trends in analytical chemistry, ~01.5, no. a,1986 XI

subject of a workshop held in May 1986 on the campus of McGill Uni- versity in Montreal, Canada, under the sponsorship of the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA).

scope to the meteorological data that are currently available worldwide as a result of the efforts of the World Meteorological Organization.

CODATA is an interdisciplinary committee of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) that seeks to improve the quality, re- liability, management, and accessi- bility of data of importance to all fields of science and technology. It is involved with the preparation of evaluated key data sets that are needed by various international con- stituencies. It has been working to establish format standards for im- proving international compatibility of databases, to provide guidelines for the presentation of data in the primary literature, and to supply in- formation on sources of reliable data. This CODATA-sponsored workshop addressed a variety of is- sues related to data on air, water, and soils as well as data management problems that need to be addressed in order to make data more readily available and more valuable to a va- riety of possible end-users.

There were two general ap- proaches discussed regarding how data compatibility and exchangeabil- ity could be enhanced. The first would be to greatly expand the de- velopment and implementations of standard methods for taking and ana- lyzing environmental samples. For many variables, sampling and analyt- ical methods are sufficiently well de- veloped and understood such that standardization of practice in their use, calibration, and data reduction methods could be accomplished in the near term future. This situation is particularly true for data taken to de- termine compliance of emissions or ambient conditions with legislative or regulatory standards. There are differences between various coun- tries in the standards that are set and therefore differences in what varia- bles are measured as well as how the measurements are to be made. How- ever, it is an area where active inter- national efforts at developing more uniform standards and measurement practices could yield important shared environmental data similar in

However, for many important en- vironmental variables, the methods of measurement are still an area of active research and the applications of these methods in the field or on real samples still are in the devel- opment and testing stage. Thus, standardization is not possible. It is possible, however, to enhance the utility and exchangeability of these research data by encouraging re- searchers to develop and apply rigor- ous quality assurance problems as an integral part of any method devel- opment effort. In addition the quali- ty of documentation also needs to be improved so that subsequent users of the data can fully determine how the experiments were made, what efforts were made to insure the data quality, and how the data were manipulated to reach the stage at which they are now. Furthermore, there is a critical need to make existing data more ac- cessible to the environmental science community. Many times it is difficult or impossible to know that data have been taken, are available, and could be employed to test hypotheses, as inputs to models, to compare with other studies of analogous systems, etc. It was suggested that there should be the development of a cen- tral directory in which information regarding the existence of data sets, what was measured on what environ- mental systems/materials, and how to get access to those data. As part of

this directory, there could be an indi- cator of the quality of data docu- mentation. Previous workshops2V3 have been held to discuss the devel- opment of systems to give quality in- dicators to the documentation. To determine the quality of the data it- self would be an overwhelming task, but it may be possible to evaluate the documentation that accompanies the data and as such would be a useful addition to a data director.

The problem of international com- patibility is an important one. Im- provements in the utility of expen- sive data gathering efforts by making data more credible and more easily distributed would be of enormous help to the understanding of complex environmental systems.

References 1 GSF, Improvement and Harmonisa-

tion of Environmental Measurement, Report from Gesellschaft ftir Strahlen- und Unweltforschung mbH, Mun- then, 1985.

2 CMA, Workshop on Data Quality In- dicators: Summary Report and Recom- mendations, Feb. 10-12, 1982, Gaithersburg, MD, Chemical Man- ufacturers Association, Washington, DC, 1982, pp. 61.

3 CMA, Workshop on Data Documenta- tion Quality Indicators: Summary Pro- ceedings and Recommendations, Chemical Manufacturers Association, Washington, DC, 1984.

Professor Philip K. Hopke is at the Insti- tute for Environmental Studies, I005 W. Western Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, U.S.A.

meeting report

Analytica 86 - the Conference

A report on the 10th International Exhibition with International Con-

Although biotechnology and genetic engineering are playing increasingly

important roles, Analytica is still a centre for the entire field of modern analytics. The scientific program consisted of 10 symposia on analyti- cal methods and applications, an ex- hibition of about 120 posters, the An- alytica Forum with more than 70 lec- tures from the exhibiting industry, and the display ‘Analytica Historica’,

XII trends in analytical chemistry, vol. 5, nb. 8,1986

covering developments since 1968. Since there were many parallel ses- sions this report is necessarily con- fined to the author’s primary inter- est, subjects related to environ- mental analytical chemistry.

Analysis of water quality (sympo- sium 6)

In the field of water chemistry practicality is needed and presents a great challenge to analysts. Day-to- day monitoring of a large number of undesirable substances in miniscule traces must be easily applicable. Ap- propriate parameters must be se- lected that are ecologically, toxico- logically and technologically rele- vant to guarantee widest possible utility. Dietz (Essen) reported work covering 69,000 determinations in over 28,000 water samples in 1985 (73% were made with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and 18% with flame atomic absorption spec- troscopy (FAAS)). He has made progress by using the improved ICP-mass spectrometry (MS) method. Frimmel (Munich) dis- cussed the determination of inorga- nically and organically bound hetero- atoms (S, Cl, N, P, Hg, and Sn, espe- cially the latter three being substan- tially bound to organic material), sometimes also using pre-extraction and, in the case of NTA analysis, es- terification with n-butanol acetyl- chloride. Wagner (Stuttgart) and Sontheimer (Karlsruhe) (who re- ceived the Rhineland prize) reported on total and group parameters (chemical and biochemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon), which may be more meaningful than investigations of all possible metabo- lites, and of their reaction products with natural materials. Lange (Diis- seldorf) demonstrated new test sys- tems for water analysis, and Moller (Hogenas) informed on a new mod- ule for microvolume extractions based on the flow injection principle, and on the determination of alumini- urn.

Analytical advances in forensic and clinical toxicology

Analysis of body fluids and biolog- ical tissues was discussed in sympo-

sium 8, taking into account the possi- ble presence of a wide range of po- tential poisons and drugs, which gives rise to special problems when looking for unknown and/or unex- pected toxins. Brandenberger (Zu- rich) discussed immunochemical an- alytical determinations, new extrac- tion methods, chromatography with packed and capillary columns, and new spectrometric identification methods: a combination of electron ionization (EI) (70 eV), of positive chemical ionization (CI) (CH,), and of negative CI (CH,) opens interest- ing possibilities. Machata (Vienna) determined solvents (including alco- hol and ethers) and gases in blood, serum, urine, beer, wine, and espe- cially in exhaled air. Geldmacher- von Mallinckrodt (Erlangen) re- ported on the analysis of pesticide residues in the body (including im- munologic tests) and gave practical advice, e.g. on derivatisation and on detection. Angerer (Hamburg) is an expert in measuring concentrations in biological materials, for instance, toluene and xylene in the blood of lacquerers, or of chromates in eryth- rocytes of welders. Von Clarmann (Munich) made distinctions in diag- nosis (which must often be revised) between exposure to a known poi- son, to an unknown poison, and dis- eases where intoxication is sus- pected.

Chromatographic methods New techniques in clinical analyti-

cal chemistry were presented. Wer- muth (Darmstadt) explained the Prepbar system for separation of higher amounts of substances by HPLC. Huber (Waldbronn) identi- fied 16 representative polycyclic aro- mates in wood and coal combustion exhausts, and in urban atmospheric samples. In another Forum session chromatographic systems for identi- fication of 3H and 14C containing sub- stances were discussed. A special poster discussion was devoted to chromatographic separation methods, where Schmid (Vienna) demontrated a new ‘closed on-col- umn’ injector for hot ‘on-column’ in- jection (avoiding separation) in cap- illary gas chromatography. Specific techniques for nucleoside, catechol-

amine, neurotransmitter, blockers, and immunosuppressive agent detec- tions were explained in other post- ers. Schatowitz (Hamburg) has de- termined carbolic acids in serum with GC after derivatization with benzyl- bromide, and Englmaier has identi- fied plant cyclitols and polyols after trifluoracetyl derivatization.

Inorganic analytical chemistry, electrochemical methods, and carrier-bound reagents (sympo- sium 10)

In Forum sessions multielement analysis (AAS, ICP) was discussed and new titration processors were demonstrated. A new revolutionary development is that of carrier-bound systems (which, unlike electrodes, cannot desiccate) which are suitable for miniaturization. Chemtex-ion se- lective PVC membranes allow eight elements to be determined with one chip, and can even be useful to con- trol implantations in the body. Keller (St. Gallen) and Wisser (Stuttgart) compared Ektachrom DT 60, Sera- lyzer and Reflotron in practical ap- plications [Fresenius’ Z. Anal. Chem., 324 (1986) 240-2431. A dis- posable Ektachrom DT electrode slide for potassium analysis consists of a polyester support layer, a silver layer, a silver chloride layer, a refer- ence layer of KC1 in gelatine, an ion- selective membrane with valinomy- tin, and a paper bridge. The slide is placed on a carrier and pushed into the analyzer. Pipettes automatically dispense 10 ,ul of a patient’s sample and 10 ~1 of a known standard elec- trolyte solution (which leads within 20 s to liquefying of the two con- nected half cells), and the analyzer automatically processes the slide, and prints out test results. The spreading layer plays an important role. Many similar slides are now available to determine other ele- ments, glucose, amino acids, en- zymes, and other clinical indicators [see also H. Wisser, J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem., 24 (1986) 147-1541.

Sequence analysis of proteins, enzymatic analysis, analysis in cell biology

Symposium 4 was devoted to lipid analysis, and symposium 7 to cell bio-

trends in bnalytical chemistry, vol. 5, no. 8,1986

logy and biochemical reaction mech- anisms. Boehringer Mannheim GmbH presented new detergents for membrane research.

Wittman-Liebold (Berlin-Dahl- em), M.W. Hunkapiller (Foster City, CA) and L.E. Hood (Califor- nia Institute of Technology) received the Biochemical Analysis Prize 1986 for their development of a rapid sys- tem for sequence analysis of proteins in micro scales. The automated rou- tine technique consists in gene isola- tion, structure determination, and provides basic knowledge for specific gene technology (e.g. recognizing tu- mor generating factors, technical production of proteins and immuniz- ing substances). Edman degradation (to separate one amino acid in a pro- tein after the other), high-perfor- mance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrophoresis, and better understanding of stereometric pro- tein structures are auxiliary means.

Schuster (Waldbronn) reported in a Forum session on combined pre- column derivatization (before liquid chromatography), to differentiate between primary and secondary ami- no acids.

Symposium 1 covered the molec- ular basis of the immune response. Diversity (and its identification) in variable chromosome and gene re- gions, class I heavy chains and class II heavy and light chains, and chro- mosomal walking were discussed in detail. According to Zachau (Mu- nich) a ‘cosmic library’ is combined in the human kapa locus (amplifica- tion and jumping determine cluster structures).

A poster session on enzymatic analysis was also held. Koeniger (Munich) has improved phospholi- pase A activity determination in sera of intensive care patients (a short term warning test), and Kleesiek (Aachen) discussed a new specific marker to recognize cartilage de- struction (chondroitin synthesis shows its highest activity in patients with arthritis). Besides presentations of other enzyme determinations, Polster (Munich) discussed the sta- bility of the herbicide Dinoseb (2,4- dinitro-6-isopropyl-phenol) and its acetate. Classen (Bonn) has com- pared enzymatic and ion-chromato-

graphic determinations of urinary oxalate, and Beutler (Tutzing) de- scribed a new enzymatic method (using nitrate reductase in highly pu- rified form) for the determination of nitrate in food.

Synthetic biology, transduction by receptors, genetic defects, growth factors

Symposium 5 was devoted to onco- genes and growth factors, and sym- posium 9 to phosphoinosites and in- tracellular signal transduction. Some highlights at Analytica 86 were re- lated to gene diagnostics, because the earlier a disease is detected, the better are the chances of curing it. Looking at chromosomes under a mi- croscope or better making a ‘carrier analysis’ on specific genetic situa- tions allow for instance detection of hereditary diseases before birth. 400 diseases are already known to result from just one defective gene. Gassen (Darmstadt) explained differences between the double helix and single chains (negative loading, comple- mentary ions, analytical possibilities, the dissociation temperature T,, at which DNA separates, selectivity of single chains in determining fitting). Lang (Darmstadt) discussed the pos- sibilities and limitations of gene anal- ysis. Restriction enzymes open the new way to developments, but bio- logical factors must be considered along with methodological factors. It is now possible to detect incompati- bility with drugs, to associate anoma- lous immunological patterns with some malignant diseases, and to pre- dict some risks for leukemia, chro- mosome translocations, gene ampli- fications, and infections by specific staphylococcus strains with gene probes. Possibilities for predicting occupational and environmental re- lated diseases are however still small, and it is unlikely that a human short term test for mutagenicity test- ing of drugs and environmental chemicals by gene analysis will be de- veloped. There are also ethical limi- tations in gene analysis (especially in detecting heriditary diseases in fami- lies and before birth), and the pro- tection of data and human discrimi- nation may cause some problems. Schmidtke (G8ttingen) discussed in-

XIII

formativity in detection of polymor- phism in DNA-diagnosis of families (it is often difficult to get statistical evidence), while Grzeschik (Miinster) and Sperling (Berlin) ex- plained the use of human gene map- ping (including chromosome librar- ies) for interpretation of polymor- phism. The goal of pathology is to de- tect unhealthy transformations in the neighborhood of genes. In the Feder- al Republic of Germany 30,000 gene analyses are made annually in the 9th to 13th week of pregnancy. Some- times it is also possible to recognize multifactorial diseases in children or adults (e.g. diabetes or changes of the aorta) if monogenic causes play a role.

Winnacker (Martinsried-Munich) gave a plenary lecture on synthetic biology. Some natural substances (such as insulin) that occur only in very low concentrations are now pro- duced on a larger scale, for instance in microbes. But biotechnology also allows the synthesis of new sub- stances (not present in nature) with new sequences and new factors, such as a,-antitrypsin and its changed de- rivatives. A new microbial indigo synthesis and a total synthesis of vita- min C has been described. New ste- reo isomeric antibiotics have also been produced microbially with new gene sequences. Mathematical pre- diction of structures is a new devel- opment, and antibodies may be transformed into enzymes. Of course, there are also risks involved in these developments, and new management needs are resulting.

ERNEST MERIAN

Dr. E. Merian’s address is Im Kirsgarten

22, CH-4106 Therwil, Switzerland.

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