Electrochemical Monitoring of Methotrexate Anticancer Drug in Human Blood Serum by Using in situ Solvothermal Synthesized Fe3O4/ITO Electrode

Here, we reported on a one‐step fabrication of magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles/indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode based on the direct growing of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on the ITO surface by using a solvothermal process. The modified electrode was used as electrochemical methotrexate (MTX) biosensor with high sensitivity based on cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. The results demonstrated a linear relationship between the MTX concentration and its oxidation current peak over a wide range from 10^?5 to 10^?14 mole/L with a limit of detection of 0.4×10^?15 M based on the square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. In addition, Fe₃O₄/ITO electrode showed a good capability for measuring very low concentrations of MTX drug dissolved in human serum solution. Also, Fe₃O₄/ITO electrode was used for detecting MTX in blood serum samples collected from patients after their treatment with MTX. The prepared electrode showed the higher sensitivity that higher than the Viva‐E instrument, which opens the door for developing a cheap, simple and higher sensitive MTX sensor.     

Development and validation of an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to determine the bioavailability of warfarin and its major metabolite 7‐hydroxy warfarin in rats dosed with oral formulations containing different polymorphic forms

A simple, sensitive and rapid ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of warfarin and 7‐hydroxy warfarin in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Animals were administered a single dose of warfarin sodium formulations (crystalline and amorphous) at 12 mg/kg via oral gavage and blood was drawn over a 96‐h time course. Sample process recoveries, matrix effect and analyte stability were determined. The linearity for warfarin and 7‐hydroxy warfarin was from 5 to 2000 ng/mL in blank SD rat plasma. Correlation coefficients (r²) for standard calibration curves were >.98 and analytes quantified within ±15% of target at all calibrator concentrations. The average percent accuracy and precision for intra‐ and inter‐day were 93.7%–113.8% and ≤12.1%, respectively, for warfarin and 7‐hydroxy warfarin, across the quality control standards (5, 10, 500, 1800 and 2000 ng/mL). Acceptable analytical recovery (>55%) was achieved with process efficiencies >41.5% and matrix effects <139.9% over the analytical range. Both analytes were stable in stock solution, autosampler, benchtop and three cycles of freeze–thaw with percent accuracy ≥90.2% and precision (percent relative standard deviation) ≤14%. The validated method was successfully applied to a pre‐clinical bioavailability study of crystalline and amorphous warfarin sodium formulations in SD rats.     

Non‐vacuum field desorption ion source implemented under super‐atmospheric pressure

Standard field desorption (FD) ionization is implemented under high vacuum condition. In this paper, non‐vacuum FD is performed under a super‐atmospheric pressure environment using untreated tungsten wires as FD emitter, and the ion source was coupled to a commercial linear ion trap mass spectrometer. The operating pressure of the ion source was 6 bars which was high enough to provide sufficient dielectric strength to the working gas so that the high voltage that was required for FD could be applied to the emitter without occurrence of electrical discharge. Non‐volatile sample deposited on the bare tungsten wire FD emitter was heated by flowing direct current through the emitter. Similar to vacuum FD, the formation of conical protrusion of the liquefied sample layer under the strong electric field was also observed. Using the present ion source, high pressure field‐desorption of polar neutral compounds, organic salts and ionic liquids is demonstrated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature dependence of turn-on time delay of semiconductor laser diode: Theoretical analysis

Temperature dependence of the turn-on time delay (t_on) of uncooled semiconductor laser diodes biased below and above threshold is analyzed in presence of data pattern effect. We show that even when the laser is biased at or slightly above threshold, the increase in temperature of operation will lead to increase in the threshold carrier (N_th) and consequently the laser diode will be biased below the threshold again and a significant value of t_on will be produced. Thus, knowledge about a value of dc-bias current required to achieve zero t_on within wide range of temperature degrees is important when considering uncooled laser diode in high-speed optical communication systems. The temperature dependence of t_on is calculated according to the temperature dependence of N_th and Auger recombination coefficient (C) and not by the well-know exponentional relationship of threshold current with temperature. The temperature dependence of N_th is calculated according to the temperature dependence of laser cavity parameters. Advanced analytical model is derived in term of carrier density, recombination coefficients and the injection current (I_inj). The validity of proposed model is confirmed by a numerical method. In addition, approximated models are included where under specified assumptions the proposed model reduces to the well-known approximate models of t_on. According to our typical values and at a specified value of modulation current, the dc-bias one (I_ib) should be increased from I_ib = I_th to I_ib ≈ 1.25 and 1.5I_th in order to achieve approximately zero t_on when the temperature increases from 25°C to 55°C and 85°C, respectively.     

Residual determination and risk assessment of buprofezin in plum (Prunus domestica) grown in open‐field conditions following the application of three different formulations

This study was conducted to characterize the residual level and perform a risk assessment on buprofezin formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, and suspension concentrate over various treatment schedules in plum (Prunus domestica). The samples were extracted with an AOAC quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe, ‘QuEChERS’, method after major modifications. As intrinsic interferences were observed in blank plum samples following dispersive‐solid phase extraction (consisting of primary secondary amine and C₁₈ sorbents), amino cartridges were used for solid‐phase extraction. Analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography with diode array detection and confirmed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The method showed excellent linearity with determination coefficient (R² = 1) and satisfactory recoveries (at two spiking levels, 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg) between 90.98 and 94.74% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤8%. The limit of quantification (0.05 mg/kg) was considerably lower than the maximum residue limit (2 mg/kg) set by the Codex Alimentarius. Absolute residue levels for emulsifiable concentrates were highest, perhaps owing to the dilution rate and adjuvant. Notably, all formulation residues were lower than the maximum residue limit, and safety data proved that the fruits are safe for consumers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Common Conformation of Stabilized Triphenyl Phosphonium Ylidic Diesters with Bulky Alkoxy Groups

The phosphonium ylidic diesters, methyl and ethyl isopropyl and, methyl and ethyl t-butyl triphenylphosphoranylidene malonates, 1a,b and 2a,b , respectively, have the syn-anti conformation in solution, as in the crystal, and the bulkier alkoxy group is oriented towards phosphorus. The ¹ H NMR spectra show that in 1a,b , the isopropyl group is oriented towards the face of a phenyl group, consistent with π shielding in the ¹ H signals, and examination of the ¹ H coupled ¹³ C NMR spectra allows assignment of the acyl carbon signals. Computed bond lengths and angles for isolated molecules are similar to those in the crystal, and the geometry and the NMR spectra indicate extensive ylidic resonance. Estimated partial atomic charges on the ester oxygens are more negative when they are oriented towards, rather than away from, phosphorus.     

Preparation and characterization of conducting polyaniline layered magnetic nano composite polymer particles

Considering the application potentials of organic materials possessing both conducting and ferromagnetic functions in various electronic devices, an attempt was made to prepare conducting polyaniline (PANI) layered magnetic nano composite polymer particles. Two routes were used to modify magnetic Fe₃O₄ core particles. In one route, seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in presence of nano‐sized Fe₃O₄ core particles. In another route, cross‐linker ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) was used in addition to MMA. The modified composite particles were named as Fe₃O₄/PMMA and Fe₃O₄/P(MMA‐EGDM), respectively. Finally, seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline was carried out in the presence of Fe₃O₄/PMMA and Fe₃O₄/P(MMA‐EGDM) composite seed particles to obtain Fe₃O₄/PMMA/PANI and Fe₃O₄/P(MMA‐EGDM)/PANI composite polymer particles. The modification of Fe₃O₄ core particles was confirmed by electron micrographs, FTIR, UV–visible spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectra, X‐ray diffraction pattern and thermogravimetric analyses. A comparative study showed that crosslinking of intermediate shell improved the magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity of PANI layered magnetic nano composite particles. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aromatic Polynitro Ether Derivatives of Cellulose

The nucleophilic reaction of sodium cellulosate in the form of membrane or cotton fabric with 2, 4-dinitrohalo-benzenes, 2, 4, 6-trinitrochlorobenzene, 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzyl bromide, and 2, 4, 6-trinitrostyrene was investigated. The degree of substitution attained with the dinitroaryl derivatives was much higher than that with the trinitroaryl derivatives. The reaction proceeded through Meisen-heimer complexes, which in the case of the trinitro derivatives could be isolated. The ability of the polynitro phenyl ether derivatives of the cellulose to form n- and π-complexes was investigated using naphthalene and p-toluidine. No -π- complex was formed with the former, and the latter gave complexes only with the 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzyl or -phenethyl cellulose derivatives but not with the trinitrophenyl. The results were explained as due to steric hindrance from the polymeric cellulosic backbone.     

Sonochemical synthesis and electrochemical characterization of α-nickel hydroxide: precursor effects

Sonochemical degradation of urea was employed to synthesize alpha-nickel hydroxide from different nickel salts. Utilization of ultrasound yielded products with properties significantly different than the products obtained by thermal degradation of urea. The effect of intercalating chloride, nitrate, acetate, and sulfate anions on morphology and electrochemical performance was studied. The sulfate-intercalated sample had the smallest interlayer spacing when obtained by the sonochemical method, contradicting all the previous thermal synthesis results. The specific capacitance trend also differed from the literature values, and the value for the sulfate-intercalated sample was larger than that of acetate- and nitrate-intercalated samples. Ultrasonic synthesis increased the specific capacitance of the sulfate-intercalated sample significantly. This sample was also the most reversible and had the highest charge efficiency.