Isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of plasma adenosine

Summary Due to manifold physiological and cardioprotective actions of adenosine, the demand for a simple but accurate method to determine its concentration in plasma is increasing. The aim of this study was firstly to develop a simple isocratic method instead of the gradient elution or peak-shifting techniques used earlier and secondly to check conflicting data on the composition of stop-solution, added to the sample in order to prevent changes in adenosine concentration. Isocratic elution improved signal to noise ratio and concentrations of 100 mol L^–1 dipyridamole and 2.5 mol L^–1 erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine in the blood sample effectively prevented both adenosine formation and degradation, even without the use of a 5-ecto-nucleotidase inhibitor. Lowering the concentration of dipyridamole to 25 mol L^–1 caused more than a tenfold increase of adenosine concentration in two out of five cases and even 100 mol L^–1 dipyridamole alone is not sufficient to inhibit adenosine deaminase in blood samples.     

Photometric detection of cyclodextrins in liquid chromatography by using iodine generated electrochemically in-situ

A method has been developed for photometric detection of cyclodextrins (CD) in liquid chromatography using iodine (I₂) generated electrochemically in-situ. Iodide ion in the mobile phase was electrochemically oxidized to I₂ which was subsequently reacted with I^–, in an electrochemical flow cell, forming I₃^–. The absorbance of I₃^– was found to be greatly enhanced when CD were present in the mobile phase. The absorbance enhancement was caused by the change in the mole fraction of I₃^–, because of the inclusion reaction of I₃^– with CD. On the basis of this phenomenon, CD were detected by means of a photodiode-array UV–visible detector positioned downstream of the electrochemical flow cell. The signals were found to be linearly dependent on CD concentration. Because the formation constants of I₃^– with CD decrease in the order -CD>-CD>-CD, -CD was most detectable by the method. Detection limits were 1.0 mol L^–1 for -CD, 65 mol L^–1 for monoG1--CD, 100 mol L^–1 for -CD, and 200 mol L^–1 for -CD.     

Reaction of the Hexa-1,3,5-triyne Me3SiC≡CC≡CC≡CSiMe3 with Ru4(CO)13(μ 3-PPh): Parallels with the Chemistry of Alkynes and Diynes

Reaction of Ru₄(CO)₁₃(₃-PPh) (1) with the 1,3,5-hexatriyne Me₃SiCCCCC CSiMe₃ under mild thermal conditions affords initially Ru₄(CO)₁₀(-CO)₂{₄-¹,¹,²-P(Ph)C(CCSiMe₃)C(CCSiMe₃) (2), via the facile formation of a P–C bond in a manner similar to that demonstrated previously with alkynes and diynes. The 62-CVE cluster 2 readily decarbonylates to give crystallographically characterised Ru₄(CO)₁₀(-CO)(₄-PPh){₄-¹,¹,²,²-Me₃SiCCC₂CCSiMe₃} (3). Attempts to further incorporate the pendant alkyne moieties in 3 into the Ru₄ coordination environment were partially successful with Ru₄(CO)₁₀(₄-PPh)(₄-¹,¹,³,³-RC₄R') (4, R/R'=SiMe₃/CCSiMe₃) being formed as a minor product together with the unusual toluene coordinated species Ru₄(CO)₇(⁶-C₆H₅Me)(₄-PPh)(₄-¹,¹,³,³-Me₃SiC₄CCSiMe₄) (5). Cluster 3 reacts with an excess of Me₃SiCCCCCCSiMe₃ to give the open chain cluster Ru₄(CO)₉(₃-PPh){₄-²,²,⁴,⁴,-C₄(CCSiMe₃)(SiMe₃)C₄(CCSiMe₃)₃} (6).     

Chromotropic acid,a fluorogenic chelating agent for aluminium(III)

Complexation of aluminium(III) with the fluorogenic ligand chromotropic acid (4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid) has been revisited with the aim of using enhancement of the fluorescence intensity as an analytical tool. Complexation at the optimum pH4 was shown to lead to a 1:1 complex with a stability constant log ₁₁₀=18.4±0.7. The fluorogenic effect was thoroughly investigated. Nearly selective excitation of the chelate rather than the ligand could be achieved at wavelengths longer than 360 nm. For analytical purposes the main interfering ion was Ga³⁺. The strongest competing ligand was shown to be citric acid. Competitive complexation by acetate or formate ions can also make their use in a buffer at the usual concentration, 0.2 mol L^–1, questionable, whereas a 10^–2 mol L^–1 formic acid buffer was shown to be a good alternative. The calibration plot showed that the dependence of response on Al(III) concentration was linear up to 500 g L^–1; the detection limit was 0.65 g L^–1 (3SD _blank, n=10, SD=±1.4% at 10 g L^–1 and ±0.8% at 100 g L^–1). The analytical procedure was successfully applied to several samples of tap water and the results were in good agreement with those from AAS determination.     

Application of l-cysteine-capped nano-ZnS as a fluorescence probe for the determination of proteins

Nanometer-sized l-cysteine-capped ZnS particles have been synthesized and used as a fluorescence probe to investigate the effect of proteins on fluorescent intensity. With =190 nm, maximum and constant synchronous fluorescence enhancement was produced at 267 nm and pH 5.12 in the presence of proteins. A highly sensitive synchronous fluorescence method for the rapid determination of proteins has been developed. Under optimum conditions, calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.03–8.0 g mL^–1 for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 0.01–6.0 g mL^–1 for human serum albumin (HSA), 0.05–8.0 g mL^–1 for -globulin (-G), and 0.04–4.0 g mL^–1 for ovalbumin, respectively. The relative standard deviations of seven replicate measurements were 1.75% for 1.0 g mL^–1 BSA, 1.90% for 1.0 g mL^–1 HSA, 1.65% for 1.0 g mL^–1 -G, and 2.32% for 1.0 g mL^–1 ovalbumin.     

Nuclear interferences of uranium and thorium in a reactor neutron activation analysis determination of cerium using the radionuclides141Ce and143Ce

The interference contributions of uranium and thorium to the determination of cerium based on radionuclides¹⁴¹Ce and¹⁴³Ce produced by irradiation in a reactor core was determined. The values of the interference contributions for¹⁴¹Ce were 0.28±0.01 g Ce/g U and /2.01±0.05/x10^–3 g Ce/g Th, and for¹⁴³Ce 1.33±0.03 g Ce/g U and /9.0±0.2/x10^–3 g Ce/g Th.     

Determination of Benzimidazole Fungicides by HPLC with Fluorescence Detection After Micellar Extraction

An analytical method was developed to determine the benzimidazole fungicides and their residues (benomyl, carbendazim, thiabendazole and fuberidazole) in real water samples. Analyses were performed by reverse phase (RP) HPLC with direct fluorescence detection with mobile phase methanol:water, 40:60 (v/v) with 0.6% (v/v) ammonia. The extraction of analytes from water samples was performed with the use of micellar systems. Specifically, oligoethylene glycol monoalkyl ether (Genapol X-080) and polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE) were used as extractants. The recoveries of fungicides obtained in spiked water samples ranged from 68% to 94% for Genapol and from 68% to 96% for POLE. The limit of detection (LOD) was lower than 6 g L^–1 for carbendazim, 7 g L^–1 benomyl, 0.15 g L^–1 for thiabendazole and 0.01 g L^–1 for fuberidazole in both surfactants.     

Determination of pentachlorophenol residues in wine and corks by solvent extraction methodology and specific gas chromatography detection

Summary A gas chromatographic methodology with selective detection is presented for the analysis in wines and corks of pentachlorophenol residues, which are suspected to be the most likely precursors of some off-flavours described in several wine samples. After derivatisation, pentachlorophenol acetate residues were monitored by electrolytic conductivity detection and/or mass spectrometric detection in the selective ion mode at m/z 264 and 266. Recoveries varied from 80 to 96% for wine samples fortified with 5 to 100 g l^–1 and from 83 to 91% for corks (fortified at 25 to 100 g kg^–1). The proposed methodology allowed for a determination limit of g l^–1 for wine and 10 g kg^–1 for corks.     

Production of96Tc and95mTc via the93Nb(α, xn) Reactions

Relatively longer liver technetium tracers such as^95mTc (61 d) are useful for the development, evaluation and comparison of new technetium complexes for eventual development of^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. The feasibility of producing⁹⁶Tc (4.35 d) and^95mTc (61 d) was studied by the alpha bombardment of pure Nb targets (⁹³Nb-100%).⁹⁶Tc was obtained in a yield of 30 Ci/Ah using 16 MeV alphas, but it contained significant activity of⁹⁵Tc (20 h) Relatively pure⁹⁶Tc and^95mTc was produced in yields of 18 Ci/Ah and about 1 Ci/Ah respectively with alphas of suitable energy and after allowing for suitable cooling periods after the end of bombardment (EOB).     

Binuclear Osmium μ-Oxocarboxylate Complexes [Os2(μ-O)(μ-O2CR)2Cl4L2] (R = CH3, CCl3; L = PPh3, AsPh3) and Their Electrochemical Behavior in Dichloromethane

Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic coulometry techniques were used to determine how the redox properties of osmium binuclear -oxocarboxylates [Os₂ ^IV(-O)(-O₂CR)₂Cl₄L₂] (R = CH₃, CCl₃; L = PPh₃ and R = CH₃; L = AsPh₃) are influenced by the nature of the bridging carboxylate ligand RCOO^– and ligand L. It was shown that all compounds in solution of dichloromethane undergo two single-electron reduction processes. The data obtained were compared with the DFT calculations of the electronic structure of the model complexes [Os₂ ^IV(-O)(-O₂CR)₂Cl₄L₂] (R = CH₃, CCl₃; L = PH₃ and R = CH₃; L = AsH₃).     

Characterization of airborne particulates by laser microprobe mass analysis

Summary Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was applied to characterize aerosol particles collected and separated from 16m to 0.06m by a low pressure cascade impactor. Positive ion LAMMA spectra showed characteristic molecular peaks such as PbCl⁺, a series of Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ and NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, and TiO⁺ in 0.06–0.12m, 0.5–1m and 4–8m fraction, respectively. In the negative ion LAMMA spectra, it was observed that the fragment peaks of sulfate ions were deficient above 2m and those of nitrate ions were deficient under 2m. LAMMA allows remarkable insights into the chemical nature of aerosol particles.

---

Charakterisierung luftgetragener Teilchen durch Laser-Microprobe-Massenspektrometrie

Zusammenfassung Laser-Microprobe-Spektrometrie (LAMMS) wurde zur Analyse atmosphärischen Aerosols herangezogen, welches im Korngrößenbereich zwischen 16m und 0.06m mit einem Niederdruckkaskadenimpaktor fraktioniert gesammelt wurde. Positive LAMMS-Spektren zeigten charakteristische molekulare Peaks, wie etwa PbCl⁺, eine Serie von Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ und NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, sowie TiO⁺ in der 0,06–0,12-m,- 0,5–1–m- bzw. 4–8-m-Fraktion. In den negativen LAMMS-Spektren konnten über 2m keine Fragmentpeaks für Sulfationen, unter 2m. keine für Nitrationen beobachtet werden. LAMMS ermöglicht eine bemerkenswerte Einsicht in die chemische Natur von Aerosolteilchen.

     

Using enzymes isolated from diverse sources to determine metal ion cofactors

Oxidoreductases and hydrolases isolated from different sources (horseradish and peanut peroxidases, alcohol dehydrogenases from bakers yeast and horse liver, and alkaline phosphatases from Escherichia coli, chicken and seal intestine) were used to determine their metal ion cofactors: Fe(III), Zn(II) and Mg(II), respectively. Studying the effects of the metal ion cofactors on the catalytic activity of the enzymes of different origin showed that the extent of their inhibition, activation, or reactivation of their apoenzymes depended on the structure and accessibility of the enzyme active site, which varies among the biocatalysts isolated from different sources. The developed procedures are based on the inhibiting (Zn(II)) or activating (Mg(II)) effects of the metal ions on the catalytic activity of the enzymes, or on reactivating effects (Fe(III) and Zn(II)) on the apoenzymes. The procedures are characterized by high sensitivity and selectivity; the detection limits of Fe(III) using horseradish peroxidase, Zn(II) using alcohol dehydrogenase from bakers yeast, alkaline phosphatase from seal intestine and its apoenzyme, and Mg(II) using alkaline phosphatase from chicken intestine equal 10 ng L^–1, 20 ng L^–1, 3 g L^–1, 8 g L^–1 and 0.2 g L^–1, respectively.Presented at the 8th Symposium Kinetics in Analytical Chemistry, Rome, Italy, 5–8 July 2004.     

Fällungsanalyse im Mikrogrammbereich: Eine neue Methode

Zusammenfassung Eine neue Methode zur Durchführung gravimetrischer Bestimmungen im Mikrogrammbereich wurde beschrieben; diese beruht im wesentlichen darauf, daß der Niederschlag nicht mehr zusammen mit dem Filter, sondern nach Überführen mit einem geeigneten Lösungsmittel in einem separaten Wägegefäß gewogen wird.Die dazu nötigen Geräte und deren Herstellung wurden beschrieben. Nach dieser Methode wurden folgende Bestimmungen mit zufriedenstellender Richtigkeit durchgeführt: 2,5–25g Al, 5–50g Cu und 5–50g Zn mit Oxin, 2,5–25g Fe(III) und 2,5–25g Ti(IV) mit N-Benzoyl-phenylhydroxylamin, 5–50g Ni und 5–50g Cu mit Salicylaldoxim, 2,5–50g Co(II) und 2,5–50g Fe(III) mit -Nitroso--naphthol sowie 5–50g Chlorid als Silberchlorid.

---

Precipitation analysis in the microgram-scale: A new method

Summary A new method for gravimetric determinations in the microgram-scale is described. This method is based on the fact that the precipitate is not weighed together with the filter but is transferred to a separate weighingvessel using a suitable solvent. The necessary simple devices and their use are described. The following determinations were carried out with satisfying accuracy: 2,5–25g Al, 5–50g Cu and 5–50g Zn with Oxine, 2,5–25g Fe and 2,5–25g Ti withN-benzoylphenylhydroxylamine, 5–50g Ni and 5–50g Cu with salicylaldoxime, 2,52–50g Co and 2,5–50g Fe with -nitroso--naphthol and 5–50g chloride as silver chloride.

     

Development and Validation of an HPTLC–Densitometric Method for Determination of ACE Inhibitors

A high-performance thin layer chromatographic method coupled with densitometric analysis has been developed for measurement of benazepril and cilazapril, both pure and in their commercial dosage forms. The active substances were extracted from tablets with methanol (mean recovery 102%) and chromatographed on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ HPTLC plates in horizontal chambers with ethyl acetate–acetone–acetic acid–water, 8:2:0.5:0.5 (v/v), as mobile phase. Chromatographic separation of these ACE inhibitors was followed by UV densitometric quantitation at 215 nm. Calibration plots were constructed in the range 0.4 to 2.0 g L^–1 for benazepril (2.0–10.0 g spot^–1) and from 0.5 to 1.5 g L^–1 for cilazapril (4.0–12.0 g spot^–1) with good correlation coefficients (r 0.990). The method was used to determine benazepril and cilazapril in pharmaceutical preparations with satisfactory precision (1.4% < RSD < 5.6%) and accuracy (1.7 < RE < 5.1).     

Simultaneous capillary GC-MS determination of triazines and amides in water

Summary A simultaneous capillary Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric (GC-MS) method is described for the determination of thirteen pesticides belonging to the triazine and amide families in water. The sample is extracted in liquid-liquid mode (dichloromethane) and then the determination of the residues is carried out by capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in the Selected-Ion Monitoring mode (SIM). The average recoveries of spiked compounds are in the 78.4–135.4% range between the relative low level (0.100 g L^–1) and the relative high level (10.0 g L^–1). The limits of detection (LOD) are in the 0.009–0.128 g L^–1 range.     

Simultaneous determination of pentachlorophenol and carbaryl in water

Summary A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and Carbaryl in water is described. A 1 liter water sample is extracted with hexane after acidification with concentrated H₂SO₄. After evaporation to a small volume, the extract is analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, operating in the selected ion monitoring mode. Estimated detection limits are 0.08 g L^–1 for PCP and 0.11 g L^–1 for Carbaryl, with recoveries of 96% for PCP and 97% for Carbaryl.     

New cobalt trimethylacetate complexes with pyridine

The reaction of the tetranuclear trimethylacetate complex Co₄(₃-OH)₂(-OOCCMe₃)₄(²-OOCCMe₃)₂(EtOH)₆ with pyridine in acetonitrile was studied. Two new compounds, viz., the hexanuclear cobalt(ii) complex Co₆py₄(₃-OH)₂(-OOCCMe₃)₁₀ (25% yield) and the unusual ionic compound [Co₃py₃(₃-O)(-OOCCMe₃)₆]⁺[Co₄py(₄-O)(-OOCCMe₃)₇]^– (5% yield), were prepared. The structures of the new compounds were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

A toxic reagent-free method for normal-phase matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and reversed-phase liquid chromatographic determination of aldrin,dieldrin, and DDTs in animal fats

A method for the determination of aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, DDE, and DDD contamination in animal fats (beef tallow, lard, and chicken fat) without using toxic reagents is developed, that uses high-performance liquid chromatography after the sample has been prepared by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) with acidic alumina oxide. A reversed-phase C₁-silica column with a mobile phase of 50% (v/v) ethanol solution (in water) and a photo-diode array detector were used for the determination. Average recoveries of the target compounds (0.2–5.0 g g^–1) ranged from 84–98%, with coefficients of variation of <5%. The limits of quantitation were 0.16 g g^–1 for AD, 0.10 g g^–1 for DD, 0.06 g g^–1 for DDT, 0.07 g g^–1 for DDE, and 0.05 g g^–1 for DDD. No toxic reagents were used at all.     

Platinum concentration in silicone breast implant material and capsular tissue by ICP-MS

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of platinum (Pt) in silicone breast implant gel (range, 0.26–48.90 g g^–1 Pt; n=15), elastomer (range, 3.05–28.78 g g^–1 Pt; n=7), double lumen (range, 5.79–125.27 g g^–1 Pt; n=7), foam (range, 5.79–8.36 g g^–1 Pt; n=2), and capsular tissue (range, 0.003–0.272 g g^–1 Pt; n=15). The results show that very high levels of Pt are present in the encasing elastomer, double lumen, and foam envelope materials. Silicone breast implants can be a source of significant Pt exposure for individuals with these implants.     

The composition of volatile and particulate hydrocarbons in urban air

Summary The hydrocarbon composition of the particle and gas phases in the urban atmosphere has been studied by filtration and parallel adsorption on active charcoal and polyurethane foam (PUF). Gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been used for the analysis of the organic matter extracts obtained with each system. In the case of the particle and PUF samples these extracts were fractionated into aliphatic and aromatic compounds. This approach has allowed to identify up to 247 hydrocarbon molecules showing that C0–C5 alkylbenzenes are the major compounds in the charcoal extracts whereas C14–C23 n-alkanes, C0–C4 alkylnaphthalenes, C0–C4 alkylbiphenyls and C3–C5 alkylbenzenes are those predominantly found in the PUF materials. The particles essentially contain C17–C38 n-alkanes and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These qualitative differences are paralleled by a progressive concentration decrease from the more to the less volatile hydrocarbons. Thus, the total charcoal extracts average 80 g/m³, the PUF compounds represent 4 /m³ and the particle hydrocarbons 0.7 g/m³. These latter airborne materials are essentially composed of petrogenic residues 0.6 g/m³ (aliphatic fraction) whereas the pyrolytic PAH only involve 0.08 g/m³.