ContextParagangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGLs) exhibit variable malignancy, which is difficult to determine by histopathology, amine measurements or tissue genetic analyses.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether a 51-neuroendocrine gene blood analysis has clinical utility as a diagnostic and prognostic marker.DesignProspective cohort study. Well-differentiated PPGLs (n = 32), metastatic (n = 4);SDHxmutation (n = 25); 12 biochemically active, Lanreotide treated (n = 4). Nine patients had multiple sampling. Age- and gender-matched controls and GEP-NETs (comparators).MethodsCirculating neuroendocrine tumor mRNA measured (qPCR) with multianalyte algorithmic analysis. Metabolic, epigenomic and proliferative genes as well as somatostatin receptor expression were assessed (averaged, normalized gene expression: mean ± s.e.m.). Amines were measured by HPLC and chromogranin A by ELISA. Analyses (2-tailed): Fisher’s test, non-parametric (Mann–Whitney), receiver-operator curve (ROC) and multivariate analysis (MVA). All data are presented as mean ± s.e.m.ResultsPPGL were NETest positive (100%). All exhibited higher scores than controls (55 ± 5% vs 8 ± 1%,P = 0.0001), similar to GEP-NETs (47 ± 5%). ROC analysis area under curve was 0.98 for differentiating PPGLs/controls (cut-off for normal: 26.7%). Mutation status was not directly linked to NETest. Genetic and molecular clustering was associated (P < 0.04) with NETest scores. Metastatic (80 ± 9%) and multicentric (64 ± 9%) disease had significantly (P < 0.04) higher scores than localized disease (43 ± 7%). Progressive disease (PD) had the highest scores (86 ± 2%) vs stable (SD, 41 ± 2%) (P < 0.0001). The area under the curve for PD from SD was 0.93 (cut-off for PD: 53%). Proliferation, epigenetic and somatostatin receptor gene expression was elevated (P < 0.03) in PD. Metabolic gene expression was decreased in SDHx mutations. Repeat NETest measurements defined clinical status in the 9 patients (6 SD and 3 PD). Amine measurement was non-informative. Multivariate analysis identified NETest >53% as an independent prognostic factor.ConclusionCirculating NET transcript analysis is positive (100% diagnostic) in well-differentiated PCC/PGL, scores were elevated in progressive disease irrespective of mutation or biochemical activity and elevated levels were prognostic.

Matrix isolation studies of Cu vapors and NO in solid argon at 15 K have identified the 1:l complex Cu-(NO). Several isotopically-substituted NO reactants were reacted to better assign the few absorptions of this triatomic complex. Higher concentrations of NO were used to identify Cu(NO),, but for these complexes the vibrational absorptions were relatively weak, unlike similar Cu complexes where CO is the ligand. There was no indication that electron transfer had occurred between Cu and NO. Photolysis and annealing studies showed no changes in the IR spectra, suggesting that the Cu(N0) complex is unreactive with respect to the addition of additional NO ligands.

Indicators suggest that the amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural waters may be increasing. Climate change has been proposed as a potential contributor to the trend, and under such a mechanism, the phenolic content of DOC may also be increasing. This study explores the assessment of the phenolic character of DOC using multidimensional fluorescence spectroscopy as a more convenient alternative to traditional wet chemistry methods. Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) is applied to fluorescence excitation emission matrices (EEMs) of humic samples to analyze inherent phenolic content. The PARAFAC results are correlated with phenol concentrations derived from the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent-based method. The reagent-based method reveals that the phenolic content of five International Humic Substance Society (IHSS) samples varies from approximately 5.2 to 22 ppm Tannic Acid Equivalents (TAE). A four-component PARAFAC fit is applied to the EEMs of the IHSS sample dataset and it is determined by PARAFAC score correlations with phenol concentrations from the reagent-based method that components C2, C3, and C4 have the highest probability of containing phenolic groups. The results show the potential for PARAFAC analysis of multidimensional fluorescence data for monitoring the phenolic content of DOC.

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Chemistry curricula have been severely impacted by social distancing, the need for hybrid and remote learning, and the reduction of resources that many institutions have encountered since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak. Educators have had to be extremely creative and innovative with their pedagogical approaches in order to offer a quality learning experience. Instructors have used a plethora of interventions to convey course material or aspects of a class that typically would have been carried out in-person, such as live streaming laboratories, virtual simulations, and Zoom classes. Herein, we have identified a service-learning project as a means to engage students in chemistry, complement laboratory activities, and enhance students’ soft skills. During the project, students in a nonmajors chemistry course and upper level majors course presented a science activity to elementary students using Google Meet. Herein, we present the results and benefits of the interactive virtual service-learning project.