Determination of bencyclane in human plasma by means of capillary gas chromatography and nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection

A sensitive and specific method for the determination of bencyclane in human plasma is presented. Bencyclane was extracted from human plasma with two 3-ml volumes of isooctane and was shaken for 10 min. The organic phase was separated and evaporated to dryness at 40 degrees C under a nitrogen stream. The residue was dissolved and an aliquot was injected into the gas chromatograph. The separation was performed with a DB-17 column with helium as the carrier gas. Nitrogen-selective detection was performed. The quantification was performed with the signal output. The limit of detection was 1 ng/ml.     

Determination of fendiline in human plasma by means of capillary gas chromatography and nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection.

A sensitive and specific method for the determination of fendiline in human plasma is presented. Fendiline was extracted from human plasma after the addition of phosphate buffer two times with 4 ml of n-hexane. The organic phase was separated and evaporated to dryness at 40 degrees C under a stream of nitrogen. The residue was dissolved and an aliquot was injected into the gas chromatograph. Chromatographic separation was performed with a DB-1 column with helium as carrier gas. Nitrogen-selective detection was performed. Quantification was performed with the signal output. The limit of detection was 1 ng/ml of plasma.     

Compare-Conformer: a program for the rapid comparison of molecular conformers based on interatomic distances and torsion angles.

A computer program for comparison of the conformations of a number of related molecular structures is described. The comparisons are performed on either interatomic distances or torsion angles. The comparisons are accomplished on ordered pairs of distances or torsion angles, and the distance comparisons can be performed in a manner that allows permutation of the distance pairs being compared. The algorithm utilizes bit-string Boolean operations that allow the comparisons to be performed rapidly. The program should be useful for computer-assisted molecular modeling studies in which the viable conformers of bioactive analogues are compared in order to locate those conformers that place key substituents in the same spatial orientation.     

Chemiluminescence detection of nine corticosteroids in liver

A method for the determination of nine corticosteroids in bovine liver was developed. The liquid-liquid extraction method consisted in the addition of sodium hydroxide to the tissue sample followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. After centrifugation, the extract was evaporated to dryness and the residue redissolved in acetonitrile. The removal of fats was performed with n-hexane and the acetonitrile layer was evaporated. Afterwards, analysis of the extracts was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection employing luminol as reagent. The recovery curves, performed at five spiking levels (different for each corticosteroid), showed that recoveries of at least 70.5% could be obtained from liver. The chemiluminescence detection gave satisfactory results with respect to sensitivity, and the LOQ ranged from 0.13 ppb for prednisolone to 8.40 ppb for betamethasone. The maximum mean RSD was 4.8% and 7.3% for intra- and inter-day assay, respectively.     

Solvent-Free Synthesis of Nano Zirconium Phenylphosphonates with Molten Phenylphosphonic Acid

Nanosized α-zirconium phenylphosphonate particles were successfully prepared by the reaction between different zirconium sources and molten phenylphosphonic acid in the absence of solvent. The resultant nanoplates exhibit particle sizes in the range of 15 to 30 nm. The use of a topotactic anion exchange method starting from α-zirconium phosphate instead resulted in the generation of 15 to 180 nm plates, while also resulting in nanoparticles with a higher degree of crystallinity. The topotactic anion exchange of the phosphate groups by phenylphosphonate groups could be performed to completion when performed in molten phenylphosphonic acid. Characterization of both the final products as well as the individual steps in the anion exchange were performed by powder XRD, fast neutron activation analysis, TGA, FTIR spectroscopy, TEM, solid-state NMR and XPS.     

Application of an omonasteine ligation strategy for the total chemical synthesis of the BRD7 bromodomain

The use of omonasteine (Omo) in sequential peptide ligation strategies extends the scope of homocysteine (Hcy) ligation to longer, methionine-rich proteins. Hcy-to-Omo conversion can be performed on-resin, while the Omo-to-Hcy deprotection can be performed in situ after peptide ligation. This strategy was successfully applied in the synthesis of the BRD7 bromodomain.     

Hybrid process for the conversion of lignocellulosic materials

Because of the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic materials, it is important to pretreat the biomass in order to obtain a suitable material for the bioconversion. In this study, two different types of pretreatments were performed. The first experiment used a 2-gal Parr reactor operated at 140, 150,160, and 170‡C with sulfuric acid concentrations varying from 0.5 to 2%. A second pretreatment was performed with a two-stage low-temperature process. The first-stage pretreatment was performed at 100 or 120‡C with sulfuric acid concentrations of 0.5, 2, and 5% followed by a secondstage pretreatment at 120‡C with 2% acid concentration. The best residues for enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentations (SSF) came from the higher temperature pretreatment with the Parr reactor. However, a large portion of the xylose fraction was degraded to furfural and glucose was degraded to HMF. On the contrary, the two-stage low temperature pretreatment resulted in a very low percentage of xylose degradation, and no glucose degradation. The residues from this two-stage pretreatment performed satisfactorily toward the production of ethanol by SSFs. This study discusses the results obtained from these experiments.     

Intermolecular hydroamination and hydroarylation reactions of alkenes in ionic liquids

Intermolecular hydroamination or hydroarylation reactions of norbornene and cyclohexadiene performed with catalytic amounts of Brönsted or Lewis acid in ionic liquids were found to provide higher selectivity and yields than those performed in classical organic solvents. The ionic liquid increases the acidity of the media and stabilizes ionic intermediates through the formation of supramolecular aggregates.     

Calculation of vapor mass flux upon isothermal condensation on spherical droplets in a wide range of Knudsen numbers based on the solution of the Boltzmann kinetic equation

Vapor mass flux density has been calculated on the surface of spherical droplets under almost isothermal conditions. The calculations have been performed at droplet radii corresponding to the free-molecular, intermediate, and continuum flow regimes. The study has been performed by the direct numerical solution of the Boltzmann kinetic equation. The method of characteristics has been adapted for describing transfer processes in spherically symmetric systems. The applicability of different simplified approaches to the calculation of mass flux density on droplet surface has been estimated.     

Estimation of temperature dependent parameters of a batch alcoholic fermentation process

In this work, a procedure was established to develop a mathematical model considering the effect of temperature on reaction kinetics. Experiments were performed in batch mode in temperatures from 30 to 38 degrees C. The microorganism used was Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the culture media, sugarcane molasses. The objective is to assess the difficulty in updating the kinetic parameters when there are changes in fermentation conditions. We conclude that, although the re-estimation is a time-consuming task, it is possible to accurately describe the process when there are changes in raw material composition if a re-estimation of parameters is performed.     

Complementary DSC and dilatometric investigation of M-PTFE pyrotechnic compositions

Results of high thermal resolution microcalorimetric and dilatometric measurements performed on reducer — polytetrafluoroethylene (M-PTFE) pyrotechnic compositions have been discussed. The materials were selected for the study because of their behaviour in combustion tests. Two complementary thermal properties, i.e. the specific heat and coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE), have been analysed in detail. The specific heat was obtained from DSC measurements performed from −20 to 375°C. Measurements of CLTE and linear expansion were carried out from −40 to 270°C. In both cases the measurements were performed on thermocycling with the high thermal resolution preserved. A special attention has been paid to a two-stage phase transition occurring just below the room temperature. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of elements in kidney,serum and urine of Wistar rats with Acute Renal Insufficiency using NAA

In this investigation ions in serum, urine and kidney of Wistar rats (control group) and Wistar with Acute Renal Insufficiency (ARI) were quantified using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The measurements in serum and urine were performed before, during and after ischemia-induced ARI. The measurements in kidney were performed for the control and ARI groups. Also, a comparative analysis between the concentration ratios before, during and after ARI was performed in urine and serum samples for both groups. The variations results for Cu in serum and I in urine, before and after ischemia-induced ARI, suggest that these elements must be also investigated in renal dysfunction.     

Preparation and properties of lanthanum tungstate and studies of its ion-exchange and electrochemical behaviour

A new inorganic ion-exchanger lanthanum tungstate has been prepared by mixing lanthanum nitrate and sodium tungstate. The refluxed product has been found to be most suitable; therefore, most of the electrochemical and ion-exchange studies were performed on this product. The material is a weak cation exchanger with a capacity of 0.80 mmol per gram. Electrochemical studies are performed by preparing a pellet of this exchanger in polystyrene; charge density and membrane potential have been calculated. The results are discussed.     

Identification of provenance of obsidian samples analyzing elemental composition by INAA

The results of a study on 111 obsidian artifacts collected during an archaeological campaign performed by the University of Siena near Sesto Fiorentino (Florence, Italy) are reported. Earlier, we used the concentration ratios among some elements as reported in the literature to discriminate the deposit sources. Later, optimizing the characterization and for having a more strong classification, multivariate chemiometric investigation has been performed (multivariate statistical analysis in Principal Components and Discriminating Factor Analysis). The data obtained show three wellseparated groups connected to the relative sites in Lipari and in Sardinia (flows A and C from Arci Mountain).     

Continuous concentration of bacteria in a microfluidic flow cell using electrokinetic techniques

A novel method for the concentration of bacterial solutions is presented that implements electrokinetic techniques, zone electrophoresis (ZE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF), in a microfluidic device. The method requires low power (< 3e-5 W) and can be performed continuously on a flowing stream. The device consists of two palladium electrodes held in a flow cell constructed from layers of polymeric film held together by a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Both ZE and IEF are performed with carrier-free solutions in devices in which the electrodes are in intimate contact with the sample fluid. IEF experiments were performed using natural pH gradients; no carrier ampholyte solution was required. Experiments performed in buffer alone resulted in significant electroosmotic flow. Pretreatment of the sample chamber with bleach followed by a concentrated solution of cationic detergent effectively suppressed electroosmotic flow.     

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis of dextromethorphan and its metabolites

This study deals with the nonaqueous capillary electrophoretic separation of dextromethorphan and its metabolites using a methanolic background electrolyte. The optimization of separation conditions was performed in terms of the resolution of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan and the effect of separation temperature, voltage, and the characteristics of the background electrolyte were studied. Complete separation of all analytes was achieved in 40 mM ammonium acetate dissolved in methanol. Hydrodynamic injection was performed at 3 kPa for 4 s. The separation voltage was 20 kV accompanied by a low electric current. The ultraviolet detection was performed at 214 nm, the temperature of the capillary was 25°C. These conditions enabled the separation of four analytes plus the internal standard within 9 min. Further, the developed method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, and repeatability. Rat liver perfusate samples were subjected to the nonaqueous capillary electrophoretic method to illustrate its applicability.     

Mechanistic studies of plasma polymerization of allylamine

Plasma polymerization of allylamine is performed both in continuous wave and pulsed mode. Chemical derivatization is applied to determine primary and secondary amine concentration. Primary amines are efficiently formed, but secondary amines are more abundant. A polymerization mechanism is proposed to account for the difference in amine content obtained from comparison between continuous wave and pulsed mode plasma polymerization. The AFM measurements performed on ultrathin (1-10 nm) plasma polymers confirm the continuity of films and that the film growth on silicon occurs via a layer-by-layer mechanism because no islandlike structures were detected.     

Oxidative removal of interferences in flow-injection potentiometric determination of chloride

Direct potentiometric determination of chloride in a flow-injection system can be performed in the presence of excess bromide, iodide, sulphide and cyanide, when potassium bromate in nitric acid is used as the carrier solution. The hydrodynamics and temperature of such a system have been examined and various oxidants and indicating electrodes investigated. The analysis can be performed at a maximum rate of 120 samples per hour.     

Study of artificially degraded woods simulating natural ageing of archaeological findings

Simulation of waterlogged archaeological woods was carried out by immersion of fir and chestnut wood samples into sea water at different temperatures (room temperature and 40°C). The effects of metals in contact with woods were simulated by inserting in some specimens of the two types of wood copper or iron nails, the most important metals from the archaeological point of view. The effects of this ageing simulation on woods were studied by different characterization methods. At first we have performed gravimetric analyses, controlling the mass increase of immersed wood in function of the time of immersion and the temperature of the bath. Then, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry in oxygen flux were used. The alteration of wood was observed by means of the peak temperatures of DTA, DTG and DSC variation and by the mass losses observed during heating, evaluated on the basis of the measured thermal data. The samples were woods powder obtained by milling. Complementary characterization of the woods was performed by evaluating the crystallinity of cellulose by means of X-ray powder diffraction. The change in colour of woods during ageing was checked by means of spectrophotometric measurements in the visible region. X-ray fluorescence was used to investigate the penetration of metals into wood samples. An artificial ageing treatment with NaOH and O₃ was also performed. Finally, a comparison between the effects of artificial alteration realised in our specimens and natural degradation observed in archaeological woods, was performed.     

HPLC Gel-Filtration of Insulin During Short and Long Time Infusion by Artificial Delivery Systems

Abstract

We examined with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) gel-filtration the aggregational behaviour of insulin during application by artificial delivery systems.

The short time infusion was performed by an autosyringe pump and the long time infusion was performed by a Siemens pump. For comparison we collected samples of about l ml and determined the radioimmunological activity in order to verify the results of the HPLC gel-filtration.

The chromatograms, performed at 37[ddot]C and at ambibient temperature, showed no aggregates of a higher molecular weight.

We observed sedimentation only once during long time infusion, however, the immediately performed gel-filtration surprisingly showed at no time an aggregate of a higher molecular weight, but the quantity of insulin was obviously reduced.

A different length of the catheter systems used did not promote the aggregational behaviour.