Ultrasound and surfactant-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction prior to poly(ethylene oxide)-mediated stacking in CE for highly sensitive determination of barbiturates in human fluids.

This study developed a facile, highly sensitive technique for extracting and quantifying barbiturates in serum samples. This method combined ultrasound and surfactant-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with poly(ethylene oxide)-mediated stacking in capillary electrophoresis. Factors influencing the extraction and stacking performance, such as the type and volume of extraction solvents, the type and concentration of surfactant, extraction time, salt additives, sample matrix, solution pH, and composition of the background electrolyte, were carefully studied and optimized to achieve the optimal detection sensitivity. Under the optimized extraction (injecting 140 µL C2 H4 Cl2 into 1 mL of sample with pH 4 (5 mM sodium phosphate containing 0.05 mM Tween 20 and sonication for 1 min) and separation conditions (150 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-borate with pH 8.5 containing 0.5% (m/v) poly(ethylene oxide)), the limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of five barbiturates ranged from 0.20 to 0.33 ng/mL, and the calculated sensitivity improvement ranged from 868- to 1700-fold. The experimental results revealed excellent linearity (R2  > 0.99), with relative standard deviations of 2.1%-3.4% for the migration time and 4.3%-5.7% for the peak area. The recoveries of the spiked serum samples were 97.1% -110.3%. Our proposed approach offers a rapid and practical method for quantifying barbiturates in biological fluids.

A review of recent progress in the application of Raman spectroscopy and SERS detection of microplastics and derivatives.

The global environmental concern surrounding microplastic (MP) pollution has raised alarms due to its potential health risks to animals, plants, and humans. Because of the complex structure and composition of microplastics (MPs), the detection methods are limited, resulting in restricted detection accuracy. Surface enhancement of Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a spectral technique, offers several advantages, such as high resolution and low detection limit. It has the potential to be extensively employed for sensitive detection and high-resolution imaging of microplastics. We have summarized the research conducted in recent years on the detection of microplastics using Raman and SERS. Here, we have reviewed qualitative and quantitative analyses of microplastics and their derivatives, as well as the latest progress, challenges, and potential applications.

One-pot fabrication of Mo1-xWxS2 alloy nanosheets as SERS substrates with highly Raman enhancement effect and long-term stability.

A new Mo1-xWxS2 two-dimensional nanosheets were prepared by the one-pot method. After certain Mo atoms in MoS2 were replaced by W ones in a hydrothermal reduction procedure, Mo1-xWxS2 was formed on the Mo foil. Well enhanced Mo1-xWxS2 nanosheets were prepared when the sodium tungstate concentration got under control. Various characterizations were carried out, which indicate that Mo1-xWxS2 nanosheets with good crystallinity. Compared with MoS2, the Raman intensity of Rhodamine 6G (10-6 M) was amplified by 1.7 times with Mo1-xWxS2 nanosheets as the substrate. The characteristic Raman peaks could still be clearly distinguished until the concentration of Rhodamine 6G (R6G), Methylene blue (MB) and Crystal violet (CV) down to 10-8, 10-8 and 10-7 M, respectively. With abundant edge active sites that facilitate charge transfer, Mo1-xWxS2 nanosheets could better enhance SERS signals of target detection molecules and get a good linear relationship exists within the concentration and Raman peak strength. In addition, R6G SERS detection also shows excellent reproducibility and long-term stability of this TMDs SERS substrate.

Osteochondroma of the coronoid process: A case report and review of the literature.

Osteochondroma (OC) is considered the most common tumor of the axial skeleton, although it is relatively uncommon in the craniofacial region. The present study describes an atypical case of OC of the coronoid process. A 34-year-old woman presented with severely limited mouth opening (5 mm) and swelling of the right zygoma. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) revealed a mushroom-shaped outgrowth from the coronoid process to the inner surface of the zygomatic arch, forming a pseudojoint. The patient was treated with coronoidectomy via an intraoral approach. Histopathological examination revealed features suggestive of OC. Subsequently, the patient was able to open their mouth, and there was no evidence of recurrence or post-operative complications in the 21-month follow-up. A review of the literature revealed only 38 histologically proven cases of coronoid OC in the past 30 years (1989-2018). The incidence of the disease was higher in men compared with that in women (male:female, 2.17:1), and the median age at onset was 28.7 years, with a range of 5-57 years. Gradual limitation of mouth opening and facial asymmetry are the most noticeable symptoms. Water's view and submentovertex projection of the zygomatic arch may be useful in identifying the tumor and its association with the zygoma, while CT and CBCT permit a detailed visualization of the location and density of the tumor. Coronoidectomy is the preferred treatment option, and the prognosis is excellent, with no evidence of recurrence or malignant transformation.

Speciation of chromium in water samples with cloud point extraction separation and preconcentration and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

A novel method has been developed for the speciation of chromium in natural water samples based on cloud point extraction (CPE) separation and preconcentration, and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). In this method, Cr(III) reacts with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazol-5-one (PMBP) yielding a hydrophobic complex, which then is entrapped in the surfactant-rich phase, whereas Cr(VI) remained in aqueous phase. Thus, separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) could be realized. Total chromium was determined after the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using ascorbic acid as reducing reagent. PMBP was used not only as chelating reagent in CPE procedure, but also as chemical modifier in GFAAS determination of chromium. The detection limit for Cr(III) was 21 ng L(-1) with an enrichment factor of 42, and the relative standard deviation was 3.5% (n=7, c=10 ng mL(-1)). The proposed method has been applied to the speciation of chromium in natural water samples with satisfactory results.

Determination of trace aluminum in biological and water samples by cloud point extraction preconcentration and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry detection.

A cloud point extraction (CPE) method for the preconcentration of trace aluminum prior to its determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) has been developed. The CPE method is based on the complex of Al(III) with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (PMBP), and then entrapped in non-ionic surfactant Triton X-114. PMBP was used not only as chelating reagent in CPE preconcentration, but also as chemical modifier in GFAAS determination. The main factors affecting CPE efficiency, such as pH of sample solution, concentration of PMBP and Triton X-114, equilibration temperature and time, were investigated in detail. An enrichment factor of 37 was obtained for the preconcentration of Al(III) with 10 mL solution. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit of this method for Al(III) is 0.09 ng mL(-1), and the relative standard deviation is 4.7% at 10 ng mL(-1) Al(III) level (n=7). The proposed method has been applied for determination of trace amount of aluminum in biological and water samples with satisfactory results.

Rapid qualitative and quantitative determination of food colorants by both Raman spectra and Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS).

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy technology is widely used in materials analysis, environmental monitoring, biomedical, food security and other fields. Flower-shaped silver nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a simple aqueous phase silver nitrate reduction by ascorbic acid in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) surfactant. The nanoparticles diameters were adjusted from 450 to 1000nm with surface protrusions up to 10-25nm. The flower-shaped silver nanostructures obtained were used as stable SERS substrates with high SERS activity for detecting Rhodamine 6G (R6G), at a concentration of only 10-9mol/L, where the SERS signal is still clear. SERS spectroscopy of four different food colorants (e.g. food blue, tartrazine, sunset yellow, acid red) were analysed and the characteristic bands were identified. An improved principle component analysis (PCA) was used for four different food colorants detection, at concentrations down to about 10-8mol/L. Thus, the LOD of food blue, tartrazine, sunset yellow and acid red are 79.285µg/L, 5.3436µg/L, 45.238µg/L and 50.244µg/L, respectively.

Design of a silver nanoparticle for sensitive surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection of carmine dye.

Flower-shaped silver nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a simple aqueous phase silver nitrate reduction by ascorbic acid in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) surfactant. The nanoparticles diameters were adjusted from 450 to 1000nm with surface protrusions up to 10-25nm. The growth direction of silver nuclei is controlled by their degree of coating by PVP. The flower-shaped silver nanostructures obtained were used as stable Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrates with high SERS activity for detecting Rhodamine 6G (R6G), at a concentration of only 10-9M, where the SERS signal is still clear. SERS spectra of the dye carmine was analysed and the characteristic bands were identified. An improved principle component analysis (PCA) was used for carmine detection, at concentrations down to 10-8M. The characteristic peaks of the carmine (1019, 1360, and 1573cm-1) remained at 10-8M. This indicated that the minimum detection limit of AgNP-based substrate for carmine is about 10-8M.

Cloud point extraction preconcentration of manganese(II) from natural water samples using 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone and triton X-100 and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

The possibility was investigated by using 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (PMBP) as the chelating reagent for separation and preconcentration of manganese(II) by cloud point extraction (CPE) and subsequent determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The effects of experimental conditions such as pH, concentration of chelating agent and surfactant, equilibration temperature and time on cloud point extraction were studied. Under the optimum conditions, preconcentration of 10 ml of sample solution permitted the detection of 1.45 ng mL(-1) of manganese with an enrichment factor of 20. The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace manganese in water samples with satisfactory results.

Re-polarizing Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) with Cationic Polymers for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Our evolving understandings of cell-material interactions provide insights for using polymers to modulate cell behaviour that may lead to therapeutic applications. It is known that in certain cancers, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play vital roles in promoting tumour progression, chiefly because of their 'alternatively activated' (or M2) phenotype that orchestrates immunosuppression. In this study, we demonstrated that two cationic polymers - cationic dextran (C-dextran) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) - could directly remodel these cells into an anti-tumour, 'classically activated' (or M1) phenotype, thereby stimulating these cells to express tumouricidal cytokines, reactivating the T cell functions, and prolonging the lifespan of the mice model. Our investigations with knock-out mice further indicate that the functions of these cationic polymers require the involvement of toll-like receptor 4-mediated signalling. Taken together, our study suggests that these cationic polymers can effectively and directly re-polarize MDSCs from an immunosuppressive characteristic to an anti-tumour phenotype, leading to successful restoration of immune surveillance in the tumour microenvironment and elimination of tumour cells. Our findings may have immediate impact on further development of polymer-based therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy.

DiGeorge syndrome associated with solitary median maxillary central incisor.

DiGeorge syndrome is a primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by dysgenesis of the thymus and parathyroid glands, conotruncal cardiac anomalies, and other dysmorphic features. Although most patients have a common microscopic deletion in chromosome 22q11.2, marked clinical variability exists. A solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is a rare dental anomaly which may be an isolated occurrence or associated with congenital nasal airway abnormalities or holoprosencephaly. We report a patient with DiGeorge syndrome who was diagnosed at nearly 1 month of age and was later found to have a solitary median central incisor. Initially, the patient presented with recurrent episodes of respiratory distress attributed to partial airway obstruction, one of the phenotypic features of SMMCI. A fluorescence in situ hybridization study showed a chromosome 22q11.2 deletion.

Sweet preference modified by early experience in mice and the related molecular modulations on the peripheral pathway.

The sweet taste is of immense interest to scientists and has been intensively studied during the last two decades. However, the sweet preference modification and the related mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we try to establish a mice model with manipulated sweet taste preference and explore the involved possible molecular mechanisms. The animals were exposed to acesulfame-K via maternal milk during lactation and the sweet preference tests were carried out when they grew to adulthood. Our results showed that the preference thresholds for sweet taste were increased in adults by early acesulfame-K exposure and the preference ratios for sweet tastants at low or preferred concentrations were decreased. Moreover, by means of qRT-PCR and Western blot, we observed the increased expression of leptin receptor Ob-Rb and downregulation of Gα-gustducin protein in the soft palate. Thereby, the sweet taste sensitivity may be modified by early sweetener experience during lactation. Along the peripheral sweet sensory pathway, the sweet regulator receptors Ob-Rb, CB1 and components of sweet transduction signal Gα-gustducin and T1R2 in both the soft palate and tongue may be cooperatively involved in the plastic development of sweet taste.

Effect of collagen on the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite coatings.

In this study, the mechanical properties of bioactive coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates were investigated using instrumented nanoindentation. The aim was to observe the differences in the mechanical properties before and after immersion in collagen solution. The hydroxyapatite coatings were prepared through two processes: self-assembly in simulated body fluid and a hydrothermal method. Sintered hydroxyapatite disks were used as controls. The test samples were then incubated in a dilute collagen solution for 24 hours to produce composite coatings. The materials were investigated using XRD, SEM and nanoindentation. The results showed that the grain sizes of the hydroxyapatite coatings formed using two processes were 1 µm and 10 µm, respectively. The Young's modulus of the pure hydroxyapatite, the disk and the coatings, was 3.6 GPa. After collagen incubation treatment, the composites had a Young's modulus of 7.5 GPa. The results also showed that the strengthening phenomena of collagen were more obvious for homogeneous and small-grain hydroxyapatite coatings. These results suggest that there are similarities between these HAp/collagen composited and natural composite materials, such as teeth and bones.