Determination of organic and inorganic mercury species in water and sediment samples by HPLC on-line coupled with ICP-MS

This paper describes a preconcentration method for Hg²⁺ and MeHg⁺ in water samples using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate immobilized in polyurethane foam (PU-NaDDC) and an extraction method for several mercury species in sediment samples, including MeHg⁺, EtHg⁺ and PhHg⁺, which is simple, rapid, and uses a single organic solvent. Separation and measurement were done by high-performance liquid chromatography on-line with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC/ICP-MS). Initially, the test of recovery was applied using procedures compatible with HPLC. Under the optimum extraction conditions, recoveries of 96.7, 96.3 and 97.3% were obtained for MeHg⁺, EtHg⁺, and PhHg⁺, respectively, from n = 4 spiked sediment samples. This study also demonstrates that the combination of solid-phase extraction on PU-NaDDC with HPLC separation and ICP-MS detection is an effective preconcentration procedure for simultaneous measurement of Hg²⁺ and MeHg⁺ at ultra-trace levels in water samples. The application of the proposed procedure to the determination of mercury species in drinking water sample was investigated. The proposed method clearly gave satisfactory average recoveries between 93.7 and 101.5%.     

Direct determination of aluminium in serum and urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using ruthenium as permanent modifier

Ruthenium (Ru), thermally deposited on a integrated platform graphite furnace, was investigated as a permanent modifier for the determination of Aluminum (Al) in blood serum and urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The platform was treated with 500 μg of Ru as previously described. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for each material were of 1300 and 2300 °C, for serum sample and of 1000 and 2400 °C, for urine. The characteristic mass were of 31 and 33 pg for Al in serum sample and urine, respectively (recommended of 31 pg for Al in nitric acid 0.2% (v/v)). For this reason, the calibration was made with aqueous solutions for both the samples. Calibration curves presented r of 0.99145 and 0.99991 for serum and urine, respectively. With the optimized temperatures, being analyzed eight spiked blood serum samples, the recovery was between 95.90 and 113.50%. Two certified urines samples were analyzed with good agreement between experimental and reference values. In both the samples the R.S.D. were <5% (n=3). The detection limit (k=3, n=10) was of 0.40 μg of Al per liter for both the samples. The absorption pulses obtained were symmetrical, with very low background and without interferences. The life time of the tube-platform was higher than 600 cycles of atomizations for both the urine and serum samples.     

Rapid one-step whole blood C–reactive protein magnetic permeability immunoassay with monoclonal antibody conjugated nanoparticles as superparamagnetic labels and enhanced sedimentation

A rapid (5.5 min) one-step whole blood C–reactive protein (CRP) magnetic permeability immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibody conjugated dextran iron oxide nanoparticles (70 nm) as superparamagnetic labels and mixed fractions (1:1 ratio of 15–40 and 60 μm) of polyclonal anti-CRP conjugated silica microparticles for enhanced sedimentation is described. In this one-step assay procedure, a whole blood sample (4 μl) is applied to an assay glass vial, containing both antibody conjugates, and mixed for 30 s. The target analyte, CRP, forms a sandwich complex between the conjugated nanoparticles and microparticles, and, subsequently, the complex sediments under normal gravitation within 5 min to the bottom of the vial. The magnetic permeability increase of the sediment due to the presence of the complexed superparamagnetic nanoparticles is determined using an inductance-based transducer. Assayed patient whole blood samples were compared with the Abbott Diagnostics Architect reference method. A strong linear correlation was observed for the CRP concentration range 0–260 mg/l in whole blood (y=1.001x+0.42, R ²=0.982, n=50). The CRP assay presented showed a limit of detection of 3 mg/l and a total imprecision (coefficient of variation) of 10.5%. On the basis of our observations, we propose a rapid, one-step, CRP assay for near-patient testing.     

Simultaneous determination of mercury(II), copper(II) and bismuth(III) in urine by flow constant-current stripping analysis with a gold fibre electrode

Urine samples are treated with concentrated nitric acid and potassium permanganate ar 70°C for 10 min prior to injection. The flow electrode system consists of a 10-μm diameter gold fibre working electrode, a glassy carbon reference electrode and a platinum counter electrode. In the fully automated constant-current stripping procedure, the gold fibre is first covered with a fresh gold film after which the sample is electrolyzed for 1 min prior to stripping in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid with a current of 0.1μA. The procedure is repeated on a spiked sample after which the sample analyte concentrations are evaluated and presented digitally and graphically on a printer/plotter. The results obtained for bismuth, copper and mercury in a urine reference sample were 36.9, 39.7 and 47.7 μg l^?1 with standard deviations (n=10) of 3.2, 4.2 and 2.1, respectively. The certified values for copper and mercury were 45 and 51 μg l^?1; no certified value was available for bismuth.     

Biosensor system for continuous glucose monitoring in fish

A biosensor system was developed for continuous estimation of blood glucose in fish. Because it is difficult to measure blood components in real-time due to decreased sensor output resulting from blood coagulation and coalescing blood proteins at the sensor placement site, we used the eyeball scleral interstitial fluid (EISF) as the site of sensor implantation. Evaluation of the relationship between EISF and blood glucose concentrations revealed that the blood glucose concentration correlated closely with the EISF glucose concentration (y = 2.2996 + 0.9438x, R = 0.960, n = 112). To take advantage of the close correlation between blood and EISF glucose, we prepared a needle-type enzyme sensor for implantation in the fish sclera using a flexible wire electrode. The sensor provided a rapid response, good linearity, and reproducibility. Continuous glucose monitoring could be carried out by implanting this needle-type glucose sensor onto the eye. The findings indicated that the glucose concentration increased with sensor output current over time, and that changes in the blood glucose were continuously reflected in the EISF. The glucose concentration was estimated based on the one-point or two-point calibration methods. The two-point calibration method yielded the most accurate glucose monitoring (blood glucose range of 70-420 mg dL⁻¹) over 160 min. Sensor-estimated glucose and whole blood glucose values were highly correlated (y = 0.4401 + 0.8656x, R = 0.958).     

Neutron Diffraction Study on the Structure of Aqueous LiNO3 Solutions

Neutron diffraction measurements were carried out at 25 °C for aqueous LiNO₃ heavy water solutions, (*LiNO₃) _x (D₂O)_1?x where x = 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01, in which the ⁶Li/⁷Li isotopic ratios were varied. Structural information on intermolecular nearest neighbor Li⁺···D₂O interactions in the extensive concentration range was derived from the first-order difference function, ?_Li(Q), obtained from the difference in scattering cross sections between ⁶Li- and ⁷Li-enriched sample solutions. The nearest neighbor Li⁺···O distance and coordination number for sample solution with x = 0.1 were determined to be r _LiO = 1.969 (8) Å and n _LiO = 4.12 (6), respectively, corresponding to the four-coordinated Li⁺ ion in the solution. On the other hand, those obtained for the solution with x = 0.01 are r _LiO = 2.00 (2) Å and n _LiO = 6.0 (2), respectively, indicating that hexaaqua Li⁺ is dominant in the dilute solution. These results clearly indicate that a concentration dependence of the hydration number of Li⁺ occurs in the aqueous solutions.     

Megawatt UV laser photolysis of disiloxanes: thermally stable polyoxocarbosilane powders

Megawatt ArF laser irradiation of gaseous disiloxanes [(CH₃)_nH_3−nSi]₂O, n=1,2,3 results in chemical vapour deposition of nano-sized polyoxocarbosilane powders that have large surface area, possess all possible SiC_xH_yO_z (x+y+z=4) configurations, contain SiH bonds and possess unpaired electron in orbital of Si atoms. The powders show superior thermal stability by losing only several weight per cent upon heating to 750 °C.     

Formation of mixed Fe-Mo oxo clusters in the gas phase

Reactions of oxygen-containing molybdenum clusters Mo_xO_y (x = 1–3, y = 1–9) with iron carbonyl ions Fe(CO) _n ⁺ (n = 1–3) were studied by the ion cyclotron resonance technique. The reactions were found to yield mixed Fe-Mo oxo clusters Mo_xO_yFe⁺ (x = 2, 3; y = 5, 6, 8, 9).     

Determination of Mercury in Urine and Seawater by Flow Injection Vapor Generation Isotope Dilution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

A simple and inexpensive laboratory-built vapor generator was used with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of mercury in urine and seawater samples. The applications of vapor generation ICP-MS alleviated the non-spectroscopic interferences and the sensitivity problem of mercury determination encountered when the conventional pneumatic nebulizer was used for sample introduction. The concentration of mercury was determined by isotope dilution method. The isotope ratio of mercury was calculated from the peak areas of each injection peak. The repeatability of the peak areas and isotope ratio determinations of seven consecutive injections of 1 ng mL^?1 Hg solution were 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively. This method has a detection limit of 0.07 ng mL^?1 for mercury. This method was applied to determine mercury in a CASS-3 nearshore seawater reference sample, NASS-4 open ocean seawater reference sample, NIST SRM 2670 freeze-dried urine reference sample and several urine and seawater samples collected from National Sun Yat-Sen University. The results for the reference samples agreed satisfactorily with the reference values. Results for other samples analyzed by the isotope dilution method and the method of standard additions agreed satisfactorily. Precision was better than 10% for most of the determinations.     

Routine clinical determination of lead,arsenic, cadmium,and thallium in urine and whole blood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

For the measurement of As, Cd, Pb, and Tl in urine or whole blood, judicious choices of internal standard elements for matrix correction and the development of a refined isobaric arsenic correction are necessary to produce accurate ICP-MS results. Ga and Rh are chosen as internal standards for As and Cd respectively. Bi is better for the correction of Pb and Tl than Re. An empirically derived equation relating the measurement of ¹⁶O³⁵Cl to the ⁴⁰Ar³⁵Cl contribution to the arsenic signal at mass 75 is refined by measuring the responses at mass 51 and 75 for urines with added hydrochloric acid. Overall, ICP-MS results for blood and urine are within 6% of Zeeman GFAAS results for patient samples. For surveys, the overall average of ICP-MS results is within 3% of target.     

Preparation and thermoelectric properties of AgPbmSbSem+2 materials

Hydrothermally synthesized AgPb_mSbSe_m+2 (m=10, 12, 16, 18) nanoparticles with diameters of 20-50 nm were compacted by pressureless sintering. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of the samples were measured from room temperature up to ∼750 K. The samples show large and positive values of the Seebeck coefficient and moderate electrical conductivity. The thermoelectric properties of Ag_xPb₁₈SbSe₂₀ (x=0.8, 0.85) and AgPb₁₈SbSe_20−yTe_y (y=1, 3) samples have also been studied. It has been found that Ag_0.85Pb₁₈SbSe₂₀ sample has a higher thermoelectric power factor. A significant difference in thermoelectric properties has also been observed for the AgPb₁₈SbSe₂₀ samples prepared with pressureless sintering and spark plasma sintering.     

Detoxification of mercury species—an in vitro study with antidotes in human whole blood

To investigate the effects of mercury species intoxication and to test the efficiency of different commonly applied antidotes, human whole blood and plasma surrogate samples were spiked with inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methylmercury (MeHg⁺, CH₃Hg⁺) prior to treatment with the antidotes 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-ol (British Anti Lewisite), 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). For mercury speciation analysis in these samples, liquid chromatography was coupled to either inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). Adduct formation between mercury species and physiological thiols (cysteine and glutathione) was observed as well as the release of glutathione under treatment with the antidotes DMSA and NAC.     

Composite liquid membrane for enzyme electrode construction

Microporous polycarbonate membranes were treated with a lipid, isopropyl myristate. The resulting composites were used as external membranes for the construction of hydrogen peroxide-based glucose-detecting enzyme electrodes. The linearity of glucose electrodes was increased to well above the substrate physiological range; for treated membranes of pore size 0.015 μm, linearity was up to 100 mM of glucose. The electrode system had a greatly decreased dependence on temperature, solution pH and background oxygen levels. It also showed reduced interference from electrochemically active species in blood and eliminated the need for sample stirring. Use with whole blood indicated that the treated membrane also had good haemocompatibility, and blood measurements showed an acceptable correlation with a routine spectrophotometric method (y = 0.739x + 1.153; r = 0.969).     

Electrochemical detection of glucose from whole blood using paper-based microfluidic devices

Electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) with integrated plasma isolation for determination of glucose from whole blood samples have been developed. A dumbbell shaped ePAD containing two blood separation zones (VF2 membranes) with a middle detection zone was fabricated using the wax dipping method. The dumbbell shaped device was designed to separate plasma while generating homogeneous flow to the middle detection zone of the ePAD. The proposed ePADs work with whole blood samples with 24–60% hematocrit without dilution, and the plasma was completely separated within 4 min. Glucose in isolated plasma separated was detected using glucose oxidase immobilized on the middle of the paper device. The hydrogen peroxide generated from the reaction between glucose and the enzyme pass through to a Prussian blue modified screen printed electrode (PB-SPEs). The currents measured using chronoamperometry at the optimal detection potential for H₂O₂ (−0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode) were proportional to glucose concentrations in the whole blood. The linear range for glucose assay was in the range 0–33.1 mM (r² = 0.987). The coefficients of variation (CVs) of currents were 6.5%, 9.0% and 8.0% when assay whole blood sample containing glucose concentration at 3.4, 6.3, and 15.6 mM, respectively. Because each sample displayed intra-individual variation of electrochemical signal, glucose assay in whole blood samples were measured using the standard addition method. Results demonstrate that the ePAD glucose assay was not significantly different from the spectrophotometric method (p = 0.376, paired sample t-test, n = 10).     

Stabilization of the γ form of the rare earth sesquisulfides at lower temperature by doping with Calcium

The preparation of several samples forming a solid solution that can be formulated as Ca_(3/2)yR_2−y_{0.25−(1/2)y}S₃ (R = Ce, Sm, Gd) (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.30) is reported, together with their structural characterization, mainly through transmission electron microscopy. The introduction of Ca²⁺ into the rare earth metal sesquisulfide matrix stabilizes the γ form phase at 900 °C. This effect can be related to the non-stoichiometric nature of this phase, R_3−x_xS₄, because the introduction of Ca²⁺ requires the elimination of cation vacancies from the structure: 2R³⁺ + → 3Ca²⁺ (R = rare earth metal;  = cation vacancies). However, a NaCl-type solid solution is formed for R = Eu, formulated as Eu_1−yCa_yS. Well-ordered crystals are found in every sample, as it is revealed by transmission electron microscopy images and diffraction patterns. The color properties of the samples have been evaluated with reflectance spectra in the visible range and with L*–a*–b* coordinates.     

Rapid chiral separation and impurity determination of levofloxacin by ligand-exchange chromatography

A sensitive, simple, and accurate method for determination of levofloxacin and its (R)-enantiomer was developed to determine the chiral impurity of levofloxacin in Cravit Tablets material by ligand-exchange high performance liquid chromatography. The effects of different kinds of ligands, concentration of ligands in mobile phase, organic modifier, pH of mobile phase, and temperature on enantioseparation were investigated and evaluated. Chiral separation was performed on a conventional C₁₈ column, where the mobile phase consisted of a methanol-water solution (containing10 mmol L⁻¹l-leucine and 5 mmol L⁻¹ copper sulfate) (88:12, v/v) and its flow-rate was set at 1.0 mL min⁻¹. The conventional C₁₈ column offers baseline separation of two enantiomers with a resolution of 2.4 in less than 20 min. Thermodynamic data (ΔΔH and ΔΔS) obtained by Van’t Hoff plots revealed the chiral separation is an enthalpy-controlled process. The standard curves showed excellent linearity over the concentration range from 0.5 to 400 mg L⁻¹ for levofloxacin and its (R)-enantiomer. The linear correlation equations are: y = 1.33 × 10⁵x + 6297 (r = 0.9991) and y = 1.34 × 10⁵x + 3565 (r = 0.9997), respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method was below 2.3% (n = 3).     

Speciation analysis of mercury in water samples by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration with dithizone immobilized on microcrystalline naphthalene

Trace amounts of inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methylmercury cations (MeHg²⁺) were adsorbed quantitatively from acidic aqueous solution onto a column packed with immobilized dithizone on microcrystalline naphthalene. The trapped mercury was eluted with 10 ml of 7 mol L^–1 hydrochloric acid solution. The Hg²⁺ was then directly reduced with tin (II) chloride, and volatilized mercury was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). Total mercury (Hgt) was determined after decomposition of MeHg⁺ into Hg²⁺. Hg²⁺ and MeHg⁺ cations were completely recovered from the water with a preconcentration factor of 200. The relative standard deviation obtained for eight replicate determinations at a concentration of 0.3 g L^–1 was 1.8%. The procedure was applied to analysis of water samples, and the accuracy was assessed via recovery experiment.     

Type A-B carbonate chlorapatite synthesized at high pressure

Sodium-bearing type A-B carbonate chlorapatites {CCLAP; Ca_10−(y+z)Na_y□_z[(PO₄)_6−(y+2z)(CO₃)_y+2z][Cl_2−2x(CO₃)_x], with x≈y≈4z≈0.4} have been synthesized from carbonate-rich melts at 1350-1000 °C and 1.0 GPa, and investigated by single-crystal X-ray structure and FTIR spectroscopy. Typical crystal and compositional data are: a=9.5321(4) Å, c=6.8448(3) Å, space group P6₃/m, R=0.027, R_w=0.025, x=0.37(3), y=0.57(2). Crystal-chemical features and FTIR spectra are similar to Na-bearing type A-B carbonate hydroxyapatites (CHAP) and fluorapatites (CFAP) reported recently. The molar amounts of Na and channel (type A) carbonate maintain a near 1:1 ratio in all three composition series, confirming that the Na cation and A and B carbonate ion substituents exist as a defect cluster within the apatite matrix, to facilitate charge compensation and spatial accommodation. Uptake of carbonate is significantly lower in CCLAP than in CHAP for similar conditions of crystal synthesis.     

A simple method of constructing a confidence interval for the mean probability of detection in collaborative studies of binary measurement methods

We deal with collaborative studies where each of k laboratories performs n repeated binary measurements (measurement result x = 0: “not detected”; measurement result x = 1: “detected”), and present a simple method of constructing a confidence interval for the mean probability of detection of the laboratories. This method is based on an approximation of the distribution of the number y of detections among n independent measurements of a randomly chosen laboratory by a binomial distribution. The confidence interval is not only much easier to calculate but also more accurate than the profile likelihood interval presented by Uhlig et al.