Genetic identification of human remains from the Korean War.

The genetic identification of skeletal remains from Chinese People's Volunteers (CPVs) of the Korean War has been challenging because of the degraded DNA samples and the lack of living close relatives. This study established a workflow for identifying CPVs by combining Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable regions I and II, autosomal STRs (aSTRs), and identity-informative SNPs (iiSNPs). A total of 20 skeletal remains of CPVs and 46 samples from their alleged relatives were collected. The success rate of DNA extraction from human remains was 100%. Based on Y-STRs, six remains shared the same male lineages with their alleged relatives. Meanwhile, mtDNA genotyping supports two remains sharing the same maternal lineages with their alleged relatives. Likelihood ratios (LRs) were further obtained from 27 aSTRs and 94 iiSNPs or 1936 iiSNPs to confirm their relationship. All joint pedigree LRs were >100. Finally, six remains were successfully identified. This pilot study for the systematic genetic identification of CPVs from the Korean War can be applied for the large-scale identification of CPVs in the future.

A novel simultaneous short-course nitrification, denitrification and fermentation process: bio-enhanced phenol degradation and denitrification in a single reactor.

The feasibility of a simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and fermentation process (SNDF) under electric stirrer agitation conditions was verified in a single reactor. Enhanced activated sludge for phenol degradation and denitrification in pharmaceutical phenol-containing wastewater under low dissolved oxygen conditions, additional inoculation with Comamonas sp. BGH and optimisation of co-metabolites were investigated. At a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 28 h, 15 mg/L of substrate as strain BGH co-metabolised substrate degraded 650 ± 50 mg/L phenol almost completely and was accompanied by an incremental increase in the quantity of strain BGH. Strain BGH showed enhanced phenol degradation. Under trisodium citrate co-metabolism, strain BGH combined with activated sludge treated phenol wastewater and degraded NO2--N from 50 ± 5 to 0 mg/L in only 7 h. The removal efficiency of this group for phenol, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and TN was 99.67%, 90.25% and 98.71%, respectively, at an HRT of 32 h. The bioaugmentation effect not only promotes the degradation of pollutants, but also increases the abundance of dominant bacteria in activated sludge. Illumina MiSeq sequencing research showed that strain BGH promoted the growth of dominant genera (Acidaminobacter, Raineyella, Pseudarcobacter) and increased their relative abundance in the activated sludge system. These genera are resistant to toxicity and organic matter degradation. This paper provides some reference for the activated sludge to degrade high phenol pharmaceutical wastewater under the action of biological enhancement.

High-Efficiency Photoinduced Charge Separation in Fe(III)carbene Thin Films.

Symmetry-breaking charge separation in molecular materials has attracted increasing attention for optoelectronics based on single-material active layers. To this end, Fe(III) complexes with particularly electron-donating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands offer interesting properties with a 2LMCT excited state capable of oxidizing or reducing the complex in its ground state. In this Communication, we show that the corresponding symmetry-breaking charge separation occurs in amorphous films of pristine [Fe(III)L2]PF6 (L = [phenyl(tris(3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene))borate]-). Excitation of the solid material with visible light leads to ultrafast electron transfer quenching of the 2LMCT excited state, generating Fe(II) and Fe(IV) products with high efficiency. Sub-picosecond charge separation followed by recombination in about 1 ns could be monitored by transient absorption spectroscopy. Photoconductivity measurements of films deposited on microelectrode arrays demonstrated that photogenerated charge carriers can be collected at external contacts.

Gender differences in the relationships between different types of childhood trauma and resilience on depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents.

Growing studies have paid attention to the relationships between childhood trauma, resilience and depressive symptoms. Depression is more common in girls, while gender differences in these associations have been rarely studied. Yet the study will be beneficial for prevention and intervention of depression in adolescents. The aim of this study is to examine gender differences in the effects of different types of childhood trauma and resilience on depressive symptoms. Data was collected from 6510 students (3408 males, aged 10-17 years) in Wuhan, Hubei, China from 2015 to 2016. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire assessing childhood trauma, resilience, and depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine gender differences in the relationships between childhood trauma, resilience and depressive symptoms. We found that childhood trauma was positively related to depressive symptoms for both genders, but the relationship in females was stronger than in males. No significant gender difference was found in the independent effect of resilience to depressive symptoms. Resilience moderated the effects of emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse on depressive symptoms in both males and females. However, the interaction effect of resilience with emotional abuse on depressive symptoms was stronger in females compared to males. Our findings revealed gender differences in the links between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms among adolescents, and the interaction effect of resilience and childhood emotional abuse on depressive symptoms was gender-specific. These provide the basis for gender-special prevention and intervention measures for depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Development of spike protein-based fluorescence lateral flow assay for the simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM and IgG.

The pandemic outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still spreading rapidly and poses a great threat to human health. As such, developing rapid and accurate immunodiagnostic methods for the identification of infected persons is needed. Here, we proposed a simple but sensitive on-site testing method based on spike protein-conjugated quantum dot (QD) nanotag-integrated lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) to simultaneously detect SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG in human serum. Advanced silica-core@dual QD-shell nanocomposites (SiO2@DQD) with superior luminescence and stability were prepared to serve as fluorescent nanotags in the LFA strip and guarantee high sensitivity and reliability of the assay. The performance of the SiO2@DQD-strip was fully optimized and confirmed by using 10 positive serum samples from COVID-19 patients and 10 negative samples from patients with other respiratory diseases. The practical clinical value of the assay was further evaluated by testing 316 serum samples (114 positive and 202 negative samples). The overall detection sensitivity and specificity reached 97.37% (111/114) and 95.54% (193/202), respectively, indicating the huge potential of our proposed method for the rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2-infected persons and asymptomatic carriers.

Development of a SERS-based lateral flow immunoassay for rapid and ultra-sensitive detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG in clinical samples.

The accurate and rapid screening of serum antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the key to control the spread of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this study, we reported a surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based lateral flow immunoassay (SERS-LFIA) for the simultaneous detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG with high sensitivity. Novel SERS tags labeled with dual layers of Raman dye were fabricated by coating a complete Ag shell on SiO2 core (SiO2@Ag) and exhibited excellent SERS signals, good monodispersity, and high stability. Anti-human IgM and IgG were immobilized onto the two test lines of the strip to capture the formed SiO2@Ag-spike (S) protein-anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG immunocomplexes. The SERS signal intensities of the IgM and IgG test zones were easily recorded by a portable Raman instrument and used for the high-sensitivity analysis of target IgM and IgG. The limit of detection of SERS-LFIA was 800 times higher than that of standard Au nanoparticle-based LFIA for target IgM and IgG. The SERS-LFIA biosensor was tested on 19 positive serum samples from COVID-19 patients and 49 negative serum samples from healthy people to demonstrate the clinical feasibility of our proposed assay. The results revealed that the proposed method exhibited high accuracy and specificity for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Stereoselective Sequential Spirocyclopropanation/Cloke-Wilson Rearrangement Reactions for Synthesis of trans-ß,γ-Disubstituted γ-Butyrolactones Using Alkylidene Meldrum's Acid and Benzyl Halides.

The stereoselective sequential spirocyclopropanation/Cloke-Wilson rearrangement reactions have been developed to synthesize γ-butyrolactones using alkylidene Meldrum's acids and benzyl halides. The DBU-promoted spirocyclopropanation was carried out efficiently at room temperature to generate trans-isomeric spirocyclopropyl Meldrum's acid, and the following stereospecific thermal decarboxylative Cloke-Wilson rearrangement afforded trans-γ-butyrolactones. A variety of aromatic and aliphatic Meldrum's acid derived olefins and benzyl halides were tolerated. Various trans-ß,γ-disubstituted γ-butyrolactones were produced with moderate to good overall yields from 46 to 96% and excellent diastereoselectivities.

[Relationships among personality traits, resilience and depressive symptoms of students in Wuhan City].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships among personality traits, resilience and depressive symptoms of primary and high school students. METHODS: Totally 6019 students aged 10-17 from 5 primary schools(grades 5-6), 3 junior middle schools(grades 7-9) and 2 senior high schools(grade 1) years were selected by cluster sampling in Wuhan, from September 2015 to January 2016. Among them, there were 2420 primary school students, 2912 junior high school students and 687 senior high school students. In addition, 3071 students were male, 2948 students were female. Participants were asked to complete self-report questionnaires, including demographic characteristic questionnaire, the center for epidemiological studies depression scale(CES-D), the connor davidson resilience scale(CD-RISC) and the NEO-five factor inventory(NEO-FFI). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influence factors of depressive symptoms in primary and high school students. RESULTS: The detection rate of depressive symptoms was 10. 5%(635/6019). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for grade and family history of depression, neuroticism(OR=4. 53, 95% CI 3. 88-5. 28) and openness(OR=1. 33, 95% CI 1. 18-1. 50) were positively associated with depressive symptoms. But the higher level of extraversion(OR=0. 70, 95% CI 0. 62-0. 79) and conscientiousness(OR=0. 77, 95% CI 0. 67-0. 90) and resilience(OR=0. 77, 95% CI 0. 67-0. 88) were associated with lower risk of depressive symptoms in primary and high school students. CONCLUSION: Neuroticism and openness might be positively correlated with, whereas extraversion, conscientiousness and resilience might be negatively correlated with the onsets of depressive symptoms in primary and secondary school students. Thus, developing adaptive personality and improving resilience would contribute to the prevention and intervention of depression in primary and high school students.

[Childhood trauma and its correlation with resilience among primary and middle school students in Wuhan city in 2015].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of early trauma and resilience among adolescents in Wuhan, and explore the relationship between early trauma and resilience. METHODS: Totally 4871 students aged 10-16 years were chosen by cluster sampling in Wuhan city from September to October 2015. All subjects completed self-report questionnaires, including general information, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire( CTQ), and the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale( CD-RISC). RESULTS: The mean score of CD-RISC of the total sample was( 64. 70 ± 18. 34). Statistical significance in different gender( t = 5. 373, P<0. 001), age( F = 49. 401, P<0. 001), single child( t = 3. 529, P<0. 001), levels of mother's education( F = 36. 129, P< 0. 001), relationship between parents( F = 89. 831, P < 0. 001), family economic status( F = 36. 547, P<0. 001). The rate of early trauma was 30. 1%. Male( χ~2= 42. 272, P < 0. 001), lower levels of mother 's education( χ~2= 44. 345, P < 0. 001), poorer relationship between parents( χ~2= 133. 045, P < 0. 001), and worse family economic status( χ~2= 31. 231, P<0. 001) were associated with increased risk of early trauma. The scores of emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect were negatively correlated with the scores of CD-RISC( r followed by-0. 256, -0. 107, -0. 053, -0. 355 and-0. 308, P<0. 01). Regression analysis implied female, older age, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect( B followed by-0. 156, -0. 117, -0. 109, -0. 214 and-0. 149, P < 0. 01) of primary and middle school students assumed predictive resilience. CONCLUSION: Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect are negatively associated with resilience among children and adolescent. The result suggest that reducing emotional abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect experience may contribute to child resilience.

Evaluation of the performance of Illumina's ForenSeq™ system on serially degraded samples.

The use of next generation sequencing is increasing in the field of forensic genomics. This study assesses the performance of Illumina's MiSeq FGx System in the recovery of forensic genomic sequencing information from degraded and low-template DNA. The analysis involved a sensitivity study where a range of 1 ng to 5 pg of 2800M DNA was utilized. DNA was artificially and systematically degraded by incubating 2800 M DNA at 98°C for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 120 and 180 min (resulting in degradation index values ranging from 0.837 to 232.247). The results revealed the detected allele call frequencies were greater than 80% when the DNA input was > = 50 pg or the degradation index was lower than 72.28. The allele balance was lower than 0.6 when the samples were heated for more than 120 min or the input quantity was less than 25 pg. Our data also indicated that the stutter type and ratio depend on the specific locus, while the sequencing run was the most significant factor in noise occurrence. The results of this study will help laboratories to develop workflows for the analysis of challenging samples using the ForenSeq FGx system.

Identification of Protonated Sulfone and Aromatic Carboxylic Acid Functionalities in Organic Molecules by Using Ion-Molecule Reactions Followed by Collisionally Activated Dissociation in a Linear Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer.

Gas-phase reactivity of protonated model compounds with different functional groups toward trimethoxymethylsilane (TMMS) was studied to explore the utility of this reagent in mass spectrometric identification of specific functionalities for potentially rapid characterization of drug metabolites. Only protonated analytes with a carboxylic acid, a sulfone, or a sulfonamide functionality formed diagnostic adducts that had lost a methanol molecule upon reactions with TMMS. Collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) of these methanol-eliminated adduct ions (MS3 experiments) produced characteristic fragment ions of m/z 75, 105, and 123 for sulfones, while an additional methanol elimination was observed for carboxylic acids and sulfonamides. CAD of latter products (MS4 experiments) resulted in elimination of diagnostic neutral molecules CO2 (44 Da) and C2H6O2Si (90 Da) for aromatic carboxylic acids. Both aliphatic carboxylic acids and sulfonamides yield several fragment ions in these MS4 experiments that are different from those observed for sulfones or aromatic carboxylic acids. Potential energy surfaces were calculated (at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory) to explore the mechanisms of various reactions. In summary, sulfones and aromatic carboxylic acids can be differentiated from each other and also from sulfonamides and aliphatic carboxylic acids based on reactions with TMMS and one or two CAD experiments. Aliphatic carboxylic acids and sulfonamides could not be differentiated from each other.

Genetic features of livestock-associated Staphylococcus aureus ST9 isolates from Chinese pigs that carry the lsa(E) gene for quinupristin/dalfopristin resistance.

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to investigate the genetic features of the recently identified lsa(E) gene in porcine S. aureus ST9 isolates. Three quinupristin/dalfopristin-resistant isolates harboring the lsa(E) gene (two MRSA and one MSSA) were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of 184S. aureus genomes showed that ST9 porcine isolates belong to a distinct sequence cluster. Further analysis showed that all isolates were deficient in the recently described type IV restriction-modification system and SCCmec type XII was identified in the two MRSA isolates, which included a rare class C2 mec gene complex. A 24kb ΨSCC fragment was found in the MRSA and MSSA isolates sharing 99% nucleotide sequence homology with the ΨSCCJCSC6690 (O-2) element of a ST9 MRSA isolate from Thailand (accession number AB705453). Comparison of these ST9 isolates with 181 publically available S. aureus genomes identified 24 genes present in all (100%) ST9 isolates, that were absent from the most closely related human isolate. Our analysis suggests that the sequenced quinupristin/dalfopristin-resistant ST9 lineage represent a reservoir of mobile genetic elements associated with resistance and virulence features.

Identification of N-Oxide and Sulfoxide Functionalities in Protonated Drug Metabolites by Using Ion-Molecule Reactions Followed by Collisionally Activated Dissociation in a Linear Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer.

The in vivo oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen atoms in many drugs into sulfoxide and N-oxide functionalities is a common biotransformation process. Unfortunately, the unambiguous identification of these metabolites can be challenging. In the present study, ion-molecule reactions of tris(dimethylamino)borane followed by collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) in an ion trap mass spectrometer are demonstrated to allow the identification of N-oxide and sulfoxide functionalities in protonated polyfunctional drug metabolites. Only ions with N-oxide or sulfoxide functionality formed diagnostic adducts that had lost dimethyl amine (DMA). This was demonstrated even for an analyte that contains a substantially more basic functionality than the functional group of interest. CAD of the diagnostic product ions (M) resulted mainly in type A (M - DMA) and B fragment ions (M - HO-B(N(CH3)2)2) for N-oxides, but sulfoxides also formed diagnostic C ions (M - O═BN(CH3)2), thus allowing differentiation of the functionalities. Some protonated analytes yielded abundant TDMAB adducts that had lost two DMA molecules instead of just one. This provides information on the environment of the N-oxide and sulfoxide functionalities. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to explore the mechanisms of the above-mentioned reactions. The method can be implemented on HPLC for real drug analysis.

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions for the identification of the sulfone functionality in protonated analytes in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer.

RATIONALE: The oxidation of sulfur atoms is an important biotransformation pathway for many sulfur-containing drugs. In order to rapidly identify the sulfone functionality in drug metabolites, a tandem mass spectrometric method based on ion-molecule reactions was developed. METHODS: A phosphorus-containing reagent, trimethyl phosphite (TMP), was allowed to react with protonated analytes with various functionalities in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The reaction products and reaction efficiencies were measured. RESULTS: Only protonated sulfone model compounds were found to react with TMP to form a characteristic [TMP adduct-MeOH] product ion. All other protonated compounds investigated, with functionalities such as sulfoxide, N-oxide, hydroxylamino, keto, carboxylic acid, and aliphatic and aromatic amino, only react with TMP via proton transfer and/or addition. The specificity of the reaction was further demonstrated by using a sulfoxide-containing anti-inflammatory drug, sulindac, as well as its metabolite sulindac sulfone. CONCLUSIONS: A method based on functional group-selective ion-molecule reactions in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer has been demonstrated for the identification of the sulfone functionality in protonated analytes. A characteristic [TMP adduct-MeOH] product ion was only formed for the protonated sulfone analytes. The applicability of the TMP reagent in identifying sulfone functionalities in drug metabolites was also demonstrated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Progressive genomic convergence of two Helicobacter pylori strains during mixed infection of a patient with chronic gastritis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the detailed nature of genomic microevolution during mixed infection with multiple Helicobacter pylori strains in an individual. DESIGN: We sampled 18 isolates from a single biopsy from a patient with chronic gastritis and nephritis. Whole-genome sequencing was applied to these isolates, and statistical genetic tools were used to investigate their evolutionary history. RESULTS: The genomes fall into two clades, reflecting colonisation of the stomach by two distinct strains, and these lineages have accumulated diversity during an estimated 2.8 and 4.2 years of evolution. We detected about 150 clear recombination events between the two clades. Recombination between the lineages is a continuous ongoing process and was detected on both clades, but the effect of recombination in one clade was nearly an order of magnitude higher than in the other. Imputed ancestral sequences also showed evidence of recombination between the two strains prior to their diversification, and we estimate that they have both been infecting the same host for at least 12 years. Recombination tracts between the lineages were, on average, 895 bp in length, and showed evidence for the interspersion of recipient sequences that has been observed in in vitro experiments. The complex evolutionary history of a phage-related protein provided evidence for frequent reinfection of both clades by a single phage lineage during the past 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Whole genome sequencing can be used to make detailed conclusions about the mechanisms of genetic change of H. pylori based on sampling bacteria from a single gastric biopsy.

Identification of 2-aminothiazolobenzazepine metabolites in human, rat, dog, and monkey microsomes by ion-molecule reactions in linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry.

2-Aminothiazolobenzazepine (2-ATBA), 7-[(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-h][3]benzazepin-2-amine, is a D2 partial agonist that has demonstrated antipsychotic effects in a rodent in vivo efficacy model. The metabolite profile showed that 2-ATBA is mainly metabolized by oxidation. However, identification of the oxidation site(s) in the 2-aminothiazole group presents a challenge for the traditional metabolite identification methods such as liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and NMR due to the lack of unique tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns for ions with the 2-aminothiazole group oxidized at different sites and the lack of stability for purification or reference standard synthesis. We describe the characterization of the oxidized heteroatoms of the 2-aminothiazole group via gas-phase ion-molecule reactions (GPIMR) in a modified linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The GPIMR reagents used were dimethyl disulfide, tert-butyl peroxide, and tri(dimethylamino)borane. Each reagent was introduced into the ion trap through the helium line and was allowed to react with the protonated metabolites. The ionic ion-molecule reaction products and their fragmentation profiles were compared with the profiles of the ionic ion-molecule reaction products of protonated reference compounds that had specific heteroatom functionalities. The oxidized 2-aminothiazole metabolite of 2-ATBA showed a similar GPIMR profile to that of the reference compounds with a tertiary N-oxide functionality and distinct from the profiles of the reference compounds with N-aryl hydroxylamine, nitroso, or pyridine N-oxide functionalities. This study demonstrates the feasibility of fingerprinting the chemical nature of oxidized nitrogen functional groups via GPIMR profiling for metabolite structure elucidation.

Mass spectrometric identification of the N-monosubstituted N-hydroxylamino functionality in protonated analytes via ion/molecule reactions in tandem mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: N-Monosubstituted hydroxylamines correspond to an important class of metabolites for many bioactive molecules. In this study, a tandem mass spectrometric method based on ion/molecule reactions was developed for the identification of compounds with the N-monosubstituted hydroxylamino functionality. METHODS: The diagnostic ion/molecule reaction occurs between protonated analytes with 2-methoxypropene (MOP) inside a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. RESULTS: Most protonated compounds with N-monosubstituted and disubstituted hydroxylamino and oxime functional groups react with MOP via proton transfer and formation of a stable adduct in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. However, only protonated compounds with N-monosubstituted hydroxylamino groups form the characteristic MOP adduct-MeOH product. Possible mechanisms of this reaction are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A method based on functional group-selective ion/molecule reactions in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer has been demonstrated to allow the identification of protonated compounds with the N-monosubstituted hydroxylamino functionality. Only N-monosubstituted hydroxylamines react with MOP via formation of an adduct that has eliminated methanol.

Combination therapy analysis of ezetimibe and statins in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia management situation in Chinese patients with high risk and very high risk has been demonstrated very low, despite the wide use of statins. The effects and safety of the combined treatment of ezetimibe (EZ) and statins in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain unknown. METHODS: Chinese Patients with ACS and T2DM were divided into the statins group (n=40) and the combination group of EZ and statins (n=44). In order to evaluate the clinical effects on lipids-lowering, systemic inflammation response and clinical safety, the follow-up of all patients was carried out at day 7th and 30th after treatment. RESULTS: The level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in combination group and statins group was 1.87±0.42 and 2.18±0.58 mmol/L at day 7th, 1.51±0.29 and 1.94±0.49 mmol/L at day 30th, respectively. The control rates of LDL-C level in the combination group and the statins group were 77% and 45% at day 30(th), respectively. There was no significant improvement on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level during follow-up. The triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly reduced in both groups, while no obvious difference was observed between two groups. No significant difference on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level between two groups was observed. Moreover, we did not observe any significant correlation between serum lipids levels and serum hs-CRP level during follow-up. The liver dysfunction and muscle related side effects (MRSE), creatine kinase (CK) and myopathy were not observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that it is feasible to initiate combination therapy during acute phase for Chinese patients with ACS and T2DM, which can bring more significant effect on LDL-C-lowering and improve the control rate of LDL-C level with good safety.

Identification of the sulfone functionality in protonated analytes via ion/molecule reactions in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer.

A tandem mass spectrometric method is presented for the rapid identification of drug metabolites that contain the sulfone functional group. This method is based on a gas-phase ion/molecule reaction of protonated sulfone analytes with trimethyl borate (TMB) that yields a diagnostic product ion, adduct-Me2O, at high reaction efficiency. A variety of compounds with different functional groups, such as sulfoxides, hydroxylamines, N-oxides, anilines, phenol, an aliphatic amine, and an aliphatic alcohol, were examined to probe the selectivity of this reaction. Except for protonated sulfones, most of the protonated compounds react very slowly or not at all with TMB. Most importantly, none of them give the adduct-Me2O product. A mechanism that explains the observed selectivity is proposed for the diagnostic reaction and is supported by quantum chemical calculations. The reaction was tested with the anti-inflammatory drug sulindac and its metabolite, sulindac sulfone, which were readily distinguished. The presence of other functionalities in addition to sulfone was found not to influence the diagnostic reactivity.

Identification of the sulfoxide functionality in protonated analytes via ion/molecule reactions in linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry.

A mass spectrometric method utilizing gas-phase ion/molecule reactions of 2-methoxypropene (MOP) has been developed for the identification of the sulfoxide functionality in protonated analytes in a LQIT mass spectrometer. Protonated sulfoxide analytes react with MOP to yield an abundant addition product (corresponding to 37-99% of the product ions), which is accompanied by a much slower proton transfer. The total efficiency (percent of gas-phase collisions leading to products) of the reaction is moderate (3-14%). A variety of compounds with different functional groups, including sulfone, hydroxylamino, N-oxide, aniline, phenol, keto, ester, amino and hydroxy, were examined to probe the selectivity of this reaction. Most of the protonated compounds with proton affinities lower than that of MOP react mainly via proton transfer to MOP. The formation of adduct-MeOH ions was found to be characteristic for secondary N-hydroxylamines. N-Oxides formed abundant MOP adducts just like sulfoxides, but sulfoxides can be differentiated from N-oxides based on their high reaction efficiencies. The reaction was tested by using the anti-inflammatory drug sulindac (a sulfoxide) and its metabolite sulindac sulfone. The presence of a sulfoxide functionality in the drug but a sulfone functionality in the metabolite was readily demonstrated. The presence of other functionalities in addition to sulfoxide in the analytes was found not to influence the diagnostic reactivity.