Serum concentrations of itraconazole should be measured in patients receiving this drug to ensure that therapeutic concentrations are being achieved. This is necessary as drug absorption can be variable, and levels may be lowered by interactions with other drugs. The assay will give an indication of whether suitable blood levels have been achieved. - [Read Bioassay for Determining Itraconazole Levels in Blood]
Treating cells with paraformaldehyde leads to the establishment of chemical cross-links between free amino groups. When the cross-links join different molecules, a latticework of interactions occurs that holds the overall architecture of the cell together. Commercial formaldehyde solutions are not recommended, because they lack the advantages of using a variable-length polymer, and the cells will simultaneously be fixed with the alcohol (usually methanol). - [Read Fixing Attached Cells in Paraformaldehyde Protocol]
In recent years, the increased sensitivity of electron detectors and the availability of low-vacuum or variable-pressure systems have allowed imaging of fresh tissue samples without the need for fixation, drying, and coating. This obviously saves a lot of time, although the image quality may not be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. However, for most applications that tend to be at a relatively low magnification, the quality can be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. - [Read Imaging of Fresh Arabidopsis Tissues in the Scanning Electron Microscope]
In recent years, the increased sensitivity of electron detectors and the availability of low-vacuum or variable-pressure systems have allowed imaging of fresh tissue samples without the need for fixation, drying, and coating. This obviously saves a lot of time, although the image quality may not be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. However, for most applications that tend to be at a relatively low magnification, the quality can be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. - [Read Imaging of Fresh Arabidopsis Tissues in the Scanning Electron Microscope Protocol]