310 research outputs found

    Chloride-attachment atmospheric pressure photoionisation for the determination of short-chain chlorinated paraffins by gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry

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    In this work, a new gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) method based on atmospheric pressure photoionisation (APPI) has been developed for the accurate determination of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) as a reliable alternative to the established methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time these compounds has been analysed by GC-MS using atmospheric pressure photoionisation (APPI). Efficient ionisation of SCCPs was achieved using the new GC-APPI source by the formation of [MþCl]e adduct ions in negative ion mode using dopant-assisted APPI with a mixture of acetone/CCl4 (3:1, v/v). Operating at a resolution of 70,000 FWHM (full width at half maximum) and monitoring the [MþCl]e adduct ions for each congener group, a selective determination of the SCCPs was achieved, avoiding isobaric interferences between homologue groups with different carbon chain length and chlorination degree. Moreover, the GC-APPI-HRMS response of each congener group was mainly influenced by its concentration and did not depend on the number of chlorine atoms in the molecule as occurs with the GC-MS methods based on the electron-capture negative ionisation (ECNI). Thus, the contribution of the different carbon and chlorine homologue groups in the SCCP mixtures was determined by the internal normalization method, and the quantification was performed independently of the chlorine content of the SCCP standard mixture employed. The developed GC-APPI-HRMS method offers some interesting advantages over the existing methods, particularly the possibility to quantify individual SCCP congener groups, the use of a simple calibration method for quantification, and an important timesaving in the data processing, especially over ECNI-based traditional methods. The GC-APPI-HRMS method allowed the determination of SCCPs at low concentration levels in fish samples with lowmethod limits of detection (17e34 pg g1 wet weight for total SCCPs), good precision (RSD < 7%) and trueness (relative error < 8%) and can be proposed as a reliable alternative of the established methods for the determination of these pollutants in environmental sample

    5-Hydroxymethylfurfural content in foodstuffs determined by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

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    Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) has been applied for the determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in several foodstuffs. A 75 mM phosphate buffer solution at pH 8.0 containing 100 mM sodium dodecylsulfate was used as background electrolyte (BGE), and the separation was performed by applying +25 kV in a 50 µm I.D. uncoated fused-silica capillary. Good linearity over the range 2.5-250 mg kg-1 (r2 ≥ 0.999) and run-to-run and day-to-day precisions at low and medium concentration levels were obtained. Sample limit of detection (0.7 mg kg-1) and limit of quantification (2.5 mg kg-1) were established by preparing the standards in blank matrix. The procedure was validated by comparing the results with those obtained with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Levels of HMF in 45 different foodstuffs such as breakfast cereals, toasts, honey, orange juice, apple juice, jam, coffee, chocolate and biscuits were determined

    A new hyladelphine marsupial (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) from cave deposits of northern Brazil

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    Based on very small upper and lower molars recovered from the Quaternary limestone caves in the State of Tocantins, northern Brazil, we describe a new genus and species of a didelphimorphian marsupial. A phylogenetic analysis based on morphological + karyotypic data set recovered the new genus and species as the sister taxon to the living didelphid, Hyladelphys kalinowskii Voss, Lunde & Simons. The new taxon differs from the latter in having a slightly larger size, more inflated and blunt cusps, greater reduction in number and size of the stylar cusps, in the absence of an anterior cingulum, a deeper ectoflexus in M2, paracone and metacone subequal in M2, and narrower and eccentric protocones. The new marsupial probably weighed no more than 40 g and its molar morphology is suggestive of mixed, insectivorous-frugivorous feeding habits. Although we regard the fauna of Gruta dos Mouras cave as Pleistocene, we do not negate the possibility that a temporal mixing (“time-averaging”) of Pleistocene and Holocene specimens existed and that the newly described taxon is a living marsupial in the study area.Fil: Oliveira, Édison Vicente. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Nova, Patricia Villa. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Goin, Francisco Javier. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Paleontología Vertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Avilla, Leonardo Dos Santos. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasi

    Simultaneous analysis of natural pigments and E-141i in olive oils by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

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    This work describes the development of an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, β-criptoxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin) and chlorophylls, as well as their related compounds (chlorophyll A and B, pheophytin A and B and the banned dyes Cu-pyropheophytin A, Cu-pheophytin A and B) in olive oils. For this purpose, the feasibility of electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) for the ionization of these compounds was evaluated and compared. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragmentation was discussed for each family of compounds, and the most characteristic and abundant product ions were selected to propose a selective and sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method. The best results were obtained using APCI and APPI, while ESI provided the worst signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for all compounds. For the analysis of olive oils, a simple solid-phase extraction (SPE) with silica cartridges was applied before the determination by UHPLC-MS/MS (APCI and APPI) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Method quality parameters were stablished, and the results demonstrate the good performance of the new methods, providing low limits of detection (0.004-0.9 mg L−1), high extraction efficiencies (62-95%) and low matrix effects (< 25%). The developed UHPLC-API-MS/MS(APCI and APPI) methods were applied to the analysis of olive oil samples, and β-carotene, pheophytinA, pheophytin B and lutein were detected and quantified in all of them at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 9.5 mg L−1

    Determination of capsaicinoids and carotenoids for the characterization and geographical origin authentication of paprika by UHPLC-APCI- HRMS

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    The production area mislabeling of a food product is considered a fraudulent practice worldwide. In this work, a method that uses ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (UHPLC-APCI-HRMS) was used for the geographical origin authentication of paprika based on the determination of capsaicinoids and carotenoids. Satisfactory instrumental method performance was obtained, providing good linearity (R2 > 0.998), run-to-run and day-to-day precisions (%RSD < 15 and 10%, respectively), and trueness (relative errors < 10%), while method limits of quantification were between 0.21 and 51 mg·kg-1. Capsaicinoids and carotenoids were determined in 136 paprika samples, from different origins (La Vera, Murcia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic) and types (hot, sweet, and bittersweet). The composition of capsaicinoids and carotenoids was used as chemical descriptors to achieve paprika authentication through a classification decision tree built by partial least squares regression−discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models and reaching a rate of 80.9%

    Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for fluorotelomer alcohols and perfluorinated sulfonamides determination

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    Ionization and in source-fragmentation behavior of four fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOH) (4:2 FTOH, 6:2FTOH, 8:2 FTOH and 10:2 FTOH) and four N-alkyl fluorooctane sulfonamides/-ethanols (N-MeFOSA, N-EtFOSA, N-MeFOSE and N-EtFOSE) by APCI has been studied and compared with the traditionally usedEI and CI. Protonated molecule was the base peak of the APCI spectrum in all cases giving the possibilityof selecting it as a precursor ion for MS/MS experiments. Following, CID fragmentation showed commonproduct ions for all FOSAs/FOSEs (C4F7and C3F5). Nevertheless, the different functionality gave charac-teristic pattern fragmentations. For instance, FTOHs mainly loss H2O + HF, FOSAs showed the losses ofSO2and HF while FOSEs showed the losses of H2O and SO2. Linearity, repeatability and LODs have beenstudied obtaining instrumental LODs between 1 and 5 fg. Finally, application to river water and influentand effluent waste water samples has been carried out in order to investigate the improvements in detec-tion capabilities of this new source in comparison with the traditionally used EI/CI sources. Matrix effectsin APCI have been evaluated in terms of signal enhancement/suppression when comparing standardsin solvent and matrix. No matrix effects were observed and concentrations found in samples were inthe range of 1-100 pg L−1far below the LODs achieved with methods previously reported. Unknownrelated perfluoroalkyl substances, as methyl-sulfone and methyl-sulfoxide analogues for FTOHs, werealso discovered and tentatively identified

    Influence of the CAD-CAM Systems on the Marginal Accuracy and Mechanical Properties of Dental Restorations

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    The aim of this study was to compare the quality of different computer-assisted-design and computer assisted manufacturing systems (CAD-CAM) generated by only one scanner, focusing on vertical fit discrepancies and the mechanical properties. A master model was obtained from a real clinical situation: the replacement of an absent (pontic) tooth, with the construction of a fixed partial denture on natural abutments with three elements. Nine scans were performed by each tested and 36 copies were designed using a dental CAD-CAM software (Exocad). The frameworks were manufactured using three-axis and five-axis, with the same batch of the chrome-cobalt (CrCo) alloy. The frameworks were not cemented. A focus ion beam-high resolution scanning electron microscope (FIB-HRSEM) allowed us to obtain the vertical gap measurements in five points for each specimen. Roughness parameters were measured using white light interferometry (WLI). The samples were mechanically characterized by means of flexural tests. A servo-hydraulic testing machine was used with a cross-head rate of 1 mm/min. One-way ANOVA statistical analysis was performed to determine whether the vertical discrepancies and mechanical properties were significantly different between each group (significance level p < 0.05). The overall mean marginal gap values ranged: from 92.38 ± 19.24 µm to 19.46 ± 10.20 µm, for the samples produced by three-axis and five-axis machines, respectively. Roughness was lower in the five-axis machine than the three-axis one, and as a consequence, the surface quality was better when the five-axis machine was used. These results revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.005) in the mean marginal gap between the CAD-CAM systems studied. The flexural strength for these restorations range from 6500 to 7000 N, and does not present any statistical differences’ significance between two CAD-CAM systems studied. This contribution suggests that the number of axes improves vertical fit and surface quality due to the lower roughness. These claims show some discrepancies with other studies

    Impact of real and simulated flights on psychophysiological response of military pilots

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    Objective: The present research aimed to analyse the autonomic, anxiety, perceived exertion, and self-confidence response during real and simulated flights. Methods: This cross-sectional study participated 12 experienced male pilots (age = 33.08 (5.21)) from the Spanish Air Force. Participants had to complete a real and a simulated flight mission randomly. The heart rate variability (HRV), anxiety, self-confidence, and rating of perceived exertion were collected before and after both manoeuvres, and HRV was also collected during both simulated and real flights. Results: When studying the acute effects of real and simulated flights, the mean heart rate, the R-to-R interval, the cognitive anxiety and the perceived exertion were significantly impacted only by real flights. Furthermore, significant differences in the mean heart rate and RR interval were found when compared to the acute effects of real and simulated flights (with higher acute effects observed in real flights). Additionally, when compared the HRV values during simulated and real flights, significant differences were observed in the RR and heart rate mean (with lower RR interval and higher heart rate mean observed during real flights). Conclusion: Real flights significantly reduced the RR interval and cognitive anxiety while increased the heart rate mean and the rating of perceived exertion, whereas simulated flights did not induce any significant change in the autonomic modulation

    Physician-Related Variability in the Outcomes of an Invasive Treatment for Neck and Back Pain: A Multi-Level Analysis of Data Gathered in Routine Clinical Practice

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    [EN] Neuro-reflexotherapy (NRT) is a proven effective, invasive treatment for neck and back pain. To assess physician-related variability in results, data from post-implementation surveillance of 9023 patients treated within the Spanish National Health Service by 12 physicians were analyzed. Separate multi-level logistic regression models were developed for spinal pain (SP), referred pain (RP), and disability. The models included all patient-related variables predicting response to NRT and physician-related variables. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Median Odds Ratio (MOR) were calculated. Adjusted MOR (95% CI) was 1.70 (1.47; 2.09) for SP, 1.60 (1.38; 1.99) for RP, and 1.65 (1.42; 2.03) for disability. Adjusted ICC (95%CI) values were 0.08 (0.05; 0.15) for SP, 0.07 (0.03; 0.14) for RP, and 0.08 (0.04; 0.14) for disability. In the sensitivity analysis, in which the 6920 patients treated during the physicians’ training period were excluded, adjusted MOR was 1.38 (1.17; 1.98) for SP, 1.37 (1.12; 2.31) for RP, and 1.25 (1.09; 1.79) for disability, while ICCs were 0.03 (0.01; 0.14) for SP, 0.03 (0.00; 0.19) for RP, and 0.02 (0.00; 0.10) for disability. In conclusion, the variability in results obtained by different NRT-certified specialists is reasonable. This suggests that current training standards are appropriateS
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