Determination of 17beta-estradiol in bovine plasma: development of a highly sensitive technique by ion trap gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using negative chemical ionization

A novel approach to the determination of 17beta-estradiol in bovine plasma is presented. The observed enhanced sensitivity is gained by the application of tandem mass spectrometry (MS) fragmentation to a stable, well characterized negative ion produced by chemical ionization (methane as reagent gas). A specific derivatizing reactant is employed (pentafluorobenzyl bromide), combined with bis-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide, to favor the formation of a diagnostic precursor negative ion. Plasma samples are purified through a C18 solid phase extraction column and derivatized before gas chromatography-MS analysis. The accuracy and the precision of the method, tested over a set of spiked samples, were satisfactory. The limit of detection was found to be 5 pg ml(-1) and the limit of quantification was fixed at 20 pg ml(-1). The fragmentation pattern is fully explained and the method is applicable for the official analysis of bovine plasma for the detection of 17beta-estradiol according to the European criteria 256/93 and to the draft SANCO/1805/2000 rev. 3. The quantification of incurred positive samples was performed according to the proposed procedure and compared with the results obtained by standardized radio immuno assay; the estimated concentrations were significantly similar.     

Molecular Recognition by Zn(II)-Capped Dynamic Foldamers

Two α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) foldamers bearing Zn(II)-chelating N-termini have been synthesized and compared with a reported Aib foldamer that has a bis(quinolinyl)/mono(pyridyl) cap (BQPA group). Replacement of the quinolinyl arms of the BQPA-capped foldamer with pyridyl gave a BPPA-capped foldamer, then further replacement of the linking pyridyl with a 1,2,3-triazole gave a BPTA-capped foldamer. Their ability to relay chiral information from carboxylate bound to Zn(II) at the N-terminus to a glycinamide-based NMR reporter of conformational preference at the C-terminus was measured. The importance of the quinolinyl arms became readily apparent, as the foldamers with pyridyl arms were unable to report on the presence of chiral carboxylate in acetonitrile. Low solubility, X-ray crystallography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy suggested that interfoldamer interactions inhibited carboxylate binding. However changing solvent to methanol revealed that the end-to-end relay of chiral information could be observed for the Zn(II) complex of the BPTA-capped foldamer at low temperature.     

Linking molecular models with ion mobility experiments. Illustration with a rigid nucleic acid structure

Ion mobility spectrometry experiments allow the mass spectrometrist to determine an ion's rotationally averaged collision cross section Ω_EXP. Molecular modelling is used to visualize what ion three‐dimensional structure(s) is(are) compatible with the experiment. The collision cross sections of candidate molecular models have to be calculated, and the resulting Ω_CALC are compared with the experimental data. Researchers who want to apply this strategy to a new type of molecule face many questions: (1) What experimental error is associated with Ω_EXP determination, and how to estimate it (in particular when using a calibration for traveling wave ion guides)? (2) How to generate plausible 3D models in the gas phase? (3) Different collision cross section calculation models exist, which have been developed for other analytes than mine. Which one(s) can I apply to my systems? To apply ion mobility spectrometry to nucleic acid structural characterization, we explored each of these questions using a rigid structure which we know is preserved in the gas phase: the tetramolecular G‐quadruplex [dTGGGGT]₄, and we will present these detailed investigation in this tutorial. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Mass Spectrometry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Support effect in high activity gold catalysts for CO oxidation

In this work, we present a detailed study concerning the evaluation of the metal-support interaction in high activity gold catalysts for CO oxidation. Using the colloidal deposition method, model catalysts were prepared, which allow the isolation of the effect of the support on the catalytic activity. Prefabricated gold particles were thus deposited on different support materials. Since the deposition process did not change the particle sizes of the gold particles, only the influence of the support could be studied. TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, and ZnO were used as support materials. Catalytic tests and high resolution transmission electron microscopy clearly show that the support contributes to the activity. However, our results are not in line with the distinction between active and passive supports based on the semiconducting properties of the oxidic material. The most active catalysts were obtained with TiO2 and Al2O3, while ZnO and ZrO2 gave substantially less active catalysts. Furthermore, the effect of other important parameters on the catalytic activity (i.e., particles size distribution, calcination temperature, and aging time for a Au/TiO2 catalyst) has also been studied. Using this preparation route, the catalysts show high-temperature stability, size dependent activity, and a very good long-term stability.     

Development and validation of a high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of the novel proteasome inhibitor CEP‐18770 in human plasma and its application in a clinical pharmacokinetic study

CEP‐18770, [(1R)‐1‐{[(2S,3R)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐{[(6‐phenyl‐2‐pyridinyl)carbonyl]amino}butanoyl]amino}‐3‐methylbutyl]boronic acid, is a novel proteasome inhibitor, now under early clinical evaluation as an anticancer agent. To investigate its clinical pharmacokinetics, a high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated to measure the drug in human plasma, based on simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile after the addition of irbesartan as internal standard. The method requires a small volume of sample (100 µl) and is rapid and selective, allowing good resolution of peaks in 5 min. It is sensitive, precise and accurate, with overall precision, expressed as coefficient of variation (CV%), always < 10.0%, accuracy in the range 93.8–107.7% and high recovery, close to 100%. The limit of detection is 0.01 ng/ml and the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) is 0.20 ng/ml. The assay was validated in the range from the LLOQ up to 50.00 ng/ml. This is the first method developed and validated for analyzing a proteasome inhibitor with a boronic‐acid‐based structure in human plasma. The method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of CEP‐18770 in cancer patients with solid tumors or multiple myeloma who had received the drug as a short intravenous bolus during the initial Phase I trial. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

N-heterocyclic carbenes as π*-acceptors in luminescent Re(I) triscarbonyl complexes

Two rhenium(I) carbonyl complexes of the type fac-[Re(CO)(3)(N^C)X] where N^C is an N-heterocyclic carbene [3-butyl-1-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene] and X is either Cl or Br have been synthesised via an in situ method from [Re(CO)(5)X] and a respective benzimidazolium salt. The complexes have been characterised by (1)H and (13)C NMR, infra-red spectroscopy and in the case of the bromo-complex by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The photophysical properties of the complexes have been investigated, revealing similar phosphorescent emission which was attributed to radiative decay from a (3)MLCT state partially mixed with a (3)LLCT state. However, the analysis of excited state lifetime and quantum yield values revealed distinct photophysical behaviour for the two complexes, which was attributed to the more labile nature of the bromo ligand with respect to the chloro one. The explanation was supported by the time-dependent emission profile change in diluted acetonitrile solutions.     

pH-sensitive ligand for luminescent quantum dots

We developed a strategy to switch the luminescence of semiconductor quantum dots with chemical stimulations. It is based on the photoinduced transfer of either energy from CdSe-ZnS core-shell quantum dots to [1,3]oxazine ligands or electrons from the organic to the inorganic components. The organic ligands incorporate a dithiolane anchoring group, an electron-rich indole, and a 4-nitrophenylazophenoxy chromophore in their molecular skeleton. Their adsorption on the surface of the quantum dots results in partial luminescence quenching. Electron transfer from the indole fragment to the nanoparticles is mainly responsible for the decrease in luminescence intensity. Upon addition of base, the [1,3]oxazine ring of the ligands opens to generate a 4-nitrophenylazophenolate chromophore, which absorbs in the range of wavelengths where the quantum dots emit. This transformation activates an energy-transfer pathway from the excited nanoparticles to the ligands. In addition, the oxidation potential of the ligand shifts in the negative direction, improving the efficiency of electron transfer. The overall result is a decrease in the luminescence quantum yield of 83%. Addition of acid also opens the [1,3]oxazine ring of the ligands. However, the resulting 4-nitrophenylazophenol does not absorb in the visible region and cannot accept energy from the excited nanoparticles. Furthermore, the oxidation potential shifts in the positive direction, lowering the electron-transfer efficiency. In fact, the luminescence quantum yield increases by 33% as a result of this transformation. These changes are fully reversible and can be exploited to probe the pH of aqueous solutions from 3 to 11. Indeed, our sensitive quantum dots adjust their luminescence in response to variations in pH within this particular range of values. Thus, our general design strategy can eventually lead to the development of pH-sensitive luminescent probes for biomedical applications based on the unique photophysical properties of semiconductor quantum dots.     

Modeling the time-changing dependence in stock markets

The time-changing dependence in stock markets is investigated by assuming the multifractional process with random exponent (MPRE) as model for actual log price dynamics. By modeling its functional parameter S(t, ω) via the square root process (S.R.) a twofold aim is obtained. From one hand both the main financial and statistical properties shown by the estimated S(t) are captured by surrogates, on the other hand this capability reveals able to model the time-changing dependence shown by stocks or indexes. In particular, a new dynamical approach to interpreter market mechanisms is given. Empirical evidences are offered by analysing the behaviour of the daily closing prices of a very known index, the Industrial Average Dow Jones (DJIA), beginning on March,1990 and ending on February, 2005.     

Ramification of rough paths

The stack of iterated integrals of a path is embedded in a larger algebraic structure where iterated integrals are indexed by decorated rooted trees and where an extended Chen's multiplicative property involves the Dürr-Connes-Kreimer coproduct on rooted trees. This turns out to be the natural setting for a non-geometric theory of rough paths.