LC for Sample Preparation in Coupled LC-GC: A Review

In chromatographic trace analysis, most of the working time is spent in preparing the sample; the methods involved are largely inefficient, often rather primitive. (HP)LC could replace a good part of this pre-separation, clean-up or sample enrichment work. It offers high separation efficiency, a wide range of selectivities, and accurate control through on-line detection. LC work is reviewed that is related to on-line LC-GC, showing the wealth of possibilities available for LC sample preparation. The present problems are discussed, hoping to motivate colleagues getting involved in the development of advanced sample preparation techniques

Food Control by Government Laboratories: Innovation, Flexibility, and No Restrictions by Reglementation

Part of the work carried out by the government laboratories is devoted to permanent control of some critical foods and involves well-established and standardized methods. Another part, however, particularly the detection of frauds or poor manufacturing practices, presupposes advanced analytical techniques and flexible politics: an agile sense for hot subjects must be combined with good contacts providing the important information and innovative method development to find ways to obtain the evidence required. As shown for examples, ever new methods and approaches are needed, because the fraud and the negligent worker rapidly adjust to the methods applied for the control – in the end, the analysis may even protect a well arranged fraud. The swindler needs certainty about what the government chemists analyze and what methods they apply, and is, therefore, interested in paralyzing the work of the control, e.g. by requiring that only methods approved by time-consuming procedures are accepted by the court. The control must try to surprise and to create commotion, keeping everyone alert

Short-term HFD does not alter lipolytic function of adipocytes

A short bout of high fat diet (HFD) impairs glucose tolerance and hepatic insulin sensitivity. We recently identified adipose tissue inflammation and resulting dysfunctional adipose tissue-liver cross-talk as an early event in the development of HFD-induced hepatic insulin resistance. In particular, reducing white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation by adipocyte-specific depletion of Fas/CD95 protected mice from developing hepatic insulin resistance but not hepatic steatosis. Herein, we expanded our previous work and determined the impact of four days of HFD on lipolytic activity of isolated adipocytes. Compared with chow-fed mice, the degree of basal and isoproterenol-stimulated free fatty acid (FFA) and glycerol release was similar in HFD-fed animals. Moreover, insulin's ability to suppress lipolysis remained intact, suggesting retained insulin sensitivity. Despite unaltered lipolysis, circulating FFA concentrations were greatly increased in non-fasted HFD-fed mice. In conclusion, a short-term HFD challenge does not affect lipolytic function of adipocytes. The observed increase of circulating FFA levels in randomly fed animals may rather be the result of increased dietary fat supply

Conclusions of the French Food Safety Agency on the toxicity of bisphenol A

Since more than 10 years, risk assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) is debated at the international level. In 2008, the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) expressed some concern for adverse effects, at current level of exposure to BPA, on developmental toxicity. In this context, the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) decided to review the toxicity data on BPA with a special focus on this endpoint at doses below 5mg/kg bw/day (the no observed adverse effect level set by different regulatory bodies). This paper summarizes the conclusions of a collective assessment conducted by an expert Working Group from AFSSA. Studies were classified into 3 groups: (i) finding no toxicity, (ii) reporting results not considered to be of concern and (iii) indicating warning signals. The term "warning signal" means that no formal conclusion can be drawn regarding the establishment of a health based guidance value but the study raises some questions about the toxicity of BPA at low doses. It was concluded that studies are needed to ascertain the significance for human health of these warning signals and to be able to propose new methodologies for assessing the risks associated with low doses of BPA and more generally of endocrine disruptors

Meloxicam-Induced Rhabdomyolysis in the Context of an Acute Ross River Viral Infection

Acute rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and laboratory syndrome resulting from the breakdown of skeletal muscle, with the release of intracellular contents into the circulatory system, which can cause potentially lethal complications. Here, we present the case of a patient who developed acute rhabdomyolysis after consumption of meloxicam for jaw pain and experienced generalized myalgias in the context of an acute febrile illness with generalized urticaria. Further investigation indicated elevated muscle enzymes and acute renal failure. Serological analysis revealed that the patient was positive for Ross River virus (RRV) IgM. Genetic studies to detect CYP2C9 polymorphisms were negative. Meloxicam was discontinued. He responded to conservative measures within 2 weeks. Oral aspirin challenge was negative, suggesting a drug-specific effect of meloxicam rather than a class effect. Our case indicates a causative role for meloxicam and/or acute RRV in rhabdomyolysis

Safety assessment of the substance (butadiene, styrene, methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate) copolymer cross-linked with divinylbenzene or 1,3-butanediol dimethacrylate for use in food contact materials

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Safety assessment of the process ‘EREMA Recycling (MPR, Basic and Advanced technologies)’, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials

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Safety assessment of the mixture of methyl-branched and linear C14–C18 alkanamides, derived from fatty acids, for use in food contact materials

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Safety assessment of the substance phosphorous acid, mixed 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl and 4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl triesters for use in food contact materials

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