Analytical strategies to determine antibiotic residues in fish

The accelerated growth of aquaculture has resulted in a series of harmful effects to human health. The widespread and unrestricted use of antibiotics in this industry, to prevent bacterial infections, leads to remaining amounts in the aquatic environment. This has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquaculture environments, in the increase in antibiotic resistance in fish pathogens as well as in the transfer of these resistance determinants to human pathogens. Moreover, the use of large amounts of antibiotics may lead to the presence of residual antibiotics in fish tissue and fish products. Fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, penicillins, sulphonamides and other antibiotics, exhibiting activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, are widely used for the treatment and prevention of diseases in fish. An extended and comprehensive review on the recent analytical methodologies concerning antibiotic residues in fish reported in the literature is provided in the present article. Emphasis is given on sample preparation regarding isolation and purification, chromatographic conditions and method validation according to legislation. Results of published assays are comparatively presented and criticised.     

Interactions between carbonic anhydrase and its inhibitors revealed by gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism

Structural properties, and especially the differential stability, of complexes between carbonic anhydrase (CA) and three sulfonamide inhibitors, acetazolamide, dorzolamide and methazolamide, were investigated by spectroscopic and electrophoretic techniques. These included denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis either across a urea or a steady-state transverse sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gradient. Acetazolamide, the smallest and most hydrophilic of the sulfonamides, forms the most stable complex in the presence of urea, whereas dorzolamide, with a bulky and hydrophobic structure, is most stable against the effects of SDS. At pH 7.4, complexes with dorzolamide show minimal changes in mobility across the SDS gradient, as if unaffected by the detergent, both in the presence and in the absence of excess ligand in the gel. When bound to both acetazolamide and methazolamide, on the other hand, CA displays an increase in mobility above 0.05% SDS, lower in the presence than in the absence of excess ligand. The finding of a distinct pattern for the unliganded enzyme, however, suggests the complexes can still retain the ligand, although binding of the surfactant changes their charge density. Under saturating conditions and in the presence of SDS, the surface charge of all complexes is much lower than for unliganded, denatured CA. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra clearly indicate that the increase in secondary structure and the decrease in tertiary structure brought about in CA by the presence of low concentrations of SDS are largely prevented by complexing with the inhibitors. These observations point out peculiar properties of each CA inhibitor, of potential value in the definition of their biological activities and also in the potential development of novel antagonist molecules.     

青藏高原湖泊影响锂元素迁移和富集的矿物、元素及环境因素——以西藏郭扎错钻孔沉积物为例

作为我国战略性矿产的锂矿,主要赋存于青藏高原盐湖中。湖泊系统中,锂的富集和迁移规律关系到锂矿的高效提取和未来锂矿的储量估算。本文以西藏咸水湖郭扎错的钻孔沉积物为例,结合AMS14C年代和Mg元素含量变化,系统分析了孔隙水、碳酸盐矿物和硅酸盐矿物的锂含量变化,探讨了矿物、镁元素、环境变化和早期成岩作用等对锂元素迁移和富集的影响。郭扎错沉积物中锂和镁大部分存在于硅酸盐矿物中,锂和镁较高的相关性说明二者存在于相同的硅酸盐矿物中,如粘土矿物。大约90%的锂赋存在硅酸盐矿物中,约8.5%的锂赋存在碳酸盐矿物中,孔隙水中的锂含量占比仅约1.5%。碳酸盐矿物中Mg/Li摩尔比值为78–270,是孔隙水中10多倍,而硅酸盐矿物中的Mg/Li摩尔比值稳定在24–29之间。水–沉积物相互作用促进硅酸盐矿物中锂的释放,咸水环境下释放的锂多于淡水环境下。碳酸盐矿物中,锂和镁主要存在于方解石中。镁离子对锂离子的迁移具有阻碍作用,低温、高盐度下的阻碍作用更强。湖泊沉积物可能是湖水锂的一个重要来源。     

The Therapeutic Potential of Celastrol in Central Nervous System Disorders: Highlights from In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches

Celastrol, the most abundant compound derived from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii, largely used in traditional Chinese medicine, has shown preclinical and clinical efficacy for a broad range of disorders, acting via numerous mechanisms, including the induction of the expression of several neuroprotective factors, the inhibition of cellular apoptosis, and the decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Given the crucial implication of these pathways in the pathogenesis of Central Nervous System disorders, both in vitro and in vivo studies have focused their attention on the possible use of this compound in these diseases. However, although most of the available studies have reported significant neuroprotective effects of celastrol in cellular and animal models of these pathological conditions, some of these data could not be replicated. This review aims to discuss current in vitro and in vivo lines of evidence on the therapeutic potential of celastrol in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cadmium-induced neurodegeneration, as well as in psychiatric disorders, such as psychosis and depression. In vitro and in vivo studies focused on celastrol effects in cerebral ischemia, ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy are also described.     

Radiochemistry teaching and research activities in Brazil

Summary Much concern has been expressed lately about the decline of teaching and research activities in radiochemistry in many countries, as was discussed in an IAEA Technical Meeting in Antalya, Turkey, in 2002, and also at MTAA-11 in Guildford, UK. In the IAEA meeting, a survey was presented about the current situation in different regions of the world (Eastern Europe, East and West Asia, Africa, North America and Latin America) by experts of each region. In the case of Brazil, which has nuclear research reactors and also cyclotrons in operation, the teaching and research activities in radiochemistry are concentrated in the three main institutes of the Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, in the University of S?o Paulo and in other universities, in different regions of the country. In the present paper, a closer look is given to the radiochemistry teaching and research activities that are being conducted nowadays in Brazil, comprising: number of radiochemistry courses and students being formed, main research areas being conducted, as well as research and production of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine, using nuclear reactors and cyclotrons.     

Histological study of some Echium vulgare, Pulmonaria officinalis and Symphytum officinale populations

Plants living in different ecological habitats can show significant variability in their histological and phytochemical characters. The main histological features of various populations of three medicinal plants from the Boraginaceae family were studied. Stems, petioles and leaves were investigated by light microscopy in vertical and transverse sections. The outline of the epidermal cells, as well as the shape and cell number of trichomes was studied in leaf surface casts. Differences were measured among the populations of Echium vulgare in the width and height of epidermis cells in the stem, petiole and leaf, as well as in the size of palisade cells in the leaves. Among the populations of Pulmonaria officinalis significant differences were found in the length of trichomes and in the slightly or strongly wavy outline of epidermal radial cell walls. Populations of Symphytum officinale showed variance in the height of epidermal cells in leaves and stems, length of palisade cells and number of intercellular spaces in leaves, and the size of the central cavity in the stem. Boraginaceae bristles were found to be longer in plants in windy/shady habitats as opposed to sunny habitats, both in the leaves and stems ofP. officinalis and S. officinale, which might be connected to varying levels of exposure to wind. Longer epidermal cells were detected in the leaves and stems of both E. vulgare and S. officinale plants living in shady habitats, compared with shorter cells in sunny habitats. Leaf mesophyll cells were shorter in shady habitats as opposed to longer cells in sunny habitats, both in E. vulgare and S. officinale. This combination of histological characters may contribute to the plant's adaptation to various amounts of sunshine. The reported data prove the polymorphism of the studied taxa, as well as their ability to adapt to various ecological circumstances.     

黄鸣龙——我国有机化学的一位先驱

黄鸣龙院士(1898-1979)1919年浙江医药专科学校毕业,1924年德国柏林大学有机药物化学博士;1924-1934年任浙江医专教授、主任,卫生署化学部主任;1934-1940年在欧洲先灵公司等从事研究工作;1940年回国在昆明任中研院化学所研究员,兼任西南联大教授;1945年赴美在哈佛大学,默克公司从事研究工作。1952年绕道欧洲回国,先后在中国人民解放军医学科学院化学系和中国科学院上海有机化学研究所任研究员。1955年当选为中国科学院学部委员(院士)。黄先生一生从事有机化学的教育和研究工作,他在有机化学的“结构与机理”以及“反应和合成”二大方面都作出了在国内外具有深远影响的工作。20世纪40年代黄先生发现了变质山道年4个立体异构体的循环转变,堪称立体化学的经典之作;1948年发表了黄鸣龙还原反应;1952年归国后引领和发展了我国的甾体化学研究,带领了我国甾体药物的生产发展,是我国甾体药物工业的奠基人。黄先生治学严谨,既重视应用研究,又强调基础研究;关注学习新知识、新概念,又更重视实验技术。黄先生教书育人,身体力行,是我国有机化学发展的先驱者和奠基人。     

Mineral constituents of edible parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera (Scop. ex Fr.) Sing and soils beneath its fruiting bodies collected from a rural forest area

Concentrations and interrelationships of twenty elements were studied in parasol mushroom and in the top layer of soil (0–10 cm) from the area of Kiwity (Poland). K, P, Mg, Ca, and Zn were found to be the most abundant elements in the mushroom. Higher concentrations of Fe, Mn, Na, Ni occurred in stipes then in caps, while Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Rb dominated in caps. Ag, Al, and Ba concentrations in caps and stipes were similar. Parasol mushroom is efficient in up-take and separation of Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, K (in caps, the bioconcentration factor is BCF ≥ 100), Na, P, Rb (50 < BCF < 100), and Mg, Zn (BCF > 10) in its fruiting bodies, while Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Pb are eliminated (BCF < 1). Parasol mushroom from rural forest area in the north-eastern region of Poland is of hygienic concern for human health because of toxic mercury and cadmium content in the edible caps, which are also rich in essential Cu, Fe, and their K, Mn, and Zn content is also high.     

Pesticide residues in groundwaters and soils of agricultural areas in the Águeda River Basin from Spain and Portugal

This research has evaluated the agricultural impact of the use of pesticides in small agricultural areas in the Águeda river basin, which straddles the Spanish-Portuguese border. Sixteen pesticides frequently used in the area, including herbicides, fungicides and insecticides and some of their degradation products, were monitored in 52 groundwater samples and 42 soil samples taken around them, using a developed multi-residual analytical method based on SPE-LC-MS. Sampling was carried out in two different seasons (winter and summer). The results indicated the presence of pesticides at several levels, both in groundwaters and soils. Thirteen of the pesticides studied were detected in one or more of the groundwater samples analysed, but only three pesticides were detected in the soil samples. Terbuthylazine, cyprodinil, tebuconazole and chlorpyrifos were the pesticides most frequently detected in groundwaters, whereas terbuthylazine, metalaxyl and tebuconazole were the sole compounds detected in soils. The distribution of the concentrations in groundwaters indicated that up to 80% and 70% of the samples collected in the summer on the Spanish and Portuguese sides, respectively, exceed the quality standards of 0.1 µg L^?1 for one or more individual compounds and, in turn, up to 64% and 40% exceed the quality standards of 0.5 µg L^?1 for all compounds. The presence of pesticide residues in the groundwaters and soils analysed may well be explained by the use of these compounds in agricultural practices.     

基于MALDI质谱成像技术分析莲子中代谢物的组织分布

该文建立了一种可对莲子中多种代谢物进行高覆盖分析的基质辅助激光解吸附质谱成像(MALDI-MSI)方法,实现了莲子中生物碱类、黄酮类、氨基酸类、脂肪酸类、有机酸类、胆碱类、磷脂类等多种代谢物的组织原位可视化表征。结果表明,生物碱类代谢物主要分布在莲子胚芽中;黄酮类代谢物主要分布在莲子胚芽和种皮中;氨基酸类代谢物在莲子子叶中的含量显著高于莲子胚中;脂肪酸类代谢物在莲子不同组织中的分布差异很小;胆碱类代谢物在莲子胚芽和莲子子叶底部的含量更高,甘油磷酸胆碱在莲子子叶顶部的含量更高;有机酸类代谢物以及绝大多数磷脂类化合物在莲子子叶中的含量高于莲子胚。该研究为评价莲子药物质量、探究莲子中化合物的时-空代谢网络提供了新的技术支持。     

煎煮对几种特色南药中重金属元素含量和形态影响

考察了几种特色南药中重金属(Cd,Cr,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni,Pb,Sr,Zn)的含量状况,并采用形态连续萃取法分析重金属在药材中的形态分布,研究了药材煎煮时药材中重金属的释放及煎煮过程对药材中重金属形态分布的影响。结果表明,几种南药中Cr,Pb,Zn的含量较高,且巴戟天中的重金属总量高于限量标准;原药材中Cr,Cu,Mn,Ni,Pb和Zn主要存在于有机态和残留态,Fe和Sr主要存在于残留态。煎煮使南药中大量重金属迁移到药汤中;药汤中Cu,Mn,Cr,Pb和Zn主要来自于其在药材中的可交换态、碳酸盐结合态和有机态,而药汤中Sr,Ni和Fe不仅包含其非残留态,更多来自于它们的残留态。为减少药汤中重金属,对于Cu,Mn,Cr,Pb和Zn既要控制在药材中的总量,且需降低它们在药材中的非残留态含量;对于Fe,Ni和Sr则主要是控制其在药材中的总量。     

Membrane lipids are both the substrates and a mechanistically responsive environment of TMEM16 scramblase proteins

Recent discoveries about functional mechanisms of proteins in the TMEM16 family of phospholipid scramblases have illuminated the dual role of the membrane as both the substrate and a mechanistically responsive environment in the wide range of physiological processes and genetic disorders in which they are implicated. This is highlighted in the review of recent findings from our collaborative investigations of molecular mechanisms of TMEM16 scramblases that emerged from iterative functional, structural, and computational experimentation. In the context of this review, we present new MD simulations and trajectory analyses motivated by the fact that new structural information about the TMEM16 scramblases is emerging from cryo-EM determinations in lipid nanodiscs. Because the functional environment of these proteins in in vivo and in in vitro is closer to flat membranes, we studied comparatively the responses of the membrane to the TMEM16 proteins in flat membranes and nanodiscs. We find that bilayer shapes in the nanodiscs are very different from those observed in the flat membrane systems, but the function-related slanting of the membrane observed at the nhTMEM16 boundary with the protein is similar in the nanodiscs and in the flat bilayers. This changes, however, in the bilayer composed of longer-tail lipids, which is thicker near the phospholipid translocation pathway, which may reflect an enhanced tendency of the long tails to penetrate the pathway and create, as shown previously, a nonconductive environment. These findings support the correspondence between the mechanistic involvement of the lipid environment in the flat membranes, and the nanodiscs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Simultaneous liquid chromatographic determination of 39 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in indoor and outdoor air and application to a survey on indoor air pollution in Fuji, Japan

An analytical method was established for the simultaneous determination of 39 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air. The method was applied to a survey of gaseous and particulate PAHs in household indoor air. The survey was performed in 21 houses in the summer of 1999 and in 20 houses in the winter of 1999-2000 in Fuji, Japan. Thirty-eight PAHs were determined in indoor and outdoor air in the summer, and 39 PAHs were determined in indoor and outdoor air in the winter. The concentrations of gaseous PAHs in indoor air tended to be higher than those in outdoor air in the summer and winter. The concentrations of particulate PAHs in indoor air were the same as or lower than those in outdoor air in the summer and winter. PAH profiles, correlations between PAH concentrations, and multiple regression analysis were used to determine the factors affecting the indoor PAH concentrations. These results showed that gaseous PAHs in indoor air were primarily from indoor emission sources, especially during the summer, and that indoor particulate PAH concentrations were significantly influenced by outdoor air pollution.     

Micellar medium effects on the hydrolysis of phenyl chloroformate in ionic,zwitterionic, nonionic,and mixed micellar solutions

The spontaneous hydrolysis of phenyl chloroformate was studied in various anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and cationic aqueous micellar solutions, as well as in mixed anionic–nonionic micellar solutions. In all cases, an increase in the surfactant concentration results in a decrease in the reaction rate and micellar effects were quantitatively explained in terms of distribution of the substrate between water and micelles and the first‐order rate constants in the aqueous and micellar pseudophases. A comparison of the kinetic data in nonionic micellar solutions to those in anionic and zwiterionic micellar solutions makes clear that charge effects of micelles is not the only factor responsible for the variations in the reaction rate. Depletion of water in the interfacial region and its different characteristics as compared to bulk water, the presence of high ionic concentration in the Stern layer of ionic micelles, and differences in the stabilization of the initial state and the transition state by hydrophobic interactions with surfactant tails can also influence reactivity. The different deceleration of the reaction observed in the various micellar solutions studied was discussed by considering these factors. Synergism in mixed‐micellar solutions is shown through the kinetic data obtained in these media. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 445–451, 2002     

Separation characteristics of air by polysulfone hollow fiber membranes in series

Characteristics of air separation are determined in a serial configuration of hollow fiber polysulfone membranes. One, two, and three separation cells in series are used in the measurements. All systems are operated in the counter-current flow mode and effects of the reject flow rate and feed pressure are considered in the measurements. The plug flow model is used to simulate and analyze the system. Results include variations in species permeance, stage cut, permeate enrichment, reject depletion, and recovery of oxygen and nitrogen gases. Most of the plug flow model predictions are found to closely match the measured data, with deviations less than 10%. However, deviations in N₂ recoveries are found to be larger than other system parameters, with deviations close to 30%. Increase of the number of separation cells results in higher stage cuts and in turn to higher species recovery in the permeate stream. Simultaneously, the purity of the reject is increased and that of the permeate stream is decreased. At constant reject flow rate, the highest permeate enrichment is found in the permeate stream of the first cell in the two- and three-cell systems. This is caused by the increase in the feed flow rate, which results in reduction of the gas residence time and in turn the gas permeation is highly selective and is dominated by the fast permeating species O₂.     

Physiological changes in barley plants under combined toxicity of aluminum, copper and cadmium

Crop production on acid soil is markedly reduced, further, a multiple heavy metal pollution except Al on acid soil is detected in many areas. The present study was undertaken to assess the toxicities of Al, Cd, and Cu separately and in combinations, three heavy metals very often coexisting on acid soil, and to identify their interactions in two kinds of barley seedlings differing in Al tolerance. The plant growth, metals accumulations, total soluble protein and sugar contents, MDA contents and the activities of SOD and POD were estimated in roots and leaves after 5-week supply of the heavy metals excess in the nutrient solution. The results indicated that the stress treatments including low pH (pH 4.5) alone all adversely affected plant growth and disturbed the cell metabolism seriously. The development of toxic symptoms corresponded to a high accumulation of Al, Cd, Cu and to a poor increase in soluble sugar contents but to a high increase in MDA contents, to the decrease in soluble protein contents and to the much elevated SOD and POD activities in both roots and leaves. In addition, binary metal combinations of Al + Cd and Al + Cu both produced the synergistic response for the growth of barley seedlings, in particular for Shang 70-119, while, ternary metal combination of Al + Cu + Cd produced different interactions in two kinds of genotypes, thus, the significant synergistic response was seen in Shang 70-119, but the antagonistic response was detected in Gebeina. The different responses to ternary metal combination of two genotypes may result from the different metal bioaccumulation patterns, hence, the existence of Cd and Cu promoted Al accumulation in Shang 70-119 but inhibited Al accumulation in Gebeina.     

耐高盐碱蓬对湿地土壤中金属元素的富集特征研究

基于秦皇岛滨海湿地人工种植耐高盐碱蓬修复工程试验,通过分析湿地土壤沉积物及耐高盐碱蓬中不同金属元素的含量与变化,研究了耐高盐碱蓬对金属元素的富集特征。结果显示:湿地沉积物中Fe、Mn、Cr、Pb和Zn的浓度较高,分别为8 210. 94、110. 04、8. 78、8. 25、10. 95 mg/kg,Cd的浓度最低,平均值为0. 022 mg/kg,湿地试验区土壤中同一金属元素变异程度较小,分布较均匀。碱蓬体内重金属含量根据采集地点的不同有差异,但与各站位中土壤的重金属分布特征存在正相关性;其中碱蓬内Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu的平均含量相对较高,且Fe、Mn、Ni、Cu、As、Cd、Pb元素在碱蓬根中的平均含量高于茎叶,而Cr在茎中的平均含量最高,Zn和Mo在叶中的含量最高。碱蓬的根、茎、叶对Cd的富集效果最好,其次为Mo、Cu,对Fe、Mn、Zn、As和Pb的富集效果相对较差,说明碱蓬对沉积物中不同金属元素的富集移出率存在差异。金属元素在碱蓬中的转移系数研究表明,Mo、Zn、Cd和Mn等元素可由根部转移到叶中,而Fe、Ni、Pb、As和Cu等金属元素固定在根部,该研究可为利用碱蓬修复湿地重金属污染提供理论基础。     

马家塔矿煤层中有害痕量元素的质量分数特性

应用仪器中子活化（INAA）、电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱（ICP AES）和原子吸收光谱（AAS）对神华集团马家塔露天矿2-2#煤层中Hg、As、Se、Pb、Be、Cr、Cd、Ni、Th、U、Mn、Mo、Co、Sb和Br共15种有害痕量元素的质量分数进行测定。结果表明，绝大部分痕量元素的质量分数都明显低于中国煤中元素质量分数的平均值，只有Hg和Mn的质量分数偏高，其中Hg的质量分数异常高；通过分析痕量元素在煤层垂向剖面上的质量分数变化特性，揭示出痕量元素在煤层中分布的非均一性,分析了影响痕量元素分布与富集的因素；通过痕量元素之间以及与黄铁矿硫、Fe、Al、Ca、P的聚类分析，研究了痕量元素之间以及与煤中不同矿物组分之间的亲和特性。     

中性溶质在反相毛细管电色谱中的保留行为

分别在以甲醇、乙腈、异丙醇和四氢呋喃为有机改性剂的４种二元流动相体系中对中性溶质在反相毛细管电色谱中的保留行为进行了研究。不仅考察了有机改性剂的种类和浓度对电渗淌度的影响,而且建立了溶质容量因子与有机改性剂在流动相中体积分数间的定量关系,此外还对样品在反相毛细管电色谱和反相毛细管高效液相色谱中的保留行为进行了比较,发现中性溶质在这两种分离模式中的容量因子基本相同。     

Spectroscopic studies of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes

Molybdenum and tungsten are the only second and third-row transition elements with a known function in living systems. Molybdenum fulfills functional roles in enzyme systems in almost all living creatures, from bacteria through plants to invertebrates and mammals, while tungsten takes the place of molybdenum in some prokaryotes, especially the hyperthermophilic archaea. The enzymes contain the metal bound by an unusual sulfur-containing cofactor. Despite possessing common structural elements, the enzymes are remarkable in the range of different chemical reactions that are catalyzed, although almost all are two-electron oxidation–reduction reactions in which an oxygen atom is transferred to or from the molybdenum. The functional roles filled by molybdenum enzymes are equally diverse; for example, they play essential roles in microbial respiration, in the uptake of nitrogen in green plants, in controlling insect eye color, and in human health. Spectroscopic studies, in particular electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, have played an essential role in our understanding of the active site structures and catalytic mechanisms of the molybdenum and tungsten enzymes. This review summarizes the role spectroscopy has played in the state of our knowledge of the molybdenum and tungsten enzymes, with particular regard to structural information on the molybdenum sites.