Liquid Chromatography-mass Spectrometer Research Articles

Simultaneous removal of perfluorooctanoic acid and thiocyanate by modified activated carbon fiber/persulfate system

In this study, NaOH-modified activated carbon fiber (NaOH-ACF) was used as a catalyst to activate persulfate (PS) for the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and thiocyanate (SCN−) from wastewater. The effects of the crucial parameters in the NaOH-ACF/PS process, including NaOH-ACF dosage, PS concentration and initial pH, were investigated and optimized using response surface methodology. The experimental results indicated showed that under the optimal reaction conditions of NaOH-ACF dosage (0.40 g/L), PS concentration (2.0 mmol/L), pH (3.0), and temperature (25 °C), the removal efficiencies for PFOA and SCN− reached 93.63 % and 95.17 %, respectively, within 60 min of reaction. When PFOA and SCN− coexisted in the reaction system, it was observed that PFOA had minimal effect on the removal of SCN−, while SCN− actually enhanced the removal of PFOA. Free radical identification experiments demonstrated that the NaOH-ACF/PS system generated free radicals (O2−, SO4−, OH) and non-free radicals (1O2), which cooperatively facilitated the degradation of PFOA and SCN−. Furthermore, Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) analysis results have been used to speculate on the possible degradation pathways and intermediates of PFOA. The material characterization results indicated that NaOH-ACF possesses abundant surface functional groups with excellent adsorption and catalytic properties. Thus, the NaOH-ACF-activated PS advanced oxidation process offered a promising approach for the simultaneous removal of Perfluorinated compounds and thiocyanates.

Efficient degradation of organic pollutants with sodium percarbonate by activation with CuFeS2 prepared from precursors of different valence states

Four chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) catalysts were fabricated by a hydrothermal method using different copper and iron precursors at different valence states. The prepared CuFeS2 samples were then evaluated for the oxidative degradation of Congo red (CR) using sodium percarbonate (SPC) as the oxidant. The sample of CuFeS2-1, which was prepared from Cu (I) and Fe (II) precursors, exhibited the highest CR removal efficiency of 96.6% among the four CuFeS2 samples. Using CuFeS2-1 as the optimum catalyst, the effects of operation and environmental factors on the removal efficiency of CR were investigated in detail. Mechanism studies showed that CO3•− was the main reactive oxidative species in the reaction process, while O2•− and low-valent sulfur species together promoted the regeneration of Fe (II) and Cu (I) sites on the catalyst. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used in combination with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) to propose the plausible degradation pathway. Finally, toxicity prediction showed that most of the degradation products showed decreased toxicity compared to the parent CR, and toxicity evaluation with Vigna radiata further revealed the declined toxicity.

Profiling of organosulfur compounds and amino acids in novel variety of Allium sativum (Hisar garlic 17) by HR-LCMS-QTOF

Over the past few years, the biological properties of garlic have been utilized as an attractive natural alternative to many therapeutic drugs. The biological effects of garlic have been ascribed to organosulfur compounds, secondary metabolites derived from amino acids. The present study aimed to investigate the extracts of a novel garlic variety (Hisar garlic 17) after processing it as fresh, dry, heated, and aged in different solvents and then analyzed with highly sensitive and rapid technique i.e., High resolution liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer quadrupole time of flight (HR-LCMS-QTOF) Mass spectrometer to study the amino acids and organosulfur compounds. 47 amino acids and 11 organosulfur compounds were detected out of which 8 organosulfur compounds were found as secondary metabolites of amino acids. Among the 22 crucial α-amino acids, garlic extracts revealed the presence of 18 amino acids, either in their native state or associated with various complex compounds. The study reported major organosulfur compounds, including Alliin, S-allyl cysteine, S-methyl cysteine, N-gamma-Glutamyl-S-allylcysteine, and 2-Propenyl 1-(2- propenylsulfinyl)propyl disulfide. This study demonstrated that HG17 garlic is abundant in amino acids and organosulfur compounds, suggesting its potential utilization as a supplement in nutraceuticals.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel benzothiazole derivatives as potential anticancer and antiinflammatory agents.

Introduction: Cancer, a significant global health concern, necessitates innovative treatments. The pivotal role of chronic inflammation in cancer development underscores the urgency for novel therapeutic strategies. Benzothiazole derivatives exhibit promise due to their distinctive structures and broad spectrum of biological effects. This study aims to explore new anti-tumor small molecule drugs that simultaneously anti-inflammatory and anticancer based on the advantages of benzothiazole frameworks. Methods: The compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for structure as well as purity and other related physicochemical properties. The effects of the compounds on the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma cell line (A431) and human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1299) were evaluated by MTT method. The effect of compounds on the expression levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in mouse monocyte macrophages (RAW264.7) was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of compounds on apoptosis and cell cycle of A431 and A549 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The effect of compounds on A431 and A549 cell migration was evaluated by scratch wound healing assay. The effect of compounds on protein expression levels in A431 and A549 cells was assessed by Western Blot assay. The physicochemical parameters, pharmacokinetic properties, toxicity and drug similarity of the active compound were predicted using Swiss ADME and admetSAR web servers. Results: Twenty-five novel benzothiazole compounds were designed and synthesized, with their structures confirmed through spectrogram verification. The active compound 6-chloro-N-(4-nitrobenzyl) benzo[d] thiazol-2-amine (compound B7) was screened through a series of bioactivity assessments, which significantly inhibited the proliferation of A431, A549 and H1299 cancer cells, decreased the activity of IL-6 and TNF-α, and hindered cell migration. In addition, at concentrations of 1, 2, and 4μM, B7 exhibited apoptosis-promoting and cell cycle-arresting effects similar to those of the lead compound 7-chloro-N-(2, 6-dichlorophenyl) benzo[d] thiazole-2-amine (compound 4i). Western blot analysis confirmed that B7 inhibited both AKT and ERK signaling pathways in A431 and A549 cells. The prediction results of ADMET indicated that B7 had good drug properties. Discussion: This study has innovatively developed a series of benzothiazole derivatives, with a focus on compound B7 due to its notable dual anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. B7 stands out for its ability to significantly reduce cancer cell proliferation in A431, A549, and H1299 cell lines and lower the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. These results position B7B7 as a promising candidate for dual-action cancer therapy. The study's mechanistic exploration, highlighting B7's simultaneous inhibition of the AKT and ERK pathways, offers a novel strategy for addressing both the survival mechanisms of tumor cells and the inflammatory milieu facilitating cancer progression.

Red mud-based CoFe2O4 activated by ball milling as effective peroxymonosulfate activator for the degradation of lomefloxacin hydrochloride: Preparation & activation, application and degradation mechanism

In this study, red mud-based CoFe2O4 (CoFe2O4/RM) was firstly prepared via a sol–gel method, and then activated through ball milling to obtain the catalyst of Ball-milled CoFe2O4/RM (BM-CoFe2O4/RM). The BM-CoFe2O4/RM catalyst was applied as a high-efficiency activator of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of lomefloxacin hydrochloride (LOM-HCl). The LOM-HCl (100 mg/L) could be removed 86.36 % after 12 min treatment under the optimal reaction parameters (BM-CoFe2O4/RM dosage of 1.33 g/L, PMS concentration of 5 mmol/L and nature pH 6.59 ± 0.1). The comparative experiments revealed that the apparent rate constant of LOM-HCl degradation of BM-CoFe2O4/RM (0.1091 min−1) was approximately 1.6 times that of CoFe2O4/RM (0.0701 min−1). A series of characterizations demonstrated that the physicochemical properties of CoFe2O4/RM, including defective structures, crystallinity of high active components, exposures of Co (II) and Fe (II) and electrical conductivity, could be improved via ball milling, causing the increase of the catalytic activity of CoFe2O4/RM. Combined with the results of Electron spin resonance (ESR), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and quenching experiments, the possible catalytic mechanism of PMS activated by BM-CoFe2O4/RM for LOM-HCl degradation was proposed. Combined with the density functional theory (DFT) calculation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS), the possible vulnerable sites and possible degradation pathways of LOM-HCl were obtained. The recycling experiments and XPS demonstrated that BM-CoFe2O4/RM had good stability, and the catalytic activity of the BM-CoFe2O4/RM after use could be regenerated by thermal treatment. The biological toxic experiment suggested that the toxicity of LOM-HCl solution treated by the BM-CoFe2O4/RM + PMS system was effectively reduced. The work not only provides a simple and high-efficiency method for improving the catalytic activity of CoFe2O4/RM, but also opens novel insights into the Ball-milled CoFe2O4/RM as an effective PMS activator for antibiotic wastewater treatment.

Uremic Toxins and Inflammation: Metabolic Pathways Affected in Non-Dialysis-Dependent Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 12% of the global population, posing a significant health threat. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the uremic phenotype of non-dialysis-dependent (NDD) stage 5 CKD, contributing to elevated cardiovascular and overall mortality in affected individuals. This study aimed to explore novel metabolic pathways in this population using semi-targeted metabolomics, which allowed us to quantify numerous metabolites with known identities before data acquisition through an in-house polar compound library. In a prospective observational design with 50 patients, blood samples collected before the initial hemodialysis session underwent liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometer analysis. Univariate (Mann-Whitney test) and multivariate (logistic regression with LASSO regularization) methods identified metabolomic variables associated with inflammation. Notably, adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (APS), dimethylglycine, pyruvate, lactate, and 2-ketobutyric acid exhibited significant differences in the presence of inflammation. Cholic acid, homogentisic acid, and 2-phenylpropionic acid displayed opposing patterns. Multivariate analysis indicated increased inflammation risk with certain metabolites (N-Butyrylglycine, dimethylglycine, 2-Oxoisopentanoic acid, and pyruvate), while others (homogentisic acid, 2-Phenylpropionic acid, and 2-Methylglutaric acid) suggested decreased probability. These findings unveil potential inflammation-associated biomarkers related to defective mitochondrial fatty acid beta oxidation and branched-chain amino acid breakdown in NDD stage 5 CKD, shedding light on cellular energy production and offering insights for further clinical validation.

Effects of solution chemistry on dielectric barrier atmospheric non-thermal plasma for operative degradation of antiretroviral drug nevirapine

The global prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has been an environmental menace. Tons of drug wastes from antiretroviral therapy are released into the environment annually. We, for the first time, employed the novel dielectric barrier atmospheric non-thermal plasma (DBANP) discharge, to mitigate the inadvertent pollution arising from the antiretroviral therapy. A 40-min treatment of nevirapine achieved >94 % (0.075 min−1) removal efficiency at discharge power of 63.5 W and plasma working gas of atmospheric air. Chemical probes confirmed •OH, ONOO− and eaq− as the dominant reactive species whilst further revealing the reaction acceleration role of NaNO3 and CCl4 which are known reaction terminators. The commonly coexisting inorganic anions potentiated nevirapine removal with over 98 % efficiency, achieving the highest rate constant of 0.148 min−1 in this study. Moreover, the initial solution pH (1.5–11.1) was no limiting factor either. The insensitivity of the DBANP discharge to actual water matrices was an eminent inference of its potential applicability in practical conditions. With reference to data obtained from the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis, nevirapine degradation pathway was proposed. A nucleophilic attack by ONOO− at the cyclopropyl group and •OH attack at the carbonyl carbon of the amide group, respectively, initiated nevirapine degradation process. It is anticipated that the findings herein, will provide new insights into antiretroviral drug waste management in environmental waters using the innovative and green non-thermal plasma process.

Analyses of plasma metabolites using a high performance four-channel CIL LC-MS method and identification of metabolites associated with enteric methane emissions in beef cattle.

Reducing enteric methane (one greenhouse gas) emissions from beef cattle not only can be beneficial in reducing global warming, but also improve efficiency of nutrient utilization in the production system. However, direct measurement of enteric methane emissions on individual cattle is difficult and expensive. The objective of this study was to detect plasma metabolites that are associated with enteric methane emissions in beef cattle. Average enteric methane emissions (CH4) per day (AVG_DAILYCH4) for each individual cattle were measured using the GreenFeed emission monitoring (GEM) unit system, and beef cattle with divergent AVG_DAILYCH4 from Angus (n = 10 for the low CH4 group and 9 for the high CH4 group), Charolais (n = 10 for low and 10 for = high), and Kinsella Composite (n = 10 for low and 10 for high) populations were used for plasma metabolite quantification and metabolite-CH4 association analyses. Blood samples of these cattle were collected near the end of the GEM system tests and a high performance four-channel chemical isotope labeling (CIL) liquid chromatography (LC) mass spectrometer (MS) method was applied to identify and quantify concentrations of metabolites. The four-channel CIL LC-MS method detected 4235 metabolites, of which 1105 were found to be significantly associated with AVG_DAILYCH4 by a t-test, while 1305 were significantly associated with AVG_DAILYCH4 by a regression analysis at p<0.05. Both the results of the t-test and regression analysis revealed that metabolites that were associated with enteric methane emissions in beef cattle were largely breed-specific whereas 4.29% to 6.39% CH4 associated metabolites were common across the three breed populations and 11.07% to 19.08% were common between two breed populations. Pathway analyses of the CH4 associated metabolites identified top enriched molecular processes for each breed population, including arginine and proline metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, butanoate metabolism, and glutathione metabolism for Angus; beta-alanine metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis / gluconeogenesis, and citrate cycle (TCA cycle) for Charolais; phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism for Kinsella Composite. The detected CH4 associated metabolites and enriched molecular processes will help understand biological mechanisms of enteric methane emissions in beef cattle. The detected CH4 associated plasma metabolites will also provide valuable resources to further characterize the metabolites and verify their utility as biomarkers for selection of cattle with reduced methane emissions.

HPLC Fingerprint Analysis of Cibotii rhizoma from Different Regions and Identification of Common Peaks by LC-MS.

To establish the fingerprint of Cibotii rhizoma using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and evaluate the quality of Cibotii rhizoma from different regions using chemometrics to identify the potential quality markers, thirteen batches of Cibotii rhizoma samples were analyzed. the similarity evaluation system of TCM chromatographic fingerprint similarity evaluation was used to confirm common peaks. The SPSS 27 software was used for hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and SIMCA 14.1 software was used for principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Moreover, a batch of Cibotii rhizoma was selected for LC-MS analysis and speculated on 15 common components. HPLC fingerprint were established, 15 common peaks were matched, two chromatographic peaks were identified using standard substances (protocatechuic acid and protocatechuic aldehyde), and 13 common components were inferred through liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The 13 batches of the samples showed good similarities (>0.910). The results of HCA, PCA and OPLS-DA showed that 13 batches of samples were divided into three groups, and different markers were selected. The method is simple, rapid and reproducible, and can provide a reference for the overall quality evaluation of Cibotii rhizoma.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Aqueous Humor Reveals Biochemical Disparities in the Eyes of High Myopic Patients.

Myopia accounts for a significant proportion of visual lesions worldwide and has the potential to progress toward pathological myopia. This study aims to reveal the difference in protein content in aqueous humor between high myopic and nonhigh myopic patients, as well as better understand the dysregulation of proteins in myopic eyes. Aqueous humor was collected for liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC/MS) analysis from 30 individual eyes that underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Results showed that a total of 190 differentially expressed proteins were identified, which revealed their involvement in cell metabolism, immune and inflammatory response, and system and anatomical structure. Further analysis focused on 15 intensively interacted hub proteins, encompassing functions related to complement cascades, lipoprotein metabolism, and fibrin biological function. Subsequent validations demonstrated elevated levels of APOE (apolipoprotein E), C3 (complement 3), and AHSG (α-2-HS-glycoprotein) in the high myopia group (31 eyes of cataracts and 45 eyes of high myopia with cataracts). AHSG had a significant positive correlation with axial length in high myopic patients, with good efficacy in distinguishing between myopic and nonmyopic groups. AHSG may be a potential indicator of the pathological severity and participator in the pathological progress of high myopia. This study depicted differential expression characteristics of aqueous humor in patients with high myopia and provided optional information for further experimental research on exploring the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for high myopia. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD047584.

Chemotaxonomy in the Etlingera Genus from Sulawesi, Indonesia: Design and molecular docking of antioxidant marker

Abstract. Hamsidi R, Karmilah, Daud NS, Malaka MH, Yodha AWM, Musdalipah, Arfan, Sahidin. 2024. Chemotaxonomy in the Etlingera Genus from Sulawesi, Indonesia: Design and molecular docking of antioxidant marker. Biodiversitas 25: 449-457. Etlingera is one of the important genera in the Zingiberaceae family because of its potential uses. Several studies have been conducted on the Genus Etlingera as nutraceuticals and drugs. Recently new species have been found in the Sulawesi Region, Indonesia, namely E. canaria A.D.Poulsen and E. echinulate A.D.Poulsen. Based on literature review through sciencedirect and springer link, both species unknown for their chemical and pharmacological content, so it is necessary to continue to reveal the deeper potential. The fruits of E. calophrys (K.Schum.) A.D.Poulsen, E. canaria and E. echinulate were extracted with methanol by maceration method. The chemical content of each extract was analyzed using a Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (LCMS). Antioxidant activity was tested based on the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The ability as an antioxidant is proven by the molecular interactions of marker compounds in inhibiting xanthine oxidase. The secondary metabolites contained in the fruit extracts of E. calophrys, E. canaria and E. echinulate are E-p-Coumatic acid, 1,5-Dimethyl citrate, Trimethyl citrate, Crocetin, Tanshinone IIA, Ethinyl Estradiol, Yakuchinone B, Anisalacetone, Yakuchinone A, Nobilin, ?-Estradiol, Momor-cerebroside I, Spinasterone, 12-Hydroxy-methyl abietate, Spinasterol, 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl oleate, 11-Octadecenoate acid methyl ester, Stigmastan-3,6-dione, b-Sitosterol- 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside, Trilaurin, 28-O-Hexahydrophthalate and Fasciculol C. Yakuchinone A and Yakuchinone B are chemotaxonomic marker compounds identified in all species. The antioxidant properties of each extract of 42.27±0.53, 46.59±0.81 and 35.66±0.73 mg/L have been proven by the molecular interactions of the marker compounds in their ability to act as xanthine oxidase inhibitors. The compounds Yakuchinone A and Yakuchinone B are thought to be responsible for the pharmacological activity of the species E. calophrys, E. canaria and E. echinulate. Yakuchinone A and Yakuchinone B are marker compounds because they are distributed in all samples.

NDC1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis by targeting BCAP31 to activate PI3K/AKT signaling.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the world's worst malignancies. Nuclear division cycle 1 (NDC1) is an essential membrane-integral nucleoporin, found in this study to be significantly increased in primary HCC. A multivariate analysis revealed that higher NDC1 expression was linked to worse outcome in HCC patients. Mouse xenograft tumors overexpressing NDC1 grew rapidly, and HCC cells overexpressing NDC1 showed enhanced proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro. In contrast, knocking down NDC1 had the opposite effects in vitro. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitationand liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer analyses revealed that NDC1 activated PI3K/AKT signaling by interacting with BCAP31. In summary, NDC1 and BCAP31 cooperate to promote the PI3K/AKT pathway, which is essential for HCC carcinogenesis. This suggests that NDC1 is predictive of prognosis in HCC.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of O‐deficient Modified CuAl2O4/MoS2 Composite Photocatalysts in Wastewater Treatment Applications

AbstractThe O‐deficient modified CuAl2O4/MoS2 composite photocatalysts (ODMCAOMSCP) are fabricated by a wet chemical route and low‐temperature treatment for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The fine particles dotted on the large sheet are revealed to be comprised of large sheets with rich oxygen defects and nanoparticles, which endows it with a high optical absorption coefficient, available reactive species, excellent charge carrier separation, and high photocatalytic activity. The finely designed ODMCAOMSCP achieve a TC degradation first‐order rate constant of 0.01436 min−1, which is 3.99 and 2.70 times higher than that of MoS2 and CuAl2O4, respectively. Response surface analysis reveals that multiple environmental factors including initial TC concentration, catalyst content, and initial pH affect the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst on the basis of backpropagation (BP) neural network optimized by genetic algorithm and Box‐Behnken design. The degradation intermediates and degradation pathways are determined by a liquid chromatograph‐mass spectrometer (LC‐MS). The toxicity of TC over ‐ ODMCAOMSCP is studied by the toxicity analysis software and the cultivation of mung bean. Mechanism investigation demonstrates that the major active species of ODMCAOMSCP for the degradation TC are attributed to oxygen vacancy, hydroxyl radical (∙OH), and superoxide radical (∙O2−).

Rational construction of visible-light-driven perylene diimides/Fe2O3@C derived from MIL-88A (Fe) heterojunction with S-scheme electron transfer pathway to activate peroxymonosulfate for degradation of antibiotics

The novel composite photocatalytic material perylene diimides/Fe2O3@C (PDIs/Fe2O3@C) was constructed by a simple hydrothermal-calcination method and an oil bath method. 20 % PDIs/Fe2O3@C displayed a 16.4-fold increase in the rate of tetracycline (TC) removal over Fe2O3@C at 8 min. The main factor that enhanced photocatalytic performance was due to the combination of PDIs with Fe2O3@C, which effectively improved the phenomenon during the self-assembly of highly agglomerative PDIs, increased the specific surface area of Fe2O3@C, exposed more reaction sites, and promoted the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) by Fe2+/Fe3+; and secondly, the composite of two different materials, both organic and inorganic, which effectively promoted the photogenerated electron transfer and the separation of electron-hole pairs, the a new S-scheme electron transport pathway is formed, which effectively promoted the photogenerated electron transfer as well as the e−-h+ separation, which was more favorable for the activation of PMS. The whole reaction pathway and product toxicity were thoroughly evaluated by Fukui function calculations, Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS), and Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.) simulation results, which demonstrated the rationality of the degradation pathway and the greatly reduced product toxicity. Moreover, the composites were effective and versatile for all other antibiotics (chlortetracycline (CTC), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulfadiazine (SDZ)). As an advanced oxidation process, the activation of PDIs/Fe2O3@C under visible light shows its potential application in pollutant degradation, which provides new perspectives and ideas for further effective treatment of real wastewater.

A chronic stress-induced microbiome perturbation, highly enriched in Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, promotes colorectal cancer growth and metastasis.

Purpose: Mounting evidence indicates that psychological stress adversely affects cancer progression including tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of chronic stress-induced microbiome perturbation in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Methods: Chronic restraint stress (CRS) was used to establish the chronic stress mouse model, behavioral tests were used for the CRS model evaluation. Subcutaneous xenograft model and lung metastasis model were established to investigate the growth and metastasis of CRC promoted by CRS exposure. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) were applied to observe the effects of CRS exposure on the alteration of the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites. Bioinformatics analysis and correlation analyses were applied to analyse the changes in the frequency of body mass, tumor volume, inflammatory factors, neuroendocrine hormones and metabolites of the gut microbiota. Results: In this study, we identifed that CRS exposure model was appropriately constructed by achieving expected increases in disease activity index and enhanced depressive-like behaviors. CRS exposure can promote growth and metastasis of CRC. Besides, the data indicated that CRS exposure not only increased the neuro- and immune-inflammation, but also weakened the gut mucosal immunological function. The 16s rRNA gene sequencing data showed that CRS exposure increased the abundance of g_Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014. Furthermore, the LC-MS data indicated that with only 2 exceptions of carpaine and DG (15:0/20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/0:0), the majority of these 24 metabolites were less abundant in CRS-exposed mice. Bioinformatics analysis and correlation analyses indicated that only Ruminoscoccaceae-UCG-014 was significantly associated with inflammation (IL-6), neurotransmission (5-HT), and microbial metabolism (PS). Conclusion: CRS exposure altered diversity, composition and metabolites of the gut microbiome, with Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 perturbation consistently correlated to inflammatory responses, suggesting a particular role of this bacterial genus in CRC growth and metastasis.

THE EFFECT OF A DIET ON THE OCCURRENCE OF OCHRATOXIN A IN BODY FLUIDS

Background. Ochratoxin A (OTA), a secondary metabolite of fungi, is produced by fungi of the As pergillus and Penicillium genera. It is supplied to the body with food consumed by people. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of ochratoxin A in human body fluids in relation to diet. A part of the study group consisted of women who were donors from a breast milk bank. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation of ochratoxin A in body fluids (milk, urine, serum) and the diet of the women covered by the study. The study material consisted of 60 urine samples, 60 milk samples and 60 blood samples. Ochratoxin A in milk and urine was determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. For the determination of ochratoxin A in blood serum, we used a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC - MS/MS) method. Results and conclusions. As a result of the analysis, it was found that as the frequency of consump tion of dried grape fruit increases, there is a significant increase in the level of OTA in breast milk. Next, it was shown that as the frequency of beer consumption increases, there is a significant increase in the level of OTA in maternal urine. Finally, it was shown that a significant increase in maternal serum OTA levels occurs with an increase in the frequency of consumption of dried fruit. OTA was found in 4 out of 60 milk samples, in 40 out of 60 urine samples and in 60 out of 60 serum samples. The surveyed women’s average age was 31 (ranging from 22 to 41). Given all the respondents, 46 lived in the city, 14 in rural areas, 35 were economically active, 22 were not, and 3 were on maternity leave. On average, they had 2 children (from 1 to 4). Of all children being fed, 35 were male and 25 female. On average, delivery occurred on the 37th week of pregnancy (between the 27th and 42nd week).

Photocatalytic degradation of butyl benzyl phthalate by S-scheme Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2S3 under simulated sunlight irradiation

As a kind of plasticizer, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) presents a serious hazard to the ecosystem. Therefore, there is a strong need for an effective technique to eliminate the risk of BBP. In this work, a new photocatalyst of Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2S3 with an S-scheme heterojunction was synthesized using Bi(NO3)3 as the Bi source, Na2S as the S source, and DMF as the carbon source and reductant. Numerous techniques have been used to characterize Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2S3, such as scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The improved photoactivity of Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2S3 was evaluated by photoelectrochemical response, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and electrochemical Mott Schottky spectroscopy. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of this composite for BBP degradation under simulated sunlight irradiation could be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance effect of Bi metal and the heterojunction structure of Bi2O2CO3 and Bi2S3. The degradation rate of Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2S3 was 85%, which was 4.52 and 1.52 times that of Bi2O2CO3 and Bi2S3, respectively. The prepared photocatalyst possessed good stability and reproducibility in eliminating BBP. The improved photocatalytic activity of Bi/Bi2O2CO3/Bi2S3 was demonstrated with the formation of an S-scheme heterojunction, and the degradation mechanism was discussed with a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer.

Study of Pharmacokinetics for Ivermectin B1a from Beagle Dogs.

Ivermectin has been widely used for antiparasitic drug, and has recently shown a broad-spectrum antiviral activity, including anti-Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the pharmacokinetic property of ivermectin has not been fully investigated yet. During the plasma preparation, ~32-46% of ivermectin was found in the precipitation. An Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) method for ivermectin in the whole blood samples from beagle dogs was developed and validated. The specificity, accuracy, precision (intra-day and inter-day), matrix effect, recovery and stability of analyte reported here are satisfied with the criteria of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-Bioanalysis guideline. The oral administrations pharmacokinetics of ivermectin in beagle dogs under fasting and after high-fat meal were studied, and the following parameters were obtained: fasting Cmax, 104 ± 35μg·L-1; area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞), 2,555 ± 941h·μg·L-1; and high-fat meal Cmax, 147 ± 35μg·L-1; AUC0-∞, 4,198 ± 1,279h·μg·L-1. When the P-gp inhibitor curcumin was also coadministrated orally, Cmax and AUC0-∞ were found to be 177 ± 57 and 4,213 ± 948h·μg·L-1, respectively. With the comparison to fasting treatment, coadministration of P-gp inhibitor curcumin resulted in increase of the exposure of ivermectin by 1.6-fold, while the exposure after the high-fat diet versus fasting was increased approximately in 1.4-fold, indicating that alternative absorption might play an important role for increasing the exposure of ivermectin for future clinic applications.

Geographic location and ethnicity comprehensively influenced vitamin D status in college students: a cross-section study from China

BackgroundVitamin D plays an important role in the health of adolescents, whereas vitamin D status of Chinese college students was seldom studied in China. To explore the vitamin D status and its relationship with ethnicity and geographic location in Chinese college students.MethodsThe freshmen were taken a physical examination by trained medical personnel after they reported to university. Demographic information including age, gender, ethnicity, region of original residence was collected using a questionnaire survey. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were measured using a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. Multiple regression analyses were used to explore the factors that influence serum 25(OH)D3 levels.ResultsTotally 3220 freshmen who came from 26 provinces, autonomous districts or municipalities were recruited, with a mean age of 18.75 ± 1.18 years and 70.2% of them were female. The mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels were 18.51 ± 6.54 ng/mL, and the proportion of vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) and insufficiency (20 ~ < 30 ng/mL) was 64.4% and 30.2%, respectively. The combined proportion of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was increased with the latitude increased. Miao had the highest serum 25(OH)D3 levels, whereas Kazak ethnic had the lowest (22.51 ng/mL vs. 13.94 ng/mL) among different ethnic groups. Female students, students from city, Uighur and Kazak ethnic, residing in high latitude was significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D3 levels (P < 0.05).ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency is an important health problem in Chinese college students. Sunlight activities, dietary and life-style intervention for college students according to geographic location and ethnicities should be considered.

3D flower-like Cu-BiOCl/Bi2S3 heterostructure with synergistic Cu ion doping: A study on efficient tetracycline degradation under visible light

In this study, a novel three-dimensional, flower-like Cu-BiOCl/Bi2S3 photocatalyst was synthesized using a two-step calcination and hydrothermal method, aiming at the efficient removal of tetracycline (TC). Through comprehensive characterization techniques, it was discerned that the incorporation of Cu ions extended the light absorption range of BiOCl. Additionally, the formation of a heterojunction significantly enhanced the separation efficiency of space charge. The unique three-dimensional flower-like architecture of the Cu-BiOCl/Bi2S3 photocatalyst augments its surface area exposure and consequently, the density of active sites. This catalyst exhibited a remarkable degradation rate of approximately 95% for TC under visible light irradiation. This performance exhibits a notable enhancement over the degradation rates of BiOCl and Bi2S3, which are approximately 39% and 53% respectively, surpassing them by factors of 2.39 and 1.78. Electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis coupled with free radical trapping experiments pinpointed superoxide radicals (•O2-) and photogenerated holes (h+) as the pivotal active species orchestrating the photocatalytic degradation. Concludingly, a possible TC degradation pathway was proposed based on the intermediates generated during the photocatalytic reaction as detected by Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) and Three-Dimension Excitation Emission Matrix (3D EEM).