylene, the relative proportion of the different PAHs did not differ between the plants. Pyrene concentration in air was highly correlated with the total airborne PAH concentration (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) and the correlation coefficients between hydroxypyrene concentration in postshift urine samples and pyrene or total PAHs in air were 0.67 (p < 0.0001) and 0.72 (p < 0.0001) respectively. Excretion of hydroxypyrene doubled when the exposure to pyrene in air increased 10-fold. The half life for the urinary excretion of hydroxypyrene was around 18 hours (95% confidence interval 16.1-19.8). Smoking habits only explained 2.3% of the variance in hydroxypyrene excretion compared with 45% for the pyrene concentration in air. CONCLUSION: The determination of the urinary excretion of hydroxypyrene in postshift urine samples can be used as a suitable biomarker to assess individual exposure to PAHs in coke ovens and in graphite electrode manufacturing plants.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed1978

Physicochemical properties of glycyrrhizic acid in aqueous media II: Effect on flocculation-deflocculation behavior of suspensions of sulfathiazole and graphite.

The flocculation-deflocculation behavior of sulfathiazole and graphite in aqueous solutions of glycyrrhizic acid was studied by measuring the sedimentation volume and turbidity of supernates. The dispersing effect of glycyrrhizic acid on suspension of sulfathiazole showed a maximum in the pH 3-4 region, the same pH region where the zeta-potential of sulfathiazole particles showed a negative maximum. The results were explained by the variation of degrees of ionization of glycyrrhizic acid and sulfathiazole with pH. With graphite suspensions, the pH region where the dispersing effect of glycyrrhizic acid showed a maximum shifted to a higher pH compared with sulfathiazole. This result can be attributed to the fact that graphite is a nonpolar substance so the surface properties are not affected by a pH change. Hence, the adsorption of glycyrrhizic acid occurs even in a fairly high pH range.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1992

Electrochemical bioreactor with regeneration of NAD+ by rotating graphite disk electrode with PMS adsorbed.

Kinetic constants were compared among p-quinone, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, phenazine methosulfate (PMS), methylene blue, and FAD in the oxidation of NADH. Among those, PMS was selected for its highest rate constant as a mediator for the electrochemical oxidation of NAD. The PMS could be stably immobilized on a graphite electrode surface by adsorption. The PMS adsorbed and that in the solution showed distinctly separated peaks in the cyclic voltammogram. The immobilized PMS functioned as an immobilized mediator to reduce the overpotential in the electrochemical oxidation of NAD so that the electrode could be used as an NAD regenerator. For the construction of an electrochemical bioreactor, a specially designed rotating disk graphite electrode was used. In spite of its extraordinarily large surface area, the behavior of the rotating disc electrode was described well by the Levich law. The NAD oxidation system of the rotating graphite disk electrode with PMS adsorbed was combined with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction, which reduced NAD with the consumption of glucose-6-phosphate. The electrochemical bioreactor system worked well with recycling of NAD at a high current efficiency.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1977

Graphite-mixed CaSo4: Dy teflon TLD discs for beta dosimetry.

The thickness of commonly employed thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDS) is responsible for the problem of energy dependence in beta dose estimation in situations where this thickness is comparable to the range of beta particles in the TLD material. The effective thickness of solid TLD discs can, however, be reduced by use of some additives which would reduce their transparency to the TL light. The incorporation of various amounts of graphite powder into 0-8 mm thick CaSO4: Dy Teflon TLD discs has been investigated. This has considerably reduced their energy dependence for beta rays with Emax values ranging from 0-4 MeV to 2-27 MeV. Addition of graphite also results in sharp glow curves thereby minimizing the heating time during TL measurements. Significantly, graphite was also found to reduce the non-radiation-induced TL signal and this helps in low dose measurements.

Calcium↗

PubMed1990

The thermal defect of A-150 plastic and graphite for low-energy protons.

The thermal defects of A-150 plastic and graphite referenced to aluminium were determined for 800 keV protons scattered by a 2 micron nickel foil (mean transmitted energy = 550 keV). Composite cores of Al/A-150, graphite/A-150 and Al/graphite which could be irradiated from one side or the other were employed. The temperature increase of a core caused by 30-100 s of irradiation (3-6 nA of proton beam current) was detected by two thermistors mounted in opposite legs of a Wheatstone bridge. The thermal defect of A-150 plastic was determined to be 0.0421 +/- 0.0036 (SE) referenced to aluminium and 0.0402 +/- 0.0034 referenced to graphite. The thermal defect of graphite referenced to aluminium is 0.0043 +/- 0.0034. No change in the thermal defect of A-150 plastic was detected for accumulated doses up to 8 x 10(5) Gy.

Aluminum↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparisons of calorimetric and ionometric measurements in graphite irradiated with electrons from 15 to 50 MeV.

Extensive experimental comparisons of calorimetric and ionometric measurements have been made that cover a broader range of electron energies and depths in graphite than previously reported. Electron beams of 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 MeV were used. Calorimetric absorbed-dose measurements and ionometric specific-charge measurements in air were compared in graphite at depths from 1 to 51 g/cm2. The medium was irradiated with uncollimated electron beams produced by scattering after passing through a 0.1-g/cm2 aluminum vacuum window, various thicknesses of lead foils, and air. The variation in the quotient of the two measurements was studied as a function of lead-foil thickness, depth in the medium, beam energy, foil-to-detector distance, and off-axis distance. These studies permitted the measurements to be corrected and compared with theoretical calculations that assume a broad medium irradiated with broad, parallel, monoenergetic electron beams. The overall experimental uncertainty is estimated to be 1%. The results are generally in good agreement with theoretical and experimental results of other investigators. The calorimeter received close to 1 Mrad during preliminary measurements and from 1 to 2 Mrad during the measurements reported. The results showed no detectable heat defect in graphite after prolonged periods of exposing the calorimeter to air at atmospheric pressure.

Calorimetry↗

PubMed1992

Graphite-like lubrication of mesothelium by oligolamellar pleural surfactant.

Six studies have been completed to reevaluate pleural surfactant as a possible boundary lubricant in mesothelial sliding. It is capable of remarkable antiwear action, giving a mean scar diameter on a standard "four-ball test" comparable to the best commercially available lubricants and reducing friction to values anticipated from lamellated solid lubricants such as graphite. Pleural surfaces displayed appreciable hydrophobicity, which was almost eliminated by rinsing with a lipid solvent from which phospholipid was recovered and quantified. These quantities indicated that equivalent of 7.3 adsorbed monolayers of surface-active phospholipid, which was in general agreement with the number of layers of a graphite-like surface coating visualized by electron microscopy by use of a novel fixation procedure that avoids conventional aldehydes known to destroy hydrophobic surfaces. Graphite-like (dry) lubrication by adsorbed surface-active phospholipid is discussed as an excellent lubrication system available wherever the distribution of fluid allows the pleura to make contact.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

[A polarization effect-free graphite double extrapolation chamber for the absolute dosimtery of high energy electrons].

Theoretical principles, constructional features and operation of an improved extrapolation-chamber intended for absolute ionization dosimetry of high-energy electrons are described. The construction allows a precise variation of the cylindrical measuring volume by varying thickness and diameter (exactly from 0 to 30 or 3 to 30 mm resp.), whereat measurements can be taken either using cylindrical graphitic walls or "no walls". The improvements consist in a combination of the following characteristics: high electric and mechanical stability; avoidance of disturbances due to electrostatic charges; elimination of the polarity error; practically homogeneous graphitic construction without foreign materials; graphite as a preferential reference material; measurements by chemical dosimetry following within the same apparatus. Results of measurements are reported concerning the verification of the complete or partial equilibrium of electrons, the deviations from the ideal cavity conditions of Bragg and Gray, and the comparison with ferrous sulfate dosimetry. Absolute measurements of the ion dose being accurate to about 0.5% can be obtained with the chamber. Thus, the chamber seems qualified to be used as a primary standard.

Graphite↗

PubMed1991

[Contribution to graphite dust lungs].

This is a report on a male patient of 71 years of age who had been a graphite mill worker for about 14 years. Despite respiratory insufficiency he was rejected in 1985 as an applicant for being recognised as a victim of a professional disease, because the radiologically visible changes in the lung were only discrete. Perbronchial lung biopsy was performed in January 1990 as his dyspnoea increased. Histological examination revealed graphite dust disease of the lung. Asteroid bodies in multinucleated giant cells were an unusual finding. Energy-dispersing x-ray microanalysis proved that the so-called graphite dust disease lung was actually a type of mixed dust pneumoconiosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Cyclic fatigue-crack propagation, stress-corrosion, and fracture-toughness behavior in pyrolytic carbon-coated graphite for prosthetic heart valve applications.

Fracture-mechanics tests were performed to characterize the cyclic fatigue, stress-corrosion cracking, and fracture-toughness behavior of a pyrolytic carbon-coated graphite composite material used in the manufacture of cardiac valve prostheses. Testing was carried out using compact tension C(T) samples containing "atomically" sharp precracks, both in room-temperature air and principally in a simulated physiological environment of 37 degrees C Ringer's lactate solution. Under sustained (monotonic) loads, the composite exhibited resistance-curve behavior, with a fracture toughness (KIc) between 1.1 and 1.9 MPa square root of m, and subcritical stress-corrosion crack velocities (da/dt) which were a function of the stress intensity K raised to the 74th power (over the range approximately 10(-9) to over 10(-5) m/s). More importantly, contrary to common perception, under cyclic loading conditions the composite was found to display true (cyclic) fatigue failure in both environments; fatigue-crack growth rates (da/dN) were seen to be a function of the 19th power of the stress-intensity range delta K (over the range approximately 10(-11) to over 10(-8) m/cycle). As subcritical crack velocities under cyclic loading were found to be many orders of magnitude faster than those measured under equivalent monotonic loads and to occur at typically 45% lower stress-intensity levels, cyclic fatigue in pyrolytic carbon-coated graphite is reasoned to be a vital consideration in the design and life-prediction procedures of prosthetic devices manufactured from this material.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed1992

Domain walls on graphite mimic DNA.

We show that domain walls on graphite are very likely to mimic features of extended macromolecules like DNA strands, when imaged with an STM. We explain with a simple model how different translational periods along a grain boundary originate from different relative orientations of the graphite lattice at the domain wall. We show how simple geometrical analysis of the images can be used to distinguish true macromolecular features from artifacts.

Artifacts↗

PubMed1990

Separation of anionic and cationic compounds of biomedical interest by high-performance liquid chromatography on porous graphitic carbon.

The separation of small, ionizable compounds of biomedical interest on porous graphitic carbon is described. The retention of anionic compounds is dominated by electronic interaction between the solute and the delocalized electron clouds on the graphitized carbon, while cationic compounds are mainly retained by reversed-phase interaction with the hydrophobic carbon surface. Anionic and cationic compounds can be separated simultaneously with a mobile phase containing an electronic modifier (e.g., trifluoroacetic acid) and an organic modifier (e.g., acetonitrile) for elution. Examples of applications include the measurement of oxalic acid in urine, the determination of creatine and creatinine in urine and in serum, the separation of basic drugs (remoxipride and FLA 981) and the simultaneous analysis of pertechnetate anion and the cationic technetium-amine complexes.

Anions↗

PubMed1990

[Etiology of lung cancer in workers of graphite industry].

Carcinogenic hazards for workers of certain plants of steel, asbestos, oil-producing, oil-refining and chemical industries were studied. Potential carcinogenic hazards for workers of graphite industry conditioned mainly by coke and graphite dust adsorbed polycyclic hydrocarbons, particularly, benzo(a)pyrene made the case for cancer epidemiologic studies which were carried out at some of those plants in the 70s. Exposure to polycyclic hydrocarbons adsorbed on industrial dust was shown to significantly increase the incidence of lung cancer.

Benzopyrenes↗

PubMed1978

Determination of aluminum in biological samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with a graphite furnace.

Aluminum, generally considered non-essential and non-toxic, may accumulate in toxic amounts in the brain in cases of chronic renal failure. We describe a procedure for its analysis in biological fluids by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with a graphite furnace. No sample preparation is required and the procedure is sensitive at the appropriate concentrations. A sample of serum or urine is pipetted into the interior of the graphite tube, where it is sequentially dried, charred, and atomized. Precautions for sample handling are discussed and instrument settings are defined. Precision and accuracy of the method are evaluated, as are the effects of salts, protein content of serum, and specific gravity of urine. Serum of 23 persons who were not consuming aluminum-containing antacids contained 28 +/- 9 (SD) microgram of Al per liter (1.02 +/- 0.33 mumol/liter).

Aluminum↗

PubMed1991

Determination of gadolinium in biological materials using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with a tantalum boat after solvent extraction.

A method was developed for the determination of gadolinium (Gd) in biological material using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The element is first extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone and then reextracted into hydrochloric acid. Factors influencing the recovery of extraction such as pH, choice of chelating agents, and hydrochloric acid concentration have been investigated. The element is determined under STPF (stabilized temperature platform furnace) conditions with atomization from a tantalum boat. Under optimized furnace conditions, the use of the tantalum boat improved sensitivity substantially compared to the use of pyrolytically coated graphite tubes. Around 150 measurements could be performed with 1 boat. Memory effects, being a common problem in the GFAAS determination of lanthanoids, were no longer observed after insertion of the boat. The characteristic mass and detection limit (2SD; SD = standard deviation) of the Gd determination are 1000 and 2060 pg, respectively. The precision evaluated as the relative standard deviation (RSD) of six analyses was below 10% for tissue Gd concentrations ranging from 0.92 to 72.0 micrograms g-1. The recovery of added analyte ranged between 92.0% and 99.3%. The method was found to be suitable for studying the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of Gd in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Determination of subnanogram per cubic meter concentrations of metals in the air of a trace metal clean room by impaction graphite furnace atomic absorption and laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

Air, drawn by vacuum through a jet, was impacted against the inside surface of an atomic absorption graphite electrothermal atomizer (ETA). The amounts of the particles thus collected were determined at the ng m-3 level by graphite furnace atomic absorption or at the pg m-3 level by laser excited atomic fluorescence. The overall reproducibility of two sets of measurements, made 7 months apart, was 23%, with no significant difference between the two sets of data, based on Student's "t" test at the 95% confidence level. Short-term reproducibility varied from 13% to 34% depending upon the air concentration of the metal. The method shows promise for monitoring long-term effectiveness of the filtering systems in trace metal clean rooms. It was not possible to test for accuracy, due to the low concentrations involved, but accuracy was expected to be within a factor of 2 or 3 of the actual value, based on theoretical aspects of impaction.

Air↗

PubMed1992

Direct determination of zinc in serum by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace.

We developed a precise and accurate graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method for the direct determination of zinc in serum. Serum samples are analyzed after 20-fold dilution with water of ultrapure analytical grade. No other reagent is used, from the moment of sampling until measurement. During atomization, the argon flow is kept at 150 mL/min instead of gas stop, to decrease the sensitivity and thus allow lower dilution ratios. Zinc concentrations are determined against a serum-matched calibration curve. Graphite tubes are uncoated and no L'vov platform is used. Between-run CVs were 5.9%, 3.5%, and 1.9% for serum zinc concentrations of 0.93, 1.15, and 1.43 mg/L, respectively. The characteristic mass was 9 pg, and the detection limit (meanblank + 3SDblank) was 0.060 mg/L.

Adult↗