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Abstract: Stanozolol is one of the most frequently detected anabolic steroids in doping control samples. This compound is metabolized to a large extent and its metabolites can be detected in urine much longer than the parent compound. The main stanozolol metabolites are excreted in urine as glucuronide conjugates and 3′-hydroxy-stanozolol glucuronide (3STANG) is one of the most important in human urine. Therefore enzymatic hydrolysis is usually applied prior to extraction. In this article a method for the sensitive detection of intact 3′-hydroxy-stanozolol glucuronide, by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, is described. The method takes advantage of an easy and fast sample preparation based on a single solid-phase extraction avoiding enzymatic hydrolysis or derivatization. It allows to detect stanozolol abuse in human urine at 25pgmL−1. The method was validated according to Eurachem guidelines. The matrix effect, expressed as ion enhancement was +14%. The extraction recovery of the method was 93%. The limit of detection (LOD), whereby all WADA-criteria in chromatography and mass spectrometry are fulfilled, was determined at 50pgmL−1. Application of the method to an excretion study revealed that the 3′-hydroxy-stanozolol glucuronide could be confirmed for 10 days after oral administration of 2mg of stanozolol, prolonging detection times compared to other metabolites and methodologies by almost 50%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background/purpose: Tape stripping is commonly used to investigate the stratum corneum (SC). This study assesses if protein quantitative tape stripping method was suitable for human nails. Method: We used a colorimetric method to quantify proteins removed by the tape. Water barrier functions as a result of tape stripping were also observed by changes in transonychial water loss (TOWL) from the baseline. Results: Using tape stripping, we observed no difference between nails in the protein quantity removed by tape stripping ( P=0.39). The mean TOWL before and after tape stripping were 6.9 and 9.3 g/m2/h, respectively; this was significantly increased in tape stripped nails ( P<0.0001). Conclusion: Tape stripping seems to be an effective method to extract proteins from human nail plate and may aid the study of nail structure and function. Further studies are needed to extend our results in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Analyze the microbiological quality of reconstituted milk formulas and the surface hygiene in a hospital infant formula room, in the context of a worldwide emergence of Enterobacter sakazakii infections. Material and methods: Over 3.5 years, monthly samples of reconstituted milk formulas as well as quarterly infant formula room surface samples were taken for bacteriological analysis. Results: Of the 156 formulas analyzed, 54 carried microorganisms but no pathogenic bacteria. The presence of Bacillus species was found in 54% of the formulas for premature infants and in 19% of the other formulas (significant difference). Bacteria, probably brought by operators during reconstitution of the powdered formulas, were found in four of 156 samples (two negative-coagulase staphylococcus, one alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, and one Clostridium bifermentans). Surfaces were studied using 117 samples divided into 11 series: 4.3% of the points carried pathogenic bacteria (Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bulhkholderia cepacia, Staphylococcus aureus). Discussion: The presence of Bacillus species should be analyzed thoroughly so as to differentiate Bacillus cereus from other nonpathogenic species. The microbiological analysis techniques used for reconstituted infant formulas can be simplified. Conclusion: The quality of the infant formulas seems satisfactory. Hygiene practices provide good microbiological quality in reconstituted infant milk formulas. Microbiological monitoring of these preparations and the infant formula room surfaces is an important aspect of the quality assurance policy, which makes it possible to take corrective measures when an unsatisfactory result is found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]