Mutation scanning analysis of genetic variation within and among Echinococcus species: Implications and future prospects

Adult tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus (family Taeniidae) occur in the small intestines of carnivorous definitive hosts and are transmitted to particular intermediate mammalian hosts, in which they develop as fluid‐filled larvae (cysts) in internal organs (usually lung and liver), causing the disease echinococcosis. Echinococcus species are of major medical importance and also cause losses to the meat and livestock industries, mainly due to the condemnation of infected offal. Decisions regarding the treatment and control of echinococcosis rely on the accurate identification of species and population variants (strains). Conventional, phenetic methods for specific identification have some significant limitations. Despite advances in the development of molecular tools, there has been limited application of mutation scanning methods to species of Echinococcus. Here, we briefly review key genetic markers used for the identification of Echinococcus species and techniques for the analysis of genetic variation within and among populations, and the diagnosis of echinococcosis. We also discuss the benefits of utilizing mutation scanning approaches to elucidate the population genetics and epidemiology of Echinococcus species. These benefits are likely to become more evident following the complete characterization of the genomes of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.     

Ethylene Glycol as New Mobile Phase for Resolution of Two-Component Mixture of Cationic Surfactants on Alumina Surface

Aqueous ethylene glycol (ethane 1,2 diol) as a green mobile phase has been used for thin layer chromatographic (TLC) studies of cationic surfactants on alumina layers. Nineteen solvent systems were used to examine the mobility of the surfactants and to discover the best TLC system for the selective separation of dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) from multi-component mixture of other surfactants. Among the TLC systems studied, M₃ (ethylene glycol: water, 8:2) was best for achieving the selective separation of DTAB from multi-component mixture of other surfactants because in this mobile phase mobility of all surfactants except DTAB were insignificant. Effect of organic additives in aqueous ethylene glycol mobile phase on the mobility of surfactants was examined. The results obtained on laboratory made alumina TLC plates and commercially available precoated alumina HPTLC plates were compared. The lower limits of detection of DTAB, CPC, CTAB, HDTAC, and TTAB were 0.02, 0.05, 0.04, 0.06, or 0.08 µg per zone respectively. The resolution of mixture of cationic surfactants was also examined in the presence metal cations as an impurity in the analyzed sample.     

Relation between Morphology and Photoelectrochemical Performance of TiO2 Nanotubes Arrays Grown in Ethylene Glycol/Water

The TiO₂ nanotube films were prepared by anodizing Ti plates in 0.2 M NH₄F ethylene glycol/10% H₂O under different formation voltages keeping fixed the time length, or by keeping fixed the formation voltage and varying the time length. The morphology of the TiO₂ film obtained was observed by SEM images and different morphological parameters were derived from them. Furthermore, the optical and semiconducting properties of TiO₂ films were also measured. The photoelectrochemical performance toward water oxidation of the TiO₂ only showed to be dependent with the inner diameter of the nanotubes, that could be related to the interaction of the film with the light and the transport of species in the electrolyte inward or outward the film.     

Approximate chemical analysis of volcanic glasses using Raman spectroscopy

The effect of chemical composition on the Raman spectra of a series of natural calcalkaline silicate glasses has been quantified by performing electron microprobe analyses and obtaining Raman spectra on glassy filaments (~450 µm) derived from a magma mingling experiment. The results provide a robust compositionally‐dependent database for the Raman spectra of natural silicate glasses along the calcalkaline series. An empirical model based on both the acquired Raman spectra and an ideal mixing equation between calcalkaline basaltic and rhyolitic end‐members is constructed enabling the estimation of the chemical composition and degree of polymerization of silicate glasses using Raman spectra. The model is relatively insensitive to acquisition conditions and has been validated using the MPI‐DING geochemical standard glasses 1 as well as further samples. The methods and model developed here offer several advantages compared with other analytical and spectroscopic methods such as infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, electron and ion microprobe analyses, inasmuch as Raman spectroscopy can be performed with a high spatial resolution (1 µm²) without the need for any sample preparation as a nondestructive technique. This study represents an advance in efforts to provide the first database of Raman spectra for natural silicate glasses and yields a new approach for the treatment of Raman spectra, which allows us to extract approximate information about the chemical composition of natural silicate glasses using Raman spectroscopy. We anticipate its application in handheld in situ terrestrial field studies of silicate glasses under extreme conditions (e.g. extraterrestrial and submarine environments). © 2015 The Authors Journal of Raman Spectroscopy Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

初中化学“酸和碱的性质”创意教学*——探析食品发热包

以食品发热包为主题情境,通过探析发热包成分、解密发热原理、计算原料配比、配制发热包等环节梳理酸和碱的性质、用途。从元素观、转化观的视角认识物质转化规律,体现物质研究的一般思路,凸显科学探究的基本过程。通过设计方案测定发热包中碳酸钠的含量,总结混合物成分鉴定及定量测定的方法;归纳气体定量测定的影响因素。呈现一堂学科观念、学科方法教学具体课例,凸显物质研究、定性检验、定量测定的基本方法。     

Targeting tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) protein against type 2 diabetes for the identification of potential inhibitors by in silico screening

Tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) protein is inhibiting the insulin signaling by directly binding to the Akt/PKB leading to insulin resistance in the pancreas causing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hence, TRIB3 protein is considered as a possible drug target for the new lead identification against type 2 diabetes. In the present study, the homology model of TRIB3 protein was generated to explore its biochemical function and molecular interactions in the new lead identification. The energy minimization of TRIB3 protein was carried out and evaluated by validation protocols for structure reliability. The druggable binding site of TRIB3 protein was identified for the virtual screening and molecular docking studies. The Asinex-fragments library of 22634 small molecules was docked at TRIB3 active site using the Glide module to identify new chemical entities. A total of 9 molecules were identified as final hits from virtual screening and their potency was ranked using Glide score, Glide energies, and residues interactions. The 6 prioritized lead molecules were further optimized using AutoDock, Prime MM/GBSA, and percentage of human oral absorption for the identification of potential leads. The molecules L2, L5, and L6 are identified as lead inhibitors and are showing consistent interactions with key residues Glu194 and Lys196 of TRIB3 protein. The identified potential leads were analyzed by ADME properties for their drug likeness and HergIC50 values are predicted for the prevention of preclinical failures. The present work sheds light on the identification of the best lead molecules against TRIB3 protein and offers a route to design as novel potential drug candidates for T2DM.     

液相色谱-四极杆/飞行时间质谱法分析29种芬太尼类物质及其碎裂机理北大核心CSCD

芬太尼类物质品种繁多,自我国整类列管后,整类检测是该领域的重点和难点。该文详细研究了29种化合物的二级质谱碎片离子碎裂机理,总结出芬太尼类物质的碎裂规律和特点,为芬太尼物质的整类筛查检测提供参考。建立了分析29种芬太尼类物质的一级和二级质谱库的定性方法,建立了液相色谱-四极杆/飞行时间质谱(LC-QTOF-MS)检测29种芬太尼类物质的定量方法。药品和白色粉末类、蛋白质和乳饮料类样品经乙腈提取,含糖固体或粉末类、饮用水类、果蔬饮料类、保健饮料类、茶饮料类、酒类样品经10%乙腈水溶液提取,提取液经涡旋、离心和过膜后,采用Kinetex C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,2.6μm)分离,以乙腈和0.08%甲酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,采用四极杆/飞行时间质谱,在正离子模式下,外标法定量检测。结果表明,29种芬太尼类物质在1~20μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.995,检出限(LOQ)均为0.01 mg/kg,定量限(LOQ)均为0.05 mg/kg,在降糖药、露露、葡萄糖粉、珍露保健饮料和巧克力样品中3个加标水平平均回收率为85.2%~112.9%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.9%~19.8%(n=6)。该方法操作简单,耗时短,灵敏度高,稳定性好,检测品种覆盖范围广,适用于药品类、含糖固体或粉末类、饮料类、饮用水类和酒类等样品中29芬太尼类物质的定性和定量检测。     

“宏观辨识与微观探析”视域下的初中化学教学*——中和反应

在“宏观辨识与微观探析”视域下进行中和反应教学,首先以常规实验为载体,从宏观视角认识中和反应的外在表现,然后以模型、动画为载体,从微观视角了解中和反应的微观过程,再以数字化实验为载体,从宏观与微观相结合的视角理解中和反应的内在本质,最后联系生产生活实际,体验中和反应的应用价值。这样设计,学生能深刻理解中和反应的本质,增进化学学科理解,培养化学学科核心素养。     

Metabolite Profiling and Characterization of LW6, a Novel HIF-1α Inhibitor,as an Antitumor Drug Candidate in Mice

A novel HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor)-1α inhibitor, the (aryloxyacetylamino)benzoic acid derivative LW6, is an anticancer agent that inhibits the accumulation of HIF-1α. The aim of this study was to characterize and determine the structures of the metabolites of LW6 in ICR mice. Metabolite identification was performed using a predictive multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion (pMRM-IDA-EPI) method in negative ion mode on a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (QTRAP). A total of 12 metabolites were characterized based on their MS/MS spectra, and the retention times were compared with those of the parent compound. The metabolites were divided into five structural classes based on biotransformation reactions: amide hydrolysis, ester hydrolysis, mono-oxidation, glucuronidation, and a combination of these reactions. From this study, 2-(4-((3r,5r,7r)-adamantan-1-yl)phenoxy)acetic acid (APA, M7), the metabolite produced via amide hydrolysis, was found to be a major circulating metabolite of LW6 in mice. The results of this study can be used to improve the pharmacokinetic profile by lowering the clearance and increasing the exposure relative to LW6.     

The Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Walnut Husk and Pellicle by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and HPLC

Husk and pellicle as the agri-food waste in the walnut-product industry are in soaring demand because of their rich polyphenol content. This study investigated the differential compounds related to walnut polyphenol between husk and pellicle during fruit development stage. By using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap), a total of 110 bioactive components, including hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids and quinones, were tentatively identified, 33 of which were different between husk and pellicle. The trend of dynamic content of 16 polyphenols was clarified during walnut development stage by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This is the first time to comprehensive identification of phenolic compounds in walnut husk and pellicle, and our results indicated that the pellicle is a rich resource of polyphenols. The dynamic trend of some polyphenols was consistent with total phenols. The comprehensive characterization of walnut polyphenol and quantification of main phenolic compounds will be beneficial for understanding the potential application value of walnut and for exploiting its metabolism pathway.