Cold-temperature stability of five beta-lactam antibiotics in bovine milk and milk extracts prepared for liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis

The stability of five major beta-lactam antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, oxacillin, and penicillin G) in fortified milk and in milk extracts prepared for LC-ESIMS/MS analysis was studied at varying cold temperatures (4, -20, and -76 degrees C). Storage of milk samples at 4 degrees C resulted in measurable losses of all beta-lactams after 6 days (>50% in most cases). Slow degradation of penicillin G, cloxacillin, and oxacillin was observed in milk stored at -20 degrees C, but no losses were recorded at -76 degrees C over 4 weeks. All antibiotics showed good stability at all temperature tested in milk extracts prepared for LC-ESIMS/MS analysis. The results of this study emphasize adherence to adequate sample handling and storage protocols as to reflect residue levels at the time of sample submission.     

Specific determination of unbound oxacillin in protein solution with cefoperazone by high-performance frontal analysis with chemiluminescence detection

Unbound oxacillin concentrations in human serum albumin (HSA) solutions in the presence or absence of cefoperazone were determined using high-performance frontal analysis coupled with chemiluminescence detection (HPFA-CL). The HPFA was performed on an ISRP column with 67 mM potassium phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 and ionic strength of 0.17 as the mobile phase. The luminol-H(2)O(2)-Co(2+) system was employed in the chemiluminescence detection. The detection was highly specific for oxacillin in the presence of cefoperazone. Although both drugs in HSA solutions co-eluted in the same region in HPFA, cefoperazone did not interfere with the determination of unbound concentration of oxacillin. In the solution of 100 microM HSA and 11.33 micro M oxacillin the bound percentage of oxacillin to HSA was estimated as 80.5%. Addition of 30.98 micro M cefoperazone into the HSA-equilibrated solution produced little effect on the protein binding of oxacillin. In the presence of 154.9 micro M cefoperazone, however, the bound percentage of oxacillin was significantly reduced. This specific method could be applied to the investigation of drug-drug interaction in protein binding.     

Chemiluminescence detection coupled to high-performance frontal analysis for the determination of unbound concentrations of drugs in protein binding equilibrium

High-performance frontal analysis coupled with chemiluminescence detection (HPFA-CL) was developed for the determination of unbound oxacillin concentration in human serum albumin solution. The HPFA system consisted of an ISRP column and a mobile phase of 67 mM potassium phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 and ionic strength of 0.17. The luminol-H2O2-Co2+ system was used in the chemiluminescence detection. An enhancement of luminol chemiluminescence by oxacillin was investigated and employed for determining the concentration of oxacillin in the HPFA eluate. Sample solutions were directly injected onto the column; the drug was eluted as a zonal peak with a plateau region. The unbound drug concentrations were determined by using the height of the plateau. The results agreed with those obtained with conventional ultrafiltration-HPLC method. Good reproducibility was confirmed by the within run and between run RSD < or = 7.4%. HPFA-CL provided a selective method for determination of unbound drug concentration in protein binding equilibrium.     

Study of Interactions Between Sugammadex and Penicillins Using Affinity Capillary Electrophoresis

Sugammadex, a new modified gamma cyclodextrin, reverses the neuromuscular blockage induced by rocuronium by forming a strong complex with this muscle relaxant. To evaluate possible interactions with potentially co-administered drugs, interactions between sugammadex and penicillins were investigated using the affinity capillary electrophoresis method for the first time. Capillary electrophoresis coupled to an ultra violet detector was used as an analytical device for the analysis and detection of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. Changes in the effective mobility of guest drugs (amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, dicloxacillin and azlocillin) were correlated with the increasing concentration of host molecules in background electrolyte, and successfully fitted into a non-linear curve equation; assuming 1:1 stoichiometric interaction. The calculated association constants (K _a) were: 383.44, 184.54, 265.34 and 95.06 M^?1 for amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin and dicloxacillin, respectively. No complex formation with sugammadex could be detected for both penicillin G and piperacillin. The difference in the chemical structure of the penicillins, especially in the (R) side chains, is suggested to be responsible for the variety of binding strength between penicillins and sugammadex. The displacement study demonstrated that interactions between sugammadex and co-administered penicillins could reduce the pharmacological effects of both.     

Study of Interactions Between Sugammadex and Penicillins Using Affinity Capillary Electrophoresis

Sugammadex, a new modified gamma cyclodextrin, reverses the neuromuscular blockage induced by rocuronium by forming a strong complex with this muscle relaxant. To evaluate possible interactions with potentially co-administered drugs, interactions between sugammadex and penicillins were investigated using the affinity capillary electrophoresis method for the first time. Capillary electrophoresis coupled to an ultra violet detector was used as an analytical device for the analysis and detection of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. Changes in the effective mobility of guest drugs (amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, dicloxacillin and azlocillin) were correlated with the increasing concentration of host molecules in background electrolyte, and successfully fitted into a non-linear curve equation; assuming 1:1 stoichiometric interaction. The calculated association constants (K _a) were: 383.44, 184.54, 265.34 and 95.06 M⁻¹ for amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin and dicloxacillin, respectively. No complex formation with sugammadex could be detected for both penicillin G and piperacillin. The difference in the chemical structure of the penicillins, especially in the (R) side chains, is suggested to be responsible for the variety of binding strength between penicillins and sugammadex. The displacement study demonstrated that interactions between sugammadex and co-administered penicillins could reduce the pharmacological effects of both.

     

A sensitive and selective sensor‐coated molecularly imprinted sol–gel film incorporating β‐cyclodextrin‐multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and cobalt nanoparticles‐chitosan for oxacillin determination

A sensitive and selective imprinted electrochemical sensor for the determination of oxacillin was developed based on indium tin oxide electrode. The proposed sensor was decorated with imprinted sol–gel film and cobalt nanoparticles‐chitosan/β‐cyclodextrin‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites. The surface morphologies of the modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope. The stepwise assembly process and electrochemical behavior of the novel sensor were characterized by differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and Amperometric i‐t response. The imprinted sensor displayed excellent selectivity toward oxacillin. Meanwhile, the introduced cobalt nanoparticles‐chitosan and β‐cyclodextrin‐multi‐walled carbon nanotubes exhibited noticeable amplified electrochemical response signal. The differential voltammetric anodic peak current was linear to oxacillin concentration in the range from 2.0 × 10^?7 to 1.0 × 10^?4 mol·l^?1, and the detection limit was 6.9 × 10^?9 mol·l^?1. The proposed imprinted sensor was applied to the determination of oxacillin in human blood serum samples successfully. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of alkali and Si/Al ratio on the development of mechanical properties of metakaolin-based geopolymers

Statistical analysis of a systematic series of geopolymers with varying alkali type (sodium and potassium) and Si/Al ratio after 7 and 28 days ageing has been used as a basis for observing the development of mechanical properties with time. Minimal change in the compressive strength of specimens was generally observed in specimens of different alkali or between 7 and 28 days of ageing. However, mixed-alkali specimens with high Si/Al ratio exhibited significant increases in strength, while pure alkali specimens displayed decreased strength. The development of Young's modulus of geopolymers between 7 and 28 days was observed to be dependent on alkali, with the Young's moduli of Na-specimens decreasing at low Si/Al ratio, but increasing at high Si/Al ratio, while K-specimens exhibited the opposite effect. Mixed-alkali specimens all exhibited nominal change in Young's moduli, without any significant effect of Si/Al ratio being observed.     

Photometric extraction method for determination of oxacillin and its derivatives

Microchimica Acta - A new extraction photometric method is developed for determination of oxacillin and its chlorinated derivates, based on the extraction of ion-pairs of the oxacillin anion and...     

Confirmatory determination of six penicillins in honey by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

A confirmatory method for 6 penicillin antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin G, oxacillin, cloxacillin, and dicloxacillin) in honey is presented that allows determination and confirmation of identity of the antibiotics at trace levels. The method includes the use of a stable isotope-labeled internal standard benzyl (d7-phenyl) penicillate and removal of sugar and other substances by solvent and solid-phase extraction. The honey extracts are then analyzed for penicillin residues by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Mass spectral acquisition was achieved in an electrospray positive ion mode by applying multiple reaction monitoring of 2 or 3 fragment ion transitions to provide a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Typical recoveries of 6 penicillins at fortification levels of 6, 16, 40, and 80 microg/kg ranged from 51.4 to 132.9%. The recoveries varied with the individual penicillins and were affected by different honey matrixes. The ion ratios were consistent and could be used for confirmation of identity of the penicillins. The method limits of detection (microg/kg) were 0.25 for amoxicillin, 0.19 for ampicillin, 0.068 for penicillin G, 0.028 for oxacillin, 0.052 for cloxacillin, and 0.085 for dicloxacillin. The method limits of confirmation (microg/kg) were 0.44 for amoxicillin, 0.52 for ampicillin, 0.23 for penicillin G, 0.14 for oxacillin, 0.14 for cloxacillin, and 0.15 for dicloxacillin when a sample size of 5 g honey was used.     

Chondroitin Sulfate Protects the Liver in an Experimental Model of Extra-Hepatic Cholestasis Induced by Common Bile Duct Ligation

During liver fibrogenesis, there is an imbalance between regeneration and wound healing. The current treatment is the withdrawal of the causing agent; thus, investigation of new and effective treatments is important. Studies have highlighted the action of chondroitin sulfate (CS) in different cells; thus, our aim was to analyze its effect on an experimental model of bile duct ligation (BDL). Adult Wistar rats were subjected to BDL and treated with CS for 7, 14, 21, or 28 days intraperitoneally. We performed histomorphometric analyses on Picrosirius-stained liver sections. Cell death was analyzed according to caspase-3 and cathepsin B activity and using a TUNEL assay. Regeneration was evaluated using PCNA immunohistochemistry. BDL led to increased collagen content with corresponding decreased liver parenchyma. CS treatment reduced total collagen and increased parenchyma content after 21 and 28 days. The treatment also promoted changes in the hepatic collagen type III/I ratio. Furthermore, it was observed that CS treatment reduced caspase-3 activity and the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells after 14 days and cathepsin B activity only after 28 days. The regeneration increased after 14, 21, and 28 days of CS treatment. In conclusion, our study showed a promising hepatoprotective action of CS in fibrogenesis induced by BDL.     

A Novel Hybrid Metal–Organic Framework–Polymeric Monolith for Solid‐Phase Microextraction

This study describes the fabrication of a novel hybrid metal–organic framework– organic polymer (MOF–polymer) for use as a stationary phase in fritless solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) for validating analytical methods. The MOF–polymer was prepared by using ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA), butyl methacrylate (BMA), and an imidazolium‐based ionic liquid as porogenic solvent followed by microwave‐assisted polymerization with the addition of 25 % MOF. This novel hybrid MOF–polymer was used to extract penicillin (penicillin G, penicillin V, oxacillin, cloxacillin, nafcillin, dicloxacillin) under different conditions. Quantitative analysis of the extracted penicillin samples using the MOF–organic polymer for SPME was conducted by using capillary electrochromatography (CEC) coupled with UV analysis. The penicillin recovery was 63–96.2 % with high reproducibility, sensitivity, and reusability. The extraction time with the proposed fabricated SPME was only 34 min.     

Long argan fruit drying time is detrimental for argan oil quality

Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of argan fruits that have been sun-dried for either a few days or up to several weeks. The influence of the fruit drying time on the quantity, quality, and preservation of solvent-extracted argan oil was compared with press-extracted argan oil. Quantitatively, the time necessary for efficient fruit peeling and the amount of extracted oil were determined with regard to the fruit drying time (0 to 28 days). Argan oil quality was studied using, as markers, moisture content, specific extinction, acid index, peroxide index, fatty acid composition, and Rancimat oxidative stability. Oil from fresh fruit presents a high moisture content, high acidity and peroxide values, and short shelf life. Ten to fourteen days of sun-drying is optimum to obtain high quality argan oil.     

Evaluation of a passive air sampler for measuring indoor formaldehyde.

A passive air sampler, using 4-amino-3-hydrazino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole, was evaluated for the determination of formaldehyde in indoor environments. Chromatography paper cleaned using a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution was experimentally determined as being the optimum absorption filter for the collection of formaldehyde (0.05 microg cm(-2) formaldehyde). From a linear-regression analysis between the mass of formaldehyde time-collected on a passive air sampler and the formaldehyde concentration measured by an active sampler, the sampling rate of the passive air sampler was 1.52 L h(-1). The sampling rate, determined for the passive air sampler in relation to the temperature (19 - 28 degrees C) and the relative humidity (30 - 90%), were 1.56 +/- 0.04 and 1.58 +/- 0.07 L h(-1), respectively. The relationship between the sampling rate and the air velocity was a linear-regression within the observed range. In the case of exposed samplers, the stability of the collected formaldehyde decreased with increasing storage time (decrease of ca. 25% after 22 days); but with the unexposed samplers the stability of the blank remained relatively unchanged for 7 days (decrease of ca. 37% after 22 days). The detection limits for the passive air sampler with an exposure time of 1 day and 7 days were 10.4 and 1.48 microg m(-3), respectively.     

聚丙烯/纳米级金红石型二氧化钛/聚烯烃弹性体复合材料的抗老化性能研究

采用TEM和UV-Vis等测试手段表征了金红石型纳米级TiO2和体相TiO2的性能特征;通过熔融共混法分别制备了PP/纳米级TiO2/POE和PP/体相TiO2/POE复合材料,采用GB/T16422·2-1999所述的塑料实验室光源暴露实验方法,用氙灯气候试验机对纯PP和复合材料进行28天人工加速老化.结果表明,二氧化钛粒子在PP/POE基体中分散性良好,而纳米粒子对PP/POE基体具有增韧作用;改性后的两类复合材料均具有优异的抗老化性能,而PP/(1·0wt%)纳米级TiO2/POE复合材料的抗老化性能更加优异,其加速老化28天后的无缺口冲击强度达到80·45kJ·m-2,比纯PP提高4倍多,而同期加速老化28天后的PP/(1·0wt%)体相TiO2/POE复合材料的无缺口冲击强度只有47·88kJ·m-2;对纯PP老化过程中的羰基指数和冲击性能的变化情况进行了分析,发现二者近似成线性关系,其相关系数r在0·9以上.     

Phenolic constituents of licorice. VIII. Structures of glicophenone and glicoisoflavanone, and effects of licorice phenolics on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Two new phenolic compounds, glicophenone (1) and glicoisoflavanone (2), were isolated from commercial licorice, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Antibacterial assays of licorice phenolics for Staphylococcus aureus, including four strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and also for Escherichia coli K12 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, were then examined. Two compounds among them, 8-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-wighteone (21) and 3'-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-kievitone (28), showed remarkable antibacterial effects [minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), 8 microg/ml on the MRSA strains and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Licochalcone A (14), gancaonin G (20), isoangustone A (24), glyasperins C (30) and D (31), glabridin, (32), licoricidin (33), glycycoumarin (34) and licocoumarone (40) showed antibacterial effects on the MRSA strains with MIC values of 16 microg/ml. Effects on the beta-lactam resistance of the MRSA strains were also examined, and licoricidin (33) noticeably decreased the resistance of the MRSA strains against oxacillin, as shown by the reduction in the MICs of oxacillin (lower than 1/128-1/1000 in the presence of 8 microg/ml of 33, and 1/8-1/32 in the presence of 4 microg/ml of 33). Mechanistic study suggested that 33 does not inhibit the formation of penicillin-binding protein 2' (PBP2'), but affects the enzymatic function of PBP2'.     

Growth and liver histology of Channa punctatus exposed to a common biofertilizer

Mustard oil cake (MOC) is widely used as biofertilizer in the field of agriculture and aquaculture. Channa punctatus was exposed to 0.42 g.L^?1 sublethal concentration for 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Due to such exposure, body growth and histological changes in liver were observed. It was revealed that weight, length and breadth of fish were gradually increased with the days of exposure in compare to control fish, whereas, liver showed an increase in sinusoidal space and lipidosis during early days, followed by a recovery from the stress of MOC on the 28th day.     

Effect of Sonication Treatment and Maceration Time in the Extraction of Polysaccharide Compounds during Red Wine Vinification

The application of high-power ultrasounds (US) at 28 kHz to the crushed grapes and the use of different pomace contact times caused changes in the content and composition of monosaccharides and polysaccharides in the musts and wines. These differences were maintained from the moment of pressing (end of maceration) until the end of the alcoholic fermentation. The US increased the content of monosaccharides and polysaccharides in the musts by facilitating their extraction from the solid parts during maceration. The application of medium maceration time (3 days) to sonicated grapes led to an extraction of polysaccharides rich in arabinose and galactose, rhamnogalacturonan type II (RG-II) and mannoproteins (MP), similar to that observed in the control wines made with an extended maceration of 7 days (968.21 vs. 1029.45; 895.04 vs. 1700.50; 356.81 vs. 343.95, respectively). This fact was attributed to a higher extraction in the must during the sonication process and to an important release of pectic polysaccharides during the pressing of the sonicated pomace, which is reported here for the first time. Therefore, the US technology could be useful for increasing the polysaccharide content in the wines or for reducing the maceration time needed to achieve certain levels of wine polysaccharides.     

Effects of Abelmoschus manihot Flower Extract on Enhancing Sexual Arousal and Reproductive Performance in Zebrafish

The flower of Abelmoschus manihot L. is mainly used for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases, and has been reported to have bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antidepressant activities. This study used wild-type adult zebrafish as an animal model to elucidate the potential bioactivity of A. manihot flower ethanol extract (AME) in enhancing their sexual and reproductive functions. Zebrafish were fed AME twice a day at doses of 0.2%, 1%, and 10% for 28 days, and were then given the normal feed for an additional 14 days. The hormone 17-β estradiol was used as the positive control. Sexual behavioral parameters such as the number of times males chased female fish, the production of fertilized eggs, and the hatching rate of the fertilized eggs were recorded at days 0.33, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42. The expression levels of sex-related genes—including lhcgr, ar, cyp19a1a, and cyp19a1b—were also examined. The results showed that the chasing number, fertilized egg production, and hatching rate were all increased with the increase in the AME treatment dose and treatment time. After feeding with 1% and 10% AME for 28 days, the chasing number in the treated group as compared to the control group increased by 1.52 times and 1.64 times, respectively; the yield of fertilized eggs increased by 1.59 times and 2.31 times, respectively; and the hatching rate increased by 1.26 times and 1.69 times, respectively. All three parameters exhibited strong linear correlations with one another (p < 0.001). The expression of all four genes was also upregulated with increasing AME dose and treatment duration. When feeding with 0.2%, 1%, and 10% AME for 28 days, the four sex-related genes were upregulated at ranges of 1.79–2.08-fold, 2.74–3.73-fold, and 3.30–4.66-fold, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of AME was persistent, as the promotion effect continued after the treatment was stopped for at least two weeks. The present findings suggest that AME can enhance the endocrine system and may improve libido and reproductive performance in zebrafish.     

Confirmatory analysis of beta-lactam antibiotics in kidney tissue by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization selective reaction monitoring ion trap tandem mass spectrometry

Eleven beta-lactam antibiotics were analyzed in fortified and incurred beef kidney tissue using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/selective reaction monitoring-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-SRM-MS(n)). The analytes included: deacetylcephapirin, amoxicillin, cephapirin, desfuroylceftiofur cysteine disulfide (DCCD, a biomarker of ceftiofur), ampicillin, cefazolin, Pen G, oxacillin, cloxacillin, naficillin and dicloxicillin. Analytes were extracted with acetonitrile and water. Clean-up was performed by solid-phase extraction. Limits of confirmation in fortified tissue are as follows (tolerances or target levels in parentheses): deacetylcephapirin: 10-50 ng/g (100 ng/g); amoxacillin: 50-100 ng/g (10 ng/g); cephapirin: 10 ng/g (100 ng/g); DCCD: 500 ng/g (8000 ng/g); ampicillin: 10 ng/g (10 ng/g); cefazolin: 10 ng/g (10-50 ng/g); Pen G: 10 ng/g (50 ng/g); oxacillin: 10 ng/g (10-50 ng/g); cloxacillin: 10 ng/g (10 ng/g); naficillin: 10 ng/g (10-50 ng/g); dicloxacillin: 100-500 ng/g (10-50 ng/g). The present method was also tested on incurred kidney tissue that had previously been analyzed using a microbial assay. Good correspondence was found between the results from this new method and the bioassay. However, the present method is much more specific and, in several cases, more sensitive than the bioassay. In addition, the time of analysis is significantly shorter than the bioassay. We also found that SRM MS(n) was superior in the analysis of unknown incurred tissue than full spectrum MS(n). We also obtained an MS/MS spectrum of DCCD that is significantly at variance with previously published fragmentation spectra.     

A thermodynamic study of the aggregation process of oxacillin sodium salt in aqueous solution

The aggregation characteristics of oxacillin in aqueous solutions have been examined by means of conductivity measurements over the temperature range 288.15-313.15 K and by static light scattering measurements at 298.15 K. Two critical concentrations were detected in conductivity and light scattering over the concentration range 0-0.35 mol kg^-1. Light scattering measurements indicate the formation of dimers at the first critical concentration (0.024 mol kg^-1) and the subsequent formation of aggregates with an aggregation number of 8 at the second critical concentration (0.104 molkg^-1). The thermodynamic parameters of aggregation were derived from the critical concentration data using a mass-action model that has been modified for application to systems of low aggregation number. Values for the enthalpy of aggregate formation calculated by this method showed that the aggregation became increasingly exothermic with increasing temperature. The values of the two critical concentrations show that this penicillin, oxacillin, is more hydrophobic than other molecules of similar structure.