Whiteness process of tile ceramics: using a synthetic flow as a modifier agent of color firing

Synthetic flow is proposed as a modifier agent of color firing in tile ceramic mass during the sinterization process, turning the red color firing into whiteness. Therefore, the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to understand how the interaction of the iron element in the mechanism of color firing mass occurs in this system. The results suggest that the change of color firing can be alternatively due to two main factors: (i) diluting the hematite content in the sample because of the use of synthetic flow and (ii) part of the hematite is converted in other uncolored crystal structures, which makes the final color firing lighter.     

Determination of fexofenadine in Hank's balanced salt solution by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection: application to Caco‐2 cell permeability studies

The drug‐transporting proteins can affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodymanics of many drugs, resulting in an erratic and unpredictable pharmacological response. The Caco‐2 monolayer is routinely applied to investigate the carrier‐mediated transport of drugs. Therefore, the selection of a marker compound able to characterize the activity of such transporters is crucial. Fexofenadine (FEX), a P‐gp/OATP substrate, can be considered a suitable probe. However, in order to use be used as a marker compound, it is mandatory to develop an analytical method able to quantify this drug during the in vitro permeability assay. An HPLC method with ultraviolet detection was developed; the mobile phase consisted of phosphate buffer (pH 3.2) containing 10 m m of sodium octanosulphonate and acetonitrile (60:40) and the flow rate was set at 1.2 mL/min. Fexofenadine was eluted at 40°C, the retention time was about 4.6 min. The LOD and LOQ values were 1.9 and 6.2 ng/mL, respectively. Verapamil and ketoconazole, the most common P‐gp inhibitors, were eluted as distinct peaks of that corresponding to fexofenadine The method was successfully applied to quantify the amount of FEX transported across the Caco‐2 monolayer and could be an additional tool for those investigating the role of membrane transporters on drug absorption. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of mazindol in human oral fluid by high performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Brazil is one of the countries most affected by abuse of stimulant medications by professional drivers, especially fenproporex, amfepramone and mazindol. Even though their sale is banned, they can be found in illegal markets, such as those located on the country's borders. The use of oral fluid to monitor drug levels has many advantages over plasma and urine because it is noninvasive, easier to collect and more difficult to adulterate. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive and specific method to quantify mazindol in human oral fluid by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). The LC system consisted of an LC‐MS system operated in selected ion monitoring mode. The mobile phase was composed of water at pH 4.0, acetonitrile and methanol (60:15:25 v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and propranolol was used as internal standard. Total running time was 10 min. The lower limit of quantification was 0.2 ng/mL and the method exhibited good linearity within the 0.2–20 ng/mL range (r = 0.9987). A rapid, specific, sensitive, linear, precise and accurate method was developed for determination of mazindol in human oral fluid according to European Medicines Agency guidelines, and is suitable for monitoring mazindol levels in oral fluid of professional drivers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrasound promoted synthesis of thioesters from 2-mercaptobenzoxa(thia)zoles

An ultrasound-enhanced method has been developed for the synthesis of a variety of thioesters from benzoyl chlorides and 2-mercaptobenzoxa(thia)zoles. Applying this methodology, 14 compounds were synthesized in excellent yields.     

Chemometric Strategies to Develop a Nanocomposite Electrode for Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic Acid,Dopamine, and Uric Acid

A simple and sensitive method for simultaneously measuring dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA) using a poly(1‐aminoanthracene) and carbon nanotubes nanocomposite electrode is presented. The experimental parameters for composite film synthesis as well as the variables related to simultaneous determination of DA, AA, and UA were optimized at the same time using fractional factorial and Doehlert designs. The use of carbon nanotubes and poly(1‐aminoanthracene) in association with a cathodic pretreatment led to three well‐defined oxidation peaks at potentials around ?0.039, 0.180 and 0.351 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for AA, DA, and UA, respectively. Using differential pulse voltammetry, calibration curves for AA, DA, and UA were obtained over the range of 0.16–3.12×10^?3 mol L^?1, 3.54–136×10^?6 mol L^?1, and 0.76–2.92×10^?3 mol L^?1, with detection limits of 3.95×10^?5 mol L^?1, 2.90×10^?7 mol L^?1, and 4.22×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine DA, AA, and UA in biological samples with good results.