Specific Constituents Research Articles

Advances in laryngopharyngeal reflux: Etiology, diagnosis, and management.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) manifests as a variety of nonspecific upper aerodigestive tract symptoms. Rather than a single disorder, LPR may be conceived of as a spectrum of subtypes with varying clinical presentations. LPR signs and symptoms arise from the direct and/or indirect effects of refluxate, physical and molecular injury of the mucosa, and neurologic responses to esophageal events. Specific constituents of refluxate exert distinct mucosal responses and immediate or delayed effects resulting in transient or persistent symptoms and/or laryngeal hypersensitivity. While the complex etiology of LPR presents challenges to its diagnosis and management, tools that aid the identification of LPR subtypes can provide insight into treatment decision-making. Hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring provides detailed analysis of reflux events, enabling the development of individualized treatment plans, yet cost and availability limit its widespread use. Alginates offer temporary symptom relief and antireflux surgery may provide benefit when symptoms are recalcitrant to other approaches. Pepsin inhibitors hold promise as a medical therapy when surgery is not an option. Laryngeal hypersensitivity should be considered as part of a comprehensive therapeutic approach. Promising medical and scientific research continues to yield new insights into the complex etiology of LPR and novel strategies for its diagnosis and management.

Mexican calea (Calea zacatechichi Schltdl.) interferes with cholinergic and dopaminergic pathways and causes neuroglial toxicity

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe use of “Mexican calea” (Calea zacatechichi Schltdl.) in ritualistic ceremonies, due to its dream-inducing effects, was until recently limited to indigenous communities in Mexico. However, the plant has recently gained popularity in Western societies being commonly used in recreational settings. Despite the traditional and recreational uses, mechanisms underlying its reported oneirogenic effects remain unknown, with no data available on its neurotoxic profile. Aim of the studyThe scarcity of toxicological data and the unknown role of major neurotransmitter systems in the dream-inducing properties of the plant prompted us to investigate which neurotransmitters might be affected upon its consumption, as well as the potential cytotoxic effects on neurons and microglial cells. Furthermore, we aimed to explore a relationship between the recorded effects and specific constituents. Materials and methodsEffects on cholinergic and monoaminergic pathways were investigated using enzymatic assays, with the latter also being conducted in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells along with the impact on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Investigation of the neurotoxic profile was approached in neuronal SH-SY5Y and microglial BV-2 cells, evaluating effects on metabolic performance and membrane integrity using MTT and LDH leakage assays, respectively. Potential interference with oxidative stress was monitored by assessing free radical's levels, as well as 5-lipoxygenase mediated lipid peroxidation. Phenolic constituents were identified through HPLC-DAD-ESI(Ion Trap)MSn analysis. ResultsBased on the significant inhibition upon acetylcholinesterase (p < 0.05) and tyrosinase (IC50 = 60.87 ± 7.3 μg/mL; p < 0.05), the aqueous extract obtained from the aerial parts of C. zacatechichi interferes with the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, but has no impact against monoamine oxidase A. Additionally, a notable cytotoxic effect was observed in SH-SY5Y and BV-2 cells at concentrations as low as 125 and 500 μg/mL (p < 0.05), respectively, LDH leakage suggesting apoptosis may occur at these concentrations, with necroptosis observed at higher ones. Despite the neurocytotoxic profile, these effects appear to be independent of radical stress, as the C. zacatechichi extract scavenged nitric oxide and superoxide radicals at concentrations as low as 62.5 μg/mL, significantly inhibiting also 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 72.60 ± 7.3 μg/mL; p < 0.05). Qualitative and quantitative analysis using HPLC-DAD-ESI(Ion Trap)MSn enabled the identification of 28 constituents, with 24 of them being previously unreported in this species. These include a series of dicaffeoylquinic, caffeoylpentoside, and feruloylquinic acids, along with 8 flavonols not previously known to occur in the species, mainly 3-O-monoglycosylated derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. ConclusionsOur findings regarding the neuroglial toxicity elicited by C. zacatechichi emphasize the necessity for a thorough elucidation of the plant's toxicity profile. Additionally, evidence is provided that the aerial parts of the plant inhibit both acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase, potentially linking its psychopharmacological effects to the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, with an apparent contribution from specific phenolic constituents previously unknown to occur in the species. Collectively, our results lay the groundwork for a regulatory framework on the consumption of C. zacatechichi in recreational settings and contribute to elucidating previous contradictory findings regarding the mechanisms underlying the dream-inducing effects of the plant.

Associations between dietary intake and sarcopenia: a Mendelian randomization study.

sarcopenia, typified by the progressive diminution of skeletal muscle mass and functionality, represents a substantial public health challenge, particularly among the geriatric population. Dietary intake, as a modifiable determinant, has elicited considerable interest due to its prospective role in preventing and alleviating sarcopenia. this investigation employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, a robust statistical method, to investigate the causal associations between dietary consumption and sarcopenia-associated phenotypes, including appendicular lean mass (ALM), hand grip strength, and walking pace. Genetic variants extracted from the extensive UK Biobank cohort served as instrumental variables for a comprehensive set of 26 dietary elements. our MR analysis unveiled that the ingestion of oily fish and cheese was significantly correlated with augmented ALM, diminished risk of low hand grip strength, and enhanced walking pace. In addition, cooked vegetables, fresh fruit, dried fruit, cereal, and raw vegetables were protective of one or both of the sarcopenia-associated phenotypes. These findings were robust to potential confounding influences owing to the sophisticated MR design. our results underscore that specific dietary constituents play a pivotal protective role against sarcopenia, underscoring the necessity for tailored nutritional strategies to bolster muscle health in the elderly. Further investigations are requisite to corroborate these findings across heterogeneous populations and to unravel the underlying biological mechanisms.

Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA): Its Nature, Biological Role, Significance in Human Nutrition, and Possibility to Be Used as Marker of Whole-Grain Status in Wheat-Based Foods.

The growing scientific evidence on the health benefits of whole-grain food consumption has promoted the manufacturing of a great number of products differing in quality and content of whole-grain components. This is particularly true for commercial wheat-based products where it is not always clear how much whole wheat is present considering that in many cases, they are manufactured from reconstituted mill streams and that there is not a standardised globally accepted definition and metrics to objectively evaluate whole-grain status. Attempts have been made to assess the level of "wholegraininess" in wheat products by measuring specific constituents that correlate with different wheat tissues, especially those that are expected to be found in a true whole-grain wheat product. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a small lectin protein present exclusively in the wheat-germ tissues, has been indicated by several scientists as one of these constituents and after founding that its level changes depending on the amount of germ found in a wheat flour, it has been indicated as a biomarker of whole-grain status for wheat products. In this review, the biochemistry of WGA, its methods of detection, and current knowledge on its possibility to be practically utilized as a reliable marker are critically discussed.

Bioassay-Guided Isolation and Identification of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Constituents from the Fruits of Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai.

Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai (C. speciosa) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that possesses not only abundant nutritional value but also significant medicinal properties. The extracts of C. speciosa fruits effectively reduce urate levels, but the specific chemical constituents responsible for this effect in C. speciosa fruits are still unknown. Therefore, this study aims to investigate and analyze the structure-activity relationships of these constituents to better understand their ability to lower uric acid. Activity-guided fractionation and purification processes were used to isolate compounds with xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity from C. speciosa fruits, resulting in three extracts: petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed strong activity and underwent further separation and purification using chromatographic techniques. Twenty-four compounds were isolated and identified, with nine showing potent activity, including chlorogenic acid, methyl chlorogenate, butyl chlorogenate, ethyl chlorogenate, cryptochlorogenic acid methyl ester, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, benzoic acid and protocatechuic acid. The docking analysis showed that these compounds interacted with amino acid residues in the active site of XO through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. These findings suggest that these compounds help reduce uric acid in C. speciosa, supporting further investigation into their mechanism of action.

LED light treatments enhance neuroprotective properties and differentially impact phenolic compounds and triterpenoid content in Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.)

Due to an array of medicinal properties being attributed to Gotu kola (Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.), there is a growing demand for the incorporation of the plant as an herbal ingredient in drugs, cosmetics but mainly in dietary supplements and herbal drugs, which has been causing a gradual decline on its wild population. A possible way might be the improvement of the content in bioactive constituents that, in this specific matter, have been mainly labelled as being pentacyclic triterpenoids. We hypothesize that using light-emitting diode (LED) treatments can enhance its content in bioactives and improve its neuroprotective effects.Specific LED light treatments caused a metabolic shift, globally reducing the concentrations of the triterpenoids madecassoside, asiaticoside, and their corresponding aglycones. However, LED light treatments caused a pronounced increase in specific phenolic bioactives in comparison with samples obtained under sunlight, mostly pronounced in the concentrations of di-O-caffeoylquinic acids. Principal component analysis corroborated that the improvement on the neuroinflammatory status in BV-2 microglial cells and enhanced inhibition of tyrosinase are correlated with the increase in specific phenolic constituents resulting from LED light treatments.While the anti-neuroinflammatory effects in BV-2 microglial cells are demonstrated here for the first time, our core findings are mostly crucial for meeting the increased demand for C. asiatica in herbal products, as our LED light treatment boosts yields in specific phenolic bioactives and improves neuroprotective effects.

Exploratory research on the effective chemical basis of tanreqing injection for treating acute lung injury: In vivo, in vitro and in silico

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) presents with significant morbidity and mortality in clinical settings. Tanreqing Injection (TRQI) has been clinically recommended for the treatment of ALI; however, the specific active chemical constituents remain unidentified. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to elucidate the potential pharmacologically active components and the underlying mechanisms of TRQI in the treatment of sepsis-induced ALI. Materials and methodsHigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) techniques were employed to identify the effective chemical constituents of TRQI. Additionally, an in vitro study was conducted using Raw264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the inhibitory effects of TRQI. An acute lung injury model produced by LPS was intraperitoneal injection in mice to assess the ALI-inhibitory effect of TRQI. The lung's pathological characteristics were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and QPCR were performed to confirm the pharmaceutical effect. Network pharmacology was employed for mechanistic exploration, incorporating GO, and PPI analyses of targets. Src inhibitor and JNK agonist used to investigate the dependence of associated signaling pathways. ResultsCombining pharmacokinetic characteristics, lung first-pass effect and anti-inflammatory effects, the main components of TRQI for treating sepsis induced ALI were narrowed down to seven compounds: chlorogenic acid, scutellarin, wogonoside, oroxyloside, oroxylin A and baicalein. Network pharmacology indicated that Src/JNK signaling pathway, may be the main regulatory pathway for treatment of actue lung injury. Next by using Src inhibitor, Src inhibition partly diminished the protective effects of TRQI in LPS-injected mice. Pretreatment with JNK agonist anisomycin abolished the protective effects of lung injury in vivo. ConclusionsTRQI is injected, the seven compounds could be presented in vivo, which can improve ALI by inhibiting Src-JNK signaling.

Investigating Ethanolic Extract from Acehnese Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Peel as Potential Anti-Hypercholesterolemia Agent

Lime peels are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, saponins, and tannins, exhibiting antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and anti-hypercholesterolemia properties. However, the specific active constituents of Acehnese lime peels and their impact on anti-hypercholesterolemia effects remain undisclosed. This present investigation aims to identify the active compounds in the ethanolic extract of locally obtained Acehnese lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle) peels and assess their potential as inhibitors of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A (HMG Co-A) reductase using in-silico approach. The composition of the ethanolic extract Acehnese lime peel was determined through phytochemical analysis, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, and predictions of biological activity, while the biological activities of their compounds were evaluated through molecular docking. Phytochemicals revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids in the ethanolic extract of local Aceh lime peel. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 29.992 ± 0.274 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract and 5.983 ± 0.017 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g extract, respectively. The anti-oxidant activity was notably strong with an IC50 value of 49.51 ppm. GC-MS analysis identified 6-methoxychroman-2-one (27.64%) as the primary component in ethanolic extract Acehnese lime peel, along with neric acid (C13H22O2) known as a regulator of lipid metabolism (Pa: 0.941). In-silicoinvestigations indicated that pterin-6-carboxylic acid (-7.8 kcal/mol) exhibited a higher binding free energy for the PCSK9 receptor compared to simvastatin (-7.6 kcal/mol), whereas the active compound (R)-9-(2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-4- exhibited the highest binding capacity for HMG Co-A reductase (-6.9 kcal/mol) compared to other compounds. These findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of Acehnese lime peels could serve as an effective inhibitor of PCSK9 and HMG Co-A reductase, highlighting its potential as a novel anti-hypercholesterolemia agent. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2024-05-03-04 Full Text: PDF

Identification and quantification of the antioxidants in Ginkgo biloba leaf.

The antioxidant activity of Ginkgo biloba leaf (GBL) extract is closely related to its efficacy against various diseases; however, the antioxidant activities of the specific constituents of GBL remain unclear. In this study, 194 GBL constituents were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, including 97 flavonoids, 37 terpenoids, 29 lignans, 19 carboxylic acids, 5 alkylphenolic acids, 5 alkylphenols, and 2 other compounds. The cleavage rules of the main constituents of GBL were dissected in detail. The 36 GBL constituents with high antioxidant activity were subsequently discovered using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, including 30 flavonoids and six carboxylic acids. Finally, an HPLC analysis method was established to determine the content of the nine major antioxidants in the three batches of GBL. Among them, kaempferol 3-O-β-D-(6″-p-coumaroyl) glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and rutin exhibited high antioxidant activity and were found in significant amounts in GBL, with concentrations greater than 0.7mg/g. These results provide an important reference for the development of pharmaceuticals and health products containing GBL.

Short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter constituents and myocardial infarction mortality

Short-term ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been related to an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) death, but which PM2.5 constituents are associated with MI death and to what extent remain unclear. We aimed to explore the associations of short-term exposure to PM2.5 constituents with MI death and evaluate excess mortality. We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study on 237,492 MI decedents in Jiangsu province, China during 2015–2021. Utilizing a validated PM2.5 constituents grid dataset at 1 km spatial resolution, we estimated black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), sulfate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+), and chloride (Cl−) exposure by extracting daily concentrations grounding on the home address of each subject. We employed conditional logistic regression models to evaluate the exposure-response relationship between PM2.5 constituents and MI death. Overall, per interquartile range (IQR) increase of BC (lag 06-day; IQR: 1.75 μg/m3) and SO42− (lag 04-day; IQR: 5.06 μg/m3) exposures were significantly associated with a 3.91% and 2.94% increase in odds of MI death, respectively, and no significant departure from linearity was identified in the exposure-response curves for BC and SO42−. If BC and SO42− exposures were reduced to theoretical minimal risk exposure concentration (0.89 μg/m3 and 1.51 μg/m3), an estimate of 4.55% and 4.80% MI deaths would be avoided, respectively. We did not find robust associations of OC, NO3−, NH4+, and Cl− exposures with MI death. Individuals aged ≥80 years were more vulnerable to PM2.5 constituent exposures in MI death (p for difference <0.05). In conclusion, short-term exposure to PM2.5-bound BC and SO42− was significantly associated with increased odds of MI death and resulted in extensive excess mortality, notably in older adults. Our findings emphasized the necessity of reducing toxic PM2.5 constituent exposures to prevent deaths from MI and warranted further studies on the relative contribution of specific constituents.

Dynamic population modeling of bacterioplankton community response to gelatinous marine zooplankton bloom collapse and its impact on marine nutrient balance

The diverse microbial community in the ocean, encompassing various metabolic types, interacts with the wide array of compounds in the dissolved organic matter (DOM) pool, thereby influencing the ocean’s biogeochemical state and, consequently, the global climate. Our understanding of the interactions between specific DOM constituents and microbial consortia remains limited, necessitating further refinement to achieve a mechanistic comprehension of the relationship between the DOM field and the microbial metabolic network. Attaining this level of understanding is crucial for accurately predicting the marine ecosystem’s response to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. To address this gap, we developed a bacterial population model based on the von Foerster equation. This model aims to describe the complex microbial-mediated degradation of gelatinous zooplankton (hereinafter ‘jellyfish’) detritus, as an important, but largely overlooked source of DOM in the ocean. By considering microbial growth and decay, as well as DOM uptake, and nutrient release, the model is able to describe the microbial community’s life cycle, and the biochemical transformations of the jellyfish-derived organic matter. We fitted the model to results of laboratory microcosm experiments conducted to simulate scenarios experienced by ambient microbiomes during decay of two different jellyfish species in the northern Adriatic Sea. By interpreting the fitted parameters, we highlight the differences in the microbial response to different jellyfish species, namely how these affect the microbial community composition and the release of nutrients. This model has been specifically designed for integration with ocean circulation models to create a comprehensive physical-biogeochemical ocean model. Such an extended model can be utilized for multi-scale simulations to assess the system’s response to jellyfish and jellyfish-derived organic matter. Given that jellyfish blooms may become more prevalent under future ocean scenarios, this modeling approach is essential for understanding their potential impact on marine ecosystems.

Prenatal tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol exposure produce sex-specific pathophysiological phenotypes in the adolescent prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

Clinical and preclinical evidence has demonstrated an increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders following prenatal cannabinoid exposure. However, given the phytochemical complexity of cannabis, there is a need to understand how specific components of cannabis may contribute to these neurodevelopmental risks later in life. To investigate this, a rat model of prenatal cannabinoid exposure was utilized to examine the impacts of specific cannabis constituents (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]; cannabidiol [CBD]) alone and in combination on future neuropsychiatric liability in male and female offspring. Prenatal THC and CBD exposure were associated with low birth weight. At adolescence, offspring displayed sex-specific behavioural changes in anxiety, temporal order and social cognition, and sensorimotor gating. These phenotypes were associated with sex and treatment-specific neuronal and gene transcriptional alterations in the prefrontal cortex, and ventral hippocampus, regions where the endocannabinoid system is implicated in affective and cognitive development. Electrophysiology and RT-qPCR analysis in these regions implicated dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system and balance of excitatory and inhibitory signalling in the developmental consequences of prenatal cannabinoids. These findings reveal critical insights into how specific cannabinoids can differentially impact the developing fetal brains of males and females to enhance subsequent neuropsychiatric risk.

Obtaining and characterization of doped lanthanum manganite through an unconventional method

Considering the growing concern for food safety, the development of fast detection methods with high sensitivity and repeatability of specific food constituents is a huge necessity. In this regard, the electrochemical methods can be an effective way due to certain advantages such as low cost, fast response signal, high sensitivity and ease of use. The detection efficiency of electrochemical sensors mainly depends on the electrochemical characteristics of the electrode materials. Perovskite-based materials are ideal candidates for the development of electrochemical sensors due to their excellent catalytic activity and redox properties. We report herein the synthesis, morpho-structural properties, and electrical performance assessment of Ca doped lanthanum manganite by ultrasonic method with immersed sonotrode in the reaction medium. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed on the synthesized samples. The results indicated a wellcrystallized perovskite-type structure, and 29 nm average crystallite sizes. The electron microscopy images showed that the presence of the dopant influenced the surface morphology.

Comprehensive analysis of phytochemical profiling, cytotoxic and antioxidant potentials, and identification of bioactive constituents in methanoic extracts of Sonneratia apetala fruit

In the delta region of Bangladesh, Sonneratia apetala, also known as Keora and mangrove apple, is widely recognized for its dual role as a source of both food and medicine. Seasonal S. apetala fruits were gathered from Hatiya, Noakhali, in October 2021. The samples were segregated into pericarps and seeds, then fractionated into methanol segments. The anti-proliferative activities of these samples against lung A549 cells were evaluated using the Trypan blue exclusion method. Additionally, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify phenolic compounds, while standard protocols facilitated the identification of specific phytochemical constituents. Chemical profiling via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and the isolation and detection of bioactive compounds through column chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis were undertaken. The methanol fractions of the seeds and pericarp were found to contain carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenoids, with the absence of saponins and anthraquinones. Notably, the anti-proliferative effect demonstrated statistical significance at a concentration of 300 μg/mL for both extracts. Furthermore, HPLC analysis identified and quantified six polyphenols: catechin hydrate, (−)-epicatechin, rutin hydrate, trans-ferulic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, myricetin, and kaempferol, with the following concentrations: 46.65 and 12.72; 349.29 and 140.39; 5.26 and 33.06; 10.35 and 29.28; ND and 11.93; and 10.03 and 7.90 mg/100 g in the methanol fraction of the seed and pericarp, respectively. GC-MS analysis of S. apetala fruit revealed five notable compounds with significant peak areas (%): 2-methyltetracosane, tetratetracontane, heptacosane, 1-chloro-2-hexyl-1-octanol, and phenol, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl), exhibiting peak areas of 43.96, 35.8, and 15.95, respectively. Meanwhile, the notable peak in S. apetala seeds was 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester, with a peak area (%) of 100. These compounds are known for their anticancer and antioxidant properties. Therefore, S. apetala, particularly its seeds and fruits, shows promising potential for development into dietary supplements and functional foods.

Perfluoroalkyl acid adsorption by styrenic β-cyclodextrin polymers, anion-exchange resins, and activated carbon is inhibited by matrix constituents in different ways

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants of global concern, and adsorption processes are the most widely used technologies to remove PFAAs from water. However, there remains little data on the ways that specific water matrix constituents inhibit the adsorption of PFAAs on different adsorbents. In this study, we evaluated the adsorption of 13 PFAAs on two styrene-functionalized β-cyclodextrin (StyDex) polymers, an activated carbon (AC), and an anion-exchange resin (AER) in the absence and presence of specific water matrix constituents (16 unique water matrices) in batch experiments. All four adsorbents exhibited some extent of adsorption inhibition in the presence of inorganic ions and/or humic acid (HA) added as a surrogate for natural organic matter. Two PFAAs (C5-C6 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs)) were found to exhibit relatively weak adsorption and five PFAAs (C6-C8 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) and C9-C10 PFCAs) were found to exhibit relatively strong adsorption on all four adsorbents across all matrices. Adsorption inhibition was the greatest in the presence of Ca2+ (direct site competition) and HA (direct site competition and pore blockage) for AC, NO3- (direct site competition) and Ca2+ (chemical complexation) for the AER, and SO42- (compression of the double layer) for the StyDex polymers. The pattern of adsorption inhibition of both StyDex polymers were similar to each other but different from AC and AER, which demonstrates the distinctive PFAA adsorption mechanism on StyDex polymers. The unique performance of each type of adsorbent confirms unique adsorption mechanisms that result in unique patterns of adsorption inhibition in the presence of matrix constituents. These insights could be used to develop models to predict the performance of these adsorbents in real water matrices and afford rational selection of adsorbents based on water chemistry for specific applications.

Near-Field Spin Chern Number Quantized by Real-Space Topology of Optical Structures.

The Chern number has been widely used to describe the topological properties of periodic structures in momentum space. Here, we introduce a real-space spin Chern number for the optical near fields of finite-sized structures. This new spin Chern number is intrinsically quantized and equal to the structure's Euler characteristic. The relationship is robust against continuous deformation of the structure's geometry and is irrelevant to the specific material constituents or external excitation. Our Letter enriches topological physics by extending the Chern number to real space, opening exciting possibilities for exploring the real-space topological properties of light.

Differentiation of cellular responses to particulate and soluble constituents in sunscreen products

Despite the growing awareness of potential human and environmental risks associated with sunscreens, identifying the specific constituents responsible for their potential toxicity is challenging. In this study, we applied three different types of sunscreens with contrasting compositions and compared the effects of their particulate and soluble fractions based on 15 cellular biomarkers of HaCaT cells. Multilinear regression analysis revealed that the internalized soluble fractions played a primary role in the overall cytotoxicity of sunscreen mixtures, which was primarily attributed to their biotransformation, generating metabolites with higher toxicity. The presence of plastic microspheres in sunscreens either inhibited the internalization of soluble fractions or led to their redistribution toward lysosomes. Conversely, subcellular toxicity resulting from the sunscreen mixture was predominantly influenced by particulates. Bio-transformable particulates such as ZnO dissolved in the organelles and induced higher subcellular toxicity compared to bioinert particulates such as microplastics. Subcellular biomarkers including lysosomal count, lysosomal size, mitochondrial count and mitochondrial shape emerged as the potential predictors of sunscreen presence. Our study provides important understanding of sunscreen toxicity by elucidating the differential impacts of particulate and soluble fractions in mixture contaminants.

Tidal modeling based on satellite altimetry observations of TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason1, Jason2, and Jason3 with high prediction capability: A case study of the Baltic Sea

This research aims to optimize the utilization of long-term sea level data from the TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason1, Jason2, and Jason3 altimetry missions for tidal modeling. We generate a time series of along-track observations and apply a developed method to produce tidal models with specific tidal constituents for each location. Our tidal modeling methodology follows an iterative process: partitioning sea surface height (SSH) observations into analysis/training and prediction/validation parts and ultimately identifying the set of tidal constituents that provide the best predictions at each time series location. The study focuses on developing 1256 time series along the altimetry tracks over the Baltic Sea, each with its own set of tidal constituents. Verification of the developed tidal models against the SSH observations within the prediction/validation part reveals mean absolute error (MAE) values ranging from 0.0334 m to 0.1349 m, with an average MAE of 0.089 m. The same validation process is conducted on the FES2014 and EOT20 global tidal models, demonstrating that our tidal model, referred to as BT23 (short for Baltic Tide 2023), outperforms both models with an average MAE improvement of 0.0417 m and 0.0346 m, respectively. In addition to providing details on the development of the time series and the tidal modeling procedure, we offer the 1256 along-track time series and their associated tidal models as supplementary materials. We encourage the satellite altimetry community to utilize these resources for further research and applications.

Gestational Exposure to PM2.5 and Specific Constituents, Meconium Metabolites, and Neonatal Neurobehavioral Development: A Cohort Study.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy has been inversely associated with neonatal neurological development. However, the associations of exposure to specific PM2.5 constituents with neonatal neurological development remain unclear. We investigated these associations and examined the mediating role of meconium metabolites in a Chinese birth cohort consisting of 294 mother-infant pairs. Our results revealed that exposure to PM2.5 and its specific constituents (i.e., organic matter, black carbon, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium) in the second trimester, but not in the first or third trimester, was inversely associated with the total neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) scores. The PM2.5 constituent mixture in the second trimester was also inversely associated with NBNA scores, and sulfate was identified as the largest contributor. Furthermore, meconium metabolome analysis identified four metabolites, namely, threonine, lysine, leucine, and saccharopine, that were associated with both PM2.5 constituents and NBNA scores. Threonine was identified as an important mediator, accounting for a considerable proportion (14.53-15.33%) of the observed inverse associations. Our findings suggest that maternal exposure to PM2.5 and specific constituents may adversely affect neonatal behavioral development, in which meconium metabolites may play a mediating role.

Pharmaceutical prospects of pomegranate antioxidants in combating microbial infections

ABSTRACT Pomegranates, which are renowned for their diverse bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, have garnered significant interest in the field of natural medicine. This study aimed to systematically investigate the phytochemical content, bioavailability, and antimicrobial effects of extracts derived from different parts of three Jordanian pomegranate cultivars, Kodari, Qerati, and Black. Comprehensive quantitative analyses revealed significantly higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacities in peel extracts, particularly in the Black and Qerati cultivars. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Bioavailability was determined using stimulated gastrointestinal digestion assays, revealing controlled release in gastric fluid compared to more substantial release in intestinal fluid, thereby suggesting potential implications for bioavailability. Furthermore, antimicrobial assays showed promising antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus in a time-dependent manner, although the efficacy varied among the cultivars and components. These findings underscore the multifaceted bioactive potential of pomegranate extracts, particularly those derived from optimized peel extracts, positioning them as promising natural preservatives or functional ingredients. However, further research is warranted to delve into specific bioactive constituents, absorption mechanisms, and their potential applications in diverse fields, such as foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. By expanding the current understanding of the factors influencing pomegranate bioactivities, this study lays the groundwork for tailored utilization of pomegranate fractions based on ideal phytochemical profiles and targeted effects.