Characterization of banned colorants in cosmetics: A tandem mass-based molecular networking approach.

Colorants have been a staple in the cosmetics industry for a considerable time, although certain varieties have been banned owing to health risks. Detecting and confirming these banned colorants simultaneously poses several challenges when employing LC-MS/MS. Molecular networking is a promising analytical technology that can be used to predict the structure of components and the correlation between them using structural and MS/MS spectral similarities. Molecular networking entails assessing the number of fragmented ions and the cosine score (the closer it is to one, the higher the similarity). In this study, we developed and verified a method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of the 26 banned colorants in cosmetics using LC-MS/MS. Additionally, we propose a novel approach that combines LC-Q-TOF-MS and molecular networking technology to detect banned colorants in cosmetics. For successful molecular networking, a minimum of six fragment ions with cosine scores exceeding 0.5 is required. We developed a screening method for characterizing banned colorants using molecular networking based on LC-TOF-MS results for 26 banned colorants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that our established method can be used for screening by analyzing actual cosmetics (eyebrow tattoo, lipstick tattoo, and hair tint) spiked with three non-targeted banned colorants with similar structures (m/z 267.116, 315.149, and 345.157) in cosmetics. The combination of molecular networking techniques and LC-MS/MS proves highly advantageous for the swift characterization and screening of non-targeted colorants in cosmetics.

Development and validation of a simultaneous analytical method for non-steroidal therapeutic compounds in cosmetics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Atopic dermatitis is a typical chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects all age groups and requires basic skin care for treatment. Anti-inflammatory and antiallergy steroids are the most frequently used treatments but they are limited due to their side effects caused by a weakening of the immune system. Many consumers focus on performance as a criterion for selecting cosmetics. However, steroids have been illegally used to improve the performance of cosmetics, and consumers have been adversely affected by the corresponding side effects. In this paper, we propose a simple and rapid method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to simultaneously analyze ten non-permitted atopic therapeutic compounds in cosmetic products: chlorpheniramine maleate, ketotifen fumarate, doxepin hydrochloride, azelastine hydrochloride, bufexamac, clotrimazole, tranilast, fusidic acid, tacrolimus, and pimecrolimus. Additionally, the major characteristic fragment ions for tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, and clotrimazole were identified by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, recovery, precision, accuracy, and stability of the proposed method were validated. The limit of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 5.05-203.30 pg/mL and 15.15-609.90 pg/mL, respectively. The proposed analysis method could help improve the safety management of cosmetics.

Effect of the metal-support interaction on the activity and selectivity of methanol oxidation over Au supported on mesoporous oxides.

To elucidate the factors affecting the catalytic properties of supported Au catalysts on the metal oxide support we investigated Au NPs deposited on crystallized mesoporous transition-metal oxides (m-oxides: Co3O4, NiO, and α-Fe2O3) prepared using the nanocasting method. The metal-oxide interaction in Au/mesoporous oxides resulted in higher catalytic activity for converting methanol to CO2 as a full oxidation product than pure m-oxides. Au/m-Fe2O3 exhibited high activity and low selectivity for methyl formate as a partial oxidative coupling product. We correlate the change in activity and selectivity with the interface between the Au and m-oxides.

Chemoembolization with Vascular Disrupting Agent CKD-516 Dissolved in Ethiodized Oil in Combination with Doxorubicin: A VX2 Tumor Model Study.

PURPOSE: To assess feasibility and efficacy of CKD-516, a vascular disrupting agent, in transarterial chemoembolization in a liver tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A VX2 carcinoma strain was implanted in rabbit liver (n = 40) and incubated for 2 weeks. After confirmation of tumor growth using computed tomography, transarterial chemoembolization was performed. CKD-516 was dissolved in ethiodized oil, and animals were allocated to 4 treatment groups (n = 10 in each): group A, ethiodized oil; group B, ethiodized oil/CKD-516; group C, ethiodized oil + doxorubicin; group D, ethiodized oil/CKD-516 + doxorubicin. To assess hepatic damage, serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels were measured on day 1, 3, and 7 after delivery. To assess tumor necrosis, animals were euthanized on day 7, and explanted tumors were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling assay. Percentage areas of viable tumors were calculated using digitalized histopathologic specimen images. RESULTS: Tumor viability rates were 47.1% ± 11.4%, 27.5% ± 13.6%, 14.4% ± 12.5%, and 0.7% ± 1.0% in groups A, B, C, and D (P < .001). Liver enzyme levels were elevated after drug delivery but recovered during follow-up. Significant between-group differences were observed on days 1, 3, and 7 (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase: P = .0135 and P = .0134, P = .0390 and P = .0084, and P = .8260 and P = .0440). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with a combination of CKD-516 and conventional transarterial chemoembolization showed therapeutic benefit in a liver tumor model.

Biliary drainage by endoscopic choledochoduodenal fistulotomy in patients with papillary carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of endoscopic choledochoduodenal fistulotomy (endoscopic fistulotomy) in patients with papillary carcinoma by using a needle-knife. METHODS: Among 35 patients with papillary carcinoma requiring biliary drainage, 14 with a suprapapillary bulge underwent endoscopic fistulotomy alone or with widening of the fistula by using a standard sphincterotome or dilation balloon catheter. OBSERVATIONS: Transfistula bile duct cannulation was successful on the first attempt in 13 of 14 patients (93%) and temporary biliary drainage through the fistula was successfully established in all 13 patients. The single complication was minor bleeding (7%) in 1 patient. In 6 patients with biliary obstruction who were not operative candidates, endoscopic fistulotomy was used for palliation, and all remained asymptomatic for a mean period of 3.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic fistulotomy is an effective, relatively safe biliary drainage procedure. It should be considered in selected patients with bile duct obstruction caused by papillary carcinoma and a suprapapillary bulge caused by the dilated bile duct.