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In the interstellar medium, diols and other prebiotic molecules adsorb onto icy mantles surrounding dust grains. Water in the ice may affect the reactivity and photoionization of these diols. Ethylene glycol (EG), 1,2-propylene glycol, and 1,3-propylene glycol clusters with water clusters were used as a proxy to study these interactions. The diol–water clusters were generated in a continuous supersonic molecular beam, photoionized by synchrotron-based vacuum ultraviolet light from the Advanced Light Source, and subsequently detected by reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The appearance energies for the detected clusters were determined from the mass spectra, collected at increasing photon energy. Clusters of both diol fragments and unfragmented diols with water were detected. The lowest energy geometry optimized conformers for the observed EG–water clusters and EG fragment–water clusters have been visualized using density functional theory (DFT), providing insight into hydrogen bonding networks and how these affect fragmentation and appearance energy. As the number of water molecules clustered around EG fragments (m/z 31 and 32) increased, the appearance energy for the cluster decreased, indicating a stabilization by water. This trend was supported by DFT calculations. Fragment clusters from 1,2-propylene glycol exhibited a similar trend, but with a smaller energy decrease, and no trend was observed from 1,3-propylene glycol. We discuss and suggest that the reactivity and photoionization of diols in the presence of water depend on the size of the diol, the location of the hydroxyl group, and the number of waters clustered around the diol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various charged thorium ions such as singly charged, doubly charged, and triply charged thorium ions trapped in the ion trap can be used to excite the Th-229 first nuclear excited state via the electronic bridge process. We present an integration of a linear ion trap with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to investigate trapped Th-232 ions. Various charged thorium ions are produced by laser ablation and dynamically loaded into the ion trap. After sufficient collisional cooling, thorium ions are extracted along one of the radial directions for time-of-flight mass spectrometry by rapidly quenching the trapping potential and applying high-voltage extracting pulses. The charge states of thorium ions are identified and the maximum mass resolutions of thorium ions reach ∼100 with initial 300 K collisional cooling. The velocity distributions of ablated various charged thorium ions are measured, and the results agree well with Monte Carlo simulation. Lifetimes of thorium ions are determined to be a few tens of seconds in the ion trap, which are helpful for further spectroscopic studies of Th-229 nuclear transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a common pharmaceutical plant, Angelica sinensis (called Danggui (DG) in Chinese) is widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics and frequently processed with rice wine. Eight batches of rice wine-processed (WDG) samples and unprocessed DG were prepared to compare the chemical component differences. High-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was combined with a molecular network strategy. The 140 components were identified, thereby providing a comprehensive characterization of DG and WDG. Chemometrics was used to compare the variations in these components, and the results revealed higher abundances of certain amino acids and organic acids in WDG. These differences may explain the higher efficacy of WDG. This study shows the differences between DG and WDG included variation in the content, which provides a basis for the study of WDG and support for the standardization of Chinese medicine processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callerya speciosa is a perennial edible and medicinal plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. This study was to reveal the similarities and differences between phytochemicals in different parts of C. speciosa using a combination of ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). In addition, the anti-diabetic activity of C. speciosa extracts was explored. A total of 141 compounds were identified and 34 robustly known chemical markers were marked. PCA and heat map analyses revealed that the stems, leaves and pods had similar phytochemical compounds, while compounds in roots and flowers differed from each other and from those in the above ground parts. In addition, extracts of C. speciosa roots and flowers exhibited anti-diabetic activity, which can be applied to the development of anti-diabetic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelsemium elegans Benth alkaloids are the main components of G. elegans and can cause acute toxicosis or even death. Although several studies have reported methods for detecting G. elegans alkaloids, a high-throughput and environmental-friendly strategy for detection of multiple G. elegans alkaloids has not been realized. In this work, a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was developed for rapid detection of G. elegans alkaloids in human plasma and urine for diagnosis of poisoning. Multiple matrices and crystal spotting methods were evaluated to obtain stable and high peak intensities without "sweet spot". We verified the methodology and obtained excellent results. The matrix effects with different dilutions were compared and good recoveries and a low relative standard deviation were obtained with a 40-fold dilution. This method could shorten the analysis time and greatly reduce the consumption of chemical solvents. Furthermore, it could be applied to quantitative assessment of G. elegans alkaloid poisoning incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typing of bacterial subspecies is urgently needed for the diagnosis and efficient treatment during disease outbreaks. Physicochemical spectroscopy can provide a rapid analysis but its identification accuracy is still far from satisfactory. Herein, a novel feature-extractor-based fusion-assisted machine learning strategy has been developed for high accuracy and rapid strain differentiation using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and Raman spectroscopy. Based on this fusion approach, rapid and reliable identification and analysis can be performed within 24 hours. Validation on a panel of important pathogens comprising Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii showed that the identification accuracies of k-nearest neighbors (KNNs), support vector machines (SVMs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were 100%. In particular, when benchmarked against a MALDI-TOF MS spectral dataset, the new approach improved the identification accuracy of Acinetobacter baumannii from 87.67% to 100%. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of combining MALDI-TOF MS and Raman spectroscopy fusion data in pathogenic bacterial subtyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In Tibetan dietary and folk medicine practices, Rheum austral is commonly used as an alternative to Rheum tanguticum , and there is a prevailing belief that wild rhubarb should not be substituted by its cultivated counterpart. However, these traditions are not supported by scientific evidence, particularly concerning the differences in endogenous metabolites between cultivated and wild rhubarbs, as well as between officially recognized and non-official rhubarbs. These uncertainties have also been hindering the vertical integration development of the local rhubarb industry. Methods: In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOFMS) and biostatistical analysis were employed to systematically and comprehensively investigate the chemical constituents of rhubarbs from various sources, focusing on the differences in metabolic components between cultivated and wild rhubarbs. Results: The metabolic differences in rhubarb from various varieties and environments are pronounced. Among them, 39 differential metabolites were identified between cultivated R. tanguticum and wild R. tanguticum. cultivated R. tanguticum is rich in emodin, physcion, and rhapontigenin, whereas wild R. tanguticum exhibits a higher concentration of rhaponticin and is particularly abundant in anthraquinone compounds. Additionally, 33 differential metabolites distinguished wild R. tanguticum from wild R. austral , with R. austral being rich in stilbene derivatives and wild R. tanguticum predominantly containing coumarins. The correlations among these differential metabolites have also been further explored and presented. Conclusion: The metabolic disparities between cultivated and wild rhubarb varieties are substantial, with wild rhuabarb containing higher levels of effective components than its cultivated counterparts. However, wild varieties face issues with component instability and resource depletion, while cultivated varieties exhibit more stable effective components. Given these significant differences in metabolic components, it is essential to differentiate rhubarbs from various species and growing conditions to suit specific medicinal and dietary purposes effectively. This paper can lay a theoretical foundation for the vertical integration development of the rhubarb industry in Tibetan areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex (CREC) poses great challenges to infection treatment in the clinical setting. In this study, we reported the emergence of carbapenemase in a rare species, Enterobacter chuandaensis, belonging to the Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC). We elucidated the genetic characteristics of carbapenem-resistant isolate FAHZZU5885, co-harboring blaNDM−1 and blaKPC−2. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis were used to identify E. chuandaensis. S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE) and Southern blotting were used to clarify the number and size of the plasmids in FAHZZU5885. Antimicrobial phenotypes were identified by antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), and the characteristics of the strain were examined with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The conjugation experiment and stability assay were conducted to verify the transferability and stability of the plasmid carrying carbapenemase-encoding genes. E. chuandaensis FAHZZU5885 was isolated from a perianal swab of a patient admitted to the ICU. This strain simultaneously carried blaNDM−1 and two blaKPC−2 genes. FAHZZU5885 was resistant to most of the tested antibiotics except for amikacin, tigecycline, and colistin. Two blaKPC−2 were located separately on two different plasmids, the ~ 120 kb IncFIA-IncFII plasmid and the ~ 80 kb IncR plasmid. Both plasmids shared the conserved sequence klcA-korC-ISkpn6-blaKPC−2-ISkpn27-tnpR-tnpA. The blaNDM−1-bearing plasmid had the potential to transfer and can remain stable after successive passages. In addition, the blaNDM−1 was carried on a ~ 80 kb IncFII plasmid with the conserved sequence ISAba125-blaNDM−1-ble-trpF-dsbD-cutA-groS-groL. In summary, this study marks the first report of the multidrug-resistant E. chuandaensis strain FAHZZU5885 harboring two blaKPC−2-bearing plasmids, indicating the potential for the further dissemination of carbapenemase-encoding genes in novel species. The findings contribute to enhancing our understanding of CREC strains, emphasizing the need for continued and comprehensive surveillance of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are important vectors of various pathogens, mainly Leishmania parasites. In the Old World, the most important genus in term of pathogens transmission is the genus Phlebotomus, which includes many proven or suspected vectors of several Leishmania species, while the genus Sergentomyia remains so far unproven as a vector of human pathogens. Algeria is one of the most affected countries by human leishmaniasis. Methods: In the present study, an entomological survey was carried out in two provinces, Ghardaïa and Illizi, located in the north and central Sahara, respectively, where cases of human leishmaniasis are recorded. Our goal was to understand the role of the local sand fly species in the transmission of Leishmania parasites and to analyze their blood meal preferences. Collected sand flies were identified by a combination of morphological and molecular approaches that included DNA-barcoding and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) protein profiling. In addition, female blood meals were analyzed by peptide mass mapping using MALDI-TOF MS. Results: In total, 640 sand fly specimens belonging to Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia genera were collected in the two provinces. Sergentomyia antennata and Se. fallax were most abundant species in Ghardaïa, and Ph. papatasi and Ph. alexandri in Illizi. In addition, a new sand fly species was described in Illizi named Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) imihra n. sp. Blood meal analysis of the engorged females revealed various mammalian hosts, especially goats, but also humans for Phlebotomus papatasi and Ph. alexandri, suggesting that these vector species are opportunistic feeders. Conclusions: Integrative approach that combined morphological analysis, sequencing of DNA markers, and protein profiling enabled the recognition and description of a new Sergentomyia species, raising the number of the Algerian sand fly fauna to 27 species. Further sand fly surveillance in the central Sahara is recommended to identify the thus-far unknown males of Se. imihra n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection is a major issue worldwide, with widespread prevalence, combined with its link to gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Meanwhile, effectiveness of current treatment protocols is limited by increasing antibiotic resistance and patient compliance issues due to long regimens and side effects. Plukenetia volubilis , or sacha inchi, is a valuable source of bioactive molecules. However, studies on its antimicrobial activity, especially against H. pylori , are lacking. Methods: In this study, the anti- H. pylori activity of P. volubilis leaves water extract was explored using in vitro and in silico approaches. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Electrospray Ionisation and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI- QTOF-MS-MS) analysis of the water extract from the leaves was used to characterise the chemical composition of the plant and allowed identification of some flavonoids, such as astragalin, and some phenolic compounds. Then, high-speed counter current chromatography (HSCCC) was used to fractionate the ethyl acetate partition obtained from the water extract from the leaves. Results and Discussion: The presence of flavonoids derived from kaempferol was confirmed and astragalin was isolated for the first time in P. volubilis. The P. volubilis water infusion, ethyl acetate extract and the isolated astragalin exhibited anti-bacterial activity against H. pylori J99 and two clinical isolates (e.g., minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.53, 0.51 and 0.49 μg/mL, respectively, for clarithromycin-resistant clinical isolate SSR366). Then, using molecular docking for potential protein targets for H. pylori , it was verified that astragalin could interact with these proteins by in silico analysis. Conclusion: These findings highlight that P. volubilis and astragalin produce a bacteriostatic activity against H. pylori and may have potential to be used in treatment against H. pylori , after further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colquhounia root tablets (CRT) and Tripterygium hypoglaucum hutch tablets (THHT), two major Tripterygium hypoglaucum hutch (THH) commercial preparations, have been used to treat chronic kidney diseases or rheumatic diseases. However, there have been no reports on the chemical comparison between CRT and THHT, greatly hindering the understanding of their pharmacological difference as well as their rational application in clinical practice. In the present study, ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry combined with automated data analysis by MS‐DIAL software and MS‐FLO website was employed to systematically screen and characterize the components in CRT and THHT. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to compare the differences between these two preparations. As a result, up to 92 components were tentatively identified, and 17 of them were characterized for the first time in THH preparations. According to the criteria of variable importance in projection (VIP) >1, p < 0.05, and fold change (FC) > 1.2, 46 components could be screened as major differential chemical components. Among them, phenolic acids, organic acids, amino acids, and diterpenoids were higher in CRT, while the sesquiterpene alkaloids were relatively higher in THHT. This study clarified the chemical material basis and the difference between CRT and THHT, providing a valuable reference for quality control and clinical rational use of THH preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable fat blends are commonly used as fat sources in milk replacers (MR) for calves, but their composition differs considerably from that of bovine milk fat. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum lipid profile of preweaning calves fed twice-daily MR containing 30% fat (% DM). Upon arrival, 30 male Holstein-Friesian calves (BW = 45.6 ± 4.0 kg, age = 2.29 ± 0.8 d) were randomly assigned to 2 experimental diets (n = 15 per treatment): one MR was derived from either vegetable fats (VG; 65% rapeseed and 35% coconut fats) or animal fats (AN; 65% packers lard and 35% dairy cream). The 2 MR formulas contained 30% fat, 24% CP, and 36% lactose. Calves were housed indoors in individual pens with ad libitum access to chopped straw and water. Daily milk allowances were 6.0 L from d 1 to 5, 7.0 L from d 6 to 9, and 8.0 L from d 10 to 35, divided into 2 equal meals and prepared at 13.5% solids. An untargeted liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) method was employed to analyze the lipid profiles in the serum of calves sampled from the jugular vein at 35 d of age. In total, 594 lipids were characterized, comprising 25 different lipid classes. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant separation between VG and AN, indicating different lipid profiles in the serum. An orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) classification model was used to further validate the distinction between the 2 treatment groups. The model exhibited a robust class separation and high predictive accuracy. Using a volcano plot (fold change threshold ≥1.5 and false discovery rate ≤0.05), it was observed that calves fed AN had higher levels of 39 lipid species in serum than calves fed VG, whereas 171 lipid species were lower in the AN group. Lipid classes, such as phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), sphingomyelin (SM), triglycerides (TG), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), were different. In particular, PC and PE were observed at lower levels in calves fed AN, possibly indicating shifts in cell membrane characteristics, intracellular signaling, and liver functions. In addition, a decrease in certain triglyceride (TG) species was observed in calves fed AN, including a decrease in TG species such as TG 36:0 and TG 38:0, possibly related to variations in the content of certain fatty acids within the AN MR, such as C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, and C18:0, compared with the VG MR. Calves fed AN had lower levels of LPC and LPE, and lysophosphatidylinositol, SM, and phosphatidylinositol species than calves fed VG, suggesting shifts in lipoprotein and lipid metabolic pathways. In conclusion, these results deepen the understanding of how lipid sources in MR can modulate the serum lipidome profiles of dairy calves. The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Medicinal plants may cause adverse effects like mutagenic and genotoxic activities • Phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids are active against cancer • MTT assay is commonly used for cell proliferation and cytotoxicity studies • Genotoxicity of selected crude extracts was tested against Vero cells • LC-ToF-MS profiling identified secondary metabolites present in tested plants Plants create secondary metabolites which may or may not have biological activities and are not always benign. Therefore, it is essential to assess both their bioactivities and safety. The objective of this research is to assess the in vitro toxicity and phytochemistry of extracts from Bauhinia galpinii, Combretum caffrum , and Maytenus undata extracts. In the past, it has been demonstrated that these plants possess potent antifungal activities against mycotoxigenic fungal strains. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of methanolic leaf extracts of selected plants on the viability of the African Green monkey kidney and the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, the ability of these plants to cause genotoxicity in Vero cells was investigated using the micronucleus test. The identity and quantity of the phytocompounds present in the plant extracts were analyzed using liquid-chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ToF-MS) analysis. B. galpinii, C. caffrum , and M. undata extracts were cytotoxic to Vero cells at 500 µg/ml. All the selected medicinal plant extracts demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity against both Caco-2 and Vero cells. B. galpinii, M. obtusifolia , and M. undata extracts were all genotoxic towards the Vero cells at 500 µg/ml, while Combretum caffrum showed genotoxicity at 250 µg/ml. Phenolic glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, and hydrolysable tannins were identified as major phytochemicals in the secondary metabolite profiling. Given the results, caution in terms of quantities consumed should be exercised when these plants are used in traditional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) associated with urinary tract infection (UTI) frequently develops biofilms, assisting UPEC persistence and resulting in antimicrobial resistance. Thus, biofilm inhibition is important in UTI treatment. This study investigated the antibiofilm efficacy of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Abelmoschus moschatus (AMHE), a traditional Indian medicinal plant, against multidrug-resistant (MDR) UPEC in vitro. Nine clinical MDR-UPEC and E. coli (ATCC25922) were screened for biofilm production by safranine staining. Water:ethanol (3:7) was used to prepare AMHE. Phytocomponents in AMHE were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-ESI-MS). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MIC-b) of AMHE were determined by spectrophotometry. Growth curve and time-kill kinetics were performed using standard protocols. Metabolic activity and biofilm biomass were determined by MTT assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy. GraphPad Prism v8.0.2 was used for statistical analysis. An array of phytoconstituents in AMHE, including sesquiterpenes, polyphenols, fatty acids, and phytosterols, were identified. All E. coli isolates at 24 and 48 h of static growth exhibited significant biofilm production (p ≤ 0.0001) with cumulative AMHE MIC; 0.8–3.2 mg/ml and MIC-b; 1.6–6.4 mg/ml, respectively. The highest significant (p ≤ 0.0001) reduction in biofilm biomass and metabolic activity at respective 0.5 MIC of AMHE was observed in 3 selected strains without any effect on planktonic growth compared to untreated controls, which suggested its antibiofilm efficacy. Additionally, presence of farnesol, farnesyl acetate, ambrettolide along with other phytoconstituents in AHME might be responsible for the potential antibiofilm attributes. Therefore, future investigations on AMHE might pave the way towards developing effective antibiofilm therapeutics against UPEC biofilm. [Display omitted] • Bioactive compounds identified from Abelmoschus moschatus hydro-ethanolic extract. • The extract inhibited the growth of clinical MDR E. coli. • Antibiofilm activity was evidenced using sub-inhibitory concentration of the extract. • MTT assay and CLSM imaging authenticated the antibiofilm efficacy against MDR E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pythiosis is a severe disease in humans and animals globally, caused by the pathogenic oomycete Pythium insidiosum. Early and accurate detection is crucial for effective treatment, but traditional diagnostic methods have limitations. This study presents an alternative approach using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for lipid profiling to efficiently identify P. insidiosum. The study involved extracting microbial lipid components using optimized chloroform: methanol biphasic method and creating a lipid profile database with samples from 30 P. insidiosum isolates and 50 various fungi. The methodology was validated on 25 blinded samples for assay detection performance. Unique lipid profiles allowed species-specific identification with high efficiency: scores ≥ 2.682 indicated P. insidiosum, scores ≤ 2.512 suggested fungi, and scores in between pointed to other oomycetes. The assay demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 80%, and 88%, respectively, for detecting P. insidiosum. The limited detection specificity was due to false positive samples from closely related Pythium species, which are not a significant clinical concern. The findings show that MALDI-TOF MS lipid profiling can efficiently identify P. insidiosum, offering significant advantages in sample preparation, stability, and reproducibility over protein profile-based methods. This study marks the first instance of lipid profiles being reported for P. insidiosum, paving the way for clinical use in improving accurate detection and facilitating timely treatment interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γ-Glutamyl-β-cyanoalanylglycine (gEcnAG) is a glutathione analog in which the cysteine moiety in glutathione is replaced with β-cyanoalanine, a known plant cyanide metabolite. Previously, gEcnAG was detected in the liver of rats and chicks exposed to β-cyanoalanine. We reported the detection of gEcnAG in naïve mammalian cells using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). LC-QTOF-MS analysis enabled high-resolution confirmation (exact mass determination and MS/MS fragmentation) of the gEcnAG structure. The detection of gEcnAG in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells that were not exposed to β-cyanoalanine suggests its endogenous production. Furthermore, the inhibition of myeloperoxidase, an enzyme potentially required for endogenous cyanide generation, decreased gEcnAG levels in PC12 cells. This supports the notion that PC12 cells intrinsically produce cyanide, unlike HepG2 cells, which exhibited lower intracellular gEcnAG levels. Notably, β-cyanoalanine was undetectable in PC12 cells. Moreover, depleting glutathione with buthionine sulfoximine reduced intracellular gEcnAG levels, whereas supplementation with glutathione reduced ethyl ester increased them. These observations suggest that endogenous gEcnAG may be generated from glutathione, potentially through its reaction with endogenous cyanide. Our findings implicate gEcnAG as a possible metabolite of endogenous cyanide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are effective procedures to treat and manage type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the underlying metabolic adaptations that mediate improvements in glucose homeostasis remain largely elusive. The purpose of this study was to identify metabolic signatures associated with biochemical resolution of T2D after medical therapy (MT) or bariatric surgery. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma samples from 90 patients (age 49.9 ± 7.6 years; 57.7% female) randomly assigned to MT (n = 30), RYGB (n = 30), or SG (n = 30) were retrospectively subjected to untargeted metabolomic analysis using ultra performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry at baseline and 24 months of treatment. Phenotypic importance was determined by supervised machine learning. Associations between change in glucose homeostasis and circulating metabolites were assessed using a linear mixed effects model. RESULTS: The circulating metabolome was dramatically remodeled after SG and RYGB, with largely overlapping signatures after MT. Compared with MT, SG and RYGB profoundly enhanced the concentration of metabolites associated with lipid and amino acid signaling, while limiting xenobiotic metabolites, a function of decreased medication use. Random forest analysis revealed 2-hydroxydecanoate as having selective importance to RYGB and as the most distinguishing feature between MT, SG, and RYGB. To this end, change in 2-hydroxydecanoate correlated with reductions in fasting glucose after RYGB but not SG or MT. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a novel metabolomic fingerprint characterizing the longer-term adaptations to MT, RYGB, and SG. Notably, the metabolomic profiles of RYGB and SG procedures were distinct, indicating equivalent weight loss may be achieved by divergent effects on metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three novel phenolic compounds were isolated from the heartwood of Millettia pendula along with eight known compounds. Among the known compounds, six were isolated from this species for the first time. Structural determination of the isolated compounds was accomplished using 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Two of the isolated compounds, 2 and 6, showed red and purple pigmentation, respectively. These compounds contained a conjugated π system composed of benzofuran and p-benzoquinone moieties. We therefore hypothesize that a hydroquinone moiety, present in precursors of 2 and 6, is autoxidized by activated oxygen in the air to form p-benzoquinone. The difference in colors between these two compounds was due to the difference in the B ring substituents. Expansion of their conjugated pi systems allows 2 and 6 to absorb and reflect light in the visible region, and results in the characteristic purple coloring of M.pendula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) is a nontyphoidal Salmonella pathogen that causes swine paratyphoids. S. Choleraesuis is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted to humans via contaminated food and causes sepsis. Here, we report a rare case of pyelonephritis caused by S. Choleraesuis in a Japanese patient with a carcinoma of unknown primary origin. On the day of admission, the patient was diagnosed with pyelonephritis associated with ureteral stent obstruction. He had no history of raw pork consumption or gastrointestinal symptoms. Gram-negative rods were isolated from urine and blood cultures, identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The serological typing results were O7: -: 1 and 5; however, the serotypes could not be determined. The isolate was identified as S. Choleraesuis using multilocus sequence typing, nucleotide sequence analysis of the fliC gene, and biochemical examination. Four days after a 14-day course of intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam (9 g/day), the patient showed relapse of the condition. Subsequently, the patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone (2 g/day) and oral amoxicillin (1000 mg/day) for 14 days each; recurrence was not observed. This novel case of pyelonephritis with bacteremia was caused by S. Choleraesuis in Japan. Conventional testing methods could not identify the serotypes; however, the case highlights the importance of adopting advanced diagnostic techniques based on molecular biology to ensure accurate pathogen identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the pharmacodynamic ingredients and pharmacologic mechanism of Haizao Yuhu Decoction (HYD) in treating hyperthyroidism via an analysis integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and non-targeted serum metabolomics. Methods: Therapeutic targets of hyperthyroidism were searched through multi-array analyses in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Hub genes were subjected to the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Targets of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in HYD and those of hyperthyroidism were intersected to yield hub genes, followed by validations via molecular docking and non-targeted serum metabolomics. Results: 112 hub genes were identified by intersecting APIs of HYD and therapeutic targets of hyperthyroidism. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) in both negative and positive ion polarity modes, 279 compounds of HYD absorbed in the plasma were fingerprinted. Through summarizing data yielded from network pharmacology and non-targeted serum metabolomics, 214 common targets were identified from compounds of HYD absorbed in the plasma and therapeutic targets of hyperthyroidism, including PTPN11, PIK3CD, EGFR, HRAS, PIK3CA, AKT1, SRC, PIK3CB, and PIK3R1. They were mainly enriched in the biological processes of positive regulation of gene expression, positive regulation of MAPK cascade, signal transduction, protein phosphorylation, negative regulation of apoptotic process, positive regulation of protein kinase B signaling and positive regulation of MAP kinase activity; and molecular functions of identical protein binding, protein serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase activity, protein kinase activity, RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity, ligand-activated sequence-specific DNA binding and protein binding. A total of 185 signaling pathways enriched in the 214 common targets were associated with cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Conclusion: HYD exerts a pharmacological effect on hyperthyroidism via inhibiting pathological angiogenesis in the thyroid and rebalancing immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often accompanied by metabolic imbalance, and infliximab (IFX) can alleviate IBD symptoms, but its metabolic mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate the relationship between IBD, metabolism, and IFX, an acute and chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was established. Plasma samples were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, followed by multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that IFX could alleviate colonic shortening and reduce colonic pathological damage in acute and chronic mouse colitis, improve acute and chronic UC, and ameliorate metabolic disturbances. Among the 104 elevated metabolites and 170 decreased metabolites, these metabolites mainly belonged to amino acids, glucose, and purines. The changes in these metabolites were mainly associated with drug metabolism-other enzymes, riboflavin metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism. In summary, this study provides a valuable approach to explore the metabolic mechanisms of IFX in treating acute and chronic UC from a metabolomics perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus subtilis is an important probiotic microorganism that secretes a variety of antimicrobial compounds, including lipopeptides, which are a class of small molecule peptides with important application value in the fields of feed additives, food, biopesticides, biofertilizers, medicine and the biological control of plant diseases. In this study, we isolated a novel B. subtilis HF1 strain that is rich in lipopeptide components and homologs, has a strong antagonistic effect on a variety of plant fungi, and is highly efficient in promoting the growth of broilers. The live B. subtilis HF1 and its fermentation broth without cells showed significant inhibitory effects on 20 species of plant fungi. The crude extracts of lipopeptides in the fermentation supernatant of B. subtilis HF1 were obtained by combining acid precipitation and methanol extraction, and the lipopeptide compositions were analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The results showed that HF1 could produce 11 homologs of surfactin and 13 homologs of fengycin. Among the fengycin homologs, C13-C19 fengycin A and C15-C17 fengycin B were identified; among the surfactin homologs, C11-C17 surfactin A and C13-C16 surfactin B were characterized. C13 fengycin A, C11 surfactin A and C17 surfactin A were reported for the first time, and their functions are worthy of further study. In addition, we found that HF1 fermentation broth with and without live cells could be used as a feed additive to promote the growth of broilers by significantly increasing body weight up to 15.84%. HF1 could be a prospective strain for developing a biocontrol agent for plant fungal diseases and an efficient feed additive for green agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Rapid, accurate, and easy‐to‐perform diagnostic assays are required to address the current need for the diagnosis of resistant pathogens. That is particularly the case for mycobacteria, such as the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which requires up to 2 weeks for the determination of the drug susceptibility profile using the conventional broth microdilution method. To address this challenge, we investigated the incorporation of deuterium, the stable isotope of hydrogen, into lipids as a read out of the drug susceptibility profile. Methods: Deuterium is incorporated into newly synthesized proteins or lipids in place of hydrogen as bacterial cells grow, increasing the mass of the macromolecules, which can then be observed via matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). As proof‐of‐concept, we used the non‐pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 strain, which is susceptible to the aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin, and M. smegmatis mc2155 containing the empty vector pVV16, which is kanamycin‐resistant. Bacteria were incubated in a culture medium containing 50% of deuterium oxide (D2O) and either 1 or 2 times the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of kanamycin. Lipids were then analyzed using the MBT lipid Xtract matrix combined with routine MALDI mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode to evaluate the changes in the lipid profile. Results: Using this approach, we were able to distinguish susceptible from resistant bacteria in less than 5 h, a process that would take 72 h using the conventional broth microdilution method. Conclusions: We therefore propose a solution for the rapid determination of drug susceptibility profiles using a phenotypic assay combining D2O stable isotope labelling and lipid analysis by routine MALDI mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Micrococcus antarcticus (M. antarcticus) is an aerobic Gram-positive spherical actinobacterium that was initially isolated from Chinese Great-Wall station in Antarctica in 2000. M. antarcticus was considered to be of low pathogenicity, no previous cases of human infection by this organism have been reported. Here we describe the first report with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by M. antarcticus. Case presentation: An 87-year-old female was presented to the Central Hospital of Wuhan in November 2023 with a chief complaint of cough, sputum production, and chest tightness for 2 weeks. Microbial culture of the patient's bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and identification of the isolates using Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed M. antarcticus infection. Combined with clinical symptoms, laboratory and imaging examination, the patient was diagnosed with CAP. Then cefoperazone/sulbactam and levofloxacin was administrated, the patient's condition was improved and she was discharged after a week after admission, no abnormalities were detected during a 5-month follow-up. Conclusions: This case highlights that M. antarcticus, first identified from a patient with CAP, is an extremely rare pathogenic microorganism. Clinicians should be aware of its potential as a pathogen in the diagnosis and treatment of CAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal endophytes, symbiotic microorganisms residing within plants, are renowned for producing bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse beneficial properties. We investigated the antimicrobial potential of fungal endophytes isolated from Solanum mauritianum, an invasive weed, against clinically significant bacterial pathogens. Selected fungal endophytes (Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium sp., and Paracamarosporium leucadendri) were isolated from the plant's leaves and fruits. Their crude extracts were tested against various referenced strains, such as Mycobacterium species (M. smegmatis ATCC 607 and M. bovis ATCC 27290), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6571, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 11774, Klebsiella species (K. pneumoniae ATCC 10031 and K. oxytoca ATCC 8724), Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Resazurin Microtiter Assay was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. The chemical nature of the secondary metabolites in the crude extracts produced by fungal endophytes was evaluated using high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using water and acetonitrile gradient. Liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS) was employed for untargeted metabolomics. LC-QTOF-MS/MS identified 63 bioactive compounds across the three endophytes. P. chrysogenum had the highest activity against S. aureus and M. smegmatis (1.15 mg/mL and 0.02 mg/mL, respectively), while P. leucadendri demonstrated moderate activity against M. smegmatis (2.91 mg/mL) and E. coli (1.16 mg/mL). Fusarium sp. exhibited the broadest spectrum of antibacterial activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.03 mg/mL (B. subtilis) to 10 mg/mL (M. smegmatis). P. leucadendri produced 29 metabolites, Fusarium sp. had 23 identified metabolites, and a total of 11 metabolites were identified from P. chrysogenum. The fruits of the plant, accounting for 60%, appeared to be the most abundant in the endophyte diversity when compared to the stems and leaves. This study highlights the potential of fungal endophytes from S. mauritianum as a source of novel bioactive compounds, particularly against multidrug-resistant pathogens, contributing to the ongoing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper-containing diamine oxidases are ubiquitous enzymes that participate in many important biological processes. These processes include the regulation of cell growth and division, programmed cell death, and responses to environmental stressors. Natural substrates include, for example, putrescine, spermidine, and histamine. Enzymatic activity is typically assayed using spectrophotometric, electrochemical, or fluorometric methods. The aim of this study was to develop a method for measuring activity using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry based on the intensity ratio of product to product-plus-substrate signals in the reaction mixtures. For this purpose, an enzyme purified to homogeneity from pea (Pisum sativum) seedlings was used. The method employed α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid as a matrix with the addition of cetrimonium bromide. Product signal intensities with pure compounds were evaluated in the presence of equal substrate amounts to determine intensity correction factors for data processing calculations. The kinetic parameters kcat and Km for the oxidative deamination of selected substrates were determined. These results were compared to parallel measurements using an established spectrophotometric method, which involved a coupled reaction of horseradish peroxidase and guaiacol, and were discussed in the context of data from the literature and the BRENDA database. It was found that the method provides accurate results that are well comparable with parallel spectrophotometry. This method offers advantages such as low sample consumption, rapid serial measurements, and potential applicability in assays where colored substances interfere with spectrophotometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scrophulariae Radix (SR), the dried root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl (S. ningpoensis), has been extensively used as traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. However, since the mid-20th century, the traditional processing technology of S. ningpoensis has been interrupted. Therefore, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology, together with a Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) method, was applied to comprehensively analyze the characteristic changes and mutual transformation of chemical constituents in the differently processed roots of S. ningpoensis, as well as to scientifically elucidate the processing mechanism of differently processed SR. As a result, a total of 149 components were identified. Notably, with the help of the GNPS data platform and MS2 fragment ions, the possible structures of four new compounds (47, 48, 50, and 73) were deduced in differently processed SR samples, in which 47, 48, and 50 are iridoid glycosides, and 73 is a phenylpropanoid glycoside. Five cyclopeptides (78, 86, 97, 99, and 104) derived from leucine (isoleucine) were identified in SR for the first time. The heatmaps analysis results indicated that leucine or isoleucine may be converted to cyclopeptides under the prolonged high-temperature conditions. Moreover, it is found that short-time steaming can effectively prevent the degradation of glycosides by inactivating enzymes. This study provides a new and efficient technical strategy for systematically identifying the chemical components, rapidly discovering the components, and preliminarily clarifying the processing mechanism of S. ningpoensis, as well as also providing a scientific basis for the improvement of the quality standards and field processing of S. ningpoensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advantages of a high specificity, a long half-life, and a high safety, the use of antibody biologic drugs, including camrelizumab, has been rapidly increasing in clinical practice. Camrelizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor and humanized monoclonal antibody, is used to treat several advanced solid cancers. Measuring its concentration supports personalized dosage adjustments, influences treatment decisions for patients, strengthens the control of disease activity through therapeutic drug monitoring, and helps evaluate and prevent drug interactions in combination therapy. Because antibodies are present in complex biological matrices, quantifying monoclonal antibody drugs is challenging, and must rely on precise, selective, and reliable analytical methods. In this study, a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry TripleTOF 6600+ (AB SCIEX, Framingham, MA, USA) system equipped with a Turbo V ion source was used for the qualitative analysis of monoclonal antibodies using the data-dependent acquisition (IDA) MS/MS mode, followed by quantitative analysis using a targeted MRMHR workflow. This method showed a good linear relationship within the range of 4–160 μg/mL, with a correlation coefficient of R2 ≥ 0.996. It demonstrated an acceptable accuracy (88.95–101.18%) and precision (≤15%). Furthermore, the lower limit of quantification was found to be 4 μg/mL, with the lowest detection limit of 0.3217 μg/mL, indicating that this method is rapid, accurate, and reliable for the quantitative analysis of camrelizumab in human serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lonicera japonica Thunb. and Lonicera hypoglauca are famous Chinese medicines used for hyperglycemia; however, the specific compounds that contributed to the hypoglycemic activity and mechanism are still unknown. In this study, the antidiabetic activity of L. japonica buds and L. hypoglauca buds, roots, stems, and leaves extracts was primarily evaluated, and the L. japonica buds and L. hypoglauca buds, roots, and stems extracts displayed significant hypoglycemic activity, especially for the buds of L. hypoglauca. A total of 72 high-level compounds, including 9 iridoid glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 34 organic acids, and 17 saponins, were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with the fragmentation pathways of standards from different parts of L. japonica and L. hypoglauca extracts. Among them, 19 metabolites, including 13 saponins, were reported for the first time from both medicines. Seven high-content compounds identified from L. hypoglauca buds extract were further evaluated for hypoglycemic activity. The result indicated that neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, and isochlorogenic acid C displayed significant antidiabetic activity, especially for isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C, which demonstrated that the five chlorogenic-acid-type compounds were the active ingredients of hypoglycemic activity for L. japonica and L. hypoglauca. The potential mechanism of hypoglycemic activity for isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C was inhibiting the intestinal α-glucosidase activity to block the supply of glucose. This study was the first to clarify the hypoglycemic active ingredients and potential mechanism of L. japonica and L. hypoglauca, providing new insights for the comprehensive utilization of both resources and the development of hypoglycemic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to ionizing radiation induces cellular and molecular damage leading to a cascade of events resulting in tissue and organ injury. Our study strives to characterize and validate metabolomic changes in preterminal stage (immediately prior to death) samples collected from rhesus macaques lethally irradiated with one of two different doses of radiation. Peripheral blood samples were collected pre-exposure, post-exposure, and at the preterminal stage of nonhuman primates (NHPs that did not survive exposure with 7.2 Gy or 7.6 Gy total-body radiation (LD60-80/60)). We analyzed global metabolomic alterations using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) in serum samples collected at various timepoints in relation to radiation exposure. The goal of this study was to validate the metabolic shifts present in samples collected just prior to death, which were reported earlier in a preliminary study with a limited number of samples and a single dose of radiation. Here, we demonstrate that radiation exposure induced significant time-dependent metabolic alterations compared with pre-exposure samples. We observed significant metabolite dysregulation in animals exposed to 7.6 Gy compared to 7.2 Gy. Greater metabolic disruption was observed in the preterminal groups than all of the other post-irradiation timepoints in both cohorts. Metabolomic shifts in these preterminal groups also revealed consistent disturbances in sphingolipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Overall, the sphingolipid metabolism pathway appears to be representative of the preterminal phenotype, confirming the results of our preliminary study. These results offer important and novel insights for identification and validation of biomarkers for lethality, and such observations would be valuable for triage during a radiological/nuclear mass casualty scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of sepsis worsens due to the continuation of emerging pathogens such as multidrug-resistant Pantoea species. Methods: A multicenter study was conducted between October 2019 and September 2020 at four hospitals located in central, southern, and northern parts of Ethiopia. A total of 1416 sepsis patients were recruited and blood cultures were performed. At each study site, positive cultures were characterized by their colony characteristics, gram stain, and conventional biochemical tests. All Pantoea species were identified using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI TOF) and subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS) using Illumina HiSeq 2500. The phylogeny structure of Pantoea isolates was calculated using IQ-TREE v1.6.12 from single-nucleotide polymorphisms detected by Snippy v.4.6.0 and filtered by Gubbins v.2.3.4. Average nucleotide identity was estimated by using OrthoANI v.0.93.1 on Shovill v.1.1.0 assemblies. Antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid replicons were detected using ARIBA v.2.14.6. Phylogenetic trees were visualized using iTOLv.6.5.2. Results: Multiple Pantoea species include: P. dispersa (n = 19), P. septica (n = 1), and a novel Pantoea spp. (n = 1), were identified among sepsis patients. All P. dispersa isolates and the novel Pantoea species were isolated at Dessie Referral Hospital and displayed phylogenetic clonality, including the ubiquity of an IncM1 plasmid and identical antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene profiles, encoding blaCTX−M−15, blaTEM−1D, blaSCO−1, and aac(3)-lla. The novel Pantoea spp. isolate harboured blaCTX−M−9 and blaTEM−1D and carried an IncN3 plasmid replicon. The P. septica was isolated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa and carried no detectable acquired AMR genes. Conclusion: The emerging Pantoea spp. carrying multiple AMR genes were identified from sepsis patients. Implementation of strong infection prevention strategies and building surveillance capacity with advanced bacteriology laboratories capable of identifying multidrug-resistant emerging pathogens is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document "Spectra Analysis and Plants Research 2.0" explores the significance of medicinal plants throughout history, their chemical compositions, and their applications in various industries. It highlights the importance of natural products in drug discovery and the use of advanced extraction and analytical techniques to study plant compounds. The research presented in the document covers a wide range of plant species and their metabolites, showcasing the potential of plants in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. The studies included in the document provide valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of plants and their bioactive components, emphasizing the importance of further research in this field. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: In Tibetan dietary and folk medicine practices, Rheum austral is commonly used as an alternative to Rheum tanguticum, and there is a prevailing belief that wild rhubarb should not be substituted by its cultivated counterpart. However, these traditions are not supported by scientific evidence, particularly concerning the differences in endogenous metabolites between cultivated and wild rhubarbs, as well as between officially recognized and non-official rhubarbs. These uncertainties have also been hindering the vertical integration development of the local rhubarb industry. Methods: In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOFMS) and biostatistical analysis were employed to systematically and comprehensively investigate the chemical constituents of rhubarbs from various sources, focusing on the differences in metabolic components between cultivated and wild rhubarbs. Results: The metabolic differences in rhubarb from various varieties and environments are pronounced. Among them, 39 differential metabolites were identified between cultivated R. tanguticum and wild R. tanguticum. cultivated R. tanguticum is rich in emodin, physcion, and rhapontigenin, whereas wild R. tanguticum exhibits a higher concentration of rhaponticin and is particularly abundant in anthraquinone compounds. Additionally, 33 differential metabolites distinguished wild R. tanguticum from wild R. austral, with R. austral being rich in stilbene derivatives and wild R. tanguticum predominantly containing coumarins. The correlations among these differential metabolites have also been further explored and presented. Conclusion: The metabolic disparities between cultivated and wild rhubarb varieties are substantial, with wild rhuabarb containing higher levels of effective components than its cultivated counterparts. However, wild varieties face issues with component instability and resource depletion, while cultivated varieties exhibit more stable effective components. Given these significant differences in metabolic components, it is essential to differentiate rhubarbs from various species and growing conditions to suit specific medicinal and dietary purposes effectively. This paper can lay a theoretical foundation for the vertical integration development of the rhubarb industry in Tibetan areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prematurity-associated lung disease (PLD) is a long-term consequence of preterm-birth. Since the underlying mechanisms of PLD remain poorly characterised, we compared the urinary metabolome between recently described spirometry phenotypes of PLD. Preterm- and term-born children aged 7–12 years, from the Respiratory Health Outcomes in Neonates (RHiNO) cohort, underwent spirometry and urine collection. The urinary metabolome was analysed by gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Preterm-born children were classified into phenotypes of prematurity-associated obstructive lung disease (POLD, Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) < lower limit of normal (LLN), FEV1/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) < LLN), prematurity-associated preserved ratio impaired spirometry (pPRISm, FEV1 < LLN, FEV1/FVC ≥ LLN) and Preterm/Term controls (FEV1 ≥ LLN). Metabolite set enrichment analysis was used to link significantly altered metabolites between the groups with metabolic pathways. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models examined associations between early and current life factors and significantly altered metabolites of interest. Urine from 197 preterm- and 94 term-born children was analysed. 23 and 25 were classified into POLD and pPRISm groups respectively. Of 242 identified metabolites, 49 metabolites were significantly altered in the POLD group compared with Preterm controls. Decreased capric acid (log2 fold change − 0.23; p = 0.003), caprylic acid (− 0.18; 0.003) and ceratinic acid (− 0.64; 0.014) in the POLD group, when compared to preterm controls, were linked with reduced β-oxidation of very long chain fatty acids (p = 0.004). Reduced alanine (log2 fold change − 0.21; p = 0.046), glutamic acid (− 0.24; 0.023), and pyroglutamic acid (− 0.17; 0.035) were linked with decreased glutathione metabolism (p = 0.008). These metabolites remained significantly associated with POLD in multivariable models adjusting for early/current life factors. The pPRISm urinary metabolome was minimally changed when compared with preterm-born controls. When compared to term-born subjects, alterations in tryptophan metabolism were implicated (p = 0.01). The urinary metabolome in POLD showed significantly altered β-oxidation of fatty acids and glutathione metabolism, implying alterations in cellular metabolism and oxidative stress. Similar findings have been noted in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Given the similarity of findings between the POLD group and those reported for COPD, the POLD group should be considered at future risk of developing COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Significance Epilepsy surgery is a treatment option for patients with seizures that do not respond to pharmacotherapy. The histopathological characterization of the resected tissue has an important prognostic value to define postoperative seizure outcome in these patients. However, the diagnostic classification process based on microscopic assessment remains challenging, particularly in the case of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Imaging mass spectrometry is a spatial omics technique that could improve tissue phenotyping and patient stratification by investigating hundreds of biomolecules within a single tissue sample, without the need for target‐specific reagents.An in situ proteomic technique called matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI‐MSI) is here investigated as a potential new tool to expand conventional diagnosis on standard paraffin brain tissue sections. Unsupervised and region of interest‐based MALDI‐MSI analyses of sections from 10 FCD type IIb (FCDIIb) cases were performed, and the results were validated by immunohistochemistry.MALDI‐MSI identified distinct histopathological features and the boundaries of the dysplastic lesion. The capability to visualize the spatial distribution of well‐known diagnostic markers enabling multiplex measurements on single tissue sections was demonstrated. Finally, a fingerprint list of potential discriminant peptides that distinguish FCD core from peri‐FCD tissue was generated.This is the first study that explores the potential application of MALDI‐MSI in epilepsy postsurgery fixed tissue, by utilizing the well‐characterized FCDIIb features as a model. Extending these preliminary analyses to a larger cohort of patients will generate spectral libraries of molecular signatures that discriminate tissue features and will contribute to patient phenotyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past 60 years, benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and alprazolam have been used as pharmaceutical medications for the treatment of myriad conditions including anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. In more recent years, novel benzodiazepine derivatives have emerged as illicit substances in powders and counterfeit tablets on the illicit drug market. In 2016, bromazolam, a brominated derivative of alprazolam, emerged on the illicit drug market in Europe, but the substance was not reported in the USA until 2019–2020. In this study, we report the emergence and subsequent prevalence of bromazolam in postmortem blood in the state of Indiana during 2023. Analysis was completed by a solvent protein precipitation extraction with acetonitrile and detection by liquid chromatography with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. During 2023, bromazolam was detected in 94 cases across 25 counties in Indiana. It was never the sole substance detected and was commonly detected alongside fentanyl (83 cases), norfentanyl (77 cases), 4-anilino- N -phenethylpiperidine (76 cases), acetylfentanyl (49 cases), methamphetamine (32 cases), naloxone (25 cases), 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (24 cases), and benzoylecgonine (20 cases). After official query with the Indiana Department of Health, it was found that bromazolam was specifically included in the cause of death certification in 31 fatalities (32.9%). Due to the scarcity of information regarding this novel benzodiazepine derivative in postmortem toxicology and its involvement in fatalities, it is important that forensic toxicology laboratories consider adding bromazolam to their comprehensive scope of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REEs) hold significant industrial, scientific, and modern technological worth. This study focused on detecting and quantifying REEs in various geological ore samples. These samples were collected from different REE-bearing locations recommended by geological experts. The analysis was conducted using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-TOF-MS). In this work, LIBS methodology was employed using three different configurations: standard LIBS, LIBS with an applied magnetic field, and LIBS with both an applied magnetic field and target sample heating within an optimal temperature range. Elements from the REE group, specifically lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and neodymium (Nd), were identified and quantified. To detect, quantify, and validate the results from LIBS and LA-TOF-MS, we utilized an array of analytical techniques—Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (ED-XRF), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Interestingly, the quantitative results for REEs (La, Ce, and Nd) in the ore samples obtained using the LIBS technique with various configurations were found to be in agreement with those from LA-TOF-MS, EDX, XRF, and ICP-OES. In addition, LIBS enables detailed microchemical imaging, allowing the map of the spatial distribution of elements within the mineral–ore matrix. The high-resolution microscale elemental mapping of REEs was accomplished using the emission lines Ce (II) at 446.0 nm, La (II) at 492.1 nm, and Nd (II) at 388.8 nm. By integrating multiple analytical techniques, our study enabled the construction of a complete elemental distribution map, providing new insights into the geochemical processes and mineral composition of rare earth ores, while advancing geochemistry and contributing valuable data for rare earth resource exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of significant contributors to air pollution and have profound effects on human health and the environment. This study introduces a detailed analysis of VOC emissions from various industries within an industrial complex using a high-resolution measurement instrument. This study aimed to identify the VOC profiles and their concentrations across 12 industries. Sampling was conducted across 99 facilities in an industrial complex in South Korea, and VOC analysis was performed based on measurement data using a Proton-Transfer-Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS). The results indicated that the emission of oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) was dominant in most industries. Aromatic hydrocarbons were also dominant in most industries, except in screen printing (SP), lubricating oil and grease manufacturing (LOG), and industrial laundry services (ILS) industries. Chlorinated VOCs (Cl-VOCs) showed a relatively higher level in the metal plating (MP) industry than those in other industries and nitrogen-containing VOCs (N-VOCs) showed high levels in general paints and similar product manufacturing (PNT), MP, and ILS industries, respectively. The gravure printing industry was identified as the highest emitter of VOCs, with the highest daily emissions reaching 5934 mg day−1, primarily consisting of ethyl acetate, toluene, butyl acetate, and propene. The findings suggest that the VOC emissions from the gravure printing and plastic synthetic leather industries should be primarily reduced, and it would be the most cost-effective approach to improving air quality. This study can provide the fundamental data for developing effective reduction technologies and policies of VOC, ultimately contributing to enhanced atmospheric models and regulatory measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conducting two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) behavior in LaAlO3 (LAO)/SrTiO3 (STO) and their associated mechanisms from various aspects have brought tremendous attention in the concerned area of research. To correlate the 2DEG behavior with their compositions, we have performed time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) depth profile analysis of thin films of Cr‐doped LAO/STO system as LaAl1‐xCrxO3 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1) deposited over TiO2 terminated STO substrate, which includes two parent compounds LAO/STO (metallic) and LCO/STO (insulating). The uniform decrease of La and Al concentration at the interface of LAO/STO (metallic) system and in the contrary the nonuniformity of La and Cr concentration in LCO/STO (insulating) system have been highlighted. The uniform variation of ionic concentration at the interface of LAO/STO may increase the career concentrations to make the system metallic. The upward and downward diffusion at the interfaces of intermediate compositions varies differently from their parent ones due to the mixing of Al and Cr. Our results may help to understand the conducting nature of LAO/STO system for future developments and applications in such system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci (MRS) cause infections at various sites and exhibit multidrug resistance. Despite their importance in veterinary medicine, only little is known about Staphylococcus spp. colonizing and infecting cats. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to isolate and identify Staphylococcus spp. colonizing hospitalized and non-hospitalized domestic cats and analyze their antimicrobial resistance profiles, genetic diversity, and risk factors associated with MRS colonization. A total of 218 oral and axillary swabs were obtained from 109 cats, including 77 non-hospitalized and 32 hospitalized cats. After plating on selective media, the isolates were identified via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and rpoB and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Subsequently, antimicrobial sensitivity of the strains was assessed, and they were screened for mecA gene. Methicillin-resistant S. haemolyticus (MRSH) isolates were subjected to multilocus sequence typing, whereas methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) and S. felis isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing. S. felis was most commonly isolated from non-hospitalized cats (28.1%), whereas S. pseudintermedius and MRS were commonly isolated from hospitalized cats (25%). MRSH isolates from hospitalized animals were classified as ST3. The identified MRSP strains belonged to two well-known sequence types, ST551 and ST71. Moreover, antimicrobial use (p = 0.0001), hospitalization (p = 0.0141), and comorbidities (p = 0.002) were associated with increased MRS prevalence in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The increased consumption of minimally processed vegetables (MPV) in various countries is related to the continued interest of consumers in seeking practical and healthy food items. Due to multiple processing steps, MPV can be contaminated by several foodborne pathogens that pose significant health risks to consumers. The use of rapid techniques to detect pathogens in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods such as MPV is therefore essential to provide high quality and safe products. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of molecular‐based techniques for rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria in MPV, and their occurrence reported in studies published in the last 10 years. The main pathogens detected using rapid methods were Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., and Campylobacter jejuni. Molecular‐based techniques included real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), multiplex PCR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS), and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The data indicate high incidences of pathogenic bacteria in MPV, stressing the need for their rapid detection in these products to prevent associated health risks. Further studies should be carried out to increase the sensitivity of molecular‐based techniques and prevent false positives due to undesirable non‐specific PCR amplifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic reprogramming, a key mechanism regulating the growth and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), still lacks effective clinical strategies for its integration into the precise screening of primary liver cancer. This study utilized ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry to conduct a comprehensive, non-targeted metabolomics analysis, revealing significant upregulation of lipid metabolites such as phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine in patients with HCC and CCA, particularly within the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway. Hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated marked upregulation of phospholipase A2 in tumor tissues, further emphasizing the potential of lipid metabolism as a therapeutic target and its important part in the course of cancer. This work provides a new viewpoint for addressing the clinical challenges associated with HCC and CCA, laying the groundwork for the broad application of early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies, and ultimately aiming to provide tailored and precise therapeutic options for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans (S. nitrititolerans) is a rare human pathogenic bacterium and has been inadequately explored at the genomic level. Here, we report the first case of carbapenem-resistant S. nitrititolerans isolated from the peritoneal dialysis fluid of a patient with chronic renal failure. This study analyzed the genomic features, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence factors of the isolated strain through whole genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: The bacterial isolate from the peritoneal dialysis fluid was named PDI170223, and preliminary identification was conducted through Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). WGS of the strain PDI170223 was performed using the Illumina platform, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. Antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was conducted using the TDR-200B2 automatic bacteria identification/drug sensitivity tester. Results: S. nitrititolerans may emerge as a human pathogen due to its numerous virulence genes, including those encoding toxins, and those involved in flagellum and biofilm formation. The AST results revealed that the strain is multidrug- and carbapenem-resistant. The antimicrobial resistance genes of S. nitrititolerans are complex and diverse, including efflux pump genes and β⁃lactam resistance genes. Conclusion: The analysis of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of S. nitrititolerans provides clinical insight into the pathogenicity and potential risks of this bacterium. It is crucial to explore the mechanisms through which S. nitrititolerans causes diseases and maintains its antimicrobial resistance, thereby contributing to development of effective treatment and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An oil spill is a catastrophic event that results in various toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) entering the environment. Polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs) are more toxic to the environment than their parent PAHs. The high cost and paucity of available PANH standards, the lower abundance of PANHs relative to PAHs, and the difficult separation due to co-elution with PAHs have all contributed to the scarcity of related published literature on the determination of these compounds. To overcome these challenges, a new quantitative method has been successfully developed and validated for the inclusion of 113 polycyclic aromatic carbon (PAC) compounds in a single injection. The 113 compounds consist of PAHs, nitrogen heterocycles, sulfur heterocycles, and alkylated equivalents. Distinct separation of the PANHs and their alkylated counterparts (APANHs) from PAHs was achieved using a gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (GC-QToF) mass spectrometer. The instrument resolved compounds by the high-resolution extraction of monoisotopic masses, allowing response correction factors (RCFs) to be determined from available PANH standards and to calculate concentrations from PAH calibration standards. The developed method was applicable to crude oil samples, generating concentrations of PANHs and relevant information on compound stability for use in oil spill forensics investigation. Development of this practical PAC method provides a powerful tool for screening toxic contaminants, assessing environmental impact, and monitoring recovery following an oil spill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists reduces liver steatosis and cardiometabolic risk (CMR). Few data are available on lipid metabolism, and no information is available on the postprandial lipidomic profile. Thus, we investigated how exenatide treatment changes lipid metabolism and composition during fasting and after a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT) in adults with severe obesity without diabetes. Thirty individuals (26 females and 4 males, 30–60 years old, BMI >40 kg/m2, HbA1c 5.76%) were assigned (1:1) to diet with exenatide 10 μg twice daily treatment (n = 15) or without treatment as control (n = 15) for 3 months. Fasting and postprandial lipidomic profile (by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry) and fatty acid metabolism (following a 6-h MMTT/tracer study) and composition (by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) were evaluated before and after treatment. Both groups had slight weight loss (−5.5% vs. −1.9%, exenatide vs. control; P = 0.052). During fasting, exenatide, compared with control, reduced some ceramides (CERs) and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) previously associated with CMR, while relatively increasing unsaturated phospholipid species (phosphatidylcholine [PC], LPC) with protective effects on CMR, although concentrations of total lipid species were unchanged. During MMTT, both groups showed suppressed lipolysis equal to baseline, but exenatide significantly lowered free fatty acid clearance and postprandial triacyclglycerol (TAG) concentrations, particularly saturated TAGs with 44–54 carbons. Exenatide also reduced some postprandial CERs, PCs, and LPCs previously linked to CMR. These changes in lipidomic profile remained statistically significant after adjusting for weight loss. Exenatide improved fasting and postprandial lipidomic profiles associated with CMR mainly by reducing saturated postprandial TAGs and CERs independently of weight loss and diabetes. Article Highlights: Few data are available on the effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists on lipid metabolism, and no information is available on the postprandial lipidomic profile. In adults without diabetes but with severe obesity, 3-month treatment with exenatide improved fasting and postprandial lipidomic profiles associated with cardiometabolic risk by decreasing saturated species (triacylglycerols [TAGs], ceramides, lysophosphatidylcholines) while increasing seven unsaturated phospholipid species (phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine) with protective effects on cardiometabolic risk compared with control. Exenatide blunted the rise in postprandial triglycerides, especially saturated TAGs. Postprandial triglyceride reduction was associated to decreased postprandial free fatty acid clearance, with lower saturated free fatty acid incorporation into newly synthesized lipids (TAGs and ceramides). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. This study established a method for rapid classification of milk products by combining MALDI-TOF MS analysis with machine learning techniques. The analysis of 2 different types of milk products was used as an example. To select key variables as potential markers, integrated machine learning strategies based on 6 feature selection techniques combined with support vector machine (SVM) classifier were implemented to screen the informative features and classify the milk samples. The models were evaluated and compared by accuracy, Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The results showed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) combined with SVM performs best, with prediction accuracy of 100% ± 0%, AIC of −360 ± 22, and BIC of −345 ± 22. Six features were selected by LASSO and identified based on the available protein molecular mass data. These results indicate that MALDI-TOF MS coupled with machine learning technique could be used to search for potential key targets for authentication and quality control of food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ginseng berry (GB) has previously been demonstrated to improve systemic insulin resistance and regulate hepatic glucose metabolism and steatosis in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Objectives: In this study, the role of GB in metabolism was assessed using metabolomics analysis on the total liver metabolites of DIO mice. Methods: Metabolomic profiling was performed using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOF/MS) of liver tissue from mice on a 12-wk normal chow diet (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with 0.1% GB (HFD + GB). The detected metabolites, its pathways, and functions were analyzed through partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the small molecular pathway database (SMPDB), and MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Results: The liver metabolite profiles of NC, HFD, and GB-fed mice (HFD + GB) were highly compartmentalized. Metabolites involved in major liver functions, such as mitochondrial function, gluconeogenesis/glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis, showed differences after GB intake. The metabolites that showed significant correlations with fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were highly associated with mitochondrial membrane function, energy homeostasis, and glucose metabolism. Ginseng berry intake increased the levels of metabolites involved in mitochondrial membrane function, decreased the levels of metabolites related to glucose metabolism, and was highly correlated with metabolic phenotypes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that long-term intake of GB changed the metabolite of hepatosteatotic livers in DIO mice, normalizing global liver metabolites involved in mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism and indicating the potential mechanism of GB in ameliorating hyperglycemia in DIO mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining water concentrations in the polar regions of the Moon is one of the priority tasks of a number of space missions and, in particular, the Luna-27 mission. The complex of scientific equipment of the Luna-27 spacecraft includes time-of-flight laser ionization mass spectrometer LASMA-LR, the main task of which is to analyze the elemental composition of the regolith at the landing site. The design and configuration of the flight instrument is adapted for the analysis of regolith and was not originally intended for the study of volatile compounds. However, due to the importance of determining the water content in regolith, we reviewed some approaches to analyzing samples during lunar missions and assessed the applicability of LASMA-LR and the laser ionization mass spectrometry method in general for identifying water in regolith. It has been established that using this instrument it is possible to detect water in regolith, including determining its state (chemically bound and unbound water). Moreover, the conditions for sampling the regolith and delivering it to the soil receiving device of the instrument are critically important for the analysis, since under the conditions of the lunar surface, sublimation of ice is possible before the samples are analyzed. This technique has advantages over some other methods of analyzing water and/or ice used in space experiments, and can be used in the study of a number of planets and bodies of the Solar System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]