A simple assay for the simultaneous determination of rosuvastatin acid,rosuvastatin-5<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-lactone,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-desmethyl rosuvastatin in human plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

A simple and sensitive assay was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of rosuvastatin acid (RST), rosuvastatin-5S-lactone (RST-LAC), and N-desmethyl rosuvastatin (DM-RST), in buffered human plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All the three analytes and the corresponding deuterium-labeled (d6) internal standards were extracted from 50 μL of buffered human plasma by protein precipitation. The analytes were chromatographically separated using a Zorbax-SB Phenyl column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 μm). The mobile phase comprised of a gradient mixture of 0.1% v/v glacial acetic acid in 10% v/v methanol in water (solvent A) and 40% v/v methanol in acetonitrile (solvent B). The analytes were separated at baseline within 6.0 min using a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Mass spectrometry detection was carried out in positive electrospray ionization mode. The calibration curves for all three analytes were linear (R ≥ 0.9964, n = 3) over the concentration range of 0.1–100 ng/mL for RST and RST-LAC, and 0.5–100 ng/mL for DM-RST. Mean extraction recoveries ranged within 88.0–106%. Intra- and inter-run mean percent accuracy were within 91.8–111% and percent imprecision was ≤15%. Stability studies revealed that all the analytes were stable in matrix during bench-top (6 h on ice–water slurry), at the end of three successive freeze and thaw cycles and at −80°C for 1 month. The method was successfully applied in a clinical study to determine the concentrations of RST and the lactone metabolite over 12-h post-dose in patients who received a single dose of rosuvastatin.     

Optical characterization of the phosphate glasses containing pair transition ions

The paper deals with optical and electronic properties of the aluminophosphate glasses containing Fe–Mn and Fe–Cr ion pairs in different concentration. The influence of the mixed alkali ions over the electronic properties has been investigated. The optical behavior (optical transmission) of the glass samples has been studied by UV-VIS spectroscopy and the refractive index dependency on wavelength has been discussed. The transmission spectra show features specific for the doping transition ions (TM), revealing different oxidation states of iron (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺) and chromium (Cr³⁺/Cr⁶⁺) in the vitreous network. Mössbauer spectroscopy offers information regarding the TM oxidation states, redox processes and the iron coordination symmetry in the vitreous network. In the case of Fe–Mn doped glasses, the percentage of Fe²⁺ is about 40% and a doubled iron content leads to an increasing of Fe²⁺ percentage up to 53%. The replacing of lithium ions by natrium ions (mixed alkali effect) provides an increasing of the Fe²⁺ percentage up to 56%. The occurrence of the tetrahedral or octahedral symmetry of Fe²⁺ ions bonded by O^2? ions depends on the transition ion nature and Li⁺/Na⁺ ratio. Infrared absorption spectra of the pair transition ions-doped aluminophosphate glasses reveal optical phonons specific for the phosphate glass matrix.     

Synthesis,physico-chemical characterization and bioevaluation of Ni(II), Pd(II), and Pt(II) complexes with 1-(o-tolyl)biguanide: Antimicrobial and antitumor studies

New complexes of type [M(tbg)₂]Cl₂ [tbg = 1-(o-tolyl)biguanide; M = Ni(II), Pd(II), and Pt(II)] were synthesized and characterized to develop new biologically active compounds. The features of the complexes were assigned from microanalytical and thermal data. The NMR, FT-IR, and UV-Vis spectra were established by comparison with HtbgCl. All complexes exhibit a square-planar geometry resulting from the chelating behavior of tbg. The HtbgCl and [Ni(tbg)₂]Cl₂ complexes were fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The HtbgCl species crystallize in the monoclinic C2/c spatial group, while the Ni(II) complex adopts an orthorhombic Pna2₁ spatial group. The structure is stabilized by a complex hydrogen bonds network. The in vitro antimicrobial assays revealed improved antimicrobial activity for complexes in comparison with the ligand against both planktonic and biofilm embedded microbial cells. The most efficient compound, showing the largest spectrum of antimicrobial activity, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal strains, in both planktonic and biofilm growth states was the Pd(II) complex, followed by the Pt(II) complex. The Pt(II) compound exhibited the most significant antiproliferative activity on the human cervical cancer SiHa cell line, inducing a cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase.     

Elucidating the Reaction Kinetics of Hydrophobic Porphyrin Nanoaggregates Dispersed in PVA Films Exposed to HCl Vapors

The behavior of the absorbance profiles of free‐base 5,10,15,20–tetraphenylporphyrin (TPPH₂) and zinc 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrinate (ZnTPP) under exposure to HCl vapors was investigated to establish in detail the mechanism of protonation of these porphyrinic compounds and their potential for use as HCl sensors. We show that the intensities of diprotonated tetraphenylporphyrin absorption bands that arise at 444–446 and 662–666 nm increase as a function of the HCl exposure time. Reactions of free‐base meso‐tetraphenylporphyrin protonating and of zinc meso‐tetraphenylporphyrinate demetalation and subsequent protonating are discussed, and the solutions of the corresponding kinetic equations and respective reaction rates are also obtained. Finally, from a theoretical analysis we deduce the presence of intermediated monoprotonated porphyrin that helps us to explain why the isosbestic point in the TPPH₂ reaction with HCl is not well defined.     

Contributions to the complexometric determination of cation mixtures: Simultaneous titration of iron(iii) and aluminium in the presence of ammonium thiocyanate as indicator

With thiocyanate as indicator iron(III) and aluminium(III) can be titrated simultaneously if [Fe⁺³]/[Al⁺³] ? $\text{1}\text{4}$; iron(III) is titrated directly with EDTA, and aluminium(III) is determined by back-titration of the excess of EDTA with cobalt nitrate solution in an acetone-water medium.     

Purine nucleoside synthesis from uridine using immobilised Enterobacter gergoviae CECT 875 whole cells

Biocatalysed purine nucleoside synthesis was carried out using immobilised Enterobacter gergoviae CECT 875. Similar yields (80-95%) in adenosine were obtained with both free and immobilised cells though in the last case a long reaction time was necessary. The immobilised cells can be reused at least for more than 30 times without significant loss of enzymatic activity. The immobilised biocatalyst in agarose is active in the synthesis of unnatural nucleosides.     

Kinetic parameters of a cyanate ester resin catalyzed with different proportions of nonylphenol and cobalt acetylacetonate catalyst

The isothermal cure of a dicyanate ester monomer has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the presence of different quantities of a catalyst system formed by nonylphenol (NP) and cobalt (II) acetylacetonate (Co(AcAc)₂). Two sets of experiences were studied. Firstly, the NP composition was varied from 0 to 10 per hundred resin (phr) and secondly, the Co(AcAc)₂ loadings were changed at 2 phr of NP. It has been observed that the cyanate conversion increases significantly after the first addition of the metal catalyst and, also, at the same time the thermal stability improves. Moreover, the kinetic data have been fitted with a second-order equation respect to the cyanate conversion in the kinetically conversion regime. Also, both the activation energies and the kinetic order respect to the NP and the Co(AcAc)₂ have been determined.     

Spektrochemische Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in reinem Gold

Zusammenfassung Eine Spektrochemische Methode zur Bestimmung von Spuren der Elemente As, Sb, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Bi, Cu, Pt, Pd, Cd, Rh und Ag in reinem Gold wird beschrieben. Zunächst wird das Gold durch Extraktion aus 3 N HCl mit Methylisobutylketon abgetrennt. Die Verunreinigungselemente werden dann an spektralreinem Graphitpulver mit 4% NaCl und 0,02% Co als Bezugselement adsorbiert und im Wechselstromabreißbogen 3,5 min bei 10 A angeregt. Die Spektren wurden mit einem UV-Spektrograph Q 24 auf ORWO-Spektralplatten Blau Extrahart aufgenommen. Die quantitative Bestimmungsgrenze für Mn, Pt und Ag beträgt 10^–6%, für Fe, Pb, Ni, Bi, Cu, Pd und Rh 10^–5% und für As, Sb und Cd 10^–4%. Die relative Standardabweichung überschreitet nicht 30%.

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Spectrochemical determination of trace elements in pure gold

A spectrochemical method for the determination of traces of As, Sb, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Bi, Cu, Pt, Pd, Cd, Rh and Ag in pure gold is described. The gold is first separated by extraction into methyl isobutyl ketone from 3 N HCl solution and then the trace elements are adsorbed on spectrally pure carbon powder containing 4% NaCl and 0.02% Co as reference standard, and excited in an 10 A a.c. arc for 3.5 min. Emission spectra were recorded on ORWO-Blau Extrahart plates with an UV-spectrograph Q 24. Limits of detection were 10^–6% for Mn, Pt and Ag; 10^–5 % for Fe, Pb, Ni, Bi, Cu, Pd and Rh; 10^–4% for As, Sb and Cd. Relative standard deviation was not exceeding 30%.

     

Unsupported palladium nanoparticles for ethanol cyclic voltammetric sensing in alkaline media

Carbon-supported palladium nanostructures have had a recent rise in their use for ethanol oxidation applications. In this work, we present the use of unsupported palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs), synthesized by sodium borohydride chemical reduction method, for ethanol electrochemical sensing. The unsupported PdNPs were studied for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media by cyclic voltammetry, and additionally were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The performance of unsupported PdNP-modified glassy carbon electrodes for the electrochemical ethanol oxidation in 1.0 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution was studied by cyclic voltammetry. These electrochemical results demonstrated that the unsupported PdNPs have very promising catalytic activity towards the oxidation of ethanol in alkaline media with good detection performance in the concentration range of 2304 to 288 ppm (i.e., 50.00 to 6.25 mM). The detection limit and linear correlation coefficient were 49.3 ppm (1.10 mM) and 0.9998, respectively. The unsupported PdNP-modified glassy carbon electrodes presented good cyclic voltammetric stability for ethanol sensing application in alkaline media.