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AbstractMedium/long-chain fatty acids/alcohols as hydrogen bond donors coupled with methyltrioctylammonium chloride were used to prepare hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) that were employed for the extraction of the anthraquinones (rhein, emodin, and chrysophanol) from fetal bovine serum. Hydrophobic DES-based liquid-phase microextraction and high-performance liquid chromatography were developed. The most suitable combination was optimized for liquid-phase microextraction. Spiked fetal bovine serum was analyzed with satisfactory extraction recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Rubber gloves contain rubber accelerators that may cause contact allergy. The content of sensitising rubber accelerators in contemporary rubber gloves is not well known.Identify and quantify the content of rubber accelerators in disposable rubber gloves.Fifty‐one gloves of 49 different brands were collected. Forty‐eight of the gloves were disposable and three re‐usable. The gloves were analysed for their content of sensitising rubber accelerators, that is, zinc dithiocarbamates, thiurams, thiazoles/benzothiazoles, diphenylguanidine, and thioureas by high‐performance liquid chromatography.Rubber accelerators were identified in 43/48 (90%) of the disposable gloves. In total, 39 gloves contained zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate (ZDBC) (0.18–1.96 mg/g), 34 zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) (0.032–2.78 mg/g), three zinc dibenzyldithiocarbamate (0.65–1.4 mg/g), one zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate (0.23 mg/g), and one 1,3‐diphenylguanidine (0.21 mg/g). 2‐cyanoethyl dimethyldithiocarbamate (CEDMC) was identified in three gloves (<0.052 mg/g). The one glove labelled as accelerator free contained ZDBC (1.07 mg/g). Only few glove packages had the specific content of rubber accelerators labelled.The most frequent rubber accelerators in rubber gloves are ZDEC and ZDBC. Accelerator‐free gloves may contain rubber accelerators. Full labelling of rubber gloves is needed and producers should be sure not to falsely claim that the rubber gloves are free of rubber accelerators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a mental illness that affects patients' behavior, and it impacts approximately 264 million people globally. Tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs) are one class of medication that is available for the treatment of depression. These medications work by modifying hormones such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. TeCAs, such as setiptiline, amoxapine, mianserin, maprotiline, and mirtazapine, are four ring‐based compounds that assist in preventing the brain from reabsorbing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin. Each of these medications interacts with adrenergic (α1 and α2) and serotonin (5HT1 and 5HT2) receptors independently. Using biological samples (plasma, blood, and urine) and pharmaceutical formulations, this review focuses on providing a complete overview of the various analytical conditions maintained for the medications in the above class and their metabolites. Major analytical methods such as mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, and high‐performance liquid chromatography are used to quantify and determine the drugs. This review provides a thorough understanding of impurity identification, pharmacokinetic and stability evaluations, and structural degradation quantification. It provides valuable and reliable information for research, enhancing their understanding of the subject matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printed mixed matrix membrane (MMM) thin film, as a novel adsorbent, was introduced for the extraction of two steroid hormones from wastewater and tap water samples before their determination by high-performance liquid chromatography. The designed adsorbent was fabricated as thin film utilizing digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The thin film was made of acrylate photo resin, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and polyvinylpyrrolidone and its application was investigated for thin film microextraction of 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1). The morphology of the 3D printed film surface and its chemical changes were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The surface wettability of the proposed MMM films was measured by water contact angle analysis and its porosity was studied by N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. To attain optimal microextraction performance, optimization of both thin film composition and microextraction procedure was conducted, followed by a thorough evaluation of figures of merit under the optimized conditions. The limits of detection and quantitation were determined to be 1.5 and 5 µg L−1 for both E2 and E1. The linear dynamic range for both compounds was from 5 to 150 µg L−1. The method's repeatability was investigated on a single film for 6 extractions, as well as on 3 different films and the relative standard deviation values were 4.43 and 4.91 for E2 and 5.36 and 6.03 for E1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrate is a major determinant of fruit flavor quality. Currently, citrus species and/or varieties with significant alterations in citrate level have greatly advanced the molecular basis of citrate accumulation in fruit. However, in-depth dissections of the molecular mechanism specific to citrate accumulation are still limited due to the lack of mutants, especially within one single variety. In this study, a fresh-sweet 'Shatangju' mutant (Citrus reticulata cv.) was obtained during a survey of citrus resources in Guangdong, China, and the phenotype, fruit morphology, and primary flavor profiles were comparatively analyzed. Unlike the wild-type 'Shatangju' (WT), the mutant (MT) material exhibited a dwarfed and multi-branched tree shape, delayed flowering and fruit ripening at maturity, a prolonged fruit tree-retention time, and a decreased single fruit weight at maturity. Dynamic measurement of the metabolite levels further suggested that the contents and fluctuation patterns of vitamin C, malate, quinate, and oxalate showed no obvious difference between MT and MT fruits, while the citrate level in MT fruits significantly decreased over various developmental stages, ranging from 0.356 to 1.91 mg g−1 FW. In addition, the accumulation patterns of the major soluble sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose), as well as the sugar/acid ratio, were also altered in MT fruits during development. Taken together, this study provides a novel acid-free 'Shatangju' mutant, which can serve as a powerful tool for the research of fruit flavor quality, especially for the comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism of citrate accumulation in fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pyriproxyfen is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that is effective against various types of insect pests. However, the molecular mechanism underlying pyriproxyfen effects on insect reproduction remains unclear. Thus, in this study, we attempted to uncover the mechanisms underlying the impact of pyriproxyfen on the reproductive system of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. RESULTS: A significant decrease in Drosophila reproduction was observed after pyriproxyfen treatment. The juvenile hormone (JH) titer was significantly increased (120.4%) in the ovary samples of pyriproxyfen‐treated flies. Likewise, the concentrations of key enzymes and the expression of key genes related to the JH signaling pathway were also increased in the pyriproxyfen‐treated group compared with the control group. Furthermore, pyriproxyfen treatment significantly increased (15.6%) the number of germline stem cells (GSCs) and significantly decreased (17%) the number of cystoblasts (CBs). However, no significant differences were observed in the number of somatic cells. We performed RNA interference (RNAi) on five key genes (Met, Tai, gce, ftz‐f1, and hairy) related to the JH signaling pathway in germ cells using the germ cell‐specific Gal4 driver. Interestingly, RNAi of the selected genes significantly decreased the number of both GSCs and CBs in pyriproxyfen‐treated transgenic flies. These results further validate that pyriproxyfen enhances GSC proliferation by up‐regulating JH signaling. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that pyriproxyfen significantly decreases reproduction by affecting germ cells in female adult ovaries. The effect of pyriproxyfen on germ cell proliferation and differentiation is mediated by an increase in JH signaling. This study has significant implications for optimizing pest control strategies, developing sustainable agriculture practices, and understanding the mechanism of insecticide action. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office 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.)

Food adulteration involving the illegal addition of dyes to foodstuffs has become an alarming issue in recent years. This study developed and validated a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–DAD (diode array detector) method for the simultaneous determination of nine azo dyes (Butter Yellow, Sudan Orange G, Para Red, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III, Sudan IV, Sudan Red 7B, and Scarlet 808). Moreover, a qualitative analysis method using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed to more accurately identify peaks detected in HPLC–DAD. The calibration curve represented good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.9998) over the measured concentration range of 0.5–25 mg/kg. limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.01–0.04 and 0.04–0.12 mg/kg, respectively. Accuracy and precision were 96.0–102.6 and 0.16–2.01 (relative standard deviation%), respectively. Additionally, the measurement uncertainty and HorRat value were estimated. Several Curcuma longa L. distributed in Korea were collected and monitored for azo dye contaminants. Practical Application: The proposed HPLC–DAD method represents a significant advancement in the field, offering a reliable means of quantifying azo dyes and identifying their presence even at trace levels in adulterated turmeric. This not only contributes to ensuring the safety and integrity of turmeric products but also establishes precedent for robust analytical techniques in addressing food safety challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fruit and vegetable crop, the ornamental pepper is not just highly ornamental but also rich in nutritional value. The quality of ornamental pepper fruits is given in their contents of capsaicin, vitamin C (VC), flavonoids and total phenols. The study concentrated on the accumulation of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in different tissues of 18 peppers during fruit growth and development. The results showed that the pericarp and placenta contained significantly higher levels of capsaicin than dihydrocapsaicin. Additionally, the placenta contained significantly higher levels of both capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin compared to the pericarp. The content of capsaicin was in the range of 0–6.7915 mg·g−1, the range of dihydrocapsaicin content was 0–5.329 mg·g−1. Interestingly, we found that the pericarp is rich in VC (5.4506 mg·g−1) and the placenta is high in flavonoids (4.8203 mg·g−1) and total phenols (119.63 mg·g−1). The capsaicin is the most important component using the correlation analysis and principal component analysis. The qPCR results substantiated that the expression of genes in the placenta was significantly higher than that in the pericarp and that the expression of genes in green ripening stage was higher than that in red ripening stage. This study could be utilized to select the best ripening stages and tissues to harvest peppers according to the use of the pepper and to the needs of producers. It not only provides a reference for quality improvement and processing for consumers and market but also provides a theoretical basis for high-quality pepper breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish a method for simultaneous determination of nine active components in the fermented tea of Trametes versicolor, and analyze the changes of nine active components and antioxidant activities fermentation before and after. Methods: Using gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, an Agilent C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) was used with a mobile of 0.05% phosphoric acid solution (A) and acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength was 280 nm and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Results: Compared with the control group unfermented green tea, there was no significant change in the caffeine content of fermented tea. The increasing rates of gallic acid, theobromine and gallatechin gallate content in fermented tea were 0.4613%, 0.3118% and 0.5770%, respectively. The decreasing rates of egallatechin, theophylline, epigallocatechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin gallate content in fermented tea were 0.0156%, 0.0178%, 1.2938%, 1.1062% and 4.0241%, respectively. In vitro antioxidant activity studies revealed that DPPH· scavenging capacity and ·OH scavenging capacity were significantly (P

Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. is an ethnomedicinal plant known for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and therapeutic potential. The current study was an effort to explore the impact of extraction technique on the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial profile of the plant extracts. K. pinnata leaf extracts were prepared using conventional solvent extraction (100% methanol; 50% methanol: 50% water; 100% water), microwave-assisted extraction at 700-W power (3 min; 6 min; 9 min), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) (3500 psi; 4500 psi; 5500 psi). Best results were attained from SFE in terms of total phenolic content (240 ± 3 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (165.2 ± 0.4 mg QE/g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging potential (91.9 ± 0.4%), 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid assay value (8.04 ± 0.03 mMol TE/g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay value (471.7 ± 0.8 µg/mL). K. pinnata leaf extracts have been found to be most effective against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (22.20 ± 0.95 mm) and least effective againstProteus vulgaris (0 ± 0 mm). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of K. pinnata extract showed that it contains flavanol quercetin (2.0 ± 0.1 mg/g). It is evident from the findings of current study that K. pinnata extract can effectively treat bacterial infections and can cure metabolic disorders by reducing oxidative stress. Application of advance extraction techniques enhances the biological activity of plant extracts.

Synephrine is widely found in Chinese herbs of the Rutaceae family and is commonly used as a primary substitute for ephedrine in sports supplements. However, its potential cardiotoxicity has necessitated governmental regulations regarding its use. This study determined the contents of synephrine, phenylephrine, and caffeine in 30 Chinese herbal preparations (including five single herbs) and 16 supplements promoted for weight loss. The presence of naturally occurring synephrine was detected in all Chinese herbal medicines, with immature bitter orange having the highest synephrine content (ranging from 233.1 to 505.3 mg/100 g). This was followed by three herbs with comparable amounts of up to 317.7 mg/100 g, namely bitter orange, red tangerine exocarp, and tangerine peel. Euodia fruit had the lowest synephrine content, measuring up to 4.9 mg/100 g. None of these herbal medicines were found to contain detectable phenylephrine. On the other hand, weight-loss supplements, comprising complex combinations of herbal extracts, were found to contain synephrine in concentrations up to 1159.0 mg/100 g and caffeine up to 1659.1 mg/100 g. The synephrine content of these products did not exceed the regulatory limit of six percent, nor did they surpass the respective daily consumption of 20 mg. However, one product was found to contain both synephrine and caffeine, albeit at low concentrations, which could potentially breach the regulation prohibiting the combined use of bitter orange and caffeine as food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the polyphenolic profile in various fruit juices, focusing on elucidating the factors contributing to low polyphenol content. Polyphenols, known for their health-promoting properties, are bioactive compounds found in plantbased foods. The study involves the selection of diverse commercially available fruit juices, extraction of polyphenols, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify and quantify individual polyphenolic compounds. Additionally, the impact of processing methods on polyphenol retention is investigated. Results reveal the polyphenolic composition of fruit juices, highlighting variability and correlations among different compounds. The study also explores the influence of processing methods on polyphenol content, shedding light on factors contributing to low polyphenol levels. The findings have implications for consumers, manufacturers, and researchers, offering insights into informed decisionmaking regarding fruit juice consumption and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the active compounds in different parts of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and evaluate their in vitro antioxidant activities, this study used the ultrasound-assisted method to extract the active compounds in different parts of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and measured the yield. Their total iridoids, total crocins, total flavonoids and total polyphenols were measured by UV-visible spectrophotometer method. Their active compound monomers were measured by HPLC method. DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging methods were used to valuate their in vitro antioxidative activities then the correlation analysis was founded between the contents of active compounds and IC50 of DPPH and ABTS+ radical. Gardenia jasminoides Ellis leaf had the highest total iridoids contents and total polyphenols contents, which were 244.87±5.89 mg·g−1 and 16.71±0.55 mg·g−1 respectively. Results showed that, theGardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit had the significantly highest total crocins contents (P

AbstractMonoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become prevalent in the pharmaceutical sector for treating various diseases and have a significant market presence. The determination of these molecules is complex and challenging. It is necessary to employ high-throughput technologies to characterize these pharmaceuticals in order to characterize sequencing, structure, composition, conformation, and mass. It is important to perform an N-glycosylation study on these macromolecules as their N-glycan profiles have a significant impact on their effectiveness. However, the conformational features of the N-glycans on mAb are not adequately addressed in commonly used methods. This study incorporated ion-mobility mass spectrometry as an additional dimension to established hydrophilic liquid chromatography trapped ion mobility spectrometry with fluorescence detection ((HILIC)LC/TIMS/FLD) in order to enhance the characterization of N-glycan structures. The N-glycans derived from two distinct mAbs and an immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein were labeled with procainamide and determined by (HILIC)LC/FLD with TIMS. The N-glycan profiles obtained from mAbs and IgG were examined in terms of conformation. The alterations in the N-glycan conformations were ascertained with the insertion of distinct monosaccharide units, such as galactose, into the structure. This method can be employed to clarify the intricate structures of N-glycans and offer insights into the conformational features of monoclonal antibodies throughout their production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viola dalatensis, belonging to the Violaceae family, is an endemic species to Vietnam. The present study aimed to determine phenolic compounds in extracts from aerial parts of the plant species using high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). In addition, free radical scavenging and bovine albumin denaturation inhibition assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts. Most of the phenolic compounds in the methanolic extract were detected at the greatest concentrations compared to the other extracts, which was also supported by the highest total phenolic content (26.70 ± 0.1059 mg GAE/g). In general, the antioxidant activities of the methanolic and ethanolic extracts were found to be stronger than those of the other extracts. The aqueous extract exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect on albumin denaturation (IC50 = 90.39 ± 8.415 µg/mL), comparable with that of diclofenac. Through principal component analysis, 88.60% of the total variance in the phenolic dataset was explained. The correlation analysis showed that chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, rutin, and kaempferol may play important roles in antioxidant activity while gallic acid could contribute to in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts. The findings of this study provide the first evidence of the bioactive compounds present in V. dalatensis and shed light on the potential health-promoting properties linked to its aerial parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: New hemoglobin (Hb) variants are constantly being updated as assays are developed and the testing population expands. Here, we report a novel Hb variant, named Hb Guigang. Methods: Hemoglobin (Hb) analysis was analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Glycated hemoglobin was performed by CE and HPLC. Routine genetic analysis was done with Gap-PCR and PCR-reverse dot-blot hybridization. The hemoglobin variant was identified by Sanger sequencing. Results: CE of three cases showed the presence of Hb variants in Zone 5 and Zone 12, respectively. HPLC indicated an elevated P3 peak, suggesting the possible presence of the Hb variant. Hb A1c was measured by CE and HPLC, and the results were 6.7% and 4.76%, respectively. Sanger sequencing confirmed an AAG˃AAT mutation at codon 90 of the HBA1 gene. This mutation was reported for the first time, and we named it Hb Guigang based on the proband’s place of residence. Conclusions: Hb Guigang with normal hematological parameters was separated and quantified by CE, whereas HPLC suggested that Hb Guigang co-eluted with the P3 peaks and could not be quantified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sicklepod [Cassia obtusifolia L. syn Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby, Fabaceae] sprouts are promising ingredients with health‐promoting benefits. Notwithstanding, the pharmacologically active compounds in sicklepod sprouts have not been studied or analysed in detail. Objective: This study aimed to isolate and structurally identify phytochemicals showing α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity in sicklepod sprouts and simultaneously quantify the compounds in the sprouts to determine the optimal cultivation method and germination time to maximise active compounds. Method: A simultaneous high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet (HPLC‐UV) method with high sensitivity and accuracy was developed and used to analyse time‐dependent changes in anthraquinone content during sicklepod germination. Results: Thirteen anthraquinones were isolated and identified, of which six—chrysoobtusin, emodin, 1‐O‐methyl‐2‐methoxychrysophanol, 7‐O‐methylobtusin, chrysophanol, and physcion—showed moderate α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity. The maximum content of anthraquinones in a sprout was observed on Day 5 under both light and dark conditions. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that sicklepod sprouts which are promising functional food materials contain a variety of anthraquinones. In this study, the functional characterization and simultaneous HPLC analysis of 13 anthraquinones in sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.) sprouts. The phytochemical investigation revealed that sicklepod sprouts produced various free anthraquinones, which exhibited α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity. Interestingly, the anthraquinone content increased during sprouting. Hypothetically, because hydrolase in the seeds was activated during sprouting and anthraquinone glycosides were changed to free anthraquinones with α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity, the activity of the sprouts was stronger than that of the seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expanding use of phytopharmaceuticals, as a more safe and efficient remedies for different pharmacological activities, and as dietary and nutritional supplements, has created a need for having efficient, eco-friendly, and selective extraction techniques to enhance the economic and environmental greenness of the applied traditional extraction methods. Recently, the application of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), has grasped the attention in the field of natural products due to their ease of design and preparation with specific recognition cavities that can selectively bind to a target analyte. The present review aims not only to discuss the application of MIPs with the past ten years in the field solid phase extraction of different classes of natural products (NPs) but also their impact on the effectiveness of chromatographic separation and detection will be elaborated. Based on their performance, MIPs represent a promising class of artificial adsorbents that can be commercialized for beneficiary extraction of natural products with much less consumption of solvents and higher selectivity when compared to the traditional types of chromatographic adsorbents besides the possibility of their 3D printing to create more optimized and uniform manifolds to match the different types of extraction and detection applications of natural products (NPs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office 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.)

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have garnered much interest due to their fundamental role in intracellular communication and their potential utility in clinical diagnostics and as biotherapeutic vectors. Of particular relevance is the subset of EVs referred to as exosomes, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm, which contain incredible amounts of information about their cell of origin, which can be used to track the progress of disease. As a complementary action, exosomes can be engineered with therapeutic cargo to selectively target diseases. At present, the lack of highly efficient methods of isolation/purification of exosomes from diverse biofluids, plants, and cell cultures is a major bottleneck in the fundamental biochemistry, clinical analysis, and therapeutic applications. Equally impactful, the lack of effective in-line means of detection/characterization of isolate populations, including concentration and sizing, is limiting in the applications. The method presented here couples hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) performed on polyester capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fiber columns followed by in-line optical absorbance and multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detection for the isolation and characterization of EVs, in this case present in the supernatant of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures. Excellent correlation was observed between the determined particle concentrations for the two detection methods. C-CP fiber columns provide a low-cost platform (< $5 per column) for the isolation of exosomes in a 15-min workflow, with complementary absorbance and MALS detection providing very high-quality particle concentration and sizing information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze 1-methyladenosine (m1A) and 1-methylinosine (m1I) in urine samples obtained from patients with breast cancer and healthy people, we used magnetic dispersive solid-phase micro-extraction (MDSPME) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography. The structure and morphology of magnetic nanoparticles, Fe3O4@GO, were investigated by FT-IR, XRD, TEM, and TGA. m1A and m1I in urine samples were enriched by the solid phase micro-extraction technology of Fe3O4@GO. Several parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including adsorption time, pH, ionic strength, mass of adsorbent, extraction time, eluent solvent, elution time, and elution temperature, were researched and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the corresponding linearity range of the two analytes showed a good linearity (r2 > 0.9998) and significant addition recoveries ranging from 88.50 to 109.38%, while the limit of detection was between 0.10 and 0.11 ng/mL. The enrichment factors of m1A and m1I were 108 and 134, respectively. The method was simple, sensitive, and reliable for the detection and purification with good detection limit, and it was suitable for the detection of m1A and m1I in urine samples. In addition, the analysis of modified nucleosides is of great value for the early diagnosis of patients with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxus chinensis var. mairei (T. chinensis) is a dioecious plant that is important in traditional Chinese medicine. However, information about male and female T. chinensis is absent. To establish a simple, rapid, and reliable method for the qualitative identification of male and female T. chinensis, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with the orthogonal partial least-squares discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA) mode was performed. NIR and discriminant analysis (DA) were employed for the first time to distinguish male and female T. chinensis. Meanwhile, HPLC also was optimized to determine the contents of the bioactive ingredients 10-deacetyltaxol (10-DAT) and paclitaxel of T. chinensis. Herein, the results of the validation showed that the DA model using NIR had a correct differentiation of nearly 100% for male and female T. chinensis. Moreover, the HPLC results indicated that the content of paclitaxel and 10-DAT was higher in female plants than in males. Additionally, based on the HPLC content results of male and female T. chinensis, the OPLS-DA successfully distinguished male and female T. chinensis. Thus, combining HPLC and OPLS-DA to initially differentiate between males and females allowed further quantitative and qualitative analysis of male and female T. chinensis. This method provides an approach to the identification and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw industrial effluent was collected from a textile dyeing industry in which 2-methylpyridine (2Mp) was used as a solvent in the dyeing and rinsing bath of cotton fabric. The wastewater was characterized and found to contain a higher 2Mp concentration than the discharge limit set by USEPA (1 mg/L). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized for the detection and quantification of 2Mp in the effluent. Because adsorption is a tertiary level of treatment, a pretreatment using clariflocculation (CF) was imparted to the raw effluent in order to reduce the high organic load, suspended solids, and other unknown interfering species. The CF-pretreated effluent then was subjected to both batch and column sorption using modified graphene oxide nanomaterial crosslinked with chitosan and coated onto sand (GCS) in order to evaluate its 2Mp removal efficiency. This study is a novel attempt at the removal of 2Mp from textile dyeing effluent, which was not addressed in previous studies. Carboxyl-rich graphene oxide nanomaterial was prepared using the method of prior cooling and thermal control. It was found that the 2Mp adsorption capacity of GCS was reduced by about 27.8% in the case of industrial samples compared with synthetic 2Mp samples. The suggested treatment reduced the 2Mp concentration in the industrial effluent to below the safe discharge limit of 1 mg/L. The effect of dissolved co-occurring ions on removal of 2Mp by sorption was studied, and it was that whereas the potassium and sulphate ions were most disruptive to the sorption of 2Mp, calcium ion aided the sorption process via complexation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present report was to develop and validate a simple, sensitive, and selective analytical method for the determination of methamphetamine in an odor-adsorbent material (gauze) which was used to improve and standardize the training method used for drug-detection animals. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed using a Spherisorb ODS2 C18 column (200 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), with a mobile phase consisting of a 0.25% methanol/triethylamine aqueous solution (V:V = 20:80), the pH of which was adjusted to 3.1 using glacial acetic acid, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was 25 °C, and the detection of the analytes was performed at a wavelength of 260 nm. Methamphetamine showed good linearity (R2 = 0.9999) in the range of 4.2~83.2 mg/mL. The stability of the test material was good over 24 h. The precision of the method was good, with an average spiked recovery of 86.2% and an RSD of 2.9%. The methamphetamine content in the gauze sample was determined to be 7.8 ± 2.2 μg/sample. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was optimized and validated for the determination of methamphetamine in adsorbent materials (gauze). Validation data in terms of specificity, linearity, the limit of detection and the limit of quantification, reproducibility, precision, stability, and recovery indicated that the method is suitable for the routine analysis of methamphetamine in adsorbent materials (gauze) and provided a basis for training drug-detection animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractHollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction is commonly used in analytical chemistry, providing high clean-up and pre-concentration factors. However, a major issue with this method is the long extraction time. The objective of this project is to reduce the extraction time by inducing different types of fluid motion in the sample solution. Three methods were employed: agitation using a magnetic stir bar in the horizontal position (conventional method), utilization of an air pump, and agitation using a magnetic stir bar in the vertical position for the pre-concentration and determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid) in biological samples via high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance detection. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in extraction time and limit of detection when the air pump was employed compared to the conventional method of stirring with a magnetic stir bar in the horizontal position. Moreover, the mentioned parameters were even lower when stirring solutions were accomplished using a vertically-positioned magnetic stir bar, surpassing the method utilizing the air pump for agitation. Furthermore, the relative standard deviations were also lower when a vertically-positioned magnetic stir bar was used compared to the conventional method with a horizontally-positioned magnetic stir bar, while those of the air pump-assisted agitation method fell between the values of the aforementioned methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of nine racemic trans-β-lactam ureas were analyzed for enantiomer separation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The separations were performed on three immobilized polysaccharide-based chiral analytical columns (CHIRAL ART Amylose-SA, CHIRAL ART Cellulose-SB and CHIRAL ART Cellulose-SC). In HPLC mode, a normal-phase consisting of n-hexane/2-PrOH (90/10, v/v), a polar organic mobile phase consisting of 100% MeOH or 100% EtOH, and a non-standard mobile phase consisting of 100% dimethyl carbonate (DMC) were investigated. In SFC mode, the mobile phases CO2/alcohol (80/20, v/v) and CO2/DMC/alcohol (MeOH or EtOH; 70/24/6, v/v/v or 60/32/8, v/v/v) were investigated. The best achieved enantioseparation of trans-β-lactam ureas was obtained with an Amylose-SA column. We have shown that the green solvent dimethyl carbonate (DMC) can be efficiently used as a mobile phase in HPLC mode as well as in SFC mode along with the addition of polar organic modifiers (MeOH or EtOH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) were designed by combining a PLGA core with a lipid shell that incorporated PEG–Lipid conjugates with various functionalities (-RGD, -cRGD, -NH2, and -COOH) to create targeted drug delivery systems. Loaded with a neutral lipid orange dye, the HNPs were extensively characterized using various techniques and investigated for their uptake in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) using FC and CLSM. Moreover, the best-performing HNPs (i.e., HNP-COOH and HNP-RGD as well as HNP-RGD/COOH mixed) were loaded with the anti-inflammatory drug BRP-201 and prepared in two size ranges (dH ~140 nm and dH ~250 nm). The HNPs were examined further for their stability, degradation, MDM uptake, and drug delivery efficiency by studying the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) product formation, whereby HNP-COOH and HNP-RGD both exhibited superior uptake, and the HNP-COOH/RGD (2:1) displayed the highest inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the thermodynamics of liquid-phase adsorption on hypercrosslinked polystyrene networks (HPSNs), widely recognized for their distinct structure and properties. Despite the considerable progress in HPSN synthesis and characterization, gaps persist regarding the chromatographic retention mechanism, thermodynamics of adsorption, and their impact on the adsorption selectivity, especially in the case of networks with ultra-high crosslinking densities (up to 500%). Utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we have explored, for the first time, the thermodynamic intricacies of liquid-phase adsorption onto HPSNs crosslinked in the entire range of the crosslinking degree from 100 to 500%. Our findings reveal the dependences of thermodynamic characteristics and selectivity of adsorption on the crosslinking degree, textural features, and liquid-phase composition in the region of extremely low adsorbent surface coverages (Henry's range). We have detected that, in the case of HPSNs, the dependence of the thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption on the liquid-phase composition is different than for classical HPLC stationary phases. Moreover, we scrutinize the impact of the molecular structure of the studied aromatic compounds on the thermodynamic characteristics and selectivity of the liquid-phase adsorption on HPSNs. Investigating liquid-phase adsorption selectivity, we demonstrate the pivotal role of π-π interactions in separating aromatic compounds on HPSNs. Eventually, we unveil that the thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption peculiarly depend on the crosslinking degree due to the profound impact of the crosslinking on the electronic density in benzene rings in HPSNs, whereas the separation throughput peaks for the polymer with a 500% crosslinking degree, attributed to its exceptionally rigid network structure, moderate swelling and micropore volume, and minimum specific surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promising and reusable nanohybrid based on carbon quantum dots immobilized with Fe3O4/zeolitic imidazolate framework-71/polypyrrole (CQD/Fe3O4/ZIF-71/PPy) was fabricated as a sorbent for ultrasound-and magnetic-assisted dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction (US-M-A-DMSPE) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) for simultaneous trace determination of cefixime (CFX) and cefdinir (CFD) in human plasma. In order to improve the contact between the analyte and the sorbent, the surface of the CQDs was modified by individual materials involving zeolitic imidazolate framework and polypyrrole via an in-situ synthesis of ZIF-71 followed by oxidative polymerization of pyrrole. The structure of the prepared sorbent was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Under the optimized conditions, the nanosorbent provided high adsorption and selectivity toward the analytes. The limits of detection for CFX and CFD were 0.15 and 0.04 ng mL−1, respectively. The coefficients of determination (r2) were between 0.990 and 0.993, with dynamic ranges of 0.5–1750.0 and 0.2–1500.0 ng mL−1. The method was used for quantifying CFX and CFD in plasma samples to evaluate the pharmacokinetic aspects, including the half-life (T½), the time to reach the maximum concentration (Tmax), the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the curve (AUC0-24) and area under the curve at infinite time (AUC0-∞). Reliable reproducibility as the intra- assay (≤ 6.3%) and inter-assay (≤ 8.7%) together with reasonable accuracy (≤ 8.8%) were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals that repel oil, stains, grease, and water and are fire resistant. PFAS are known to be persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, soil, and water. To mitigate human exposure to these chemicals, PFAS analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to monitor their presence in the environment. This study focused on analyzing oysters harvested from coastal New England for 14 PFAS. The validated method addressed in this study utilized a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) approach using various sorbents and showed that the combination of primary secondary amine/graphitized carbon black (PSA/GCB) provided the most effective sample clean-up prior to analysis. The recoveries for the targeted analysis ranged from 61% to 116.3% with relative standard deviations from 2.4% to 13.3% at the 125.0 ng mL−1 analyte level. The method detection limits were from 0.33 ng g−1 to 6.75 ng g−1. In a targeted analysis of five unknown samples, two samples had a detectable level of the legacy compound, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study evaluated the sealing ability of different biomaterials as intra-orifice barriers in the internal bleaching of discolored teeth with the walking bleaching technique. The release of hydroxyl ions from the bleaching materials can cause cervical root resorption, making it necessary to use intra-orifice barrier materials to prevent this issue. Materials and methods: In the current study, the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to measure the released hydroxyl ions. The study included 90 single-rooted and single-canal premolars, which were divided into four groups based on the intra-orifice barrier materials used (mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA], calcium-enriched mixture [CEM], Biodentine, and MTA+PG) and the type of bleaching material (sodium perborate + water or sodium perborate + hydrogen peroxide 30%). Two control groups were also considered in this study: a positive control group, where sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide were placed inside the pulp chamber without any intra-orifice barriers; and a negative control group, where no bleaching agent or surgical obstruction was used, and the root surface was covered with wax up to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) level. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the concentration of hydroxyl ions released among the studied groups. The amount of hydroxyl ion released was highest in the positive control group and lowest in the CEM group. Among the intra-orifice barrier materials used, CEM cement was found to be the most appropriate material for use in the step-by-step internal bleaching method. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of using appropriate intra-orifice barrier materials to prevent root cervical resorption in internal bleaching procedures.

Currently, there is no reliable, non-destructive way to assess the maturity of cantaloupes (Cucumis melo L.). Here, we investigated the extent to which Raman spectroscopy can be used to determine cantaloupe maturity. Five cantaloupe cultivars were grown and harvested at 13, 26, and 39 days after anthesis. Raman spectra from cantaloupes were acquired and partial least-square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to predict maturity based on the collected spectra. The PLS-DA model predicted maturity with up to 100 % accuracy in the cultivars studied. HPLC analysis of lutein and β-carotene in cantaloupe rind showed an increase in the concentration of carotenoids with maturity. The same trend was observed in the vibrational bands originating from carotenoids in the acquired Raman spectra. Based on this, Raman spectroscopy can primarily detect the changes of carotenoids in different cultivars of cantaloupe rind, which can be used for non-invasive and non-destructive assessment of fruit maturity.

Citrate is a major determinant of fruit flavor quality. Currently, citrus species and/or varieties with significant alterations in citrate level have greatly advanced the molecular basis of citrate accumulation in fruit. However, in-depth dissections of the molecular mechanism specific to citrate accumulation are still limited due to the lack of mutants, especially within one single variety. In this study, a fresh-sweet ‘Shatangju’ mutant (Citrus reticulata cv.) was obtained during a survey of citrus resources in Guangdong, China, and the phenotype, fruit morphology, and primary flavor profiles were comparatively analyzed. Unlike the wild-type ‘Shatangju’ (WT), the mutant (MT) material exhibited a dwarfed and multi-branched tree shape, delayed flowering and fruit ripening at maturity, a prolonged fruit tree-retention time, and a decreased single fruit weight at maturity. Dynamic measurement of the metabolite levels further suggested that the contents and fluctuation patterns of vitamin C, malate, quinate, and oxalate showed no obvious difference between MT and MT fruits, while the citrate level in MT fruits significantly decreased over various developmental stages, ranging from 0.356 to 1.91 mg g−1 FW. In addition, the accumulation patterns of the major soluble sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose), as well as the sugar/acid ratio, were also altered in MT fruits during development. Taken together, this study provides a novel acid-free ‘Shatangju’ mutant, which can serve as a powerful tool for the research of fruit flavor quality, especially for the comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism of citrate accumulation in fruits.

Electro-Fenton (EF) process plays an effective role for organic pollutant degradation, although it required nonsustainable electrical power source to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Two-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been proposed for pollutant treatment using Fenton-based reactions, but these MFCs generate low-power densities and required expensive membranes. Here, we proposed a more efficient dual-reactor system with single-chamber MFC as renewable power source for dual cathodes electro-Fenton (DCEF) process treatment of reactive orange 16 (RO16) dye as model pollutant. The MFC was fabricated with a low-cost earthen pot (volume = 750 mL) using a carbon felt anode and carbon cloth air cathode, respectively. For the DCEF chamber, two cathodes: graphite plate (C1) and stainless steel (C2) were used for simultaneous H2O2 production and activation. The MFC produced the maximum power (Pmax) of 20.8 mW at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 6.5 g COD/L/day. For any higher OLR ≥6.5 g COD/L/day, the MFC shows an overloaded organic substrate condition which resulted in a reduction in system efficiency. It was found that complete degradation of RO16 dye and 79 ± 1.5% of total organic carbon removal was achieved in one cycle (16 h) of the dual reactor system. Compared to the previously developed single-cathode EF process, the degradation efficiency of the DCEF process was considerably improved. The results of the developed dual-reactor system show efficient removal of RO16 persistent organic pollutants that would advance the practical application of the EF treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous polybenzothiophene was synthesized using Friedel-Crafts alkylation and applied as a sorbent for phase extraction. In combination with high performance liquid chromatography, a method for the simultaneous determination of the estrogens 17β-estradiol, ethinylestradiol, and diethylstilbestrol was established for environmental samples. Under the optimized conditions, satisfactory linearity was obtained from 2.0 to 1000.0 μg/L with the coefficients of determination (R2) exceeding 0.9977. The limits of detection were less than 0.3 μg/L for all targets, and the relative standard deviations (n = 5) were below 6.7%. The developed procedure was applied for the determination of estrogens in lake water, grass carp, and chicken manure. The recoveries of the targets were from 75.3% to 106.7%, 78.8% to 109.6%, and 89.1% to 114.5%, respectively. Ethinylestradiol was detected in lake water at 5.3 μg/L. None of the target compounds were present in the grass carp. Ethinylestradiol and diethylstilbestrol were observed in chicken manure at 0.9 μg/g and 0.6 μg/g. The developed method was simple and efficient for the determination of trace estrogens in complex samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoflavone exhibits estrogen-like structure and activity and has various physiological and pharmacological functions, such as anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. In this study, several deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized and used as mobile phase additives to optimize the analytical conditions of five isoflavones. The DES composed of choline chloride:citric acid (molar ratio 1:1) was the most effective mobile phase additive with reduced peak tailing, improved peak shape, and increased number of theoretical plates. The effectiveness of the DES highlights its potential as a mobile phase additive. The optimal high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) conditions for the isoflavones were determined by the Intelligent HPLC simulator. The optimal conditions for gradient elution were water (A): acetonitrile (B) for 0 min, 25% B; 15 min, 25% B; 17 min, 35% B; and 50 min, 35% B. This approach provided excellent linearity (0.5 to 500 μg/mL, R2 ≥ 0.9991), limits of detection (0.024 to 0.109 μg/mL), limits of quantification (0.079 to 0.363 μg/mL), and precision (1.74 to 4.80%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clove is one of the oldest and most famous spices. Its seeds resemble nails. It is used in medicinal fields, but its fungicidal activity is unknown. The aim of the study was to test the inhibitory activity of phenolic extracts of cloves against the pathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. The research was conducted under laboratory conditions to test the inhibitory ability of Eugenia caryophyllus phenolic extracts on the fungus M. phaseolina, which was partially diagnosed on strawberry plants based on Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, in addition to its morphological and microscopic characteristics. The active compounds present The active compounds (Chlorogenic acid, Qurcetine, Gallic acid, Apigenin, Caffeic acid, Ferulic acid, Kaempferol, Rutin, Catechine) present in the extract of Industrial Methylated Spirit (IMS) separated from cloves were determined using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). and active compounds of IMS phenols(Qurcetine, Apigenin, Ferulic acid, Kaempferol). The inhibitory effect of phenols extracted from E. caryophyllus against M. phaseolina was tested. The results showed that the acetone extract and acetone phenols, which were used at concentrations of 10 and 15 mg/ml in PDA medium, had a significant effect on the growth of the fungus by 100%, as these fungi failed to grow. Formation of spores on Peptone dextrose medium (PDA) medium. While the percentage of inhibition of acetone phenols was 25% at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. As for the IMS extract and IMS phenols, it had a significant effect on the growth of the fungus at all concentrations used, but with different inhibition ratios, which increased directly with increasing concentration of the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was aimed at optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) for polyphenols, antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities of five varieties of Piper betle L. leaves from Bangladesh. The UAE method was optimized to maximize the polyphenolic extract using single-factor experimentation and central composite circumscribed design. The optimal conditions were determined to use 70:5:25 ethanol:acetic acid:water and a solid/liquid ratio of 1:15.41 for 90 min at 75 °C. The antioxidant activity was significant with IC50 values for DPPH and ABTS assays from 0.17 ± 0.01 to 0.43 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.04 ± 0.00 to 0.11 ± 0.01 mg/mL, respectively. Good antibacterial properties and cytotoxicity against cancer cells (20% to 50% viability) were reported with normal cells unaffected. The results suggest that UAE is suitable for the extraction of polyphenolics from betel leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report the hematological and molecular characteristics of a novel α-globin variant found among Chinese families. This study was done on two unrelated families (F1 and F2). Hematological results were obtained by an automated blood cell analyzer. Hemoglobin (Hb) fraction analysis was carried out using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gap-PCR and reverse dot blot (RDB) methods were used to detect the common α-thalassemia mutations in the Chinese population. The Hb variants were defined by Sanger sequencing. Hb fraction analysis of F2 cord blood using HPLC showed an abnormal peak (3.5%) of the S-window, but CE presented a 12.2% abnormal peak at zone 5(S). Similar results of CE were observed from the F1 twin's cord blood. Compared with newborns, Hb analysis of F2 father using HPLC demonstrated an abnormal peak (16.9%) of S-window and an unknown peak (0.5%) at a retention time of 4.60 min, respectively. In contrast, CE revealed a high Hb F peak at zone 7 and an unknown peak at zone 1. There was no abnormality detected with Gap-PCR and RDB in these patients. However, Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of a new heterozygous mutation (GAC>GGC) at codon 74 of the HBA2 gene (HBA2:c.224A>G), resulting in a novel Hb variant. We named it Hb Liangqing for the birthplace of the proband. This is the first report of Hb Liangqing detected by HPLC and CE. The normal hematological phenotype suggests that it may be a benign Hb variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol abuse is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Early diagnosis of alcohol abuse enables preventive intervention on the effects and risks associated with its consumption. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is one of the most reliable biomarkers of chronic alcohol misuse. We retrospectively studied a population of 12,624 subjects who had their driving license suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from 2016 to 2022. The analytical determination of CDT was performed following a certified high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Data were split by year, age and gender. The majority of subjects with positive %CDT were male, although the trend of positivity was similar between males and females. A steady increase in both the number of tests performed and the number of positives was observed over the years. Patients aged 41–50 years had the highest prevalence, followed by 51–60, 31–40 and 18–30 years. CDT continues to be a steady marker for diagnosis of alcohol abuse in the majority of cases. Data emerging from our study are in line with the increasing national trends on traffic accidents, injuries and deaths related to alcohol and drug DUI (driving under the influence), requiring the implementation of preventive measures to limit this ever-growing phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fruit and vegetable crop, the ornamental pepper is not just highly ornamental but also rich in nutritional value. The quality of ornamental pepper fruits is given in their contents of capsaicin, vitamin C (VC), flavonoids and total phenols. The study concentrated on the accumulation of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in different tissues of 18 peppers during fruit growth and development. The results showed that the pericarp and placenta contained significantly higher levels of capsaicin than dihydrocapsaicin. Additionally, the placenta contained significantly higher levels of both capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin compared to the pericarp. The content of capsaicin was in the range of 0–6.7915 mg·g−1, the range of dihydrocapsaicin content was 0–5.329 mg·g−1. Interestingly, we found that the pericarp is rich in VC (5.4506 mg·g−1) and the placenta is high in flavonoids (4.8203 mg·g−1) and total phenols (119.63 mg·g−1). The capsaicin is the most important component using the correlation analysis and principal component analysis. The qPCR results substantiated that the expression of genes in the placenta was significantly higher than that in the pericarp and that the expression of genes in green ripening stage was higher than that in red ripening stage. This study could be utilized to select the best ripening stages and tissues to harvest peppers according to the use of the pepper and to the needs of producers. It not only provides a reference for quality improvement and processing for consumers and market but also provides a theoretical basis for high-quality pepper breeding.

ABSTRACTObjectives To report the hematological and molecular characteristics of a novel α-globin variant found among Chinese families.Methods This study was done on two unrelated families (F1 and F2). Hematological results were obtained by an automated blood cell analyzer. Hemoglobin (Hb) fraction analysis was carried out using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gap-PCR and reverse dot blot (RDB) methods were used to detect the common α-thalassemia mutations in the Chinese population. The Hb variants were defined by Sanger sequencing.Results Hb fraction analysis of F2 cord blood using HPLC showed an abnormal peak (3.5%) of the S-window, but CE presented a 12.2% abnormal peak at zone 5(S). Similar results of CE were observed from the F1 twin's cord blood. Compared with newborns, Hb analysis of F2 father using HPLC demonstrated an abnormal peak (16.9%) of S-window and an unknown peak (0.5%) at a retention time of 4.60 min, respectively. In contrast, CE revealed a high Hb F peak at zone 7 and an unknown peak at zone 1. There was no abnormality detected with Gap-PCR and RDB in these patients. However, Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of a new heterozygous mutation (GAC>GGC) at codon 74 of the HBA2 gene (HBA2:c.224A>G), resulting in a novel Hb variant. We named it Hb Liangqing for the birthplace of the proband.Conclusion This is the first report of Hb Liangqing detected by HPLC and CE. The normal hematological phenotype suggests that it may be a benign Hb variant.

Dyes are widely used in the food. Limitations on their use have been imposed by regulating agencies. Since most dyes are harmful and carcinogenic, their use in food is no longer allowed. Typically these analyses require enrichment since the dyes are present at low concentrations. Various preconcentrations methods are used to ensure quality and safety that include single-drop microextraction, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction, homogeneous liquid-liquid microextraction, solid phase microextraction, vortex assisted liquid- liquid microextraction, and ultrasound assisted liquid- liquid microextraction. The determination food dyes by various microextraction methods with high enrichment factors and good sensitivity are reviewed. The separation-enrichment methods are discussed to illustrate their advantages and limiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here is reported a full validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of statins in a pharmaceutical product using the uncertainty profile. In addition, the uncertainty estimates based on the β-content, γ-confidence tolerance intervals are compared to those using the β-expectation tolerance interval via a graphical comparison. The results are useful in elucidating the applicability and flexibility of the uncertainty profile, which allows the analyst to choose the desired proportion of the results with a well-determined uncertainty. This approach allowed the determination of the validity of the statin assays. Four of the five statin dosages were shown to be accurate by demonstrating that more than 90% of the outcomes were compliant; however, rosuvastatin's dosage was valid only by ensuring an 80% compliance rate. The uncertainty profile is a widely applicable strategy that may be used to evaluate analytical methods and compute the uncertainty in order to confirm suitability for use while providing reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] To establish the TLC identification methods of Llicis Rotundae Cortex and Mahoniae Caulis and the determination method of syringin content in Zhuang Medicine Xiaoyang Zhiyang Lotion. [Methods] Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to qualitatively identify Llicis Rotundae Cortex and Mahoniae Caulis in Zhuang Medicine Xiaoyang Zhiyang Lotion. The quantitative analysis of syringin in Zhuang Medicine Xiaoyang Zhiyang Lotion was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromatographic conditions are as follows; Luna 5 p,m C]s(2) 100 A (250 mmx4.6 mm, 5 jxm) column was adopted; acetonitrile (10%) -water (90%) was as the mobile phase, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min; the detection wavelength was 265 nm; the sample size was 5 fxL; the column temperature was 30 °C. [Results] Syringin had a good linear relationship with its peak area in the range of 0.190 -2.856; xg (Ä2 =0.999 5). The RSD values of precision, stability and repeatability experiments were all lower than 2. 5%, and the average sampling recovery rate (n =6) was 100.37% (RSD =0.88%). [Conclusions] The method had the advantages of simple operation, strong specificity, good repeatability and stability, and can be used for the quality control of Zhuang Medicine Xiaoyang Zhiyang Lotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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