Determination of neurotransmitter systems in human cerebrospinal fluid and rat nervous tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line data evaluation

We describe an improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of tyrosine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tryptophan and homovanillic acid in cerebrospinal fluid and nerve tissue, using the new microbore cartridges with 5 micron average particle size. The first four substances are quantified fluorometrically and the last two electrochemically. Both detectors are connected to the same integrator through a relay which can be switched as required. Data are collected in an on-line personal computer and evaluated statistically. An improvement in the method for extraction and separation of catecholamines is also reported.     

Assay of human transthyretin-bound holo-retinol-binding protein with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

We describe a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of vitamin A-transporting (holo) transthyretin-bound (TTR) retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentrations in serum or plasma. Holo-TTR-RBP and free retinol derived primarily from free RBP are consistently observed with this chromatographic method. Holo-TTR-RBP concentrations determined by this method are highly correlated to holo-TTR-RBP concentrations measured by chromatography. This method has the advantage of using less expensive columns and having peak areas which are more proportional to their true concentrations in plasma, as determined by comparison to purified protein spectrophotometry and radial immunodiffusion. The percentage of RBP circulating as holo-TTR-RBP decreased significantly as the total concentration of RBP or retinol increased. Because purified holo-TTR-RBP did not dissociate under these chromatographic conditions, this suggests that more vitamin A circulates as holo-free RBP or free retinol in the blood of people with high serum RBP.     

Stereoselektive Umwandlung von [2.2.2.2.2.2]Metacyclophan in ein all-trans-Hexaen

Starting from [2.2.2.2.2.2]metacyclophane the synthesis of [2.2.2.2.2.2]metacyclophane-all-trans-hexaene via dodecabromo-[2.2.2.2.2.2]metacyclophane is described. The structure of the new ring system was confirmed by UV.-, IR.-, NMR.-, and mass spectra analyses.     

Evaluation by chemical parameters of the pollution state of the agricultural-industrial settlement of the Fucino Plain

In the present work are reported the results of a monitoring on a vast scale, carried out through evaluation of opportune chemical parameters, of the pollution state of the agricultural-industrial settlement of the Fucino Plain. The parameters took into consideration have been the presence of wide consumption pesticides and of ionic species as Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, the quantification of the dissolved oxygen, of the temperature, of the conductivity, of pH and eH. Collected data are used for chemometric elaboration. The water systems examined, by means of drawing campaigns carried out at regular intervals in winter, spring, summer, and autumnal seasons, are represented by superficial waters constituting a network of irrigation canals fed by stratum and meteoric waters. In this work are reported the results relative to the drawing campaigns.     

Public perception of nanotechnology

While several studies on the public opinion of nanotechnology have pointed to a rather enthusiastic U.S. public, the public uptake of nanotechnology in Europe is more contained. The results of the Swiss publifocus on nanotechnology reveal a pragmatic attitude of citizens toward the emerging technologies, thus confirming what has been identified as a “balanced approach” in the NanoJury UK.

La2O3 promotional effect to Co3O4/γ-Al2O3 catalyst in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO2 as soft oxidant

Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with variable Co₃O₄ loadings (5–20 wt%) and deposition of 15% Co₃O₄ on La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ were prepared by wet impregnation method. La₂O₃-γ-Al₂O₃ support with variable composition of La₂O₃ (2–6 wt%) were prepared by co-precipitation method. All the catalysts were tested for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO₂ as soft oxidant. Among the Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts, 15% Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ has shown good performance and hence this catalyst has been chosen to investigate the effect of La₂O₃ species. CO₂ pulse chemisorption data indicate more amount of CO₂ uptake over 15% Co₃O₄/4%La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst which clearly indicates that this catalyst exhibits good performance in ethylbenzene dehydrogenation with CO₂ as soft oxidant because of reverse water gas shift reaction. Temperature programmed reduction studies indicate that the Co₃O₄ catalysts follow two step reduction mechanism from Co₃O₄ to CoO and then to Co and La₂O₃ promotional effect is visible through facile reduction of Co₃O₄ species. La₂O₃ doping has a vital influence in getting enhanced ethylbenzene conversion, styrene yield and alleviates catalyst deactivation compared to that of unpromoted Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. TGA studies indicate the presence low amount coke deposition during time-on-stream over 15% Co₃O₄/4%La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst compared to 15% Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Multinanometer‐Sized Expanded Dendralenes with an iso‐Poly(triacetylene) Backbone

A series of [n]dendralenes (n =3, 4, 8, 3b – d (Fig. 1)) expanded with buta‐1,3‐diynediyl moieties between the CC bonds were prepared by repetitive acetylenic scaffolding of 3‐(cyclohexylidene)penta‐1,4‐diyne building blocks (Scheme). These remarkably unstable iso‐poly(triacetylene) (iso‐PTA) oligomers were characterized by ¹H‐ and ¹³C NMR (Fig. 3 and Table 1), IR, and UV/VIS (Figs. 4 and 6 and Table 2) spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry (Fig. 2). The expanded [8]dendralene contains 40 C(sp)‐ and C(sp²)‐atoms in the backbone and represents the longest iso‐PTA oligomer prepared to date. HOMO‐LUMO Gap energies were determined as a function of oligomeric length (Fig. 5 and Table 3), providing insight into the degree of π‐electron delocalization in these cross‐conjugated chromophores. A continous drop in the HOMO‐LUMO gap with increasing number of monomeric repeating units provides evidence that cross‐conjugation along the oligomeric backbone is effective to some extent. The limiting HOMO‐LUMO gap energy for an infinitely long, buta‐1,3‐diynediyl‐expanded dendralene was extrapolated to about 3.3–3.5 eV. The conformational preferences of the expanded dendralenes were analyzed in semi‐empirical calculations, revealing energetic preferences for planar or slightly twisted s‐cis and ‘U‐shaped' geometries.     

Trends in Emission and Utilization of CO2: Sustainable Feedstock in the Synthesis of Value-Added Fine Chemicals

Catalysis Surveys from Asia - At this moment the major challenge for the human beings is to address uninterrupted raise in CO2 emissions and their consequences. The demands of globalization...     

Unique influence of rare earth (Pr,Nd, and Er) oxide surface acidic texture over CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for selective production of styrene using CO2 flow

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Variety of rare earth oxide-doped CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by a wet impregnation method and evaluated for oxidative dehydrogenation of...