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.     

Optimization of extraction and quantification technique for phenolics content of garlic (Allium sativum): An application for comparative phytochemical evaluation based on cultivar origin

A range of conventional, i.e. maceration, percolation, ultrasonic assisted, Soxhlet and Soxtec extraction (STE), to advanced extraction techniques of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was utilized for the first time in order to optimize the extract yield and recovery of phenolics—gallic acid (GA), rutin (RT) and quercetin (QT)—quantified via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (UHPLC–DAD). The effect of solvents (n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol) and temperature (60, 80 and 100°C) upon extraction yield, phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and DPPH) was studied, and the method was validated in commercial food samples from Saudi Arabia, China and India. A high extract yield with percentage recovery was observed for STE (1221.10 mg/5 g; 24.42%) and ASE techniques (91.50 mg/1 g; 9.15%) in methanol at 100°C. UHPLC–DAD showed retention times (min) of 0.67, 1.93 and 1.90 for GA, RT and QT, respectively in the shortest runtime of 3 min. The yield for phenolics was higher for STE/ASE (ppm): 15.27/15.29 (GA), 85.24/37.56 (RT) and 52.20/33.40 (QT), respectively. In terms of antioxidant activities, low IC₅₀ values (μg/ml) of 1.09/1.18 (DPPH), 2.11/5.32 (ABTS) and 4.35/7.88 (phenazine methosulfate–nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) were observed for STE and ASE, respectively. Multivariate analysis for STE showed a significant (P = 0.000) correlation for extraction type vs. extract yield and phenolics content; however, there was no significance for antioxidant activities vs. extraction type. ASE showed a positive correlation for solvent vs. extraction yield, phenolics and antioxidant activity; however, there was no correlation for extraction yield and DPPH activity. Principal component analysis for STE showed a major variability (52.02%) for extraction yield and phenolics in PC1 followed by PC2 (38.30%) for antioxidant activities. For ASE, PC1 (48.68%) showed a positive correlation for solvent vs. extraction yield and phenolics while PC2 (33.12%) showed a positive correlation for temperature and antioxidant activities. STE and ASE were the optimized extraction techniques for the garlic food sample while a significant effect of solvent and temperature was observed upon extraction yield, phenolics and antioxidant activity.     

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.     

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。     

Complementarity between micro-micro and micro-macro entanglement in a Bose–Einstein condensate with two Rydberg impurities

We theoretically study complementarity between micro-micro and micro-macro entanglement in a Bose–Einstein condensate with two Rydberg impurities. We investigate quantum dynamics of micro-micro and micro-macro entanglement in the micro-macro system. It is found that strong micro-macro entanglement between Rydberg impurities and the BEC can be generated by the use of initial micro-micro entanglement between two Rydberg impurities, which acts as the seed entanglement to create micro-macro entanglement. We demonstrate a curious complementarity relation between micro-micro and micro-macro entanglement, and find that the complementarity property can be sustained to some extent even though in the presence of the BEC decoherence.     

Analysis,design and simulation of MIM plasmonic filters with different geometries for technical parameters improvement

In this paper, four optical filter topologies based on metal–insulator–metal waveguides are proposed and the designed structures are investigated numerically using finite-difference timedomain method. Triangular-shaped adjunctions have been added to the filter structures to improve their transmission spectrum. These improved structures consist of air as the insulator and silver as the metal. The relative permittivity of metal has been described via the Drude,Drude–Lorentz, and Palik models. The first filter's transmission spectrum shows an acceptable transmittance. In the second optimized filter, the transmission spectrum has been improved. The transmittance spectrum can be tuned through adjusting the edge of the triangle in these four optimized filters. As a result, the bandwidths of resonance spectra can be adjusted. The theory of such tapered structures will be investigated by the tapered transmission line and will be solved with the transfer matrix method. This method shows a better performance and higher transmission efficiency in comparison with the basic structures. On the other hand, the final filter has been chosen as the best one because of its hexagonal resonator. The main reason for having a better result is due to a longer interaction length in comparison with the circular resonator. This in turn creates much better energy coupling and results in higher transmission.     

Approximation of quantum assemblages

In this paper, we derive a set of projectors on a large Hilbert space which can universally work for approximating quantum assemblages with binary inputs and outputs. The dimension of the Hilbert space depends on the accuracy of the approximation.