Immobilized-Enzyme Reactors Integrated into Analytical Platforms: Recent Advances and Challenges

Immobilized-enzyme reactors (IMERs) are flow-through devices containing enzymes that are physically confined or localized with retention of their catalytic activities. IMERs can be used repeatedly and continuously and have been applied for (bio)polymer degradation, proteomics, biomarker discovery, inhibitor screening, and detection. Online integration of IMERs with analytical instrumentation, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, reduces the time needed for multi-step workflows, reduces the need for sample handling, and enables automation. However, online integration can also be challenging, as reaching its full potential requires complex instrumental setups and experienced users. This review aims to provide an assessment of recent advances and challenges in online IMER-based (analytical) LC platforms, covering publications from 2014-2021. A critical discussion of challenges often encountered in IMER fabrication, sample preparation, integration into the analytical workflow, long-term usage, and of potential ways to overcome these is provided. Finally, the obstacles preventing the proliferation of IMERs as efficient tools for high-throughput pharmacological, industrial, and biological studies are discussed

Report A3.2.1: Literature survey on current state-of-the-art for the material compatibility of vessels for the sampling of CO2 for CCUS

This report was written as part of activity A3.2.1 from the Partnership on Metrology project Metrology for the support for Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (MetCCUS). The three-year European project started 1st October 2022. In the report, we have reviewed the current state of the art for the material compatibility of the vessels (including cylinders, bags and sorbent tubes) that are used to sample CO2. The choice of vessels depends on many parameters, including the pressure and temperature of the gas at the sampling point, safety aspects, requirements/ recommendations in standards, transport regulations and the suitability of the vessel. It is crucial to ensure that the sample provided to the laboratory is representative, which requires knowledge about the stability of the impurities in the carbon dioxide stored in sampling vessels. Risks of reaction inside the vessel or adsorption on the wall of the vessel must be avoided. Stability studies performed in adequate conditions (careful choice of the concentration, pressure for cylinders, possible interaction with other impurities) are often needed to ensure the suitability of any given vessel for a given impurity. The MetCCUS project will perform stability studies in bags in activity A3.2.3 and information on cylinder´s suitability will be obtained from the activities performed in task 3.1

Impact of vitamin C level on osteoporosis of postmenopausal Iraqi women

A common disease, Osteoporosis (OP), is characterized by a systemic impairment of microarchitecture and bone mass that causes in fragility fractures. The medical and socioeconomic influences of postmenopausal OP will increase, meanwhile, oxidative Stress (OS) and inflammation are play an important role in this disease. The intracellular antioxidant vitamin (C ;VitC) is important for a variety of biological functions, and prevents of inflammation and OS. The purpose of this study is investigation the impact Vit C in this silent disease. Total of (150) individual samples were included ; 50  individual for each group (apparently healthy individual samples as control group, Osteopenia patients , and OP patients ). These three groups were classified according to the T-Score obtained from the DEXA scan. The vitamin was measured by ELISA immunological method while several biochemical parameters including calcium (Ca++), phosphorus (Phos), total protein (TP), and uric acid (UA) were measured using autobiochemical analysis. Results showed significantly decrease in Vit C in two patients groups when compared with control  group but the difference was non-significant  between the two patient groups.  &nbsp

Report A3.1.2: Literature survey on commercially available cylinders for the preparation of PRMs for CCUS

This report was written as part of activity A2.3.1 from the Partnership on Metrology project “Metrology for the support for Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage” (MetCCUS). The three-year European project started 1st October 2022. In the report, we have reviewed the surface passivation treatments that are available for gas cylinders for a number of impurities relevant for CCUS using information gained from literature review, experiences from partners, and other metrology projects in order to assess availability of cylinders that will allow stable mixtures to be produced. Most of the information is obtained from other matrices than CO2. For some of these impurities, information is currently lacking. The outcomes of the project MetCCUS will allow to increase knowledge on appropriate gas cylinders by performing two-year stability study on defined mixtures

Nanoparticle Analysis by Online Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography combining Hydrodynamic Chromatography and Size-Exclusion Chromatography with Intermediate Sample Transformation

Polymeric nanoparticles have become indispensable in modern society with a wide array of applications ranging from waterborne coatings to drug-carrier-delivery systems. While a large range of techniques exist to determine a multitude of properties of these particles, relating physicochemical properties of the particle to the chemical structure of the intrinsic polymers is still challenging. A novel, highly orthogonal separation system based on comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC × LC) has been developed. The system combines hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) in the first-dimension to separate the particles based on their size, with ultrahigh-performance size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) in the second dimension to separate the constituting polymer molecules according to their hydrodynamic radius for each of 80 to 100 separated fractions. A chip-based mixer is incorporated to transform the sample by dissolving the separated nanoparticles from the first-dimension online in tetrahydrofuran. The polymer bands are then focused using stationary-phase-assisted modulation to enhance sensitivity, and the water from the first-dimension eluent is largely eliminated to allow interaction-free SEC. Using the developed system, the combined two-dimensional distribution of the particle-size and the molecular-size of a mixture of various polystyrene (PS) and polyacrylate (PACR) nanoparticles has been obtained within 60 min