Harry P. Hopkins

Determining lead sources in Mexico using the lead isotope ratio

OBJECTIVEnLead poisoning can, in some cases, be traced to a specific route or source of exposure on the basis of the individuals blood lead isotope ratio. To assess the major source of lead exposure among women residing in Mexico City, we compared blood, ceramic, and gasoline lead isotope ratios.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnThe study population, randomly selected from participants of a large trial, (1/1996-12/1996) comprised of 16 women whose lead levels exceeded 10 micrograms/dl and who reported using lead-glazed ceramics. Lead isotope ratios were performed on a Perkin Elmer 5000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) interfaced with a Perkin Elmer HGA-600MS Electrothermal Vaporization System (ETV).nnnRESULTSnThe isotope ratios (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb) of both the blood specimens and their corresponding ceramic specimens were highly correlated, with r = 0.9979, r2 = 0.9958, r = 0.9957, r2 = 0.9915 and r = 0.9945, r2 = 0.9890 values for the three isotope ratios, respectively, suggesting that the lead exposure most likely resulted from the use of these ceramic. Measurements of lead isotope ratios from leaded gasoline in use at the time of blood sampling, differed from those in blood and ceramics.nnnCONCLUSIONSnDetermining lead isotope ratios can be an efficient tool to identify a major source of lead exposure and to support the implementation of public health prevention and control measures. This paper is available too at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.

Temperature-induced formation of a non-native intermediate state of the all β-sheet protein CD2

Domain 1 of the cell adhesion protein CD2 (CD2-1) has an all β-structure typical of proteins belonging to the immunoglobin superfamily. It has a remarkable, ability to fold as a native monomer or a metastable intertwined dimer. To understand the origin of structural rearrangements of CD2-1, we have studied equilibrium unfolding of the protein using various biophysical spectroscopic techniques. At temperatures above approx 68°C, a partially folded state of CD2-1 (H state) with a distinct secondary structure, involving largely exposed aromatic and hydrophobic residues and a substantially perturbed tertiary structure, is observed. In contrast, an unfolded state (D state) of CD2-1 with random-coil-like secondary and tertiary structures is observed in 6 M GuHCl. This partially folded high-temperature state has increased negative molar ellipticity at 222 nm in far-ultraviolet CD spectra, implying formation of a non-native helical conformation. The existence of this non-native high-temperature intermediate is consistent with relatively high intrinsic helical propensities in the primary sequence of CD2-1. This conformation flexibility may be important in the observed domain swapping of CD2-1.

Heat capacity changes for the lonization of aqueous phenols at 25°C

AbstractThe apparent molal heat capacitiesn

Transfer gibbs free energies from H2O to CH3OH for a series of substituted phenyltropylium ions, Malachite Green, and Crystal Violet

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Comparison of Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding to calmodulin. An enthalpy, entropy, and gibbs free energy analysis

n have been determined at 25°C for phenol,meta-nitrophenol,para-nitrophenol,meta-cyanophenol, andpara-cyanophenol and the corresponding sodium salts in water at several concentrations. These values have been extrapolated to infinite dilution to provide then

THERMODYNAMICS OF DNA TRIPLEX FORMATION IN OLIGOMERS WITH AND WITHOUT CYTOSINE BASES : INFLUENCE OF BUFFER SPECIES, PH, AND SEQUENCE

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