Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Reduces Colitis Severity by Promoting Anti-Inflammatory Macrophage Polarization.

Yerba Mate (YM) (Ilex paraguariensis) is a natural herbal supplement with a well-described anti-inflammatory capacity and beneficial effects in different inflammatory contexts such as insulin resistance or obesity. However, whether YM could improve other inflammatory conditions such as colitis or the immune cell population that can be modulated by this plant remains elusive. Here, by using 61 male and female C57BL/6/J wild-type (WT) mice and the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis model, we evaluated the effect of YM on colitis symptoms and macrophage polarization. Our results showed that the oral administration of YM reduces colitis symptoms and improves animal survival. Increasing infiltration of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage was observed in the colon of the mice treated with YM. Accordingly, YM promoted M2 macrophage differentiation in vivo. However, the direct administration of YM to bone marrow-derived macrophages did not increase anti-inflammatory polarization, suggesting that YM, through an indirect mechanism, is able to skew the M1/M2 ratio. Moreover, YM consumption reduced the Eubacterium rectale/Clostridium coccoides and Enterobacteriaceae groups and increased the Lactobacillus/Lactococcus group in the gut microbiota. In summary, we show that YM promotes an immunosuppressive environment by enhancing anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage differentiation, reducing colitis symptoms, and suggesting that YM consumption may be a good cost-effective treatment for ulcerative colitis.

Simultaneous degradation of 30 pharmaceuticals by anodic oxidation: Main intermediaries and by-products.

The anodic oxidation (AO) of 30 pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, hormones, antihistaminics, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, antihypertensives, and antiulcer agents, in solutions containing different supporting electrolytes media (0.05 M Na2SO4, 0.05 M NaCl, and 0.05 M Na2SO4 + 0.05 M NaCl) at natural pH was studied. A boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode and a stainless-steel electrode were used as anode and cathode, respectively, and three current densities of 6, 20, and 40 mA cm-2 were applied. The results showed high mineralization rates, above 85%, in all the tested electrolytic media. 25 intermediaries produced during the electrooxidation were identified, depending on the supporting electrolyte together with the formation of carboxylic acids, NO3-, SO42- and NH4+ ions. The formation of intermediates in chloride medium produced an increase in absorbance. Finally, a real secondary effluent spiked with the 30 pharmaceuticals was treated by AO applying 6 mA cm-2 at natural pH and without addition of supporting electrolyte, reaching c.a. 90% mineralization after 300 min, with an energy consumption of 18.95 kW h m-3 equivalent to 2.90 USD m-3. A degradation scheme for the mixture of emerging contaminants in both electrolytic media is proposed. Thus, the application of anodic oxidation generates a high concentration of hydroxyl radicals that favors the mineralization of the pharmaceuticals present in the spiked secondary effluent sample.

Size exclusion chromatography - Inductively coupled plasma - Mass spectrometry for determining metal-low molecular weight compound complexes in natural wines.

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), as a specific detector for metals, has been used for monitoring and determining metal-low molecular weight organic compound (LMWC) complexes in natural wines. SEC with UV detection (wavelength of 205 nm) was used for monitoring organic compounds eluted from the chromatographic column. SEC-UV has revealed the presence of low molecular weight compounds (commonly three fractions of molecular weights ranging from 230 to 1579 Da).' Further experiments using ICP-MS as a detector showed that elements such as B, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Ti, and Zn are bound to compounds of molecular weights within the 338-1579 Da range. Total metal concentrations, as well as metal concentrations in SEC fractions were also assessed in several monovarietal red (five varieties) and monovarietal white (three varieties) wines.

In vitro human bioavailability of major, trace and ultra-trace elements in Chilean 'natural' wines from Itata Valley.

In vitro human bioavailability of elements in 'natural' wines from Chile's Itata Valley has been assessed using an in vitro dialyzability approach. The red wines (fifteen samples) were of the Cinsault, Cabernet sauvignon, Carmènére, Malbec, and Pinot noir varieties. All white wines (three samples) were of the Muscat of Alexandria variety. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used for determination. Elements such as Ag, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Ti, Tl, and V were not found to be bioavailable (concentrations lower than the limit of detection in the dialysates). Elements such as Al, Co, and Fe showed low bioavailability ratios (lower than 20%), whereas B, K, Li, Mg, and Mn were found to be of moderate bioavailability (bioavailability ratios within the 20-79% range for most wine samples). Ca, Cu, and Sr bioavailability was moderate (higher than 20%) in some wines, but most of the samples showed Ca, Cu, and Sr bioavailabilty ratios lower than 20%. No differences were found regarding bioavailability ratios among red and white wines, or among the grape varieties.

Chemical Characterization and Determination of the Anti-Oxidant Capacity of Two Brown Algae with Respect to Sampling Season and Morphological Structures Using Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analyses.

Brown algae biomass has been shown to be a highly important industrial source for the production of alginates and different nutraceutical products. The characterization of this biomass is necessary in order to allocate its use to specific applications according to the chemical and biological characteristics of this highly variable resource. The methods commonly used for algae characterization require a long time for the analysis and rigorous pretreatments of samples. In this work, nondestructive and fast analyses of different morphological structures from Lessonia spicata and Macrocystis pyrifera, which were collected during different seasons, were performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques in combination with chemometric methods. Mid-infrared (IR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectral ranges were tested to evaluate the spectral differences between the species, seasons, and morphological structures of algae using a principal component analysis (PCA). Quantitative analyses of the polyphenol and alginate contents and the anti-oxidant capacity of the samples were performed using partial least squares (PLS) with both spectral ranges in order to build a predictive model for the rapid quantification of these parameters with industrial purposes. The PCA mainly showed differences in the samples based on seasonal sampling, where changes were observed in the bands corresponding to polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. The obtained PLS models had high correlation coefficients (r) for the polyphenol content and anti-oxidant capacity (r > 0.9) and lower values for the alginate determination (0.7 < r < 0.8). Fourier transform infrared-based techniques were suitable tools for the rapid characterization of algae biomass, in which high variability in the samples was incorporated for the qualitative and quantitative analyses, and have the potential to be used on an industrial scale.

Retrieval of fractured files based on electrochemical dissolution / Retiro de limas fracturadas basado en la disolución electroquímica

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Electrochemical Dissolution (DE) facilitates the retrieval of fractured files, from Endo-Training block with an artificial root canal, by using ultrasonic techniques (US). Twenty Endo-Training block with an artificial single canal with working length 16 mm and twenty nickel-titanium (NiTi) Protaper Universal rotary files were used. 10 Shaping S1 files and 10 Shaping S2 files, were sectioned transversally within the conduit, to 5mm of the apical tip. Twenty samples were divided into four groups: Group1 and 3 received the action of DE and US, and groups 2 and 4 received the action of US. To remove the fragments we used Staging Platform and Dental Microscope. Outcome was analyzed statistically by Student t test. Statistical Analysis showed a significant difference in retrieval time of the fragments and weight loss mass of Endo training block ultrasonic tips were used, between groups that applied Ultrasonic with electrochemical dissolution and the group using only ultrasonic. It can be concluded that there was weight loss mass of separated fragment by electrochemical action, however, it was not sufficient and its use alone was inconclusive to retrieve the fragments. The procedure needs to be complemented with the use of the staging platform, ultrasonic tips and Dental Microscope.

Este estudio tiene como propósito determinar si la Disolución Electroquímica (DE) favorece el retiro de fragmentos de limas fracturadas, insertos en bloc endodónticos de entrenamiento de resina, con un conducto radicular simulado, mediante el uso de ultrasonido (US). Se utilizaron 20 bloc y 20 limas rotatorias usadas ProTaper Universal de NiTi Shaping Files, 10 S1, 10 S2, que fueron fracturadas dentro del conducto, a 5 mm desde la punta apical y divididos en Grupo1 y 3 que recibieron la acción de la DE y US; y Grupo 2 y 4 sólo utilizó US. Para retirar los fragmentos se utilizó Plataforma de Trabajo y Microscopio Dental. Los datos fueron analizados con la prueba T de Student. Los resultados indican que existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el tiempo de retiro de los fragmentos y en la pérdida de masa del bloc de entrenamiento por el uso del ultrasonido, en los grupos que se aplicó Disolución Electroquímica más Ultrasonido. Se puede concluir que la acción electroquímica permite que exista pérdida de masa del fragmento fracturado, sin embargo, no es suficiente y su sola utilización no es concluyente para retirar los fragmentos, es necesario complementar el procedimiento con la utilización de la Plataforma de Trabajo, puntas de ultrasonido y el Microscopio Dental.

Determination of beta-carboline alkaloids in foods and beverages by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection at a glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon nanotubes.

Simple and sensitive methods for the separation and quantification of beta-carboline alkaloids in foods and beverages by HPLC with electrochemical detection at carbon nanotubes-modified glassy carbon electrodes (CNTs-GCE) are reported. Electrode modification with multi-wall CNTs produced an improved amperometric response to beta-carbolines, in spite of the working medium consisting of methanol:acetonitrile: 0.05 mol L(-1) Na(2)HPO(4) solution of pH 9.0 (20:20:60). On the contrary to that observed at a bare GCE, a good repeatability of the amperometric measurements carried out at +900 mV versus Ag/AgCl (R.S.D. of 3.2% for i(p), n=20) was achieved at the CNTs-GCE. Using an Ultrabase C(18) column and isocratic elution with the above mentioned mobile phase, a complete resolution of the chromatographic peaks for harmalol, harmaline, norharmane, harmane and harmine, was achieved. Calibration graphs over the 0.25-100 microM range with detection limits ranging between 4 and 19 ng mL(-1), were obtained. The HPLC-ED at CNTs-GCE method was applied to the analysis of beer, coffee and cheese samples, spiked with beta-carbolines at concentration levels corresponding to those may be found in the respective samples. The steps involved in sample treatment, such as extraction and clean-up, were optimized for each type of sample. Recoveries ranging between 92 and 102% for beer, 92 and 101% for coffee, and 88 and 100% for cheese, at sub-microg mL(-1) or g(-1) analytes concentration levels were achieved.

Ultrasound bath-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis procedures as sample pretreatment for the multielement determination in mussels by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

Ultrasound energy has been applied to speed up enzymatic hydrolysis processes of mussel tissue in order to determine trace and ultratrace elements (As, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn). The element releases, by action of three proteases (pepsin, pancreatin, trypsin), lipase, and alpha-amylase, have been evaluated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Different variables such as pH, sonication temperature, ionic strength, hydrolysis time, ultrasound frequency, extracting volume, and enzyme mass were simultaneously studied by applying an experimental design approach (Plackett-Burman design and central composite design). Results showed that the hydrolysis time was statistically nonsignificant (confidence interval of 95%) for most of the elements and enzymes, meaning that the hydrolysis procedure can be finished within a 30-60-min range. These hydrolysis times are far shorter than those obtained when using thermostatic cameras, between 12 and 24 h. Statistically significant factors were the ultrasound frequency (the highest metals releasing at high-ultrasound frequency), pH, sonication temperature, and ionic strength. All metals can be extracted using the same operating conditions (pH of 1.0 and sodium chloride at 1.0% for pepsin; pH of 7.5, temperature at 37 degrees C, and 0.4 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate/potassium hydrogen phosphate buffer for amylase; pH of 8.0 and 0.5 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate/potassium hydrogen phosphate buffer for pancreatin; pH of 5.0 and 0.5 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate/potassium hydrogen phosphate buffer for lipase; pH of 8.0 and 0.2 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate/potassium hydrogen phosphate buffer for trypsin). Analytical performances, such as limits of detection and quantification, repeatability of the overall procedure, and accuracy, by analyzing DORM-1, DORM-2, and TORT-1 certified reference materials, were finally assessed for each enzyme.

Use of enzymatic hydrolysis for the multi-element determination in mussel soft tissue by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry.

A systematic evaluation of different variables affecting the enzymatic hydrolysis of mussel soft tissue by five enzymes, three proteases (pepsin, pancreatin and trypsin), lipase and amylase, has been carried out for the determination of trace elements (As, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Enzymatic hydrolysis methods offers advantages such as a less species alteration, safer laboratory conditions and a less contaminant wastes. The enzymatic hydrolysis was performed in an incubation camera Boxcult with orbital and horizontal shaker. Variables affecting the enzymatic hydrolysis process were simultaneously studied by applying a Plackett-Burman design (PBD). For a confidence interval of 95%, the significant factors for all enzymes and for most of the elements were the pH, the incubation temperature and the ionic strength. These significant factors were optimized later by using a central composite design (CCD), which gave optimum conditions at pH of 1, incubation temperature of 37 degrees C and ionic strength fixed by sodium chloride at 0.2M when using pepsin. For pancreatin, trypsin, lipase and amylase there were found two different optimum condition sets. The first one involves the use of a 0.5M phosphate buffer (ionic strength), at a pH of 6 and at an incubation temperature of 37 degrees C, which allows the quantitative extraction of Al, Cr, Mn, Pb and Zn. The second conditions set employees a 0.1M phosphate buffer (ionic strength), a pH of 9 and an incubation temperature at 37 degrees C, and it results adequate to extract As, Cd, Cu, Fe and Ni. Analytical performances, repeatability of the over-all procedure and accuracy, by analyzing DORM-1, DORM-2 and TORT-1 certified reference materials, were finally assessed for each enzyme. Good agreement with certified values has been assessed for most of the elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) when using trypsin, pepsin and/or pancreatin, except for Cd and Pb in DORM-1 and DORM-2 because of the certified contents in such certified reference materials are lower than the limit of detection (0.10 and 0.16mugg(-1) for Cd and Pb, respectively, for the use of trypsin).