The aim of this study was to assess the nutraceutical qualities of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples obtained from three Sicilian olive cultivars: Nocellara, Biancolilla, and Cerasuola. We also evidenced the relationship among biophenols, base parameters and panel test scores, and evaluated the stability of the biophenols in EVOO. The assessment also took into consideration variations in olive harvesting periods and the influence of four different milling methods. A statistical analysis of the collected data revealed that the cultivar and harvesting period were the primary factors influencing the bio-phenol content, while the milling methods employed did not significantly affect the levels of biophenols in the oils. The panel test results were also illuminating as they were strongly related to the cultivar and polyphenol content. Following the criteria outlined in EC Regulation 432/2012, we selected three samples, each representing one of the cultivars, which exhibited the highest bio-phenol content to evaluate the biophenol stability during a time span of 16 months.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavior and hippocampal protein phosphorylation in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CFS.
METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups (n=12 rats in each group). The CFS model was established by chronic multifactor combined with stress stimulation (treadmill training + restraint stress + sleep disturbance + crowded environment). For rats of the EA group, EA (1 mA, frequency of 10 Hz) was applied to \"Shenting\" (GV24) (with an acupuncture needle penetrated from GV24 to \"Baihui\" ［GV20］) and \"Dazhui\" (GV14) for 15 min, once daily for 28 days. After treatment, the body weight, food intake and water intake of rats in each group were observed. The fatigue degree of rats was evaluated by Semi-quantitative score observation table of the general condition of experimental rats.The open field test (OFT) was used to assess the rats\'anxiety severity by detecting the total number of grid-crossing and the times of the central area entered in 5 min, and Morris water maze test was employed to assess the rats\' learning-memory ability by detecting the escape latency in 1 min, and the times of the original platform quadrant crossing in 1 min. The hippocampaus was taken for phosphorylated Label-free quantitative proteomics analysis by using Maxquant technology based on full scan mode to calculate the integral of each peptide signal of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS). The differentially-expressed proteins (>1.5 folds for up-regulation or <0.67 folds for down-regulation) were evaluated by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis.
RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the body weight, food intake, and the times of original-platform quadrant crossing of spatial exploring of Morris water maze test were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05) , and the score of general conditions, times of grid-crossing and center area-entering of OFT, and the escape latency of navigation task were apparently increased (P<0.01) in rats of the model group. After EA intervention, the decreased original-platform quadrant crossing, and the increased score of general conditions, times of grid-crossing and the escape latency of navigation task were all reversed (P<0.01, P<0.05). Outcomes of proteomics analysis indicated that compared with the model group, there were 297 differentially expressed peptide (48 up-regulated and 249 down-regulated) segments in the control group, and there were 245 differentially expressed peptide (185 up-regulated and 60 down-regulated) segments in the EA group, in which, 25 overlapping peptide segments were reversed after EA treatment, corresponding to 24 proteins, mainly involving cytoskeletal structure. GO function annotation analysis showed that the top three differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins involved in the effect of EA intervention were the actin filament polymerization, protein depolymerization and cytoskeletal tissue in the biological process, the actin binding, structural molecular activity and cytoskeletal protein binding in the molecular function, and the cytoskeleton, dendrites and dendritic trees in the cellular component, respectively. The KEGG pathway annotation analysis for differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins showed that theinsulin secretion, axon guidance, phosphatidylinositol signaling system and lysine biosynthesis, etc. were involved in the effect of EA intervention.
CONCLUSIONS: EA of GV24-GV20 and GV14 can improve the general state, anxiety and learning-memory ability of CFS model rats, which may be related to its functions in regulating the hippocampal protein phosphorylation level, and repairing the structure and function of synapses in hippocampus.
目的: 观察电针对慢性疲劳综合征（CFS）大鼠行为学和海马组织蛋白磷酸化的影响，探讨电针治疗CFS的作用机制。方法: 将雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组和电针组，每组12只。采用多因素慢性复合应激法制备CFS模型。电针组大鼠给予电针“神庭”（透刺“百会”）和“大椎”治疗，每日1次，每次15 min，连续28 d。治疗结束后观察各组大鼠体质量、摄食量和饮水量，采用实验大鼠一般情况半定量评分观察表评价大鼠的疲劳程度，采用旷场实验及Morris水迷宫实验评价大鼠焦虑程度和学习记忆能力。取各组大鼠海马组织进行磷酸化Label-free定量蛋白质组学检测。结果: 治疗结束后，与空白组比较，模型组大鼠体质量降低（P<0.01），摄食量减少（P<0.05），一般情况半定量评分升高（P<0.01），旷场实验总穿格次数和进入中央区次数均增多（P<0.01），Morris水迷宫实验逃避潜伏期延长（P<0.01）、穿越原平台次数减少（P<0.01）。与模型组比较，电针组大鼠一般情况半定量评分降低（P<0.01），旷场实验总穿格次数减少（P<0.05），Morris水迷宫实验逃避潜伏期缩短（P<0.01）、穿越原平台次数增加（P<0.01）。与空白组比较，模型组有297个差异表达肽段，对应255个蛋白，与模型组比较，电针组有245个差异表达肽段，对应198个蛋白，其中共有24个重合蛋白在电针治疗后表达回调。GO分析表明，电针干预的作用在生物学过程方面主要为对蛋白质聚合和细胞骨架组织的调节，在分子功能聚类上表现为对蛋白质聚合的调节，在细胞组分聚类方面表现为对突触功能的影响。KEGG分析结果显示，电针干预对胰岛素分泌、轴突导引、磷脂酰肌醇信号系统及赖氨酸生物合成等对中枢神经系统组织功能有重要作用的信号通路产生了影响。结论: 电针可以改善CFS模型大鼠的疲劳状态，缓解焦虑情绪，提高学习记忆能力，其机制可能与调节海马组织蛋白磷酸化水平有关。.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) measurement in whole blood samples is established as a specific alcohol biomarker with clinical and forensic applications. Establishment of dried blood spots (DBSs) as a specimen for PEth determination offers several advantages and was the focus of this work. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method using a 96-well format for sample preparation was developed and validated. PEth was extracted from DBSs by using isopropanol containing PEth-d5 as internal standard. The blood sampling used a commercial volumetric DBS device having a phosholipase D inhibitor incorporated to stop continuous PEth formation. The method quantified PEth in the range of 0.05-10 μmol/L, with a bias and imprecision of less than 15%. In a clinical study (n = 25) using fingerprick blood, the volumetric device offered more precise quantifications (CV 4.6%) compared with the Whatman 903 Protein Saver card device (CV 16.6%). In another clinical study (n = 48), the use of dried venous and capillary blood, and liquid venous blood was compared under real-life conditions with samples sent by postal service. The capillary and venous DBS samples gave identical results while the liquid blood gave slightly higher values. Calculation of elimination half-life (PEth 16:0/18:1) in 31 cases based on two consecutive samples with 2-9 days in between gave results (mean 6.2 days) that agree with literature but several cases with values over 10 days. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that volumetric DBS is a valid specimen for determination of PEth blood concentrations, offering several advantages.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants of concern due to their long persistence in the environment, toxicity, and widespread presence in humans and wildlife. Knowledge regarding the extent of PFAS contamination in the environment is limited due to the need for analytical methods that can reliably quantify all PFAS, since traditional target methods using liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS) fail to capture many. For a more comprehensive analysis, a total organic fluorine (TOF) method can be used as a screening tool. We combined TOF analysis with target LC-MS/MS analysis to create a statewide PFAS hotspot map for surface waters throughout South Carolina. Thirty-eight of 40 locations sampled contained detectable concentrations of organic fluorine (above 100 ng/L). Of the 33 target PFAS analyzed using LC-MS/MS, the most prevalent were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS). On average, LC-MS/MS only accounted for 2 % of the TOF measured. Locations with high TOF did not necessarily correlate to high total quantified PFAS concentrations and vice-versa, demonstrating the limitations of target PFAS analysis and indicating that LC-MS may miss highly contaminated sites. Results suggest that future surveys should utilize TOF to more comprehensively capture PFAS in water bodies.

UNASSIGNED: Studies suggest that short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are primarily produced from fermentation of fiber, regulate insulin secretion through free fatty acid receptors 2 and 3 (FFA2 and FFA3). As these are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), they have potential therapeutic value as targets for treating type 2 diabetes (T2D). The exact mechanism by which these receptors regulate insulin secretion and other aspects of pancreatic β cell function is unclear. It has been reported that glucose-dependent release of acetate from pancreatic β cells negatively regulates glucose stimulated insulin secretion. While these data raise the possibility of acetate\'s potential autocrine action on these receptors, these findings have not been independently confirmed, and multiple concerns exist with this observation, particularly the lack of specificity and precision of the acetate detection methodology used.
UNASSIGNED: Using Min6 cells and mouse islets, we assessed acetate and pyruvate production and secretion in response to different glucose concentrations, via liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
UNASSIGNED: Using Min6 cells and mouse islets, we showed that both intracellular pyruvate and acetate increased with high glucose conditions; however, intracellular acetate level increased only slightly and exclusively in Min6 cells but not in the islets. Further, extracellular acetate levels were not affected by the concentration of glucose in the incubation medium of either Min6 cells or islets.
UNASSIGNED: Our findings do not substantiate the glucose-dependent release of acetate from pancreatic β cells, and therefore, invalidate the possibility of an autocrine inhibitory effect on glucose stimulated insulin secretion.

Introduction: Doping and steroid use represent a serious threat to animal health and can even lead to their untimely and painful death. However, doping is an acute problem in today\'s animal racing world, particularly in camel racing. Testosterone and its ten esters (benzoate, valerate, isocaproate, hexahydrobenzoate, decanoate, undecanoate, laurate, enanthate, cypionate, and caproate) are of utmost importance, because when they are administered to animals it is difficult to measure them efficiently. The levels of testosterone and its esters in camels and other animals are typically determined using urine and blood tests. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method to determine testosterone esters in camel hair, and to apply the validated method to determine testosterone esters in collected samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such research. Results and Discussion: The levels of testosterone and its ten derivatives, along with the cortisol-D4 internal standard, were optimised for LC-MS/MS analysis; however, only testosterone along with its seven esters (namely benzoate, valerate, isocaproate, hexahydrobenzoate, decanoate, undecanoate and laurate) could be validated in camel hair. Only five testosterone esters could be determined in camel hair samples; the concentrations were obtained as 10.5-14.9 pg/mg for valerate (in three camels), 12.5-151.6 pg/mg for hexahydrobenzoate (in six camels), 4.8-32.1 pg/mg for laurate (in five camels), 5.1 pg/mg decanoate (in one camel), and 8.35-169 pg/mg for testosterone (in all 24 camels). Interestingly, the three racing camels displayed high concentrations of testosterone (59.2-169 pg/mg, all three camels), laurate (4.8-14.5 pg/mg, two camels), hexahydrobenzoate (116 pg/mg, one camel), decanoate (5.1 pg/mg, one camel), and valerate (11.7 pg/mg, one camel). Methods: Camel hair samples were collected from 21 non-racing dromedary camels along with three racing camels in Al Ain, UAE; these were decontaminated, pulverised, sonicated, and extracted prior to analysis. An LC-MS/MS method was employed to determine the levels of testosterone esters in the hair samples. Conclusions: This novel camel-hair test procedure is accurate, sensitive, rapid, and robust. The findings reported in this study could be significant to evaluate racing camels for suspected doping offenses. Further controlled testosterone supplementation studies are required to evaluate individual esters\' effects on camel health and diseases and on performance enhancement levels. This new hair test could promote further studies in doping control, toxicology, and pharmacology, as well as having other clinical applications relating to camel health, injury, and disease.

This study aimed to determine whether leaf extracts from seven Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa cultivars and their biochemically active compounds (glucosinolates and downstream-derived products) inhibit mycelia growth of three well-known pathogenic oomycetes, Phytopythium chamaehyphon, Phytopythium vexans and Phytophthora citrophthora; being the most significant in the development of Kiwifruit Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS). Leaf extract quantity of 10, 20 and 30 mg were inoculated in Petri dish (90 mm Ø, each 22 mL of liquid medium - Potato Dextrose Agar), for in vitro bioassays. A pathogen plug was placed in the centre of each plate and the Oomycota colony perimeter was marked 5 days after inoculation. Radial colony growth was measured from 4 marks per plate 5, 10, and 15 days after inoculation, further elaborated with Image J software image analysis. Growth rates for all strains were inhibited by around 67% after 15 days. This was most pronounced when applying the highest concentration of leaf extract. By using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), fifteen glucosinolate compounds, of which glucosativin was found in the highest quantity, were identified. Concentrations of hydrolysis products produced by leaves (erucin and sativin) were also investigated, and were significantly associated with colony radial growth, especially towards Pp. chamaehyphon and Pp. vexans. Three downstream products of glucosinolates (two pure isothiocyanates, AITC and PEITC; and one indole I3C; all commonly present in Brassicaceae) were also tested, and a statistically significant inhibition of growth was observed at the highest concentration (0.6 µL).

NPPs (Non-phthalate plasticizers) are used as alternative plasticizers to phthalate esters, but there is limited knowledge on environmental residues, and they have not been reported in Japan. A method to analyze NPPs in seawater using solid-phase extraction was developed, and the residual burden of Diisobutyl adipate (DIBA), Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DEHS) and Trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM) in seawater and sediment from the Osaka Bay was measured. Using an Oasis Max column and acetone as the eluting solvent, the recovery of the target substances in seawater is >68 %. In Osaka Bay, no NPPs were detected in seawater. On the other hand, ATBC and TOTM were detected in the sediment at 36-69 ng/g and 47-131 ng/g, respectively, from about half of the 14 sites, while DEHA and DEHS were detected at 83 ng/g and 181 ng/g, respectively, from only one site.

暂无摘要。

BACKGROUND: The inclusion of dexmedetomidine (DEX) within a balanced general anaesthesia protocol is effective in improving the clinical outcome and recovery quality of anaesthesia in horses. This study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of DEX following repeated subcutaneous (SC) administration at 2 µg/kg every 60 min till the end of the procedure in comparison to intravenous constant rate infusion (CRI) at 1 µg/kg/h in anaesthetized horses undergoing diagnostic procedures up to the end of the diagnostic procedure.
RESULTS: In the CRI and SC groups DEX maximum concentrations (Cmax) were 0.83 ± 0.27 ng/mL and 1.14 ± 0.71 ng/mL, respectively, reached at a time (Tmax) of 57.0 ± 13.4 min and 105.5 ± 29.9 min. Mean residence time to the last measurable concentration (MRTlast) was 11.7 ± 6.2 and 55.8 ± 19.7 min for the CRI group and SC groups, respectively. The apparent elimination half-life was 18.0 ± 10.0 min in the CRI group and 94.8 ± 69.8 min for the SC group, whereas the area under the curve (AUC0-last) resulted 67.7 ± 29.3 and 83.2 ± 60.5 min*ng/mL for CRI and SC group, respectively. Clearance was 16.26 ± 8.07 mL/min/kg for the CRI group. No signs of adverse effects were recorded in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetic profile of DEX following repeated SC administration in anaesthetized horses was comparable to intravenous CRI administration during the intranaesthetic period and beneficial during the recovery phase from general anaesthesia. The SC route could be considered as an alternative to CRI for improving the recovery quality of equine patients undergoing general anaesthesia.