Controlled surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide from risedronate‐anchored hydroxyapatite nanocrystals: Novel synthesis of biodegradable hydroxyapatite/poly(L‐lactide) nanocomposites

Risedronate‐anchored hydroxyapatite (HA‐RIS) nanocrystals were prepared with 4.1 wt % RIS and used for controlled surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L ‐lactide (L ‐LA). The strong adsorption of RIS to HA surface not only led to enhanced dispersion of HA nanocrystals in water as well as in organic solvents but also provided alkanol groups as active initiating species for ROP of L ‐LA. HA‐RIS was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and X‐ray diffraction. The graft polymerization of L ‐LA onto HA‐RIS took place smoothly in the presence of stannous octoate in toluene at 120 °C, resulting in HA/poly(L ‐LA) nanocomposites with high yields of 85–90% and high poly(L ‐LA) contents of up to 97.5 wt %. Notably, differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that the poly(L ‐LA) in HA/poly(L ‐LA) nanocomposites exhibited considerably higher melting temperatures (T_m = 173.3?178.1 °C) and higher degrees of crystallinity (X_c = 41.0?43.1%) as compared to poly(L ‐LA) homopolymer (T_m = 168.5 °C, X_c =25.7%). In addition, our initial results showed that these HA/poly(L ‐LA) nanocomposites could readily be electrospun into porous matrices. This study presented a novel and controlled synthetic strategy to HA/RIS/poly(L ‐LA) nanocomposites that are promising for orthopedic applications as well as for bone tissue engineering. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Production of therapeutic radioisotopes in the ORNL High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) for applications in nuclear medicine,oncologyand interventional cardiology

Summary Greater availability of therapeutic radioisotopes is required to meet the demands for increasing clinical applications in nuclear medicine, oncology and interventional cardiology. Because of the need for very high specific activity products, methods other than direct neutron capture reactions (n,γ-elastic and n,n’-inelastic routes) are required to insure that the highest specific activity - and hopefully no carrier added (nca) - radioisotopes are available. Two major methods to obtain nca radioisotopes from reactors are through the use of radionuclide generator systems using reactor-produced parents and the formation of desired radioisotopes through beta-decay of reactor-produced species. In this paper we describe our recent development of new approaches to obtain nca ¹⁷⁷Lu from the decay of reactor-produced ¹⁷⁷Yb and free of the long-lived ^177mLu (T_1/2 = 160 d) radiocontaminant. We also describe preliminary results of our new “indirect” method for the production of ^195mPt via decay of ^195mIr, reactor-produced by neutron irradiation of highly enriched ¹⁹³Ir.     

Adsorptive Stripping Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Risperidone with a Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotube‐Ionic Liquid Paste Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A new composite electrode has been fabricated based on coating multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and n‐octylpyridinum hexafluorophosphate (OPPF₆) ionic liquid composite on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode (OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE). This electrode shows very attractive electrochemical performances for electrooxidation of risperidone (RIS) compared to conventional electrodes using carbon and mineral oil, notably improved sensitivity and stability. The oxidation peak potentials in cyclic voltammogram of RIS on the OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE was occurred around 230 mV vs. SCE at Britton–Robinson (B–R) buffer (pH 4.0) at scan rate of 100 mV s^?1. The electrochemical parameters such as diffusion coefficient (D), charge transfer coefficient (α) and the electron transfer rate constant (k/_s) were determined using cyclic voltammetry. Under the optimized conditions, the peak current was linear to risperidone concentration over the concentration range of 10–200 nM with sensitivity of 0.016 μA/nM^?1 using differential pulse voltammetry. The detection limit was 6.54 nM (S/N = 3). The electrode also displayed good selectivity and repeatability. In the presence of clozapine (CLZ) the response of RIS kept almost unchanged. Thus this electrode could find application in the determination of RIS in some real samples. The analytical performance of the OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE was demonstrated for the determination of RIS in human serum and pharmaceutical samples.     

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Sampling and Analytical Chemistry Guide: Doe Methods for Evaluating Environmental and Waste Management Samples

Abstract

DOE Methods for Evaluating Environmental and Waste Management Samples (DOE Methods) is a guidance/methods document to support sampling and analysis activities at DOE sites. DOE Methods is intended to supplement existing guidance documents (e.g., EPA's Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, SW-846), which generally apply to low-level or nonradioactive samples. DOE Methods targets the complexities of DOE radioactive mixed waste and environmental samples. The document contains quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), safety, sampling, organic analysis, inorganic analysis, and radioanalytical guidance as well as sampling and analytical methods. An addendum is distributed every six months (April and October) with updated guidance and additional methods.

DOE Methods provides a vehicle for technology transfer within the environmental restoration (ER) and waste management (WM) (collectively known as EM) community. As DOE Methods evolves, its usefulness and applicability are anticipated to grow to meet the demands of the DOE/EM mission. At the present time, DOE Methods contains methods and guidance information supplied by DOE sites. Because the EM activities in DOE are not unique to the United States, the international environmental community could benefit from the information gathered for the DOE program. This information could provide additional resources for their EM activities.     

Study of secondary implantation of radioisotopes during alpha-particle irradiation

This work presents the recoil and secondary implantation of radioisotopes at different bombarding energies in the range of ~?13 to ~?40 MeV by using an α-particle beam of 50 MeV irradiating a stack of Ag, Ni and Ti metal foils. Activation cross-sections for the produce radioisotopes were calculated and confronted with literature data. The implanted activity is presented as a function of the primary beam energy for six produced radioisotopes ⁵⁷Ni, ⁵⁷Co, ⁶⁵Zn, ⁵¹Cr, ⁴⁸V and ⁴⁶Sc. The use of each of these radioisotopes in engineering experiments based on the nano-thin layer activation is discussed.

     

Validation of the determination of tin by <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis><Subscript>0</Subscript>-instrumental neutron activation analysis in foodstuff

Several recent intercomparisons and certification exercises have shown that the determination of tin in e.g. food samples and plastics is not straightforward. k ₀-Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (k ₀-INAA) offers some intrinsic quality control opportunities for the determination of the tin content in samples since several monitoring radioisotopes are formed. In this work we will discuss the validation of the determination of tin by k ₀-INAA using different reference materials. The results show that only few of these radioisotopes are reliable in terms of accuracy and that from a survey of the tin content in a range of canned foods detection limits as low as 2 mg/kg can be achieved.     

Concurrent determination of olanzapine,risperidone and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection method: application to pharmacokinetic study

A simple and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of olanzapine (OLZ), risperidone (RIS) and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone (9‐OHRIS) in human plasma in vitro. The sample preparation was performed by simple liquid–liquid extraction technique. The analytes were chromatographed on a Waters Acquity H class UPLC system using isocratic mobile phase conditions at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min and Acquity UPLC BEH shield RP₁₈ column maintained at 40°C. Quantification was performed on a photodiode array detector set at 277 nm and clozapine was used as internal standard (IS). OLZ, RIS, 9‐OHRIS and IS retention times were found to be 0.9, 1.4, .1.8 and 3.1 min, respectively, and the total run time was 4 min. The method was validated for selectivity, specificity, recovery, linearity, accuracy, precision and sample stability. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 1–100 ng/mL for OLZ, RIS and 9‐OHRIS. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions for OLZ, RIS and 9‐OHRIS were found to be good with the coefficient of variation <6.96%, and the accuracy ranging from 97.55 to 105.41%, in human plasma. The validated UPLC method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of RIS and 9‐OHRIS in human plasma. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of <Superscript>125</Superscript>Sb on alumina and titania surfaces

Adsorption of long-lived ¹²⁵Sb radioisotope (T _1/2 = 2.75 y) on alumina (Al₂O₃) and titania (TiO₂) has been studied at different pH. Both the oxides have good adsorption capability for the ¹²⁵Sb radioisotopes but the TiO₂ is much superior. Adsorption kinetics of ¹²⁵Sb radioisotopes on TiO₂ surface and desorption of ¹²⁵Sb radioisotopes from TiO₂ surface in acidic and alkaline media have also been studied. The ¹²⁵Sb-TiO₂ phase has been subjected to γ-irradiation and found to be radiation stable against antimony release.     

In vitro evaluation of sustained release of risperidone‐loaded microspheres fabricated from different viscosity of PLGA polymers

The aim of this study was to fabricate different risperidone (RIS)–loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microspheres (PLGA MS) with various viscosity of PLGA polymers and investigate the RIS release profiles. Risperidone‐loaded PLGA MS were fabricated via an oil/water–type emulsion solvent evaporation method, using ethyl acetate and benzil alcohol as the dispersed solvents. The PLGA (75:25) with the viscosity of 0.82, 0.93, and 1.10 dL/g was used in the fabrication. The morphology and the degradation of the RIS‐PLGA MS were investigated with a scanning electron microscope. The distribution states of RIS in the PLGA MS were studied with differential scanning calorimetry. The residual of ethyl acetate and benzil alcohol in the resulting MS was monitored with gas chromatography. The in vitro release profiles of RIS from PLGA MS were also studied. Scanning electron microscope photographs illustrated that the obtained PLGA MS were monodisperse spheres with an average diameter of 100 μm. Gas chromatography results suggested that no residual ethyl acetate was left in the final RIS‐PLGA MS, and the residue amount of benzil alcohol was about 1%. In vitro drug release profiles from the microsphere showed a substantially sigmoidal pattern of negligible initial burst up to 24 hours and minimal release (time lag) for 14 days. After the lag phase, slow release took a place up to 30 days, and then rapid release occurred sharply for about 2 weeks. The RIS release reached equilibrium around day 50. All release profiles showed the similar trend, and no significant difference was observed among these release profiles (P > .05). This phenomenon indicated that RIS‐loaded PLGA MS with the viscosity of 0.82 to 0.93 dL/g showed the optimal release behavior. However, no obvious differences were found among the MS obtained from the viscosity of 0.82 to 1.10 dL/g. These studies provided basis for the quality control in the industrial production of PLGA MS.     

Molecular dimensions and chain conformation in glassy syndiotactic polystyrene

For the first time the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) from mixtures of protonated and totally deuterated syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) has been studied. Two amorphous samples with similar molecular weights have been measured at various concentrations of the protonated part. All measurements were performed at room temperature using the scattering equipment of two different laboratories. The molecular weight M_w evaluated from SANS data agreed with those obtained by gel permeation analysis (GPC). In the Kratky representation the scattering contribution due to the contrast scattering shows a plateau behavior up to q = 0.45 Å^?1, where q is magnitude of the scattering vector. This observation is in evident contrast to what is expected from the rotational isomeric state (RIS) model. In addition the characteristic ratios C_∞, derived either from the plateau height or from radii of gyration of the Zimm regime and being in reasonable agreement with each other, show strong deviations from the predictions of the RIS model. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterization of Minor N-linked Glycans on Antibodies Using Endo H Release and MALDI–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A MALDI mass spectrometry method using Bruker Daltonic's LIFT technology for MS/MS analysis has been developed for profiling and characterizing low abundant N-glycans from recombinant immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. In this method, Endoglycosidase H (Endo H) released N-glycans are derivatized at their reducing end with 2-aminobenzamide (2-AB) and separated by normal phase chromatography. Endo H hydrolyses the bond between the two GlcNAc residues of the trimannosyl core of high mannose and hybrid N-linked glycans, leaving the core GlcNAc attached to the protein. High mannose and hybrid type N-glycans are released from the glycoprotein whereas the more abundant, complex biantennary type oligosaccharide structures are unaffected. Analysis of Endo H treated glycan moieties by MALDI mass spectrometry identified several minor species of high mannose and hybrid type glycans. Subsequent MALDI TOF MS/MS analysis of the resulting products yielded information about structural features of the high mannose and hybrid type glycans. This study involving Endo H treatment followed by MALDI mass spectrometry coupled with LIFT technology for MS/MS analysis offers a specific and sensitive technique for visualizing, and characterizing minor glycan species.     

The production of no carrier added arsenic radioisotopes in nuclear reactors

The comparative advantages and drawbacks of some reactor-produced arsenic radioisotopes having favourable characteristics for their use as tracers are discussed. The study comprises their preparation based on: (a) capture reactions on germanium; (b) threshold reactions on germanium, selenium and bromine; (c) secondary reactions on germanium, induced by recoil protons and tritons produced by the action of neutrons on lithium. The recommended options for the production of relatively short half-life radionuclides are ⁷⁷As by capture on germanium or ⁷⁶As via (n,α) reaction on bromine, while two different ways are applicable for the production of ⁷⁴As, longer-lived radioisotope.

     

Conformation of 4-ethoxy-4′-biphenylyl cyanide in the isotropic and anisotropic liquid-crystalline state — a rotational isomeric state simulation of 2H NMR spectra

The conformation of the ethoxy tail flanking the cyanobiphenyl core has been studied in the liquid-crystalline phase as well as in the isotropic solution. In solution, the vicinal coupling constant ³J_CH for the moiety C^phO CH (C^ph: phenyl carbon) provided the information regarding the rotation around the O C bond. Phenetole was mostly used as a model compound. The conventional rotational isomeric state (RIS) analysis yielded the energy difference between the gauche and trans state to be of the order of 1,6 to 1,4 kcal/mol in CDCl₃, C₆D₆ and dimethyl-d₆ sulfoxide. In this treatment, the rotational state around the neighboring bond (C^ph O) was taken to occur at 0 or π. The deuterated compound, 4-ethoxy-4′-biphenylyl-d₇ cyanide, was prepared and studied in the liquid-crystalline state by ²H NMR. The orientational order parameters of the mesogenic core were determined by the analysis of dipolar and quadrupolar splitting data due to aromatic deuterons. The quadrupolar splitting data were also obtained for the deuterated ethoxy tail. The conformation of the tail was elucidated according to the RIS simulation scheme previously proposed. The fraction of the trans conformation f_t was estimated to be 0,79 around the nematic-isotropic transition temperature (T_NI = 91,9°C). It was suggested that the conformation of the ethoxy tail remains nearly unaffected by the phase transition in the immediate vicinity of T_NI. The fraction f_t increases moderately toward an asymptotic value as temperature decreases.     

Zeolites for nuclear waste treatment: Co,Ni, Zn uptake into synthetic faujasites X & Y

Synthetic zeolites X & Y have been examined for their abilities to take in Co, Ni and Zn radioisotopes. Distribution coefficients (K _d ) have been determined, with and without competing cations, and at various pH values. Elution studies on zeolites containing Co, Ni and Zn radioisotopes considered the effect of acid and alkaline conditions, calcination and cement encapsulation. Leach rates arising from these experiments have been calculated. The general conclusions can be drawn are that zeolites X & Y are suitable for decontamination of aqueous wastes containing Co, Ni and Zn. Cement encapsulation is appropriate but no advantage accrues from pre-calcination. Some comments on the likely mechanism of leaching losses have been made.     

Thermal behavior and kinetic modeling of (NH4)4UO2(CO3)3 decomposition under non-isothermal conditions

The thermal behavior and kinetic analysis of ammonium uranyl carbonate decomposition has been studied in inert gas, O₂, and 90%Ar–10%H₂ atmospheres under non-isothermal conditions. The results showed a dependence on specific surface area with the decomposition temperature of ammonium uranyl tri-carbonate (AUC). Specific surface area increases and reaches a maximum between 300 and 400 °C and decreases at T > 400 °C. The reaction paths of AUC decomposition under the three atmospheres were proposed. The integral methods Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) were used for the kinetic analysis. The activation energy averages are 58.01 and 56.19 kJ/mol by KAS and FWO methods, respectively.

     

Electrochemical inhibition bacterial sensor array for detection of water pollutants: artificial neural network (ANN) approach

This work reports on further development of an inhibition electrochemical sensor array based on immobilized bacteria for the preliminary detection of a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants, such as heavy metal salts (HgCl₂, PbCl₂, CdCl₂), pesticides (atrazine, simazine, DDVP), and petrochemicals (hexane, octane, pentane, toluene, pyrene, and ethanol) in water. A series of DC and AC electrochemical measurements, e.g., cyclic voltammograms and impedance spectroscopy, were carried out on screen-printed gold electrodes with three types of bacteria, namely Escherichia coli, Shewanella oneidensis, and Methylococcus capsulatus, immobilized via poly l-lysine. The results obtained showed a possibility of pattern recognition of the above pollutants by their inhibition effect on the three bacteria used. The analysis of a large amount of experimental data was carried out using an artificial neural network (ANN) programme for more accurate identification of pollutants as well as the estimation of their concentration. The results are encouraging for the development of a simple and cost-effective biosensing technology for preliminary in-field analysis (screening) of water samples for the presence of environmental pollutants.

Graphical abstract

     

Use of amorphous zirconium phosphate for the treatment of radioactive waste

Ion-exchange experiments were carried out for the removal of¹³⁷Cs, and⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y radioisotopes by different cationic forms of amorphous zirconium phosphate. The effect of temperature and concentration on the percent uptake and distribution coefficients (K _d ) values (milli-equivalents of ion per gram of exchanger/milli-equivalents of ion per ml of solution) were determined. Experiments were made in simulated pond water at pH 11.4.     

State of the art in time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence for actinides analysis: Applications and trends

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (TRLIF) is a method of choice for actinides and lanthanides determination at low level in nuclear, biological and environmental samples. This technique is based on pulsed laser excitation followed by temporal resolution of the fluorescence signal. This technique has many advantages such as: high sensitivity, rapidity, triple selectivity and is applicable in a wide range of activity concentrations. TRLIF has been used in several fields such as; geology, in the PUREX process, in the medical field, in the environments and for nuclear waste disposal applications. Trends are towards the use of TRLIF for remote determination via fiber optics and optode as well a speciation.     

Where is analysis of trace elements in biotic matrices going to?

Summary Accomplishing the act of balancing our technological progress with the accompanying risks for safety and health in our life quality, calls for modern analytical science. It should serve as an indicator for the correct balance of forces in the substantial sphere. However, today such an indicating role is based on rough estimations, or on insufficient or unconfirmed information with respect to concentrations, binding forms and local distributions of toxic or of essential substances within a sample. Moreover, many complex mechanisms of synergetic and antagonistic physiological interactions have not yet been clarified — and consequently, we have to take into account severe misjudgements of risks.In addition, one has reached the limits of financial means required for the increasing control and survey tasks of daily analytical routine. Accordingly, only a long-term planned strategy for the development of more powerful, more reliable and more economic analytical methods, which moreover guarantee a better local distribution (microdistribution analysis), are the prerequisites for an improvement of this situation in analytical sciences.In view of the future tasks and the ultimate limits of trace- and micro-distribution analysis of the elements, the present state and an outlook on reaching the limit of analysis are critically discussed. Main emphasis is placed here on the possibility of improving conventional determination methods such as AAS, OES, XRFA, MS, NAA with regard to better power of detection and reliability. But also innovative analytical principles such as laser atomic spectroscopy (RIS, LEI, LIF) are introducted. They promise to develop into an essential basis for micro and trace element analysis of tomorrow.As instrumental methods are always the last step in an analytical procedure, a brief reference will be made to the problem of sample preparation, mainly with regard to the sources of systematic errors. As for trace analysis at the ng/ ml- or pg/ml-levels there are no reliable or certified standard reference materials available up to now, multistep procedures are still necessary. They must combine decomposition, preconcentration and determination methods in an optimal way to minimize systematic errors. The state-of-the-art of such multistep procedures in extreme elemental trace analysis will also be presented.

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über die zukünftige Entwicklung der Spurenelementanalyse in biotischen Matrices

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. W. Fresenius in gratitude on the occasion of his 75th birthday.     

Development and Validation of High Performance Liquid Chromatographic and UV-Derivative Spectrophotometric Methods for the Determination of Sotalol Hydrochloride in Tablets

Abstract

High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and UV derivative spectrophotometric (UVDS) methods were developed and validated for the quantitative determination of sotalol hydrochloride in tablets. The HPLC method was performed on a C18 column with fluorescence detection. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 235 and 310 nm, respectively. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile-water containing 0.1% trietylamine (7:93 v/v) and pH adjusted to 4.6 with formic acid. The UVDS method was performed taking a signal at 239.1 nm in the first derivative. The correlation coefficients (r) obtained were 0.9998 and 0.9997 for HPLC and UVDS methods, respectively. The proposed methods are simple and adaptable to routine analysis.