Amperometric Immunosensor for the Determination of α‐1‐Fetoprotein Based on Core‐Shell‐Shell Prussian Blue‐BSA‐Nanogold Functionalized Interface

In the present work, a newly functional nanoparticle has been prepared to immobilize the protein for the detection of α‐1‐fetoprotein (AFP). Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticle was initially synthesized under ultrasonic condition, then bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to coat the PB nanoparticle to improve the stability of the PB nanoparticle as well as functionalize the surface of PB nanoparticle, and then gold colloids were loaded on the BSA‐coated PB nanoparticle to construct a core‐shell‐shell nanostructure via the conjunction of thiolate linkages or alkylamines of the BSA. Finally, a convenient, effective and sensitivity amperometric immunosensor for the detection of α‐1‐fetoprotein (AFP) was constructed by the employment of these functional core‐shell‐shell microspheres. The preparation of the nanoparticle (Au‐BSA‐PB NPs) was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the assembly of the biosensor was characterized with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The dynamic range of the resulted immunosensor for the detection of AFP is from 0.02 ng/mL to 200.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.006 ng/mL (S/N=3). Moreover, this biosensor displays good selectivity, stability and reproducibility.     

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) Based Detection of Oligonucleotide Hybridization and Simultaneous Determination of the Surface Concentration of Immobilized Oligonucleotides on Gold

The direct mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used for the local deposition of oligonucleotide (ODN) patterns on thin gold films and the generation‐collection (GC) mode was applied for the determining the amount of surface‐accessible oligonucleotides. The local deposition was achieved through the micrometer‐sized formation of a conducting polymer bearing 15^mer single‐stranded oligonucleotide strands. After the interaction of the oligonucleotide with its biotin‐labeled complimentary strand, streptavidin was bound. The molecular assembly was completed by linking biotin‐labeled β‐galactosidase from Escherichia coli to the streptavidin. The activity of the linked β‐galactosidase was mapped with SECM in the GC mode by monitoring the oxidation of p‐aminophenol (PAP) formed in the enzyme‐catalyzed hydrolysis of p‐aminophenyl‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside. The feedback effect due to recycling of the reaction product at the gold surface was analyzed. It was shown experimentally that this effect becomes insignificant at ultramicroelectrode (UME)‐substrate distances larger than 3 UME radii. The flux of formed PAP allowed the determination the surface density of accessible oligonucleotide strands in the functionalized polymer. It was shown that that thicker pyrrole/ODN–Pyrrole polymer films do not lead to a significantly increased accessible ODN surface concentration.     

Determination of the sequence distribution and stereoregularity of ethyl α-benzoyloxymethylacrylate–methyl methacrylate copolymers by means of proton and carbon-13 NMR

Proton and Carbon-13 NMR spectra of ethyl α-benzoyloxymethylacrylate (E)–methyl methacrylate (M) copolymers were analyzed in terms of sequence distribution and stereoregularity of monomer units. The copolymers were prepared by free radical polymerization in benzene at 50°C. The methoxy region of the M proton signal resonance was found to be sensitive to the copolymer composition for M-centred sequences. The carbon-13 NMR spectra of the EM copolymers, in particular the carbonyl signal resonances of carbomethoxy and carboethoxy groups, are discussed in terms of M- and E-centred configurational sequences. The experimental values were in excellent agreement with those calculated taken into account the terminal copolymerization model and Bernoullian distribution of stereoregularity with the statistical parameters determined from reactivity ratios r_E = 0.32 and r_M = 1.34 and the coisotacticity parameters σ_MM = 0.22, σ_EE = 0.70, and σ_ME = σ_EM = σ = 0.30. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 3483–3493, 1997     

Facile Synthesis of Cyclodextrin Functionalized Reduced Graphite Oxide with the Aid of Ionic Liquid for Simultaneous Determination of Guanine and Adenine

Here, a facile reduction approach for synthesis of β‐cyclodextrin functionalized reduced graphite oxide with the aid of ionic liquid (βCD/IRGO) was reported. This strategy relies on the simple mixing of pre‐pared aqueous βCD/GO with ionic liquid (IL) at high temperatures, which can bring about a well dispersed βCD/RGO in the utilized IL (βCD/IRGO) with a synchronous evaporation of water. The as‐prepared βCD/IRGO product can be stably re‐dispersed in water (up to 1.0 mg/mL) after washed and dried. And the presented βCD/IRGO composites possess high supramolecular recognition capability and good conductivity for realizing enhanced electrochemical response towards simultaneous detection of guanine and adenine compared with other βCD/carbon (RGO or carbon nanotube) based composites. In the presence of one of analysts, the linear response ranges is 0.03–10.0 μM for guanine and 0.02–7.0 μM for adenine, respectively, with detection limit of 0.01 μM for both guanine and adenine (S/N=3). This ease of making the βCD/IRGO composite will open up possibilities of its diversifier applications.     

Intramolecular chelation of Zn2+ by α‐ and β‐mercaptocarboxamides. A parallel ab initio and polarizable molecular mechanics investigation. Assessment of the role of multipole transferability

α‐ and β‐mercaptocarboxamides constitute the Zn²⁺‐ligating entity of several highly potent metalloenzyme inhibitors. We have studied their interaction energies with Zn²⁺ using the polarizable molecular mechanics procedure SIBFA, and compared them to the corresponding ab initio supermolecule ones. Such validations are necessary to subsequently undertake simulations on complexes of Zn²⁺–metalloenzymes with inhibitors. If the distributed multipoles and polarizabilities are those derived for each ligand in its appropriate Zn²⁺‐binding conformation, a close reproduction of the ab initio binding energies is afforded. However, this representation is not tractable upon increasing the size of the ligands and/or to explore a continuum of binding conformations. This makes it necessary to construct the ligands by resorting to a library of constitutive fragments, namely in this case methanethiolate, formamide, and methane covalently connected together. A close reproduction of the ab initio interaction energies is enabled, but only if the ligand–ligand interactions are computed simultaneously with those occurring with Zn²⁺. This representation accounts for the nonadditivity occurring in the Zn²⁺–methanethiolate–formamide complex, and justifies the use of the distributed multipoles on the fragments for the construction of larger and flexible molecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1038–1047, 2001     

Electrochemical Synthesis of β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles and Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite for the Determination of Hydrazine

β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via one step electrochemical potentiodyanamic method has been prepared. Scanning electron microscopy, Energy‐Dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to study the role of β‐CD on preparation of AgNPs and RGO. RGO/β‐CD/AgNPs modified GCE showed good electrochemical activity towards electro‐oxidation of hydrazine in terms of decreasing the over potential and increasing the peak current. The kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient (α) and diffusion coefficient (Do) of the modified electrode towards hydrazine were determined to be 0.66 and 0.97×10^?6 cm² s^?1, respectively. The LOD of our sensor was many folds lower than that of recommended concentration of hydrazine in drinking water by United States Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. The sensor exhibited a wide linear range from 0.08 to 1110 µM and a very low detection limit (LOD) of 1.4 nM. In addition, the sensor selectively determined hydrazine even in the presence of common interferents.     

Application of simultaneous separation and derivatization for the determination of α‐lipoic acid in urine samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with spectrofluorimetric detection

To help to clarify therapeutic functions of lipoic acid (LA) in biochemical and clinical practice we have elaborated a fast, simple and accurate HPLC method enabling determination of LA in human urine. The proposed analytical approach includes reduction of LA with tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine and simultaneous separation and derivatization of the analyte with butylamine and o‐phthaldialdehyde followed by spectrofluorimetric detection at λ_ex = 340 nm and λ_em = 440 nm. The assay was performed using gradient elution and the mobile phase containing 0.0025 mol L^?1 o‐phthaldialdehyde in 0.0025 mol L^?1 NaOH and acetonitrile. Linearity of the detector response for LA was observed in the range of 0.3–8 μmol L^?1. Limits of detection and quantification for LA in urine samples were 0.02 and 0.03 μmol L^?1, respectively. The total analysis time, including sample work‐up, was <20 min. The analytical procedure was successfully applied to analysis of real urine samples delivered from six healthy volunteers who received a single 100 mg dose of LA.     

A Simple and Sensitive Square Wave Stripping Pathway for the Analysis of Desmedipham Herbicide by Modified Carbon Paste Electrode Based on Hematite (α‐Fe2O3 Nanoparticles)

In the present study, desmedipham, used as an herbicide to control broad leaf weed in commonly sugar beet crops, was analyzed at the first time by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV) with the modified carbon paste electrode based on hematite nanoparticles (α‐Fe₂O₃?CPE). The modified α‐Fe₂O₃?CPE prepared by hematite (α‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles), which is very sensitive to carbon paste electrode (CPE) and glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Morphology of electrode surface detailed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). The oxidation of desmedipham created irreversible well‐done two peaks at nearly +1.1 and +1.3 V. In order to obtain the best calibration graph, various important parameters such as pH, accumulation time, puls amplitude and frequency etc. were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, electrochemical behavior of desmedipham presented two linear working ranges at 0.15–1.20 mg/L and 1.20–4.50 mg/L. The limits of detection (LOD) for the desmedipham were calculated as 41.00 and 50.00 μg/L for the peak I and II, respectively. Furthermore, desmedipham was analyzed at high recovery in the presence of rizolex, fluometuron, teflubenzuron and some heavy metal ions. Consequently, the developed SWSV was successfully applied to evaluate desmedipham in spiked commercial strawberry juices at recoveries of 96.00–104.00 % with satisfactory relative standard deviations.     

Induction of Liver Size Reduction in Zebrafish Larvae by the Emerging Synthetic Cannabinoid 4F-MDMB-BINACA and Its Impact on Drug Metabolism

Zebrafish (ZF; Danio rerio) larvae have become a popular in vivo model in drug metabolism studies. Here, we investigated the metabolism of methyl 2-[1-(4-fluorobutyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido]-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (4F-MDMB-BINACA) in ZF larvae after direct administration of the cannabinoid via microinjection, and we visualized the spatial distributions of the parent compound and its metabolites by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Furthermore, using genetically modified ZF larvae, the role of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) on drug metabolism was studied. Receptor-deficient ZF mutant larvae were created using morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs), and CB2-deficiency had a critical impact on liver development of ZF larva, leading to a significant reduction of liver size. A similar phenotype was observed when treating wild-type ZF larvae with 4F-MDMB-BINACA. Thus, we reasoned that the cannabinoid-induced impaired liver development might also influence its metabolic function. Studying the metabolism of two synthetic cannabinoids, 4F-MDMB-BINACA and methyl 2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (7′N-5F-ADB), revealed important insights into the in vivo metabolism of these compounds and the role of cannabinoid receptor binding.     

Isotopic splitting patterns in the 13C NMR spectra of some partially deuterated 1‐aryl‐2‐(phenyldiazenyl)butane‐1,3‐dione and 4‐hydroxy‐3‐(phenyldiazenyl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one: evidence for elucidation of tautomeric forms

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of synthesized azo dyes derived from aniline derivatives in reaction with benzoylacetone and 4‐hydroxycoumarin were studied in both CDCl₃ and (CD₃)₂SO (two drops of D₂O were added into solutions of dyes). All dyes showed intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Dyes derived from o‐nitro aniline in the reaction with benzoylacetone, and 4‐hydroxycoumarin showed bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The solvent‐substrate proton exchange of dyes derived from benzoylacetone and 4‐hydroxycoumarin was examined in the presence of two drops of D₂O. Among ten dye samples, two dyes derived from benzoylacetone did not show deuteration, three dyes showed partial deuteration and five dyes showed full deuteration under similar conditions. For the partially deuterated dyes the β‐isotope effect in ¹³C splitting was investigated and was used for the determination of the predominant tautomeric form. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tautomerism and isotopic multiplets in the 13C NMR spectra of partially deuterated 3‐arylpyrimido[4,5‐c]pyridazine‐5,7(6H,8H)‐diones and their sulfur analogs—evidence for elucidation of the structure backbone and tautomeric forms

The tautomerism of the synthesized 3‐arylpyrimido[4,5‐c]pyridazine‐5,7(6H,8H)‐diones ( 1a–d ) and 3‐aryl‐7‐thioxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐pyrimido[4,5‐c]pyridazine‐5‐ones ( 2a–d ) was studied in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)‐d₆. ¹H NMR spectra of 1a–d showed a clustered water molecule in the structure backbone that is attached by strong intermolecular H bonding. The relation between the temperature and H bonding of the clustered water molecule with 1a was also studied as representative. The relation between the electronegativity (χ) of the substituent on phenyl ring and the chemical shifts of clustered water protons in 1a–d was also studied. All of 1a–d and also 2d compounds existed in lactam ( I ) form, whereas 2a–c compounds have two distinguished tautomers in DMSO‐d₆ [lactam ( I ) and lactim ( II ) forms]. The solvent‐substrate proton exchange was examined in compounds 1a–d and 2a–d by adding one drop of D₂O. All compounds (except 1d ) showed proton/deuterium exchange of the clustered water protons in DMSO by adding one drop of D₂O. Some compounds (but not all of them) that are easily soluble in DMSO‐d₆ containing D₂O showed isotopic splitting (β‐isotope effect) in their ¹³C NMR spectra. Among them, compound 1a was the best evidence to help the spectral assignments and structure determination of predominant tautomer by carbon‐13 splitting (β‐isotope effect). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tautomeric behaviour and isotopic multiplets in the 13C NMR spectra of partially deuterated 5‐arylazo‐pyrimidine (1H,3H,5H)‐2,4,6‐triones and 5‐arylazo‐2‐thioxo‐pyrimidine (1H,3H,5H)‐4,6‐diones—evidence for elucidation of tautomeric forms

NMR spectra of the synthesized azo dyes, 5‐arylazo‐pyrimidine (1H,3H,5H)‐2,4,6‐triones (5a–g), 1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐arylazo‐pyrimidine (1H,3H,5H)‐2,4,6‐triones (6a–g), and 5‐arylazo‐2‐thioxo‐pyrimidine (1H,3H,5H)‐4,6‐diones (7a–g) were studied in (CD₃)₂SO (three drops of CD₃OD were added into solutions of the dyes in two different concentrations). All dyes showed intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Dyes 5a–7a showed bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Tautomeric behaviours of some of N‐methylated azo dyes (6a‐g) were studied in two different concentrations. The solvent–substrate proton exchange of dyes 5a–d, 6a and 7a–e was examined in presence of three drops of CD₃OD. The dyes which were soluble in (CD₃)₂SO containing CD₃OD showed isotopic splitting (β‐isotope effect) in the ¹³C NMR spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new generation of cyanide ion-selective membranes for flow injection application: Part III. A simple approach to the determination of toxic metal-cyanide complexes without preliminary separation

A new flow injection approach to total weak acid-dissociable (WAD) metal–cyanide complexes is proposed, which eliminates the need of a separation step (such as gas diffusion or pervaporation) prior to the detection. The cornerstone of the new methodology is based on the highly selective flow-injection potentiometric detection (FIPD) system that makes use of thin-layer electroplated silver chalcogenide ion-selective membranes of non-trivial composition and surface morphology: Ag_2 + δSe_1 − xTe_x and Ag_2 + δSe. An inherent feature of the FIP-detectors is their specific response to the sum of simple CN⁻ + Zn(CN)₄²⁻ + Cd(CN)₄²⁻. For total WAD cyanide determination, ligand exchange (LE) and a newly developed electrochemical pre-treatment procedure for release of the bound cyanide were used. The LE pre-treatment ensures complete recovery only when the sample does not contain Hg(CN)₄²⁻. This limitation is overcome by implementing electrochemical pre-treatment which liberates completely the bound WAD cyanide through cathodic reduction of the complexed metal ions. A complete recovery of toxic WAD cyanide is achieved in the concentration range from 156 μg L⁻¹ up to 13 mg L⁻¹. A three-step protocol for individual and group WAD cyanide speciation is proposed for the first time. The speciation protocol comprises three successive measurements: (i) of non-treated, (ii) LE-exchange pre-treated; (iii) electrochemically pre-treated sample. In the presence of all WAD complexes this procedure provides complete recovery of the total bound cyanide along with its quantitative differentiation into the following groups: (1) Hg(CN)₄²⁻; (2) CN⁻ + Cd(CN)₄²⁻ + Zn(CN)₄²⁻; (3) Cu(CN)₄³⁻ + Ni(CN)₄²⁻ + Ag(CN)₂⁻. The presence of a 100-fold excess in total of the following ions: CO₃²⁻, SCN⁻, NH₄⁺, SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻ does not interferes. Thus the proposed approach offers a step ahead to meeting the ever increasing demand for cyanide-species-specific methods. The equipment simplicity makes the procedure a good candidate for implementing in portable devices for in-field cyanide monitoring.