Scientific Literature
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Biogeochemistry concepts in medicine: Radiosensitizing pancreatic cancer through pathology driven biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles.
Date: 2023Authors: Schwartz-Duval, A;Mackeyev, Y;Gagea, M;Krishnan, S;Sokolov, K;
References: Nanoscience ~ ~
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric nebulizer;ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;sample introduction;
An effective strategy for overcoming radiotherapy resistance is to sequester radiosensitizing hafnium oxide or gold nanoparticles (GNPs) within tumors, but desmoplasia, but desmoplasia creates a delivery barrier impeding this approach. Here we report a radiosensitization strategy that overcomes this limitation by applying an atomic-scale agent - ionic gold - for in situ biosynthesis of GNPs within tumors. We showed that the in situ generation of GNPs occurs with higher efficiency in cancerous pancreatic cells than in non-cancerous cells and that these GNPs have high nuclear localization, resulting in the specific radiosensitization of cancer cells. Our studies in a xenograft murine model of pancreatic cancer revealed a uniform distribution of GNPs in the tumor, with insignificant gold content and low toxicity in normal organs. Radiosensitization by biosynthesized GNPs halted tumor growth for more than 30 days and was associated with a significantly higher median survival versus radiation alone (235 vs 102 days, respectively).
The Study of Radioactive Contaminations within the Production Processes of Metal Titanium for Low-Background Experiments
Date: 2023Authors: Zykova, M;Voronina, E;Chepurnov, A;Kornilova, M;Tankeev, A;Vlasov, S;Chub, A;Gangapshev, A;Gezhaev, A;Tekueva, D;Avetisov, I;
References: Materials ~ ~
Keywords/Products: Concentric;ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;
Ultra-low radioactive titanium alloy is a promising material for the manufacture of low-background detectors, which are being developed for experiments in astroparticle physics and neutrino astrophysics. Structural titanium is manufactured on an industrial scale from titanium-sponge. The ultra-low-background titanium-sponge can be produced on an industrial scale with a contamination level of less than 1 mBq/kg of uranium and thorium isotopes. The pathways of contaminants during the industrial production of structural titanium have been analyzed. The measurements have been carried out using two methods: inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and gamma-spectroscopy using high-purity germanium detectors (HPGe). It has been shown that the level of contamination with radioactive impurities does not increase during remelting of titanium-sponge and mechanical processing. We examined titanium-alloys samples obtained at different stages of titanium production, namely, an electrode compaction, a vacuum arc remelting with a consumable electrode (VAR), and a cold rolling of titanium-sheets. It has been found out that all studied samples will be a source of uranium and thorium contamination of the final titanium-alloys. It has been established that the only product allowed obtaining ultra-low-background titanium was the VT1-00 which is manufactured without master alloys addition..
Accumulation and within-mushroom distribution of elements in red cracking bolete (Xerocomellus chrysenteron) collected over the extended period from compositionally contrasting substrates
Date: 2023Authors: Andronikov, AV;Andronikova, IE;Sebek, O;Martinkova, E;Stepanova, M;
References: Environmental monitoring and assessment 195 1157
Keywords/Products: Agilent;Concentric;Glass Nebulizer;Meinhard;
We conducted a study of elemental compositions of Xerocomellus chrysenteron samples accompanied by samples of related substrate soils. All samples were collected during the harvesting seasons 2021 and 2022 from three forested sites almost unpolluted by recent human activities and underlain by contrasting bedrock (granite, amphibolite, and serpentinite). Elements such as Ag, Cd, K, P, Rb, S, Se, and Zn were the main elements enriched in the mushroom's fruiting bodies relative to the substrate. Concentrations of most elements in mushrooms were not site-dependent, with only Ag, As, Rb, and Se concentrations significantly depending on the bedrock composition. Some elements analyzed in mushrooms displayed temporal features, but such features were not systematic and varied for each element. Most analyzed elements were distributed unevenly within the mushroom's fruiting bodies, with apical parts generally enriched in mobile elements. Mushrooms influenced concentrations of Ag, Cd, K, and Rb and a few other elements in the substrate via uptake, but such influence was very limited and can be responsible for only 2.5-11.5% of total depletion of the affected substrate in the named elements.
ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL QUALITY AND BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS OF CISSUSROTUNDIFOLIA, CYPHOSTEMMA DIGITATUM AND CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS (VITACEAE)
Date: 2023Authors: Al-Robai, SA;
References: The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 34 ~
Keywords/Products: ICP;Meinhard;Perkin Elmer;Type A;
ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY: The calculated IC50 values of each plant extract and ascorbic acid as a reference antioxidant are summarized in Fig. 1. Different levels of antioxidant activity were found among the examined plant samples using the three confirmatory antioxidant assays. It was evident from the three analytical methods that the plant extracts' antioxidant capacities varied significantly (P < 0.05). In contrast to the other two extracts, the methanol extract of _C. rotundifolia _demonstrated the highest DPPH and FRAP antioxidant activity. In comparison to ascorbic acid as a reference compound, the extract of _C. rotundifolia _was found to have strong DPPH free radical scavenging action. The ability of the reference compound and the _C. rotundifolia _extract to scavenge DPPH free radicals did not differ significantly. The antioxidant activity of _C. rotundifolia_ against the ABTS free radicals and that of _C. quadrangularis _toward DPPH free radicals were nearly equivalent. The antiradical activity against ferric ion reducing antioxidant power of_ C. rotundifolia_ extract was comparatively good when compared with that of ascorbic acid as a standard antioxidant compound. Al-Bukhaiti _et al. _(2021) stated that the MeOH extract of _C. rotundifolia _had DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of IC50 = 0.475 and 0.79 mg/mL, respectively. These findings did not agree with those of this study. The variation in results could be attributed to the effect of the extraction conditions or to the antioxidant contents of each species (Al-Bukhaiti _et al._, (2019). Hegazy _et al._ (2019) have reported that _C. rotundifolia _contains important amounts of bioactive compounds that have high antioxidant properties. The trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of a methanol extract from _C. rotundifolia _had been previously reported by Alzoreky and Nakahara (2001) using the ferrylmyoglobin /ABTS assay. Said _et al. _(2015) demonstrated that methanol extracts of _C. rotundifolia_ at different concentrations (20, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/mL) had the capability to reduce the DPPH free radicals._ C. rotundifolia _had the highest antioxidant activity among the three plants in the DPPH assay, which indicates that it has health-promoting properties. The high phenol and flavonoid contents of_ C. rotundifolia _leave_s_ may be responsible for their high DPPH radical scavenging activity (Prasad _et al._, 2005).
Analysis of Uncertainty in the Detection of Ca, Zn, and P Elements in Lubricants Using the ICP-OES Methodology
Date: 2023Authors: Morais, GC;Paiva, SV;Veiga, TF;
References: metrologia2023.org.br ~ ~
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric nebulizer;ICP;ICP-OES;Meinhard;
This article presents a study that evaluated the uncertainty in determining additive elements in lubricating oils. The aim of the study was to develop an uncertainty assessment process for calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, identifying the main sources of uncertainty and proposing improvements in the analysis process. The study utilized the technique of Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to perform the measurements of the additive elements. Three analysts were selected to conduct the measurements in the same system, and the conditions of repeatability were evaluated for each analyst. Several sources of uncertainty were identified, including the analytical standard, calibration curve, volumetric dilution, glassware calibration and resolution, balance resolution and calibration, as well as repeatability. The results showed that analysts Y and Z obtained results within the specified limits, indicating good trueness and precision. On the other hand, analyst X yielded results close to the lower limits, highlighting the importance of analyst training and experience. One of the main conclusions of the study was the need for optimization in the sample preparation process, suggesting the substitution of volumetric dilution with mass dilution as a viable option to reduce sources of uncertainty and improve result reliability. In summary, the study emphasizes the importance of uncertainty assessment in determining additive elements in lubricating oils, emphasizing the need to understand and quantify sources of uncertainty to make reliable decisions and strive for more accurate results. Additionally, it highlights the significa nce of adequate analyst training and the implementation of rigorous sample preparation procedures to achieve reliable and high-quality results.
Production and catalytic upgrading of 2,3-butanediol fermentation broth into sustainable aviation fuel blendstock and fuel properties measurement
Date: 2023Authors: Affandy, M;Zhu, C;Swita, M;Hofstad, B;Cronin, D;Elander, R;Lebarbier Dagle, V;
References: Fuel 333 126328
Keywords/Products: Meinhard;POINT;
With the increasing demand for sustainable supplies of aviation fuel and need to address climate change, new conversion technologies are needed to efficiently process biomass, produce high quality jet fuel blendstock, and meet carbon emission targets. This study demonstrates the synthesis, conditioning, and catalytic upgrading of 2,3-butanediol (BDO) fermentation broth into a jet fuel blendstock candidate. A high-titer 2,3-BDO fermentation broth (i.e., ?90 g/L) was produced at a 100-L scale and pretreated via nanofiltration to decrease the impurities level in the broth from 4.6 to 0.6 wt%. A novel process for catalytic upgrading of aqueous 2,3-BDO into a jet fuel blendstock candidate was developed, and each step was efficiently demonstrated. The catalytic steps include 1) 2,3-BDO dehydration into methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) over AlPO4, 2) MEK conversion into olefins over Zn1Zr10Ox, 3) oligomerization of olefins over a zeolite beta, and 4) hydrogenation over platinum/carbon. Both the model feed and real 2,3-BDO fermentation broth were tested for upgrading 2,3-BDO to MEK. With the real feed, a continuous loss of conversion (i.e., >50 % loss over ?140 h time-on-stream [TOS]) was partly attributed to reversible deactivation from coking species. However, the conversion remained stable with the model feed, which demonstrates the efficiency of the first step for converting aqueous 2,3-BDO (10 wt% in water). For upgrading MEK to olefins, high selectivity to olefins (i.e., 82.5 %) was obtained at high conversion levels (i.e., 93-98 %) with stable conditions being achieved for > 70-hours TOS. Oligomerization of light olefins, which was demonstrated for > 270 h TOS, mainly led to the formation of dimers (C8-10) and trimers (C13-14). The oligomerized product was hydrogenated and distilled to recover the jet fraction (35 mass% or 40.9 % carbon based yield), which consists mostly of desired isoalkanes (31.7 wt%), n-alkanes (24.5 wt%), and cycloalkanes (29.6 wt%). While some improvement is still needed to meet ASTM D7566 specifications for viscosity and final boiling point temperature, freezing point, density, aromatics content, and sulfur content of the jet blendstock candidate were within acceptable ranges, thus highlighting the potential of this process for production of jet fuel blendstock.
Arsenic speciation in canned tuna fish samples (Thunnus) using ionic chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Date: 2023Authors: Hoyne, T;Vieira, L;Heringer, O;Brandão, G;Souza, J;Carneiro, M;
References: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 116 105051
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric nebulizer;ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;
Arsenic speciation analysis was conducted on in oil and in brine canned solid tuna samples using ionic chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS). First, the method was optimized and validated. The extraction of water-soluble arsenic species (arsenobetaine (AsB), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), As (III), and As (V)) was performed with (NH4)2CO3 at pH 10.5. The presence of the sample matrix showed no effect on the selectivity of the method by a t-test (p < 0.05) and an external calibration method was applied. The limits of quantification for the five arsenic species were 0.59 mg kg?1 (AsB), 0.10 mg kg?1 (DMA), 0.12 mg kg?1 (As (III)), 0.07 mg kg?1 (MMA) and 0.10 mg kg?1 (As (V)). Method accuracy was tested through the analysis of the reference material BCR-627 (tuna fish muscle tissue) and a good agreement was obtained. Total arsenic in the solid canned tuna ranged from 2.65 to 5.81 mg kg?1 in-oil samples and from 2.74 to 5.70 mg kg?1 in the in-brine samples, levels higher than the limits established by the Brazilian sanitary standards. However, the speciation showed that the major species is the non-toxic arsenobetaine.
Species- and Metal-Specific Responses of the Ionome of Three Duckweed Species under Chromate and Nickel Treatments
Date: 2023Authors: Oláh, V;Irfan, M;Szabó, Z;Sajtos, Z;Ragyák, Á;Döncz?, B;Jansen, M;Szabó, S;Mészáros, I;
References: Plants 12 180
Keywords/Products: Agilent;ICP;ICP-OES;Meinhard;
In this study, growth and ionomic responses of three duckweed species were analyzed, namely Lemna minor, Landoltia punctata, and Spirodela polyrhiza, were exposed for short-term periods to hexavalent chromium or nickel under laboratory conditions. It was found that different duckweed species had distinct ionomic patterns that can change considerably due to metal treatments. The results also show that, because of the stress-induced increase in leaf mass-to-area ratio, the studied species showed different order of metal uptake efficiency if plant area was used as unit of reference instead of the traditional dry weight-based approach. Furthermore, this study revealed that ?XRF is applicable in mapping elemental distributions in duckweed fronds. By using this method, we found that within-frond and within-colony compartmentation of metallic ions were strongly metal- and in part species-specific. Analysis of duckweed ionomics is a valuable approach in exploring factors that affect bioaccumulation of trace pollutants by these plants. Apart from remediating industrial effluents, this aspect will gain relevance in food and feed safety when duckweed biomass is produced for nutritional purposes.
Image-Guided Nanodelivery of Pt(IV) Prodrugs to GRP-Receptor Positive Tumors
Date: 2023Authors: Silva, F;Mendes, C;D'Onofrio, A;Campello, MPC;Marques, F;Pinheiro, T;Gonçalves, K;Figueiredo, S;Gano, L;Ravera, M;Gabano, E;Paulo, A;
References: Nanotheranostics 7 22-40
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric nebulizer;ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;PC3;Thermo;
Over the last decades, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have proven to be remarkable tools for drug delivery and theranostic applications in cancer treatment. On the other hand, Pt(IV) prodrugs have been employed as an interesting alternative to the more common Pt(II) complexes, such as cisplatin, for cancer chemotherapy. Searching to design an image-guided nanocarrier to deliver selectively Pt(IV) prodrugs to tumors expressing the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), we have synthesized small core AuNPs carrying a thiolated DOTA derivative, a GRPR-targeting bombesin analog (BBN[7-14]) and a Pt(IV) prodrug attached to the AuNPs without (AuNP-BBN-Pt1) or with a PEGylated linker (AuNP-BBN-Pt2 and AuNP-BBN-Pt3). In the GRPR+ prostate cancer PC3 cell line, the cytotoxic activity of the designed AuNP-BBN-Pt nanoparticles is strongly influenced by the presence of the PEGylated linker. Thus, AuNP-BBN-Pt1 displayed the lowest IC50 value (9.3 ± 2.3 µM of Pt), which is comparable to that exhibited by cisplatin in the same cell line. In contrast, AuNP-BBN-Pt1 showed an IC50 value of 97 ± 18 µM of Pt in the non-tumoral RWPE-1 prostate cells with a much higher selective index (SI) towards PC3 cells (SI = 10) when compared with cisplatin (SI = 1.3). The AuNPs were also successfully labeled with 67Ga and the resulting 67Ga-AuNP-BBN-Pt were used to assess their cellular uptake in PC3 cells, with AuNP-BBN-Pt1 also displaying the highest cellular internalization. Finally, intratumoral administration of 67Ga-AuNP-BBN-Pt1 in a PC3 tumor-bearing mice showed a prolonged retention of the nanoparticle compared to that of cisplatin, with optimal in vivo stability and 20% of the injected platinum remaining in the tumor after 72 h post-injection. Furthermore, microSPECT imaging studies confirmed the uptake and considerable retention of the 67Ga-labeled AuNPs in the tumors. Overall, these results show the potential of these targeted AuNPs loaded with Pt(IV) prodrugs for prostate cancer theranostics.
Smelter-derived soil contamination in Luanshya, Zambia
Date: 2023Authors: Baieta, R;Ettler, V;Van?k, A;Drahota, P;K?íbek, B;Nyambe, I;Mihaljevi?, M;
References: The Science of the total environment 867 161405
Keywords/Products: Meinhard;
Extensive mining and smelting contributed to the declining quality of Luanshya soils. The local smelter was the epicenter of contamination as shown by a spatial distribution analysis. Closeby soil profiles smelter exhibit extremely high Cu concentrations (up to 46,000 mg kg-1 Cu) relative to deeper layers where only background levels of trace elements were observed. A remote profile did not exhibit significant contamination. Lead isotopic ratios revealed that Pb contamination in the Luanshya soils was not smelter-derived. It was shown in this way that the historical usage of leaded gasoline was the main source of this metal. Although the Luanshya smelter also produced Co, this metal was not an important contaminant. Copper leaching was a concern in Luanshya. Upwards of 52 % of Cu was extractable in the exchangeable step of a sequential extraction procedure (SEP), but only for samples where Cu concentrations were high, suggesting that Cu was released exclusively from anthropogenic particles. This was supported by the SEP results for similar depths at the remote soil, where only a small fraction of Cu was labile (5.6 %). Lead and Co were strongly bound in the soils throughout. The excess of Cu in the topsoils was mostly bound in smelter-derived particles. These appeared as spherical fast-cooled droplets composed mostly of sulfides, oxides, and glass. X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis of those particles allowed for a phase classification. Compositions were regularly not stoichiometric so most particles were classified as intermediate solid solutions. However, molecular proportions often closely resembled those of bornite, chalcanthite, cuprospinel, covellite, delafossite, diginite, or hydrous ferric oxides. Concentrations of Cu were often 100 % near the center of the particles indicating an inefficient smelting process. Weathering to some degree was common, which in conjunction with the susceptibility of Cu leaching was highly alarming.
Environmental exposure to cadmium in breast cancer - association with the Warburg effect and sensitivity to tamoxifen
Date: 2023Authors: Tarhonska, K;Janasik, B;Roszak, J;Kowalczyk, K;Lesicka, M;Reszka, E;Wieczorek, E;Braun, M;Kolacinska-Wow, A;Skokowski, J;Kalinowski, L;Jablonska, E;
References: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie 161 114435
Keywords/Products: ELAN;ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;Quartz Nebulizer;
The association between cadmium and breast cancer remains unexplained due to inconsistent epidemiological data and unknown underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to assess the relationship between environmental exposure to cadmium and the Warburg effect in breast cancer and, thus, its possible interference with breast cancer treatment. The observational study in two groups of breast cancer patients indicated a positive correlation between urinary cadmium concentration and tumor expression of HIF1A (a master regulator of the Warburg effect). Further explanatory research in MCF-7 cells showed no impact of cadmium exposure on molecular and biochemical markers of the Warburg effect. However, long-term exposure to a low and environmentally relevant concentration of cadmium led to the accumulation of the metal in MCF-7 cells and decreased their sensitivity to tamoxifen. To conclude, the association between cadmium and the Warburg effect was suggested in the observational study, although not confirmed in vitro. Nevertheless, cadmium seems to interfere with tamoxifen treatment which deserves further investigation in terms of its possible implication in intrinsic resistance to hormone therapy.
High temperature total consumption sample introduction system coupled to microwave plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) for the analysis of aqueous samples
Date: 2023Authors: Martínez, S;Sánchez, R;Todolí, JL;
References: Analytica chimica acta 1249 340948
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric nebulizer;ICP;ICP-OES;Meinhard;sample introduction;TR-30-A1;
The high temperature torch integrated sample introduction system (hTISIS) is coupled to microwave plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) for the first time. The goal of this work is to develop an accurate analysis of digested samples under continuous sample aspiration mode by coupling the hTISIS to a MIP-OES instrument. To achieve this, different operating conditions such as, nebulization flow rate, liquid flow rate and the spray chamber temperature were optimized in terms of sensitivity, limits of quantification (LOQs) and background equivalent concentration (BECs) for the determination of Ca, Cr, Cu Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn, and these values were compared with those reported with a conventional sample introduction system. Under optimum conditions (0.8-1 L min-1, 100 ?L min-1 and 400 ?C, respectively), the hTISIS improved MIP-OES analytical figures of merit and shortened 4-times wash out times with respect to a conventional cyclonic spray chamber, reporting an enhancement factor in the sensitivity among 2-47 times and LOQs from 0.9 to 360 ?g kg-1. Once the best operating conditions were set, the magnitude of the interference caused by 15 different acid matrices (2, 5 and 10% w/w of HNO3, H2SO4, HCl and mixtures of HNO3 with H2SO4 and HNO3 with HCl) was significantly lower for the former device. Finally, 6 different digested oily samples (used cooking oil, animal fat, corn oil and the same samples after a filtration step) were analyzed by means of an external calibration approach based on the use of multielemental standards prepared in 3% (w/w) HCl solution. The obtained results were compared against those supplied by a conventional methodology employing an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, ICP-OES, instrument. It was clearly concluded that the hTISIS coupled to MIP-OES afforded similar concentrations as compared to the conventional methodology.
The Toxicological Analysis and Toxicological Risk Assessment of Chosen Elemental Impurities (Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Cs, Li, Mo, Se, and Sr) in Green Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.)) Infusions
Date: 2023Authors: Frydrych, A;Noga, M;Milan, J;Kondratowicz-Pietruszka, E;Kro?niak, M;Jurowski, K;
References: Nutrients 15 ~
Keywords/Products: ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;
Our study's objective is to evaluate the potential health effects of elemental impurities (Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Cs, Li, Mo, Se, and Sr) found in green tea infusions (Camellia sinensis (L.)). The ICP-MS-based methodology was employed for elemental analysis and a detailed health risk evaluation based on weekly consumption (?g/L of infusion/week). The provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), established by the Joint FAO Expert Committee on infusion/week/month based on existing literature data, was then compared to the subjects with data from the available literature. The exposure of the study items to Co ranged from 0.07904 to 0.85421 ?g/day. On the contrary, the ICH (International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use) guidelines state that the established permitted daily exposure PDE (oral exposure) for Co is 50 ?g/day. The PDE of lithium is around 560 ?g/day, and according to our study, the estimated daily exposure of the evaluated products to Li fell between 0.0185 and 0.7170 ?g/day. Our research also revealed modest concentrations of Cs (0.399-2.654 ?g/L), Mo (0.0113-0.107 ?g/L), and Sr (9.848-22.331 ?g/L) in infusions. The recognized PDE for molybdenum is approximately 3400 ?g/day. Only two samples contained silver, and when considering daily consumption, the predicted daily exposure to Ag is between 4.4994 and 0.03122 ?g/day. The amounts of all evaluated elements in a daily dose of green tea infusions should not harm the consumer's health. Further considerations should take aspects, such as constant change and environmental pollution, into account.
Cerebral iron deficiency may induce depression through downregulation of the hippocampal glucocorticoid-glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathway
Date: 2023Authors: Zhang, H;He, L;Li, S;Zhai, M;Ma, S;Jin, G;Li, M;Zhou, F;Tian, H;Nuerkaman, T;Sun, Q;Zhang, Y;Hou, J;Sun, G;Yin, S;
References: Journal of affective disorders ~ ~
Keywords/Products: Agilent;ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;
Iron is a trace essential element to sustain the normal neurological function of human. Many researches had reported the involvement of iron deficiency (ID) in neural development and cognitive functions. However, the role of ID in pathogenesis of depression and its underlying mechanism are still unclear.In this study, we first used chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) and iron deprivation mouse models to clarify the pathogenesis role of cerebral ID in depression. Then the role of hippocampal glucocorticoid (GC)-glucocorticoid receptor (GR) pathway in cerebral ID induced depression were elucidated in iron deprivation mice and iron deficiency anemia patients.Our results revealed that both CUMS and iron deprivation could induce cerebral ID in mice, and combination of iron deprivation and CUMS could accelerate the onset and aggravate the symptoms of depression in mice. In hippocampus, ID led to neuronal injury and neurogenesis decrease, which might be related to downregulation of GC-GR signaling pathway caused GR dysfunction, thereby inhibiting the negative feedback regulation function of hippocampus on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Moreover, the overactivity of HPA axis in iron deprivation mice and iron deficiency anemia patients also confirmed GR dysfunction.Iron deprivation led to food and water intake decrease of mice, which may affect the behavioral test. In addition, we mainly evaluated the role of hippocampal ID in depression, and the number of iron deficiency anemia patients was limited.Our results identified that cerebral iron homeostasis was a key factor for maintaining mental stability.
Optimization of fermentation parameters for the production of a novel selenium enriched mulberry (Morus nigra) wine
Date: 2023Authors: Johnson, N;Ekumah, J;Ma, Y;Akpabli-Tsigbe, N;Adade, S;Manching, X;Quaisie, J;Kwaw, E;Wang, C;
References: LWT 178 114608
Keywords/Products: ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;
Novel selenium (Se) access media such as wine is increasingly being improved to ease Se access and consumption. Thus, our work intended to enhance mulberry wine as a Se access medium by optimizing wine fermentation conditions using Box-Behnken design (BBD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The approach combined four parameters selected from a factor screening study. Optimizing the parameters, the design predicted the best temperature as 25.01 °C, pH 4.22, °Brix 25 °Bx, and Se 299.99 ?g at a desirability of 0.939. Using these conditions, an optimized Se-enriched mulberry wine (OpSeMW) with a 9.41% alcohol by volume, 695.36 mg/100 mL total polyphenol content, and a total residual Se of 201.58 ?g was attained. It also exhibited improved characteristics regarding its physicochemical properties, color, phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, and microbiological quality compared to ordinary mulberry wine (OMW). Therefore, the optimization technique contributed to producing a Se-enriched mulberry wine as a ready-to-drink beverage to consider in achieving the Se recommended daily allowance. The optimized parameters will also serve as the benchmark for Se-enriched mulberry wine technology development and production scale-up.
New Analytical Strategy for Bioaccessibility Evaluation of Bromine and Iodine from Edible Seaweeds
Date: 2023Authors: Scaglioni, PT;Balbinot, FP;Rondan, FS;Novo, DLR;Silva, AA;Mesko, MF;
References: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry ~ ~
Keywords/Products: Meinhard;
A strategy for determining the bioaccessibility of bromine and iodine from edible seaweeds was proposed for the first time using microwave-induced combustion (MIC) and ion chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (IC-MS) after in vitro digestion. The concentrations of bromine and iodine in edible seaweeds using the proposed methods (MIC and IC-MS) were not statistically different from those using MIC and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (p > 0.05). Trueness was assessed by recovery experiments (101-110%, relative standard deviation <10%). Following an in vitro digestion protocol, MIC was proposed as sample preparation for bioaccessible and residual fractions. Using this strategy, the mass balance totaled from 97 to 111%. No statistical difference (p > 0.05) was observed between the total concentration of bromine or iodine and their concentration in bioaccessible and residual fractions for three edible seaweed species, indicating full analyte quantification in the fractions.
Comparison and Intercorrelation of Various Bentonite Products for Oenological Properties, Elemental Compositions, Volatile Compounds and Organoleptic Attributes of White Wine
Date: 2023Authors: Rakonczás, N;Kállai, Z;Kovács, B;Antal, G;Szabó, S;Holb, IJ;
References: Foods (Basel, Switzerland) 12 ~
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric nebulizer;iCAP;ICP;ICP-OES;Meinhard;
Bentonite fining is one of the generally applied wine-making technological elements that may seriously affect wine components. The aim of this study was (i) to investigate the effect of 21 bentonite products on eight oenological parameters, 19 elements, 21 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 10 organoleptic properties of white wine; and (ii) to quantify intercorrelations among the parameters separately for each of the four quality attributes. Among oenological parameters, sugar, acidity, malic-, lactic-, citric acid and total phenol contents were significant among several bentonite products. The amounts of elements were the lowest in the control wine treatments (with exceptions of, e.g., Ni and Cu); and these values were significantly different from several bentonite products. The relative presence of the VOCs was above 100% for most VOCs, but it was below 100% for 1-propanol, 4-amino-1,5-pentandioic acid and butane-dioic acid, and diethyl ester in all treatments. For organoleptic parameters, the values of clearness, colour, flavour intensity and taste persistency was the lowest in the control wine treatment, while the values of flavour character, flavour quality, taste intensity, taste character, and overall harmony were the highest for the bentonite products of AP, EBE, M-SA, EBE, EBE, respectively. Results of correlation and factor analyses showed strong intercorrelative effects of bentonite fining on the four quality attributes. In conclusion, this study can help in the proper choice of a specific bentonite product in relation to complexity effects of bentonite fining.
Determination by ICP-MS of Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in Gums and Carrageenans Used as Food Additives Commercially Available in the Portuguese Market
Date: 2023Authors: Azevedo, R;Oliveira, A;Almeida, A;Gomes, L;
References: Foods 12 1408
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric Quartz Nebulizer;iCAP;ICP;ICP-MS;Meinhard;Quartz Nebulizer;Thermo;
Gums and carrageenans are food additives widely used in food preparations to improve texture and as viscosifiers. Although they are typically added in small amounts, nowadays people tend to use more and more pre-prepared food. In this work, the content of a wide panel of trace elements in commercial products were analyzed. Carrageenans and gums (n = 13) were purchased in the Portuguese market and were from European suppliers. Samples were solubilized by closed-vessel microwave-assisted acid digestion and analyzed by ICP-MS. Globally, the content of essential trace elements decreased in the following order: Fe (on average, on the order of several tens of µg/g) > Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Co > Se > Mo (typically < 0.1 µg/g), while the content of non-essential/toxic trace elements decreased in the following order: Al > Sr > Rb > As > Li > Cd > Pb > Hg. The consumption of these food additives can significantly contribute to the daily requirements of some essential trace elements, namely Cr and Mo. The toxic trace elements Cd, As, Pb, and Hg were below the EU regulatory limits in all analyzed samples. Additional research is needed to define the potential risk of introducing toxic trace elements into food products through the use of these additives.
Interplay Effects in the Co-Doping of ZnO Nanowires with Al and Ga Using Chemical Bath Deposition
Date: 2023Authors: Baillard, A;Appert, E;Weber, M;Jacob, V;Roussel, H;Rapenne, L;Chaix-Pluchery, O;Consonni, V;
References: Inorganic chemistry 62 1165-1177
Keywords/Products: Meinhard;Type C;
The simultaneous co-doping of ZnO nanowires grown by chemical bath deposition is of high interest for a large number of engineering devices, but the process conditions required and the resulting physicochemical processes are still largely unknown. Herein, we show that the simultaneous co-doping of ZnO nanowires with Al and Ga following the addition of Al(NO3)3 and Ga(NO3)3 in the chemical bath operates in a narrow range of conditions in the high-pH region, where the adsorption processes of respective Al(OH)4- and Ga(OH4)- complexes on the positively charged m-plane sidewalls are driven by attractive electrostatic forces. The structural morphology and properties of ZnO nanowires are significantly affected by the co-doping and mainly governed by the effect of Al(III) species. The incorporation processes of Al and Ga dopants are characterized by significant interplay effects, and the amount of incorporated Ga dopants into ZnO nanowires is found to be larger than the amount of incorporated Al dopants owing to energetic considerations. The Al and Ga dopants are located in the bulk of ZnO nanowires, but a part of Al and Ga lies on their surfaces, their incorporation processes in the bulk being enhanced by thermal annealing under oxygen atmosphere. Eventually, the Al and Ga dopants directly affect the incorporation of hydrogen-related defects, notably by annihilating the formation of VZn-nH defect complexes. These findings present an efficient strategy to proceed with the co-doping of ZnO nanowires grown by chemical bath deposition, opening perspectives to control their electronic structure properties with a higher precision.
In vitro gastrointestinal digestion and bioavailability of lithium from processed lithiated and nonlithiated white Agaricus bisporus mushrooms
Date: 2023Authors: Pankavec, S;Falandysz, J;Eun, H;Bara?kiewicz, D;Fernandes, AR;
References: Bipolar disorders ~ ~
Keywords/Products: Concentric;Concentric nebulizer;Meinhard;
In order to avoid side effects of lithium doses in some patients, some commonly cultivated mushroom species including A. bisporus have been successfully lithiated, with the potential to provide more acceptable sources of Li. This study assessed the in vitro release (potential bioaccessibility) and possible intake of Li using the action of artificial gastrointestinal juices on lithiated and nonlithiated (control) button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) that were subjected to certain modes of culinary processing.In the in vitro release study, mushrooms were processed using a number of routinely used domestic treatments including rehydrating dried mushrooms, blanching and blanching followed by pickling of fresh or frozen mushrooms. The in vitro digestion procedure used artificial gastrointestinal juices in a two-stage methodology that was adapted from 'The Bioaccessibility Research Group of Europe' method. The Li concentrations were determined using an inductively coupled argon plasma-dynamic reactive cell-mass spectrometer.Lithium was found to be more bioaccessible from caps of lithiated mushrooms compared with nonlithiated. Releases from the caps and stipes of blanched or blanched and then pickled mushrooms through gastric digestion ranged from 32?±?2 to 50?±?1% relative to the dried product and was lower for gastrointestinal digestion, which ranged from 16?±?1 to 20?±?1%.Losses of Li sustained through blanching or blanching followed by pickling of fresh mushrooms (41-87% wet weight) combined with limited accessibility during gastrointestinal release (16-55%) result in much lower bioavailability of the dose from lithiated products. A 300-g meal would provide <5% of the Li (6 mg) required for potential preventative treatments, such as reducing suicide rates and lowering dementia risk.