Reduced rings whose finitely generated modules decompose

This paper proves Hua's Theorem and, from this, the Fundamental Theorem of Projective Geometry for the projective line over a commutative ring with “many units”.     

Synthesis of a 6H-Benzofuro[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-6-one. A New Application of the Hurtley Reaction

A copper(I)bromide promoted substitution of 2-bromobenzofuran-3- carboxylic acid (2b) with dimedone and subsequent lactonization offers a new route to a modified coumestane ring system.     

Screening for Antimicrobials in Mouthwashes Using HPTLC-Bioluminescence Detection

One of the tasks of food law enforcement authorities is to supervise the composition of cosmetics. In the case of mouthwashes, they are likely to contain (labeled or unlabeled) antimicrobial compounds. Conventional analyses, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) only shed light on a compound’s structure, but not on its biological function. In this study, we demonstrate that the task of detecting antimicrobials in mouthwashes can be streamlined using the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri as a biodetector coupled with high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) as a pre-separation method. The employment of subsequent conventional techniques could then be restricted to fractions with proven V. fischeri toxicity. Samples were separated in parallel on silica gel and amino layer HPTLC plates, developed with a solvent system containing tertiary butyl methyl ether and n-hexane and dried on a plate heater. After applying V. fischeri onto the HPTLC plate, zones of interest were extracted from a parallel plate and identified by HPLC–UV or GC-mass spectrometry. The reaction of V. fischeri to more than 40 standard substances which might be present in mouthwashes was determined. Based on this information, six commercially available mouthwashes were analyzed. The workflow proved to be viable for an effect-directed screening for antimicrobial compounds. The analysis of mouthwashes revealed that not only declared preservatives are used (sodium benzoate, cetylpyridinium chloride) but also other compounds, especially constituents of essential oils. Because their main purpose is flavoring of the mouthwash, they are summarized as “aroma” (anethole, carvone, menthol, thymol) which is in compliance with legal restrictions.     

Thin-Layer Chromatographic Determination of Alpha-Amyrin in the Bark of Mallotus philippensis Lamk

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A simple, precise, and accurate high-performance thin-layer chro-matographic method has been established for determination of...     

Completions of commutative topological rings

Let R be a commutative ring and f a filter of ideals of R. We characterize when the Hausdorff completion of R with the f topology is a product of local Hausdorff completions. This generalizes a theorem of E. Matlis dealing with the completions of an integral domain relative to the topology of the classical torsion theory.     

Tackling matrix effects during development of a liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric analysis of nine basic pharmaceuticals in aqueous environmental samples

When developing an LC-MS/MS-method matrix effects are a major issue. The effect of co-eluting compounds arising from the matrix can result in signal enhancement or suppression. During method development much attention should be paid to diminish matrix effects as much as possible. The present work evaluates matrix effects from aqueous environmental samples in the simultaneous analysis of a group of nine specific pharmaceuticals with LC-ESI/MS/MS: flubendazole, propiconazole, pipamperone, cinnarizine, ketoconazole, miconazole, rabeprazole, itraconazole and domperidone. Solutions to diminish signal suppression were examined: optimisation of the sample preparation, decrease of the flow rate, and the use of appropriate internal standards. Several SPE-stationary phases were tested in view of retention of the analytes: Oasis HLB, C8, Phenyl, Strata X-polymer RP sorbent and Strata X-polymeric SCX/RP sorbent. Oasis HLB showed the best retention for all analytes. The Oasis HLB SPE-method was optimised, but analyses showed high matrix suppression. Therefore, a second SPE-method, on a phenyl stationary phase (the second best option), was also optimised. A comparison of the matrix effect was made between the two procedures: the phenyl-method was less subject to matrix effects, however, the average matrix effect (ME%) of 46% indicated that matrix effects where still present. Several optimisation options for the phenyl-method were evaluated: addition of a ferric nitrate solution before extraction, application of an alkaline wash step, and use of a second SPE-cartridge, either a NH2-column or a florisil column. A more efficient sample clean-up was achieved by applying the extract after extraction on the phenyl column and after dilution with chloroform, onto a NH2-column (average ME%: 53%). In addition, applying a post-column split (1:5), further reduced matrix effects (average ME%: 65%). Labelled internal standards are the best way to tackle matrix effects, but no such internal standards were commercially available for the analytes of interest. The thorough search and application of four internal standards (structural analogues) was beneficial and compensates the matrix effect partially (average ME%: 83%). In an attempt to reduce the analysis time Speedisk phenyl columns were applied. Under these conditions matrix effects decreased even more while recoveries were between 91 and 109%. Different kinds of surface water samples were analyzed, and different matrix effects were observed. For this reason, standard addition will be used to perform quantitative analysis.     

Experimental parameters affecting sensitivity and specificity of a yeast assay for estrogenic compounds: results of an interlaboratory validation exercise

In vitro assays are considered as the first step in a tiered approach to compound screening for hormonal activity. Although many new assays have been developed in recent years, little attention has been paid towards assay validation. Our objective was to identify critical experimental parameters in a yeast estrogen screen (YES) that affect its sensitivity and specificity. We investigated the role of incubation time, solvent type, yeast inoculum growth stage and concentration on the outcome of the YES. Compounds tested included new and established agonists, antagonists and negative controls, and results were evaluated according to prefixed statistical criteria. In addition, we assessed the assay’s performance in a blind interlaboratory validation exercise (IVE). An incubation time of five days was necessary to positively identify the estrogenic properties of all agonists tested, when dissolved in DMSO. Longer incubation times were required when using an ethanol protocol. Similar estrogenic activity was reported for benzyl butyl phthalate, bisphenol-A, methoxychlor, permethrin and genistein in the IVE. One out of the three laboratories did not classify α,β-endosulfan, dissolved in DMSO, as an estrogen. The same was true for 4,4′-DDE and lindane, dissolved in ethanol, a result that might be attributable to an inappropriate yeast start concentration and/or growth stage. These validation experiments show that under appropriate experimental conditions the YES yields sensitive, specific and reliable results. Therefore it fulfills the requirements as a first step screening assay to evaluate the capacity of chemicals to interact with the estrogen receptor.     

Synthesis and unexpected reactivity of Si-H functionalized dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phospholes

[reaction: see text]. Si-H functionalized, blue light-emitting dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phospholes are accessible by reaction of an appropriate bithiophene precursor with a dichlorophosphane. Subsequent functionalization of the central phosphorus center allows for a fine-tuning of the optoelectronic properties of the material. Pt-catalyzed reaction of the Si-H functionalities with alkynes affords the hydrosilation products including a polymer by reaction with 1,7-octadiyne. By contrast, the absence of any substrate leads to the exclusive formation of a polymer via dehydrogenative homocoupling.