Analysis of sub-picogram quantities of 238Pu by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - A multiple ion-counting total evaporation technique has been developed for precise analysis of sub-picogram (pg) quantities of 238Pu by thermal...     

Development of <Superscript>177</Superscript>Lu-DOTA-anti-CD20 for radioimmunotherapy

Rituximab was successively labeled with ¹⁷⁷Lu-lutetium chloride. ¹⁷⁷Lu chloride was obtained by thermal neutron flux (4 × 10¹³ n cm⁻² s⁻¹) of natural Lu₂O₃ sample with a specific activity of 2.6–3 GBq/mg. The macrocyclic bifunctional chelating agent, N-succinimidyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA-NHS) was prepared at 25 °C using DOTA, N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) in CH₂Cl₂. DOTA-rituximab was obtained by the addition of 1 mL of a rituximab pharmaceutical solution (5 mg/mL, in phosphate buffer, pH 7.8) to a glass tube pre-coated with DOTA-NHS (0.01–0.1 mg) at 25 °C with continuous mild stirring for 15 h. Radiolabeling was performed at 37 °C in 24 h. Radio-thin layer chromatography showed an overall radiochemical purity of >98% at optimized conditions (specific activity = 444 MBq/mg, labeling efficacy; 82%). The final isotonic ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-rituximab complex was checked by gel electrophoresis for structure integrity control. Radio-TLC was performed to ensure that only one species was present after filtration through a 0.22 μm filter. Preliminary biodistribution studies in normal rats were carried out to determine complex distribution of the radioimmunoconjugate up to 168 h. The biodistribution data were in accordance with other antiCD20 radioimmunoconjugates already reported.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Piperazinium Polyelectrolytes Carrying Hydrophobic Functionalities: Effect of Counter Ion and Charge Density on Flocculation

Following our recent synthesis and characterization of three new cationic polyelectrolytes with subtle hydrophobic variability, this paper reports their physical and chemical properties in aqueous media in relation to their chemical structure. Aryl substituted cationic polyelectrolytes varying with their charge density are reported for the first time. Viscosity studies show that these polymers display typical polyelectrolytic behavior. The flocculation efficiency of the polyelectrolytes was investigated with different counter ions. The zeta potential of the polyelectrolytes indicates the charge of the mono and diquaternary ammonium salts which is supported by chloride analysis. The morphology of polymer before and after flocculation was investigated. The introduction of methylene group and quaternary nitrogen play an important role in the flocculation process. It was shown that increasing the hydrophobicity and charge density of the aryl substituted polymer affects the flocculation in the industrial tannery effluent and bentonite suspension.     

Photo-degradation and emission characteristics of benzidine in halomethane solvents

Benzidine is an aromatic base of importance in industry. It represents a serious pollutant in many industrial effluents and its photodegradation is of great interest. The mechanism of photo-chemical decomposition of benzidine in different halomethane solvents in addition to the corresponding UV absorption spectra and fluorescence emission spectra are discussed. The photochemical quantum yields (phiC lambda ex = 254 nm) of benzidine in halomethanes is dependent upon the halogen content in the solvent. This effect may be explained by the assumption that free radicals are formed during photolysis of these solvents followed by the abstraction of electrons from a benzidine molecule forming macroradicals of the latter. Both mono- and di-radical benzidine cations have been detected by different techniques. The well known electron absorption peak at 283 nm is characteristic of neutral benzidine while those observed at ca. 370 and 565 nm are assigned to the blue-monoradical cation and yellow-diradical cation, respectively. The blue-monoradical cation has been isolated after irradiation as a blue precipitate. A comparison between neutral benzidine and the blue monoradical cation are made using both IR and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The fluorescence quenching of solutions of benzidine in inert solvents using halomethanes have been studied. The results obtained are interpreted in terms of a diffusional quenching mechanism.     

Development of a single-run liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis for the detection of 11 multiclass contaminants of emerging concern using a direct filtration method

In toxicological analysis, the analytical validation method is important to assess the exact risk of contaminants of emerging concern in the environment. Syringe filters are mainly used to remove impurities from sample solutions. However, the loss of analyte to the syringe filter could be considerable, causing an underestimate of the analyte concentrations. The current study develops and validates simultaneous liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis using a direct filtration method to detect four groups of contaminants of emerging concern. The adsorption of the analyte onto three different matrices and six types of syringe filters is reported. The lowest adsorption of analytes was observed in methanol (16.72%), followed by deionized water (48.19%) and filtered surface lake water (48.94%). Irrespective of the type of the matrices, the lowest average adsorption by the syringe filter was observed in the 0.45 μm polypropylene membrane (15.15%), followed by the 0.20 μm polypropylene membrane (16.10%), the 0.20 μm regenerated cellulose (16.15%), the 0.20 μm polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (47.38%), the 0.45 μm nylon membrane (64.87%) and the 0.20 μm nylon membrane (71.30%). In conclusion, the recommended syringe filter membranes for contaminants of emerging concern analysis are polypropylene membranes and regenerated cellulose, regardless of the matrix used.     

Silica Aerogel: Synthesis,Characterization, Applications,and Recent Advancements

Silica aerogels have drawn considerable attention due to their low density (almost 95% of the total volume is composed of air), hydrophobicity, optical transparency, low conductivity of heat, and large surface to volume ratio. Sol–gel processing is used to prepare aerogels from molecular precursors. To replace the pore fluid with air while retaining the solid network, a supercritical drying process (the most frequent approach) is used. However, recent technologies use atmospheric pressure to allow for liquid removal followed by chemical alteration of the gel's internal layer, which leaves only a silica network with a porous structure filled with air. This study discusses the sol–gel method for preparing silica aerogels and their various drying processes. Furthermore, various areas of applications of silica aerogels, including electronics, construction, aerospace, purification of water and air, sensing, catalyst, biomedical, absorbent, food packing, textile, etc., are also discussed. Lastly, this review provides a perception of the recent scientific progress along with the futuristic development of silica aerogel.