A high-throughput LC-MS/MS method suitable for population biomonitoring measures five serum folate vitamers and one oxidation product

Small specimen volume and high sample throughput are key features needed for routine methods used for population biomonitoring. We modified our routine eight-probe solid phase extraction (SPE) LC-MS/MS method for the measurement of five folate vitamers [5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF), folic acid (FA), plus three minor forms: THF, 5-formylTHF, 5,10-methenylTHF] and one oxidation product of 5-methylTHF (MeFox) to require less serum volume (150 μL instead of 275 μL) by using 96-well SPE plates with 50 mg instead of 100 mg phenyl sorbent and to provide faster throughput by using a 96-probe SPE system. Total imprecision (10 days, two replicates/day) for three serum quality control pools was 2.8–3.6 % for 5-methylTHF (19.5–51.1 nmol/L), 6.6–8.7 % for FA (0.72–11.4 nmol/L), and ≤11.4 % for the minor folate forms (<1–5 nmol/L). The mean (±SE) recoveries of folates spiked into serum (3 days, four levels, two replicates/level) were: 5-methylTHF, 99.4?±?3.6 %; FA, 100?±?1.8 %; minor folates, 91.7–108 %. SPE extraction efficiencies were ≥85 %, except for THF (78 %). Limits of detection were ≤0.3 nmol/L. The new method correlated well with our routine method [n?=?150, r?=?0.99 for 5-methylTHF, FA, and total folate (tFOL, sum of folate forms)] and produced slightly higher tFOL (5.6 %) and 5-methylTHF (7.3 %) concentrations, likely due to the faster 96-probe SPE process (1 vs. 5 h), resulting in improved SPE efficiency and recovery compared to the eight-probe SPE method. With this improved LC-MS/MS method, 96 samples can be processed in ～2 h, and all relevant folate forms can be accurately measured using a small serum volume.

Heterometallic Rings: Their Physics and use as Supramolecular Building Blocks

An enormous family of heterometallic rings has been made. The first were Cr₇M rings where M=Ni^II, Zn^II, Mn^II, and rings have been made with as many as fourteen metal centers in the cyclic structure. They are bridged externally by carboxylates, and internally by fluorides or a penta‐deprotonated polyol. The size of the rings is controlled through templates which have included a range of ammonium or imidazolium ions, alkali metals and coordination compounds. The rings can be functionalized to act as ligands, and incorporated into hybrid organic–inorganic rotaxanes and into molecules containing up to 200 metal centers. Physical studies reported include: magnetic measurements, inelastic neutron scattering (including single crystal measurements), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (including measurements of phase memory times), NMR spectroscopy (both solution and solid state), and polarized neutron diffraction. The rings are hence ideal for understanding magnetism in elegant exchange‐coupled systems.     

Oxime functionalization strategy for iodinated poly(epsilon‐caprolactone) X‐ray opaque materials

Since two of the most common technologies for imaging the human body are X‐ray radiography and computed tomography (CT), researchers are focused on developing biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric molecules as an alternative to the traditional small molecule contrast agents. This report highlights the synthesis of novel biodegradable iodinated poly(ε‐caprolactone) copolymers by oxime “Click” ligation reactions. A series of ketone‐bearing materials are built by tin (II)‐mediated ring‐opening polymerization followed by a postpolymerization deprotection step. The intended X‐ray opacity is imparted through acid‐catalyzed oxime postpolymerization modification of the resultant polymers with an iodinated hydroxylamine. All small molecules and polymeric materials are characterized using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for purity, functional group stoichiometry, and number‐averaged molecular weight calculations. Additionally, the polymers are evaluated with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to determine polymer sample polydispersity and general molecular weight distribution shapes and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2421–2430     

Mycosporine-glutamicol-glucoside: a natural UV-absorbing secondary metabolite of rock-inhabiting microcolonial fungi

Microcolonial ascomycetes are known to inhabit bare rock surfaces in cold and hot deserts and thus are habitually exposed to high levels of solar radiation. Several of these stress-tolerant fungal isolates, cultivated in the laboratory under daylight illumination, were studied for the presence of effective UV-radiation protection substances. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analyses allowed for efficient separation and structure clarification of two mycosporines. It was demonstrated that both mycosporine-glutamicol-glucoside and mycosporine-glutaminol-glucoside are natural and constitutive secondary metabolites of microcolonial fungi. The function and relation of these substances in the fungal cell are discussed.     

The Chemistry of Methane Remediation by a Non‐thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

The destruction of methane by a nonthermal plasma in atmospheric pressure gas streams of nitrogen with variable amounts of added oxygen has been investigated. The identities and concentrations of the endproducts are determined by online FTIR spectroscopy and the plasma chemistry is interpreted using kinetic modelling. For a deposited energy of 118 kJ m^–3, the destruction is 12% in nitrogen decreasing monotonically to 5% in air. The major endproducts are HCN and NH₃ in nitrogen and CO, CO₂, N₂O, NO and NO₂ for gas streams containing oxygen. The chemistry in pure nitrogen is predominantly due to reactions of electronicallyexcited nitrogen atoms, N(²D). The addition of oxygen converts the excited state nitrogen into nitrogen oxides reducing the methane destruction which then arises by O and OH reactions yielding CO and, to a lesser extent, CO₂. The modelling correctly predicts the magnitude of the methane destruction as a function of added oxygen and the concentrations of the endproducts for processing in both nitrogen and air.     

Synthesis of substituted 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives by sequential Ugi/acrylanilide [6π]-photocyclizations

We report the synthesis of highly functionalized 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones via sequential Ugi/acrylanilide photocyclization reactions. The [6π]-photocyclization proceeds in excellent yields and with preferential trans-selectivity for the newly formed ring system.     

The OsO4-mediated oxidative cleavage of olefins catalyzed by alternative osmium sources

The OsO₄-mediated oxidative cleavage of olefins is compatible with alternative, easier-to-handle osmium sources. Four different osmium sources were employed with favorable results.     

Anomalies in the surface impedance penetration depth in ferromagnetic superconductors

We have investigated the surface impedance penetration depth, Λ, of ErRh₄B₄ and Er_0.5Ho_0.5Rh₄B₄ both experimentally and theoretically. For ErRh₄B₄, owing to the critical spin fluctuations just above T_s ( > T_c2), the critical temperature at which surface ferromagnetism appears, Λ^?1 decreases smoothly as T decreases toward T_s. For Er_0.5Ho_0.5Rh₄B₄, the decrease in Λ^?1 owing to spin fluctuations for T ? T_c2 is very small, and Λ^?1 decreases abruptly at T_c2. Theoretical values of Λ^?1 are in good agreement with the data.