Analysis of water extracts from airborne dust samples by capillary isotachophoresis

Application of capillary isotachophoresis (CITP) for the analysis of water extracts of the dust samples collected in different periods in air-filtration devices in Prague car traffic tunnels and in Parisian metro station is presented. The extracts were analyzed in cationic mode with a leading electrolyte (LE) of 10 mM KOH, 25 mM acetic acid, pH 4.4, and a terminating electrolyte (TE) of 10 mM β-alanine, adjusted to pH 4.4 with acetic acid, and in anionic mode with LE 10 mM HCl, 20 mM histidine, pH 5.8 and TE 10 mM 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid, pH 3.7. Extracted amounts of UV-absorbing substances, including pollen allergens and organic pollutants, the number of the found components and concentrations of some inorganic ions (e.g. Cl⁻, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺) in the dust samples were determined. It was found that the extracted amounts of anionic components and their number were much higher than those of cationic components. Significant differences have been found in the analyses of the extracts of different origin. Much more material and more components were present in the extracts of samples from the pollen-rich period than from the pollen-free period, especially in anionic CITP mode.     

Detection of recombinant hirudin using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Hirudin, a thrombin inhibitor, is a polypeptide of 65 amino acids. To check purity levels and perform pharmacokinetic studies of recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin), a specific and reproducible analysis method is required. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is rapidly becoming an important procedure for the analysis of biological molecules. Recently, CE combined with immunoassay has emerged as a new analytical technique. CE-based immunoassay (CEIA) is a sensitive and specific method combining laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and immunoassay. Therefore, in this study, we specifically investigated fluorescence labeling and determination of r-hirudin by CEIA with a LIF detector using labeled r-hirudin and polyclonal antibody. r-Hirudin was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). FITC-labeled r-hirudin was purified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method is based on preincubation of r-hirudin and antibody for 20 min, followed by CE analysis using an uncoated capillary. Free and bound r-hirudin were separated within 5 min using CE with high reproducibility. This study demonstrated that the CEIA method could be applied to quantitative analysis of r-hirudin in biological fluids.     

Competitive immunoassay for recombinant hirudin using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A competitive immunoassay based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) has been developed for the determination of recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin) in biological mixtures. Hirudin, a thrombin inhibitor, is a polypeptide of 65 amino acids. To check purity levels and perform pharmacokinetic studies of (r-hirudin), specific and reproducible analysis methods are demanded. The work involved the development of separation conditions allowing for routine analysis of plasma samples. In this study, r-hirudin was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and FITC-labeled r-hirudin was purified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The purified product was then mixed with the sample followed with the addition of anti-hirudin antibody. Free, antibody-bound, and tagged r-hirudin could be separated within 5 min by CE analysis using uncoated fused-silica capillary with high reproducibility. The developed method can be used to determine r-hirudin with good precision and a detection limit lower than 20 nM. This result demonstrates the feasibility of the CE-LIF immunoassay method for the determination of r-hirudin in plasma samples.     

cis,cis-Spiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diol: A new chiral auxiliary for the asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction

The use of a mono-pivalate mono-acrylate bis-ester of (+)-1S,5S,6S-spiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diol in an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene (2 equiv. BCl₃, −85°C, CH₂Cl₂) provided the expected endo bicyclo adduct in >97% de. Iodolactonization of the bicyclo adduct provided the (+)-lactone (5) with a 1S,4S,6S,8R,9S configuration (97% ee). The de's obtained from using various types and amounts of Lewis acids, and both chiral and racemic bis-esters in the Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene are also reported.     

Determination of recombinant hirudin structural deviants by capillary zone electrophoresis augmented with buffer additives

The polypeptide hirudin is a potent and specific thrombin inhibitor used in anticoagulant therapy and naturally occurring in medicinal leech. Using gene-technology methods, recombinant (r) hirudin can be produced on a large scale. Purity evaluation of the synthesized r-hirudin is essential to monitor co-expressed structural deviants and degradation products before therapeutic use. Although the well established RP-HPLC analysis appears to be the method of choice, in the case of r-hirudin baseline separation of the structural deviants is not necessarily achieved. Capillary zone electrophoresis augmented with buffer additives was used as a complementary technique to separate r-hirudin successfully from several similar species, in order to provide characterization information, as well as performing purity control and stability studies.     

扫描电化学显微镜用于研究生物膜微环境的电子传递

生物电化学系统(BESs)的核心是生物膜在电极/溶液界面的电子传递反应,研究生物膜微区环境中的电子传递有助于阐明微生物的胞外电子传递(EET)机制,从而有针对性地提高BESs中的电子转移效率。微生物的EET机制包括直接电子传递和间接电子传递,由于生物膜组成复杂,含有多种分泌物、胞外聚合物等,常规电化学方法只能从生物膜宏观层面研究EET机制,无法有效区分这两种电子传递途径的贡献。本文采用电化学循环伏安方法研究了电子穿梭体二茂铁甲醇(FcMeOH)与希瓦氏菌(Shewanella)相互作用的界面过程;基于扫描电化学显微技术构建了穿透模式,通过微电极介导FcMeOH与Shewanella反应,收集仅来自间接电子传递途径产生的电流,同时测定了Shewanella在电极/溶液界面的氧化还原性质和空间分布。本论文将电化学扫描探针显微技术应用于EET的研究,从物理化学角度揭示微生物在代谢过程中与外界的电子传输机制。     

Evaluation of colour quality of complexometric indicators in the titration of Nickel(II) with EDTA by tristimulus colorimetry

Trichromatic colorimetry was applied to the specification of colour changes of metallochromic indicators viz., murexide, pyrocatechol violet, bromopyrogallol red, pyrogallol red and chromazurol S in the complexometric titration of Nickel(II) with ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), in order to assess the quality of colour change at the equivalence point with the help of CIE L*a*b* 1976 system and the values of SCD (Specific Colour Discrimination) parameter. A screened indicator, a mixture of murexide and methylene blue in the ratio 10:1 (m/m), is proposed as an ideal indicator in this titration as evidenced by the plots of a* vs. b* and from the numerical values of standard deviation for a large number of visual titrations.     

Iron carboxylate oxygen-centered-triangle complexes detected during electrospray use of organic acid modifiers with a comment on the finnigan TSQ-700 electrospray inlet system

Use of infusion methods rather than high-performance liquid chromatography allowed us to confirm the observation that solutions of propionic acid-isopropanol restore sensitivity lost due to trifluoroacetic acid in electrospray mass spectra of basic substances, particularly peptides. In this work, when propionic acid-isopropanol was used, we detected an abundant ion with m/z 622 that shifted to m/z 538 when we substituted acetic acid-methanol for the propionic acid-isopropanol. Via accurate mass measurement and tandem mass spectrometry the origin of the ion was identified as the complex Fe₃O(O₂CR)₆(L)_0-3, where L is one of several ligands from solvent or water. The grounding arrangement of the Finnigan TSQ-700 electrospray source produces electrolytic currents that may accentuate the abundance of this complex and specifically produces observable gas bubbles that adversely affect the spray stability.     

Development and validation of an LC method for the determination of emtricitabine and related compounds in the drug substance

A robust, precise, sensitive, linear, and simple RP LC method coupled with UV for the determination of emtricitabine or 2′,3′‐dideoxy‐5‐fluoro‐3′‐thiacytidine (FTC) and its related substances is described. The method uses an RP C18 column (25 cm×4.6 mm i.d.), 5 μm kept at a temperature of 35°C. The mobile phases for gradient elution consist of ACN, phosphate buffer (pH 4.4), and water. The flow rate is 1.0 mL/min and UV detection is performed at 280 nm. A system suitability test (SST) was developed to verify the adequate performance of the chromatographic system. The developed method was further validated with respect to robustness, precision, sensitivity, and linearity. A central composite design was applied to examine the robustness of the method. The method shows good precision, sensitivity, linearity, and robustness. Three commercial FTC samples were examined using this method. This method is suitable to be used for the determination of related substances and assay of FTC.     

Edulisones A and B, two epimeric benzo[b]oxepine derivatives from the bark of Aglaia edulis

Two benzo[b]oxepine derivatives, edulisones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the bark of Aglaia edulis, collected in Indonesia. The relative stereochemistry of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Treatment of compounds 1 and 2 with lithium hydroxide produced the same hydrolysis products, 1a and 1b, as a result of cleavage of the pyrrolidine ring to an alkylated amide mixture in each case, which demonstrated that these substances are epimeric at their 2-aminopyrrolidine moiety.     

Determination of cichoric acid content in dried press juice of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) with capillary electrophoresis

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an immunostimulating drug, containing multiple substances. The most important in activity are polysaccharides, caffeic acid derivatives (cichoric acid), alkamides and glycoproteins. It is not clear yet, which substances are responsible for activity. Cichoric acid is an appropriate marker of the quality of E. purpurea containing product, because it has immune stimulatory effects and it is susceptible to degradation.

In this work, an improved capillary electrophoresis method for determining cichoric acid in dried press juice from purple coneflower was developed. The optimal conditions were: electrophoretic buffer—75 mM borate, pH 8.8; injection 20 mbar for 20 s; separation at 20 kV; detection at 350 nm, temperature 35 °C.     

Four-unit linking groups V. Optically active dopants

A number of diesters incorporating a four-unit linking group in the acid part (3-propyloxy, (E)-3-propenyloxy, and 4-butyl units) and an optically active centre in the diol part have been prepared. Structurally related three and four ring dioxolanes derived from the corresponding aldehyde precursors to the acids (i.e., also containing 3-propyloxy, (E)-3-propenyloxy, and 4-butyl groups) and the optically active tartaric acids have also been synthesized. The physical properties of these potential chiral dopants pertinent to electrooptic display device and thermochromic applications have been determined. These new chiral dopants are characterized by short pitches, good solubility in nematic hosts, excellent chemical, photochemical and thermal stability, etc. Most of these new optically active substances are well suited for at least one potential application for a chiral nematic mesophase with exactly denned properties made from a standard nematic mesophase and an optically active dopant. A small number of the new substances exhibit mesomorphic properties at elevated temperatures.     

Electrochemical masking of large amounts of copper in dpasv and the determination of thallium in the presence of a large excess of copper

The influence of the following surfactants on the peak of copper in 0.2M EDTA at pH 4.5 was investigated: polyoxyethylated alkylphenols having an average of 3 and 9.5 ethylene oxide units; polyoxyethylene alcohols having 4 and 7 ethylene oxide units; poly(ethylene glycols) having M.W. 4000, 9000 and 20000; hexadecyltributylphosphonium bromide (HDTBPB), tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPPB),N,N,N,N,N',N',N-examethylhexamethylenediammonium bromide (HMB), benzyl(di-isobutylphenoxyethoxy) dimethylammonium chloride (Hyamine 1622), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMAB), hexadecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (HDDMBAC) and tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC). HDDMBAC, as well as all the substances examined which contained an ethylene oxide chain, completely suppressed the copper peak. HDTBPB and TPPB partially suppressed the peak, whereas HDTMAB, HMB and Hyamine 1622 enhanced it. TBAC was without effect. In 0.2M EDTA at pH 4.5 containing TBAC at 0.01M concentration and 10 ppm of Rokafenol N-3, Cu(II), Pb(II) and Bi(III) can be tolerated at concentrations of up to 0.05M, the height of the thallium peak being unaffected. The precision of the determination (3–10%) and the recovery are satisfactory. A 10³-fold ratio of Fe(III) to Tl(I) does not interfere with the determination.     

Baker's yeast reduction of prochiral γ-nitroketones. II. straightforward enantioselective synthesis of 2,7-dimethyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonanes

The baker's yeast reduction of 5-nitro-2,8-nonanedione 2 afforded the corresponding (2S,8S)-5-nitro-2,8-nonanediol3 with complete diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity. The conversion of 3 into the thermodynamic (E,E)/(Z,Z) (3:1) mixture of optically active (95% e.e.) 2,7-dimethyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonanes 5 was then achieved by spontaneous cyclization under the acidic conditions of the Nef reaction.     

气相色谱-质谱联用法测定农药制剂中29种助剂

建立了气相色谱-质谱联用法（GC-MS）同时测定农药制剂中29种助剂的方法。农药制剂经甲醇稀释,取上清液过0.22 μm滤膜后检测分析。采用VF-1701MS毛细管柱（60 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm）分离,选择离子监测模式下（SIM）测定,外标法定量。结果表明,29种农药助剂在6.2~400.0 mg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数（R²）均大于0.99,方法定量限为4.4~439.1 mg/kg,乳油型和可溶液剂型农药样品的平均加标回收率分别为82.0%~111.9%和82.6%~112.9%,相对标准偏差为0.4%~7.2%和0.3%~8.2%（RSD,n=6）。应用该方法对110份农药制剂样品进行检测,其中28份检出苯酚、N-甲基吡咯烷酮、二氯甲烷、正己烷等共11种农药助剂,含量范围为0.05%~15.65%。此方法操作简单,灵敏度高,准确性好,适用于农药制剂中29种助剂的同时检测。     

Positron annihilation studies of chromophore-doped polymers

Doppler-broadening energy spectra and positron annihilation lifetime have been measured as a function of positron implantation energy in pure and chromophore Disperse Red 1 (DR1)-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymers. In pure PMMA, the S parameter increases at very short range (<0.02 μm) from the surface to the bulk, while the S parameter of doped PMMA varies with a decrease from a depth of >0.02 μm to about 0.5 μm after an increase, a short distance from the surface. The o-Ps lifetime of the polymers is found to increase from the bulk to the surface, which indicates that the hole size expands near the surface. The o-Ps lifetime distribution becomes broader near the surface. The change of the o-Ps intensity shows the same trend as the change of the S parameter. These results are interpreted as a gradient of DR1 concentration in PMMA, as a function of the depth from the surface to the bulk in the chromophore-doped polymers.     

High pressure phase studies of some liquid crystalline cyclohexane derivatives by differential thermal analysis

T(p) phase diagrams for the mesomorphic compounds trans-4-n-butylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid 4-cyanophenyl ester (D4N), trans4-n-pentylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid 4-n-pentylphenyl ester (D55), trans-4,4'-di-n-propyl-1,1-bicyclohexyl-cis-4-carbonitrile (33CCN), trans-4-methoxy-4'-propyl-1,1'-bicyclohexane (3O1CCH) and trans-4-methoxy-4'-n-butyl-1,1'-bicyclohexane (4O1CCH) are presented. The experiments were performed using high pressure microcomputer-assisted differential thermal analysis equipment in the temperature range 300 to 500 K up to a maximum pressure of 8 kbar. Some special high pressure effects for liquid crystals, such as pressure-induced or pressure-limited phases and changes from monotropic to enantiotropic polymorphism were observed. For the correlation of the experimental results, an extension of the Simon equation was used; one of the regression parameters of the clearing curve equation was found to be correlated with the molecular structure of the liquid crystal substances under test.     

Purity control of oxytetracycline by capillary electrophoresis

The applicability of capillary electrophoresis for the purity control of oxytetracycline (OTC) was investigated. OTC is a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the group of the tetracyclines. Several related substances can be present due to fermentation or degradation, such as 4-epioxytetracycline, -apooxytetracycline, β-apooxytetracycline, anhydrooxytet racycline, 2-acetyl-2-decarboxamidooxytetracycline, tetracycline and 4-epitetracycline. Using fused-silica capillaries, the influence of buffer type, buffer pH and buffer concentration were investigated. In all cases 1 mM EDTA was added to prevent metal-ion complexation. The influence of the buffer counter-ion type was examined. Consequently, some instrumental parameters were changed such as capillary length and diameter as well as capillary temperature and applied voltage. The following method is finally proposed: fused-silica capillary, l (effective length) = 38 cm, L (total length) = 44 cm, 50 μm I.D.; buffer, sodium carbonate 20 mM-EDTA 1 mM, pH 11.25; voltage, 10 kV; temperature, 10°C. Linearity, limit of detection and limit of quantitation were determined as well as the relative standard deviations for all the analytes involved. This method is less selective then existing liquid chromatographic methods but it may be used as a complementary tool in purity control and stability studies.     

Simultaneous determination of traces of heavy metals by solid-phase spectrophotometry

A coupling sensitive solid phase spectrophotometric (SPS) procedure for determination of traces of heavy metals (Me-SPS) and multicomponent analysis by multiple linear regressions (MA), a simple methodology for simultaneous determination of metals in mixtures was inaugurated. The Me-SPS procedure is based on sorption of heavy metals on PAN-resin and direct absorbance measurements of colour product Me-PAN sorbed on a solid carrier in a 1-mm cell. This methodology (Me-SPS-MA) was checked by simultaneous determination of metals in synthetic mixtures with different compositions and contents of metals important in pharmaceutical practice: Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Co, and Ni. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical amounts of heavy metals is obtained from the recovery test (78.3–110.0%). The proposed method enables determination of particular metal ion at the ng mL⁻¹ level and it was successfully applied to the determination impurities from heavy metal traces in pharmaceutical substances (Cu in ascorbic acid, Pb in glucose, and Zn in insulin). The proposed procedure could be possible contribution to the development of pharmacopoeial methodology for a heavy metals test.