GC-MS separation and quantitation of 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid and hippuric acid from plasma of patients with renal failure: Application to blood purification methods

Solid-phase extraction, capillary GC, and mass selective detection have been used to determine 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid (furanpropionic acid) and hippuric acid in the plasma of patients with chronic renal failure. The concentrations of furanpropionic acid and hippuric acid were found to be highly elevated and reached levels of 4.56 ± 2.37 mg/dl (10 to 20-fold higher than normal) and 12.90 ± 14.06 mg/dl (40 to 60-fold), respectively. Treatment by hemodialysis and hemofiltration effectively eliminated hippuric acid (on average by 66 and 56%, respectively) but had little effect on furanpropionic acid. Intermittent peritoneal dialysis gave the best long-term results. Both components were maintained at a lower level than by hemodialysis and hemofiltration.     

Aalysis of the fatty acid composition of the lipid classes in human blood serum under normal diet and when supplemented with fish oil

Total lipids have been extracted from human serum with chloroform–methanol 2:1 (v/v) and separated into individual classes by TLC. After transesterification the fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography on an FFAP column. The quantitation of ω-3 fatty acids has been performed using internal and external standards. Internal lipid standards for each lipid class were carried throughout the entire analytical procedure. Under normal diet eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are incorporated into the lipid classes to different extents: cholesterol esters; EPA, 6.5 ± 1.9 γ/ml serum; DHA, 4.3 ± 1.9 μg/ml: phospholipids; EPA, 5.9 ± 2.7 μg/ml; DHA, 31.8 ± 8.1 μg/ml. Fish oil supplementation leads to a 4 to 6-fold rise in EPA and to an approximately 2-fold rise in DHA.     

Identification of fatty acid methyl esters as minor components of fish oil by multidimensional GC-MSD: New furan fatty acids

The separation and analysis of furan fatty acids and other minor component fatty acids present at very low concentrations in complex sample matrices, such as fish oil or lipids derived from liver and testes, require several pre-analytical separation steps if single column gas chromatography is to furnish sufficient resolution: after extraction and transesterification hydrogenation, urea complex precipitation and argentation TLC have been applied prior to GC analysis of furan fatty acids. By using multidimensional GC-MSD with cooled injection and flow-controlled column switching with intermediate cold trapping, it has been possible to identify directly the methyl esters of furan fatty acids without further pre-analytical separation. The most common of the furan fatty acids can be subdivided into two groups depending on whether they bear a propyl or pentyl side group in the 5-position of the furan ring. In addition to the eight furan fatty acids known to be present in fish oil, six new ones were identified, four with propyl substitution and two with pentyl substitution. Four have earlier been reported to be present in the hepatopancreas of crayfish and in fish tissue, whereas the propyl-substituted 16,19-epoxy-17,18-dimethyldocosa-16,18-dienoic acid and the pentyl-substituted furan fatty acid 6,9-epoxy-7-methyltetradeca-6,8-dienoic acid were hitherto unknown.     

Highly sensitive simultaneous quantification of indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid in human plasma using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid are uremic toxins that accumulate in renal failure and have been reported to decrease the activities of the drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 3A and the drug transporter organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B, respectively. In this study, we established and validated an assay for simultaneous quantification of indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid in human plasma. The samples were pretreated by solid-phase extraction, and measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The validation results for this assay were within the acceptable limits recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration, with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.05 μg/mL for both indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid. Recovery rates of indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid corrected by internal standard were 100.7–101.9 and 100.2–101.3%, respectively. Matrix effects of indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid corrected by internal standard were 101.1–105.5 and 97.0–103.8%, respectively. The validated assay was used to analyze indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid concentrations in the plasma samples of healthy volunteers and patients with chronic kidney disease. All the measured plasma indoxyl sulfate and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid concentrations were within the calibration ranges. This novel method may contribute to predicting the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters in individual patients.     

Separation and identification of unsaturated fatty acid isomers in blood serum and therapeutic oil preparations in the form of their oxazoline derivatives by GC-MS

Fatty acids from blood serum lipids and fish oil preparations are derivatized with 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol to form 2-substituted 4,4-dimethyloxazolines. The derivatives are separated on a 25 m × 0.25 mm FFAP column and identified by mass spectrometry using electron impact ionization. The positions of the double bonds of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids can be easily and reliably recognized from a characteristic fragmentation feature of the oxazolines. Several unsaturated C16 to C22 fatty acid isomers are identified whose exact structure has not been derived from the commonly used methyl esters.     

CE-DAD-MS/MS in the simultaneous determination and identification of selected antibiotic drugs and their metabolites in human urine samples

In this study, a new analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of antibiotic drugs (amoxicillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, linezolid, metronidazole) and their metabolites (amoxycilloic acid, amoxicillin diketopiperazine, 3-desacetyl cefotaxime lactone, clindamycin sulfoxide, ciprofloxacin piperazinyl-N4-sulfate, linezolid N-oxide, metronidazole-OH) in human urine. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) along with the tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to determine and identify all analytes. Appropriate conditions for MS/MS measurements along with the use of the central composite design were optimized. The effects of different analytical conditions (the composition, the concentration, and the pH value of the background electrolyte, the time and pressure of the injection, the capillary temperature and influence of the organic modifier) on the migration and separation of antibiotic drugs and metabolites were examined using the CE-DAD. The analytical procedure was linear for concentrations ranging from 20 to 1000 ng/mL, with determination coefficients higher than 0.99 for all the analytes. The validated analytical procedure was then applied to the measurement of antibiotic drugs and their metabolites in human urine samples.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Schiff bases derived from 2-chloro quinoline-3-carbaldehyde and its derivatives incorporating 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid hydrazide

A series of Schiff bases consisting of two heterocyclic rings derived from 2-chloro quinoline-3-carbaldehyde and its derivatives incorporating 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid hydrazide have been accomplished and thoroughly characterized by various spectroscopic techniques including IR, MS, and multinuclear NMR. These compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans. The derivatives exhibited moderate activity against E. coli and C. albicans.     

Composition and major odorous compounds of the essential oil of Bifora radians,an aldehyde-producing weed

The composition of the essential oil of Bifora radians, an aldehyde-producing weed, has been investigated by capillary gas chromatography, coupled gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, on-line catalytic hydrogenation and coupled gas chromatography – infrared spectrometry. The nineteen compounds identified included eighteen aldehydes: seven alkanals (C6, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, and C14), ten alkenals, including five (E)-2-alkenals (C12, C13, C14, C15, and C16), and one (E,E)-2,4-alkadienal (C13). Typical Bifora odors were attributed to three major (E)-2-alkenals, C12, C13, and C14.     

Capillary electrochromatography‐mass spectrometry for the determination of 5‐nitroimidazole antibiotics in urine samples

The separation of eight antibiotics belonging to 5‐nitroimidazole family was carried out by means of CEC coupled with MS. Preliminary experiments were carried out with ultraviolet detection in order to select the proper stationary and mobile phase. Among the different stationary phases studied (namely Lichrospher C18, 5 μm particle size; Cogent^TM Bidentate C18, 4.2 μm; Pinnacle II? Phenyl, 3 μm; Pinnacle II? Cyano, 3 μm), Cogent? Bidentate C18 (4.2 μm) gave the best performance. For CEC‐MS coupling, a laboratory assembled liquid‐junction‐nano‐spray interface was used. In order to achieve a good sensitivity, special attention was paid to both optimization of the sheath liquid composition as well as selection of the injection mode. Under optimized CEC‐ESI‐MS conditions, the separation was accomplished within 22 min by using a column packed with a mixture of Bidentate C18:Lichrospher Silica‐60 (5 μm) 3:1 w/w, an inlet pressure of 11 bar, a voltage of 15 kV, and a mobile phase composed by 45:10:45 v/v/v ACN/MeOH/water containing ammonium acetate (5 mM pH 5). A combined hydrodynamic and electrokinetic injection of 8 bar, 15 kV, and 96 s was adopted. The method was validated in terms of repeatability and intermediate precision of retention times and peak areas, linearity, and LODs and LOQs. RSDs values were <2.9% for retention times and <16.1% for peak areas in both intraday and interday experiments. LOQ values were between 0.09 and 0.42 μg/mL for all compounds. Finally, the method was applied to the determination of three most employed 5‐nitroimidazole antibiotics (metronidazole, secnidazole, and ternidazole) in spiked urine samples, subjected to a SPE procedure. Recovery values in the 67–103% range were obtained. Furthermore, for the selected antibiotics, CEC‐MS² spectra were obtained providing the unambiguous confirmation of these drugs in urine samples.     

Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and gas chromatography to determine the effect of UV irradiation on crude oil

The fate of the crude oil under irradiation was studied. After the UV irradiation, the fraction present in the highest percentage shifted from C8–C9 fraction to C13 one, in GC–MS analysis. An increase of the relative amount of the C13–C25 fraction was observed, while a decrease in the relative amount of the C7–C12 fractions was present. The synchronous fluorescence spectrum showed a maximum at 396 nm. Two hours irradiation of the sample induced an increase of the fluorescence emission in the region 420–550 nm. After 20, 40, 60, and 100 h irradiation we observed a decrease of the fluorescence emission.     

4-Hydroxy-2-quinolones 113. Synthesis and antitubercular activity of N-R-amides of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-1-propyl-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid

A preparative method has been developed and the synthesis has been effected of anilides and heterylamides of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-1-propyl-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid. A comparative analysis has been carried out of the structure and antitubercular properties of the synthesized compounds and their analogs unsubstituted in the quinoline nucleus. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 405–414, March, 2007.     

劣化变压器油中硅胶吸附物的分离分析

利用红外光谱法、气相色谱法（GC）和色－质联用（GC-MS)技术分析测定了投运一年后的劣质变压器油中硅胶吸附物的呈色成分，分析了硅胶吸附变色的原因。     

Sensitive sequential-injection system for the determination of 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulphonic acid in human urine samples using on-line solid-phase extraction coupled with fluorimetric detection

2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulphonic acid (PBS) is an UV-filter contained in many cosmetics as a sunscreen. A direct, selective and sensitive method to determine traces of PBS is presented. The on-line separation of this compound from urine matrix was directly coupled with fluorimetric detection in a sequential-injection system. The separation was performed using a SAX microcolumn in which the analyte was retained and eluted selectively. The determination is carried out without any derivatization reaction, by directly measuring the intrinsic fluorescence of the analyte. The wavelengths of excitation and emission were 301 and 681 nm, respectively. On-line standard addition calibration is performed into the system, and only one standard solution is required. The limit of detection was 12 ng ml⁻¹. The method was satisfactorily used to determine PBS in both, spiked and unspiked human urine samples, without any pretreatment. The relative standard deviations of the results were in the order of 2-13%. The concentrations of the analyte obtained for unspiked samples taken from sunscreen users were higher than the limit of detection.     

4-hydroxy-2-quinolones. 96. Synthesis and properties of 4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid

Alkaline hydrolysis of the ethyl ester of 4-(cyanoethoxycarbonylmethyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid is accompanied by decarboxylation with loss of two molecules of CO₂ and leads to 4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 887–893, June, 2006.     

6-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-2,3-dimethyl-α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins,dissolved in polysiloxanes,as chiral selectors for gas chromatography. Influence of selector concentration and polysiloxane matrix polarity on enantioselectivity

The enantioselectivity of three chiral selectors, 6-t-butyldimethyl-silyl-2,3-dimethyl-α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin (TB-α-CD, TB-β-CD, TB-γ-CD), are compared and discussed for a range of chiral test compounds. TB-β-CD in particular offers high enantioselectivity for a variety of chiral compounds and has the special property of excellent solubility in different alkylpolysiloxanes, including the weakly polar variety, because of its weak self-association. To investigate the influence of the polarity of polysiloxane matrices this selector can be used at a wide range of concentrations in the most suitable polysiloxane matrices and at low separation temperatures without impairment of resolution by peak broadening and symmetry distortion.     

Determination of eight polyphenols and pantothenic acid in extra‐virgin olive oil samples by a simple,fast, high‐throughput and sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method

A new ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method for a fast and sensitive determination of eight polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, oleuropein, quercetin, rutin, tyrosol) and panthotenic acid in extra‐virgin olive oil was developed. The method does not require long sample pre‐treatment and presents the lowest limit of detection and limit of quantitation values present in literature. Inter‐ and intra‐day variability, linear dynamic range of the calibration curve, recovery and matrix effect were also determined and investigated. The method was applied to several oil samples of different type and origin. Given its accuracy, precision and rapidity, the method is characterized by an interestingly high throughput, reliability, and sensitivity.