Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vanpaseuth Phouthavong, Supone Manakasettharn, Duangkamon Viboonratanasri, Siriwit Buajarern, Panida Prompinit, Kamonthip Sereenonchai
Summary: In this study, customized magnetic sorbents were successfully used for the determination of trace orthophosphate in unpolluted freshwater samples. The method involving phosphomolybdenum blue (PMB), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and dispersive magnetic solid-phase extraction (d-MSPE) showed high detection sensitivity and simple operation procedures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dawei Deng, Chen Pan, Zeming Wu, Yujiao Sun, Chang Liu, Hong Xiang, Peiyuan Yin, Dong Shang
Summary: Osteoporosis is increasingly common among the global elderly population, and serum metabolite markers are crucial for its treatment and prevention. Metabolomics and lipidomics analysis revealed that lipids metabolism, including glycerol phospholipids, sphingolipids, fatty acids, and bile acids, is deregulated in osteoporosis. Bile acids, particularly hyocholic acids, were found to play essential roles and may serve as potential markers for diagnosis and treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Min-Jeong Suh, Marlena M. Hinkle, Stephanie S. Lau, William A. Mitch
Summary: Recent research shows that high-molecular weight disinfection byproduct (DBP) fractions contribute more to cytotoxicity than the one-to two-carbon DBPs currently of concern. Peptides and lipids are major DBP precursors in water supplies. This study focuses on the analysis of chlorine byproducts of tyrosine and oleic acid to characterize high-molecular weight DBPs. The presence of these DBPs in drinking water and their cytotoxicity levels are investigated.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Karolina Delinska, Paulina W. Rakowska, Adam Kloskowski
Summary: The use of porous materials as sorbents in sample preparation techniques, particularly in the development of novel fibers for Solid-phase microextraction (SPME), has recently attracted scientific attention. The selection of a robust sorbent is crucial for successful utilization of SPME under variable conditions. Understanding the nature of newly developed porous SPME coatings and the impact of their structures on analytical parameters is essential for their successful use as potential sorption media for specific purposes.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nan Li, Wenrui Pu, Lu-Dan Yu, Yuan-Jun Tong, Xiwen Liu, Shaohan Wang, Qi Fu, Huangsheng Yang, Guosheng Chen, Fang Zhu, Gangfeng Ouyang
Summary: Due to the widespread occurrence and toxicity of BTEX compounds, it is urgent to develop stable and accurate analysis methods for assessing environmental risks. In this study, a new strategy for efficient detection of BTEX was proposed using a thermal deposition method to fabricate a robust SPME fiber. The fiber, composed of gamma CD-MOF as the adsorbent and PDMS as the adhesive and protective coating, exhibited significantly improved extraction performance and long-term structural stability. The detection limits of the fiber for BTEX were as low as 0.13-0.29 ng L-1, with a wide linear range of 1-1000 ng L-1.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shulei Han, Huan Chen, Yue Su, Lili Cui, Pengxia Feng, Ya'ning Fu, Yushan Tian, Tong Liu, Hongwei Hou, Qingyuan Hu
Summary: A novel approach using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS for the simultaneous quantification of non-volatile and volatile nicotine salts is presented. This method allows rapid and convenient detection of different nicotine salts and has been validated and applied in experiments.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sajjad Ali, Atta Ur Rahman, Ehsan Ali, Fadime Karabulut, Saqib Ali, Riaz Ahmad, Mohamed E. Fadl, Mohamed A. E. Abdelrahman, Mohamed A. A. Ahmed, Antonio Scopa
Summary: Cantaloupe's nutritional components contribute to overall health and protection against chronic diseases. This study investigated the influence of different concentrations of 1-naphthalene acetic acid (1-NAA) on the nutritional components of cantaloupe. The results showed that 100 ppm concentration improved various nutritional components.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hexun Chen, Xiaochong Song, Xiaojia Huang
Summary: A magnetism-assisted in-tube solid phase microextraction method was developed for capturing phenolic acids in fruit juices, with the application of magnetic fields enhancing extraction efficiency. This approach showed promising potential for highly sensitive quantification of trace phenolic acids in complex samples.
JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andres Rodriguez-Galvan, Flavio F. Contreras-Torres
Summary: Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is an important technique for directly observing individual biomolecules at near-molecular scale. It plays a crucial role in structural analysis, understanding imaging formation, and developing related techniques.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Raquel Guidetti Vendruscolo, Mariany Costa Depra, Pricila Nass Pinheiro, Valcenir Junior Mendes Furlan, Juliano Smanioto Barin, Alexandre Jose Cichoski, Cristiano Ragagnin de Menezes, Leila Queiroz Zepka, Eduardo Jacob-Lopes, Roger Wagner
Summary: This study evaluated the food potential of Scenedesmus obliquus biomass obtained from photosynthetic cultures enriched with different concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2). The results showed that higher concentrations of CO2 led to increased synthesis of amino acids and proteins in the cultures. In addition, higher concentrations of chlorophylls were found in cultures with higher CO2 levels, while carotenoid concentrations were higher in cultures with lower CO2 levels. Overall, the Scenedesmus obliquus biomass accumulated significant amounts of proteins, lipids, and pigments through photosynthesis.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Julianna Paula do Vale Figueiredo, Ana Paula Mariane de Morais, Renata Oselame Nobrega, Debora Machado Fracalossi, Carlos Yure B. Oliveira, Weverson Ailton da Silva, Frank Belettini, Edemar Roberto Andreatta
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of salinity on the proximate composition and fatty acid profile of Nile tilapia fillet. The results showed that salinity did not significantly affect the proximate composition of the fillet, but had an impact on the fatty acid composition.
AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yuanyuan Fang, Fangzhou Zhou, Qian Zhang, Chao Deng, Minying Wu, Hsin-hui Shen, Yi Tang, Yajun Wang
Summary: In this study, a templating strategy with SiO2 nanofibers was developed to synthesize COF HNFs-coated stainless steel fibers for SPME application, leading to significantly enhanced enrichment performance for trace analytes. The method also offers advantages such as tunable coating thickness, high sensitivity, and excellent reusability.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Natalia Treder, Natalia Szuszczewicz, Anna Roszkowska, Ilona Oledzka, Tomasz Baczek, Ewa Bien, Malgorzata Anna Krawczyk, Alina Plenis
Summary: A simple and fast magnetic solid-phase microextraction protocol using Fe3O4-based nanoparticles coated with silica and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as a magnetic sorbent was developed to determine epirubicin (EPI) in plasma and urine samples. The developed method showed good linearity, with a detection range of 0.001-1 μg/mL for plasma samples and 0.001-10 μg/mL for urine samples. The applicability of the method was confirmed by analyzing real samples from a pediatric cancer patient, enabling the determination of the EPI concentration-time profile. The proposed protocol offers a promising alternative to routine approaches for monitoring EPI levels in clinical laboratories, due to its miniaturization and reduced pre-treatment steps.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John Koussiouris, Nikita Looby, Vathany Kulasingam, Vinod Chandran
Summary: Approximately 25% of psoriasis patients have psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and there is a need for biomarkers to predict conversion from psoriasis to PsA. Lipids, especially fatty acids, are of interest in psoriatic disease. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was developed to analyze fatty acids and similar molecules using solid-phase microextraction (SPME).
Serum samples from psoriatic disease patients were analyzed using the LC-MS method and 18 fatty acids and lipid compounds were found to be significantly different between psoriasis and PsA groups.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Bauyrzhan Bukenov, Nassiba Baimatova, Bulat Kenessov
Summary: This study developed a simple and cost-effective method using solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for accurate simultaneous determination of seven unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine transformation products in ambient air. The method showed high sensitivity, stability, and linear calibration, with detection limits ranging from 0.12 to 0.5 µg/m3.
JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Anke Schneeweiss, Noel P. D. Juvigny-Khenafou, Stephen Osakpolor, Andreas Scharmueller, Sebastian Scheu, Verena C. Schreiner, Roman Ashauer, Beate Escher, Florian Leese, Ralf B. Schaefer
Summary: The increasing production, use and emission of synthetic chemicals into the environment is a major driver of global change. Recent advances in biomolecular and computational methods show promise for improving our capacity to predict the effects of these chemicals. However, the complexity of the chemicals, limited knowledge on exposure patterns and effects, and the lack of data covering different levels of biological organization pose challenges to prediction.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peta A. Neale, Beate I. Escher, Milo L. De Baat, Jerome Enault, Frederic D. L. Leusch
Summary: Effect-based methods (EBMs) using in vitro bioassays and well plate-based in vivo assays are recommended for water quality monitoring. Effect-based trigger values (EBTs) have been introduced to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable chemical water quality. These EBTs have been derived for both drinking water and surface water to protect human and ecological health.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Beate I. Escher, Rolf Altenburger, Matthias Blueher, John K. Colbourne, Ralf Ebinghaus, Peter Fantke, Michaela Hein, Wolfgang Koeck, Klaus Kuemmerer, Sina Leipold, Xiaojing Li, Martin Scheringer, Stefan Scholz, Michael Schloter, Pia-Johanna Schweizer, Tamara Tal, Igor Tetko, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Lukas Y. Wick, Kathrin Fenner
Summary: The assessment of persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity is crucial for ensuring chemical safety and is a cornerstone of the EU's chemicals regulation. Existing methods for PBT assessment are complex, inaccurate, and rely on animal testing. New-approach methodologies propose innovative hazard indicators, CTE and PTE, which can be measured using high throughput in vitro bioassays.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weiping Qin, Luise Henneberger, Julia Huchthausen, Maria Koenig, Beate I. Escher
Summary: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent and pose a risk to human health. High throughput screening (HTS) cell-based bioassays may inform risk assessment of PFAS provided that quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) can be developed. The QIVIVE ratio is the ratio of nominal (Cnom) or freely dissolved concentration (Cfree) in human blood to Cnom or Cfree in the bioassays.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Paul Loffler, Beate I. Escher, Christine Baduel, Marko P. Virta, Foon Yin Lai
Summary: This study reviews the antimicrobial transformation products (TPs) in surface water environments and evaluates their potential for promoting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and their ecological and health hazards. Certain TPs were found to pose a risk of AMR promotion and harm to ecosystems and human health. The study proposes a method for evaluating TP risk based on structural similarity and identifies 13 high-priority TPs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Peta A. . Neale, Beate I. Escher, Milo L. de Baat, Magali Dechesne, Milou M. L. Dingemans, Jerome Enault, Geertje J. Pronk, Patrick W. M. H. Smeets, Frederic D. L. Leusch
Summary: Effect-based methods (EBM) have the potential for water quality monitoring by detecting the mixture effects of chemicals, which cannot be addressed by chemical analysis alone. However, EBM has been primarily used in research rather than adopted by the water sector and regulators due to concerns about reliability and interpretation. This work aims to answer frequently asked questions about EBM and provide confidence to regulators and the water sector to encourage its application.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beate Escher, Jordi Blanco, Josep Caixach, Dora Cserbik, Maria J. Farre, Cintia Flores, Maria Koenig, Jungeun Lee, Jo Nyffeler, Carles Planas, Paula E. Redondo-Hasselerharm, Joaquim Rovira, Josep Sanchis, Marta Schuhmacher, Cristina M. Villanueva
Summary: This study evaluated the neurotoxicity, oxidative stress response, and cytotoxicity of tap water samples in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. It compared the measured effects of the detected chemicals with the predicted mixture effects. The results showed that non-regulated non-volatile disinfection byproducts were the main drivers of the mixture effects.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Inska S. Reichstein, Maria Koenig, Niklas Wojtysiak, Beate I. Escher, Luise Henneberger, Peter Behnisch, Harrie Besselink, Beat Thalmann, Julien Colas, Sarah Hoerchner, Henner Hollert, Andreas Schiwy
Summary: The evaluation of genotoxic or estrogenic potential in substances or samples is important for risk assessment. This study explored the use of animal-component-free methods to assess this potential, showing promising results and potential for more reproducible and reliable risk assessment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Julia Huchthausen, Beate I. Escher, Nico Grasse, Maria Koenig, Stephan Beil, Luise Henneberger
Summary: Acrylamides are industrial chemicals that have adverse effects on humans and animals, such as carcinogenicity or neurotoxicity. These chemicals mainly cause toxicity by reacting with biological nucleophiles such as DNA bases or proteins. Acrylamides react with the soft nucleophile glutathione, while methacrylamides do not react. The reactivity of acrylamides explains the oxidative stress response and cytotoxicity in cells.
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liza-Marie Beckers, Rolf Altenburger, Werner Brack, Beate I. Escher, Jorg Hackermueller, Enken Hassold, Gianina Illing, Martin Krauss, Janet Krueger, Paul Michaelis, Andreas Schuettler, Sarah Stevens, Wibke Busch
Summary: Aquatic environments are polluted with a wide range of organic micropollutants, posing challenges for risk assessment due to the complexity and diversity of pollutant mixtures. This study suggests that investigating source-specific background pollution in aquatic environments could be a way to approach mixture risk assessment. By preparing a representative mixture of organic micropollutants and comparing it with predicted mixture effects, the study demonstrates that this approach can help identify substances that should be considered in future monitoring efforts and provide measures to estimate wastewater background concentrations and assess mixture risks. The study highlights data gaps that should be addressed for prioritization of effect testing, and offers the approach and mixture for further investigations by authorities and scientists.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kia Barrow, Beate I. Escher, Keegan A. Hicks, Maria Koenig, Rita Schlichting, Maricor J. Arlos
Summary: The Alberta oil sands, a major oil reserve, produce acutely toxic oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) stored in tailings ponds. The potential impact of releasing OSPW into the Lower Athabasca River (LAR) on aquatic environments is not fully understood. This study evaluated the (eco)toxicological effects of organic mixtures extracted from LAR surface water samples using in vitro bioassays. The results showed low bioactivity in LAR samples, indicating a low risk to the aquatic environment. The study suggests that in vitro bioassays can be used to assess the effectiveness of OSPW treatment technologies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Beate I. Escher, Matthew J. Binnington, Maria Koenig, Ying D. Lei, Frank Wania
Summary: In this study, the effects of nutrient and environmental contaminant levels in Arctic beluga whale traditional foods were evaluated using in vitro bioassays. Different mixtures were extracted from raw blubber and traditional food preparations using silicone as a sampler. The extracts were tested using reporter gene assays and various cell lines. The results showed that while cytotoxicity was consistent across all cell lines, some samples activated the androgen receptor. The study also revealed that roasting over an open fire or food preparation near a smokehouse increased PAH levels and oxidative stress response.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Eva B. Reiter, Beate I. Escher, Elisa Rojo-Nieto, Hannah Nolte, Ursula Siebert, Annika Jahnke
Summary: The present study used chemical profiling to complement work on mixture effects measured with in vitro bioassays. Different distributions of contaminants in blubber, liver, kidney and brain tissues were observed, and chemical analysis explained a portion of the biological effects, especially for animals with high chemical burden. This study highlights the importance of chemical analysis and bioassays in comprehensively characterizing the mixture exposome of marine mammals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Georg Braun, Martin Krauss, Beate I. Escher
Summary: Human biomonitoring studies are crucial for understanding the health effects of chemical exposure. This study compared three extraction methods and found that PES + SPE showed the most promising results for sample preparation, as it effectively removed impurities and had the potential for high throughput.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)