Method validation of methotrexate in human plasma by LC-MS technique in patients with brain tumor.

Background and aims: A selective and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method has been established for determination of methotrexate in human plasma. Methods: Methotrexate was extracted from plasma with acetonitrile. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water-formic acid 74: 25: 1(v/v). Twenty µl of sample was chromatographically analyzed using a repacked ZORBAX-XDB-ODS C18 column (2.1mm×30mm, 3.5 micron). The mode of mass spectrometry was selected-ion monitoring (SIM). Results: Standard curve was linear (r= 0.998) over the concentration range of 0.1–100.0 ng/ml and showed a suitable accuracy and precision. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.05ng/ml. Conclusion: The method is quick, easy, very steady and precise for the partition, assignment and evaluation of methotrexate in human plasma

Thermal Decomposition of Co-Doped Calcium Tartrate and Use of the Products for Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes.

Thermal decomposition of Co-doped calcium tartrate in an inert atmosphere or air was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. It was shown that the powder substance containing 4 at.% of cobalt completely decomposes within 650-730 °C, depending on the environment, and the formation of Co clusters does not proceed before 470 °C. The products of decomposition were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, XAFS, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Surfaceoxidized Co metal nanoparticles as large as ∼5.6 ( 1.2 nm were found to form in an inert atmosphere, while the annealing in air led to a wide distribution of diameters of the nanoparticles, with the largest nanoparticles (30-50 nm) mainly present as a Co3O4 phase. It was found that the former nanoparticles catalyze the growth of CNTs from alcohol while a reducing atmosphere is required for activation of the latter nanoparticles. We propose the scheme of formation of CaO-supported catalyst from Co-doped tartrate, depending on the thermal decomposition conditions