Biomedical subjects

Brent A Lefebvre

Publications and source records attributed to Brent A Lefebvre.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The application of 1H high-resolution magic-angle spinning NMR for the study of clay-organic associations in natural and synthetic complexes.

The preferential sorption of model compounds to calcium-exchanged montmorillonite surfaces was investigated using 1H high-resolution magic-angle spinning (HR-MAS) and liquid-state NMR. Synthetic mixtures, representing the major structural categories abundant in natural organic matter (NOM), and two soil extracts were sorbed to montmorillonite. The NMR spectra indicate that, of the organic components observable by 1H HR-MAS NMR, aliphatic components preferentially sorb to the clay surface, while carbohydrates and amino acids mainly remain in the supernatant. These results may help explain the highly aliphatic nature of organic matter associated with clay fractions in natural soils and sediments. Investigations using the synthetic mixtures demonstrate a specific interaction between the clay surface and the polar region in 1-palmitoyl-3-stearoyl-rac-glycerol. Similar observations were obtained with natural soil extracts. The results presented have important implications for understanding the role of organoclay complexes in natural processes, and provides preliminary evidence that HR-MAS NMR is a powerful analytical technique for the investigation of organoclay complex structure and conformation.

Aluminum Silicates↗

PubMed2006

Automated structure verification based on 1H NMR prediction.

A unique opportunity exists when an experimental NMR spectrum is obtained for which a specific chemical structure is anticipated. A process of Verification--the confirmation of a postulated structure--is now possible, as opposed to Elucidation-the de novo determination of a structure. A method for automated structure verification is suggested, which compares the chemical shifts, intensities and multiplicities of signals in an experimental 1H NMR spectrum with those from a predicted spectrum for the proposed structure. A match factor (MF) is produced and used to classify the spectrum-structure match into one of three categories, correct, ambiguous, or incorrect. The verification result is also augmented by the spectrum assignment obtained as part of the verification process. This method was tested on a set of synthetic spectra and several sets of experimental spectra, all of which were automatically prepared from raw data. Taking into account even the most problematic structures, with many labile protons present and poor prediction accuracy, 50% of all spectra can still be automatically verified without any false positives or negatives. In a blind test on a typical set of data, it is shown that fewer than 31% of the structures would need manual evaluation. This means that a system is possible whereby 69% of the spectra are prepared and evaluated automatically, and never need to be seen or evaluated by a human.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

Assessing the organic composition of urban surface films using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Recently it has been shown that urban surfaces are covered with a thin film which mediates the fate, distribution and accumulation of semi-volatile organic compounds in the environment. In this study we apply a combination of solution, semi-solids, and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to provide a general overview of the organic constituents. In surface film collected from 30 m2 of outside windows over an area of 12 km2 in downtown Toronto, we roughly estimate that the organic carbon is approximately 35% carbohydrate, approximately 35% aliphatics, approximately 20% aromatics, and approximately 10% carbonyl groups. Various aliphatic groups can be identified including a number of acids, alcohols, alkanes, and alkenes. Also, numerous intact aliphatic esters are apparent that have not been observed before, as well as carbohydrates. The aromatic species include a small portion that appears to be derived from a polymer of styrene, in addition a larger fraction is consistent with polyhydroxylated PAH derived material, although this assignment is tentative and based solely on 1-D NMR data only. In addition, signals from polybutadiene are present and while accurate quantification is not possible, it appears that this polymer may be up to a few percents by weight of the total organic material.

Air Pollutants↗