Matrix enhancement effect: A blessing or a curse for gas chromatography?—A review

The matrix enhancement effect in gas chromatography (GC) has been a problem for the last decade and results in unexpected high recovery. Most efforts, including the use of different types of injectors/matrix simplification procedures, and further clean-up associated with removing this effect has focused on equalizing the response of the standard in the solvent and matrix. However, after eliminating the matrix enhancement effect, the sensitivity of GC remained unchanged. But, GC sensitivity can be increased by utilizing this matrix effect originating from a matrix-matched standard. Very few studies have highlighted utilizing the matrix effect but have rather advocated eliminating it. Analyte protectants (3-ethoxy-1,2-propanediol, gulonolactone and sorbitol) have been introduced as an alternative for GC–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) (not examined for other GC detectors), as they equalize the response without removing the matrix effect, and, hence, increase sensitivity. Versatile applications of analyte protectants are not observed in practice. The European guidelines recommend the use of matrix-matched standard calibration for residue measurements. As a result, numerous applications are available for matrix-matched standards that compensate for the matrix effect. Moreover, the matrices (among them pepper leaf matrix) act as a protectant for thermolabile analytes in some cases. A lower detection limit should be achieved to comply with the maximum residue limits. Therefore, the matrix enhancement effect, which is considered a problem, can play an important role in lowering the detection limit by increasing the transfer of analyte from the injection port to the detector.     

In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of thiourea derivatives bearing Salix sp. constituent against HK-1 cell lines

Abstract

In searching for drugs from natural product scaffolds has gained interest among researchers. In this study, a series of twelve halogenated thiourea (ATX 1-12) via chemical modification of aspirin (a natural product derivative) and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines, HK-1 via MTS-based colorimetric assay. The cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that halogens at meta position of ATX showed promising activity against HK-1 cells (IC₅₀ value ≤15?µM) in comparison to cisplatin, a positive cytotoxic drug (IC₅₀ value =8.9?±?1.9?µM). ATX 11, bearing iodine at meta position, showed robust cytotoxicity against HK-1 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.7?±?0.7?µM. Molecular docking interactions between ATX 11 and cyclooxygenase-2 demonstrated a robust binding affinity value of ?8.1?kcal/mol as compared to aspirin’s binding affinity value of ?6.4?kcal/mol. The findings represent a promising lead molecule from natural product with excellent cytotoxic activity against NPC cell lines.     

Possible Transmission Flow of SARS-CoV-2 Based on ACE2 Features

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular receptor for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is engendering the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The spike (S) protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the three sub-domains viz. amino acids (aa) 22–42, aa 79–84, and aa 330–393 of ACE2 on human cells to initiate entry. It was reported earlier that the receptor utilization capacity of ACE2 proteins from different species, such as cats, chimpanzees, dogs, and cattle, are different. A comprehensive analysis of ACE2 receptors of nineteen species was carried out in this study, and the findings propose a possible SARS-CoV-2 transmission flow across these nineteen species.     

Copper(II) complexes containing pyridine-based and phenolate-based systems: Synthesis,characterization, DFT study,biomimetic catalytic activity of catechol oxidase and phenoxazinone synthase

A template Schiff condensation of 2,6-pyridine dicarbaldehyde or 2,6-diformyl-4- bromophenol and 1,3–diamino-2-hydroxy propane or 3,4-diaminotoluene in the presence of copper(II) salts (CuX₂) (X = Cl, Br, CH₃COO, or ClO₄) affords different types of copper(II) complexes. Depending on the employed molar ratio of the dicarbonyl compounds and diamines, different types of copper(II) complexes formed during the template condensation reaction. Structural formulation of the complexes was confirmed by elemental analysis (C, H, N, and M), physical measurements such as thermal analysis (TAG & DTG), molar conductivity, and magnetic moments in addition to spectral studies (UV–Vis, IR, and ESR). Homobinuclear in a four-coordinate square planar and five-coordinate square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal in monomeric structures are proposed. A mononuclear hexa-coordinate in an octahedral geometry is suggested as well. Oxidase biomimetic catalytic activity of these newly synthesized copper(II) complexes was examined toward the aerobic oxidation of 4-tert-butylcatechol (4-TBCH₂) and o-aminophenol under catalytic conditions. Both catalytic and kinetic investigations demonstrate promising oxidase catalytic activity and based on the kinetic results, probable mechanistic catalytic implications are discussed. Geometrical structures of representative copper(II) complexes were determined by optimizing their bond lengths, bond angles, dihedral angles, and the structural index (τ).     

Cyclization of thiosemicarbazide derivative: As a source of novel synthesis of some azoles and azines

In our study, we aimed to synthesize novel, some biologically active compounds, Azoles and Azines derivatives, that to be nitrogen-containing heterocycles, and have their diverse therapeutic values. Thiosemicarbazide, 2 , was obtained from the attack of nitrogen of hydrazine to the carbon of heteroallene function of compound 1. Triazolotriazole derivative, 4 , was obtained from the reaction of 2 with diethyl malonate. Cyclization of thiourea unit of compound 2 with heteroallene, 1 , gave trazine, 6 . Benzolyation of 2 using benzoyl chloride formed triazole derivative, 8 . Reaction of 2 and maleic anhydride gave furothiadazine, 10. Cyclohexanopyrimidinthione, 12 , was obtained from cyclocondensation of cyclohexanone with 2. Triazole, 14 , was obtained from 2 and ammonium isothiocynate under thermal condition. Reaction of 2 with ethyl bromoacetate gave thiazole derivative, 16. [2+3] Cyclocondensation of acetyl acetone with 2 provided pyrazole, 18 . Triazolotriazole, 20 , was obtained from formalin and 2. Compound 2 suffers intramolecular base mediated cyclization affording pyrazole, 21. Keeping 2 and propinaldehyde under reflux provided triazolotriazole, 24. Acylation of 2 by succinic acid formed pyridazine derivative, 27.     

Domino synthesis of pyrimido and imidazoquinazolinones

A simple method for the synthesis of N-alkyl-2-arylquinazolin-4-amines, methyl 4-((2-arylquinazolin-4-yl)amino) butanoates, 6-aryl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[1,2-c]quinazolin-4-ones, and 5-arylimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolin-3(2H)-ones has been described. It involves a simple reaction of N-(2-cyanophenyl)-substitutedbenzimidoyl chlorides with alkylamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, β-alanine, l -alanine, and glycine methyl esters hydrochloride in acetonitrile to afford the desired compounds after a series of instantaneous reactions that include Dimroth rearrangement. The reaction involves reflux for 12 hours, simple addition of reagents to an in situ generated benzimidoyl chloride, and simple workup, to form 21 examples of pure compounds in high yields. The active intermediate N-(2-cyanophenyl)-substitutedbenzimidoyl chlorides were formed by the reaction of N-(2-cyanophenyl)-substitutedbenzamides with thionyl chloride in a one-pot strategy. The alternative method described for this preparation deals with an exhausting multistep reactions starting from anthranilic acid.     

The role of chalcones: helichrysetin,xanthohumol, and flavokawin-C in promoting neurite outgrowth in PC12 Adh cells

Chalcones are a group of compounds widely distributed in plant kingdom. The aim of this study was to assess the neurite outgrowth stimulatory activity of selected chalcones, namely helichrysetin, xanthohumol and flavokawin-C. Using adherent rat pheochromocytoma (PC12 Adh) cells, the chalcones were subjected to neurite outgrowth assay and the extracellular nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were determined. Xanthohumol (10 μg/mL) displayed the highest (p < 0.05) percentage of neurite-bearing PC12 Adh cells and the highest (p < 0.05) NGF level in the culture medium of xanthohumol-treated cells. While, helichrysetin induced a moderately high numbers of neurite-bearing cells, flavokawin-C did not stimulate neurite outgrowth. This work supports the potential use of xanthohumol as a potential neuroactive compound to stimulate neurite outgrowth.     

Biosorption of beryllium from aqueous solutions onto modified chitosan resin: Equilibrium,kinetic and thermodynamic study

The goal of the present work is the recovery of beryllium ion from their solution by modified chitosan hydrogel. Chitosan was chemically cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to prevent its dissolution in aqueous acidic solutions. The obtained chitosan/glutaraldehyde adsorbent was reacted with chloroacetic acid to produce carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), which was converted into sodium form by reaction with sodium hydroxide solution to increase its hydrophilic properties. The chemically synthesized chitosan adsorbent contains carboxylate group that expected to have a strong affinity to beryllium ions according to the hard-soft acid-base concept by Pearson because that beryllium ion is a hard acid and has smaller ionic radii. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized and its affinity towards beryllium ions was tested. The different experimental parameters including pH, beryllium concentration, agitation period and temperature were studied to optimize the biosorption process. The maximum biosorption values of beryllium species on the investigated biosorbent are 44.96 and 36.72?mg/g at pH 1 and 5, respectively. Kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the biosorption process were evaluated from kinetic and biosorption experiments. The adsorbed beryllium species were eluted with a 3?M H₂SO₄ solution.     

Removal of nickel (II) ions from aqueous solutions using modified activated carbon: A kinetic and equilibrium study

Removal nickel from the aquatic environment is a serious environmental problem in view of public health. The present article studies the applicability of activated carbon, obtained from graphite, as a source of adsorbents to remove nickel from the aqueous polluted water. Activated carbon was obtained by steam activation of graphite and then was oxidized by nitric acid followed by modification with Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). The applicability of graphite activated carbon (GAC), and modified activated carbon by Tetraethylenepentamine (GACA) to remove nickel ions Ni(II) from aqueous media was studied. The effect of pH, initial concentration, contact time, and the temperature was evaluated during Ni(II) removal operating in a batch process. Experimental results show that the studied activated carbon have a good adsorption capacity for Ni(II) ions and could reduce the concentrations of it in the groundwater. A maximum removal efficient of Ni(II) was observed at 55°C. The experimental data showed an endothermic and spontaneous process, which was fitted to Langmuir isotherm. Based on our results, we can conclude that it is possible to use GAC and GACA for removing Ni(II) effectively from groundwater.     

Effect of different metal sulfate precursors on structural and catalytic performance of zirconia in dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether

ZrO_2 was treated with 10% SO_4~(2-) from different metal sulfate precursors for methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether.All the samples exhibited tetragonal phase and no diffraction peaks corresponding to metal sulfates or metal oxides were observed.The FT-IR results revealed that there were different interactions between sulfate and ZrO_2,and this had a great effect on the surface area of the samples.The catalytic activity was measured over the catalysts in the temperature range of 100-300 ℃.The results revealed that sulfated zirconia with CuSO_4·5 H_2O and Al_2(SO_4)_3·16 H_2O showed the best catalytic activity.The maximum yield of DME ≈87% was obtained over CuSZ at a reaction temperature of 275 ℃.Moreover,the catalytic activity of the catalysts was correlated well with their surface acidity that measured by dehydration of isopropanol.