Determination of short-chain carbonyl compounds in drinking water matrices by bar adsorptive micro-extraction (BAμE) with in situ derivatization

In this contribution, bar adsorptive micro-extraction using polystyrene-divinylbenzene sorbent phase and in situ derivatization with pentafluorophenyl hydrazine, followed by liquid desorption and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (BAμE(PS-DVB)(PFPH in situ)-LD/HPLC-DAD), was developed for the determination of six short-chain carbonyl compounds (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal, acetone, butanone, and 2-hexenal) in drinking water matrices. PFPH presented very good specificity as an in situ derivatization agent for short-chain ketones and aldehydes in aqueous media, allowing the formation of adducts with remarkable sensitivity, selectivity and the absence of photodegradation. Assays performed on 30-mL water samples spiked at the 25.0 μg L(-1) levels, under optimized experimental conditions, yielded recoveries ranging from 47.4 ± 3.8% to 85.2 ± 3.8%, in which the PS-DVB proved to be a convenient sorbent phase. The analytical performance showed good accuracy, suitable precision (RSD < 13.0%), detection limits in between 47 and 132 ng L(-1) and remarkable linear dynamic ranges (r(2) > 0.9907) from 1.0 to 80.0 μg L(-1). By using the standard addition methodology, the application of the present method to drinking water samples treated with different disinfectants, namely, chloride, ozone and both, allowed very good performances to monitor these priority compounds at the trace level. The proposed methodology proved to be a feasible alternative for polar compound analysis, showing to be easy to implement, reliable, sensitive and requiring a low sample volume to monitor short-chain aldehydes and ketones in drinking water matrices.     

IR, Raman and SERS spectra of 2-phenoxymethylbenzothiazole

The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 2-phenoxymethylbenzothiazole were recorded and analyzed. The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum was recorded in a silver colloid. The vibrational wavenumbers of the compound have been computed using the Hartree–Fock/6-31G* basis and compared with the experimental values. The appearance of the Ag–O stretching mode at 237 cm⁻¹ in the SERS spectrum along with theoretically calculated atomic charge density, leads us to suggest that the molecule is adsorbed through the oxygen atom with the molecular plane tilted on the colloidal silver surface. The direction of charge transfer contribution to SERS has been discussed from the frontier orbital theory.     

Structural and Dynamic Characterization of the Molecular Hub Early Region 1A (E1A) from Human Adenovirus

The small‐DNA human adenovirus encodes one of the most versatile molecular hubs, the E1A protein. This protein is essential for productive viral infection in human cells and a vast amount of biologically relevant data are available on its interactions with host proteins. Up to now, however, no high‐resolution structural and dynamic information on E1A is available despite its important biological role. Among the different spliced variants of E1A, two are expressed at high level in the early stage of infection. These are 243 and 289 residues isoforms. Herein, we present their NMR characterization, showing that they are both highly disordered, but also demonstrate a certain heterogeneous behavior in terms of structural and dynamic properties. Furthermore, we present the characterization of the isolated domain of the longer variant, known as CR3. This study opens the way to understanding at the molecular level how E1A functions.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of a novel family of complexes in which various nitroso compounds are stabilized via coordination to [IrCl5]2-

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) data of a unique family of complexes of nitroso compounds coordinated to pentachloroiridate(III), [Cl5IrN(O)XR]2- (X=NH, S, CH and R=alkyl, aryl) are presented. These novel complexes are obtained by nucleophilic attack of primary amines, thiols. and alkenes to the coordinated nitrosyl. Despite their lability and low volatility, MS analysis of complexes of the type MN(O)X was done for the first time, complementing other spectroscopic techniques. The intrinsic dissociation chemistry of the gaseous diagnostic ions was studied via ESI-MS/MS and found to be very useful to confirm the proposed connectivities of the parent complexes. In particular, ESI-MS of their solutions allows the detection of series of diagnostic ions, mainly, [M-Cl]-, [M+K]-, [M-NO]-*, and [M-Cl+AcN]- (AcN=acetonitrile), which confirmed the identity of the analyzed complexes to be M=[Cl5IrN(O)XR]2-. Major fragments were formed by losses of NO or N(O)XR. ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS measurements are therefore shown to be the proper techniques to complement the spectroscopic characterization of this important class of nitroso complexes. An interesting rearrangement that does not take place in solution was observed in the gaseous phase, and a plausible mechanism is discussed.     

New strategies to screen for endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the Portuguese marine environment utilizing large volume injection–capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with retention time locking libraries (LVI–GC–MS–RTL)

A new analytical strategy to screen for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental matrices is presented. The strategy uses solid-phase extraction followed by large volume injection and capillary gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry combined with retention time locking libraries (SPE-LVI-GC-MS-RTL). Characterization of the proposed methodology (SPE-LVI-GC-MS) for selected classes of EDCs enabled high reproducibility and robustness at the ultratrace level. The RTL databases used allowed hundreds of non-target semivolatiles (i.e., pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and other classes of suspected EDCs from a great number of unknown environmental matrices) to be simultaneously screened for in an easy, fast and remarkable manner. The application of the proposed methodology to real environmental samples demonstrated its remarkable selectivity and sensitivity at the ultratrace level. Screening assessments performed on water and sediment matrices from eight Portuguese estuaries and coastal waters identified EDC "hotspots." These EDCs mainly come from agricultural and a wide variety of industrial sources, and include pesticides and pesticide metabolites, phenolic derivatives and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are included in the lists of priority substances published by international environmental agencies. The estuaries that contained relatively high levels of pesticides were Guadiana, Sado and Mondego, while Minho, Douro and Formosa showed enhanced levels of phenolic derivatives. Dibutyltin and tributyltin, selected as target compounds to be monitored by SPE-LVI-GC-MS in the selected ion monitoring mode, were shown to be widespread contaminants at trace levels in almost all of the sediment matrices assessed. The reliability of the proposed methodology undoubtedly makes it a valuable tool that could replace other analytical strategies currently used to screen for EDCs present in the environment at ultratrace levels.     

Degradation Kinetics of an Epoxy/Cycloaliphatic Amine Resin Under Isothermal and Non-isothermal Conditions

A study of an epoxy-cycloaliphatic amine system has been realized using a thermogravimetric technique (TG). Isothermal and non-isothermal (dynamic) methods were employed to determine the kinetic data of this system. Five methods were used for determining the activation energies of this system in the dynamic heating experiments. In two of them (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Kissinger) it is not necessary to have a prior knowledge of the reaction mechanism of the degradation behaviour for this system. In the other ones (Coats and Redfern, Horowitz and Metzger, and Van Krevelen et al.) it is necessary to know this reaction mechanism, besides Criado et al. method was used for determining it. The results have shown that good agreement between the activation energies obtained from all methods can be achieved if it is assumed that the degradation behaviour of this system is of sigmoidal-rate type. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Chemical Strategies for Dendritic Magneto-plasmonic Nanostructures Applied to Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Chemical analyses in the field using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) protocols are expected to be part of several analytical procedures applied to water quality monitoring. To date, these endeavors have been supported by developments in SERS substrate nanofabrication, instrumentation portability, and the internet of things. Here, we report distinct chemical strategies for preparing magneto-plasmonic (Fe₃O₄ : Au) colloids, which are relevant in the context of trace-level detection of water contaminants due to their inherent multifunctionality. The main objective of this research is to investigate the role of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAMs) in the preparation of SERS substrates integrating both functionalities into single nanostructures. Three chemical routes were investigated to design magneto-plasmonic nanostructures that translate into different ways for assessing SERS detection by using distinct interfaces. Hence, a series of magneto-plasmonic colloids have been characterized and then assessed for their SERS activity by using a model pesticide (thiram) dissolved in aqueous samples.     

Disposable pipette tips extraction: Fundamentals,applications and state of the art

Disposable pipette tips extraction consists of a solid‐phase extraction in which the sorbent is poorly dispersed in a pipette tip, which allows a quick and dynamic contact between the aspirated analyte from the sample and the solid phase. It is a technique used particularly in food and forensic analysis, since it requires a small amount of sample and solvent. This article highlights the principles, advantages and disadvantages of the disposable pipette tips extraction method and reviews recent applications.     

Non-Toxic Dimeric Peptides Derived from the Bothropstoxin-I Are Potent SARS-CoV-2 and Papain-like Protease Inhibitors

The COVID-19 outbreak has rapidly spread on a global scale, affecting the economy and public health systems throughout the world. In recent years, peptide-based therapeutics have been widely studied and developed to treat infectious diseases, including viral infections. Herein, the antiviral effects of the lysine linked dimer des-Cys¹¹, Lys¹²,Lys¹³-(pBthTX-I)₂K ((pBthTX-I)₂K)) and derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 are reported. The lead peptide (pBthTX-I)₂K and derivatives showed attractive inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2 (EC₅₀ = 28–65 µM) and mostly low cytotoxic effect (CC₅₀ > 100 µM). To shed light on the mechanism of action underlying the peptides’ antiviral activity, the Main Protease (M^pro) and Papain-Like protease (PL^pro) inhibitory activities of the peptides were assessed. The synthetic peptides showed PL^pro inhibition potencies (IC₅₀s = 1.0–3.5 µM) and binding affinities (K_d = 0.9–7 µM) at the low micromolar range but poor inhibitory activity against M^pro (IC₅₀ > 10 µM). The modeled binding mode of a representative peptide of the series indicated that the compound blocked the entry of the PL^pro substrate toward the protease catalytic cleft. Our findings indicated that non-toxic dimeric peptides derived from the Bothropstoxin-I have attractive cellular and enzymatic inhibitory activities, thereby suggesting that they are promising prototypes for the discovery and development of new drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection.     

Combined OX40 Agonist and PD-1 Inhibitor Immunotherapy Improves the Efficacy of Vascular Targeted Photodynamic Therapy in a Urothelial Tumor Model

Purpose: Vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) is a nonsurgical tumor ablation approach used to treat early-stage prostate cancer and may also be effective for upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) based on preclinical data. Toward increasing response rates to VTP, we evaluated its efficacy in combination with concurrent PD-1 inhibitor/OX40 agonist immunotherapy in a urothelial tumor-bearing model. Experimental design: In mice allografted with MB-49 UTUC cells, we compared the effects of combined VTP with PD-1 inhibitor/OX40 agonist with those of the component treatments on tumor growth, survival, lung metastasis, and antitumor immune responses. Results: The combination of VTP with both PD-1 inhibitor and OX40 agonist inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival to a greater degree than VTP with either immunotherapeutic individually. These effects result from increased tumor infiltration and intratumoral proliferation of cytotoxic and helper T cells, depletion of Treg cells, and suppression of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that VTP synergizes with PD-1 blockade and OX40 agonist to promote strong antitumor immune responses, yielding therapeutic efficacy in an animal model of urothelial cancer.