The prevention of destruction caused by red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), using essential oils derived from certain herbal plants presents an interesting alternative to synthetic insecticides, known for their harm to both consumers and the environment. The research aimed to investigate the chemical compositions and fumigating effects of essential oils derived from cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) and galangal (Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd) against T. castaneum. Chemical compositions were analyzed using GC-MS, while fumigation bioassay was conducted via a vapor-phase test. Experimental setup followed factorial design in CRD with 5 replications. Factor A encompassed 4 types of essential oils: the manually extracted essential oils from cardamom leaves (MCL) and galangal leaves (MGL), the commercially produced essential oils from cardamom seeds (CCS) and galangal rhizomes (CGR). Factor B consisted of 7 concentrations: 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 µL/L air. Results indicated that MCL contained eucalyptol, trans-calamenene, and isospathulenol as its main compounds. Similarly, CCS was characterized by camphene and eucalyptol. MGL exhibited caryophyllene, aciphyllene, and α-bisanolene. Lastly, CGR was composed of methyl cis-cinnamate, safrole, and p-vinylphenyl isothiocyanate. Study noted that 250 µL/L air over 168 hours of CGR, demonstrated 94% fumigation efficiency against adult T. castaneum. These results suggest the potential of galangal rhizome derived essential oil as an insecticide for managing T. castaneum populations in agricultural product storage.

Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds produced by living organisms that can reveal symbiotic relationships in nature. In the work described here, soil-born entomopathogenic-nematodes associated with symbiotic bacteria (Xenorhabdus stockiae and Photorhabdus luminescens) extracted from solvent supernatant containing secondary metabolites showed significant inhibitory action against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faceium, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis. These secondary metabolites, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were found to be amine groups of proteins; hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of polyphenols; hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides, and carboxyl groups of organic acids. The major compounds identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ethyl acetate extracts of Xenorhabdus stockiae revealed the existence of Nonanoic acid derivatives, Paromycin, Pyrrolidinone, Octodecanal derivatives, Trioxa-5-aza-1-silabicyclo, 4-Octadecenal, Methyl ester, Oleic Acid and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylicacid. Additional extraction from Photorhabdus luminescens was expressed functional compounds such as Indole-3-acetic acid, Piperidinol derivatives, Phthalic acid, 1-Tetradecanol, Nemorosonol, 1-eicosanol and unsaturated fatty acids. These outcomes support the development of new alternative natural antimicrobial agents for pathogen suppression in the future.

Chamazulene (CA) is an intensely blue molecule with a wealth of biological properties. In cosmetics chamazulene is exploited as a natural coloring and soothing agent. CA is unstable and tends to spontaneous degradation accelerated by light. We studied the photodegradation of CA upon controlled exposure to UVB-UVA irradiation by multi-ple techniques, including GC-MS, UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and by direct infusion in ESI-MSn, which were matched to in silico mass spectral simulations to identify degra-dation products. Seven byproducts formed upon UVA exposure for 3 h at 70mW/cm2 (blue-to-green color change) were identified, including CA dimers and CA benzenoid which were not found on extended 6 h irradiation (green-to-yellow fading). Photosta-bility tests with reduced irradiance conducted in various solvents in the pres-ence/absence of air indicated highest degradation in acetonitrile in the presence of ox-ygen, suggesting a photo-oxidative mechanism. Testing in the presence of antioxidants (tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, hydroxytyrosol, bakuchiol, γ-terpinene, TEMPO and their combinations) indicated highest protection by tocopherol and TEMPO. Sun-screens ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and particularly Tinosorb® S (but not octo-crylene) showed good CA photoprotection. Thermal stability tests indicated no degra-dation of CA in acetonitrile at 50°C in the dark for 50 days; however, accelerated deg-radation occurred in the presence of ascrorbyl palmitate.

The corrosion inhibition behavior of cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) on mild steel (MS) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution was examined using the weight loss method and potentiodynamic polarization method. The experimented MS surface was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Corrosion rate and corrosion efficiency was calsulated via weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization methods where the corrosion rate in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ , 0.000192 M, and 0.0077 M of CPC solution was 12.09×10^-3, 8.23×10^-3, 6.63×10^-5 (mm/Year), respectively and the inhibition efficiency of 94.42% and 98.54%. FESEM studies demonstrated the corrosion attack on MS surface. Also, the EDX showed the presence of nitrogen of CPC. Thus, CPC acts as an important corrosion inhibitor.

Background. Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and CD98hc are candidates for targeted therapy at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Our objective was to challenge the expression of TfR1, GLUT1, and CD98hc in brain capillaries by the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA). Methods. Primary mouse brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) and brain capillaries isolated from mice injected intraperitoneally with VPA were examined using RT-qPCR and ELISA. Targeting to the BBB was performed by injecting monoclonal anti-TfR1 (Ri7217)-conjugated gold nanoparticles measured using ICP-MS. Results. In BCECs co-cultured with glial cells, Tfrc mRNA expression was significantly higher after 6 h VPA returning to baseline after 24 h. In vivo Glut1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in males, but not females', receiving VPA, whereas Cd98hc mRNA expression was unaffected by VPA. TfR1 increased significantly in vivo after VPA, whereas GLUT1 and CD98hc were unchanged. Uptake of anti-TfR1-conjugated nanoparticles was unaltered by VPA in spite upregulated TfR expression. Conclusions. VPA upregulates TfR1 in brain endothelium in vivo and in vitro. VPA does not increase GLUT1 and CD98hc proteins. The increase in TfR1 does not result in higher anti-TfR1 antibody targetability, suggesting targeting sufficiently occurs with available transferrin receptors without further contribution from accessory VPA-induced TfR1.

The study of biologically active substances from natural sources shows the prospect of obtaining a new type of antimicrobial agents, highly effective against pathogenic microorganisms and non-toxic to humans. Our study reveals for the first time that Cornu aspersum mucus has the potential to act as a source of antibacterial agents against bacterial pathogens such as Bacillus cereus 1085, Propionibacterium acnes 1897, Salmonella enterica 8691, Enterococcus faecalis 3915, and Enterococcus faecium 8754. Both mucus fractions with MW<20 kDa and MW>20 kDa showed antimicrobial activity and antioxidant properties that’s why they can be turned into an alternative agent to expensive synthetic antibacterial compounds. Using de novo sequencing 16 novel peptides with potential antibacterial activity were identified by in a fraction with MW<20 kDa. The results of electrophoretic and proteomic analysis of mucus fraction with MW >20 kDa presented proteins with potential antibacterial activity highly homologous to hemocyanins, mucus protein Aspernin, lectins, L-amino acid oxidase-like protein, and mucins (mucin-5AC, mucin-5B, mucin-2 and mucin-17). Thanks to the synergistic action of the bioactive components, the mucus fraction with MW > 20 kDa in low concentrations per 8–2 µg/mL showed promising antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria, comparable to Vancomycin and without unwanted cytotoxic effects against non-target cells. Additionally, C. aspersum mucus fractions were found to have a positive effect on eukaryotic organisms by reducing the levels of intracellular oxidative damage and increasing the antioxidant capacity of the cell. These findings could serve as a basis for the development of a potent non-cytotoxic antibacterial agent to replace conventional antibiotics and avoid the development of antibiotic resistance.

The conformations of trifluoroacetyl triflate, CF3C(O)OSO2CF3, were investigated through vibrational experimental methods (gas-phase FTIR, liquid-phase Raman, and Ar-matrix FTIR spectroscopy) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. A potential energy surface was computed using the B3P86 /6-31+g(d) approximation as a function of the dihedral angles τ1 = CCOS and τ2 = COSC. The surface reveals three minima, which were further optimized using the B3LYP method with various basis sets (6-31++G(d), 6-311++G(d), tzvp and cc-pvtz). The global minimum corresponds to a syn-anti conformer (the CO double bound syn with respect the O−S single bond and the C−O single bond anti with respect to de S−C single bond). The other two minima represent enantiomeric syn-gauche forms. The Ar-matrix FTIR spectrum exhibited clear evidence of the presence of two conformers. Furthermore, the randomization process observed following broad-band UV-visible irradiation facilitated the identification of the IR absorption of each conformer. Based on the Ar-matrix FTIR experiments, the vapour phase of trifluoroacetyl triflate at room temperatures was composed of approximately 60-70% of the syn-anti conformer and 30-40% of the syn-gauche form.

The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of five commercially available essential oils (EOs): Lavender (LEO), Clove (CEO), Oregano (OEO), Eucalyptus (EEO), and Peppermint (PEO) against the most-known MDR Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) - alone and in various combinations. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis established their complex composition. Then, the antibacterial activity was investigated in vitro by diffusimetric antibiogram method, using sterile cellulose discs with Ø 6 mm impregnated with 10 µl of sample and sterile borosilicate glass cylinders loaded with 100 µl of sample; MIC (µg/mL) for each EO was calculated from IZD values (mm) measured after 24 hours. The following EO combinations were evaluated: OEO+CEO, CEO+EEO, CEO+PEO, LEO+EEO, and EEO+PEO. Then, the influence of each dual combination on 3 conventional antibacterial drugs – Neomycin (NEO), Tetracycline (TET), and Bacitracin (BAC) - activity was investigated. The most active EOs against S. aureus and E. coli were LEO and OEO (IZD = 40 mm). They were followed by the CEO and EEO (IZD = 20-27 mm); PEO exhibited the lowest antibacterial activity (IZD = 15-20 mm). EEO alone showed the highest inhibitory activity on P. aeruginosa (IZD = 25-35 mm). It was followed by the CEO, LEO, and EEO (IZD = 7-11 mm), while PEO proved no antibacterial action against it (IZD = 0 mm). Only one synergic action was recorded (OEO+CEO against P. aeruginosa); EEO+PEO revealed partial synergism against S. aureus and CEO+PEO additive behavior against E. coli. Two triple associations with TET showed partial synergism against E. coli, and the other 2 ones (with NEO and TET) evidenced the same behavior against S. aureus; all contained EEO+PEO or CEO+PEO. Most combinations reported indifference. However, numerous cases were of antagonism between constituents included in double and triple combinations, and EOs with the strongest antibacterial activities belong to the highest antagonistic combinations. A consistent statistical analysis supports our results, showing that EOs with moderate antibacterial activities could generate combinations with higher inhibitory effects based on synergistic or additive interactions.

In this study, the microbial strain was isolated from the humus soil to ferment Sophora flavescens and Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus extracts. The isolated microbial was identified as Bacillus genus by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The fermented plant extracts exhibited the antifungal effects against four types of the plant pathogens such as P. carotorum, B. cinerea, C. fructicola Sau-3, and C. gloeosporioides according to incubation time. Especially, the fermented plant extracts showed the most active activities for Colletotrichum genus to inhibit mycelium growth. Metabolite changes in fermented S. flavescens and E. sessiliflorus extracts were confirmed through LC-Q-TOF/MS. Flavonoid and peptide derivatives were improved in fermented S. flavescens and E. sessiliflorus extracts compared to their unfermented one, respectively. This study suggested that the isolated Bacillus microbial fermentation could be a valuable tool in improving the bioactivity of S. flavescens and E. sessiliflorus extracts to have potential with more environmentally-friendly antifungal agents.

Glioblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumor consisting of heterogeneous cellular population. The transformed metabolism of glioblastoma cells supports their growth and division on the background of their milieu. One might hypothesize that the transformed metabolism of a primary glioblastoma could be well adapted to limitations in the variety and number of substrates imported into the brain parenchyma and present it their microenvironment. Additionally, the phenotypic heterogeneity of cancer cells could promote the variations among their metabolic capabilities regarding the utilization of available substrates and release of metabolic intermediates. With the aim to identify the putative metabolic footprint of different types of glioblastoma cells, we exploited the possibility for separation of polar and ionic molecules present in culture media or cell lysates by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). The mass spectrometry (MS) was then used to identify and quantify the eluted compounds. The introduced method allows the detection and quantification of more than 150 polar and ionic metabolites in single run, those may be present either in culture media or cell lysates and provide data for polaromic studies within metabolomics. The method was applied to analyze the culture media and cell lysates derived from two types of glioblastoma cells, T98G and U118. The analysis revealed that even the both types of glioblastoma cells share several common metabolic aspects, they also exhibit differences in their metabolic capability. This finding agrees with the hypothesis about metabolic heterogeneity of glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, the combination of both analytical methods, HILIC-MS, provides a valuable tool for metabolomic studies based on the simultaneous identification and quantification of a wide range of polar and ionic metabolites - polaromics.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from plants have been correlated with disease-status. Analysis of VOCs using GC-MS is time-consuming, laboratory-based, and requires specialist training. Electronic nose devices (E-nose) provide a portable alternative. Three different E-nose devices were compared to assess how accurately they could detect Mango Twig Tip Dieback and Panama disease in banana. The devices were initially trained on known volatiles, then pure cultures of Pantoea sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Fusarium odoratissimum, and finally, on infected and healthy mango leaves and field-collected, infected banana pseudo-stems. The experiments were repeated three times with six replicates for each host-pathogen pair. The variation between healthy and infected host materials was evaluated by principal component and linear discriminant analysis, cross-validation and chemometric data analysis. GC-MS analysis was conducted contemporaneously and identified an 80% similarity between healthy and infected plant material. The portable C 320 was 100% successful in discriminating known volatiles but had a low capability in differentiating healthy and infected plant substrates. The advanced devices (PEN 3 / MSEM 160) successfully detected healthy and diseased samples with a high variance. The results suggest that E-nose devices are more sensitive and accurate in detecting changes of VOCs between healthy and infected plants compared to headspace GC-MS.

VITEK MS PRIME (bioMerieux), a newly developed Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system, alongside VITEK PICKME Pen (PICKME), offers easy sample preparation for bacteria and yeast. VITEK MS PRIME also offers two software platforms for filamentous fungi: the IVD database and the RUO database. Our study evaluated its identification agreement on 320 clinical isolates of bacteria and yeasts, comparing PICKME and traditional wooden toothpick sampling techniques against ASTA Mi-croIDSys Elite results. Additionally, we assessed the IVD (v3.2) and SARAMIS (v4.16) RUO data-bases on 289 filamentous fungi against molecular sequencing. The concordant rates for spe-cies-level identification of bacteria and yeasts were about 89.4% (286/320) between the PICKME and wooden toothpick, about 83.4-85.3% between VITEK MS PRIME and ASTA MicroIDSys Elite. Retesting with PICKME improved concordance to 91.9%. For filamentous fungi, species-level identification reached 71.3% with the IVD database and 85.8% with RUO, which significantly enhanced basidiomycetes' identification from 35.3% to 100%. Some strains in the IVD database, like Aspergillus vesicolor, Exophiala xenobiotica, and Nannizzia gypsea failed to be identified. VITEK MS PRIME with PICKME offers reliable and efficient microorganism identification. For fila-mentous fungi, combining the use of the RUO database can be beneficial, especially for basidi-omycetes.

The profile of secondary metabolites occurring in apple cuticular layer is not only characteristic for particular apple cultivar, but also dynamically reflects various external factors in growing environment. In this study, the possibility to authenticate apple samples based on analysis of their cuticular layer extracts was investigated. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) was employed for obtaining metabolomic fingerprints. In total, 274 authentic apple samples, four cultivars harvested within the seasons 2020 to 2022 in the Czech Republic and Poland were analysed. The generated complex data processed by univariate and multivariate statistical methods enabled to build classification models for discrimination of apple cultivars as well as their geographical origin. The models showed very good performance in differentiation of Czech and Polish samples for three of four cultivars: ‘Gala’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Idared’, moreover, the validity of the models was verified over harvest seasons. The diagnostic markers, besides metabolites of triterpene biosynthetic pathway, mainly represented wax esters. ‘Jonagold’, which is known to be susceptible to mutations, was the only cultivar for which the unambiguous classification of geographical origin was not possible.

To assess if SARS-CoV-2 infection induces changes in the urinary volatilomic fingerprint able to be used in the non-invasive COVID-19 diagnosis and management, urine samples of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (62), recovered COVID-19 patients (30), and non-infected individuals (41) were analysed using solid-phase microextraction technique in headspace mode, combined with gas chromatography hyphenated with mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). In total, 101 volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) from 13 chemical families were identified, being terpenes, phenolic compounds, norisoprenoids, and ketones the most represented groups. Overall, a decrease in the levels of terpenes and phenolic compounds was observed in the control group, whereas norisoprenoids and ketones showed a significant increase. In turn, a remarkable increase was noticed in norisoprenoids and ketones and a milder increase in alcohols, furanic, and sulfur compounds in the recovery group than in the COVID-19 group. Multivariate statistical analysis identified sets of VOMs with the potential to constitute volatile signatures for COVID-19 development and progression. These signatures are composed of D-carvone, 3-methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)aniline (MTA), 1,1,6-trimethyl-dihydronaphthalene (TDN), 2-heptanone, and 2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-1,2,3,5,6,7,8,8-octahydro-1-naphthalenyl ester acetate (TONEA) for COVID-19 infection and nonanoic acid, α-terpinene, β-damascenone, α-isophorone, and trans-furan linalool for patients recovering from the disease. This study provides evidence that changes in the urinary volatilomic profile triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection constitute a promising and valuable screening and/or diagnostic and management tool for COVID-19 in clinical environment.

The Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 includes the parameter microcystin-LR, a cyanotoxin, which drinking water producers need to analyze if the water source has potential for cyanobacterial blooms. In light of the increasing occurrences of cyanobacterial blooms worldwide and given that more than 50 percent of the drinking water in Sweden is produced from surface water, both fresh and brackish, the need for improved knowledge about cyanotoxin occurrence and cyanobacterial diversity has increased. In this study a total of 98 cyanobacterial blooms were sampled in 2016-2017 and identified regarding their toxin production and taxonomical compositions. The surface water samples from freshwater lakes throughout Sweden including brackish water from 8 east coast locations along the Baltic Sea were analyzed for their toxin content with LC-MS/MS and taxonomic composition with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Both the extracellular and the total toxin content was analyzed. Microcystin´s prevalence was highest with presence in 82% of blooms, of which as free toxins in 39% of blooms. Saxitoxins were found in 36% of blooms in which the congener decarbamoylsaxitoxin (dcSTX) was detected for the first time in Swedish surface waters at four sampling sites. Anatoxins were most rarely detected, followed by cylindrospermopsin, which were found in 6% and 10% of samples, respectively. As expected, nodularin was detected in samples collected from the Baltic Sea only. The cyanobacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTU) with the highest abundance and prevalence could be annotated to Aphanizomenon NIES-81 and the second most profuse cyanobacterial taxon to Microcystis PCC-7914. In addition, two correlations were found, one between Aphanizomenon NIES-81 and saxitoxins and another between Microcystis PCC-7914 and microcystins. This study is of value to drinking water management and scientists involved in recognizing and controlling toxic cyanobacteria blooms.

The “circular bioeconomy” offers numerous opportunities for the health, cosmetic, and nutrition sectors through the potential reuse of Castanea sativa by-products. This abundant and sustainable resource provides valuable bioactive secondary metabolites with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The transformation of these by-products into high-value products for human health can contribute to sustainable economic growth and reduce the environmental impact of traditional waste disposal practices, thus creating added value from previously underutilized resources. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant capacity, phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of C. sativa burrs (CSB) aqueous extract. The spectrophotometric study yielded optimal total phenolic content (TPC) values, along with significant antioxidant and anti-radical properties. The utilization of UPLC-MS-MS techniques for phytochemical investigation resulted in the identification of a total of 56 metabolites, providing confirmation of the presence of phenolic compounds in CSB. In addition, CSB significantly downregulated pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells without significant cell toxicity.

Background. Escalating global plastic production, expected to reach 34,000 million tons by 2050, poses a significant threat to human and environmental well-being, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP), which originate from the degradation of plastics, are of concern due to their potential bioaccumulation and uptake of pollutants. This study addresses identification methods and focuses on insect meal, a raw material for aquaculture feed. Methods. By using different techniques, the study was able to detect MP and NP in insect meal samples. Chemical digestion with KOH at 60°C efficiently removed organic matter without affecting the synthetic polymer polyethylene (PE). Filtration, confocal Raman microscopy, SEM and TEM were used for comprehensive analysis and integrity tests on PE films were performed using Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed the presence of PE microplastic particles in the insect meal, which was confirmed by correlative Raman and SEM mapping on a positively charged surface. In addition, the increased resolution of the Raman microscope identified submicrometric PE NP (800 nm). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed plastic-like structures in the insect meal, highlighting the presence of PE plastics characterized by irregular shapes and some agglomeration. The higher carbon concentration in the EDX analysis supported the plastic nature, which was also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Conclusions. The study provides a robust method for the detection of MP and NP in insect meal and provides valuable insight into the possible presence of plastics in insect-based aquafeeds. The combination of different analytical methods increases the reliability of the results and sets the stage for future investigations that could focus on the quantification of NP and the assessment of their potential environmental impact.

Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAC) is a ubiquitous polymer in various industrial applications, including paints and adhesives. While extensive research has focused on understanding the degradation mechanisms of PVAC-based paint, under different environmental conditions, limited attention has been paid to the long-term stability of PVAC-based white glues, especially when used in artworks. This study investigates the accelerated degradation of a commercial PVAC-based white glue considered as representive of this class of materials as used in contemporary artworks, to predict its durability and assess its behavior in art objects. Through accelerated aging experiments and comparison with natural aging observed in artworks, the study reveals the formation of chromophores and the release of plasticizer as key degradation processes. Despite minimal structural modifications in PVAC, the loss of plasticizer leads to an increase in glass transition temperature, affecting the adhesive's cohesive strength and contributing to detachment of materials in artworks. The findings underscore the importance of preventive conservation measures to mitigate degradation issues in PVAC-based artworks.

In the drive towards environmental restoration and sustainable energy solutions, effective utilization and management of agricultural crop residues are vital to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste accumulation. Converting biogenic wastes into biofuels and bioproducts has the potential to tackle the energy crisis and contribute to environmental remediation. In this investigation, teff husk, primarily generated in Ethiopia during teff production within the agro-industrial sector, is used as the feedstock for the slow pyrolysis process. In Ethiopia, it is estimated that over 1.75 million tons of teff husk are generated annually, with a significant portion being incinerated in the fields, resulting in substantial environmental pollution. This study focuses on assessing teff husk as a potential material for slow pyrolysis, a crucial stage in biochar production, to tap into its biochar-producing potential. To determine the composition of the biomass, the teff-husk was initially analyzed by thermogravimetry. The significant presence of fixed carbon indicates that teff husk is a viable candidate for pyrolytic conversion into biochar particles. The process of slow pyrolysis took place at three varied temperatures—specifically, at 400, 450, and 500 °C. Process parameters of slow pyrolysis such as reaction time, temperature, and heating rate were enhanced to obtain maximum biochar yields. The highest biochar yield of 43.4 wt% was recorded at optimized reaction time, temperature, and heating rate of 120 min, 400 °C, and 4.2 °C/min, respectively. Furthermore, biochar's physicochemical, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and TGA characterization were performed. The thermal stability and carbon content of biochar were found to rise at higher temperatures. Unlike fuel recovery, the results suggest that teff-husk can be used as a feedstock for biochar production.

This study aimed to investigate the venom sac extracts (VSE) of the European hornet (EH) Vespa crabro (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), focusing on the differences between stinging females, gynes (G) and workers (W), at the protein level. Using a quantitative “Sequential Window Acquisition of all Theoretical Fragment Ion Mass Spectra” (SWATH-MS) analysis, we identified and quantified a total of 240 proteins. Notably, within the group, 45.8 % (n = 110) showed significant differential expression between VSE-G and VSE-W. In this set, 57.3 % (n = 63) were upregulated and 42.7 % (n = 47) downregulated in the G. Additionally, the 200 quantified proteins from the class Insecta belong to 16 different species, six of them to the Hymenoptera/Apidae lineage, comprising seven proteins with known potential allergenicity. Thus, phospholipase A1 (Vesp v 1), phospholipase A1 verutoxin 2b (VT-2b), hyaluronidase A (Vesp v 2A), hyaluronidase B (Vesp v 2B), and venom allergen 5 (Vesp v 5) were significantly downregulated in the G, and vitellogenin (Vesp v 6) was upregulated. Overall, 46 % of the VSE proteins showed differential expression, with a majority being upregulated in G. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD047955. These findings shed light on the proteomic differences in VSE between EH castes, potentially contributing to our understanding of their behavior and offering insights for allergy research.

The purpose of this study is to show an automated laser vision correction (LVC) with the transep-ithelial refractive keratectomy (TransPRK) surgery technique. Since more surgical steps have been automated over the years, we have standardized the TransPRK technique. We have been using it since 2010. This paper aims to illustrate the processes that are readily applicable to automation. To meet the patient's expectations and ensure that the patient has uncorrected visual acuity at least equal to the preoperative corrected vision with glasses, patient selection is crucial in refractive surgical procedures. One major benefit of automating the surgery is that it can be performed in a similar way by each surgeon or laser correction centre, so once the standard and results are good, these can be per-formed by different surgeons.

The development of saltiness enhancement peptides is important in reducing salt intake and promoting dietary health. Our study aimed to analyze and identify straw mushroom enzymatic peptides with salty taste enhancing effects. The taste-related peptides within the straw mush-room extract were isolated via ultrafiltration and identified using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Sub-sequent, E-tongue and sensory analyses unveiled that the ultrafiltration fraction (500-2000 Da) of straw mushroom peptides exhibited a saltiness enhancement effect. The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis identified 220 peptides within the ultrafiltration fractions (500-2000 Da), which were then assessed for their interaction with the T1R1/T1R3 receptor. The investigation underscored the significant involvement of Asp223, Gln243, Leu232, Asp251, and Pro254 in the binding of peptides from triple enzymatically hydrolyzed straw mushrooms to T1R1/T1R3. Based on the binding energy and active site analysis, three peptides were selected for synthesis: DFNALPFK (-9.2 kcal/mol), YNEDNGIVK (-8.8 kcal/mol), and VPGGQEIKDR (-8.9 kcal/mol). Notably, 3.2 mmol of VPGGQEIKDR enhanced a 0.05% NaCl solution to the saltiness level of a 0.15% NaCl solution. Also, 0.8 mmol of YNEDNGIVK elevated a 0.05% NaCl solution to the saltiness of a 0.1% NaCl solution.

An observational cohort study of patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC) stage IA G1, or atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AHE), undergoing organ-preserving treatment, was conducted. Objective of the study: to determine CDO1, PITX2, and CDH13 gene methylation levels in early endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia specimens obtained before organ-preserving treatment in the patients with adequate response and with insufficient response to hormonal treatment. Materials and methods: 41 endometrial specimens obtained during diagnostic uterine curettage in women with EC (n=28) and AEH (n=13), willing to preserve reproductive function, were studied; 18 specimens of endometrial cancer IA stage G1 from peri- and early postmenopausal women (comparison group) were included in the study. The control group included 18 endometrial specimens from healthy women obtained by diagnostic curettage for missed abortion and/or intrauterine adhesions. Methylation levels were analyzed using the modified MS-HRM method. Results: All 13 women with AEH had complete response (CR) to medical treatment. In the group undergoing organ-preserving treatment for uterine cancer IA stage G1 (n=28), 14 patients had complete response (EC CR group) and 14 had not (non-CR). It was found that all groups had statistically significant differences in CDO1 gene methylation levels with the control group (p&lt;0.001) except for the EC CR group (p=0.21). The p-value of difference between EC CR and EC non-CR groups was &lt;0.001. The differences in PITX2 gene methylation levels between the control and study groups were also significantly different (p&lt;0.001), except for AEH group (p=0.21). For the difference between EC CR and EC non-CR groups, the p-value was 0.43. For CDH13 gene methylation levels, statistically significant differences were found between the control and EC non-CR groups (p&lt;0.001), and the control and EC comparison groups (p=0.005). When comparing the EC CR group with EC non-CR group, the p-value for this gene was &lt;0.001. Simultaneous assessment of CDO1 and CDH13 genes methylation allowed to accurately distinguish between EC CR and EC non-CR groups (AUC=0.96). Conclusion: Assessment of CDO1 and CDH13 gene methylation in endometrial specimens from patients with endometrial cancer (IA stage G1), planned for medical treatment, can predict the treatment outcome.

The 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a six-carbon heterocyclic organic compound with two substituents an aldehyde group and an alcohol group. It is formed from saccharides as a result of two reactions: the Maillard reaction and the caramelization of saccharides. It has both a negative and a positive effect on the human body, which makes it, even more, an attractive research object. The objective of the study was to determine HMF content in honey samples available on the Polish market using three varied methods and compare the results obtained. The methodology used included: two spectrophotometric methods (by White and Winkler) and the HMF determination method based on the LC-MS/MS technique developed uniquely for this study. The determined HMF content in all tested honey samples did not exceed the applicable standard. All results are within the scope of the European Council Directive 2001/110/EC of 20 December 2001, i.e. they do not exceed HMF content in honey, which is 40 mg/kg.

The utilization of natural waxes to form oleogels has emerged as a new and efficient technique for structuring liquid edible oil into solid-like structures for diverse food applications. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction between sunflower wax (SW) and monoglycerides (MGs) in olive oil oleogels and to assess their physical characteristics and storage stability. To achieve this, pure SW and a combination of SW with MGs in a 1:1 ratio were examined within a total concentration range of 6-12% w/w. The formed oleogels were characterized based on their microstructure, melting and crystallization properties, textural characteristics, and oxidative stability during storage. All the oleogels were shelf-stable, and as the concentration increased, the hardness of the oleogels also increased. The crystals of SW oleogels were long needle-like, while the combination of SW and MGs led to the formation of crystal aggregates and rosette-like crystals. The differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR showed that the addition of MGs led to different crystal structures. The oxidation results revealed that oleogels had low peroxide and TBARS values throughout the 28-day storage. These results provide useful insights about the utilization of SW and MGs oleogels for potential applications in the food industry.

Seeds from several Ribes taxa were surveyed for phenolic compounds and in vitro antiproliferative activity against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. Total phenolic compounds were analysed through the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure, while phenolic profiles were analysed by LC coupled to a single mass spectrometer Orbitrap using an electrospray interface (ESI). Antitumor effects were established using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Total phenolics ranged from 11.4 in R. alpinum to 94.8 mg of caffeic acid equivalents (CAE)/g in R. nigrum 'Koksa'. Concerning phenolic compounds, four were hydroxylated benzoic acids, four cinnamic acid derivatives, eight flavonoids, and nine flavonoid glycosides. The growth inhibition against HT-29 cancer cells was exercised much better by R. nigrum 'Koksa' and Ribes 'Erkeeni' (GI50 37 and 42 µg/ml). All Ribes extracts, except R. nigrum 'Hara katarlik', showed higher activity than that of R. rubrum (GI50 at 72 h: 99 µg/ml). Interestingly, the highly bioactive extract from Ribes 'Erkeeni' contains all detected phenolics, while R. nigrum 'Koksa' lacks only populnin. Therefore, the high bioactivity found for such extracts could be due to a synergy due to all detected compounds. This work constitutes a comprehensive action for expanding knowledge on the phenolic profiles and antitumor activity of GLA-rich Ribes seeds.

Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS), characterized by the onset of multiple sclerosis before the age of 18, is gaining increased recognition. Approximately 5 percent of MS cases manifest before the age of 18, with less than 1 percent occurring before the age of 10. Despite its rarity, pediatric MS exhibits distinct characteristics, with an association between younger age at onset and a comparatively slower disease progression. Despite this slower progression, individuals with POMS historically reach disability milestones at earlier ages than those with adult-onset multiple sclerosis. While various immunomodulatory agents demonstrate significant benefits in MS treatment, such as reduced relapse rates and slower accumulation of brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the majority of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) commonly used in adult MS lack evaluation through pediatric clinical trials. Current evidence is predominantly derived from observational studies. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety profiles, and recommended dosages of available DMTs specifically in the context of pediatric MS. Furthermore, the review outlines recent advancements and explores potential medications still in developmental stages, providing a thorough overview of the current landscape and future prospects for treating POMS.

Bat feces were reported in ancient Chinese medicine books to have the effect of reducing heat and improving eyesight, but the mechanism of vision improvement still needs further research. To this end, we used 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to analyze the antioxidant capacity of and the types of vitamins in bat feces. We hoped to screen the pharmacological components of bat feces, and to explain the role that these components may play in the treatment of visual deterioration. Our results found that bat feces had a good antioxidant capacity and mainly contain vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B3 (nicotinic acid), and B5 (pantothenic acid). Although these vitamins may help maintain the health of the optic nerve and cornea, the vitamin content of bat feces is low, but the heavy metal content is high, as shown using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. Therefore, we suggest that the use of bat feces as traditional Chinese medicine to improve vision should be strictly restricted.

In the early 2000s, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) emerged as a performant and relevant tool for identifying micro-organisms. Since then, it has become practically essential for identifying bacteria in microbiological diagnostic laboratories. In the last decade, it was successfully applied for arthropod identification allowing to distinguish vectors from non-vectors of infectious diseases. However, identification failures are not rare, hampering it widely use. Failure is generally attributed either to the absence of respective counter species MS spectra in the database, or to the insufficient quality of query MS spectra (i.e. lower intensity and diversity of MS peaks detected). To avoid matching errors due to non-compliant spectra, the development of a strategy for detecting and excluding outlier MS profiles became compulsory. To this end, we created MSProfileR, an R package leading to a bioinformatics tool through a simple installation, integrating the control quality system of MS spectra and an analysis pipeline including peak detection and MS spectra comparisons. MSProfileR can also add metadata concerning the sample that the spectra are derived from. MSProfileR has been developed in the R environment and offers a user-friendly web interface using the R Shiny framework. It is available on Microsoft Windows as a web browser application by simply navigation using the link of the package on the Github. MSProfileR is therefore accessible to non-computer specialists and is freely available to the scientific community. We evaluated MSProfileR using two datasets including exclusively MS spectra from arthropods. In addition to coherent sample classification, outlier MS spectra were detected in each dataset confirming the value of MSProfileR.

Cultivated adlay or Job’s tear (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is an important food crop having numerous therapeutic and nutraceutical health benefits. Our study aimed to determine nutrients, minerals, fatty acid composition, and functional groups of seven wild Adlay accessions (brown, black, yellow, grey, green, off-white, and purple) to find out their scope as cereal crops using simple, rapid, and modern analytical techniques. Results revealed variations among bulk densities, specific densities, percent empty spaces, and corresponding grain counts per 10g of sample are valuable characteristics in distinguishing the accessions. Contents of fat, protein, ash, and fibre were found to be comparable to cultivated Adlay. Brown adlay was measured with the highest protein, fat, and fibre contents, 15.82%, 4.76% and 2.37%, respectively. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sodium ranged 0.3% - 2.2%, whereas boron, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese were in the range 1.6mg/kg - 20.8mg/kg. Wild adlay triglyceride composition constituted of polyunsaturated fatty acids as primary fraction followed by olein and palmitic acid as prominent fatty acids. Distinguishing functional groups expressed infra-red frequencies in narrow bands and fingerprint region of proteins associated with out-of-plane region evident structural differences among adlay accessions. Frequency of functional groups in seven accessions indicated black genotype promising for varietal development.

In recent years, growing attention has been directed towards the potential of plant extracts as great therapeutic agents in controlling oxidative stress and inflammation. Gymnema inodorum (Lour.) Decne, an indigenous plant locally grown in Northern Thailand, is known for its anti-diabetic activity. This study aims to explore the antioxidant properties and phenolic profile of column chromatographic fractionated G. inodorum leaf extract. The ethanolic-reflux extracts of G. inodorum leaves were subjected to column chromatography for the isolation of bioactive molecules. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were assessed using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Total antioxidant activity was evaluated by employing different antioxidant assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic)acid (ABTS) scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a C18 column was employed to determine the level of gymnemic acid, while Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight/Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS) was used to identify potential phenolic compounds. The three separated fractions indicating A, B, and C, exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, with total phenolic content of 0.294 ± 0.056, 0.085 ± 0.039, and 0.227 ± 0.041 mg QE/mL, and total flavonoid content of 0.274 ± 0.050, 0.309 ± 0.110, and 0.384 ± 0.007 mg QE/mL, respectively. Fraction A exhibited the highest DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity, while fraction C demonstrated significantly higher ferric-reducing power. HPLC analysis revealed a highest concentration of gymnemic acid in fraction C (0.393 ± 0.003 mg/g) compared to fraction A (0.159 ± 0.003 mg/g) and fraction B (0.142 ± 0.000 mg/g). The LC-QTOF/MS phenolic screening showed seven potential phenolic compounds in fraction A, seven compounds in fraction B, and four compounds in Fraction C. A significant relationship is found between antioxidant potential and total phenolic content, suggesting that phenolic compounds are the major contributors to the antioxidant activity of G. inodorum.

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) has been used for particle size measurement of diverse types of individual nanoparticles and micrometer-sized carbon-based particles, such as microplastics. However, its applicability to the measurement of micrometer-sized non-carbon-based particles such as silica (SiO2) is unclear. In this study, the applicability of spICP-MS to particle size measurement of non-porous/mesoporous SiO2 micro-spheres with a nominal diameter of 5.0 µm or smaller was investigated. Particle sizes of these microspheres were measured using both spICP-MS based on a conventional calibration approach using an ion standard solution and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as a reference technique and the results were compared. The particle size distributions obtained using both techniques were in agreement within analytical uncertainty. The applicability of this technique to the detection of metal-containing protein-binding mesoporous SiO2 microspheres was also investigated. Bound iron (Fe)-containing proteins (i.e., lactoferrin and transferrin) of mesoporous SiO2 microspheres were detected using Fe as a presence marker for the proteins. Thus, spICP-MS is applicable to the particle size measurement of large-sized and non-porous/mesoporous SiO2 microspheres; it has considerable potential for element-based detection and qualification of bound proteins of mes-oporous SiO2 microspheres in a variety of applications.

Adenosine is a multifunctional nucleoside with several roles across various levels in organisms. Beyond its intracellular involvement in cellular metabolism, extracellular adenosine potently influences both physiological and pathological processes. In relation to its blood level, adenosine impacts the cardiovascular system, such as heart beating rate and vasodilation. To exploit the adenosine levels in the blood, we employed the liquid chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Immediately after the collection, a blood sample mixed with acetonitrile solution that is either enriched with 13C-labeled adenosine or a newly generated mixture is transferred into the tubes containing the defined amount of 13C-labeled adenosine. The 13C-enriched isotopic adenosine is used as an internal standard, allowing for more accurate quantification of adenosine. This novel protocol for LC-MS-based estimation of adenosine delivers a rapid, highly sensitive, and reproducible means for quantitative estimation of total adenosine in blood. The method also allows quantification of a few catabolites of adenosine, i.e., inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine. This advancement provides the analytical tool that has the potential to enhance our understanding of adenosine's systemic impact and pave the way for further investigations into its intricate regulatory mechanisms.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major complication of prolonged diabetes, poses a significant risk of vision loss. Early detection is critical for effective treatment, yet traditional diagnostic methods by ophthalmologists are time-consuming, costly, and subject to variability. This study introduces a novel approach employing a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network-Radial Basis Function (CNN-RBF) classifier integrated with Multi-Scale Discriminative Robust Local Binary Pattern (MS-DRLBP) features for enhanced DR detection. We implemented advanced image preprocessing techniques, including noise reduction, morphological operations, and Otsu’s thresholding, to optimize blood vessel segmentation from retinal images. Our method demonstrates exceptional performance in screening DR, achieving an average of 96.10% precision, 95.35% sensitivity, 97.06% specificity, and 96.10% accuracy. These results significantly outperform traditional methods and offer a promising tool for remote and efficient screening of DR. Applied to publicly available datasets, this research contributes to the development of accessible, accurate diagnostic methods in ophthalmology, potentially reducing the global burden of diabetic vision loss.

Enterococci are widely acknowledged as prominent pathogens in hospitals, with the potential to transfer resistance genes, virulence factors, or other characteristics that increase their ability to survive in humans. Healthy cattle, sheep, and goats can be reservoirs for gastrointestinal pathogenic fecal enterococci, some of which could be multidrug-resistant to antimicrobials. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and diversity of Enterococcus species in healthy sheep, goat, and cattle carcasses, as well as to analyze the antimicrobial resistance phenotype/genotype and the virulence gene content. During 2019–2020, carcass surface samples of 150 ruminants were collected in a slaughterhouse. A total of 90 enterococci, comprising 5 species, were obtained. The overall prevalence of enterococci was found to be 60%, out of which 37.7% were identified as E. hirae, 33.3% as E. casseliflavus, 15.5% as E. faecium, 12.2% as E. faecalis, and 1.1% as E. gallinarum. Virulence-associated genes of efaA (12.2%) were commonly observed in the Enterococcus isolates, followed by gelE (3.3%), asaI (3.3%), and ace (2.2%). Characteristic resistance genes were identified by PCR with an incidence of 6.6%, 2.2%, 1.1%, 1.1%, 1.1%, and 1.1% for the tetM, ermB, ermA, aac(6’)Ie-aph(2")-la VanC1, and VanC2 genes, respectively. The high resistance to quinupristin-dalfopristin (28.8%), tetracycline (21.1%), ampisilin (20%), and rifampin (15.5%) was distributed among two, four, four, and five of the five species, respectively. The resistance of Enterococcus isolates to 11 antibiotic groups was determined and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains occupied 18.8% of the Enterococcus isolates. Efflux pump genes causing multidrug resistance were detected in Enterococcus isolates (34.4%). The study's results showed that there were enterococci in the slaughterhouse that were multidrug resistant (MDR) and had a number of genes linked to virulence that could be harmful to human health.

Chrysanthemum tea, a typical health tea with the same origin as medicine and food, is famous for its unique health benefits and flavor. To clarify the influence of metabolites of different varieties of chrysanthemum tea on the formation of taste and quality differences, nontargeted metabolomics combined with electronic tongue analysis were used to characterize the correlation between metabolites profiles and taste characteristics of different quality chrysanthemum tea. Thirteen metabolites were identified as the key metabolites of the sensory quality difference between Huangju and Jinsi Huangju tea. Kaempferol, luteolin, genistein, and some quinic acid derivatives were correlated with the ‘astringent’ and taste attributes. In contrast, l-(-)-3 phenyllactic acid and L-malic acid were found to be the ‘bitterness’ and ‘umami’ in chrysanthemum tea. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis pathway had important effects on the sensory quality of chrysanthemum tea.

The lactic acid bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus are commonly used as starter cultures in dairy product production. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of fermented milk using different ratios of these strains and analyze the changes in volatile compounds during fermentation and storage. The 10:1 ratio of Streptococcus thermophilus CICC 6063 to Lactobacillus helveticus CICC 6064 showed optimal fermentation time (4.2 h), viable cell count (9.64 log10 colony-forming units/mL), and sensory evaluation score (79.1 points). In total, 56 volatile compounds were identified and quantified by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS), including aldehydes, ketones, acids, alcohols, esters, and others. Among these, acetaldehyde, 2,3-butanedione, 2,3-pentanedione, 2-heptanone, acetoin, and 1-heptanol had the highest odor activity values and contributed to the characteristic flavor of fermented milk. The concentrations and types of key flavor compounds reached their peak at the end of fermentation. Throughout the fermentation and storage process, the levels of 2,3-pentanedione and acetoin exhibited synergistic dynamics. These findings enhance our understanding of the chemical and molecular characteristics of milk fermented with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus, providing a basis for improving the flavor and odor of dairy products during fermentation and storage.

High rates of resistance to antibiotics are associated with healthcare-related infections, thus appealing for the urgent need for effective antimicrobials against these maladies. The present study aims to determine the chemical composition of essential oil (EO) from Clausena anisata leaves, and evaluate their antibacterial activity against selected nosocomial bacteria. Fresh leaves of Clausena anisata were subjected to a steam distillation using a Clevenger apparatus to afford the essential oil. The phytochemical composition of this oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil was further tested against selected nosocomial bacteria, including Staphylococcus and Klebsiella species, among others, using a microdilution method. As a result, 0.77% of essential oil was extracted from fresh leaves of Clausena anisata. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the as-prepared essential oil contain E-anethole (70.77%), methyl isoeugenol (13.85%), estragole (4.10%), γ-terpinene (3.33%), myrcene (2.82%) and sabinene (0.77%), with E-anethole being the major constituent. Meanwhile, twenty two compounds were identified in the EO of Clausena anisata leaves through gas chromatography. Upon antibacterial test against selected nosocomial pathogens, the E-anethole-rich essential oil exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values ranging from 3.91 to 125 µg/mL and 7.81 to 125 µg/mL, respectively, indicative of a bactericidal orientation of the plant’s essential oil (MIC/MBC ratio: 4). This novel contribution highlights the scientific validation of the use of Clausena anisata leaves in the traditional treatment of various infectious diseases. However, toxicity and pharmacokinetic studies, mechanistic basis of the antibacterial action, and in vivo antibacterial experiments of the E-anethole-rich essential oil of Clausena anisata should be investigated to successfully use this plant in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Abstract: (1) Background: No consensus has been reached on indicators and protocols for monitoring drug concentrations in organ transplant recipients for the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid (MPA) in clinical therapy.In this study, we propose to establish a Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for quantitative determination of MPA and its metabolites ( mycophenolic acid carboxybutoxyether, MPAG and mycophenolic acid carboxyglucuronide, AcMPAG) concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and to assess the clinical application of PBMCs concentration detection of MPA and its metabolites in infection prediction in Chinese kidney transplant recipients(KTRs); (2) Methods: PBMCs were isolated with Ficoll-Paque solution, and cells were counted. Acetonitrile precipitated proteins to extract the target compounds.Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column of 1.7μm (2.1 mm*50 mm) and an ACQUITY-Xevo TQ-S UPLC-MS/MS system were used for the detection with mobile phases: water and methanol (containing 2 mmol/L NH4Ac + 0.1% formic acid); flow rate: 0.3 mL/min. After gradient elution, the samples were positively ionized by an electrospray positive ion source (ESI) and then quantitatively analyzed by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The performance of the established method was evaluated through a series of validation experiments according to the requirements of the relevant guidelines. We enrolled 7 KTRs with stable conditions and 8 KTRs with infection from August to November 2022, who were treated at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University.Their peripheral blood samples were collected and detected MPA, MPAG, and AcMPAG concentrations in PBMCs using the methods mentioned above and evaluated for their clinical application in the prediction and monitoring of infections in KTRs; (3) Results: After validation of the methodology, the UPLC-MS/MS method established in this study for the determination of MPA, MPAG, and AcMPAG concentrations in PBMCs showed good linearity in the quantitative ranges of 0.0625-50 ng/ml, 0.5-50 ng/ml and 0.1-20 ng/ml, and the selectivity, specificity, matrix effect, carry-over contamination, reproducibility, precision and accuracy all satisfied the requirements.AcMPAG in PBMCs was poorly stabilized and showed significant degradation after -80°C storage for 24 h or 3 cycles of freeze-thaw.There was a large variability in MPA and MPAG concentrations in PBMCs of KTRs and it correlated poorly with plasma MPA concentrations (rs=0.206,p=0.117).Subgroup analysis showed that the correlation between MPA in plasma and PBMCs was still poor in the infected group(rs=0.201,p=0.116), but significant correlation in the stable group (rs=0.643,p=0.001). A significantly higher level of MPA in PBMCs was observed in the infected group than those in the stable group at 2h and 4h after drug dosing (p&lt;0.05).AcMPAG concentrations in PBMCs of KTRs were extremely low and virtually undetectable.ROC curve analysis (area under the curve, AUC) was performed for infection after renal transplantation with indicators of significant difference showed that the area AUC for PBMCs-MPA-C4 was 0.928 ,for PBMCs-MPA-C2 was 0.875,and for Plasma-MPA-C4 was 0.803; (4) Conclusions: In this study, a method based on UPLC-MS/MS was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of MPA, MPAG, and AcMPAG concentrations in PBMCs.With easy operability and good stability, this method provides a reliable analytical method for the clinical implementation of the detection of MPA, MPAG, and AcMPAG concentrations in PBMCs.The concentrations of MPA and MPAG in PBMCs from KTRs were highly variable and were closely associated with the development of infections after renal transplantation.Monitoring MPA and MPAG in PBMCs may be useful indicators for mycophenolic acid therapeutic drug concentration monitoring (TDM) in KTRs.

Bioprospecting native Australian plants offers potential discovery of latent and novel bioactive compounds. Promising cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of Pittosporum angustifolium and Terminalia ferdinandiana led to further fractionation and isolation using our laboratory’s bioassay guided fractionation protocol. Hence, the aim of this study was to further evaluate the bioactivity of the fractions and subfractions and characterize bioactive compounds using liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography MS (GC-MS). Compounds tentatively identified in P. angustifolium Fraction 1 using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS were chlorogenic acid and/or neochlorogenic acid, bergapten, berberine, 8’-epitanegool and rosmarinic acid. GC-MS analysis data showed the presence of around 100 compounds, mainly comprising of carboxylic acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, and monoalkylglycerols. Furthermore, the fractions obtained from T. ferdinandiana flesh extracts showed no cytotoxicity, except against HT29 cell lines, and only Fraction 2 exhibited some antibacterial activity. The reduced bioactivity observed in the T. ferdinandiana fractions could be attributed to the potential loss of synergy as compounds become separated within the fractions. As a result, further fractionation, and separation of compounds in these samples were not pursued. However, additional dose-dependent studies are warranted to validate the bioactivity of T. ferdinandiana flesh fractions, particularly since this is an understudied species. Moreover, LC-MS/GC-MS studies confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in P. angustifolium Fraction 1/subfractions which helps to explain the significant acute anti-cancer activity of this plant. The screening process designed in this study has the potential to pave the way for developing scientifically validated phytochemical/bioactivity information on ethnomedicinal plants, thereby facilitating further bioprospecting efforts, and supporting the discovery of novel drugs in modern medicine.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a major respiratory morbidity associated with prematurity. In this case-control study, we prospectively evaluated whether targeted metabolomic analysis (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) of the gastric fluid obtained from very preterm neonates (< 32 weeks’ gestation) during the first hour after birth could predict the need for exogenous surfactant for the treatment of RDS. 43 infants with RDS necessitating surfactant (cases) were compared with 30 infants with mild or no RDS (controls) who were not treated with surfactant. Perinatal and neonatal characteristics were recorded. Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in gastric fluid metabolites (L-glycine and acetyl-L-serine) and clinical parameters (gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, and intubation in the delivery room). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed intubation in the delivery room as the most potent clinical predictor of surfactant administration [AUC of 0.69 (95% CI 0.57-0.81)]. The combination of metabolomic and clinical data allowed for the construction of a model with good accuracy [AUC 0.76 (95% CI 0.64-0.86)] in predicting surfactant replacement therapy. Further research is required to explore the role of gastric fluid metabolomics in the prediction of RDS and other neonatal outcomes.

Gelatin fibers have a specific surface and high porosity, which is why their use in medicine and the food industry is being researched. This article explores the potential of centrifugal spinning to produce gelatin fibers. Gelatin for fiber preparation is obtained from a non-traditional source of collagen (chicken by-products) using a unique enzymatic process. The fiber quality is compared with those prepared from traditional collagen tissues (porcine, bovine). The results show that fibers crosslinked with glutaraldehyde vapor preserve their structure even in contact with water. Using a cross-linker controls swelling ability and solubility while maintaining the fiber structure. On the contrary, uncross-linked gelatin fibers are water soluble due to a high surface-to-volume ratio, facilitating water penetration and dissolution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided a clearer picture of the morphology of gelatin fibers obtained by centrifugal spinning. Differences in the amount of bonding depending on the raw material used and the presence of cross-linker were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The overall results showed that chicken gelatin is a suitable alternative to gelatins from traditional sources.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine regulating many physiological and pathological immune-mediated processes. Although initially described as a tumor-cytotoxic agent, over time, it has also been recognized as an essential pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Several studies have shown an increase in TNF expression both in acute and chronic active MS brain lesions, as well as its involvement in maintaining a chronic inflammatory intrathecal process known as “compartmentalized inflammation”, which contributes to disease progression and disability accumulation in MS, even more than acute inflammatory activity. Indeed, high TNF levels were observed in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of subjects with MS and correlated to disease severity, promoting axonal damage and, consequently, neurodegeneration. In this review we discuss the current knowledge of TNF and its receptors involvement in MS progression, focusing on disability progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), meant as the disability accumulation evident in relapsing MS patients not related to acute inflammatory events.

Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), which develops over time into a harmful internal reaction in concrete, produces a harmful gel due to the reaction between the reactive silica in the aggregate and the alkalis of the pore solution. Due to the multi-scale nature of this long-term phenomenon, understanding its mechanism in concrete structures remains difficult to assess. Accelerated Mortar Bar Testing (AMBT) ASTM C1260 is among the commonly used methods to understand ASR formation in a short time. In this study, the chemical characterisation of concretes produced from volcanic rock type basalt aggregate was compared with the chemical characterisation of ASR concretes after AMBT was applied. In addition, 20% FA was substituted into the concrete to investigate the effect of fly ash (FA) on ASR. Specimens with limestone aggregate (PL), basalt aggregate (BBC) and 20% basalt aggregate with fly ash substitution instead of cement (BBC20FA) were prepared for the investigation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques were used to characterise the morphology and analytical composition of the concretes. It was determined that basalt aggregate does not cause ASR and its use with fly ash increases the strength and durability of concrete.

This work compares the multi-element analysis of human hair and nails using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with an easy, fast, cheap, non-destructive method using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDX-RF). The ICP-MS-based method was more sensitive (over 30 elements could be quantified) and costly (requiring more time, sample, and chemicals). The EDX-based method required laboratory and certified reference materials made of hair for instrument calibration. It was less sensitive (16 elements could be quantified: S, Si, Ca, Br, Fe, Cu, Cr, Mg, Si, K, Mn, Ni, Zn, Se, Sr, Pb), but it allowed to replace troublesome grinding with the dissolution of keratin-based material with alkalic agent (tetramethylammonium hydroxide, TMAH) and formation of stable for days pellets. The method is simple, enables automation, and, due to the modification of wells in the autosampler of the EDX system by immersion of home-designed inserts, it requires smaller amounts of biological material and binder (down to 70 mg instead of 500 mg required by commercially available instrument) to perform analysis. It was concluded that the EDX-based method offers complementary selectivity and sensitivity to ICP-MS with the possibility of the reuse of the sample for further analysis.

(1) Background: Since fullerene C60 is insoluble in water and is toxic, it is not applicable in biomedicine and cosmetics. For this reason, the first derivative FD-C60 (fullerenol) was synthesized, which solved the problem of solubility in water and partially reduced toxicity. In order to maximally reduce toxicity and increase biomedical efficiency, the second derivative SD-C60 (3HFWC- Hyper-Harmonized-Hydroxylated Fullerene Water Complex), was created. (2) Methods: In order to obtain the most reliable data, several different methods are applicable in the characterization of FD-C60 and SD-C60 with water layers (NIR, FTIR, 13C-NMR,  1H-NMR, TGA/DTA, XRD, AFM/MFM etc.). (3) Results: FD-C60 as an individual structure is about 1.3 nm in size, while SD-C60 as an individual structure is 1030 nm in size. The aforementioned methods showed that SD-C60 contains water layers, which explains the difference between those two structures in the physicochemical properties, and their effects on biomolecules. (4) Conclusions: Based on the above methods and techniques, FD-C60 and SD-C60 are two different substances in terms of size, structure, and physicochemical properties; FD-C60 at 100C has endothermic characteristics and SD-C60 at 133C has exothermic characteristics, FD-C60 possesses water molecules only from humidity, while SD-C60 has water molecules from both humidity and extra water molecules in layers, the zeta potential of FD-C60 is -25.85 mV, while it is -43.29 mV for SD-C60.

Fingerhuthia africana Lehm belongs to family Poaceae, is an erect perennial grass used traditionally to cure different diseases. The current study was carried out to find the bioactive compounds by GC-MS, elemental analysis through atomic absorption spectrophotometry, proximate analysis by AOAC, genotoxic activity through comet assay, antioxidant activity through DPPH and antidiarrheal activity through castor oil induce diarrhea followed by charcoal meal on mice model. GC-MS chromatogram represents different compounds detected in the crude extract. Major pharmacological bioactive compounds are 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-; 4-Methyl itaconate; .alpha.-Terpineol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol, 1-acetate; Benzofuran, 2,3-dihydro-; Caryophyllene oxide; Hinesol; n-Hexadecanoic acid; 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester; Hexadecanoic acid and methyl ester. Elemental analysis of stem, leaves and roots of the plant show the presence of (macro and micro) nutrients such as Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cd and Co were absent in all parts. Proximate analysis of different parts revealed the presence of moisture contents (8.57%), ash (9.77%), fats contents (5.96%), fibers contents (45.03%), protein (3.62%), carbohydrates (39.71%) and Gross energy (Kcal/100g) (220.10). The ethanolic extract show dose-dependent genoprotective potential (127.38 ± 1.16), (83.28 ± 0.65), and (44.08 ± 1.40) at 50, 75, and 100 mg/100 ml, respectively, as compared to the methanolic extract which show genotoxic activity (85.13 ± 1.23) at high dose. After 90 minutes at a concentration of 300 (g/ml), methanolic extract demonstrated the greatest antioxidant potential (79.5%), followed by aqueous extract (76.5%). The methanolic extract of F. africana demonstrated antidiarrheal efficacy, with the maximum inhibition of charcoal movement (83.78%) occurring at a dosage of 300 mg/kg, followed by doses of 200 and 100 mg/kg, 73.26% and 59.56%, respectively. The current research highlights that the plant contains a substantial quantity of micro and macro nutrients, possesses high nutritional value, and exhibits pharmacological activities. These properties render the plant suitable for developing remedies to treat various therapeutic diseases.

Parthenium incanum (Mariola) is used in Mexico to treat stomach and liver disorders. Reports have shown that the genus Parthenium contains biologically active metabolites. This work aimed to isolate and identify biologically active compounds with trypanocidal activity. The extracts were obtained through static maceration and extraction with successive reflux using different solvents. After that, they were fractionated with column chromatography, and the obtained fractions were compared by TLC; similar fractions were pooled and concentrated. A bioguided assay was performed with S. aureus ATCC 25923, using agar diffusion techniques and bioautography to determine preliminary biological activity. Active fractions were obtained and purified from a preparative TLC plate. The obtained compounds were identified as parthenin and coronopolin by TLC, FT-IR, and HPLC-MS. Finally, they were evaluated against the Ninoa strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, obtaining an IC50 of up to 45±2.5 ppm. It was concluded that P. incanum contains compounds with trypanocidal activity.

The study delved into the impact of two extrusion processing parameters—screw speed (SS at 400, 600, 800 RPM) and material moisture content in the extruder barrel (M at 12, 15, 18%) at constant feed rate (50 kg/h)—on reducing the content of alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA), and tentoxin (TEN) in whole-grain red sorghum flour. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) was used for determination of Alternaria toxin levels. The extruder die temperature ranged between 136 and 177 °C, the pressure at the die was from 0.16 to 6.23 MPa, the specific mechanical energy ranged from 83.5 to 152.3 kWh/t, the torque ranged between 88 to 162.8 Nm, while the mean retention time of material in the barrel was between 5.6 and 13 s. Optimal parameters for reducing the concentration of all Alternaria toxins with the satisfactory quality of sorghum snacks were: SS=400 RPM, M= 12%, with a reduction of 61.4, 76.4, 12.1 and 50.8% for AOH, AME, TeA and TEN, respectively.

Aiming at the classification identification problem of aeroengines, this paper adopts telemetry Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer to collect aeroengine hot jet infrared spectrum data, and proposes an aeroengine classification identification method based on spectral feature vectors. First, aeroengine hot jet infrared spectrum data are acquired and measured, meanwhile, the spectral feature vectors based on CO2 are constructed. Then, the feature vectors are combined with the seven mainstream classification algorithms to complete the training and prediction of the classification model. In the experiment, two Fourier transform infrared spectrometers, EM27 developed by Bruker and a self-developed telemetry FTIR, were used to telemeter the hot jet of three aeroengines to obtain infrared spectral data. The training data set and test data set were randomly divided in a ratio of 3:1. The model training of the training data set and the label prediction of the test data set were carried out by combining spectral feature vectors and classification algorithms. The classification evaluation indicators were accuracy, precision, recall, confusion matrix, and F1-score. The classification recognition accuracy of the algorithm was approximately 98%. This paper has great significance for the fault diagnosis of aeroengines and classification recognition of aircrafts.

Prosthetic infections are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and relapse rates making them still a serious problem for implantology. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common bacterial pathogens causing prosthetic infections. In response to the increasing rate of bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics, the work proposed a method of combating pathogenic microorganisms by modifying the surface of synthetic polymeric biomaterials using proteolytic enzyme inhibitors (serine protease inhibitors - 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride and puromycin). While using techniques based on immobilization of biologically active molecules, it is important to monitor changes occurring on the surface of the modified biomaterial, where spectroscopic techniques (e.g. FTIR) are ideal. The ATR-FTIR measurements demonstrated that the immobilization of both inhibitors caused large structural changes on the surface of the tested vascular prostheses (polyester or polytetrafluoroethylene) and showed that they were covalently bonded to the surface of the biomaterials. Next, the bactericidal and antibiofilm activities of the tested serine protease inhibitors were determined using the CLSM microscopic technique with fluorescent staining. During LIVE/DEAD analyses, a significant decrease in the formation of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm after exposure to selected concentrations of native inhibitors (0.02-0.06 mg/mL for puromycin and 0.2-1 mg/mL for 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride was demonstrated.

The cooking method is extremely important for the production of low-salt, wet-marinated, fermented golden pomfret because it strongly influences its flavor components and organoleptic quality. There are also significant differences in flavor preferences in different populations. The present study analyzed differences in the aroma characteristics of wet-marinated fermented golden pomfret after boiling, steaming, microwaving, air frying and baking using a combination of an electronic nose, GC-IMS and SPME-GC-MS. Electronic nose PCA showed that the flavors of the boiled (A), steam (B) and microwave (C) treatment groups were similar, and the flavors of baking (D) and air frying (E) were similar. A total of 72 flavor compounds were detected in the GC-IMS analysis, and comparative analysis of the cooked wet-marinated and fermented golden pomfret yielded a greater abundance of flavor compounds. SPME-GC-MS analysis detected 108 flavor compounds, and the results were similar to the baking and air frying. Twelve key flavor substances, including hexanal, isovaleraldehyde, and (E)-2-dodecenal, were identified by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and VIP analysis. These results show that cooking method is a key factor in the flavor distribution of wet-marinated fermented golden pomfret, and consumers can choose the appropriate cooking method accordingly.

Bixa orellana dye was extracted from the seed by method of Soxhlet extraction using ethanol and a percentage yield of 4.3 was obtained. Recrystallisation of the dye was performed using chloroform and ethanol. TLC was used to separate the dye into Bixin and Norbixin with R_f values of 0.56 and 0.42 respectively. The extracted dye was pH sensitive, insoluble in water but soluble in some organic solvents like ethanol and acetic acid . Characterisation by UV-spectroscopy showed maximum absorption for Bixin and Norbixin at 457nm and 453nm respectively. FTIR spectrum of Bixin and Norbixin showed bands confirming similar functional groups for both Bixin and Norbixin except for –CO- stretching and methylene vibration which was absent in Norbixin.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a pathology of great impact worldwide which its physiopathology is not completely known and usually diagnosed by imaging techniques performed at advanced stages of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate early serum metabolome changes and identify the main metabolites involved in an inflammatory OA animal model. The study was performed with thirty rats, OA in all animals was induced by intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetate into the knee joint. Blood samples were taken from all animals and analyzed by mass spectrometry before OA induction, and 28, 56 and 84 days following induction. Histological study confirmed OA in all samples. The results of this study allow the identification of several changes in the serum metabolome over time, including organic acids, benzenoids, heterocyclic compounds and lipids at T28, organic acids at T56 and lipid classes at T84. We conclude that OA induces serological changes in the metabolome and, more specifically, 18 metabolites which could serve as potential biomarkers. However, it was not possible to establish a relationship between the identified metabolites and the time at which the samples were taken. Therefore, these findings should be confirmed in future OA studies.

Microplastic pollution is a serious global issue affecting freshwater systems, coastal regions, and oceans. These non-biodegradable materials have a detrimental impact on marine species and ecosystems, causing disruption to their feeding, breathing, and reproduction. In this study, 120 samples of two species of shrimp, P. monodon and P. indicus, from ten locations in the Negombo lagoon in Sri Lanka were analyzed. A total of 415 items were identified as microplastic with an average of 8.29 ± 4.63 items per gram in P. monodon and 5.52 ± 3.78 items per gram in P. indicus. The majority of microplastics identified were fibers (93%), and the remaining being fragments. Most of the microplastics were &gt;1000 μm, and the most prevalent color was blue (61%), followed by red (15%), black (9%), and others. These comprised of polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, and rayon, as identified by FTIR spectroscopy. This study highlights the prevalence of microplastics in shrimps harvested from the Negombo lagoon and the potential impact on marine life.

The study seeks to unravel the intricate operational sequence involved in preparing prehistoric pigments for rock art within the Puerto Roque rock art shelter. Sixteen pigment samples, identified as Lab Code Puerto_1 to Puerto_16, were meticulously collected from specific figurative representations. Additionally, three ochre samples (Puerto_17, Puerto_18, and Puerto_19) were sourced from the shelter's soil. Employing a comprehensive multi-analytical approach, including Raman microspectroscopy, X-ray microfluorescence (EDxrf), Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), all nineteen samples underwent thorough analysis. The research unveiled a spectrum of distinct red pigments within the rock art depictions. The sampling strategy for the 16 panels in the Puerto region was meticulously designed to capture the diverse array of rock art manifestations, each presenting unique characteristics that warranted detailed scientific investigation. The selection of these panels was guided by the recognition of various artistic techniques employed in the creation of the paintings, the nuanced hues exhibited, prevalent erosion issues, potential effects of sunlight exposure, and the intriguing hypothesis of distinct chronological periods due to several superimpositions detected. Notably, darker pigments in samples Puerto_02, Puerto_10, and Puerto_19 revealed a composition of hematite with the added presence of carbon. Meanwhile, Puerto_08 exhibited an orange hue primarily composed of goethite. Bright red pigments in samples Puerto_01, Puerto_03, Puerto_05, Puerto_07, Puerto_09, and Puerto_11 were predominantly characterised by hematite, as confirmed by Raman analysis. EDxrf analysis demonstrated an elemental composition akin to the three ochre pieces examined. Furthermore, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy suggested the potential influence of a heating process in enhancing red coloration, corroborated by spectral results from specific samples. This finding aligns with prior research, underscoring the technological sophistication embedded in early artistic endeavours. The detailed understanding of pigment types and their preparation methods provides insights into the artistic choices and technological adeptness of prehistoric communities. Beyond the archaeological implications, these findings contribute significantly to the ongoing conservation efforts of rock art sites. The amalgamation of diverse analytical techniques showcased their efficacy in elucidating the intricate world of pigment preparation. Recognizing the unique microclimates at each rock art site that influence pigment preservation, this localised approach aids informed decisions in safeguarding these invaluable cultural resources. In essence, this study not only unravels the artistic past but also advocates for the sustainable conservation of our shared cultural heritage.

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous in eukaryotes and certain prokaryotes, where they serve as vital components of biological membranes and as bioactive molecules. Chloroplasts have complex membrane structures that play crucial roles in photosynthesis, but their specific sphingolipidome remains unreported. In this study, we used high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the sphingolipidome of purified Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts. We detected 92 chloroplast sphingolipids. The chloroplast sphingolipidome differed from total leaf (TL) samples, having a higher content of free long-chain bases and hydroxyceramides, and a greater proportion of complex sphingolipids with 16C fatty acid (FA) forms. Notably, chloroplast glucosylceramides were predominantly the d18:1 h16:0 and t18:1 h16:0 forms, rather than the 24C FA form found in TL and other cellular structures. Comparing the sphingolipidomes of different cellular structures underscores the inhomogeneity of intracellular distribution of sphingolipids. This provides a robust reference for further elucidating the function of sphingolipids in plant cells.

Ebstein anomaly, a congenital heart condition, can manifest across a broad age spectrum, including adulthood. We present a unique case of a 67-year-old woman with no significant medical history who sought medical attention for severe headaches, vomiting, and respiratory distress, accompanied by elevated blood pressure and rapid pulse. Initial investigations, including troponin T levels, yielded unremarkable results. However, an electrocardiogram unveiled a right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern, prompting further assessment. A subsequent chest X-ray disclosed an enlarged heart, indicating cardiomegaly, prompting echocardiography. The echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis of Ebstein anomaly, revealing a 26 mm apical displacement of the tricuspid valve (TV). The patient was managed conservatively with supplemental oxygen and exhibited gradual improvement. This case underscores the infrequent occurrence of Ebstein anomaly in adulthood and underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation in cases of unexplained cardiopulmonary symptoms.

The interaction between O2 and reduced ceria nanocubes was mainly investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. Nanorods and nanoparticles were also studied for comparison. Adsorption of O2 at 100 K on unreduced ceria produces only O2 molecularly adsorbed on Ce4+ sites. The Ce3+ cations in H2-reduced ceria were monitored by the 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 electronic transition band at 2133-2095 cm-1. This band possesses a fine structure well resolved at 100 K. The positions of the individual components depend on the Ce3+ environment, including the presence of nearby species such as OH groups. Even at 100 K, the interaction of O2 with reduced ceria leads to fast oxidation of about half of the Ce3+ cations, including all Ce3+ sites bound to OH groups and carbonates, and the simultaneous formation of superoxo (O2) and peroxo (O22) species. The remaining fraction of Ce3+ sites disappears upon heating up to 348 K. At higher temperatures, the peroxo species decompose directly, yielding lattice oxygen. Superoxides are converted to hydroperoxides, which then decompose to terminal OH groups. Reduced samples evacuated at T &lt; 773 K contain sorbed H2. Part of this hydrogen is also fast oxidized to H2O even at 100 K.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) are complexes, highly stable in vivo, used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), administered in patients and then eliminated via renal, passing through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) before being discarded in the receiving medium, without apparent removal. In this study, it was studied if different exposure periods to several environmental parameters (solar radiation, different salinities, temperatures and pH) will influence the stability of these complexes, namely, the Gd-DOTA. Gd-DOTA solutions were processed in a seaFAST-pico saline matrix pre-concentration and elimination system and Gd concentrations were determined by ICP-MS. Results showed that the complex remained stable in fresh, brackish and saline water environments, even when exposed to extreme temperatures (40ºC) or slightly acidic to basic conditions (6-10), for an exposure period of 96h. A small increase in the free Gd concentration was observed after 18 days when exposed to pH&lt;4, in all tested salinities (0, 18 and 36 PSU), with a degradation increase of up to 29%, after 5 weeks of exposure in freshwater. When exposed to direct solar radiation a low Gd-DOTA degradation (4%) was observed after 24h at salinity 18 PSU and remained constant until the end of the exposure period (96h), while the remaining salinities showed negligible values.

A rapid and efficient technique using an electronic nose based on a mass detector combined with headspace sampling (HS-SPME-MS e-nose) and chemometric tools was applied to classify beer samples between fresh and aged and between samples contained in aluminium cans or glass bottles, and to predict the shelf life of beer. The mass spectra obtained from the HS-SPME-MS e-nose contain information on the volatile compounds, recorded as the abundance of each ion at different mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. The analysis was performed on 53 samples aged naturally for eleven months in the absence of light and with a controlled temperature of around 14° C +/- 0.5° C. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed on the data, showing a grouping of samples between fresh and aged. Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) allowed discriminating fresh from aged beers but was not able to discriminate samples packaged in aluminium cans or in glass bottles. Finally, Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) was applied to build a prediction model and showed to be effective to predict beer shelf life.

In searching for compounds with antioxidant and antifungal activity, our study focused on the subshrub species Empetrum rubrum Vahl ex Willd. (Ericaceae), commonly known as Brecillo or Murtilla de Magallanes. We measured the antioxidant activity of its methanolic extract (MEE) obtained from the aerial parts (leaves and stems). The antioxidant activity of MEE was evaluated in vitro by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) cationic radical. Results were expressed in gallic acid and Trolox equivalents for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The antioxidant activities, for the DPPH and ABTS assays, were also calculated as an inhibitory concentration of extract needed to inhibit 50% of the absorbance (IC50 value). The results of IC50 values measured by the DPPH and ABTS methods were 0.4145 mg mL-1 and 0.1081 mg mL-1, respectively. In relation to the antioxidant activity, the total phenolic content (TPC) in MEE was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the presence of secondary metabolites groups, including phenolic compounds, was determined by using different standardized test procedures. Phenolic compounds contained in leaves, stems, and fruits of E. rubrum were determined qualitatively by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. The antifungal activity of MEE obtained from aerial parts of E. rubrum was tested against Rhizoctonia solani. In vitro, mycelial growth of this fungus was reduced from 90% to 100% in the presence of MEE.

Several studies in computer vision have examined specular removal, which is crucial for object detection and recognition. This research has traditionally been divided into two tasks: specular highlight removal, which focuses on removing specular highlights on object surfaces, and reflection removal, which deals with specular reflections occurring on glass surfaces. In reality, however, both types of specular effects often coexist, making it a fundamental challenge that has not been adequately addressed. Recognizing the necessity of integrating specular components handled in both tasks, we constructed a Specular-Light (S-Light) DB for training single-image-based deep learning models. Moreover, considering the absence of benchmark datasets for quantitative evaluation, the Multi-Scale Normalized Cross Correlation (MS-NCC) metric, which considers the correlation between specular and diffuse components, was introduced to assess the learning outcomes.

Cathinone is a natural stimulant found in Catha edulis and commonly used in new psychoactive substances. The objective of this study was to examine the disposition kinetics and metabolic profile of cathinone and its metabolite cathine through a single oral dose of cathinone administration in rats. Cathine and cathinone concentrations were identified and quantified using ion trap liquid chromatography (LC-IT/MS), while the metabolic profile was determined using the quadrupole time of flight UPLC-QTOF/MS method in the serum, brain, lung, liver, kidney, and heart over a period of 0, 0.5, 2.5, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The findings revealed a dynamic interplay between the pharmacokinetics of cathinone and its impact on organ-specific biomarkers. The distribution of cathinone and cathine was determined in serum, brain, heart, lung, kidney, and liver. The highest concentration of cathinone was found in the kidney at 1438.6 ug/L. It gradually decreased to 1.97 within 48 hours and disappeared after 72 hours. Within half an hour, cathinone levels in the lungs, liver, and heart were found to be 859, 798.9, and 385.8 ug/L, respectively. However, within 2.5 hours, these levels decreased to 608.1, 429.3, and 309.1 ug/L and kept decreasing until they became undetectable after 24 hours. The concentration of cathinone in the rat brain reduces quickly, dropping to undetectable levels within six hours, with levels decreasing from 712.7 ug/L after just 30 minutes. In the brain and serum, cathine reached its highest levels at 2.5 hours, while in other organs, it peaked at 0.5 hours. This indicates that the conversion of cathinone to cathine is slower in the brain and serum. The study found that cathinone's pharmacokinetics have a significant impact on organ-specific biomarkers. After administering the cathinone, there was a sharp change in biomarker levels, particularly in the liver and brain, during the initial hours. It is essential to investigate the correlation between the changes in biomarkers found in the brain and the levels of cathinone and cathine. The results have significant implications for drug development, pharmacovigilance, and clinical practices involving cathinone. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis of cathinone's impact on organ-specific biomarkers provides a basis for informed decision-making in medical practices and further research into the cathinone's pharmacological properties.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are molecules present in our everyday life, and they can be positive, such as in the formation of odour and food flavour, or harmful for environment and humans, and the research is focusing on limiting their emissions. Various methods have been used to achieve this purpose. Firstly, we review three main degradation methods: activated carbon, photocatalysis and a synergetic system. We provide a general overview of the operative conditions and report the possibility of VOC abatement during cooking. Within the literature, none of these systems has ever been tested in presence of complex matrices, such as during a cooking process. The aim of this study is to compare the three methods in order to understand the behaviour of filter systems in the case of realistically complex gas mixtures. Proton Transfer Reaction - mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) has been used as real-time monitoring of volatilome. Since VOC emissions are highly dependent on the composition of the food cooked, we evaluated the degradation capacity of the three systems for different burger types (meat, greens and fish). We demonstrate pros and cons of the photocatalysis and adsorption and how a combined approach can mitigate the drawbacks of photocatalysis.

High-temperature cooking process like frying, baking, smoking, or drying can induce chemical transformations in conventional food ingredients, causing deteriorative modifications. These reactions, including hydrolytic, oxidative, and thermal changes, are a common occurrence and can result in alterations to the food's chemical composition. In this study, a combination of sucrose and histidine (Su-Hi) was transformed through a process of charring or pyrolysis. The GC-MS profiling study showed that when sucrose and histidine (Su-Hi) are exposed to high temperatures (≈240°C), they produce carbonyl and aromatic compounds including beta-D-Glucopyranose, 1,6-anhydro (10.11 %), 2-Butanone, 4,4-dimethoxy- (12.89 %), 2(1H)-Quinolinone-hydrazine (5.73%), Benzenamine (6.35%), 2,5-Pyrrolidinedione, 1-[(3,4-dimethylbenzoyl)oxy]- (5.82%), Benzene-(1-ethyl-1-propenyl) (5.62%), and 4-Pyridinamine-2,6-dimethyl (5.52%). The compounds mentioned have the ability to permeate the cell membrane and contribute to the development of cell death by necrosis in human immune cells. The evidence available suggests that a specific set of pyrolytic compounds may pose a risk to immune cells. This investigation reveals the complex relationship between high-temperature cooking-induced transformations, compound permeation inside the cells, and downstream cellular responses, emphasizing the significance of considering the broader health implications of food chemical contaminants.

Two-phase olive pomace is a byproduct of the olive-oil extraction process that is sometimes processed further to recover more oil. During pomace oil production, especially in the early stages of olive processing, odours can be produced. These odours are a serious nuisance especially in and around the processing facilities, as well as for nearby communities. These odours can be strong and unpleasant, and they may result in various issues, including environmental concerns. Thus, in this paper, the effect of storage and drying on the composition of two-phase olive pomace was investigated. Several physicochemical and instrumental analyses were performed and it was concluded that the structural elements of pomace are not the ones who are affected during storage and drying. Storage and drying mainly impact the oil content of pomace, leading to an acidity increase and to the production of odorous oxidation compounds. Volatile acids, methyl and ethyl esters are released into the atmosphere causing serious environmental nuisance.

Background. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the intensity and frequency of low back pain (LBP) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and the patient's knowledge of physiotherapeutic methods of combating. Methods. In this study, patients with confirmed multiple sclerosis were selected. The study was carried out using an original survey questionnaire and a numerical pain intensity scale (Visual Analogue Scale). PwMS were divided into 3 age groups: 18-30 years, 31-50 years, and over 50 years. Results. Ninety PwMS (68 women and 22 men) aged 18 to 60 years were included in the study. The mean duration of the disease was 9.5±4.9 years, and the mean EDSS was 3.5±1.6. Most of the patients had a relapse-remitting form. 68.9% of PwMS felt lower back pain (n = 62). The relationship tested was statistically significant (p=0.0000012), and the strength of the relationship was high (rc=0.695). The average level of low back pain among PwMS was 4.7 out of 10 on the VAS scale. The prevalence of LBP was higher in female patients (p<0.001), with a secondary progressive form (p<0.001) and with a longer duration of the disease (p=0.023). The most widely used methods of LBP therapy were kinesitherapy and manual therapy. Conclusions. LBP is common in multiple sclerosis. A female sex, a secondary progressive form of MS, and a longer duration of the disease increased the risk of LBP. It is important to implement properly planned physiotherapy activities and educate patients on how to combat LBP.

Chemical substances such us CS-gas used in military operations are chemical compounds that present a series of peculiarities that affect the ecosystem by disrupting the ecological balance. This study evaluated the toxicological character of O-chlorobenzylidenemalonitrile (CBM), (substance present in CS-gas) on the algae Cholrella sp. and analyzed the toxicity limit and the response of the microorganism to the oxidative stress caused by this substance. In order to under-stand the toxicological mechanisms of CBM on algal culture, a series of parameters were analyzed such as: the cell growth curve, the average specific growth rate (µ), percent inhibition in yield(I%), dry cell weight (DCW), percent viability and productivity of algal biomass flocculation activity(FA), change in oxygen production. The content of chlorophyll pigments, was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) fluorescence spectroscopy and analysis of the surface structure of algal cells by SEM spectroscopy. This study aims to provide fundamental data for understanding the toxicity of CBM to aquatic organisms and provides a basis for assessing the potential for impact on aquatic ecosystems. The results obtained could be taken into account in the management of the decontamination of the affected areas.

Accurate determination of the concentration of alcohols and their metabolites is important in forensics and in several life science areas. A new method has been developed to quantify alcohols and their oxidative products using a headspace gas chromatography- mass spectrometer and isotope-labelled internal standards. This work demonstrates the application of this method, specifically in quantifying the concentration of oxidative products of alcohol and other minor alcohols found in hand sanitizers, which have become an essential household item since the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from the major component, the minor alcohols found in hand sanitizers include methanol, isopropanol, and n-propanol. In ethanol-based hand sanitizers, a significant amount of acetaldehyde was observed as an oxidation product, while in isopropanol-based hand sanitizers, acetone was observed. The concentration of acetaldehyde in ethanol-based hand sanitizers significantly increased with storage time and temperature, whereas no such increase of acetone concentration was observed in isopropanol-based hand sanitizers with storage time and temperature.

India ranks among the top ten nations in the world for grape production. Fungal pathogens inflict damage to crop plants in turn making cultivators bear huge economical losses. With an output of 1.21 million tons (about 2% of 57.40 million tons produced globally). 1.2% of the nation’s total fruit cropland is covered by grapes. But due to fungal diseases the effect of the yield produced ranges from 5-80% depending on the severity of diseases which will affect the yield of grape vineyard. In precision agriculture, new sensing technologies and artificial intelligence could be used to automatically identify grapevine and disease pest symptoms. Traditional manual disease-monitoring methods are inefficient, labor-intensive, and ineffective. Timely effective and precise evaluation of grape diseases is admitted as a critical step in the field management. In this paper, we are explaining about different optical sensing methods applied for RGB, Multispectral and Thermal cameras. Section-wise we will be describing environmental set up for image-aquation, data-preprocessing, different modelling methods, evaluation matrix, result, and reviewer’s comment.

For Lentinula edodes, its characteristic flavor is the key determinant for consumer pref-erences. However, the tissue-specific volatile flavor variations of the fruiting body have been overlooked. Here, we comprehensively investigated volatile flavor profiles of different tissues including the pileus skin, context, gill and stipe of the fruiting body of two widely cultivated L. edodes strains (T2 and 0912). We show that the eight-carbon and sulfur com-pounds, which represented 43.2-78.0% and 1.4-42.9% to the total volatile emissions for strain 0912 and T2, dominated their volatiles profiles. The sulfur compounds could rep-resent 32.2% and 42.9% to the total volatile emissions for the context of the strain 0912 and T2, respectively, whereas only represented 1.4% for the stipes of the strain 0912 and 9.0% for the skin of strain T2. Proportions of the predominant C8 compounds (1-Octen-3-one, 1-Octen-3-ol and 3-Octanone) and sulfur compounds (Lenthionine, 1,2,4-Trithiolane, Di-methyl disulfide and Dimethyl trisurfide) changed depending on tissues and strains. We further reveal that the overall volatile flavor profiles varied greatly in different tissues and strains. With machine learning algorithm, we show that volatile profiles could 100% pre-dict strains 0912 and T2. The prediction accuracy for different tissues could also reach 100%. Our results highlight the tissue-specific volatile flavor variations of the L. edodes fruiting body.

The effect of the melt cooling rate on the atomic ordering of austenite and, as a consequence, on the martensitic transformation of a nonstoichiometric alloy of the Ni-Mn-In system has been studied. In-situ TEM observations revealed differences in the mechanism of phase transformations of the alloy subjected to different cooling conditions. It is shown that during quenching a high density of antiphase boundaries (APB) is formed and the alloy is in the austenite-martensitic (10M and 14M) state up to a temperature of 120K. In a slowly cooled alloy, a lower APB density is observed, and a two-stage transformation L21/B2 → 10M → 14M occurs in the range of 150–120 K.

Cambodian spices Amomum kravanh, Citrus hystrix and Piper nigrum 'Kampot' have long history of seasoning of food products. In this study, essential oils (EOs) and supercritical CO2 extracts from all three species have been analyzed using GC-MS with two columns of different polarity, whereas EO and CO2 extract from P. nigrum fruits and CO2 extract from the peel of C. hystrix have been isolated and analyzed for the first time. The results showed that A. kravanh EO contained mostly eucalyptol (78.8/ 72.6 %), while CO2 extract was rich in oleic acid (29.26 %) and tricosane (14.74 %). C. hystrix EO was rich in β-pinene (29.95/29.45 %), followed by D-limonene (24.54/23.24 %) and sabinene (9.94/10.23 %). β-pinene (30.2/28.9 %), D-limonene (23.99/23.74 %) and sabinene (13.36/19.55 %) were also predominant in the CO2 extracts. β-Caryophyllene was the main constituent of both EO and CO2 extract from P. nigrum 'Kampot' with contents ranging from 37.84 to 55.84 %, followed by 3-carene (from 7.18 to 18.72 %). Such findings suggest that supercritical CO2 can potentially be used for extraction of all three Cambodian spices. Nevertheless, further research determining the most efficient extraction parameters will be needed before its application in the spice processing practice.

Vitamin D is crucial for athletes' health and performance. Although the exact vitamin D requirements for athletes have not been established, maintaining 25(OH)D levels of at least 40 ng/ml is considered beneficial. This study aimed to determine whether an individual loading dose formula for vitamin D supplementation is suitable to meet a target value of 40 ng/ml and is more effective than standardized supplementation. In a 10-week supplementation study during the winter months in Germany, 90 athletes with insufficient vitamin D levels (25(OH)D<30ng/ml) were randomly assigned to receive either a universal dose of 2000 IU/day of vitamin D or a loading dose of 4000 IU/day, followed by a maintenance dose of 1000 IU/day. Total 25(OH)D concentration was measured from dried blood spots at three time points: at baseline, at the computed date of 40ng/ml, and after the 10-week period. Additionally, a vitamin D-specific questionnaire was issued. On the day when 25(OH)D blood concentrations of 40 ng/ml were calculated to prevail, the individualized group had a significantly higher 25(OH)D level than the standardized group (41.1+-10.9 ng/ml vs. 32.5+-6.4 ng/ml, p<0.001). This study demonstrated that the examined formula is suitable for athletes to achieve a 25(OH)D concentration of 40 ng/ml. This indicates that a personalized approach is more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach in restoring adequate vitamin D levels in athletes.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been used in a broad range of applications conferring to bio-molecules diverse proprieties such as deliver, stabilization and reduction of adverse effects of drugs or plant ex-tracts. Polyphenolic compounds from Bacopa procumbens (BP) are able to modulate proliferation, adhesion, migration and cell differentiation, reducing artificial scratch area in fibroblast cultures and promoting wound healing in in vivo model. Here, chemically synthetized AuNPs conjugated with BP (AuNP-BP) were characterized by Uv-Vis, ATR-FTIR, DLS and zeta-potential. Results showed over-lapping FTIR spectra of polyphenolic compounds from B. procumbens capping the AuNPs, stable size by the DLS and zeta potential, AuNP-BP was 44.58 nm, the zeta-potential of AuNPs was -36.3±12.3 mV after conjugation with the BP; - (AuNP-BP), the zeta-potential was reduced to -18-2±7.02 mV. Enhancement of wound healing effect were evaluated by morphometric, histochemical and FTIR changes in rat wound excision model. Results showed that the nanoconjugation process reduced 100 folds BP concentrations to have the same wound healing effect of BP alone. Besides histological and FTIR spec-troscopy analyses, demonstrated that AuNP-BP treatment displayed better macroscopical performance; the reduction on inflammatory cells, and the increased synthesis and better organization of collagen fibers.

Aspergillus flavus is a pathogenic fungus that affects and contaminates several foodstuffs and is associated with cancer in humans. In Senegal, significant losses of groundnut production are mainly due to contamination caused by this species. This study evaluated in vitro antifungal activities of Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus rotundus and Lippia alba essential oils against A. flavus isolated from peanut seeds. Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of rhizomes of the two Cyperus species and leaves of L. alba were analyzed by GC-DIF and GC-MS. The essential oil yields from C. articulatus, C. rotundus and L. alba were 1.1%, 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively. These three samples had the following chemotypes: (i) Mustakone (21.4%)/eudesma-4(15)-7-dien-1β-ol (8.8%)/caryophyllene oxide (5.9%), (ii) caryophyllene oxide (25.2%)/ humulene epoxyde 2 (35.0%) and (iii) geranial (46.6%)/neral (34.6%). The three oils tested inhibited the growth of A. flavus at concentrations between 100 and 1000 ppm. The L. alba oil was the most effective with total clearance of A. flavus on PDA. For the essential oils of C. rotundus (93.65%) and C. articulatus (78.11%), the highest inhibition rates were obtained with 1000 ppm dose. Thus, the L. alba oil could be used safely as an effective protector of groundnuts against A. flavus.

membrane separation technology shows promise, particularly gas separation membranes, including ceramic membrane. Ceramic membranes are increasingly gaining attention for their acid and alkali stability, corrosion resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and mechanical strength. This study focuses on alumina support ceramic membrane for CO2 capture. The membranes were characterized using contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The contact angle measurements confirmed the hydrophilic, while SEM analysis showed even particle distribution in the alumina ceramic membranes respectively. EDAX analysis revealed the elemental composition in the alumina support matrix. FTIR analysis demonstrated chemical interactions of the support membrane. Single gas permeation experiments were conducted. It can be observed that Nitrogen gas permeated faster with increase in feed pressure through the unmodified ceramic inorganic hydrophobic membrane more than the other two single gases, O2, and CO2). As a result, only high permeance separation membranes with realistic size and pressure conditions may be considered of as a practical alternative for CO2 capture. However, the presence of non-selective defects limited the improvement in selectivity of hydrophilic ceramic membrane. In this case, there is need to modify the ceramic membrane used to increase the flux, permeance of CO2, and selectivity of CO2.

Abstract: membrane separation technology shows promise, particularly gas separation membranes, including ceramic membrane. Ceramic membranes are increasingly gaining attention for their acid and alkali stability, corrosion resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and mechanical strength. This study focuses on alumina support ceramic membrane for CO2 capture. The membranes were characterized using contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The contact angle measurements confirmed the hydrophilic, while SEM analysis showed even particle distribution in the alumina ceramic membranes respectively. EDAX analysis revealed the elemental composition in the alumina support matrix. FTIR analysis demonstrated chemical interactions of the support membrane. Single gas permeation experiments were conducted. It can be observed that Nitrogen gas permeated faster with increase in feed pressure through the unmodified ceramic inorganic membrane more than the other two single gases, O2, and CO2). As a result, only high permeance separation membranes with realistic size and pressure conditions may be considered of as a practical alternative for CO2 capture. However, the presence of non-selective defects limited the improvement in selectivity of hydrophilic ceramic membrane. In this case, there is need to modify the ceramic membrane used to increase the flux, permeance of CO2, and selectivity of CO2.

Seaweeds have been the target of much attention due to the known bioactivities of some of their compounds. Although many studies about the application of seaweeds in various areas are available, these data are mostly about the raw extracts and not about specific compounds, such as seaweeds pigments. Moreover, the fungal infections of the skin, nails and hair caused by dermatophytes, are the most common fungal infections in humans. These pathologies require long periods of topical and/or systemic treatment that are associated with adverse effects and contraindications. This study had two objectives, the first was to evaluate the possibility of isolating and characterizing the pigments of Calliblepharis jubata and Fucus vesiculosus; the second was to assess their antifungal activity. The extraction of pigments was performed using a method of extraction by exhaustion; the purification was carried out by column chromatography. Three techniques were used to characterize the pigments, thin layer chromatography (TLC), UV-visible spectrophotometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antifungal activity was evaluated using the micro-dilution method, following the EUCAST international standards, on three dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. It was possible to observe that the extract obtained from the seaweed C. jubata and F. vesiculosus, corresponding to the purified pigment phycobiliprotein, and the crude extract, an enriched extract, obtained from the seaweed C. jubata showed antifungal activity against the three fungal agents of human skin infection.

Seven pieces of Lacquer Lian from Warring States Period to Yuan Dynasty (475 BC- 1368 AD) were analyzed by means of cross-section observation, Raman spectroscopy (RS) and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography/ mass spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS). The results demonstrated that Lacquer Lian was consisted by three layers, including pigment layer in the surface, undercoat layer in the middle and ground layer, the red mineral pigment was cinnabar, and mixture of Chinese lacquer and drying oil was applied as main organic materials. Although lacquering techniques had undergone minimal changes from Warring States Period to Yuan Dynasty, the species of drying oil had changed based on the fact that boiled tung oil was found in the ground layer of lacquerwares from Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty. The present research provided direct evidence for the inheritance and development of Chinese lacquer technology.

Antarctica and its surrounding environment are considered untouched and thought that it is free from microplastics (MPs) pollution. However, recent studies and science projects have reported MPs in both water and sediment in the South Polar Regions. The reports state that the MP’s pollution occurs in this region due to fishing, tourism, and research activities by the nearby countries and nature's circulation is also part of it. The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has received attention on MP’s pollution and initiated research on it. MPs are tiny plastic particles with a size of less than 5 mm. It has two types, 1. Primary MPs have been manufactured directly for various applications like cosmetics and scrubbing etc 2. The secondary MPs are generated by photochemical degradation of large plastics.Although several studies have been done there is a quite gap in our understanding of the concentration, characteristics, and impact of plastics on the ecosystem of the Antarctic Region. The impact of MP’s pollution in this region may be very high. The presence of MP is a serious issue that is affecting not only the aquatic environment but also humans. It is an alarming situation that causes environmental damage. The main objective of this paper is to review MP's introduction, occurrence, sources, harmful effects, and detection methods. This review highlighted the various methodologies and analyses like density separation, microscope observation of MP’s properties Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectrometer respectively, and urged for more research in the future and gave several recommendations to maintain the pristine region near Antarctica.

The essential oil (EO) of Artemisia plants contains a large number of bioactive compounds that are widely used. The aim of this study was to analyse the chemical composition of EOs of six Arte-misia plants collected in Croatia and to test their cholinesterase inhibitory potential. GC-MS analysis of EO of A. absinthium showed that the dominant compounds are cis-sabinyl acetate and cis-epoxy-ocimene; in EO of A. abrotanum it is borneol; in EO of A. annua it is artemisia ketone, camphor, and 1,8-cineole; in EO of A. arborescens it is camphor and chamazulene; in EO of A. verlotiorum it is cis-thujone, 1,8-cineole, and trans-thujone; in EO of A. vulgaris, it is trans-thujone and trans-epoxy-ocimene. EO of the five studied Artemisia species from Croatia is rich in mono-terpenoid compounds (1,8-cineole, artemisia ketone, cis-thujone, trans-thujone, cis-epoxy-ocimene, camphor, borneol, and cis-sabinyl acetate). EO of A. arborescens is also rich in chamazulene. The results also showed that the tested EOs have moderate cholinesterase inhibi-tion potential, especially the EOs of A. annua, A. vulgaris, and A. abrotanum. This is the first anal-ysis of the chemical composition of the EOs of four Artemisia plants and the first analysis of cho-linesterase potential for plants collected in Croatia.

Waterford Blaa is one of only seven Irish Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) products and the only Irish PGI bread. Currently, there are few published data characterising these products. This study aimed to determine whether any compositional or sensory markers could be used to differentiate between the three authorised producers of Waterford Blaa. Compositional testing was completed using AOAC standard methods; colour of top crust, bottom crust and crumb were identified with the Minolta Hunter lab colorimeter and texture profile analysis (TPA) was completed with an 80% compression test using the Instron 5544 to establish hardness, gumminess, and springiness. The fatty acid and aroma profiles were established in triplicate testing for the three authorised Blaa products using gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection and headspace-solid phase micro extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. As expected, results showed little variation in the overall composition of Waterford Blaa products. However, this study identified a unique fatty acid profile/volatile aroma profile for each Blaa. Specifically, the volatile profile showed potential differentiation between Blaa’s in terms of pentanal, furfural, 2-furanmethanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 2-pentyl furan. In addition, levels of hexanal and ethyl acetate were significantly different (p&lt;0.05) in the crumb section of all three Blaa’s. This unique fingerprint has the potential to be used to identify fraudulent products claiming to be Waterford Blaa.

Due to similarities in genetics, cellular response, and behavior, Drosophila is used as a model organism in addiction research. A well described behavioral response examined in flies is the induced increase in locomotor activity after a single dose of volatilized cocaine (vCOC) and volatilized methamphetamine (vMETH) known as sensitivity, and the escalation of the locomotor response after the repeated dose, known as the locomotor sensitization. However, knowledge about how vCOC and vMETH affect different neurotransmitter systems over time is scarce. We used LC-MS/MS to systematically examine changes in the concentration of neurotransmitters, metabolites and non-metabolized COC and METH in the whole head homogenates of male flies one to seven hours after single and double vCOC or vMETH administrations. vMETH leads to complex changes in the levels of examined substances over time, while vCOC strongly and briefly increases concentrations of dopamine, tyramine and octopamine followed by a delayed degradation into N-acetyl dopamine and N-acetyl tyramine. The first exposure to psychostimulants leads to significant and dynamic changes in the concentrations relative to the second administration when they are more stable over several hours. Further investigations are needed to understand neurochemical and molecular changes post-psychostimulant administration.

The aim of this study was to investigate the parameters affecting the extraction of positive molecules such as chlorogenic acids and antioxidants, as well as potentially carcinogenic substances such as acrylamide, in different coffee brewing methods. Three coffee varieties, each assigned to different roasting degree, were used to prepare coffee brews following eight diverse preparation methods. Acrylamide was quantified by HPLC-MS/MS instrument while chlorogenic acids and caffeine by HPLC-DAD system. Three spectrophotometric analyses were also performed (DPPH, TFC and TPC) to evaluate antioxidant activity as well. The results showed that the main brewing parameters, that have the greatest influence on the final content of these compounds were the volume of water used, more specifically the brewing ratio (coffee to water ratio), the extraction time and the particle size of the coffee powder.

The study within the current research is focused on theoretical assessment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) obtained by blending traditional jet fuels Jet A and different liquids (biodiesel and alcohols) from analytical point of view. Within this paper in-depth analysis ofthe physical-chemical properties of Jet A fuel blended with different biodiesels and alcohols has been performed. Also within the blends Aeroshell 500 oil has been added (5% vol.) for ensuring the lubrication of the turbo engine. The blends consists of: Jet Aaviation fuel + biodieselfrom: palm oil, pork fat, sunflower oil and alcohols: methanol, ethanol and butanol. All the 6 liquids have been blended with Jet A in the following percentages: 10, 20 and 30%. Flash point, kinematic viscosity, density, freezing point, elemental analysis and FTIR analysis have been performed for all the liquids: Aeroshell 500, jet A, jet A + 10, 20, 30% biodiesel from waste palm oil, pork fat and waste sunflower oil, jet A + 10, 20, 30% methanol, ethanol and butanol, biodiesels and alcohols. The obtained results shows the influence of each of the blend’s components on the physical-chemical properties of the blends. Based on the physical-chemical analysis of the blends, conclusions on the behavior of the blends during burning and the gaseous pollutants resulting from the burning process can be drawn.

The extraction method for simultaneously analyzing fatty acids (Myristic acid, cis-Palmitvaccenic acid, Palmitic acid, Palmitic-9,9-d2 acid, Oleic acid, Stearic acid and Stearic-2,2-d2 acid) related to biodiesel fuel in large algae was developed. The introduction of trimethylaminoethyl (TMAE) derivatives into the hydroxyl group (-OH) functional group of the analyte was able to improve ionization and obtain high sensitivity. Liquid Chromatography (LC) was used to investigate the optimal mobile phase composition and flow rate for the separation of five derived fatty acids. In this study, a solid phase extraction (SPE) column was introduced for efficient extraction of fatty acids, and the optimal conditions for SPE were set by comparing the recovery rate according to the solvent for each step (loading, washing, and elution) of SPE from macroalgae.

Contamination by microplastics (MP) in aquatic ecosystems is largely due to the release of millions of these particles from treated effluents from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). Due to the lack of policies and regulations that establish criteria for the control and elimination of MP from WWTP effluents, this research evaluated the presence of MP for particle sizes of 38 and 150 µm in influents and effluents from three WWTP in the port of Acapulco, Mexico. Using optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques, the MP detected were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). MP removal efficiencies of 82.5 to 98.7% (38 µm) and 86.8 to 97.5% (150µm) were obtained; the MP average daily emissions to the receiving bodies of these three WWTPs were in the ranges of 9.5 x 106 - 4.70 x 108 particles and the annual emissions in the range of 3.05 x 109 - 1.72 x 1011 particles. This work reveals the urgency of implementing regulatory policies to avoid the continuous emission of MP to aquatic ecosystems from WWTPs in Acapulco, Mexico.

Our concern was to obtain a biocomposite material with improved properties of the constituent materials (poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and zinc–boron (Zn–B) complex) in accordance with the novelties in the field of delivery systems for therapeutic agents which lately redefine the importance of biopolymer nanocomposites with PLGA (biodegradable composites). The advantages of such a biomaterial target the health system, being easy to obtain, through a cost-effective method. The water/oil/water double emulsion method also allows the adjustment of the synthesis parameters, to maximize the degree of Zn–B complex encapsulation. The morphological aspects of the samples (size, shape, porosity) were established by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particle size distribution (by volume and by number) was determined by direct light scattering (DLS). For all the synthesized materials, the observed morphology was typical for PLGA, spherical one. The particle size distribution showed that depending on the synthesis conditions, the particles can be obtained with diameters between 10–450 nm range and the value of the zeta potential (ZP) shows that the particles have electronegative surface charge, which offers a favorable perspective on the phenomena of aggregation, flocculation, dispersion. It was observed, applying the design of experiments (DoE), that the size of the particles increased with increasing amounts of PLGA and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the formulation, while ZP increased with higher PLGA and smaller PVA. The encapsulation efficiency was determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS).

The suspension cross-linking technique has been utilized to create the magnetic chitosan nanoparticles, which were then applied to the magnetic carrier method at 80°C. First the FeCl2 and FeCl3 solution co-precipitated and synthesized Fe3O4 for utilization in the formation of magnetic chitosan nanoparticles, it has been characterized by utilizing DLS (Dynamic light scattering), XRD (X-ray diffraction spectrometer), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), which identified structure, size, FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) and HR-TEM (High-resolution transmission electron microscopy) which identified structure and particle size whereas magnetic behavior of chitosan nanoparticles was determined by VSM (Vibrating sample magnetometer). According to the results collected, the magnetic chitosan nanoparticles have been spherical in form and size ranging from around 250 to 400 nm.

A large body of evidence, replicated in many mouse models of Alzheimer Disease (AD), demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of oral rapamycin. Administration of m-TOR inhibitors (mTOR-Is), early after the clinical onset, greatly diminished cognitive impairment, amyloid angiopathy, intracellular beta Amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles load. The daily intake of rapamycin has always been 2.24g/Kg/24h. In humans the maximal tolerated oral dose is a few milligrams/day, and at this dosage patients are severely immunosuppressed. Thanks to rapalogs’ scarce CNS-related side effects, we administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) high doses of the mTOR-I everolimus in a mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD) without significant systemic effects. The instability of the liquid formulation at body temperature (BT) made the treatment very short. Nevertheless, the efficacy of the treatment was high and much longer lasting than expected. In order to set up a thermostable, translational liquid formulation of mTOR-Is, we loaded everolimus in distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine-polyethylene glycol 2000 (DSPE-PEG2000) micelles by the thin layer method. The formulation we obtained maintained over 95% of activity after 14 days at BT. We can envision short, potentially periodic ICV treatments in AD patients which replicate results obtained on animal models. The treatment could benefit also Tuberous Sclerosis and Multiple Sclerosis patients.

This study presents an innovative analytical method for the detection and quantification of 14 β-agonists in pork using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method involves the use of a solid phase microextraction (SPME) probe, consisting of a wooden tip coated with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). This probe has been integrated into an automated extraction device, designed in our laboratory to extract the target analytes prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. Compared to the traditional solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure, the proposed approach significantly reduces the costs related to adsorbent ma-terial and solvent consumption, and shortens purification time, thereby reducing both the tech-nical workload and associated expenses. The methodology has been carefully validated in ac-cordance with the National Standard of the People's Republic of China (GB/T 22286-2008), evalu-ating key parameters including the limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), matrix effects, linearity, and both intra-day and inter-day precision. The average recovery rates for all β-agonists were observed to lie between 71.6% and 82.2%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) consistently below 15% for both types of precision. The LOD and LOQ values were found to range from 0.09 to 0.39 μg/kg and 0.27 to 0.99 μg/kg, respectively. In terms of accurate detection of positive samples, the developed method demonstrated a closer approximation to the true value of the sample compared to the National Standard method GB/T 31658.22-2022. Overall, the proposed method exhibits substantial promise for the routine assessment of β-agonists in pork and presents a practical alternative for compliance monitoring in regulatory settings.

This study is aimed to point out the possible application of the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) test on table olives. Because olives, like many other foods, are not free from mycotoxin contamination, the main focus of this work was assessing the presence or absence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. The work was carried out in two phases. In the first phase, tests were carried out on commercial olives to assess the efficacy of the method and the kit (Veratox® 'Neogen' and AgraQuant® 'Romer Labs') by comparing them with the Liquid Chromatography coupled to a mass-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS); in order to understand if there were any interferences in antigen-antibody recognition; subsequently, mycotoxins were inoculated on the same samples with a known quantity, in order to assess the concentrations obtained and compare them to the expected ones. The second step involved modifying the method, so to improve the recovery of inoculated mycotoxins in the samples under study. Afterwards we evaluated the presence of mycotoxins in table olives supplied in the project. The results showed the effectiveness of the ELISA test, especially in the mycotoxin recovery phase. Indeed, after the modification of the mycotoxin extraction method, recoveries increased from 55% to over 70% for aflatoxins, and from 40% to over 55% for ochratoxin A. When analysing the samples provided by the above-mentioned company, the results showed some false positives, in particular in relation to ochratoxin A ’s analysis, mainly related to the first sample submission. Taking this into account, the ELISA test can be considered as an initial screening method applicable as a control programme for the evaluation of mycotoxins in olives which helps by saving time and costs. It should always be kept in mind that, if positive values should emerge, the LC-MS/MS analysis should be carried out.

Seven pieces of Lacquer Lian from Warring States Period to Yuan Dynasty were analyzed by means of cross-section observation, Raman spectroscopy (RS) and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography/ mass spectroscopy (THM-Py-GC/MS). The results demonstrate that Lacquer Lian was consisted by three layers, including pigment layer, undercoat layer and ground layer, and lacquering techniques had undergone minimal changes from Warring States Period to Yuan Dynasty, the red mineral pigment was cinnabar, the lacquer sap was urushi. Furthermore, Boiled tung oil was found in the ground layer of lacquerwares from Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty.

Scientific advancements in the food industry have resulted in the discovery of natural substances that can serve various functions in food. Essential oils, in particular, can act as food preservatives or flavoring agents due to their abundance of natural antioxidants, which possess preservative properties. In this study, the composition of Thymus vulgaris essential oil was determined using GC-MS and HS-SPME. The essential oil obtained from Thymus vulgaris L. through hydro-distillation yielded approximately 4%. GC/MS analysis of the essential oil identified 11 components, with a predominant presence of oxygenated monoterpenes (56.97%). Notably, carvacrol (37.63%) and thymol (17.35%) were present in significant amounts, accounting for 54.98% of the overall composition. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using three methods. The DPPH free radical scavenging test yielded an IC50 of 0.51±0.11 mg mL-1. The β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching test resulted in an IC50 of 2.58±0.10 mg mL-1. Finally, the ABTS assay indicated relatively lower antioxidant activity compared to ascorbic acid.

Anti-microbial drugs and coccidiostat compounds are commonly used in poultry farming. These compounds are subsequently excreted and released into the environment via broiler litter (BL) and can re-enter the food chain as fertilizer and/or animal feed. Residues of such drugs can encourage the appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), as well as toxicity, when found in animal feed. The aim of this study was to develop a multi-residue analytic method for assessing 30 an-ti-microbial drugs and coccidiostats associated with BL and investigate the effects of stacking treatment on anti-microbial and coccidiostat residue degradation in BL used for ruminant feed at the lab-scale. Today, most analytical methods used to identify and quantitate these drug residues are traditional, and may be specific to some antimicrobials. All call for lengthy sample preparation and may present limitations in assessing broiler litter. Such conventional mul-ti-anti-microbial/coccidiostat residue detection assays employ liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE) for sample purification. In our research, LLE and SPE were replaced by Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) clean-up steps for 30 an-ti-microbials and coccidiostats used in broiler farming and detection by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS/ MS). Using this method, recoveries were 70-120%, with the exception of norfloxacin and narasin, which showed recoveries of 67 and 68%, respectively. This analytical meth-od results show that eight samples were not detected in 42 samples, while in 34 samples, one or more drugs were present. Eighteen anti-microbial and coccidiostat residues were detected dur-ing one year sample collaction. The most frequently detected residues were narasin, nicarbazin, monensin, robenidine, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, norfloxacin and sulfachloropyridazine, seen at levels from 0.4 to 8.9 mg•kg-1 (ppm). Nineteen anti-microbials and one coccidiostat were degraded to 95% by the stacking treatment. However, tilmicosin and eight coccidiostats persisted in litter (26-100%). The use of antimicrobials and coccidiostats in animal farming is of paramount concern with respect to human, animal and environmental contamination issues and as a source of resistant pathogenic bacteria. Still, most farmers use BL as ruminant feed and fertilizer without processing. Even though the effects of the stacking treatments on degradation of antimicrobials were significantly high, the degradation of coccidiostats and tilmicosin was limited. Clearly, BL should be treated and supervised before use as feed supplement or for land application. Hence, the present method, designed to support these goals, was optimized in terms of sensitivity and se-lectivity for the analytes addressed.

A comprehensive lipid profile was analyzed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using nanoflow ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The study investigated 297, 202, and 166 lipids in saliva, plasma, and fecal samples, respectively, comparing NSCLC patients to healthy controls. Lipids with significant changes (&gt;2-fold, p&lt;0.05) were further analyzed in each sample type. Both saliva and plasma exhibited similar lipid alteration patterns in NSCLC, but saliva showed more pronounced changes and fecal lipids had weak correlation with those of saliva and plasma. Total triglycerides (TGs) increased (&gt;2–3 folds) in plasma and saliva but decreased in fecal samples. Three specific TGs (50:2, 52:5, and 54:6) were significantly increased in NSCLC across all sample types. A common ceramide species (d18:1/24:0) decreased in both plasma and saliva but increased in fecal samples. Additionally, phosphatidylinositol 38:4 decreased by approximately 2-fold in plasma and saliva. Phosphatidylserine 36:1 was selectively detected in saliva and showed a subsequent decrease, making it a potential biomarker for predicting lung cancer. The study identifies 27 salivary, 10 plasma, and 16 fecal lipids as candidate markers for NSCLC by statistical evaluations. Moreover, it highlights the potential of saliva in understanding changes in lipid metabolism associated with NSCLC.

Jatropha multifida L. is a plant belong to Euphorbiaceae family used in Benin pharmacopoeia because of its medicinal properties. The objective of this work is to appreciate the therapeutic power of this plant through the evaluation of some of its biological activities. After the preliminary phytochemistry, the polyphenols and flavonoids were quantified and identified by the LC-MS-ESI. The antimicrobial power of the extracts was investigated by agar medium diffusion. The antioxidant power of the extracts was evaluated by the reduction of the DPPH radical, the ABTS radical cation, the feric ion (FRAP) and the lipid peroxidation (LPO). Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by inhibition of protein (albumin) denaturation. Indeed, different phenolic and flavonoid compounds namely, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, o-Coumaroylquinic acid, Apigenin-apiosyl-glucoside, Luteolin-galactoside, Luteolin-glucoside, Luteolin-rhamnoside, Quercetin-glucoside, Quercetin-arabinoside, Dicaffeoyquinic acid, Kaempferol-rhamnoside were identify. The J. mutifida extracts has a bactericidal effect with reference strains of wich CMBs vary from 22.67 mg/ml (S. aureus, S. enteridis, L. monocytogenes and C. albicans) to 47.61 mg/ml (E. coli) and with the meat isolated strains (S. equorum, S. saprophiticus, S. haemoliticus, S. cohnii and S. lentus). Ethanolic extract show the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 0.72±0.03 mg/ml) while methanolic extract showed the highest ferric ion reduction (46.23±1.10 µgEAA/g). Contrary to the FRAP method, the reducing power with ABTS method of water-ethanolic extract was greater (0.49±0.11 mol ET/g). The same extract show the highest albumin denaturation inhibition power (97.31±0.35%) at 1000µg/ml. J. multifida extracts are rich in bioactive compound with good biological activity

In this study, a new approach to pesticide permeation through the apple peel into the pulp is discussed. The tested compounds can be classified, based on mode of action, as systemic (boscalid, cyprodinil, pirimicarb, propiconazole and tebuconazole) or contact (captan, cypermethrin and fludioxonil) pesticides. The barrier effect was assessed using a Franz flow-type vertical diffusion cell system. Residue analysis was performed using a modified quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method coupled to gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The limits of detection (LODs) ranged between 2.6 µg kg-1 (pirimicarb) and 17 µg kg-1 (captan), with the coefficient of variability (CV) lower than 6%, while recoveries ranged from 85% (boscalid) to 112% (captan) at 0.1 and 1 mg kg-1 spiked levels. The highest peel penetration was observed for pirimicarb, captan and cyprodinil, with cumulative permeation of 90, 19 and 17 µg cm-2, respectively. The total absorption was in the range from 0.32% (tebuconazole) to 32% (pirimicarb). Only cypermethrin was not quantitatively detected in the pulp and its use can be recommended in crop protection techniques. The obtained results indicate that molecular weight, octanol-water partition coefficient and water solubility are important parameters determining the process of pesticide absorption.