Padé–Legendre approximants for uncertainty analysis with discontinuous response surfaces

A novel uncertainty propagation method for problems characterized by highly non-linear or discontinuous system responses is presented. The approach is based on a Padé–Legendre (PL) formalism which does not require modifications to existing computational tools (non-intrusive approach) and it is a global method. The paper presents a novel PL method for problems in multiple dimensions, which is non-trivial in the Padé literature. In addition, a filtering procedure is developed in order to minimize the errors introduced in the approximation close to the discontinuities. The numerical examples include fluid dynamic problems characterized by shock waves: a simple dual throat nozzle problem with uncertain initial state, and the turbulent transonic flow over a transonic airfoil where the flight conditions are assumed to be uncertain. Results are presented in terms of statistics of both shock position and strength and are compared to Monte Carlo simulations.     

Towards molecular-imprint based SPE of local anaesthetics

Summary Solidago canadensis L., Canadian goldenrod (Asteraceae) has been used in European phytotheraphy for centuries as a component of urological and antiphlogistical remedies. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode-array detection (DAD) and online mass spectrometry (MS) has been used for the separation and quantification of phenolics (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rutinoside (nicotiflorin), quercetin-3-O-β-D-rutinoside (rutin), quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactoside (hyperoside), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (isoquercitrin), quercetin-3-O-β-D-rhamnoside (quercitrin), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (afzelin) and quercetin from Solidaginis herba. Extracts have been obtained using different technologies. Three aqueous and three alcoholic extracts were studied separately. Reversedphase high-performance liquid chromatography separation of polyphenols on octadecyl sorbent Hypersil was performed, using acetonitrile: acetic acid 2.5 v/v % as eluent in gradient elution. Our results confirm previous reports concerning the presence of several flavonoids. Quantification of the main quercetin glycosides in pharmaceuticals is also reported. Presented at Balaton Symposium '01 on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 2–4, 2001     

Selective Determination of Nanogram γ-Globulin in Human Blood Serum by Resonance Light Scattering of Functionalized Nano-PbS

Functionalized nano-PbS has been prepared and characterized. The functionalized nanoparticles have good dispersibility in water. Reaction of functionalized nano-PbS with γ-globulin (γ-IgG) results an enhanced resonance light scattering (RLS) around 385nm.However, when the content of HSA is lower than 0.5μg/ml^-1 the RLS enhancement is very weak and is nonlinear to concentration of HSA. Based on these results, a new direct quantitative determination method for γ-globulin in blood serum samples without separation is established.Under optimal conditions, the enhanced RLS intensity is in proportion to the γ-IgG concentration in the range 10-500ng/mL. The limit of detection is 2.75ng/mL. This method is proved to be very sensitive, rapid, simple and selective for detection of γ-IgG in blood serum.     

Determination of Trimethylamine N-oxide and Betaine in Serum and Food by Targeted Metabonomics

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), as a gut-derived metabolite, has been found to be associated with enhanced risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. We presented a method for targeted profiling of TMAO and betaine in serum and food samples based on a combination of one-step sample pretreatment and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The key step included a processing of sample preparation using a selective solid-phase extraction column for retention of basic metabolites. Proton signals at δ 3.29 and δ 3.28 were employed to quantify TMAO and betaine, respectively. The developed method was examined with acceptable linear relationship, precision, stability, repeatability, and accuracy. It was successfully applied to detect serum levels of TMAO and betaine in TMAO-fed mice and high-fructose-fed rats and also used to determine the contents of TMAO and betaine in several kinds of food, such as fish, pork, milk, and egg yolk.     

Generation of anti-azoxystrobin monoclonal antibodies from regioisomeric haptens functionalized at selected sites and development of indirect competitive immunoassays

Azoxystrobin is a modern strobilurin fungicide used around the world to combat prime diseases affecting highly valuable crops. Accordingly, residues of this chemical are frequently found in food, even though mostly under maximum tolerated levels. We herein describe the development of an indirect competitive immunoassay for the determination of azoxystrobin residues. A panel of monoclonal antibodies displaying subnanomolar affinity to azoxystrobin was generated using, as immunizing haptens in mice, four functionalized derivatives carrying the same spacer arm located at different rationally chosen positions. This collection of antibodies was thoroughly characterized with homologous and heterologous antigens, and the immunoassay consisting of monoclonal antibody AZo6#49 and the coating conjugate OVA–AZb6, which displayed an IC₅₀ value of 0.102 μg L⁻¹ and a LOD of 0.017 μg L⁻¹, was eventually optimized. The response to different pH and ionic strength conditions of the specific assay was studied using a biparametric approach. In addition, the influence of Tween 20 and organic solvents over the assay parameters was also evaluated. After optimization, the developed immunochemical assay was applied to the analysis of azoxystrobin in spiked juices of relevant fruits and vegetables, showing excellent recoveries between 2 and 500 μg L⁻¹.     

Quantification of asenapine and three metabolites in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with automated solid-phase extraction: application to a phase I clinical trial with asenapine in healthy male subjects

The development and validation of methods for determining concentrations of the antipsychotic drug asenapine (ASE) and three of its metabolites [N-desmethylasenapine (DMA), asenapine-N(+) -glucuronide (ASG) and 11-O-sulfate-asenapine (OSA)] in human plasma using LC-MS/MS with automated solid-phase extraction is described. The three assessment methods in human plasma were found to be acceptable for quantification in the ranges 0.0250-20.0 ng/mL (ASE), 0.0500-20.0 ng/mL (DMA and OSA) and 0.250-50.0 ng/mL (ASG).     

二元复杂共混体系组成的SEC-LS分析

提供了一种利用体积排阻色谱-光散射(SEC-LS)联用技术来解决二元复杂共混体系组成的定量分析问题.基于体积排除色谱的绝对定量化原则,首先从理论上分析了共混物的光散射响应因子与组成呈线性关系.通过分析六组复杂共混体系的光散射响应因子与组成的关系,验证了该线性关系确实存在.进而利用该线性关系计算了共混体系的组成.在某些共混体系中,通过光散射响应因子得出的组成比利用示差法得出的组成更加接近原料组成.通过分析这两种方法产生误差的来源,阐述了产生该现象的原因.     

Evaluation of the ion trap MS performance for quantification of flavonoids and comparison to UV detection

The application of an ion trap mass spectrometer, usually employed for identification, has been here systematically evaluated for quantitative analysis of various conjugated forms of flavonoids and compared with UV quantification. Three MS methods were tested to assess the potential and limits of the ion trap for quantification of flavonoids: full‐scan experiment MS², isolated ion experiment MS, and full‐scan experiment MS. The test was performed using nine reference standards of flavonoids with six different aglycones: luteolin, apigenin, hypolaetin, 4′‐O‐methylhypolaetin, isoscutellarein and 4′‐O‐methylisoscutellarein in the form of 7‐O‐glucosides and diglucosides, mono or diacetylated, isolated from Sideritis scardica. The analytical characteristics of the tested MS methods were shown to be comparable to UV with regards to precision and accuracy, and superior for selectivity and sensitivity especially when using extracted ion chromatograms. Detection limits did not differ significantly between the MS methods but were significantly lower than those obtained with UV detection by one order of magnitude. Another issue addressed by these results was the choice of most suitable standard substances for quantification of flavonoids with various substituents attached when using MS. In UV detection, the nature of the aglycone is crucial for the absorbance properties, and various derivatives can be quantified with the available one with the same aglycone. Here, it was shown that in MS detection, one flavone derivative can be quantified using other available derivatives with similar substitution pattern with regards to attached and acetylated sugars, whereas the nature of the aglycone is not crucial. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of clindamycin in animal plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A method for the quantification of clindamycin in animal plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) is presented. Lincomycin is used as the internal standard. The sample preparation includes a simple deproteinization step with trichloroacetic acid. Chromatographic separation is achieved on an RP-18 Hypersil column using gradient elution with 0.01 M ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Good linearity was observed in the range 0-10 microg ml(-1). The limit of quantification of the method is 50 ng ml(-1) and the limit of detection is 1.3 ng ml(-1). The method was shown out to be of use for pharmacokinetic studies of clindamycin formulations in dogs.     

Simultaneous quantification of 10 saponins in Chinese Shizhu Panax by UPLC-ESI-MS

A simple and rapid method was established and validated for the simultaneous quantification of 10 saponins, namely ginsenosides-Rb₁, Rb₂, Rb₃, Rc, Rd, Rg₁, Rg₂, Re, Rf and Notoginsenside R₁, in Chinese Shizhu Panax by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS). In addition, the contents of the analytes in different parts of Chinese Shizhu Panax were also analysed. The results showed that the concentration of saponins had a reference to the different parts of Chinese Shizhu Panax. The established method could be used as a new analytical approach for assessment of the quantity of Chinese Shizhu Panax.