Multiresidue analysis of quinolones in water by ultra‐high perfomance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry using a simple and effective sample treatment

A rapid and simple analytical method has been developed for the determination of 19 quinolones in environmental water samples using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic and detection conditions have been optimized and the separation was achieved in less than 4 min. The separation was carried out using a new‐generation column filled with superficially porous particles, resulting in lower backpressure and better resolution than totally porous particle columns. The quinolones were detected by electrospray ionization in positive mode using multiple‐reaction monitoring mode for acquisition. A sample treatment based on liquid–liquid extraction and phase separation via salting‐out was employed to achieve a fast and simple extraction that enables the multiresidue analysis. The method has been validated for an environmental well water sample from a mountain area. Very low limits of detection (between 10 and 90 ng/L) with relative standard deviations lower than 16.5% and recoveries higher than 73% were achieved. Moreover, well waters from different origins (mountain and coast areas and irrigated land) have been evaluated and similar results were obtained.     

Magnetic Hyperthermia Enhancement in Iron-based Materials Driven by Carbon Support Interactions

Magnetic hyperthermia (MH) shows great potential in clinical applications because of its very localized action and minimal side effects. Because of their high saturation magnetization values, reduced forms of iron are promising candidates for MH. However, they must be protected in order to overcome their toxicity and instability (i. e., oxidation) under biological conditions. In this work, a novel methodology for the protection of iron nanoparticles through confinement within graphitic carbon layers after thermal treatment of preformed nanoparticles supported on carbon is reported. We demonstrate that the size and composition of the nascent confined iron nanoparticles, as well as the thickness of their protective carbon layer can be controlled by selecting the nature of the carbon support. Our findings reveal that a higher nanoparticle–carbon interaction, mediated by the presence of oxygen-containing groups, induces the formation of small and well-protected α-Fe-based nanoparticles that exhibit promising results towards MH based on their enhanced specific absorption rate values.     

Isoflavonoid-Antibiotic Thin Films Fabricated by MAPLE with Improved Resistance to Microbial Colonization

Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) bacteria represent major infectious threats in the hospital environment due to their wide distribution, opportunistic behavior, and increasing antibiotic resistance. This study reports on the deposition of polyvinylpyrrolidone/antibiotic/isoflavonoid thin films by the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) method as anti-adhesion barrier coatings, on biomedical surfaces for improved resistance to microbial colonization. The thin films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, infrared microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In vitro biological assay tests were performed to evaluate the influence of the thin films on the development of biofilms formed by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. In vitro biocompatibility tests were assessed on human endothelial cells examined for up to five days of incubation, via qualitative and quantitative methods. The results of this study revealed that the laser-fabricated coatings are biocompatible and resistant to microbial colonization and biofilm formation, making them successful candidates for biomedical devices and contact surfaces that would otherwise be amenable to contact transmission.     

Metabolomics Insights of the Immunomodulatory Activities of Phlorizin and Phloretin on Human THP-1 Macrophages

Dihydrochalcones, phlorizin (PZ) and its aglycone phloretin (PT), have evidenced immunomodulatory effects through several mechanisms. However, the differential metabolic signatures that lead to these properties are largely unknown. Since macrophages play an important role in the immune response, our study aimed to characterise human THP-1 macrophages under PZ and PT exposure. A multiplatform-based untargeted metabolomics approach was used to reveal metabolites associated with the anti-inflammatory mechanisms triggered by the dihydrochalcones in LPS-stimulated macrophages, for the first time. Results showed differential phenotypic response in macrophages for all treatments. Dihydrochalcone treatment in LPS-stimulated macrophages mimics the response under normal conditions, suggesting inhibition of LPS response. Antagonistic effects of dihydrochalcones against LPS was mainly observed in glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism besides promoting amino acid biosynthesis. Moreover, PT showed greater metabolic activity than PZ. Overall, the findings of this study yielded knowledge about the mechanisms of action PZ and PT at metabolic level in modulating inflammatory response in human cells.     

An In Vitro Pilot Fermentation Study on the Impact of Chlorella pyrenoidosa on Gut Microbiome Composition and Metabolites in Healthy and Coeliac Subjects

The response of a coeliac and a healthy gut microbiota to the green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa was evaluated using an in vitro continuous, pH controlled, gut model system, which simulated the human colon. The effect of C. pyrenoidosa on the microbial structure was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and inferred metagenomics, whereas the metabolic activitywas determined by¹H-nuclear magnetic resonancespectroscopic analysis. The addition of C. pyrenoidosa significantly increased the abundance of the genera Prevotella, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium in the healthy donor, while an increase in Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium and Megasphaera and a decrease in Enterobacteriaceae were observed in the coeliac donor. C. pyrenoidosa also altered several microbial pathways including those involved in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. At the metabolic level, a significant increase from baseline was seen in butyrate and propionate (p < 0.0001) in the healthy donor, especially in vessels 2 and 3. While acetate was significantly higher in the healthy donor at baseline in vessel 3 (p < 0.001) compared to the coeliac donor, this was markedly decreased after in vitro fermentation with C. pyrenoidosa. This is the first in vitro fermentation study of C. pyrenoidosa and human gut microbiota, however, further in vivo studies are needed to prove its efficacy.     

Attempts for Developing Novel Sugar-Based and Sugar-Free Sea Buckthorn Marmalades

Sea buckthorn (Hippophaė rhamnoides L.) is recognized as a valuable source of vitamin C and antioxidants, frequently used as nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. In the present study, attempts are made to produce and characterize a novel type of marmalade using sea buckthorn berries processed at 102 °C into marmalade in two combinations, with whole cane or stevia sugar. Changes in the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, color, shelf-life, texture, microbiological, and sensorial characteristics were determined. The total carotenoids content in the marmalades were significantly different, with values of 0.91 ± 0.03 mg/g dry weight (DW) in the sample with whole sugar cane (C_z) and 2.69 ± 0.14 mg/g DW in the sample with Stevia sugar (C_s). Significant values of polyphenols were found, of 59.41 ± 1.13 mg GAE/g DW in C_z and 72.44 ± 2.31 mg GAE/g DW in C_s, leading to an antioxidant activity of 45.12 ± 0.001 μMol Trolox/g DW and 118.07 ± 0.01 μMol Trolox/g DW, respectively. Accelerated storage study showed a decrease in all the phytochemicals, however no significant changes were found in antioxidant activity. Values of <100 CFU/g for yeasts and molds and <5 CFU/g for Enterobacteriaceae after 21 days of storage at the room temperature of the marmalades were determined. The sensorial and color results were more than acceptable. Overall, the results highlighted the potential of using sea buckthorn as a potential rich source of bioactive compounds to be used in the sugar-based products manufacturing.     

Studies on thermal,spectral, magnetic and biological properties of new Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with a bismacrocyclic ligand bearing an aromatic linker

Novel complexes of M₂LCl₄·nH₂O type (M:Ni, n = 4; M:Cu, n = 3 and M:Zn, n = 0; L: ligand resulted from 1,4-phenylenediamine, 3,6-diazaoctane-1,8-diamine and formaldehyde one-pot condensation) were synthesized and characterised by microanalytical, ESI–MS, IR, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and EPR spectra, magnetic data at room temperature and molar conductivities as well. The electrochemical behaviour of complexes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Simultaneous TG/DTA measurements were performed in order to evidence the thermal behaviour of the obtained complexes. Processes such as water elimination, fragmentation and oxidative degradation of the organic ligand as well as chloride elimination occurred during thermal decomposition. The antimicrobial assays demonstrate that the compounds exhibited good antibacterial activity, especially against S. aureus and E. coli strains, the most active being the copper(II) complex, which also exhibited the most prominent anti-biofilm effect, suggesting its potential use for the development of new antimicrobial agents. The biological activity was correlated with log P _ow values. All complexes disrupt the membrane integrity of HCT 8 tumour cells.     

Thermal behaviour of some novel antimicrobials based on complexes with a Schiff base bearing 1,2,4-triazole pharmacophore

A series of complexes of type [ML(CH₃COO)(OH₂)₂] (M: Co, Ni; HL: 2-[(E)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylimino)methyl]phenol)) and [M₂L₂(CH₃COO)₂(OH₂)_n] (M: Cu, n = 2; M: Zn, n = 0) were synthesised by template condensation. The compounds were characterised with microanalytical, ESI–MS, IR, electronic, EPR spectra and magnetic data at room temperature. Based on the IR and ESI–MS spectra, a dinuclear structure with the acetate as bridge was proposed for Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. The dinuclear structure of Cu(II) complex is also consistent with both magnetic behaviour and EPR spectrum. The thermal analyses have evidenced processes as water elimination, acetate decomposition, as well as oxidative degradation of the Schiff base. The final decomposition product was the most stable metal oxide as indicated by powder X-ray diffraction. The cobalt and copper compounds exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity towards both planktonic and biofilm-embedded cells. The complexes exhibit a low cytotoxicity except for Cu(II) species that induces the early apoptosis for the HEp 2 cells.     

Lactose as a “Trojan Horse” for Quantum Dot Cell Transport

A series of glycan‐coated quantum dots were prepared to probe the effect of glycan presentation in intracellular localization in HeLa and SV40 epithelial cells. We show that glycan density mostly impacts on cell toxicity, whereas glycan type affects the cell uptake and intracellular localization. Moreover, we show that lactose can act as a “Trojan horse” on bi‐functionalized QDs to help intracellular delivery of other non‐internalizable glycan moieties and largely avoid the endosomal/lysosomal degradative pathway.