Extraction of methyl xanthines and their UHPLC–DAD determination in consumable beverages used in Eastern province of Saudi Arabia

Coffee and tea are the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. However, the consumer may be unaware of the exact amount of methyl xanthine (MX, i.e. caffeine [C], theobromine [TB] and theophylline [TH]) consumed, as most of the products do not list the proper amounts. This may lead to serious risks including cardiovascular, kidney and stimulant effects. The aim of the study was to determine the MX amount in ready-to-use beverages (coffee and tea) collected from various outlets in the city of Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Forty different samples of espresso, black coffee and red tea were collected. A fast, reliable and efficient UHPLC–DAD method was developed and validated for MX determination. Total lipids were extracted and fractionated in order to determine glycolipids, phospholipids and neutral lipids. The r² value for the method was 0.980–0.988 in a linearity range of 0.5–200 ppm. The range for MX (C [0.02–2.39 mg/ml], TB [0.00–0.10 mg/ml] and TH [0.00–0.004 mg/ml]) and total lipids was 1–5 g. The amount of glycolipids (3.1 g) was higher among the lipid fractions followed by phospholipids (1.8 g) and neutral lipids (0.25 g). In general, espresso beverages (20–30 ml) contained high amounts of MX whereas black coffee beverages contained high amount of lipids. Most of the beverages expressed C, TB, TH, lipids or their fractions; however, the product with high amounts of MX and lipids at the same time was espresso (brands Chemistry and Wogard). Although the MX and lipid levels in these beverages well below the allowed limits, care must still be taken, especially when using the beverages with high serving volumes (200–250 ml) or coffee prepared via the filter method i.e. black coffee, using a high temperature for a longer time.     

Promotion of a quality standard for Porana sinensis Hemsl. based on the efficacy-oriented Effect-Constituent Index

Multicompound determination for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may often be inadequate, since these compounds may not be associated with, or fully represent, the clinical effects of TCM. Moreover, the individual contributions of each constituent to the pharmacological effect are often not considered. In China, Porana sinensis is widely used as a substitute for Erycibe sources to treat joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis. The existing quality control methods for P. sinensis neither consider the individual contributions of various compounds nor control the actual quality associated with different clinical efficacies. In the present study, a novel efficacy-oriented approach, named the effect-constituent index (ECI), was established for P. sinensis. Analyses of the spectrum–effect relationship and components in rat plasma were conducted to systematically and scientifically select quality markers. Quantitative analysis of multicomponents via a single marker method was introduced to enhance the practical application value of the established ECI. The established ECI shows a good ability to distinguish and predict the bioeffect-based quality of P. sinensis. The present study also provides a reference for the establishment and application of ECI as a quality control method for TCMs.     

Capillary electrophoresis and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography methods in clinical monitoring of creatinine in human urine: A comparative study

Creatinine is an important diagnostic marker and is also used as a standardization tool for the quantitative evaluation of exogenous/endogenous substances in urine. This study aimed at evaluating and comparing three analytical approaches, based on hyphenations of different separation [two-dimensional capillary isotachophoresis (CITP–CITP), capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)] and detection [conductivity (CD), ultraviolet (UV), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)] techniques, for their ability to provide reliable clinical data along with their suitability for the routine clinical use (cost, simplicity, sample throughput). The developed UHPLC–MS/MS, CITP–CITP–CD, and CZE–UV methods were characterized by favorable performance parameters, such as linearity (r ˃ 0.99), precision (relative standard deviation, 0.22–2.97% for the creatinine position in analytical profiles), and recovery (87.1–115.1%). Clinical data, obtained from the analysis of 24 human urine samples by a reference enzymatic method, were comparable with those obtained by the tested methods (Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman analysis), approving their usefulness for the routine clinical use. In this context, the UHPLC–MS/MS method provides benefits of enhanced orthogonality/accuracy and high sample throughput (threefold shorter total analysis times than the CE methods), whereas advantages of the CE methods for routine labs are simplicity and low cost of both the instrumentation and measurements.     

A volatolomic approach using cerumen as biofluid to diagnose bovine intoxication by Stryphnodendron rotundifolium

An innovative volatolomic approach employs the detection of biomarkers present in cerumen (earwax) to identify cattle intoxication by Stryphnodendron rotundifolium Mart., Fabaceae (popularly known as barbatimão). S. rotundifolium is a poisonous plant with the toxic compound undefined and widely distributed throughout the Brazilian territory. Cerumen samples from cattle of two local Brazilian breeds (‘Curraleiro Pé-Duro’ and ‘Pantaneiro’) were collected during an experimental intoxication protocol and analyzed using headspace (HS)/GC–MS followed by multivariate analysis (genetic algorithm for a partial least squares, cluster analysis, and classification and regression trees). A total of 106 volatile organic metabolites were identified in the cerumen samples of bovines. The intoxication by S. rotundifolium influenced the cerumen volatolomic profile of the bovines throughout the intoxication protocol. In this way, it was possible to detect biomarkers for cattle intoxication. Among the biomarkers, 2-octyldecanol and 9-tetradecen-1-ol were able to discriminate all samples between intoxicated and nonintoxicated bovines. The cattle intoxication diagnosis by S. rotundifolium was accomplished by applying the cerumen analysis using HS/GC–MS, in an easy, accurate, and noninvasive way. Thus, the proposed bioanalytical chromatography protocol is a useful tool in veterinary applications to determine this kind of intoxication.     

Identification of metabolic markers in patients with type 2 Diabetes by Ultrafast gas chromatography coupled to electronic nose. A pilot study

Metabolomics is a potential tool for the discovery of new biomarkers in the early diagnosis of diseases. An ultra-fast gas chromatography system equipped to an electronic nose detector (FGC eNose) was used to identify the metabolomic profile of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) urine from Mexican population. A cross-sectional, comparative, and clinical study with translational approach was performed. We recruited twenty T2D patients and twenty-one healthy subjects. Urine samples were taken and analyzed by FGC eNose. Eighty-eight compounds were identified through Kovats's indexes. A natural variation of 30% between the metabolites, expressed by study groups, was observed in Principal Component 1 and 2 with a significant difference (p < 0.001). The model, performed through a Canonical Analysis of Principal coordinated (CAP), allowed a correct classification of 84.6% between healthy and T2D patients, with a 15.4% error. The metabolites 2-propenal, 2-propanol, butane- 2,3-dione and 2-methylpropanal, were increased in patients with T2D, and they were strongly correlated with discrimination between clinically healthy people and T2D patients. This study identified metabolites in urine through FGC eNose that can be used as biomarkers in the identification of T2D patients. However, more studies are needed for its implementation in clinical practice.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic acid glycosides in Ginkgo biloba L. leaf,G. biloba leaf extract and its injection

Ginkgo biloba L. leaf (GBL) is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. Phenolic acids with biological activities have a relatively high content in G. biloba leaf extracts (GBE); therefore they are of great significance for the quality control of GBL, GBE and its preparations. However, there have been few studies focused on their analysis. In this work, 12 phenolic acids, including 11 phenolic acid glycosides, were identified by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC–Q-TOF/MS). Then, a method combining enzymolysis with HPLC was established for quantification of phenolic acid glycosides. It was found that the aglycones of phenolic acid glycosides mainly comprised five phenolic acids: 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid. The quantitative method was validated, and the correlation coefficient (0.9993–0.9999), recovery (≥88.4%), repeatability (≤0.8%), and inter-day precision (≤5.5%) were satisfactory. Finally, the contents of glycosides of five phenolic acids in GBL, GBE and GBE injection from different sources were determined by the developed method. The method was accurate, repeatable and practicable, which could be helpful for the quantification of phenolic acid glycosides in other products containing GBL or GBE.     

空间波函数的对称性对氦原子双光子双电离过程中电子关联的影响

通过数值求解含时薛定谔方程，研究了氦原子具有对称空间波函数的1s2s 1S态和具有反对称空间波函数的1s2s 3S态分别作为初态的双光子双电离过程. 结果表明，对于初态为单重态1s2s 1S的双光子双电离过程，两个电离电子的能量分布随激光脉冲持续时间的增加呈现由单峰到双峰的变化，这里的单峰和双峰分别意味着两个电离电子主要携带相等和不等的能量；然而对于初态为三重态1s2s 3S的双光子双电离过程，两个电离电子的能量分布随激光脉冲持续时间的增加总是保持双峰结构. 这些结果表明当原子的初态处于反对称空间波函数时，两电子的空间密度分布具有较少的重叠，从而导致电子在超短激光脉冲中电离时电子关联能无法平均分配.     

烧结烟气脱硫脱硝用活性炭混合钢渣复合材料的光谱学分析

钢渣是冶金工业中产生的主要固体废弃物,其产量约为每年粗钢产量的15%~20%。由于技术的局限,导致我国钢渣利用率较低,仅为年钢渣产量的10%,同时加之管理制度的不健全,导致钢渣大量露天堆放,对土地资源、地下水源,以及空气质量形成严重影响。固体废弃物再利用是资源可持续发展的重要途径之一,钢渣的主要化学成分为CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, Fe2O3, MnO, f-CaO等。面对上述问题,利用冶金固体废弃物与活性炭开发一种价格低廉且性能优越的活性炭混合钢渣复合材料,既是冶金固体废弃物的高附加值利用与资源可持续发展的重要途径之一,也是大幅降低改性活性炭生产成本与提高经济效益的重要途径之一。该研究创新性以活性炭与钢渣为研究对象,利用钢渣中含有的金属氧化物对活性炭进行改性处理制备用于烧结烟气脱硫脱硝的活性炭混合钢渣复合材料,通过搭建实验反应装置对活性炭混合钢渣复合材料的脱硫脱硝性能进行测试。利用X射线荧光光谱仪(XRF)对钢渣的化学成分进行测试与分析,比表面积及孔径测定仪(BET)对活性炭混合钢渣复合材料的孔结构进行测试与分析,傅里叶变换红外光谱仪(FTIR)对钢渣的结构组成进行测试与分析,扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对活性炭混合钢渣复合材料的微观结构进行测试与分析,以揭示活性炭与钢渣制备活性炭混合钢渣复合材料的机理,以及活性炭混合钢渣复合材料对烧结烟气脱硫脱硝的机理。结果表明:当钢渣为电炉热泼渣、钢渣与活性炭质量比为2∶4、钢渣与活性炭细度为400目时,活性炭混合钢渣复合材料具有良好的脱硫脱硝性能与合理的经济性,即脱硫效率为100%、脱硝效率为58%。活性炭混合钢渣复合材料具有的多孔结构对SO2和NO进行有作用,钢渣中Fe2O3与MnO2促使活性炭官能团进行催化还原反应提高脱硫脱硝性能,其中吸附作用是主导与前提,催化还原反应是辅助与协同。以期为高附加值的钢渣利用提供新途径,实现钢铁企业以废治废、以废增效的目的。     

基于改进格林元的压裂水平井动态分析方法

以建立高效的动态分析方法为出发点，以边单元作为求解点，改进传统的格林元方法，减少未知数和求解矩阵维度；并提出基于改进格林元的加密网格加密方法，保证考虑复杂裂缝网络的压裂水平井动态模拟的早期精度.退化模型与半解析解、数值模拟结果进行对比，验证本文基于加密网格的改进格林元方法的准确性和动态分析的高效性.最后进行动态响应的敏感性分析，结果表明：①格林元方法是一种高精度的动态模拟方法，将求解节点设置在网格的边上可以提高压裂水平井动态模拟的速度；②改进格林元方法的加密基于叠加原理，不需要通过插值近似，其求解精度高.在相同加密网格条件下，基于本文改进格林元方法的加密效果比有限差分加密效果更佳；③复杂裂缝导流能力、改造区渗透率提高倍数、改造区大小等参数对压裂水平井动态特征影响较大，在动态分析和参数反演时，应着重考虑这些因素的影响.     

平面波输入下海水-海床-结构动力相互作用分析

海洋工程结构的地震反应分析是保证海洋工程结构地震安全的重要环节.由于其所处的复杂环境, 该问题涉及到流固耦合和土-结相互作用.本文基于海水、饱和海床、基岩流固耦合统一计算框架,采用Davidenkov模型和修正的Masing准则考虑饱和海床的非线性,在脉冲SV波垂直入射下, 进行了海域场地和海洋工程结构的动力响应分析. 首先,对比分析了线性自由场和非线性自由场输入情形的海域场地非线性反应,结果表明线性自由场输入时反应不合理,自由场分析和场地分析应该采用相一致的本构模型. 然后,对比分析了海床分别为线性和非线性情形时,海域场地以及海水-海床-结构体系的反应特征. 与线性海床情形相比,非线性对海床反应的影响主要由如下两方面因素控制: 一方面,非线性导致饱和海床模量减小, 饱和海床与基岩间的波阻抗比减小,由基岩到饱和海床间的反射系数和透射系数增加, 导致反应增大; 另一方面,非线性导致阻尼加大, 使海床反应减小. 对于本文算例而言,阻尼对非线性海床结果的影响占主导作用.