Current Analytical Chemistry - Online First

Thalassemia syndromes are heterogeneous groups of inherited anemia. Managing these conditions often requires regular blood transfusions, which can lead to complications, such as iron overload and bone disorders. This study aimed to examine the biochemical markers of bone turnover in thalassemia patients and investigate their associations in the Iraqi cohort.

The study involved 45 thalassemia patients and 45 healthy control subjects. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin K, matrix Gla protein (MGP), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured by ELISA kit, and the level of calcium ion was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry technique.

The results demonstrated that the levels of FGF-23 and phosphorus were considerably higher in patients with thalassemia than in control (p=0.0001**). Conversely, the levels of vitamin D (p=0.005**), vitamin K (p=0.0002**), MGP (p=0.0003**), and PTH (p=0.0001**) were significantly lower in thalassemia patients compared to control subjects. Furthermore, no significant difference in calcium levels between the two groups (p-value = 0.465) was observed. The association of bone biochemical markers demonstrated that FGF-23 has a positive significant correlation with phosphorous and is inversely correlated with vitamin D, PTH, vitamin K, and MGP. Moreover, PTH has a positive significant correlation with vitamin D, vitamin K, and MGP. However, it has a significant negative correlation with PTH and phosphorous.

These findings show that patients with thalassemia display biochemical markers associated with bone and cardiovascular disorders, indicating the need for specialized medical treatments for this patient population.

Angelica glauca (AG) (family Apiaceae) is used by tribes as a spice and to treat various diseases. Before consumption, effective measures must be used for quality control tests. This study establishes quality standards for A. glauca. The study analyses A. glauca roots for physico-chemical, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, heavy metals, pesticidal residue, microbial load, and aflatoxin.

The standard procedure was used for powder microscopy and physiochemical parameters. Multiple culture media were used to measure microbial load. Aflatoxins were estimated using HPLC. Mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel were estimated using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. To identify 87 pesticide residues in A. glauca roots, LC-MS was used.

On root powder microscopy, parenchymatous cells packed with yellow material, capillaries with reticulate thickenings, and simple oval to circular starch grains were found. Foreign matter, LOD, total ash, and extractive values were all within range. Salmonela, Pseudomnas, and Coliform (E. coli) were absent. The total viable aerobic bacterial count was 1.14 x 10³ cfu/ml, compared to 1.0 x 10⁵ permitted. Aflatoxins were absent in all samples. Heavy metal levels met the FSSR 2011 maximum residue standard for foods not specified. All 87 pesticides in the crude sample were below detection limits, indicating the safety and quality of the A. glauca root sample.

The current findings can be utilized in quality control procedures and to assess the quality of A. glauca samples before incorporating them into formulations. Phytochemical tests, heavy metal analysis, and pesticide residue contents can be used to assess quality before using A. glauca raw materials.

Traditional analysis techniques usually involve separation and pre-treatment steps prior to analysis, resulting in time and solvent consumption. In contrast, a potentiometric ion selective electrode is a simple, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective technique that is used as an alternative analytical technique, utilizing the efficacy of potentiometric sensors used in stability research and quality control investigations.

An innovative Antazoline selective membrane sensor was constructed and evaluated to detect Antazoline in its pure form, eye drop formulations, degradation products, and biological fluid. Sensor fabrication was achieved using potassium tetrakis borate and polyvinyl chloride polymeric matrix plasticized with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether and using calix[8]arene (CX8) as an ionophore. A comparative potentiometric study was implemented using two sensors, one using an ionophore and the other lacking the ionophore.

Linear responses of Antazoline were obtained utilizing sensors 1 and 2 in concentration ranges of 1.0×10^-2 to 1.0×10^-7 mole/L and 1.0×10^-2 to 1.0×10^-6 mole/L, correspondingly. Nernstian slopes of 58.486 and 51.2 mV/decade over pH 8.0 were attainted using 1 and 2 sensors, respectively.

The proposed method was applied to determine antazoline without any need for any pretreatment or separation steps in both formulated eye drops Trillerg^® sterile ophthalmic solution and Otrivine- Antistin^® Eye Drops as well as in rabbit aqueous humor and the presence of its degradation products. Estimation of the method's greenness was confirmed using several assessment tools.

Nausea and vomiting are common responses to various factors like gastrointestinal disorders, motion sickness, pregnancy, medications, infections, and severe pain. Treatment includes antiemetic medications, hydration, dietary adjustments, rest, and, in severe cases, medical intervention to address underlying causes.

The present research aims at formulating buccal Promethazine with polymers like HPMCE15 and sodium alginate hence relief from the condition of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

A variety of PMT buccal films (PBF), comprising varying HPMC E15 and sodium alginate, incorporating PMT (25 mg) in keeping with the method recommended via Design Expert Software, have been fabricated using the solvent casting approach. The design expert software 11.0 trial version was used for statistical analysis of the responses.

The results showed PMT's compatibility with excipients, preserving the drug's functional groups. The films were neutral, and flexible, with uniform thickness and good swelling, especially in sodium alginate-rich films. They had consistent drug content, and mucoadhesion time and strength increased with HPMC E15 concentration. In vitro tests revealed a 40% burst release in 10 minutes, followed by varied release rates based on polymer composition.

The optimized buccal films showed greater flexibility and a promising balance between swelling, which is necessary for drug release, and mucoadhesion, which prolongs mucosal contact. The buccal films' optimized features suggest that controlled and prolonged release could improve Promethazine absorption and therapeutic efficacy. The ease of administration and longer mucosal retention period may improve patient compliance and experience.

Detection and determination of ascorbic acid (AA) or vitamin C as a potent antioxidant substrate in commercial samples have an emerging significance. In relation to the colorimetry of ascorbic acid, the use of organometallic networks as enzyme peroxidase mimics has been reported many times, which is not cost-effective for commercialization. Therefore, this research, for the first time, examined the peroxidase behavior using garlic extract without additional extraction and purification steps. Peroxidase behavior was examined to measure ascorbic acid.

In this research work, firstly, allium sativum (AS) extract was prepared simply by crushing, stirring, and sonicating garlic bulbs in water. It exhibited peroxidase activity, which enabled the oxidation of 3, 30, 5, and 50-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2 to generate blue-colored oxidized TMB (ox-TMB) with a sharp absorption peak at 6526 nm. In continuation, the ox-TMB could be reduced by the addition of AA to the TMB+H2O2 system, leading to a decrease in absorbance and the fading of the blue color. Determination performance was accomplished after optimization of several factors, such as pH, time, TMB, and AS concentration.

The results showed that the decrease in absorbance (ΔA) after AA addition was in a good linear relationship with AA concentration in the range of 9.46-155.24 µM, with a low detection limit of 0.0223 µM. The feasibility of this approach was also assayed in commercial orange drinks and effervescent tablets of vitamin C with a 97.70%-110.17% recovery.

Finally, a sensitive and simple colorimetric sensor for the detection of AA using AS extract as a biocatalyst was developed.

Copper, a precious metal in e-waste, presents a substantial economic opportunity. The study estimates that ~322000 tons of copper are discarded annually worldwide as e-waste. Given the significant financial value of copper, its recovery from e-waste is beneficial and crucial. This process also plays a pivotal role in waste management and recycling hazardous waste. The potential reduction in e-waste in landfills is a direct result of this strategic approach to waste management, offering a more sustainable and optimistic outlook for the future. This research paves the way for a future where e-waste is no longer a burden on our environment.

This study is structured around a robust two-step process. It begins with an experiment focused on copper recovery using hydrometallurgical methods. The modeling leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques to predict copper recovery from e-waste. This innovative approach not only promises but also has the potential to revolutionize the field of copper recovery, inspiring further innovation and progress.

The model was developed using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and a Boosting Algorithm (BA). Based on four crucial variables (H2SO4, H2O2, Solid/Liquid ratio, and Reaction Time), this model provides a comprehensive understanding of Cu recovery. H2SO4 is a crucial component during the leaching process; H2O2 facilitates Cu oxidation, the Solid/Liquid ratio affects the efficiency, and Reaction Time determines the completion of the process. The ANN and BA-based models yield satisfactory results in Cu recovery, achieving over 94% yield under optimized conditions.

The model developed in this study can potentially revolutionize copper recovery. By automating the process, we can significantly reduce the stress of copper mining, which relieves the environment. We can also promote a circular economy, offering a promising future for sustainable copper recovery. This could be a game-changer in the field of waste management and recycling.

The determination of flavonoid content in propolis is very important because these substances are assigned various biological properties present in propolis and their content is regulated by Brazilian legislation. The spectrophotometric method, based on the formation of a yellow complex between Al(III) and carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of flavonoids, is the most used to determine flavonoid content but is time-consuming (only after one hour the absorbance of the solutions can be read) and reagents.

This work proposes a simple method to determine flavonoid content using UV-Vis and Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression.

A robust PLS spectrophotometric method for the quantification of flavonoids in propolis, based on spectra of ethanol-diluted samples, was developed and a complete validation was done in this model, estimating several figures of merit.

The model built proved to be very effective, showing good results for flavonoid content, with a range of 0.06 to 1.50%mass, providing root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.05%mass.

This proposed model has the advantage of being less laborious and faster, involves a small amount of solvents, is an alternative to routine analysis, and can be used as a screening method.

Venetoclax is a selective inhibitor of the prosurvival protein BCL-2 approved by the Food Drug Administration in 2016, restoring the apoptic ability of malignant cells. In this study, a fast, highly accurate and precise HPLC method was developed for the analysis of Venetoclax in human plasma.

The optimization of the method was investigated according to Box-Bhenken Design combined with 3D surface methodology. The chromatographic separation was performed in gradient mode with an Ascentis Express C8 column (2.7 μm, 4.6 mm × 10 cm). Agomelatine was used as an internal standard to increase accuracy. The method was completely validated according to ICH guideline M10 bioanalytical method validation. Additionally, the greenness of the method was scaled with NEMI, Analytical Ecoscale, AGREE, and GAPI greenness metrics.

The method was linear in the range of 1.67-12.50 µg/mL with a calculated R² of 0.99; LOD and LOQ were 0.34 µg/mL and 1.02 µg/mL, respectively. The recovery was in the range of 102.6% to 99.08%, and with an RSD% of less than 1.00%. The analytical eco scale and AGREE score of the current method were 85 and 0.55, respectively.

The approach that was developed herein exhibits green, rapidity, high levels of accuracy and precision, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use in the context of clinical and pharmacokinetic investigations.

Due to the segregation of lightweight aggregate concrete, there is a phenomenon of uneven distribution of ceramsite (aggregate) in commercial ceramsite concrete, lightweight wallboard, which the specific performance of wallboard can reflect.

In this paper, the non-uniformity of six commercial ceramsite concrete wallboards with different curing conditions was analyzed. Six wallboards were cut into 648 samples and photographed, and ImageJ image analysis technology was combined to analyze the non-uniformity of the ceramsite concrete wallboard under different curing conditions in terms of the proportion of ceramsite particle area, density, compressive strength, and ultrasonic velocity. At the same time, the reasons for the difference in wallboard performance under different curing methods were explained from the microscopic perspective by investigating the ITZ interface.

Compared with natural curing, sealing curing can significantly optimize the performance distribution of the wallboard and effectively improve the inhomogeneity of the wallboard. The average density of the specimen is increased by about 13%, and the average compressive strength by about 20%. The maximum density of the wallboard samples is increased by 105 kg/m³, which is about 15% higher than that of the naturally cured wallboard.

This paper quantifies the magnitude of the effect of sealing curing on wallboards and provides a basis for the selection of curing methods for ceramsite concrete wallboards.