Chromatographic competitive binding immunoassays: a comparison of the sequential and simultaneous injection methods

Two approaches for performing competitive binding immunoassays by HPLC and other flow-based systems are the simultaneous and sequential injection methods. Both these techniques make use of a column with a limited amount of antibody, onto which is injected a sample and a fixed amount of a labeled analyte analog. An indirect measure of the unlabeled analyte in the sample is then obtained by looking at the amount of analog in either the nonretained or retained peaks. In the simultaneous injection mode, the sample and labeled analog are applied at the same time to the column, while in the sequential mode the sample is injected first, followed by the analog. This results in a difference in the analytical characteristics of these two approaches. This study used chromatographic theory and previous data obtained for injections of human serum albumin (HSA) onto an anti-HSA antibody column to compare the response, detection limits, range, and sensitivity of these methods. Under equivalent conditions, it was found that the sequential method always provided the best lower limit of detection and sensitivity. However, the simultaneous mode had a broader dynamic range and higher upper limit of detection. From these observations, several guidelines were developed regarding the use and selection of such assays for new applications.     

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of conducting polymers in supercritical carbon dioxide

This contribution reports the first synthesis of conducting polymers (CPs), specifically, polyaniline (PAn) and polypyrrole (PPy), in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). CPs synthesized electrochemically in scCO2 were characterized with cyclic voltammetry (CV), four-point probe conductivity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Preliminary data indicate that CPs synthesized by this method exhibit novel morphology and high conductivity comparable to that synthesized by traditional methods.     

New film-forming poly(urethane-amide-imide) block copolymers: influence of soft block on membrane properties for the purification of a fuel octane enhancer by pervaporation

A new family of eight poly(urethane-amide-imide) (PUAI) block copolymers with the same hard block and different soft blocks were synthesized in two steps from a dianhydride monomer containing amide functions (4,4′-methylene-bis(trimellitic anhydride-N-phenylamide)) and α,ω-dihydroxy telechelic oligomers which varied in both chemical structure (polyethers: PEG, PTMG, PPG; polyester: PCL) and molar weight (MW ≅ 600 or 1000 g/mol). The PUAI were obtained in high yields (ranging from 81 to 98 wt%) and with reduced viscosities which varied from 0.36 to 0.84 dL/g (for C = 1 mg/mL in DMF at 25 °C). Their characterization by FTIR and ¹H NMR fully confirmed their chemical structure. Their solubility was typically limited to a few wt/vol% even in strong apolar diprotic solvents like DMF and NMP. This particular feature showed the very strong physical cross-linking of their very stiff hard block and enabled to cast membranes capable of withstanding exposure to many common organic solvents. Systematic permeability experiments showed that the PUAI membranes could be used to separate the azeotropic mixture EtOH (20 wt%)/ETBE very easily, with interesting prospects for the purification of ETBE (a fuel octane enhancer used instead of lead derivatives in the European Community). An analysis in terms of structure-property relationships pointed out that the soft block molar weight and polarity were two key parameters for the optimization of selective permeability. The best compromise was obtained with the soft block PEG1000. The corresponding polymer led to performances so far outstanding for polyamideimides with a very high flux of more than 1.1 kg/h m² for a normalized thickness of 5 μm at 50 °C and a selectivity α = 22.7 in the high range for this kind of separation.     

Enantioselective cyclization of racemic supramolecular polymers

Homochiral hydrogen-bonded cyclic assemblies are formed in dilute solutions of racemic supramolecular polymers based on the quadruple hydrogen bonding 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone unit, as observed by 1H NMR and SEC experiments. Preorganization of the monomers and the combined binding strength of the eight hydrogen bonds result in a very high stability of the cyclic aggregates with pronounced selectivity between homochiral and heterochiral cyclic species, usually only observed in crystalline or liquid crystalline phases.     

Evidence for an unstable Bi(II) radical from Bi-O bond homolysis. Implications in the rate-determining step of the SOHIO process

The reaction of BiCl(3) with the lithium salt of o-di-tert-butylphenol under nitrogen forms organic oxidation products rather than the expected Bi(OAr)(3) complex, and bismuth disproportionation products. Likewise, the decomposition of Bi(III) aryloxides Bi(O-2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))(3) and ClBi(O-2,4,6-(t)Bu(3)C(6)H(2))(3) leads to corresponding organic oxidation products. These reactions can be explained by Bi-O bond homolysis to form unstable Bi(II) radicals, analogous to a fundamental step suggested to intervene in the SOHIO process.     

Stereospecific synthesis of enamines from α,β-epoxysilanes

Isomerically pure cis and trans enamines were prepared from α,β-epoxysilanes by alumina-assisted ring opening with pyrrolidine and morpholine followed by β-elimination.     

Comparative analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the essential oils from bark and leaves of Cedrelopsis grevei Baill, an aromatic and medicinal plant from Madagascar

The essential oils from bark and leaves of Cedrelopsis grevei Baill (Ptaeroxylaceae), an aromatic and medicinal plant from Madagascar, are widely used in folk medicine. These two commercially available oils have been examined separately by means of GC-MS. The oil constituents were identified according to their mass spectra and their relative retention indices determined on both polar and non-polar stationary phase capillary columns. A total of 55 compounds have been identified constituting 76.7% (bark) and 91.6% (leaves) of the volatile constituents. Both oils were found to have a similar composition; however the relative percentages of some compounds notably differed. The bark essential oil contained beta-pinene (17.1%), cis-sesquisabinene hydrate (12.8%) and caryophyllene oxide (7.0%) as the main components whereas the leaf essential oil was largely dominated by trans-beta-farnesene (35.6%); beta-pinene (12.8%), cis-sesquisabinene hydrate (9.8%) and ar-curcumene (8.6%) were also present as major components. As far as we know, this is the first report on the Cedrelopsis grevei bark and leaf essential oils which therapeutic properties may be attractive for aromatherapy.     

Additives for the stabilization of double-stranded DNA in UV-MALDI MS

Molecular complexes such as double-stranded oligonucleotides contain non-covalent bonds that are difficult to maintain in the MALDI experiment. Quantifiers are introduced in order to evaluate, summarize, and compare spectra from experiments in which additives are used to stabilize duplex oligonucleotides. Compounds known to complex with and stabilize duplex molecules can be useful as additives in MALDI. Spermine and methylene blue, present at concentrations similar to the matrix, are detected, bound to the duplex. When peptides are used as additives, the duplex is stabilized when the peptide is present at an amount less than that of the duplex.     

Direct and simultaneous spectrofluorometric determination of naproxen and salicylate in human serum assisted by chemometric analysis

A direct method for the simultaneous determination of naproxen and salicylate in human serum is reported, based on a combination of spectrofluorometric measurements with two multivariate calibration techniques: partial least-squares (PLS-1) and the novel net analyte preprocessing (NAP). The method is rapid, selective and sensitive, and is based on the measurement of the fluorescence spectra of NH₃ alkalinized whole human sera at the excitation wavelength of 315 nm. It can be applied within the ranges of concentrations 50-200 ng ml⁻¹ for naproxen and 100-300 ng ml⁻¹ for salicylate. The employed chemometric techniques have been compared on the basis of the statistical indicators for calibration and validation. Reproducibility and interference studies in abnormal sera have also been carried out.     

Ozonation of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene in silica and soil –14C-mass balances and chemical analysis of oxidation products as a first step to ecotoxicological evaluation

Ozonation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil is a process that can be used for in-situ soil remediation or in combination with bioremediation techniques. First steps to a comprehensive ecotoxicological evaluation of this method is done by ozonation of radioactively labeled (¹⁴C) pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene in a silty soil (LUFA 2.2) under mass-balancing conditions and GC-MS analysis of aromatic ozonation products. ¹⁴C-Mass-balances for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene (b[a]p) in soil showed that, apart from ¹⁴CO₂ formation, considerable percentages of both PAHs are oxidized to water soluble substances (20–30%) or to non-extractable or bound residues (10% for pyrene, 30% for b[a]p). TLC and GC-MS analysis of ozonation products extractable from artificially contaminated silica and soil by organic solvents revealed a large number of aromatic substances. PAH-quinones and ten ring fission products with formyl- and carboxy-groups of both pyrene and b[a]p could be identified.