Experimental design and multiple response optimization of batch leaching tests of volcanic ashes.

Volcanic eruptions can release large amounts of tephra, lava, and gases, drawing attention due to their magnitude, energy, and impact on life and the environment. Among the most documented and sometimes dramatic effects of volcanic ashes are those linked to the input of diverse elements in the environment, which are released as a consequence of ash weathering. Laboratory studies have been conducted to investigate and predict the environmental input of chemical elements from volcanic ashes.

Diuretic activity of extracts in Wistar rats.

has been used in central-west region of Argentina in traditional medicine as diuretic plant. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of in-vivo. We used dried aerial parts, and infusions from these were orally administered to Wistar rats.

Bivalent copper ions presence triggers removal and homeostatic mechanisms in the metal-resistant microorganism Apiotrichum loubieri M12.

Microorganisms, especially those habiting mining environments, are of great importance for the retention of toxic metals in the environment. This work aimed to isolate a copper removing-microorganism from sediments of an Acid Mine Drainage-affected environment and to study the cellular responses trigger by metal presence. Apiotrichum loubieri M12 was able to tolerate and remove Cu(II) from liquid culture media, reaching a 30-35% removal capacity when it was exposed to 40 μg mL Cu(II) after 48 h.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Communities and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Call to Break the Cycle of Structural Barriers.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities. Many disparities mirror those of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS epidemic. These health inequities have repeated throughout history due to the structural oppression of LGBTQ+ people.

Characterization of copper stress response in Fusarium tricinctum M6: A metal-resistant microorganism isolated from an acid mine drainage-affected environment.

Acid mine drainage-affected environments are interesting microbial niches for the isolation of metal-resistant microorganisms. In this sense, the aim of the present work is to isolate and characterize metal-resistant microorganisms from sediments of an abandoned gold mine located in San Luis (Argentina). For these purposes, the metal removal capacity and the microelemental composition of the biomass exposed to metals were evaluated.

Tolfenamic acid on-line preconcentration strategy on carbon nanotubes minicolumn with fluorimetric detection.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are a group of pharmaceuticals considered one of the most popular drugs used in clinical practice applied to the treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Some pharmaceuticals products are excreted reaching the environment and altering the balance of ecosystems. This work proposes a new fluorimetric flow injection (FI) methodology for the NSAID tolfenamic acid quantification based on the quenching effect of the analyte on fluorescent signal of bovine serum albumin fluorophore.

Novel method for metalloproteins determination in human breast milk by size exclusion chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Levels of essential metals in human breast milk (HBM) have been determined by different analytical techniques, but there is few woks about human whey milk fractions. However, the current trend lies in metalloproteomic and identification of different metalloproteins. In this sense, native separative techniques (N-PAGE and SEC) coupled to ICP-MS provide us with valuable information.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic community structure affected by the presence of an acid mine drainage from an abandoned gold mine.

The acid mine drainage that originates in the abandoned gold mine in San Luis, Argentina, is released into La Carolina stream. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of this mine drainage on the physicochemical parameters of the area studied and on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic community structure. In addition, specific relationships between microbial taxonomic groups and physicochemical parameters were established.

Arsenic and trace elements in soil, water, grapevine and onion in Jáchal, Argentina.

Contamination by trace elements (TE) is an increasing concern worldwide. In some areas, crop production could be limited by the presence of metals and metalloids, so it is important to determine their concentrations and mobility. The region of Jáchal, province of San Juan, Argentina, has good growing conditions for onion and grapevine production, but their quality and yield are affected by high TE concentration in soils and water.

Actinobacteria consortium as an efficient biotechnological tool for mixed polluted soil reclamation: Experimental factorial design for bioremediation process optimization.

The objective of the present work was to establish optimal biological and physicochemical parameters in order to remove simultaneously lindane and Cr(VI) at high and/or low pollutants concentrations from the soil by an actinobacteria consortium formed by Streptomyces sp. M7, MC1, A5, and Amycolatopsis tucumanensis AB0. Also, the final aim was to treat real soils contaminated with Cr(VI) and/or lindane from the Northwest of Argentina employing the optimal biological and physicochemical conditions.

Novel spectrofluorimetric method for boldine alkaloid determination in herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals.

A new green on-line method for Boldine determination (BOL) in herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals, using its native fluorescence in acid media (λ=282nm; λ=373nm) has been developed. The presented methodology involves for the first time, a flow injection (FI) strategy using a mini-column of multiwalled carbon nanotubes as retention agent coupled with molecular fluorescence. Different parameters influence as sample pH and flow rate, eluent flow rate and composition; on BOL sensitivity and elution time was investigated by multifactorial techniques.

Liquid chromatography coupled to molecular fluorescence with postcolumn UV sensitization for thimerosal and derivative compounds monitoring in environmental samples.

A HPLC coupled with molecular fluorescence (MF) spectrometry method for determination of thimerosal (THM, sodium ethylmercurythiosalicylate, C H HgNaO S), and derivatives is proposed. A sensitization of MF was provoked by UV irradiation of analytes in a home-made photoreactor that served as interface between the LC column and MF spectrometer. This method is applied to determination of THM, ethyl mercury, and thiosalicylic acid in samples of pharmaceutical industry effluents, and waters of La Carolina and Jáchal rivers situated in the center-west side of San Luis city and in the east of San Juan city (Middle West, Argentine) where the effluents are dumped.

ICPMS analysis of proteins separated by Native-PAGE: Evaluation of metaloprotein profiles in human synovial fluid with acute and chronic arthritis.

The role of trace elements bound to proteins in the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. In this sense, the identification and detection of metalloproteins has a strong and growing interest. Metalloprotein studies are currently carried out by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) associated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), and despite that complete information can be obtained for metals such as Fe, Cu and Zn, difficulties due to poor sensitivity for other trace elements such as Sn, As, etc, are currently faced.

Determination of seleno-amino acids bound to proteins in extra virgin olive oils.

An analytical method has been developed to determine seleno-amino acids in proteins extracted from extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs). Different aqueous/organic solvents were tested to isolate proteins, an acetone:n-hexane combination being the best protein precipitant. In a first dimension chromatography, extracted proteins were analysed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify S and Se associations as proteins marker.

Batch leaching tests of motherboards to assess environmental contamination by bromine, platinum group elements and other selected heavy metals.

In this study, a batch leaching test was executed to evaluate the toxicity associated with chemicals contained in motherboards. The leaching solutions used were distilled water, nitric acid, acetic acid and synthetic acid rain solution. A total of 21 elements including Ag, As, Au, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hf, Ir, Mn, Ni, Os, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rd, Rh, Se, U and Zn were analyzed.

New solid surface fluorescence methodology for lead traces determination using rhodamine B as fluorophore and coacervation scheme: Application to lead quantification in e-cigarette refill liquids.

A new environmental friendly methodology based on fluorescent signal enhancement of rhodamine B dye is proposed for Pb(II) traces quantification using a preconcentration step based on the coacervation phenomenon. A cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) and potassium iodine were chosen for this aim. The coacervate phase was collected on a filter paper disk and the solid surface fluorescence signal was determined in a spectrofluorometer.

Single-step solubilization of milk samples with N,N-dimethylformamide for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis and classification based on their elemental composition.

A single-step procedure for trace elements analysis of milk samples is presented. Solubilization with small amounts of dymethylformamide (DMF) was assayed prior to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) detection with a high efficiency sample introduction system. All main instrumental conditions were optimized in order to readily introduce the samples without matrix elimination.

Vapor generation - atomic spectrometric techniques. Expanding frontiers through specific-species preconcentration. A review.

We review recent progress in preconcentration strategies associated to vapor generation techniques coupled to atomic spectrometric (VGT-AS) for specific chemical species detection. This discussion focuses on the central role of different preconcentration approaches, both before and after VG process. The former was based on the classical solid phase and liquid-liquid extraction procedures which, aided by automation and miniaturization strategies, have strengthened the role of VGT-AS in several research fields including environmental, clinical, and others.

Determination of thimerosal in pharmaceutical industry effluents and river waters by HPLC coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry through post-column UV-assisted vapor generation.

A high performance liquid chromatography coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry method for the determination of thimerosal (sodium ethylmercury thiosalicylate, C9H9HgNaO2S), ethylmercury, and inorganic mercury is proposed. Mercury vapor is generated by the post-column reduction of mercury species in formic acid media using UV-radiation. Thimerosal is quantitatively converted to Hg(II) followed by the reduction of Hg(II) to Hg(0).

Multielemental analysis in vegetable edible oils by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after solubilisation with tetramethylammonium hydroxide.

Trace metals have negative effects on the oxidative stability of edible oils and they are important because of possibility for oils characterisation. A single-step procedure for trace elemental analysis of edible oils is presented. To this aim, a solubilisation with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) was assayed prior to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection.

Nectar and flower traits of different onion male sterile lines related to pollination efficiency and seed yield of F1 hybrids.

Honey bees are the main pollinators of onion crops for seed production, but owing to low attractiveness of flowers, pollination is often inadequate. Pollination problems result in low seed yields. This problem is accentuated when male sterile lines (MSL) are used to produce hybrid onion seeds.

On-line enantioseparation of chlorpheniramine using β-cyclodextrin and carbon nanotubes after multivariate optimization.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes are evaluated here as solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent aiming to (±)-chlorpheniramine (CPA) enantioresolution with fluorimetric detection. β-cyclodextrin (CD) was added to the racemate and solutions with HCl and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in different proportions were assayed as eluents to achieve the separation between both enantiomers. The overall methodology involved a flow injection (FI) strategy enabling high sample throughput and low reagents consumption making it suitable for drug routine quality control.