Hemodialysis performance and anticoagulant activities of PVP-k25 and carboxylic-multiwall nanotube composite blended Polyethersulfone membrane.

Non-covalent electrostatic interaction between amide nitrogen and carbonyl carbon of shorter chain length of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-k25) was developed with in-house carboxylic oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes (O-MWCNT) and then blended with Polyethersulfone (PES) polymer. FTIR analysis was utilized to confirm bonding nature of nano-composites (NCs) of O-MWCNT/PVP-k25 and casting membranes. Non-solvent induces phase separation process developed regular finger-like channels in composite membranes whereas pristine PES exhibited spongy entities as studied by cross sectional analysis report of FESEM. Further, FESEM instrument was also utilized to observe the dispersion of O-MWCNT/PVP based nanocomposite (NCs) with PES and membranes leaching phenomena analysis. Contact angle experiments described 24% improvement of hydrophilic behaviour, leaching ratio of additives was reduced to 1.89%, whereas water flux enhanced up to 6 times. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme based antifouling analysis shown up to 25% improvement, whereas 84% of water flux was regained after protein fouling than pristine PES. Anticoagulant activity was reported by estimating prothrombin, thrombin, plasma re-calcification times and production of fibrinogen cluster with platelets-adhesions photographs and hemolysis experiments. Composite membranes exhibited 3.4 and 3 times better dialysis clearance ratios of urea and creatinine solutes as compared to the raw PES membrane.

Effect of supplementation of feed with Flaxseed (Linumusitatisimum) oil on libido and semen quality of Nilli-Ravi buffalo bulls.

BACKGROUND: The current study was designed to investigate the effect of supplementation of Flaxseed (Linumusitatisimum) oil on libido and semen quality of Nilli-Ravi buffalo bulls. METHODS: In this study, 12 adult healthy bulls kept at the Semen Production Unit, Qadirabad district Sahiwal, were used. These bulls were divided into three equal groups, A, B and C. Group A was kept as control, while in groups B and C supplementation of feed was provided by using flaxseed oil @125 ml/day and 250 ml/day,respectively for 12 weeks. Two ejaculates per animal were collected at 0 day then 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th week of treatment. In this way a total 216 samples were taken, and each semen sample was evaluated for color, volume, mass activity, percent motility, sperm cell concentration per ml, percentage of live sperm, and plasma membrane integrity. Libido of bulls was also evaluated before every collection. RESULTS: Analysis of data revealed that these parameters were significantly (P < 0.01) increased in flax oil treated animals as compared to control. CONCLUSION: It was concluded from the present study that flax seed oil has beneficial effects on reproductive health of buffalo bull.

Novel sponge-like molecularly imprinted mesoporous silica material for selective isolation of bisphenol A and its analogues from sediment extracts.

Bisphenol A (BPA) imprinted sponge mesoporous silica was synthesized using a combination of semi-covalent molecular imprinting and simple self-assembly process. The molecularly imprinted sponge mesoporous silica (MISMS) material obtained was characterized by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. The results show that the MISMS possessed a large specific surface area (850.55 m(2) g(-1)) and a highly interconnected 3-D porous network. As a result, the MISMS demonstrated a superior specific adsorption capacity of 169.22 µmol g(-1) and fast adsorption kinetics (reaching equilibrium within 3 min) for BPA. Good class selectivity for BPA and its analogues (bisphenol F, bisphenol B, bisphenol E and bisphenol AF) was also demonstrated by the sorption experiment. The MISMS as solid-phase extraction (SPE) material was then evaluated for isolation and clean-up of these bisphenols (BPs) from sediment samples. An accurate and sensitive analytical method based on the MISMS-SPE coupled with HPLC-DAD has been successfully established for simultaneous determination of five BPs in river sediments with detection limits of 0.43-0.71 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw). The recoveries of BPs for lyophilizated sediment samples at two spiking levels (50 and 500 ng g(-1) dw for each BP) were in the range of 75.5-105.5% with RSD values below 7.5%.

Novel dummy molecularly imprinted polymers for matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction of eight fluoroquinolones from fish samples.

A series of novel dummy molecularly imprinted polymers (DMIPs) were prepared as highly class-selective sorbents for fluoroquinolones. A non-poisonous dummy template, daidzein, was used for the first time to create specific molecular recognition sites for fluoroquinolones in the synthesized polymers. The influence of porogen polarity on dummy molecular imprinting effect was studied. The DMIP prepared using dimethylsulfoxide-acetonitrile (1:1.8, v/v) as porogen achieved the highest imprinting factors (IF) for fluoroquinolones over a range of IF 13.4-84.0. This DMIP was then used for selective extraction of eight fluoroquinolones (fleroxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, enrofloxacin and gatifloxacin) from fish samples based on dummy molecularly imprinted matrix solid-phase dispersion (DMI-MSPD). The extracted fluoroquinolones were subsequently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a fluorescence detector (FLD). The developed method had acceptable recoveries (64.4-102.7%) and precision (RSDs: 1.7-8.5%, n=5) for determination of fluoroquinolones in fish samples fortified at levels of 10 and 100ngg(-1). The limits of detection (LODs) for identification of eight fluoroquinolones ranged between 0.06 and 0.22ngg(-1). The results demonstrated great potential of the optimized method for sample preparation in routine analysis of trace fluoroquinolones in fish samples.

Gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for the determination of atmospheric polychlorinated naphthalenes.

Atmospheric polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) ranging from mono-CNs to octa-CNs were detected using isotope-dilution gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The developed instrumental method was successfully applied to the determination of PCNs in technical products. It was observed that there were significant differences in concentrations, homologue profiles, chlorinated contents and total toxic equivalents (∑TEQs) of PCNs for four Halowax products. Subsequently, the validation of the analytical method was evaluated for the determination of PCNs in air samples in terms of method detection limit (MDL), recovery and matrix effect. The results demonstrated that this method could provide satisfactory sensitivity and adequate selectivity with lower cost. It was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the levels, composition patterns, ∑TEQs, and daily intake exposure of PCNs in indoor and outdoor air samples. Concentrations and ∑TEQs of PCNs in air samples ranged 47.7-832.7 pg m(-3) and 1.31-5.99 fg m(-3), respectively, and the predominant homologues were di- and tri-CNs in the gas phase. The results indicated that this analytical method was useful for the accurate and specific evaluation of dioxin-like toxicity and human exposure levels of PCNs in the atmosphere.

Highly class-selective solid-phase extraction of bisphenols in milk, sediment and human urine samples using well-designed dummy molecularly imprinted polymers.

Dummy molecularly imprinted polymers (DMIPs) towards bisphenols (BPs) were prepared employing 1,1,1-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane (THPE) and phenolphthalein (PP) as dummy templates. The selectivity of the resulting DMIPs was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both PP-DMIP and THPE-DMIP showed excellent class selectivity towards bisphenols. THPE-DMIP prepared using the template molecule with three hydroxyphenyl functionalities achieved higher imprinting factors (IF) for the bisphenols over a range of 7.9-19.8. An efficient approach based on dummy molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (DMISPE) coupled with HPLC-DAD was developed for selective extraction of eight bisphenols in sediment, milk and human urine samples using THPE-DMIP as sorbents. The method showed good recoveries (82-102%) and precision (RSD 0.2-4%, n=3) for these samples spiked at two concentration levels (25 and 250ngg(-1) or ngmL(-1)). The detection limits ranged between 0.6 and 1.1ngg(-1) or ngmL(-1). Efficient removal of sample matrix and interferences was also achieved for these samples after DMISPE process. The results demonstrated great potential of the optimized methods for sample preparation in the routine analysis of trace BPs in complex samples.

Salt-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with programmed temperature vaporization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of haloacetonitriles in drinking water.

We report here a new analytical method for the simultaneous determination of seven haloacetonitriles (HANs) in drinking water by coupling salt-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (SADLLME) with programmed temperature vaporizer-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PTV-GC-MS). The newly developed method involves the dispersion of the extractant in aqueous sample by addition of a few grams of salt and no dispersion liquid was required as compared to the traditional DLLME methods. The extractant (CH2Cl2, 50µL) and the salt (Na2SO4, 2.4g) were successively added to water (8mL) in a conical centrifuge tube that was shaken for 1min and centrifuged (3500rpm, 3min). The aliquot of sedimented phase (4µL) was then directly injected into the PTV-GC-MS system. The limits of detection and quantification for the HANs were 0.4-13.2ngL(-1) and 1.2-43.9ngL(-1), respectively. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r(2)≥0.9904) over 3 orders of magnitude. The repeatability of the method was investigated by evaluating the intra- and inter-day precisions. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) obtained were lower than 10.2% and 7.8% at low and high concentration levels. The relative recoveries ranged from 79.3% to 105.1%. The developed methodology was applied for the analysis of seven HANs in several drinking water samples in coastal and inland cities of China. It was demonstrated to be a simple, sensible, reproducible and environment friendly method for the determination of trace HANs in drinking water samples.

Highly selective dummy molecularly imprinted polymer as a solid-phase extraction sorbent for five bisphenols in tap and river water.

A simple and fast method for both dummy template selection and polymer composition optimization is proposed here. A series of dummy templates for bisphenols imprinting were screened by running them on a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) column with porogen solvent as mobile phase. The tested dummy templates mainly involved bisphenol S (BPS), bromobisphenol A (TBBPA), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol E (BPE), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol AF (BPAF), 2,2',6,6'-tetramethyl-4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol (BS-TM) and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (DADPM). Different monomers and porogens were also investigated for BPS and DADPM using the same method. BPS dummy template was finally selected with acetonitrile and 4-VP as porogen and monomer. The resulting dummy molecularly imprinted polymer (DMIP) achieved superior affinities for BPF, BPE, BPA, BPB and BPAF with imprinting factors 14.5, 13.8, 8.7, 5.7 and 4.2, respectively. An efficient method based on BPS-DMIP-SPE coupled with HPLC-UV was developed for selective extraction of BPF, BPE, BPA, BPB and BPAF in water samples. The method showed excellent recoveries (89.4-102.0%) and precision (RSD 0.3-4.8%, n=5) for tap and river water samples spiked at three concentration levels each (40, 200 and 1000ngL(-1)). The detection limits ranged between 2.2 and 3.8ngL(-1) with a sample volume of 500mL. The result demonstrated the superiority of the optimized method for selective extraction of BPs in water samples at the ngL(-1) level.

Flow-injection chemiluminescence determination of haemoglobin in the blood.

In this study, a sensitive and simple flow-injection chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the quantitative analysis of haemoglobin. The method is based on the ability of haemoglobin to enhance the CL signal generated by a H(2)O(2) -K(4) Fe(CN)(6) -fluorescein alkaline system enhanced by CdTe quantum dots. Under the optimized conditions, haemoglobin can be detected in concentration range 7.35 × 10(-9) -2.5 × 10(-6) mol/L, with a detection limit (3σ) of 1.8 × 10(-9) mol/L and a relative standard deviation (RSD; for 5 × 10(-7) mol/L haemoglobin) of 2.06% (n = 11). The present CL method was successfully applied for the determination of haemoglobin in three kinds of blood samples taken from an infant, an adult man, an adult woman and two reference samples. Compared with previous reports, the CL method described in this work is simple and rapid, with high sensitivity.

Determination of catecholamine in human serum by a fluorescent quenching method based on a water-soluble fluorescent conjugated polymer-enzyme hybrid system.

In this paper, a sensitive water-soluble fluorescent conjugated polymer biosensor for catecholamine (dopamine DA, adrenaline AD and norepinephrine NE) was developed. In the presence of horse radish peroxidase (HRP) and H(2)O(2), catecholamine could be oxidized and the oxidation product of catecholamine could quench the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of poly(2,5-bis(3-sulfonatopropoxy)-1,4-phenylethynylenealt-1,4-poly(phenylene ethynylene)) (PPESO(3)). The quenching PL intensity of PPESO(3) (I(0)/I) was proportional to the concentration of DA, AD and NE in the concentration ranges of 5.0 × 10(-7) to 1.4 × 10(-4), 5.0 × 10(-6) to 5.0 × 10(-4), and 5.0 × 10(-6) to 5.0 × 10(-4) mol L(-1), respectively. The detection limit for DA, AD and NE was 1.4 × 10(-7) mol L(-1), 1.0 × 10(-6) and 1.0 × 10(-6) mol L(-1), respectively. The PPESO(3)-enzyme hybrid system based on the fluorescence quenching method was successfully applied for the determination of catecholamine in human serum samples with good accuracy and satisfactory recovery. The results were in good agreement with those provided by the HPLC-MS method.

Adsorption and removal of tetracycline antibiotics from aqueous solution by graphene oxide.

Significant concerns have been raised over pollution of antibiotics including tetracyclines in aquatic environments in recent years. Graphene oxide (GO) is a potential effective absorbent for tetracycline antibiotics and can be used to remove them from aqueous solution. Tetracycline strongly deposited on the GO surface via π-π interaction and cation-π bonding. The adsorption isotherm fits Langmuir and Temkin models well, and the theoretical maximum of adsorption capacity calculated by Langmuir model is 313 mg g(-1), which is approximately in a close agreement with the measured data. The kinetics of adsorption fits pseudo-second-order model perfectly, and it has a better rate constant of sorption (k), 0.065 g mg(-1) h(-1), than other adsorbents. The adsorption capacities of tetracycline on GO decreased with the increase in pH or Na(+) concentration. The adsorption isotherms of oxytetracycline and doxycycline on GO were discussed and compared.

Fluorometric method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose with Fe3O4 as catalyst.

In this paper, we utilized the instinct peroxidase-like property of Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to establish a new fluorometric method for determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. In the presence of Fe(3)O(4) MNPs as peroxidase mimetic catalyst, H(2)O(2) was decomposed into radical that could quench the fluorescence of CdTe QDs more efficiently and rapidly. Then the oxidization of glucose by glucose oxidase was coupled with the fluorescence quenching of CdTe QDs by H(2)O(2) producer with Fe(3)O(4) MNPs catalyst, which can be used to detect glucose. Under the optimal reaction conditions, a linear correlation was established between fluorescence intensity ratio I(0)/I and concentration of H(2)O(2) from 1.8 × 10(-7) to 9 × 10(-4)mol/L with a detection limit of 1.8 × 10(-8)mol/L. And a linear correlation was established between fluorescence intensity ratio I(0)/I and concentration of glucose from 1.6 × 10(-6) to 1.6 × 10(-4)mol/L with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10(-6)mol/L. The proposed method was applied to the determination of glucose in human serum samples with satisfactory results.