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Disposition of phencyclidine and its pyrolytic products in mice exposed to smoke.

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a drug that is frequently misused by smoking. Recent popularity of PCP abuse by this method probably stems from the fact that smoking allows users to titrate themselves as well as reduce the incidence of adverse reactions. PCP is pyrolyzed at high temperatures to form predominantly 1-phenyl-1-cyclohexene (PC). Piperidine and related products are formed in smaller quantities. Smoke from cigarettes impregnated with PCP contains approximately equimolar concentrations of PCP and PC. It has been shown that PCP and PC are present in the circulation of individuals after they smoke PCP-laden cigarettes. In addition, PCP and PC can be found in plasma as well as in all major organs of mice exposed to smoke from PCP-containing cigarettes. The brain concentrations of PC in mice are comparable to those of PCP immediately after exposure but the PC levels decline somewhat more rapidly. Actually the time course of behavioral activity correlates better with PCP levels than with PC levels. In addition, PC and its major metabolites, as well as piperidine, are considerably less active behaviorally than PCP, which suggests that pyrolysis represents an inactivation process for PCP. However, a total lack of contribution of pyrolysis products to PCP's actions has not been ruled out.

Animals↗

Thermal analysis techniques for microplastic mass quantification: Methodological challenges and standardization needs.

Microplastics (MPs, 1 &#x3bc;m-5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs, <1&#x202f;&#x3bc;m) are ubiquitous contaminants requiring standardized quantification methods. This systematic review evaluates thermal analysis techniques for mass-based MP detection, including pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), thermogravimetry-MS (TGA-MS), thermal extraction desorption-GC-MS (TED-GC-MS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Database searches (Web of Science, from inception to December 1, 2025) following PRISMA guidelines identified studies across seven environmental matrices (water, soil/sediment, atmosphere, biota, human tissues). We identify critical standardization gaps: inconsistent marker ion selection, unvalidated conversion factors for tire and road wear particles (TRWPs), and the absence of certified reference materials for complex matrices. Py-GC-MS demonstrates versatility but suffers from lipid interference in biological samples; TED-GC-MS offers superior sensitivity (sample capacity &#x223c;200&#xd7; Py-GC-MS) but lacks real-time chromatographic monitoring. To advance data comparability, we propose: (i) harmonized ion selection hierarchies based on specificity-sensitivity balance, (ii) matrix-specific TRWP quantification protocols, and (iii) inter-laboratory validation using environmental reference materials. This review provides a methodological roadmap for standardizing thermal analysis in MP research.

Humans↗

Mass spectrometric methodology for the analysis of highly oxidized diterpenoid acids in Old Master paintings.

Diterpenoid resins from larch and pine trees and the corresponding fractions in a >100-year-old wax-resin adhesive and varnish and a 200-year-old resin/oil paint sample were analysed with by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using several off-line and on-line derivatization methods. The main resin compounds were highly oxidized abietic acids. Important products found are hydroxydehydroabietic acids (OH-DHAs), 7-oxoDHA, di-OH-DHAs and 15-OH-7-oxoDHA. The last two compounds have not been reported to occur in artworks before. Larixyl acetate, an important marker from larch resins, was found to be still present in high amounts in the adhesive. A large number of mass spectra of the different oxidation products and larixol and larixyl acetate are presented and their fragmentation behaviour under electron impact conditions is discussed. An index for the degree of oxidation (IDOX) of the abietic acids is presented as an indicator of the degree of oxidation of the matrix in which the resin is present. The IDOX was 0.10, 0.67, 0.81 and 0.76 for the fresh resins, the dark-aged adhesive, the aged varnish and the resin/oil paint, respectively (measured with pyrolysis (Py)-tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)-GC/MS). Py-TMAH-GC/MS and direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry are reliable, valuable and fast techniques for the assessment of the presence and degree of oxidation of diterpenoid resins. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗

A rapid approach for the detection of dipicolinic acid in bacterial spores using pyrolysis/mass spectrometry.

Curie-point pyrolysis/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and micro-tube furnace pyrolysis/quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry have been used to detect dipicolinic acid (DPA) in sporulated whole bacteria. DPA in whole cells of sporulated Bacillus anthracis reacted in situ during pyrolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide to form the dimethyl ester derivative of DPA, dimethyl-2,6-dipicolinate (mDPA). The mDPA was identified by its positive-ion electron ionization fragmentation pattern and confirmed with tandem mass spectrometry. In an oxidative pyrolysis/quadrupole ion trap instrument, the mDPA mass spectrum showed characteristic positive-ion electron ionization fragmentation along with a significant [M+1]+ ion due to self-chemical ionization. The characteristic collision-induced dissociation fragments of mDPA were used to establish the presence of sporulation in B. anthracis whole cells at a concentration of 2.2 x 10(7) CFU (colony-forming units)/mL using the triple quadrupole instrument. The total time for analysis, including sample preparation, was less than 10 minutes for both instruments.

Bacillus anthracis↗

In situ methylation of nucleic acids using pyrolysis/mass spectrometry.

Curie-point pyrolysis/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (Py/MS/MS) has been used with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) to conduct in situ methylation of nucleic acid bases. Nitrogen bases in free nucleotides, oligonucleotides, calf thymus DNA and whole bacterial cells reacted in situ during pyrolysis with TMAH to form the methylated bases. Derivatization increased the volatility of the nitrogen bases and the mass of the diagnostic base peaks, thereby removing them from the positions of lower-mass background peaks. The degree of methylation as a function of TMAH concentration for the oligonucleotide, calf thymus DNA, and the whole bacteria samples was determined and found to correlate with the nature of DNA. The methylated bases were identified by their positive-ion electron ionization fragmentation patterns and confirmed with tandem mass spectrometry. The detection of the methylated bases by Py/MS/MS facilitates the goal of identifying the nucleic acids in a complex mixture (i.e. whole bacterial cells) without extraction and prior derivatization.

Animals↗

Quantification of heterocyclic amine carcinogens in cooked meats using isotope dilution liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are formed in cooked meats through pyrolysis reactions of different amino acids in the presence or absence of creatine/creatinine and sugars. HAAs are mutagens, colon/mammary gland carcinogens in rodents, and are suspected in the etiology of human cancers. In this study, cooked meats containing incurred HAAs as well as control (microwave) meat, were spiked with four labeled HAA internal standards (MeIQx, IQ, AAC and PhIP) and extracted using a liquid/liquid cleanup procedure. Isotope dilution measurements were made using on-line liquid chromatography atmosphere pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring to provide the sensitivity and specificity needed for trace analysis in these complex matrices. The procedure was validated using control meat spiked with the four native HAAs at 0-50 ppb. The levels of HAAs found in cooked meats ranged from non-detectable (limit of detection 0.1-1.0 ppb) in microwave-cooked hamburger to 226 ppb PhIP and 104 ppb AAC in well-done grilled chicken. This methodology has the potential to provide accurate data on the consumption of HAAs in the diet for use in human cancer risk assessment.

Amines↗

Standardization for oxygen isotope ratio measurement - still an unsolved problem.

Numerous organic and inorganic laboratory standards were gathered from nine European and North American laboratories and were analyzed for their delta(18)O values with a new on-line high temperature pyrolysis system that was calibrated using Vienna standard mean ocean water (VSMOW) and standard light Antartic precipitation (SLAP) internationally distributed reference water samples. Especially for organic materials, discrepancies between reported and measured values were high, ranging up to 2 per thousand. The reasons for these discrepancies are discussed and the need for an exact and reliable calibration of existing reference materials, as well as for the establishment of additional organic and inorganic reference materials is stressed. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗

Rapid catalytic oxidation of CO to CO(2) - On the development of a new approach to on-line oxygen isotope analysis of organic matter

A new approach to on-line oxygen isotope analysis has been developed which utilises existing elemental analyser and mass spectrometry technology to produce a sample of carbon dioxide gas for oxygen isotople analysis. The method relies on on-line high temperature pyrolysis of the sample over a carbon source followed by a rapid, non-contributive partial catalytic oxidation over nickel powder at between 550 and 600 degrees C. Initial results demonstrate both good precision (better than 0.2 per thousand) and accuracy for both cellulose and silver nitrate samples. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗

Biotreatment of tannin-rich beer-factory wastewater with white-rot basidiomycete Coriolopsis gallica monitored by pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Some fractions of beer-factory wastewaters represent an important environmental concern owing to their high content of polyphenols and dark-brown color. The capacity of Coriolopsis gallica to preferentially degrade lignin has been successfully applied in our laboratory to the biotreatment and decolorization of paper-industry effluents. In this work, the ability of this white-rot fungus to degrade high-tannin-containing wastewaters is evaluated. Under all the conditions studied, effluent decolorization and chemical oxygen demand reduction achieved by C. gallica at day 12 of incubation were close to 50 and 65%, respectively. No adhesion of dark color to the fungal mycelium was observed suggesting that decolorization could be ascribed to C. gallica degradation systems. Mycelium dry-weight values showed that C. gallica is tolerant to relatively high tannin content present in the effluent samples. In the sample containing the highest effluent concentration (60% v/v), dry-weight values suggested an inhibition of fungal growth at day 6 of incubation and a further adaptation of the fungus to the stressing tannin effect at day 12 of fungal treatment. Pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry results showed a decrease of polyphenols pyrolysis products, mainly phenol and guaiacol, with the incubation time. All these results indicate the potential use of C. gallica in bioremediation of tannin-containing industrial wastewaters and in other applications where a reduction in polyphenols content is required.

Beer↗

High-precision continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Although high-precision isotope determinations are routine in many areas of natural science, the instrument principles for their measurements have remained remarkably unchanged for four decades. The introduction of continuous-flow techniques to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) instrumentation has precipitated a rapid expansion in capabilities for high-precision measurement of C, N, O, S, and H isotopes in the 1990s. Elemental analyzers, based on the flash combustion of solid organic samples, are interfaced to IRMS to facilitate routine C and N isotopic analysis of unprocessed samples. Gas/liquid equilibrators have automated O and H isotopic analysis of water in untreated aqueous fluids as complex as urine. Automated cryogenic concentrators permit analysis at part-per-million concentrations in environmental samples. Capillary gas chromatography interfaced to IRMS via on-line microchemistry facilitates compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for purified organic analytes of 1 nmol of C, N, or O. GC-based CSIA for hydrogen and liquid chromatography-based interfaces to IRMS have both been demonstrated, and continuing progress promises to bring these advances to routine use. Automated position-specific isotope analysis (PSIA) using noncatalytic pyrolysis has been shown to produce fragments without appreciable carbon scrambling or major isotopic fractionation, and shows great promise for intramolecular isotope ratio analysis. Finally, IRMS notation and useful elementary isotopic relationships derived from the fundamental mass balance equation are presented.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the respiratory tract after acute exposure to a pyrotechnically generated aerosol fire suppressant.

Fischer 344 rats (250-300 g) were exposed to the resulting aerosols from the pyrolysis of Spectrex Fire Extinguishant (SFE) Formulation A, a pyrotechnically generated aerosol fire suppressant, at a loading equivalent of 50 or 80 g m(-3) air for 15 or 60 min. Exposures were conducted in a 700-1 whole-body inhalation chamber under static conditions. The chamber atmosphere was analyzed for mass aerosol concentration and size distribution. Clinical observations were taken throughout the exposure. Animals were euthanized at 1 h, 6 h, 24 h, 7 days or 14 days post-exposure and underwent histopathological examination, enzyme analyses and wet/dry lung weight determination. No deaths occurred during the study. Animals exhibited signs of dyspnea, coughing, lack of coordination and lethargy during each exposure. These signs became more pronounced as the load and exposure length increased. No lesions were noted in the trachea, lung, heart or abdominal organs upon gross examination. A reversible pulmonary edema and olfactory necrosis were observed only in those animals exposed to an SFE loading equivalent to 80 g m(-3) for 60 min. Protein concentrations increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage but no changes in enzyme levels were observed. There was no significant difference between the control groups and the exposure groups for wet/dry lung weight determination.

Aerosols↗

Structural analysis of synthetic homo- and copolyesters by electrospray ionization on a fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer

The molecular structure of a series of homo- and copolyesters was studied using sustained off-resonance irradiation collisionally activation dissociation on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Electrospray ionization was used as an ionization technique. The most important fragmentation pathways of the homopolyesters poly(dipropoxylated bisphenol-A/adipic acid) and poly(dipropoxylated bisphenol-A/isophthalic acid) were studied. Six different dissociation mechanisms were observed which are very similar to the mechanisms found to occur during pyrolysis of these compounds. Four of these mechanisms are a result of cleavages of the ester bond and the others are due to cleavages of the ether bond or bisphenol-A unit. Some of the fragments expected are not present in the spectrum, indicating that each fragment has a specific sodium affinity. Sequence-specific fragments of two of the three copolyester sequences that theoretically can exist were experimentally observed. Fragments that originate from the third sequence are not unique and can also be formed from other sequences. Therefore, it was not possible to determine the presence of the third sequence. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗

Opium: a potential urinary bladder carcinogen in man.

Evidence is presented that opium addition is a risk factor for cancer of the bladder. A case-control study of 99 bladder cancer patients admitted to Nemazee Hospital in Shiraz, Iran was evaluated. Cancer patients and controls, matched by age and sex, were analyzed as to their opium and/or cigarette smoking habits. A high correlation between opium addiction and bladder cancer has been observed. This evidence significantly exceeded the one observed in relation to cigarette smoking only. The sex ratio for this cancer site, from hospitalized cases in Southern Iran, is estimated to be about nine male cases per one female case. This high male to female ratio was attributed to the greater addiction of males to opium. It was concluded that opium and, more likely, its pyrolysis derived fractions may represent potential bladder carcinogens in man.

Adult↗

Rectal cancer and occupational risk factors: a hypothesis-generating, exposure-based case-control study.

In 1979, a hypothesis-generating, population-based case-control study was undertaken in Montreal, Canada, to explore the association between occupational exposure to 294 substances, 130 occupations and industries, and various cancers. Interviews were carried out with 3, 630 histologically confirmed cancer cases, of whom 257 had rectal cancer, and with 533 population controls, to obtain detailed job history and data on potential confounders. The job history of each subject was evaluated by a team of chemists and hygienists and translated into occupational exposures. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, education, cigarette smoking, beer consumption, body mass index, and respondent status were performed using population controls and cancer controls, e.g., 1,295 subjects with cancers at sites other than the rectum, lung, colon, rectosigmoid junction, small intestine, and peritoneum. We present here the results based on cancer controls. The following substances showed some association with rectal cancer: rubber dust, rubber pyrolysis products, cotton dust, wool fibers, rayon fibers, a group of solvents (carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, acetone, aliphatic ketones, aliphatic esters, toluene, styrene), polychloroprene, glass fibers, formaldehyde, extenders, and ionizing radiation. The independent effect of many of these substances could not be disentangled as many were highly correlated with each other.

Adult↗

Pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry monitoring of fungal-biotreated distillery wastewater using Trametes sp. I-62 (CECT 20197).

Distillery wastewaters generated by ethanol production from fermentation of sugar-cane molasses, named vinasses, lead to important ecological impact due to their high content of soluble organic matter and their intense dark-brown color. Taking advantage of the well-known ability of white-rot fungi to degrade an extensive variety of organic pollutants, the capacity of Trametes sp. I-62 (CECT 20197) to detoxify this type of effluents was evaluated. In this work, pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was applied to the chemical characterization of several fractions of Cuban distillery wastewater as well as to monitoring the changes which occurred after fungal treatment with this white-rot basidiomycete. Maximum effluent decolorization values and chemical oxygen demand reduction attained after seven days of fungal treatment were 73.3 and 61.7%, respectively, when 20% (v/v) of distillery vinasses was added to the culture medium. Under these conditions a 35-fold increase in laccase production by Trametes sp. I-62 was measured, but no manganese peroxidase activity could be detected. The pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry results showed a decrease in a number of pyrolysis products after seven days of fungal treatment, mainly furan derivatives. The decrease in the relative areas of these compounds could be related to the vinasse color-removal associated with melanoidin degradation. All these results indicated the potential use ofTrametes sp. I-62 in the detoxification of recalcitrant distillery vinasses.

Fermentation↗

Physiological state-specific models in estimation of recombinant Escherichia coli fermentation performance.

Implementation of advanced control strategies in bioprocesses is often hindered by the lack of on-line measurements reflecting the physiological state of the culture. Although a number of techniques have been used to estimate key variables from data monitored on-line, these often do not explicitly take into account changes in physiological state and information on many aspects of physiological state that may not be present in on-line data. Here we demonstrate that data obtained from chemical fingerprinting methods, such as pyrolysis mass spectrometry, can be used to identify changes in the physiological state during cultivation. This information can be utilized for the estimation of the physiological state and can enable physiological state-specific-model development for on-line bioprocess control.

Biotechnology↗

Mass spectrometric studies of elusive molecules that contain an N(+)-X- bond.

This review will be concerned with the gas phase chemistry of 1,2- and 1,3-dipolar systems that contain a carbon-nitrogen bond. Although most of these compounds are stable molecules under normal conditions, certain congeners are reactive species that cannot be prepared using conventional procedures. The isolation and observation of these elusive compounds therefore require appropriate experimental conditions such as those provided by the gas phase of a mass spectrometer. In these experiments, the radical cations, corresponding to the molecule under study, must be prepared via indirect procedures, including dissociative electron ionization, on-line flash-vacuum pyrolysis-mass spectrometry, or ion-molecule reactions. Their characterization is mainly based on collisional activation and ion-molecule reactions. The formation of the corresponding highly reactive neutrals is attempted by neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry. This review presents more than one hundred different molecules together with their methods of preparation and the experiment used to identify them.

Journal Article↗

Fine-tuning of metallaborane geometries: chemistry of iridaboranes derived from the reaction of

From reaction of [(Cp*Ir)2HxCl(4-x)] (x=1, 0) and LiBH4, arachno-[[Cp*IrH2]B3H7](1) is produced in moderate yield concurrently with [Cp*IrH4]. In contrast, reaction of [(Cp*Ir)2H2Cl2] with LiBH4 results in arachno-[[Cp*IrH]2(mu-H)B2H5] (3) in high yield at room temperature but a mixture of 1 and [[Cp*IrH]2(mu-H)BH4] (2) at 0 degrees C. BH3 x THF converts 1 to arachno-[(Cp*IrHB4H9] (4) and 2 to 3 with 1 as a minor product. Further, reaction of 3 with excess of BH3 x THF results in formation of nido-[[Cp*Ir]2-(mu-H)B4H7] (6) formed by loss of H2 from the intermediate arachno-[[Cp*IrH]2B4H8] (5). Reaction of 1 with [Co2(CO)8] permits the isolation of two metallaboranes, arachno-[[Cp*Ir(CO)]-B3H7] (7) and nido-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2,3-Co2-(CO)4(mu-CO)B3H7] (8). Treatment of 4 with [Co2(CO)8] gives only one single mixed-metal metallaborane nido-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2-Co(CO)3B4H7 (9) in high yield. Finally, pyrolysis of 8 results in loss of hydrogen and formation of pileo-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2,3-Co2(CO)5B3H5] (10) with a BH-capped square-pyramidal structure. With kinetic control rational synthesis of a variety metallaboranes has been achieved by varying the number of chlorides in the monocyclopentadienylmetal halide dimer, reaction temperature, types of monoborane, and metal fragment sources.

Journal Article↗