Measurement of unbound cocaine in blood, brain and bile of anesthetized rats using microdialysis coupled with liquid chromatography and verified by tandem mass spectrometry

To investigate the disposition of unbound cocaine in the rat blood, brain and bile, we demonstrate an in vivo multiple sampling microdialysis system coupled with liquid chromatography for cocaine assay and verified by tandem mass spectrometry. Three microdialysis probes were concurrently inserted into the jugular vein, bile duct and brain striatum of each anesthetized rat. After a period of 2 h post-surgical stabilization, cocaine (10 mg kg(-1)) was administered through the femoral vein. Separation of unbound cocaine from various biological fluids was applied to a reversed-phase C(18) column (250 x 4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile--10 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (25:75, v/v, pH 4.0) and 0.8% diethylamine at a flow rate of 1 mL min(-1). The UV detector wavelength was set at 235 nm. The results indicate that cocaine penetrates the blood--brain barrier with a rapid distribution. However, unbound cocaine in the bile dialysate was not detectable in the UV detection. We therefore use LC--tandem mass spectrometry to detect the bile fluid after cocaine administration (3 mg kg(-1), i.v.). The results indicate that cocaine goes through hepatobiliary excretion.     

Pt‐Nanoparticle Incorporated Carbon Paste Electrode for the Determination of Cu(II) Ion by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Pt‐nanoparticles were synthesized and introduced into a carbon paste electrode (CPE), and the resulting modified electrode was applied to the anodic stripping voltammetry of copper(II) ions. The synthesized Pt‐nanoparticles were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques to confirm the purity and the size of the prepared Pt‐nanoparticles (ca. 20 nm). This incorporated material seems to act as catalysts with preconcentration sites for copper(II) species that enhances the sensitivity of Cu(II) ions to Cu(I) species at a deposition potential of ?0.6 V in an aqueous solution. The experimental conditions, such as, the electrode composition, pH of the solution, pre‐concentration time, were optimized for the determination of Cu(II) ion using as‐prepared electrode. The sensitivity changes on the different binder materials and the presence of surfactants in the test solution. The interference effect of the coexisted metals were also investigated. In the presence of surfactants, especially TritonX‐100, the Cu(II) detection limit was lowered to 3.9×10^?9 M. However, the Pt‐nanoparticle modified CPE begins to degrade when the period of deposition exceeds to 10 min. Linear response for copper(II) was found in the concentration range between 3.9×10^?8 M and 1.6×10^?6 M, with an estimated detection limit of 1.6×10^?8 M (1.0 ppb) and relative standard deviation was 4.2% (n=5).     

Chemical Constituents from the Root of Antidesma Pentandrum var. Barbatum

Investigation of the root extract of Antidesma pentandrum var. barbatum led to the isolation of seven new compounds, antidesmol ( 1 ), antidesmanins E ( 2 ) and F ( 3 ), antidesnone ( 4 ), antidesnol ( 5 ), barbatumols A ( 6 ) and B ( 7 ), together with 14 known compounds including sodium aristolochate‐I ( 10 ) and aristolochic acid‐I methyl ester ( 11 ).     

An in vitro Study on Transition from NO-Hemoglobin to Methemoglobin： Oxygen Effect

The nitrosyl-hemoglobin (HbNO) is the carrier of nitric oxide (NO) which is the important messenger molecule displaying multiple physiologic and pathophysiologic roles. However it is still not clear for the fate of HbNO molecules during the venous-arterial transit. In this letter, the HbNO transition in vitro was studied by using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. It was found that HbNO molecules were stable when oxygen did not exist in the system but not stable in aerobic conditions. The absorption spectra further revealed that the methemoglobin (metHb) was the product of HbNO in aerobic environment, showing that the HbNO changed to metHb when there were enough oxygen molecules in the system.     

THE REACTION OF AROMATIC ALDEHYDES WITH p-NITROBENZYLLIBUTYLTELLURONIUM BROMIDE BY PHASE TRANSFER CATALYSIS

Under the condition of solid-liquid phase transfer catalysis,olefins were obtained by the reaction of p-nitrobenzyldibutyltelluroniumbromide with aromatic aldehyde.Under the condition of liquid-liquid phasetransfer catalysis,however,different products were obtained due to thereactivity of different bases or aldehydes.     

Separation of Dyes from Aqueous Solutions by Paper Adsorption

Separation of the dyes methyl violet, methylene blue, and congo red from aqueous solutions by paper capillary permeation adsorption method was studied using paper. Nearly 100% of the investigated dyes could be separated under the optimum conditions. The effect of pH on the separation efficiency was studied in particular. At pH 5–9, 1.3–11, and 7–11, the maximum separation was achieved for methyl violet, methylene blue and congo red, respectively. The effects of dye concentration and some foreign ions on the separatability were examined. Moreover, the selective separation of some dyes was attempted by elution with chemical reagents.     

Three New Serratane Triterpenoids from Phlegmariurus squarrosus

Three new serratane triterpenoids, (3α,14α,15α,21α)‐3,14,15,21,29‐pentahydroxyserratan‐24‐oic acid ( 1 ), (3α,21β)‐serrat‐14‐ene‐3,21,24,30‐tetraol ( 2 ), and (3α,21α)‐serrat‐14‐ene‐3,21,24,29‐tetraol ( 3 ), were isolated from Phlegmariurus squarrosus, together with eight known compounds. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of in‐depth spectroscopic analyses.     

Nitrophenol Derivatives Oxidized by Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) and Their Cytotoxicity

Oxidation of a series of phenols with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) in acetonitrile under mild conditions yields the mixture of corresponding nitrophenols. In the cases of methylphenols and hydroxy ‐carboxylic acids, the steric effect may reduce the nitration reaction. Compounds 3a and 4b showed selective activities to Hep 3B and Hep G2 cancer cell lines, respectively. Compound 2c showed selective activities to Hep G2 and MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, compound 10b showed selective activities to Hep G2, Hep 3B, MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cell lines.