Stixilamides A and B, two new phenolic amides from the leaves of Stixis suaveolens.

The ethylacetate extracts produced from the leaves of Stixis suaveolens (Roxb.) was characterized on the basis of NMR spectra combined with extensive mass spectroscopic techniques. The chemical characterization revealed presence of two new phenolic amides which were named as stixilamides A and B.

Dual-channeled capillary electrophoresis coupled with contactless conductivity detection for rapid determination of choline and taurine in energy drinks and dietary supplements.

In this study is reported a simple and inexpensive method for concurrent determination of taurine and choline in different supplementary nutrient samples using dual-channeled capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrument with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D). The objective of the work is to propose a tool for food control activities that allows screening of different target compounds (having different characteristics) in a single run for high throughput and can be realizable even with modest infrastructure. Taurine was analyzed in the first CE channel using the background electrolyte (BGE) composed of 150 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane/lactic acid (pH 8.96) whereas choline was simultaneously separated in the second CE channel using a BGE containing 150 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane/acetic acid (pH 9.5). The best achieved detection limit was 0.27 mg/L and 0.45 mg/L for taurine and choline, respectively, using the developed CE-C4D method. Good agreement between results obtained from CE-C4D and those with the standard confirmation methods (HPLC-DAD for taurine and LC/MS for choline) was achieved, with the result deviation for the two pairs of data being less than 12%.

Rates and Predictors of Vaccinations Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Receiving Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Agents.

BACKGROUND: As an important quality measure, the rates of recommended immunizations among immunocompromised inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in community practice have not been well studied. AIMS: This study sought to investigate the rates and predictors of recommended immunizations and screening tests among IBD patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in a large integrated healthcare organization. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1401 IBD patients on anti-TNF therapy between 2010 and 2013 within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California healthcare system. The rates of vaccinations and screening tests were quantified, and the associated predictors were investigated. RESULTS: Vaccination rates for influenza and pneumococcus were 43.5 and 24.1%, respectively. The majority of patients (73.7%) received hepatitis B screening and/or vaccine. Patients receiving infliximab had higher rates of pneumococcal vaccine (P = 0.002), hepatitis B screening (P < 0.001), and tuberculin skin test (P < 0.001) compared with patients receiving adalimumab. Older patient age (≥50 years) was associated with higher likelihood of having HBsAg test (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.0, P = 0.002), influenza vaccine (OR 2.6 [2.1-3.4], P < 0.001), and pneumococcal vaccine (OR 4.0 [3.0-5.3], P < 0.001). In contrast, older providers (≥50 years) were associated with significantly lower likelihood of their patients' having hepatitis A and B screening tests, and pneumococcal vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of immunizations for IBD patients receiving anti-TNF treatment were lower than recommended. Structured reminders for vaccinations and education for both patients and providers (older physicians in particular) may prove beneficial in improving immunization rates among immunocompromised IBD patients.

Arsenic pollution of groundwater in Vietnam exacerbated by deep aquifer exploitation for more than a century.

Arsenic contamination of shallow groundwater is among the biggest health threats in the developing world. Targeting uncontaminated deep aquifers is a popular mitigation option although its long-term impact remains unknown. Here we present the alarming results of a large-scale groundwater survey covering the entire Red River Delta and a unique probability model based on three-dimensional Quaternary geology. Our unprecedented dataset reveals that ∼7 million delta inhabitants use groundwater contaminated with toxic elements, including manganese, selenium, and barium. Depth-resolved probabilities and arsenic concentrations indicate drawdown of arsenic-enriched waters from Holocene aquifers to naturally uncontaminated Pleistocene aquifers as a result of > 100 years of groundwater abstraction. Vertical arsenic migration induced by large-scale pumping from deep aquifers has been discussed to occur elsewhere, but has never been shown to occur at the scale seen here. The present situation in the Red River Delta is a warning for other As-affected regions where groundwater is extensively pumped from uncontaminated aquifers underlying high arsenic aquifers or zones.