Modular Breath Analyzer (MBA): Introduction of a Breath Analyzer Platform Based on an Innovative and Unique,Modular eNose Concept for Breath Diagnostics and Utilization of Calibration Transfer Methods in Breath Analysis Studies

Exhaled breath analysis for early disease detection may provide a convenient method for painless and non-invasive diagnosis. In this work, a novel, compact and easy-to-use breath analyzer platform with a modular sensing chamber and direct breath sampling unit is presented. The developed analyzer system comprises a compact, low volume, temperature-controlled sensing chamber in three modules that can host any type of resistive gas sensor arrays. Furthermore, in this study three modular breath analyzers are explicitly tested for reproducibility in a real-life breath analysis experiment with several calibration transfer (CT) techniques using transfer samples from the experiment. The experiment consists of classifying breath samples from 15 subjects before and after eating a specific meal using three instruments. We investigate the possibility to transfer calibration models across instruments using transfer samples from the experiment under study, since representative samples of human breath at some conditions are difficult to simulate in a laboratory. For example, exhaled breath from subjects suffering from a disease for which the biomarkers are mostly unknown. Results show that many transfer samples of all the classes under study (in our case meal/no meal) are needed, although some CT methods present reasonably good results with only one class.     

Highly Diastereoselective [3+2] Cycloadditions Between Non-Racemic p-Tolylsulfinimines and Iminoesters: An Efficient Entry to Enantiopure Imidazolidines and Vicinal Diaminoalcohols

Abstract

Readily available p-tolylsulfinimines undergo highly stereoselective [3 + 2] cycloadditions with azomethine ylides generated from α -iminoesters and LDA to produce N-sulfinylimidazolidines. In the presence of Lewis acids, p-tolylsulfinimines react with glycine iminoester enolates to produce N-sulfinylimidazolidines, after cyclization of open chain intermediates. These mechanistically diverse processes take place with excellent regio-, stereo-, and facial selectivities, and the latter is opposite to most known reactions involving sulfinimines. Some of the resulting imidazolidines have been transformed into examples of a novel class of nonsymmetrical vicinal diamines using reductive and/or hydrolytic protocols.     

Structural Basis for Carbapenemase Activity of the OXA-23 β-Lactamase from Acinetobacter baumannii

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Pyrolysis study of hydrophobic tholins By TG-MS, TG, DTA and DSC methods

This study presents the thermogravimetry (TG) of hydrophobic tholins, obtained from different simulation experiments of prebiotic synthesis carried out in a CH₄/N₂/H₂ atmosphere with spark discharge activation of aqueous aerosols and liquid water. Differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were also used to evaluate the thermal behaviour of these complex organic compounds that could play an important role in prebiotic chemistry. A coupled thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry system allowed us to analyse the principal volatile thermal decomposition and fragmentation products of the hydrophobic tholins under dynamic conditions and an inert atmosphere. During their thermal degradation, which occurs in two stages, a wide variety of hydrocarbon products including methane, vinyl monomers (such as ethylene and propylene), acetylene, oligomers, and some other unknown compounds are found. Besides, a thermally stable structure is present (graphitic structure) in these particular organic substances. Finally, data collected from TG experiments in an oxidative atmosphere showed significant differences at temperatures above 240 °C. According to these results, the different techniques of thermal analysis here applied have proved to be an adequate methodology for the study and characterization of these complex systems, structures of which remain controversial even in these days.     

Capillary electrophoretic separation of serum proteins of workers occupationally exposed to heavy metals

Metallurgy processes are associated with many hazardous and toxic factors, including heavy metals. Exposure to heavy metals can cause damage to different organs, which can be observed through variation in the concentration of proteins in serum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in a serum protein profile of copper smelters exposed to As, Cd and Pb ions, and xenobiotics present in tobacco smoke. A 2.3-fold higher Pb concentration in the blood and a 2.8-fold greater As concentration have been observed in the urine of non-smoking smelters compared to a control group. In the blood of smoking smelters, Cd concentration was 2-fold higher than in non-smoking ones. Serum proteins were separated by capillary electrophoresis, and in the group of non-smoking smelters, a higher amount of α₁-globulins was observed. In the group of smoking smelters, fewer α₁-globulins were noted. Furthermore, a greater amount of α₂-globulins in the serum of smoking and non-smoking workers in relation to the control group was revealed. A positive correlation between the concentration of Cd in the blood and the content of a fraction containing α₁- and α₂-globulins was revealed. Urine Cd concentration was found to be negatively associated with the α₁- and α₂-globulins fraction. Observed abnormalities in the proteins profiles of smelters can be important markers when assessing exposure to heavy metals and in the early diagnosis of diseases caused by them.     

ADSORPTION OF METAL IONS ON STEARIC ACID-NONADECANE PARTICLES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

The adsorption of metal ions at the stearic acid/electrolyte and nnonadccane-stearic acid mixture/electrolyte interface was investigated by means of the potentiometric titration, zeta potential and adsorption measurements. It was found that the studied colloidal suspensions exhibited an adsorption affinity towards multivalent metal ions. The adsorption of Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Al³⁺ ions caused a strong decrease of surface charge density and zeta potential values in this systems. The adsorption reactions occur by way of cation exchange with protons from two surface carboxyl groups. Al high metal concentrations, in adsorption reactions there are involved also carboxyl groups from the subsurface layer. On the basis of the adsorption data, the cation surface complexation constants were calculated by Shindler's method.     

Drop Size Distribution Bimodality and Its Effect on O/W Emulsion Viscosity

The research work on why and how distribution bimodality tends to reduce the viscosity of a particulate suspension is reviewed. The transfer of the corresponding concepts to emulsions requires some statistical tools, and becomes particularly easy with probability scale plotting which is reviewed. Viscosity reduction can be attained for different kinds of fine and coarse emulsion associations. The results are shown to depend on the characteristics of the base emulsions as well as on the way they are mixed.     

New Heterocyclic Analogues of Anthracycline Antibiotics

ABSTRACT

Synthetic approaches to anthracycline antibiotic analogues in which the nitrogen atom of the carbohydrate portion is incorporated into a 1, 2, 3-triazolyl moiety were investigated. By using methyl 6-azido-2, 6-dideoxy-β-D--arabino-hexopyranoside and methyl 6-azido-2, 3, 6-tricdeoxy--α-L-arabino-hexopyranoside, the corresponding glycosides (16 a, b - 18 a, b) of carminomycinone and daunomycinone were prepared. The desired heterocyclic system was developed directly with the C-3′ and C-6′ azido anthracyclines by means of a cycloaddition process to give 7-0-[6′-(4, 5--dicarboethoxy-l, 2, 3-triazolyl)-2′, 6′-dideoxy-β-D-arabino--hexopyranosyl]-carminomycinone (23) and -daunomycinone (22), and 3′-(4, 5-dicarboethoxy - l, 2, 3-triazolyl)-4′ -epi-daunomycin (24).     

Artificial neural networks for quantification in unresolved capillary electrophoresis peaks

The application of the combination of experimental design (ED) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the quantification of overlapped peaks in capillary zone electrophoresis is described. When the total separation cannot be achieved by separation techniques, the use of ED-ANN can be a suitable approach. The unstability of EOF causes peak shift that has to be corrected in order to apply ED-ANN methods. In this work, normalization procedure of electropherograms with consequent application of ANNs for quantification purpose was developed. Both, spectra and electropherograms can be used as multivariate data. In general, both kinds of data were found to be suitable for unresolved peaks quantification by ED-ANN approach.     

Tandem RCM-Pauson-Khand reaction for access to tricycles in one step

Starting from conveniently designed dienynes complexed to cobalt, a tandem RCM-intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction yields tricyclic compounds. The methodology allows the synthesis of 6,5,5 and 7,5,5 systems.