Polyaza macroligands as potential agents for heavy metal removal from wastewater

Two polyaza macroligands N,N´-bis(2-aminobenzyl)-1,2- ethanediamine (L1) and 3,6,9,12-tetraaza-4(1,2),11(1,2)-dibenzo-1(1,3)- piridinaciclotridecafano (L2) were characterized and investigated for their metal ion extraction capabilities. The nature of all complexes was established by spectroscopic techniques. The equilibrium constants were determined by spectrophotometric and potentiometric techniques and the residual concentration of metals in the solutions by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The capacity of the ligands to remove heavy metals such as Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) as insoluble complexes was evaluated in wastewater from industrial effluents. These agents showed high affinity for the studied metals. The values of equilibrium constants of the isolated complexes (between 1 x 104 and 2 x 107) demonstrated the feasibility of applying these chelating agents as an alternative to remove heavy metals from industrial effluents

Atrazine and 2, 4-D determination in corn samples using microwave assisted extraction and on-line solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography.

Abstract In this study, on-line sample pretreatment (clean-up and analyte preconcentration) using sequential injection analysis was coupled to high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC/UV) for the determination of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and atrazine in corn samples. Prior to their analysis, microwave-assisted extraction approach for 2,4-D and atrazine in corn samples was carried out using MeOH: H2O (30:70 v/v) solvent at 50°C for 20 min. The on-line SPE-HPLC/UV approach combined reversed solid-phase extraction using Strata X sorbent with MeOH: H2O (80:20 v/v) at 1 mL min-1 as eluent for the enrichment of the analytes. C18 monolithic column with ACN: 10 mM CH3COOH/CH3COONa buffer at pH 4 (20:80, v/v) was employed as mobile phase at 2 mL min-1 flow rate for chromatographic separation of the compounds before UV detection. Enrichment factors up to 13.4 were achieved with a 10 mL sample volume. The developed procedure showed linear response ranges from 0.07– 0.70 mg kg−1 for 2,4-D and atrazine with correlation coefficients >0.993. The LODs were 0.03 and 0.02 mg kg-1 for 2,4-D and atrazine, respectively with RSD ranged from 4.0 to 7.2 % at concentration level of 0.07 and 0.30 mg kg-1. The extraction recoveries of 2,4-D and atrazine in corn samples were from 82.6 to 98.2%. The proposed method showed good recoveries and reasonable precision for herbicide analysis in corn samples avoiding the time-consuming batch sample pretreatment step, and thus minimizing risks of sample contamination and analyte losses. Key words: herbicide; corn; microwave assisted extraction; on-line SPE-HPLC/UV. Resumen En este estudio, el pretratamiento en línea de la muestra (limpieza y preconcentración del analito) utilizando un sistema de análisis por inyección secuencial acoplado cromatografía de líquidos con detección UV (HPLC/UV) se propuso para la determinación de 2,4-D (ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético) y atrazina en muestras de maíz. Previo al análisis, se desarrolló un procedimiento de extracción asistida por microondas para 2,4-D y atrazina en muestras de maíz utilizando como solvente MeOH:H2O (30:70, v/v) a 50°C durante 20 min. El acoplamiento en línea del sistema SPE-HPLC/UV combinó la extracción en fase sólida utilizando el adsorbente Strata X y como eluente MeOH:H2O (80:20, v/v) a un caudal de 1 mL min-1. Para la separación cromatográfica de los analitos previo a la detección UV se empleó una columna monolítica de tipo C18, la fase móvil fue ACN:Buffer (CH3COOH 10 mM/CH3COONa a pH 4, 20:80, v/v) a un caudal de 2 mL min-1. Se lograron factores de enriquecimiento de hasta 13.4 con un volumen de muestra de 10 mL. El procedimiento desarrollado mostró rangos de respuesta lineal entre 0.07-0.70 mg kg-1 para 2,4-D y atrazina con coeficientes de correlación >0.993. Los LOD fueron de 0.03 y 0.02 mg kg-1 para el 2,4-D y la atrazina, respectivamente con RSD que varió de 4.0 a 7.2% a un nivel de concentración de 0.07 y 0.30 mg kg-1. Las recuperaciones obtenidas por la extracción asistida por microondas de 2,4-D y atrazina en muestras de maíz fueron de 82.6 a 98.2%. El método propuesto mostró recuperaciones aceptables y una precisión razonable para el análisis de herbicidas en muestras de maíz, evitando los inconvenientes en la etapa de pretratamiento de muestra tradicional, que consume mucho tiempo, y por lo tanto se minimiza los riesgos de contaminación y pérdidas de analitos en la muestra. Palabras clave: herbicida; maíz; extracción asistida por microondas; sistema en línea SPE-HPLC/UV

The fatal contribution of serine protease-related genetic variants to COVID-19 outcomes

IntroductionSerine proteases play a critical role during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, polymorphisms of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and serpine family E member 1 (SERPINE1) could help to elucidate the contribution of variability to COVID-19 outcomes.MethodsTo evaluate the genetic variants of the genes previously associated with COVID-19 outcomes, we performed a cross-sectional study in which 1536 SARS-CoV-2-positive participants were enrolled. TMPRSS2 (rs2070788, rs75603675, rs12329760) and SERPINE1 (rs2227631, rs2227667, rs2070682, rs2227692) were genotyped using the Open Array Platform. The association of polymorphisms with disease outcomes was determined by logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates (age, sex, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity).ResultsAccording to our codominant model, the GA genotype of rs2227667 (OR=0.55; 95% CI = 0.36-0.84; p=0.006) and the AG genotype of rs2227667 (OR=0.59; 95% CI = 0.38-0.91; p=0.02) of SERPINE1 played a protective role against disease. However, the rs2227692 T allele and TT genotype SERPINE1 (OR=1.45; 95% CI = 1.11-1.91; p=0.006; OR=2.08; 95% CI = 1.22-3.57; p=0.007; respectively) were associated with a decreased risk of death. Similarly, the rs75603675 AA genotype TMPRSS2 had an OR of 1.97 (95% CI = 1.07-3.6; p=0.03) for deceased patients. Finally, the rs2227692 T allele SERPINE1 was associated with increased D-dimer levels (OR=1.24; 95% CI = 1.03-1.48; p=0.02).DiscussionOur data suggest that the rs75603675 TMPRSS2 and rs2227692 SERPINE1 polymorphisms are associated with a poor outcome. Additionally, rs2227692 SERPINE1 could participate in hypercoagulable conditions in critical COVID-19 patients, and this genetic variant could contribute to the identification of new pharmacological targets and treatment strategies to block the inhibition of TMPRSS2 entry into SARS-CoV-2

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Especiación de mercurio en vacunas pediátricas mediante cromatografía multijeringa acoplada a espectroscopia de fluorescencia atómica

Un nuevo enfoque del análisis automático para la especiación de compuestos de mercurio inorgánico (Hg21. Metilmercurio (MeHg) y etil-mercurio (EtHg) usando la cromatografia multijeringa (MSC), acoplado a un detector especifico como es la espectrometria de fluorescencia atómica por vapor frio (CV -AFS) se desarrolló y aplicó en este trabajo al análisis de vacunas pediátricas. La separación de especies de mercurio se llevó a cabo en una columna RP C18 monolítica utilizando un programa de elución multi-isocrática. Las especies de mercurio eluidas se oxidaron bajo radiación UV postcolumna y después fueron reducidas con SnCl2 en un medio ácido. Posteriormente, el mercurio elemental generado se separó de la fase líquido-gas con una corriente de gas argón y transportado al analizador atómico CV -AFS. Bajo las condiciones experimentales optimas, los limites de detección obtenidos son 0.03, 0.11 Y 0.09 μg L-1 para MeHg+, Hg2+ y EtHg+, respectivamente. La desviación estándar relativa (RSD, n = 6) para las concentraciones de las especies a 3, 6 y 3 μg L-1 de MeHg+, Hg2+ Y EtHg+ (respectivamente) variaron entre 2.4 y 4.0%. El sistema MSC-CV-AFS propuesto permite una frecuencia de muestreo alta y bajos costos de operación e instrumentación. El método desarrollado fue validado con el análisis del material de referencia certificado DORM-2 (músculo de cazón), y se aplicó en la determinación de especies de mercurio en vacunas pediátricas

Síntesis vía sol-gel y caracterización morfológica y estructural del fotocatalizador Ti01 modificado con W03

En este trabajo se llevó a cabo la síntesis por sol-gel del óxido mixto WO3/TiO2, a partir de los precursores tetrabutil ortotitanato yp-tungstato de amonio. Asi mismo, para efectos comparativos, se preparó TiO2 puro mediante el proceso sol-gel. Los sólidos obtenidos fueron caracterizados por Difracción de Rayos X (DRX), Espectroscopia VV-Vis con rcflectancia difusa y Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido con espectroscopia de Dispersión de Encrgia de Rayos X (SEM-EDX); adicionalmente se realizó el análisis textural del TiO2 a partir de la isoterma de adsorción de nitrógeno. La caracterización del TiO2, sintetizado por sol-gel como referencia. indicó que éste presenta la fase anatasa, con tamafio nanométrico (200m) y es1ructura mesoporosa. Respecto al TiO2, modificado con WO3, se encontró que igualmente se forma la fase anatasa y que el borde de absorción de este se desplaza a valores de mayor longitud de ondarespecto a los del TiO2 sol-gel y TiO2 comercial Degusta P25,lo que indica que puede activarse con luz visible