Determination of selenium in human tissues by atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple method is described for the determination of selenium in human tissues without the use of perchloric acid. Digestion with nitric and sulphuric acids is followed by hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometry. Results for NBS bovine liver and IAEA horse kidney reference materials were in good agreement with assigned concentrations, as was also achieved with the perchloric acid digestion. Recovery of added selenium was >90%, and the relative standard deviation was 5.5% for within-batch and 6.9% for between-batch analyses. The values of selenium in heart tissue were 0.9–1.3 μg g^?1 dry weight.     

H-bonding dependent structures of (NH4+)3H+(SO4 2-)2. Mechanisms of phase transitions

The role of different H-bonds in phases II, III, IV, and V of triammonium hydrogen disulfate, (NH(4)(+))(3)H(+)(SO(4)(2)(-))(2), has been studied by X-ray diffraction and (1)H solid-state MAS NMR. The proper space group for phase II is C2/c, for phases III and IV is P2/n, and for phase V is P onemacr;. The structures of phases III and IV seem to be the same. The hydrogen atom participating in the O(-)-H(+).O(-) H-bond in phase II of (NH(4)(+))(3)H(+)(SO(4)(2)(-))(2) at room temperature is split at two positions around the center of the crucial O(-)-H(+).O(-) H-bonding, joining two SO(4)(2)(-) tetrahedra. With decreasing temperature, it becomes localized at one of the oxygen atoms. Further cooling causes additional differentiation of possibly equivalent sulfate dimers. The NH(4)(+) ions participate mainly in bifurcated H-bonds with two oxygen atoms from sulfate anions. On cooling, the major contribution of the bifurcated H-bond becomes stronger, whereas the minor one becomes weaker. This is coupled with rotation of sulfate ions. In all the phases of (NH(4)(+))(3)H(+)(SO(4)(2)(-))(2), some additional, weak but significant, reflections are observed. They are located between the layers of the reciprocal lattice, suggesting possible modulation of the host (NH(4)(+))(3)H(+)(SO(4)(2)(-))(2) structure(s). According to (1)H MAS NMR obtained for phases II and III, the nature of the acidic proton disorder is dynamic, and localization of the proton takes place in a broader range of temperatures, as can be expected from the X-ray diffraction data.     

Solvation of Cobalt(II) Ion in N,N-Dimethylformamide–Methanol Mixed Solvent: Calorimetry and VIS Spectroscopy Studies

The enthalpies of solution of Co(II) and Na(I) trifluoromethanesulfonates (triflates) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)–methanol (MeOH) mixtures have been measured over the whole range of solvent composition. From these data the enthalpies of transfer of Co(II) and triflate ions from methanol to the mixed solvent have been determined usingliterature values of the enthalpies of transfer of the Na⁺ ion. The results have been analyzed by means of the theory of preferential solvation. The analysis revealed the preference of DMF for solvating the Co(II) ion in the MeOH-rich region of solvent composition and the lack of preference of any component in the DMF-rich region. Visible absorption spectra of the Co(II) ion in DMF–MeOH mixtures have been also measured in the whole range of solvent composition and analyzed using the partial least-squares method. The mean composition of the solvation sphere of the Co(II) ion versus solvent composition has been determined on the basis of both analyses. The results were found to be consistent with each other and with those obtained previously from FT-IR spectra.     

4,4′-Dipyridyl and 2,2′-dipyridyl complexes of rare-earth perchlorates

4,4-Dipyridyl and 2,2-dipyridyl complexes of rare-earth perchlorates of the formulaLn(4-dipy)₈(ClO₄)₃HClO₄ · 4H₂O (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu, Y, 4-dipy=4,4-dipyridyl) andLn(2-dipy)₃(ClO₄)₃ · 6H₂O (Ln=Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu, Y, 2-dipy = 2,2-dipyridyl) have been synthesized. The IR spectra of these compounds and other physical properties are discussed.

---

4,4-Dipyridyl- und 2,2-Dipyridylkomplexe von Seltenerdmetallperchloraten

Zusammenfassung Es wurden 4,4-Dipyridylkomplexe des TypsLn(4-dipy)₈(ClO₄)₃HClO₄ · · 4 H₂O mitLn=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu, Y und 2,2-Dipyridylkomplexe des TypsLn(2-dipy)₃(ClO₄)₃ · 6 H₂O mitLn=Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu und Y dargestellt. Die IR-Spektren und andere physikalische Eigenschaften werden diskutiert.

     

The membrane free sonoelectroanalytical determination of trace levels of lead and cadmium in human saliva

In this paper, square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), synergistically coupled with an ultrasonically enhanced preconcentration step has been shown to yield a quantitative determination of lead and cadmium in human saliva at a membrane free in situ plated mercury thin film glassy carbon electrode. The sensitivity was facilitated by acoustic streaming which promoted efficient mass transport to the electrode thus reducing sampling times. Cavitation was responsible for cleaning and activating the electrode surface, this was essential in order to obtain a reproducible and representative signal. In silent conditions electrode fouling leading to fluctuations in the baseline current and signal depression, precluded accurate quantitative analyses. The results presented herein provide an extension to the proof of concept given in the authors' earlier work, with the analysis of lead in human saliva as opposed to artificial saliva reported. We also address the hitherto unreported detection and determination of cadmium in this medium. Results for both were independently verified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Close agreement between lead concentration determined by sono-SWASV and independent and blind ICP-MS is reported for human saliva samples having a total lead content of 0.92 microg L(-1) and 5 microg L(-1) with a detection limit of 0.5 microg L(-1). Microaddition calibration data for cadmium additions of 0.0125 microg L(-1) to samples spiked with 2.5 microg L(-1) and 5.0 microg L(-1) (reflecting levels in workers occupationally exposed) exhibited close agreement with the known total cadmium in the samples. A detection limit of 1 microg L(-1) cadmium in saliva has been established.     

Mass spectrometric behaviour of carboxylated polyethylene glycols and carboxylated octylphenol ethoxylates

Mass spectrometric behaviour of mono- and di-carboxylated polyethylene glycols (PEGCs and CPEGCs) and carboxylated octylphenol ethoxylates (OPECs) are discussed. The tendency for ionisation (deprotonation, protonation and cationisation by alkali metal cations) of carboxylated PEGs was compared with that of non-carboxylated correspondents by using both secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and electrospray ionisation (ESI). The fragmentation of the PEGCs and CPEGCs is discussed and also compared with their neutral correspondents, PEGs. The B/E mass spectra were recorded, using secondary ion mass spectrometry as a method for generation, for deprotonated and protonated molecules and molecules cationised by alkali metal cations. The fragmentation behaviour of PEGs is found to be different from that of CPEGCs, The presence of carboxylic groups may be confirmed not only by the determination of molecular weights of the ethoxylates studied, but also on the basis of the fragment ions formed. The metastable decomposition of the [OPEC-H](-) ions proceed through the cleavage of the bond between the octylphenol moiety and the ethoxylene chain leading to the octylphenoxy anions. It permits determination of the mass of the hydrophobic moiety of the studied carboxylated alkylphenol ethoxylate. ESI mass spectra recorded in the negative ion mode were found to be more suitable for the determination of the average molecular weight of carboxylated ethoxylates than SI mass spectra.     

Study of Photochemical Reactions of Coniferyl Alcohol. II. Comparative Structural Study of a Photochemical and Enzymatic Polymer of Coniferyl Alcohol

The structure of the polymer synthesized by UV irradiation of coniferyl alcohol was studied, using UV-visible, Raman, IR, H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The photochemical polymer was compared with the structure of the polymer obtained by peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of coniferyl alcohol. General similarity of the spectra of the two polymers was shown. However, differences in the fine structure of particular regions of the NMR spectra, as well as in certain bands in the Raman and IR spectra, could be explained through the various bond types and organization within the polymers. These results are consistent with molecular mass distribution of the polymers. Two fractions of enzymatic polymer correspond to the main two fractions of photochemical polymer. The later polymer has additional fractions that are probably the main reason for the observed spectral differences.     

Antioxidative Properties and Acrylamide Content of Functional Wheat-Flour Cookies Enriched with Wild-Grown Fruits

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of widely grown fruits (wild roses, elderberries, sea buckthorns, rowans, chokeberries, and hawthorns) as a functional ingredient in wheat-flour cookie formulation on antioxidative properties with a simultaneous reduction of the carcinogen-like compound acrylamide. The organoleptic features of the cookies were assessed by a panel of consumers. The following parameters were measured: chemical composition, total polyphenols, polyphenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and acrylamide content. The overall ratings of the tested cookies with the addition of chokeberries, hawthorns, sea buckthorns, and elderberries were more than satisfactory, while wild rose and rowan cookies were the most widely accepted and best rated by the panelists. The antioxidant activity of the tested cookies was 1.1–15.22 μmol trolox·g⁻¹ dm and 2.46–26.12 μmol Fe (II)·g⁻¹ dm as measured by the ABTS and FRAP methods, respectively. All the fruit-enriched cookies had significantly higher antioxidative properties (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control cookies, but among the fruit-enriched cookies, there were differences in the quality and quantity of particular polyphenols. The acrylamide content was significantly decreased by 59% (hawthorn), 71% (rowan), 87% (wild rose), 89% (sea buckthorn), 91% (elderberry), and 94% (chokeberry) compared with the control cookies (p < 0.05). Cookies enriched with wild-grown fruits could constitute a promising novel snack food.     

Carbon Dioxide Adsorption over Activated Carbons Produced from Molasses Using H2SO4, H3PO4, HCl,NaOH, and KOH as Activating Agents

Cost-effective activated carbons for CO₂ adsorption were developed from molasses using H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄, HCl, NaOH, and KOH as activating agents. At the temperature of 0 °C and a pressure of 1 bar, CO₂ adsorption equal to 5.18 mmol/g was achieved over activated carbon obtained by KOH activation. The excellent CO₂ adsorption of M-KOH can be attributed to its high microporosity. However, activated carbon prepared using HCl showed quite high CO₂ adsorption while having very low microporosity. The absence of acid species on the surface promotes CO₂ adsorption over M-HCl. The pore size ranges that are important for CO₂ adsorption at different temperatures were estimated. The higher the adsorption temperature, the more crucial smaller pores were. For 1 bar pressure and temperatures of 0, 10, 20, and 30 °C, the most important were pores equal and below: 0.733, 0.733, 0.679, and 0.536 nm, respectively.     

Peptide-Drug Conjugates: A New Hope for Cancer Management

Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide despite advances in treatment options for patients. As such, safe and effective therapeutics are required. Short peptides provide advantages to be used in cancer management due to their unique properties, amazing versatility, and progress in biotechnology to overcome peptide limitations. Several appealing peptide-based therapeutic strategies have been developed. Here, we provide an overview of peptide conjugates, the better equivalents of antibody-drug conjugates, as the next generation of drugs for required precise targeting, enhanced cellular permeability, improved drug selectivity, and reduced toxicity for the efficient treatment of cancers. We discuss the basic components of drug conjugates and their release action, including the release of cytotoxins from the linker. We also present peptide-drug conjugates under different stages of clinical development as well as regulatory and other challenges.