Determination of Celecoxib, Rofecoxib, Sodium Diclofenac and Niflumic Acid in Human Serum Samples by HPLC with DAD Detection

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the separation and simultaneous determination of two COX-2 inhibitors, celecoxib and rofecoxib, in addition to two well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sodium diclofenac and niflumic acid in human serum samples. Good chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 bonded silica column applying a gradient with acetronitrile and water, from 15 to 60% acetonitrile. The mobile phase contained 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as an organic modifier. Detection was made using a diode array detector (DAD) and the analytical parameters were established at the wavelength maximum in the UV spectrum of each drug. Linearity was studied up to 100.0 mg L⁻¹. Calibration functions, quantification and detection limits, intra- and inter-day reproducibility and accuracy were estimated for each drug. Solid phase extraction was needed to separate and concentrate the drugs from human serum samples. The method was successfully applied to determine the drugs in human serum samples at levels of 1.0 mg L⁻¹.     

Multiple ionization of argon in coincidence with projectile ions in 60–120 MeV Si q+-Ar collisions

A projectile ion-recoil ion coincidence technique has been employed to study the multiple ionization and the charge transfer processes in collisions of 60–120 MeV Si ^q+ (q = 4−14) ions with neutral argon atoms. The relative contribution of different ionization channels, namely; direct ionization, electron capture and electron loss leading to the production of slow moving multiply charged argon recoil ions have been investigated. The data reported on the present collision system result from a direct measurement in the considered impact energy for the first time. The total ionization cross-sections for the recoil ions are shown to scale as q ^1.7/E _p ^0.5 , where E _p is the energy in MeV of the projectile and q its charge state. The recoil fractions for the cases of total- and direct ionizations are found to decrease with increasing recoil charge state j. The total ionization fractions of the recoils are seen to depend on q and to show the presence of a ‘shell-effect’ of the target. Further, the fractions are found to vary as 1/j ² upto j = 8+. The average recoil charge state 〈j〉 increases slowly with q and with the number of lost or captured electrons from or into the projectile respectively. The projectile charge changing cross-sections σ _qq′ are found to decrease with increasing q for loss ionization and to increase with q for direct-and capture ionization processes respectively. The physics behind various scaling rules that are found to follow our data for different ionization processes is reviewed and discussed.     

The fate of the tert-butylsulfinyl auxiliary after acid-promoted cleavage—a method for recycling t-BuSONH2

Ellman’s chiral auxiliary is converted into tert-butylsulfinyl chloride on sulfinamide deprotection with HCl and can be recovered in high yield upon treatment with ammonia. The enantiopure auxiliary can be obtained by trapping the sulfinyl chloride with a chiral alcohol followed by treatment of the resulting sulfinate ester with LiNH₂.     

Collagen-based proteinaceous binder-pigment interaction study under UV ageing conditions by MALDI-TOF-MS and principal component analysis

This study focuses on acquiring information on the degradation process of proteinaceous binders due to ultra violet (UV) radiation and possible interactions owing to the presence of historical mineral pigments. With this aim, three different paint model samples were prepared according to medieval recipes, using rabbit glue as proteinaceus binders. One of these model samples contained only the binder, and the other two were prepared by mixing each of the pigments (cinnabar or azurite) with the binder (glue tempera model samples). The model samples were studied by applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to their mass spectra obtained with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The complementary use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to study conformational changes of secondary structure of the proteinaceous binder is also proposed. Ageing effects on the model samples after up to 3000?h of UV irradiation were periodically analyzed by the proposed approach. PCA on MS data proved capable of identifying significant changes in the model samples, and the results suggested different aging behavior based on the pigment present. This research represents the first attempt to use this approach (PCA on MALDI-TOF-MS data) in the field of Cultural Heritage and demonstrates the potential benefits in the study of proteinaceous artistic materials for purposes of conservation and restoration.     

Analytical applications of quinoxalines

The uses of quinoxalines as analytical reagents are reviewed.