Automatic microemulsion preparation for metals determination in fuel samples using a flow-batch analyzer and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The principal thermodynamic advantages of using microemulsions over standard emulsions for flow metal analysis are the greatly increased analyte stability and emulsive homogeneity that improve both the ease of sample preparation, and the analytical result. In this study a piston propelled flow-batch analyzer (PFBA) for the determination of Cu, Cr and Pb in gasoline and naphtha by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) was explored. Investigative phase modeling for low dilution was conducted both for gasoline and naphtha microemulsions. Rheological considerations were also explored including a mathematical flow derivation to fine tune the system's operational parameters, and the GF AAS coupling. Both manual and automated procedures for microemulsion preparation were compared. The results of the paired t test at a 95% confidence level showed no significant differences between them. Further recovery test results confirmed a negligible matrix effect of the sample on the analyte absorption signals and an efficient stabilization of the samples (with metals) submitted to microemulsion treatment. The accuracy of the developed procedure was attested by good recovery percentages in the ranges of 100.0 ± 3.5% for Pb in the naphtha samples, and 100.2 ± 3.4% and 100.7 ± 4.6% for Cu and Cr, respectively in gasoline samples.     

Isolation and characterization of new ceramides from aerial parts of Lepidaploa cotoneaster

Two new ceramides were isolated from the bulbs of Lepidaploa cotoneaster (Willd. ex Spreng.) H. Rob. [Vernonia cotoneaster (Willd. ex Spreng.) Less.)], in addition to germanicol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, 3-beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-sitosterol, lupeol, lupeoyl acetate and tiliroside. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectral techniques (MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, DEPT, and TOCSY) and were compared with data reported in literature, and were established as 2S*,2'R*,3S*,4R*,11E)-N-[2'-hydroxyhenicosanoyl]-2-amino-nonadec-11-ene-1,3,4-triol (1) and (2S*,2'R*,3S*,4R*,8E)-N-[2'-hydroxytricosanoyl]-2-amino-nonadec-8-ene-1,3,4-triol (2). To establish the structure and to locate the double bond, the methyl ester of the fatty acid and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) derivatives were prepared for both ceramides.     

Infrared (810 nm) low-level laser therapy in experimental model of strain-induced skeletal muscle injury in rats: effects on functional outcomes

Muscle strains are among the most prevalent causes for athletes' absence from sport activities. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has recently emerged as a potential contender to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in muscle strain treatment. In this work we investigated effects of LLLT and diclofenac on functional outcomes in the acute stage after muscle strain injury in rats. Muscle strain was induced by overloading the tibialis anterior muscle of rats during anesthesia. The injured groups received either no treatment, or a single treatment with diclofenac 30 min prior to injury, or LLLT (810 nm, 100 mW) with doses of 1, 3, 6 or 9 J, at 1 h after injury. Functional outcome measures included a walking index and assessment of electrically induced muscle performance. All treatments (except 9 J LLLT) significantly improved the walking index 12 h postinjury compared with the untreated group. The 3 J group also showed a significantly better walking index than the drug group. All treatments significantly improved muscle performance at 6 and 12 h. LLLT dose of 3 J was as effective as the pharmacological agent in improving functional outcomes in the early phase after a muscle strain injury in rats.     

Determination of cadmium, chromium and lead in marine sediment slurry samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using permanent modifiers

A procedure for the determination of cadmium, chromium, and lead in marine sediment slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed. Slurry was prepared by mixing 10 mg of ground sample with particle size smaller than 50 μm completed to the weight of 1.0 g with a 3% nitric acid and 10% hydrogen peroxide solution. The slurry was maintained homogeneous with an aquarium air pump. For cadmium, the best results were obtained using iridium permanent with optimum pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of 400 and 1300 °C, respectively, a characteristic mass, m_o (1% absorption), of 2.3 pg (recommended 1 pg). Without modifier use, zirconium, ruthenium, and rhodium m_o were 3.4, 4.1, 4.6, and 4.8 pg, respectively. For chromium, the most sensitive condition was obtained with zirconium permanent with optimum pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of 1500 and 2500 °C, m_o of 6.6 pg (recommended 5.5 pg); and without modifier use, rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium m_o were 5.3, 8.8, 8.8, and 8.9 pg, respectively. For lead, the best modifier was also zirconium, m_o of 8.3 pg for the optimum pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of 600 and 1400 °C, respectively, (recommended m_o of 9.0 pg). For iridium, ruthenium, without modifier, and rhodium, m_o were 14.7, 15.5, 16.5, and 16.5 pg, respectively. For all the modifiers selected in each case, the peaks were symmetrical with r² higher than 0.99. Being analyzed (n = 10), two marine sediment reference materials (PACS-2 and MESS-2 from NRCC), the determined values, μg l⁻¹, and certified values in brackets, were 2.17 ± 0.05 (2.11 ± 0.15) and 0.25 ± 0.03 (0.24 ± 0.01) for cadmium in PACS-2 and MESS-2, respectively. For chromium in PACS-2 and MESS-2 the values were 94.7 ± 5.6 (90.7 ± 4.6) and 102.3 ± 10.7 (106 ± 8), respectively. Finally, for lead in PACS-2 and MESS-2, the results obtained were 184 ± 7 (183 ± 8) and of 25.2 ± 0.40 (21.9 ± 1.2), respectively. For cadmium and lead in both samples and chromium in PACS-2, calibration was accomplished with aqueous calibration curves. For chromium in MESS-2, only with the standard addition technique results were in agreement with the certified ones. The limits of detection (k = 3, n = 10) obtained with the diluents were 0.1, 3.4, and 3.6 μg l⁻¹ for cadmium, chromium, and lead, respectively.     

Tris(1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-pyridone)oxotantalum(v): a new water-soluble tantalum complex containing the [Ta=O]3+ core

The synthesis, the characterization and the X-ray crystal structure of a novel tantalum(v) complex tris(1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-pyridone)oxotantalum(v) [TaO(C7H8O2N)3] 1 is reported. Starting from the tantalum pentaethoxide a two-step reaction was carried out observing rigorous anhydrous conditions in methanol in the first step, while the insertion of the oxo group was achieved using water as oxygen donor in the second step. X-Ray diffraction analysis of a crystal of 1 obtained upon evaporation of an aqueous solution shows a seven-coordinate monomeric complex containing the [Ta=O]3+ core in the triclinic space group P1, a = 7.282(3), b = 14.055(5), c = 16.987(6) A, alpha = 65.704(5), beta = 89.155(6), gamma = 75.270(6) degrees, V = 1525(1)A3, Z = 2. Spectroscopic investigation reveals that the complex is highly soluble and stable in water at physiological pH values; as a consequence the complex may represent a potential candidate for the development of new studies on aqueous tantalum(v) chemistry for radiopharmaceutical applications.     

Two new isoflavonoids from Bowdichia virgilioides

Two new isoflavonoids 7,8,4'-trimethoxyisoflavone and 7,8,4'-trimethoxyisoflavanone and calycosin (7,3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone) were isolated from the wood of the leguminous tree Bowdichia virgilioides by usual chromatographic procedures. Besides these compounds the pterocarpane (-)-maackianin, isoliquiritigenin (4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone), and the hydrobenzylfurane derivative bowdenol were also obtained. The structures of these new compounds were determinated by MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis.     

Thermodynamics of formation of host-guest supramolecular polymers

The interactions between three beta-cyclodextrin hosts (having 1-3 binding sites) and two adamantyl guests (having 1-2 binding sites) have been studied by ITC, ROESY, static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS), and AFM and TEM techniques. The enthalpy and free energy values (determined from ITC experiments) evidence that the single interaction between one binding site of the guest and one binding site of the host is independent of the number of binding sites of the interacting species. The average values are deltaH degrees = -26.6 +/- 2.3 kJ mol(-1) and deltaG degrees = -30.4 +/- 3.2 kJ mol(-1), indicating that the process is mainly enthalpy driven. In all cases, the experimental molar ratio (from ITC experiments) agrees with the expected one from the number of binding sites of both the host and guest. The formation of polymer-like entities was demonstrated by SLS, DLS, AFM, and TEM measurements. The structure of polymers is linear when both the host and the guest are ditopic entities and dendritic (or Cayley tree type) when the host and the guest have three and two binding sites, respectively.     

Laser desorption/ionization techniques in the characterization of high molecular weight oil fractions. Part 1: asphaltenes

The molecular weight distribution of the asphaltene fractions of two types of crude oils from two different Italian fields (samples 1 and 2) was investigated. The analytical tools used to perform these analyses were matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and laser desorption ionization (LDI) mass spectrometry. After observing that the use of the matrix (as well as the addition of Ag+) did not improve the quality of the data compared to that obtained in LDI conditions, all further measurements were performed with the latter technique. Operating under usual conditions of laser power and delay time, a very low resolution was observed, showing only macroscopic differences between the two samples in the molecular weight distribution of the different components. An accurate study on the possible reasons of this undesirable behavior indicates that it can originate from space charge phenomena occurring either in the ion source region or during the flight. A valid parameterization of the delay time and the laser power allowed higher quality spectra to be obtained. Surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI) measurements were also performed using normal phase (silica) as the sample holder surface. Under these conditions, better results are obtained, proving that the sample-surface interaction is important to achieve, by means of laser irradiation, a homogeneous set of product ions. Both asphaltene samples were fractionated in five subfractions by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) to obtain a better separation of the molecular weight distributions; the related spectra confirmed these findings. By using different approaches, relevant and reproducible differences between the asphaltene fractions of the two oil samples were observed.     

Critical loads for Cd and Pb in the province of Bologna

Atmospheric deposition represents a significant source of heavy metals entering soil and aquatic ecosystems. The evaluation of their vulnerability can be carried out by the Critical Load criterion. In this work we focus the attention on the terrestrial ecosystems in the Province of Bologna, estimating the maximum tolerable load of cadmium and lead they are able to bear without sustain the occurrence of harmful ecotoxicological effects. To this aim the Steady-State Mass Balance method is applied on a small scale (10 x 10 Km EMEP grids) and the more suitable approach to define critical limits for the Province condition, effect-base or stand-still, is discussed. The opportunity of simplifying the input data collection is also considered, trying to deduce soil properties from geological information. Finally, the environmental risk due to the present deposition of Pb and Cd on provincial soils is described as exceedances over the critical loads.     

HPLC-CHIP coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for carbonic anhydrase II quantification in human serum

A method for carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) absolute quantification in human serum is presented. This method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-Chip microfluidic device incorporating a nanoelectrospray source interfaced to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The fraction containing CA II was isolated by preparative reversed-phase HPLC, and peptides obtained from the tryptic digest of the protein mixture were separated by the HPLC-Chip system. The multiple-reaction monitoring acquisition mode of a selected suitable CA II peptide and peptide internal standard allowed the selective and sensitive determination of a CA II. Absolute recovery of the method was 52 ± 12%, while analytical recovery was 81 ± 10%. For the eight samples analyzed, the matrix effect was found to be only −14 ± 6%. A comparison among three regression lines type which were obtained by external calibration, matrix-matched calibration, and standard addition method, respectively, demonstrated that the first one is adequate in obtaining good accuracy and precision. Method quantification limit for CA II in serum was estimated to be 2 fmol/mL. CA II mean concentration in sera from eight healthy subjects was found to be 56 pmol/mL (relative standard deviation 24%).