Copper(II) complexes bearing cyclobutanecarboxylate and pyridine ligands: a new series of dinuclear paddle-wheel complexes

Monatshefte für Chemie - Chemical Monthly - Four members of a new series of paddle-wheel copper(II) complexes bearing cyclobutanecarboxylate as bridging ligand with pyridine derived ligands in...     

Activity of microemulsion-based nanoparticles at the human bio-nano interface: concentration-dependent effects on thrombosis and hemolysis in whole blood

Background: Although microemulsion-based nanoparticles (MEs) may be useful for drug delivery or scavenging, these benefits must be balanced against potential nanotoxicological effects in biological tissue (bio-nano interface). We investigated the actions of assembled MEs and their individual components at the bio-nano interface of thrombosis and hemolysis in human blood. Methods: Oil-in-water MEs were synthesized using ethylbutyrate, sodium caprylate, and pluronic F-68 (ME4) or F-127 (ME6) in 0.9% NaCl_w/v. The effects of MEs or components on thrombosis were determined using thrombo-elastography, platelet contractile force, clot elastic modulus, and platelet counting. For hemolysis, ME or components were incubated with erythrocytes, centrifuged, and washed for measurement of free hemoglobin by spectroscopy. Results and conclusions: The mean particle diameters (polydispersity index) for ME6 and ME4 were 23.6 ± 2.5 nm (0.362) and 14.0 ± 1.0 nm (0.008), respectively. MEs (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3 mM) markedly reduced the thromboelastograph maximal amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner (49.0 ± 4.2, 39.0 ± 5.6, 15.0 ± 8.7, 3.8 ± 1.3 mm, respectively), an effect highly correlated (r2 = 0.94) with similar changes caused by pluronic surfactants (48.7 ± 10.9, 30.7 ± 15.8, 20.0 ± 11.3, 2.0 ± 0.5) alone. Neither oil nor sodium caprylate alone affected the thromboelastograph. The clot contractile force was reduced by ME (27.3 ± 11.1–6.7 ± 3.4 kdynes/cm², P = 0.02, n = 5) whereas the platelet population not affected (175 ± 28–182 ± 23 10⁶/ml, P = 0.12, n = 6). This data suggests that MEs reduced platelet activity due to associated pluronic surfactants, but caused minimal changes in protein function necessary for coagulation. Although pharmacological concentrations of sodium caprylate caused hemolysis (EC₅₀ = 213 mM), MEs and pluronic surfactants did not disrupt erythrocytes. Knowledge of nanoparticle activity and potential associated nanotoxicity at this bio-nano interface enables rational ME design for in vivo applications.     

On-line coupling between chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry — a current assessment

The current state of on-line coupling between liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is reviewed. The applications can be divided into three subgroups by changing the importance of the coupling partners. An overview is given of applications in these subgroups, of its use as preconcentration and matrix elimination techniques, for the elimination of spectral interferences and as a tool for speciation analysis. A discussion of current and future development areas in on-line HPLC-ICP-MS is also included.     

On-line coupling of ion chromatography and atomic spectrometry for ultra trace analysis in high purity molybdenum- and tungsten-silicide

The well-established technique of on-line coupling ion chromatography and atomic spectrometry for ultra trace analysis in high purity molybdenum and tungsten is extended to include the silicides MoSi(x) and WSi(x). An additionally included matrix elimination step allows an almost interference-free trace analysis in the silicide matrices. Reproducibility and accuracy of the on-line method were checked by comparison with several other methods, such as isotope dilution, radiochemical neutron activation analysis, direct determination by atomic absorption analysis and not at least with glow discharge mass spectrometry. The results show the high potential of the on-line method for reaching detection limits in the pg g(-1) range, but they show also remaining problems with contamination and system calibration.     

Erratum zu: Stöchiometrie und Kinetik der Karl-Fiseher-Reaktion in Methanol als Reaktionsmedium

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry -