Determination of Escitalopram in Biological Samples by Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Combined with GC-MS/MS

Objective To establish a method for determination of escitalopram in biological samples by ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （GC-MS/MS） and provide evidences for forensic determination of cases related to escitalopram. Methods The 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate （[C₆MIM][PF₆]） was selected as an extract solvent to process biological samples. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was used on the samples. Then the samples were detected by GC-MS/MS. Results The linear range of escitalopram in blood and liver were 5.56-1 111.10 ng/mL and 0.025-5.00 mg/g, respectively. The correlation coefficient （r） were greater than 0.999, limit of detection （LOD） were 4.00 ng/mL and 2.00 μg/g, limit of quantitation （LOQ） were 14.00 ng/mL and 6.00 μg/g, respectively. The extraction recovery rates were all greater than 50%, the interday and intraday precision were less than 20%. Escitalopram was detected in blood and liver samples from the actual poisoning case by this method with a content of 1.26 μg/mL and 0.44 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion The ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with GC-MS/MS is environment friendly, rapid, has good enriching effect and consumes less organic solvent and can be used for forensic determination of escitalopram related cases.

Investigations on oil detachment from rough surfaces in an aqueous solution

Herein, detachment of oil molecules from perfect and defective aluminum oxide surfaces in an aqueous solution was investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.

[Immunization of mice with plasmid DNA against malaria and regulation of antigen expression by tetracycline-controlled promoter]

Sequence of MSP1-31 of Plasmodium falciparum was constructed into eukaryotic expression vector pTRE, which could be repressed by tetracycline (Tc) and resulted in recombinant plasmid pTRE-31. The plasmid was injected into the quadriceps muscle of BALB/c mice with Tc responsive plasmid pTet-off to measure specific antibodies. The MSP1-31 prokaryotic expressed protein was used as antigen in ELISA. Results showed that mice orally administered by Tc had a seroconversion rate of 7.1% (1/14) 4 weeks after injection, whereas the control mice had a seroconversion rate of 100% and the titers of antibody were raised continusly within 12 weeks. The study suggested that the recombinant plasmids pTRE-31/pTet-off could efficiently induce humoral response against MSP1-31 of malaria. Moreover this immune response was controlled by Tc and was reversible after withdrawal of Tc dilivery. The induction of antibody by removing Tc at the fourth week after injection indicated that DNA vaccine could remain in mice and capable of expressing antigen for at least 4 weeks.