Search

Ocean plastic collected from the sea around Japan was evaluated using ToF-SIMS with tandem mass spectrometer (MSMS) and machine learning. The expanded polystyrene-like ocean plastic samples were selected and then they were classified into smaller size (less than 7 nm) and larger size (more than 7 nm). The depth profiles of the smaller and larger size expanded polystyrene-like ocean plastics were measured with ToF-SIMS and then some of the PS-related peaks were selected as precursor ions for MSMS to confirm their chemical structures. The MSMS spectra showed the pathways of each PS-related fragment ion. The ToF-SIMS datasets were analyzed using unsupervised machine learning methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and sparse autoencoder (SAE). These methods showed that there were differences between the smaller and larger plastic samples and between the analysis depths of the depth profiles. These analysis results are useful for the evaluation of ocean plastic samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid, stability indicating reverse phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of purity of Felodipine in active pharmaceutical substance form in the presence of its impurity and its degradation products. To develop the method which is also compatible to liquid chromatographic mass spectroscopic technique. The developed method is also used to determine the assay of Felodipine in bulk drug form. The drug is subjected to various stress conditions like acidic, basic, oxidation, UV light and thermal conditions. Considerable degradation was observed during base hydrolysis. Two degradation products were identified. The Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18, 2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 µm Column was used to achieve chromatographic separation. The gradient conditions, diluent and injection volume were optimized to achieve the acceptable resolution between impurities and its degradation products from Felodipine and to get good peak shapes. The masses were determined for main compound and its identified degradation products. Further, the characterization studies for main compound and its degradation products were performed using LCMSMS Q-TOF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The existing HPLC methods for the assaying of multiple markers in standardized herbal extracts use a single wavelength for quantification, which usually leads to lower assay than actual claims. It was because screening multiple phytochemical standards irrespective to their absorption maxima which drive decrease in peak are response which ultimately impact the assay. To overcome this issue, we have applied a methodology, called Mixed Standard Multi-Signal (MSMS) simultaneous detection, where multiple reference standards get extracted each with their respective λ max and quantification will be done at the same λ max in a single sequence data setup. This method was standardized using Single Signal Multi-Standards, Single Signal Single Standard, Multi-Signal Single Standard, for all individual reference standards, mixed reference standards, plant extracts, and Ayurvedic formulations. The results of our study demonstrate that higher assay reported total actives 5.04% by conventional detection and for current proposed method 13.81% with shorter span of analysis time and lesser solvent consumption. It helps to decide the actual standardization label claim on product which drives better commercial costings, and dosage regimen claims. Graphical Abstract

ABSTRACTPhenotypic changes and functional impairment of natural killer (NK) cells occur early in HIV-1 infection. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively restores CD4+ T cell counts and suppresses HIV-1 to undetectable levels. The role and efficacy of immediate ART initiation in mitigating NK cell aberrations remain to be elucidated comprehensively. This study hypothesized that HIV-1 infection negatively influences NK cell evolution and that early ART initiation restores these perturbations. Blood samples were collected longitudinally from five acutely HIV-1 infected men who have sex with men in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants were immediately initiated on ART after HIV-1 diagnosis. Blood samples were drawn pre-infection and at sequential bi-weekly post-infection time points. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained with panel NK cells surface markers to assess HIV-induced phenotypic changes by flow cytometry. Some cells were also stimulated overnight with K562 cell line, IL-2, and IL-15 and stained for flow cytometry functionality. HIV-1 infection was associated with significant reductions in the production of IFN-γ (P = 0.0264), expression of CD69 (P = 0.0110), and expression of NK cell inhibitory receptor Siglec7 (P = 0.0418). We observed an increased NK cell degranulation (P = 0.0100) and an upregulated expression of cell exhaustion marker PD-1 (P = 0.0513) at post-infection time points. These changes mainly were restored upon immediate initiation of ART, except for Siglec7 expression, whose reduced expression persisted despite ART. Some HIV-associated changes in NK cells may persist despite the immediate initiation of ART in acute HIV-1 infections. Our findings suggest that understanding NK cell dynamics and their restoration after ART can offer insights into optimizing HIV-1 treatment and potentially slowing disease progression.IMPORTANCENatural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in controlling of HIV-1 replication and progression to disease. Perturbations of their functionality may therefore result in deleterious disease outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced NK cell functionality in chronic HIV-1 infection that positively correlated to HIV-1 viral load. This may suggest that control of HIV-1 viremia in acute HIV-1 infection may aid in enhancing NK cell response boosting the inate immunity hence effective control of viral spread and establishment of viral reservoir. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively supresses HIV-1 viremia to undectable levels and restores CD4+ T cell counts. Our study highlights the significant role of early ART initiation in mitigating NK cell disruptions caused by acute HIV-1 infection. Our results suggest that early initiation of ART could have benefits beyond suppressing viral load and restoring CD4+ T cell counts. In addition, it could boost the innate immunity necessary to control disease progression.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control employs Community-Based Organizations (CBO) to conduct mass testing on "hidden" Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). Testing MSMs is intended to make risky bodies legible to the state and discipline the CBOs around narrow health goals. However, detailed ethnographic fieldwork with MSM CBOs in southwest China demonstrates that pressures to achieve HIV testing quotas produce the need to "water-down" or manipulate data. This distorts the identities and practices of MSMs from state surveillance and builds collusive partnerships between CBOs and low-level government officials to mitigate the disciplinary impacts of strict audits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2022, Italy launched a vaccination campaign to combat the spread of the monkeypox virus, which the WHO has designated as a public health emergency. Priority targets for the campaign included laboratory personnel and men who have sex with men with specific risk criteria. Primary immunization involved two doses of the Imvanex/Jynneos vaccine, followed by a single booster dose. We conducted a study in two Italian towns, Bologna and Forlì, in October and November 2022 to investigate adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) of the monkeypox vaccine through participant-based active surveillance. Participants who received the vaccine and were aged 18 and over were invited to complete an e-questionnaire by scanning a QR code during their second vaccine appointment or by email one month after the booster dose. A descriptive analysis of AEFI incidences was conducted, with the results stratified by type and severity of symptoms. A total of 135 first-dose, 50 second-dose, and 6 single-dose recipients were included, with a mean age of 36.4 ± 8.7 years. Systemic reactions after the first and second doses were reported by 39.3% and 26.0% of participants, respectively, with asthenia being the most common symptom. Local site reactions were reported by 97.0% and 100.0% of participants, respectively, with redness, swelling, and itching being the most common local AEFIs. Grade 3 or 4 AEFIs were reported for local AEFIs only by 16.8% and 14.0% of participants after the first and second doses, respectively. Our findings suggest that the monkeypox vaccine has a high tolerability profile in terms of short-term common systemic AEFIs. However, the high incidence and severity of local AEFIs highlight the need to monitor their persistence following intradermal administration of the vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2022, Italy launched a vaccination campaign to combat the spread of the monkeypox virus, which the WHO has designated as a public health emergency. Priority targets for the campaign included laboratory personnel and men who have sex with men with specific risk criteria. Primary immunization involved two doses of the Imvanex/Jynneos vaccine, followed by a single booster dose. We conducted a study in two Italian towns, Bologna and Forlì, in October and November 2022 to investigate adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) of the monkeypox vaccine through participant-based active surveillance. Participants who received the vaccine and were aged 18 and over were invited to complete an e-questionnaire by scanning a QR code during their second vaccine appointment or by email one month after the booster dose. A descriptive analysis of AEFI incidences was conducted, with the results stratified by type and severity of symptoms. A total of 135 first-dose, 50 second-dose, and 6 single-dose recipients were included, with a mean age of 36.4 ± 8.7 years. Systemic reactions after the first and second doses were reported by 39.3% and 26.0% of participants, respectively, with asthenia being the most common symptom. Local site reactions were reported by 97.0% and 100.0% of participants, respectively, with redness, swelling, and itching being the most common local AEFIs. Grade 3 or 4 AEFIs were reported for local AEFIs only by 16.8% and 14.0% of participants after the first and second doses, respectively. Our findings suggest that the monkeypox vaccine has a high tolerability profile in terms of short-term common systemic AEFIs. However, the high incidence and severity of local AEFIs highlight the need to monitor their persistence following intradermal administration of the vaccine.

Men who have sex with men (MSMs) are a group of high-risk individuals in India, who have remained neglected for a long time. Stigma, discrimination and laws criminalizing sex between men undermine access to HIV/AIDS and other health care services. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence and risk factors for HIV and syphilis infections among a group of MSMs attending an Integrated Counseling & Testing Centre (ICTC) at Agra during 2009–11. The results have been compared with those in other regions of the country. There were 277 MSMs registered with a nongovernmental organization (NGO), Khushi, involved in a Targeted Intervention (TI) project, who were tested for HIV and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) infections. Sociodemographic profile, risk factors, sexual identity, general health care access, and previous HIV and/or sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, etc., were documented. The prevalence of HIV and syphilis infections among the MSMs are 11.9% (33/277) and 11.1% (31/277), respectively. There were 74% of them in the age group of 15–35 years, illiterate, and having no specific job. Alcohol, drug abuse, and high-risk behavior were common as they preferred to be in groups. There were 70% of HIV-positive MSMs, and 87% of those having sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were unmarried and had multiple partners. Some of the MSMs were married and in bisexual relationships, and they might serve as an important bridge population between men and women. High prevalence of HIV and STDs in this group emphasizes the need for public health interventions aimed at reduction of risky behavior, education and counseling to urge them to seek health care advice when needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the major cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans, where the immune system totally succumbs to the virus. A large proportion of the AIDS infected belong to developing countries and AIDS prevalence is intensified by severe poverty, malnutrition, and famine; fatal illnesses with a scorn shortage of medical amenities complemented with the lack of education and development. Current Pakistani health system setting is in a dire need of improvement. Low literacy rates, high birth rates, and associated maternal mortality plus a lack of clean drinking water and appropriate sanitation system have a serious impact on general living conditions contributing to a relatively short lifespan. HIV is, therefore, becoming a growing health concern in Pakistan with a rapid rise in the reported cases. AIDS is most prevalent among injection drug users (IDUs), male/female sex workers, and unchecked deported migrant workforce. To combat this virus, the Pakistan Government has been working hard over the past few years with local bodies and international organizations in an effort to combat this menace. This review aims to discuss the risk factors for the rise of this epidemic in the country and the recommendations, efforts to be done to address this alarming issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review in this article our recent simulation works on modeling peptide T-jump and thermal unfolding Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectra. The theoretical and computational techniques used, including Markov state model (MSM), integrated tempering sampling (ITS) and nonlinear exciton propagation (NEP), are first briefly introduced. The protocols for simulating the thermal unfolding as well as T-jump unfolding are then summarized in details. The simulated spectral features, such as the intensity and ellipticity, are demonstrated to agree well with the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morgagni-Stewart-Morel (MSM) syndrome is a disease with a genetic basis, whose clinical picture consists of the following features: hyperplasia of the inner surface of the frontal bone (hyperostosis frontalis interna - HFI), obesity, hormonal and metabolic changes, and various neuropsychiatric disorders. Although the syndrome was first described in the medical literature over 240 years ago, the etiology is not yet fully understood, mainly because of the diverse clinical picture, the range of reported symptoms, and because of variable and incomplete penetration of the gene (autosomal dominant inheritance of the disease has been demonstrated). This paper presents the case of a 39-year-old patient treated for bipolar affective disorder over many years and in whom, in 2012, a diagnosis of MSM syndrome was also made. This is the first case in the literature of coexistence of the two states of psychopathology. The discussion highlights the possibility of partially common pathogenic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycosphingolipid fragmentation behavior was investigated by combining results from analysis of a series of negative ion tandem mass spectra and molecular modeling. Fragmentation patterns extracted from 75 tandem mass spectra of mainly acidic glycosphingolipid species (gangliosides) suggest prominent cleavage of the glycosidic bonds with retention of the glycosidic oxygen atom by the species formed from the reducing end (B and Y ion formation). Dominant product ions arise from dissociation of sialic acids glycosidic bonds whereas product ions resulting from cleavage of other glycosidic bonds are less abundant. Potential energy surfaces and unimolecular reaction rates of several low-energy fragmentation pathways leading to cleavage of glycosidic bonds were estimated in order to explain observed dissociation patterns. Glycosidic bond cleavage in both neutral (unsubstituted glycosyl group) and acidic glycosphingolipids was the outcome of the charge-directed intramolecular nucleophilic substitution (S2) mechanism. According to the suggested mechanism, the nucleophile in a form of carboxylate or oxyanion attacks the carbon at position one of the sugar ring, simultaneously breaking the glycosidic bond and yielding an epoxide. For gangliosides, unimolecular reaction rates suggest that dominant product ions related to the cleavage of sialic acid glycosidic bonds are formed via direct dissociation channels. On the other hand, low abundant product ions related to the dissociation of other glycosidic bonds are more likely to be the result of sequential dissociation. Although results from this study mainly contribute to the understanding of glycosphingolipid fragmentation chemistry, some mechanistic findings regarding cleavage of the glycosidic bond may be applicable to other glycoconjugates. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing trend towards bacteria becoming resistant to current antibiotic treatments is of great concern to the healthcare industry with severe potential consequences for society as a whole. In many cases, it is the interaction of the antibacterial agent with the targets within the bacterial envelope of the microorganism that is a critical factor. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is uniquely capable of probing the chemistry in this region. This study aimed at optimising sample preparation and data pre-processing for bacterial analysis with ToF-SIMS and principal components analysis to study small chemical differences related to changes in bacterial phenotype that will help to find new antibiotics and understand how antibiotics are trafficked in the bacteria. ToF-SIMS analysis was performed using a J105 instrument equipped with a 40 kV C60+ ion source. Combination of positive and negative ion mode data enhanced the multivariate model quality regarding classification and aided chemical identification particularly when coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demand of auxiliary power unit in portable electronic devices, the concept of renewable energy harvesting near human surrounding environmental circumstance arouses an interest. As the field of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) has advanced, a clear need for the integration of materials other than silicon and its compounds into micromachined transducers has emerged. Piezoelectric materials are high energy density materials that scale very favorably upon miniaturization and that has led to an ever-growing interest in piezoelectric films for MEMS applications. However, conventional powder processing and machining cannot meet the requirement of such fine ceramic structure. Advanced technologies such as those using lasers and soft PDMS modeling method have been available for micro-patterning of ceramics but are not viable for large-scale production. It is difficult and time-consuming to pattern fine scale ceramics. In this paper, we fabricated simple process of MEMS based energy harvester by employing the flammable materials with PMN-PZT micro-pillar structure. The optimum aspect ratio of thickness/length for the ceramic pillar dielectric properties and micro-structure will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess healthcare provider awareness of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2019 approval of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) using extragenital specimens for chlamydia and gonorrhea, several questions were included in fall 2020 Porter Novelli's DocStyles survey, a US nationally representative semi-annual web-based survey of healthcare providers. There were 1502 respondents included in this study, 1000 family practitioners/internists as primary care physicians (PCPs), 251 obstetricians/gynecologists (OBs/GYNs), and 251 nurse practitioners/physician assistants (NP/PA). Awareness of this FDA approval was 34.3% overall and significantly varied by provider specialty: 45.0% for OB/GYN versus 23.5% for NP/PA, p < 0.01. OB/GYN had the lowest rate of ordering any extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia tests in the past 12 months (31.6%) versus the other providers (ranging from 46.2% for NP/PA to 60.7% for PCP). The respondents were more likely to be aware of the FDA approval if they had ordered extragenital chlamydia or gonorrhea testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) than those who did not order the tests for MSM (72.3% versus 43.7%, p < 0.01). Of 1502 respondents, lack of reimbursement as a barrier to ordering extragenital tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea was most mentioned (16.6%) overall and did not significantly vary by provider's specialty. Further outreach is needed to educate healthcare providers on the changes in the FDA approval for extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia testing so that they can provide comprehensive care to their patients and to reduce the potential for antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is potentially well placed to contribute to metabolomic analysis while bringing the added benefit of high resolution, label free imaging. The focused ion beams used to desorb species from the sample can be focused below 1 μm allowing chemical imaging on a sub-cellular scale. In this study we test the capability of ToF-SIMS to generate mass spectrometry and MSMS spectra from a set of standard metabolites that can be compared with open access metabolite databases containing ESI-CID MSMS spectra. The influence of the chemical environment, the matrix effect, on the observed mass spectra is assessed using a mixed metabolite sample and the data discussed in terms of compound identification and quantification. Radical ions and small fragment ions seem to be less sensitive to ion suppression or enhancement and may provide a route to quantification. Understanding such parameters will be key for the successful application of the technique for in situ metabolomics with ToF-SIMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimated the effect of sexual behavior, age, and immunodeficiency on the number of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) types in the anal canal among human immunodeficiency virus–positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Anal samples were genotyped with the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test, and risk factors were investigated with Poisson regression. Of 586 MSM, 69% were Spanish, and 25.6% were Latin American; the median age was 34.9 years (interquartile range [IQR], 30.1–40.8). The median number of recent sex partners was 6 (IQR, 2–24 sex partners), and the median CD4+ T-cell count was 531.5 cells/mm3 (IQR, 403–701 cells/mm3). The prevalence of any and multiple HR-HPV infections was 83.4% and 60.5%, respectively. The most common types were HPV-16 (42%), HPV-51 (24%), HPV-39 (23.7%), and HPV-59 (23.5%). Age had a statistically significant, nonlinear association with the number of types, with the highest number detected around 35 years of age (P < .001). The number of recent sex partners had a statistically significant, fairly linear association on the log scale (P = .033). The high prevalence of HR-HPV types is associated with recent sexual behavior and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on examination of an online community in which white 'str8'-identified men assert that sex with other white men bolsters their heterosexual masculinity, this article examines the heterosexual and racialized meanings that white str8 dudes attach to their same-sex behaviors. The study points to the role of whiteness in the process of establishing heterosexual 'realness', or believable straight culture. Findings indicate that for the white str8 dude, Black male bodies disrupt the staging of normal 'male bonding', and occupy a distinctly queerer space 'down low'. I argue that in a culture constituted by both a racial and sexual binary, whiteness and heterosexuality are 'natural' bedfellows that simultaneously signify the 'really, really normal' subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research utilized Cress and Snow's (2000) synthesis of mobilization theory in an attempt to explain trends in HIV/AIDS infections among gay and minority subpopulations of the US between 1983 and 2001. Results only partially confirmed mobilization theory, revealing instead, contrary to theory, a new upswing of infection rates among two subpopulations: African Americans and young MSMs (men who have sex with men). A reformulation of mobilization theory was suggested to explain these anomalies based on a division of mobilization phenomena into 'early' versus 'late-stage' mobilization. The notion of institutional isomorphism was then used to explain the transition of social movement organizations between the two stages of mobilization and their varying success with mobilization against HIV/AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]