Evaluation of effects from hemoglobin variants on HbA1c measurements by different methods.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of seven hemoglobin variants (Hb Q-Thailand, Hb G-Honolulu, Hb Ube-2, Hb New York, Hb J-Bangkok, Hb G-Coushatta, and Hb E) on the outcome of HbA1c was investigated for six methods by comparing with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) reference method. METHODS: Twenty-nine normal and 112 variant samples were measured by LC/MS/MS, Sebia Capillarys 3 TERA, Intelligene Biosystems QuanTOF, Premier Hb9210, Arkray HA-8190V, Bio-Rad D-100, and Tosoh G11, then evaluated for correlation, consistency, and mean relative bias among six methods. The lowest biological variation bias of ±2.8 % was an acceptable standard. RESULTS: All methods showed poor correlation and consistency with LC/MS/MS for Hb E. The unacceptable biases were observed for Capillarys 3 TERA (-14.4 to -3.7 % for Hb Q-Thailand, Hb Ube-2, Hb New York, Hb J-Bangkok and Hb E), QuanTOF (-8.3 to -2.9 % for Hb Ube-2, Hb New York and Hb G-Coushatta), Premier Hb9210 (-18.3 to -3.6 % for Hb Q-Thailand, Hb Ube-2, Hb New York, Hb J-Bangkok and Hb E), HA-8190V variant mode (-17.3 to 6.6 % for Hb G-Honolulu, Hb Ube-2, Hb New York, Hb G-Coushatta and Hb E). All variant samples showed larger biases than ±2.8 % comparing HA-8190V fast mode, D-100, and G11 with LC/MS/MS. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of different HbA1c methods was influenced by some Hb variants, especially Hb Ube-2 and Hb New York. Thus, laboratories need to choose appropriate methods to measure HbA1c with different Hb variants.

Ginsenoside Rg1 mitigates cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury in mice by inhibiting autophagy through activation of mTOR signalling.

Reperfusion injury, which is distinct from ischaemic injury, occurs when blood flow is restored in previously ischaemic brain tissue, further compromising neurons and other cells and worsening the injury. There is currently a lack of pharmaceutical agents and therapeutic interventions that specifically mitigate cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), a protopanaxatriol-type saponin isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, has been found to protect against cerebral I/R injury, but its intricate protective mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Numerous studies have shown that autophagy plays a crucial role in protecting brain tissue during the I/R process and is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy for effective treatment. In this study, we investigated whether Rg1 protected against I/R damage in vitro and in vivo by regulating autophagy. Both MCAO and OGD/R models were established. SK-N-AS and SH-SY5Y cells were subjected to OGD followed by reperfusion with Rg1 (4-32 µM). MCAO mice were injected with Rg1 (30 mg·kg-1·d-1. i.p.) for 3 days before and on the day of surgery. Rg1 treatment significantly mitigated ischaemia/reperfusion injury both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the induction of autophagy contributed to I/R injury, which was effectively inhibited by Rg1 in both in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral I/R injury. Rg1 inhibited autophagy through multiple steps, including impeding autophagy initiation, inducing lysosomal dysfunction and inhibiting cathepsin enzyme activities. We revealed that mTOR activation was pivotal in mediating the inhibitory effect of Rg1 on autophagy. Treatment with Torin-1, an autophagy inducer and mTOR-specific inhibitor, significantly reversed the impact of Rg1 on autophagy, decreasing its protective efficacy against I/R injury both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our results suggest that Rg1 may serve as a promising drug candidate against cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting autophagy through activation of mTOR signalling.

Different policies constrained agricultural non-point pollutants emission trading management for water system under interval, fuzzy, and stochastic information.

Formulating suitable policies is essential for resources and environmental management. In this study, an agricultural pollutants emission trading management model driven by water resources and pollutants control is developed to search reasonable policies for agricultural water resources allocation under multiple uncertainties. Random-fuzzy and interval information in water resources system that have directly impact on the effectiveness of management schemes is reflected through interval two-stage stochastic fuzzy-probability programming. The model was root from regional agricultural water resources system in Jining City, China under considering the relationship among effective precipitation, crop water demand, and pollutants emission. Two types policies (water consumption-control and pollutants emission-control) are designed for searching the related interaction on water resources management and water quality improvement. The results indicated that water resources policies would be of water and environmental double benefits, and a large rainfall would reduce irrigation amount from water sources and lead to a larger pollutants emission trading. The results will help for defining scientific and effective water resources protection and management policies and analyzing the related interacted effects on water consumption, pollutants control and system benefit.

NLRP3-mediated periodontal ligament cell pyroptosis promotes root resorption.

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms by which periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) convert biomechanical stimulation into inflammatory microenvironment inducing root resorption (RR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: RNA sequencing was employed to explore mechanisms in force-inflammatory signal transduction. Then resorption volume, odontoclastic activity, PDLC pyroptotic ratio and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis pathway activation were analysed under force and pyroptosis inhibition. Further osteoclast formation, macrophage number and transwell polarization demonstrated the effects of PDLC pyroptosis on osteoclastogenesis and M1 polarization. RESULTS: RNA sequencing revealed that NLRP3-mediated PDLC pyroptosis induced by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)/NLRP3 pathway may be involved in mechano-inflammatory signal transduction. PDLC pyroptosis under force and the expression of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis pathway in force-enhanced PDLCs were significantly increased, both in vivo and in vitro. MCC950 administration was sufficient to reduce PDLC pyroptosis and alleviate RR, odontoclast formation and M1 polarization in vivo. Further in vitro exploration showed that MCC950 treatment reduced PDLC force-promoted pyroptosis and blocked NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis pathway. Moreover, by treating THP-1 with force-pretreated PDLCs or supernatants, NLRP3-mediated PDLC pyroptotic released products induced osteoclast formation and M1 polarization. CONCLUSIONS: NLRP3-mediated PDLC pyroptosis promotes RR. PDLCs transmit excessive force into inflammation signals through TLR4/NFκB/NLRP3 pathway, inducing PDLC pyroptosis, which directly promotes odontoclast formation and subsequent RR or promotes M1 polarization to indirectly trigger odontoclastogenesis and RR.

Efficient detection and post-surgical monitoring of colon cancer with a multi-marker DNA methylation liquid biopsy.

Multiplex assays, involving the simultaneous use of multiple circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) markers, can improve the performance of liquid biopsies so that they are highly predictive of cancer recurrence. We have developed a single-tube methylation-specific quantitative PCR assay (mqMSP) that uses 10 different methylation markers and is capable of quantitative analysis of plasma samples with as little as 0.05% tumor DNA. In a cohort of 179 plasma samples from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, adenoma patients, and healthy controls, the sensitivity and specificity of the mqMSP assay were 84.9% and 83.3%, respectively. In a head-to-head comparative study, the mqMSP assay also performed better for detecting early-stage (stage I and II) and premalignant polyps than a published SEPT9 assay. In an independent longitudinal cohort of 182 plasma samples (preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up) from 82 CRC patients, the mqMSP assay detected ctDNA in 73 (89.0%) of the preoperative plasma samples. Postoperative detection of ctDNA (within 2 wk of surgery) identified 11 of the 20 recurrence patients and was associated with poorer recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 4.20; P = 0.0005). With subsequent longitudinal monitoring, 14 patients (70%) had detectable ctDNA before recurrence, with a median lead time of 8.0 mo earlier than seen with radiologic imaging. The mqMSP assay is cost-effective and easily implementable for routine clinical monitoring of CRC recurrence, which can lead to better patient management after surgery.

Regional bioethanol supply chain optimization with the integration of GIS-MCDM method and quantile-based scenario analysis.

This study presents a novel decision-support framework for the bioethanol supply chain network planning and management under uncertainties. Under the holistic framework, the most suitable sites for biorefineries are first screened out by adopting a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making approach. Then, a mixed-integer linear programming model combined with quantile-based scenario analysis is developed to determine the strategic planning (i.e. locations and size of biorefineries) and tactical management (i.e. biomass purchasing, feedstock transportation, bioethanol production, and product delivery) under uncertainties. The model can effectively search for reliable solutions under uncertainties and achieve tradeoff solutions with the consideration of decision makers' risk tolerance. The proposed framework is demonstrated through a case study in China. It is suggested to build seven biorefineries with a capacity of 100 million liters in Zhumadian city. Utilizing 41% of local agricultural residues could satisfy the bioethanol requirement in the transportation sector under the E20 policy. However, the estimated production cost of bioethanol in Zhumadian is very high, about 1.11 $/L, which makes it lose cost advantage in the fuel market. Thus, currently, effective subsidies, mandatory energy substitution policies, along other environmental regulatory measures are desired to promote the bioethanol industry development.

Teadenol B as a Component of Microorganism-Fermented Tea Extract Inhibited Breast Cancers by Promoting Autophagy.

Breast cancer is a significant threat to life and health, which needs more safe and effective drugs to be explored. Teadenol B is a characteristic chemical component of microbial fermented tea. This study discovered that teadenol B could exhibit obvious inhibitory effects on all four different clinical subtype characteristics of breast cancer cells. Proteomic studies show that deoxycytidine triphosphate deaminase (DCTD), which could block DNA synthesis and repair DNA damage, had the most significant and consistent reduction in all four types of breast cancer cells with the treatment of teadenol B. Considering MDA-MB-231 cells exhibit poor clinical prognosis and displayed substantial statistical differences in KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results, we investigated its impact on the size and growth of MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast tumors transplanted into nude mice and demonstrated that teadenol B significantly suppressed tumor growth without affecting body weight significantly. Finally, we found that the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II in MDA-MB-231 increased significantly with teadenol B treatment. This proved that teadenol B could be a strong autophagy promotor, which explained the down-regulation of DCTD to some extent and may be the potential mechanism underlying teadenol B's anti-breast cancer effects. This finding provides new evidence for drinking fermented tea to prevent breast cancer and highlights the potential of teadenol B as a novel therapeutic option for breast cancer prevention and treatment, necessitating further investigations to clarify its exact target and the details involved.

METTL14 regulates microglia/macrophage polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome activation after ischemic stroke by the KAT3B-STING axis.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a crucial role in ischemic stroke, whereas the role of methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) in ischemic stroke remains unknown. A model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model in HAPI cells were used to simulate ischemic stroke in vivo and in vitro. We found that METTL14 level was upregulated in microglia/macrophage after MCAO and OGD/R. METTL14 enhanced the expression of KAT3B by promoting the m6A modification of KAT3B mRNA. STING has been identified as a target for KAT3B and KAT3B increased STING expression by enhancing H3K27ac in the STING promoter. METTL14 promoted M1 polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis axis by the KAT3B-STING signaling after OGD/R. METTL14 depletion relieved brain injury by inhibiting M1-like microglia/macrophage polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis axis in MCAO rats. These findings indicate that METTL14 depletion relieves MCAO-induced brain injury, probably via switching microglia/macrophage from M1 towards M2 and restraining NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis axis in microglia/macrophage.

Pyroptosis in bone loss.

Pyroptosis could be responsible for the bone loss from bone metabolic diseases, leading to the negative impact on people's health and life. It has been shown that osteoclasts, osteoblasts, macrophages, chondrocytes, periodontal and gingival cells may be involved in bone loss linked with pyroptosis. So far, the involved mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this review, we introduced the related cells involved in the pyroptosis associated with bone loss and summarized the role of these cells in the bone metabolism during the process of pyroptosis. We also discuss the clinical potential of targeting mechanisms in the osteoclasts, osteoblasts, macrophages, chondrocytes, periodontal and gingival cells touched upon pyroptosis to treat bone loss from bone metabolic diseases as well as the challenges of avoiding potential side effects and producing efficient treatment methods.

Regulation of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption by microRNA.

Osteoclast-mediated bone resorption is responsible for bone metabolic diseases, negatively impacting people's health and life. It has been demonstrated that microRNA influences the differentiation of osteoclasts by regulating the signaling pathways during osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. So far, the involved mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This review introduced the pathways involved in osteoclastogenesis and summarized the related microRNAs binding to their specific targets to mediate the downstream pathways in osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. We also discuss the clinical potential of targeting microRNAs to treat osteoclast-mediated bone resorption as well as the challenges of avoiding potential side effects and producing efficient delivery methods.

Diagnostic accuracy of fused CBCT images in the evaluation of temporomandibular joint condylar bone resorption.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fused CBCT images for patients with condylar bone resorption of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two TMJs from twenty-one patients were included. Bone resorption of condyles evaluated by three experts was used as the reference standard. Three oral and maxillofacial radiology residents evaluated the resorption of condyles with a five-point scale for the four sets of images (two consecutive CBCT images without fusion, fused 2D cross-sectional images, fused 3D images, and combining fused 2D cross-sectional images and fused 3D images) randomly and independently. Each set of images was evaluated at least 1 week apart, and a second evaluation was performed 4 weeks later. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the intra- and inter-observer agreement. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were compared among the four image sets using the Z test. RESULTS: Twenty-four TMJs were determined as condylar bone resorption, and eighteen were determined as no obvious change. The average AUC values from the three observers for the three fused image sets (0.94, 0.93, 0.93) were significantly higher than the image set without fusion (p < 0.01). The intra- and inter-observer agreement on the three fused image sets (0.70-0.89, 0.91-0.92) was higher than the image set without fusion (0.37-0.63, 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Fused CBCT images of TMJ osteoarthrosis patients can intuitively display the condylar bone resorption and significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fused CBCT images can help clinicians intuitively observe bone changes of the condyle in TMJ osteoarthrosis patients.

A New Hemoglobin Variant: Hb Tangshan [HBA1: c.239C > T, CD79(GCG > GTG)(Ala > Val)] Detected by MALDI-TOF MS.

In this report we decribed a new α-chain variant found during the measurement of hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). MALDI-TOF MS analysis detected an α-chain variant with a mass of 15,155 Da. However, this Hb variant was not detected during Hb A1c measurement by cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods. Sanger sequencing validated the presence of a heterozygous missense mutation [HBA1: c.239C > T, CD79(GCG > GTG)(Ala > Val)]. The observed 28 Da mass difference exactly matches the theoretical mass difference (28 Da) resulting from the substitution of alanine (89.079) with valine (117.133). As this represents the initial documentation of the mutation, we named it Hb Tangshan after the proband's residence.

New Far-Red and Near-Infrared Fluorescent Phycobiliproteins with Excellent Brightness and Photostability.

Far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins can be used as fluorescence biomarkers in the region of maximal transmission of most tissues and facilitate multiplexing. Recently, we reported the generation and properties of far-red and near-infrared fluorescent phycobiliproteins, termed BeiDou Fluorescent Proteins (BDFPs), which can covalently bind the more readily accessible biliverdin. Far-red BDFPs maximally fluoresce at ∼670 nm, while near-infrared BDFPs fluoresce at ∼710 nm. In this work, we molecularly evolved BDFPs as follows: (a) mutations L58Q, S68R and M81K of BDFPs, which can maximally enhance the effective brightness in vivo by 350 %; (b) minimization and monomerization of far-red BDFPs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and near-infrared BDFPs 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6. These newly developed BDFPs are remarkably brighter than the formerly reported far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins. Their advantages are demonstrated by biolabeling in mammalian cells using super-resolution microscopy.

Potential Life-Cycle Environmental Impacts of the COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Test.

Massive diagnostic testing has been performed for appropriate screening and identification of COVID-19 cases in the ongoing global pandemic. However, the environmental impacts of COVID-19 diagnostics have been least considered. In this paper, the environmental impacts of the COVID-19 nucleic acid diagnostics were assessed by following a full cradle-to-grave life-cycle approach. The corresponding life-cycle anthology was established to provide quantitative analysis. Moreover, three alternative scenarios, i.e., material substitution, improved waste treatment, and electric vehicle (EV)-based transportation, were further proposed to discuss the potential environmental mitigation and conservation strategies. It was estimated that the life cycle of a single COVID-19 nucleic acid diagnostic test in China would lead to the emission of 612.9 g CO2 equiv global warming potential. Waste treatment, as a step of life cycle, worsen the environmental impacts such as global warming potential, eutrophication, and ecotoxicity. Meanwhile, diesel-driven transportation was considered as the major contributor to particulate air. Even though COVID-19 diagnostics are of the greatest importance to end the pandemic, their environmental impacts should not be ignored. It is suggested that improved approaches for waste treatment, low-carbon transportation, and a reliable pool sampling strategy are critical for the achievement of sustainable and green diagnostics.

The Effect of Prior Cancer on Survival of Patients With Thymoma.

BACKGROUND: Thymoma is an uncommon intrathoracic malignant tumor and has a long natural history, with overall survival (OS) in these patients lasting decades. It is uncertain whether the survival of a patient with thymoma is affected by their prior cancer history (PCH). Finding out the impact of PCH on thymoma survival has important implications for both decision-making and research. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for patients with thymoma diagnosed between 1975 and 2015. Kaplan-Meier methods and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze OS across a variety of stages, ages, and treatment methods, in patients both with and without PCH. RESULTS: A total of 3604 patients with thymoma were identified, including 507 (14.1%) with a PCH. The 10-year survival rate of patients with a PCH (53.8%) was worse than that of those without a PCH (40.32%; 95% CI, 35.24%-45.33%; P < .0001). However, adjusted analyses showed that the impact of a PCH was heterogenous across ages and treatment methods. In subset analyses, PCH was associated with worse survival among patients who were treated with chemoradiotherapy (HR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.51-5.20; P = .001) and among those who were ≤ 65 years (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02-1.73; P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: PCH provides an inferior OS for patients with thymoma. However, it does not worsen the survival in some subgroups, and these patients with thymoma may be eligible for study.

Use of Capillary Electrophoresis Migration Position for the Presumptive Identification of Hemoglobin Variants Prevalent in China.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is increasingly being used to screen for hemoglobinopathies. We here report the migration position of hemoglobin (Hb) variants prevalent in China determined by CE. The CE migration position showed excellent precision and minor inter-individual variation. We conclude that the CE migration position can be used as a reliable indicator for identifying Hb variants and can also help to establish a well-characterized library of Hb variants for their refined presumptive identification.

Multiperspective-driven factorial metabolic network analysis framework for energy-water nexus vulnerability assessment and management-policy simulation.

Energy and water are rapidly consumed as the most basic strategic resources of various nations. It is of vital importance to systematically explore the environmental and economic impacts of energy-water co-management policies. This study is to develop a multiperspective-driven factorial metabolic network analysis framework (MPDF) to (a) investigate the direct/indirect/total resource consumption response mechanisms induced by changes in production and consumption; (b) explore the factor interactions of different policies in diverse energy and water metabolic networks by initiating factorial analysis; (c) quantify the economic effects of co-management policies by proposing multiple vulnerability indicators. A typical energy-dependent region, Shanxi Province, China was selected as a case study. The results indicated that the production- and consumption-oriented policies have various guidelines for reducing direct and indirect energy-water consumption. Significant interactions in simulation results suggest synergistic effects across sectors. Considering that Shanxi's energy-water nexus economic vulnerability is as high as 2.22%, it is recommended to prioritize the allocation of resources to sectors with significant factor effects to avoid economic losses. Implementing corresponding resource conservation policies for light industry, machinery manufacturing, construction can reduce water consumption by 18.8%. The findings are expected to provide a solid scientific basis for formulating co-management strategies to alleviate resource scarcities.

Water-carbon nexus relationship and interaction mechanism analysis within Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration.

As the total water resources consumption control and carbon mitigation continuous improvement, the weak water-carbon incorporate management is increasingly exposed. In this study, a water-carbon nexus assessment framework is proposed to analyze the nexus relationship between water consumption and carbon emission, and distinguishes the coupled water-carbon transmission intensity and the transfer paths under regional and industrial scales. According to the practical input-output table, water consumption, and carbon emission information, the framework is applied to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration (BTHUA), a population, resource, and trade intensive area of China. Inter-regional/intra-regional water consumption and carbon emission transfer fluxes between sectors, the pairwise ecological relationship, and the water-carbon nexus were analyzed. Results indicated that the water-carbon transfer indexes from Hebei to Beijing and Tianjin were 161.85 kg/m3 and 113.88 kg/m3 in the study period, along with the most water consumption and carbon emission, and the worst water-carbon nexus. From the industrial perspective, electricity and gas supplying industry provided 7.8% and 29.1% of the total carbon transfer in Tianjin and Hebei, as the most key node sectors on the water-carbon nexus in the BTHUA. The research provides valuably supporting the adjustment of the existing urban agglomeration water-carbon nexus management schemes.

Towards low-carbon domestic circulation: Insights from the spatiotemporal variations and socioeconomic determinants of emissions embedded within cross-province trade in China.

For a country like China with unbalanced development pattern among provinces, domestic circulation (i.e., cross-province trade) is important for the long-term stability and prosperous development of economic market. However, with the rapid advance of integration of domestic regional economy, while expanding the internal market scale and deepening the provincial division of labor network for promoting the economic growth, the carbon emissions embedded within the cross-province traded products and services cannot be underestimated. Under the background of climate-trade dilemma, it is necessary to exploring the spatiotemporal variations and socioeconomic determinants of provincial "invisible" carbon emissions for a better understanding of trade-induced eco-environmental effects. To that end, this study developed an environmental-economic system model through integrating the environmentally extended multiregional input-output method and weighted average structural decomposition analysis technique to explore the trade-related emissions at the provincial level and generate the mitigation-management strategies for decisionmakers. Overall, more than half the emissions were embedded within cross-province goods and services trade over the whole study period. Furthermore, the distribution of traded emissions showed obvious spatial heterogeneity and great unbalance was existed between provincial imports and exports. Among all provinces, carbon surplus provinces were always more than deficit ones and the trading patterns of approximately 65% regions remained unchanged during 2007-2017. Remarkably, the emissions trading pattern undergone transition from carbon deficit to carbon surplus in provinces like Henan, Hubei, Guizhou, and so on. Conversely, provinces like Jilin, Shanghai, and Xinjiang showed opposite change. With the prevalence of online payment and electronic commerce in the future, the central and sub-national government could consider launching a pilot project for the design and creation of personal carbon consumption account in the carbon surplus provinces such as Guangdong, Henan, and Jiangsu. Meanwhile, for the provinces with larger carbon exports, it is necessary to establish the horizontal high technical transfer channels and vertical compensation mechanisms such as financial subsidies for improving the low-carbon production level. Our findings provided a holistic depict of national traded emissions at the provincial level, highlighting the importance of cross-province emission effect in exploring ways to promote the low-carbon transition of domestic circulation and fulfill the high-quality development of 'dual circulation' new pattern and successful achievement of 'double carbon' solemn commitment.

Simultaneous Determination of Sulfonamides Antibiotics in Environmental Water and Seafood Samples Using Ultrasonic-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Coupled with High Performance Liquid Chromatography.

The residues and abuse of antibiotics have seriously endangered ecological balance and human health; meanwhile, antibiotics determination is very difficult because of their low levels and multiple categories in complicated matrices. Appropriate sample pretreatment is usually imperative to enrich (ultra)trace antibiotics and eliminate matrix interference prior to chromatographic analysis. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) has become an ideal pretreatment technique owing to its simplicity, effectiveness, low-consumption, etc. In this work, an ultrasonic-assisted DLLME (UA-DLLME) was developed for the simultaneous extraction of seven sulfonamides (SAs) antibiotics in environmental water and seafood samples coupled with HPLC-DAD determination. Several parameters affecting UA-DLLME efficiency were systematically optimized, and consequently the SAs were separated and detected within 14.5 min. The obtained limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.7-7.8 µg/L and 2.4-26.0 µg/L for three water samples (seawater, aquaculture wastewater and lake water) and two seafood samples (pomfrets and shrimps). High recoveries (80.0-116.0%) with low relative standard deviations (0.1-8.1%) were achieved for all the tested samples at three spiked levels. Notably, sulfadimethoxine was found at 24.49 µg/L in one seawater sample. The facile, robust and benign DLLME-HPLC method demonstrated promising perspectives for multiresidue analysis of antibiotics.