A sensitive determination of Brilliant Blue FCF in some food samples using hydrophillic deep eutectic solvent-assisted magnetic nano gel-based dispersive solid phase microextraction prior to spectrophotometric analysis.

A new magnetic nano gel (MNG) was prepared from choline chloride/phenol deep eutectic solvent and magnetic amberlite XAD-7 nanocomposite. The dispersive solid phase micro extraction (dSPME) method was developed for seperation and preconcentration of Brilliant Blue FCF (BB) by the prepared MNG. In this study, firstly, the optimum DES type and mole ratio of DES were investigated before response surface methodology optimization. Then, the effect of the MNG-dSPME experimental parameters were optimized by response surface methodology using central composite design. Under the optimum microextraction conditions, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), preconcentration factor (PF), enhencament factor (EF) were found to be 1.15 µg L-1,3.80 µg L-1, 70, and 88, respectively. It was seen that the recovery of real samples were obtained from 95.5 to 103.6%. The pesent method was succesfully for extraction of BB in some food, personal care samples, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that is presented method on determination of BB by preconcentration with magnetic nano gel. The obtained results showed that the present procedure is effective, sensitive, and has high accuracy for the quantitative detection of BB.

Ultra-Sensitive Determination of Cadmium in Food and Water by Flame-AAS after a New Polyvinyl Benzyl Xanthate as an Adsorbent Based Vortex Assisted Dispersive Solid-Phase Microextraction: Multivariate Optimization.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a very toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal even at low levels and it is naturally present in water as well as in food. Methods: A new polyvinyl benzyl xanthate (PvbXa) was synthesized and used as a new adsorbent in this work. It contains pendant sulfide groups on the main polystyryl chain. Using this new adsorbent, PvbXa, a vortex-assisted dispersive solid-phase microextraction (VA-dSPµE) procedure was developed for the determination of cadmium from food and water samples via flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Synthesized PvbXa was characterized by 1H Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The different parameters of pH, sample volume, mixing type and time, sorbent amount, and eluent time were optimized using standard analytical methods. Results: The optimized method for assessment of Cd in food and water samples shows good reliability. The optimum conditions were found to be a 0.20-150 µg L-1 linear range, 0.06 µg L-1 LOD, 0.20 µg L-1 LOQ, 4.3 RSD %, and a preconcentration factor of 160. Conclusions: The statistically experimental variables were utilized using a central composite design (CCD). The present method is a low-cost, simple, sensitive, and very effective tool for the recovery of Cd.

Preparation of fatty acid-based ternary deep eutectic solvents: Application for determination of tetracycline residue in water, honey and milk samples by using vortex-assisted microextraction.

Simple, rapid, low cost, selective, and sensitive analytical method was developed using fatty acid-based ternary deep eutectic solvents (TDESs) for extraction and determination of tetracycline in honey, milk and water samples by vortex assisted (VA) microextraction and UV-vis spectrophotometer. Four different TDES were prepared by combination of nonanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, decanoic, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid. Analytical parameters such as pH, TDES types and its molar ratio, dispersive solvent types and solvent volume and salt effect were optimized. VA-TDES method was good recovery of tetracycline in the samples from 94 to 99%. The LOD and LOQ values were found 1.0 and 3.3 µg L-1, respectively. The linear range of calibration graph was 3.3 -450 µg L-1. Intra-day and inter-day precision was found 2.8-4.1% and 3.6-5.2%. Enhancement factor was found 109. The factorial design was drawn to evaluate the significant level of factors and effects of variables on the recovery of tetracycline. Standard addition method was used for the validation and accuracy of the method. Present VA-TDES method was successfully applied to real samples.

Deep Eutectic Solvents for Extraction and Preconcentration of Organic and Inorganic Species in Water and Food Samples: A Review.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been developed as green solvents and these are capable as alternatives to conventional solvents used for the extraction of organic and inorganic species from food and water samples. The continuous generation of contaminated waste and increasing concern for the human health and environment have compelled the scientific community to investigate more ecological schemes. In this concern, the use of DESs have developed in one of the chief approach in the field of chemistry. These solvents have appeared as a capable substitute to conventional hazardous solvents and ionic liquids. The DESs has distinctive properties, easy preparation and components availability. It is not only used in scienctific fields but also used in quotidian life. There are many advantages of DESs in analytical chemistry, they are largely used for extraction and determination of inorganic and organic compounds from different samples. In previous a few years, several advanced researches have been focused on the separation and preconcentration of low level of pollutants using DESs as the extractants. This review summarizes the use of DESs in the separation and preconcentration of organic and inorganic species from water and food samples using various microextraction processes.

Modeling of cadmium(II) removal in a fixed bed column utilizing hydrochar-derived activated carbon obtained from discarded mango peels.

Cadmium is found in many underdeveloped countries' aquatic bodies. Therefore, contaminated water should be treated before consumption; henceforth, efficient and customized point-of-use filtration is foreseeable. Traditionally, carbon-based sorbents have been utilized for such treatments, but alternative sources are also being investigated. Hydrochars made from mango peels using a thermal activation process were employed as an adsorbent instead of activated carbon in this investigation. The prepared material was porous with active surface functionalities, and the interaction of cadmium with the surface was possibly ion-exchange in nature. The performance of a material for a candle water filtering system with a 2.5 cm internal diameter and a 30.48 cm column height was determined using the parameters acquired by the Thomas model. The material was found to be highly efficient at 453.5 L/min/Filter water, whereas 31670.6 L/min/Filter can be treated if the break point and exhaustion point are considered, respectively, as the candle replacement time. These findings indicate that activated hydrochar might be a suitable sorbent for removing cadmium ions from contaminated water.

GC Determination of Fluorouracil in Serum by Using Hexafluroroacetylacetone as Derivatizing Reagent.

A gas chromatographic (GC) procedure has been developed for the determination of fluorouracil (5-FU) after pre-column derivatization with hexafluoroacetylacetone. GC separation was from column DB-1 (30 m × 0.32 mm id) and the determination was by flame-ionization detection. The derivatization conditions were optimized at pH 4, heating at 90°C for 40 min and extraction of the derivative was in chloroform. Using the conditions nucleobases cytosine, uracil, thymine, adenine and guanine separated completely from fluorouracil. The linear calibration range and LOD for 5-fluorouracil were 0.5-40.0 and 0.2 µg/mL, respectively. The derivatization, elution and separation were repeatable in terms of retention time and peak height/peak area (n = 5) and relative standard deviations (RSD) were within 3.5%. The method was applied for the analysis of serum spiked with 5-FU with recovery of 95.5-97.5% with RSD 1.5-3.1%.

Molecular characteristic and pathogenicity analysis of a novel multiple recombinant ALV-K strain.

Avian leukosis virus (ALV) can induce various tumors and cause serious production problems. ALVs isolated from chickens were divided into six subgroups (A-J). In 2012, a strain of a putative novel subgroup of ALVs was isolated from Chinese native chickens in Jiangsu Province and named as ALV-K. In this study, three ALV-K strains (JS14LH01, JS13LH14, and JS15SG01) were isolated from chickens with suspected ALV infection in Jiangsu Province. Their complete genomes were amplified, sequenced, and analyzed systematically. The results showed that JS14LH01 and JS13LH14 were ALV-K and ALV-E recombinant strains. Whereas JS15SG01 is an ALV-K, ALV-E, and ALV-J multiple recombinant strain containing the U3 region of ALV-J. The pathogenicity test of JS15SG01 revealed that, compared with previous ALV-K strains, the viremia and viral shedding level of JS15SG01-infected chickens were significantly increased, reaching 100 % and 59 %, respectively. More important, JS15SG01 induced significant proliferation of gliocytes in the cerebral cortex of infected chickens, accompanied by the neurotropic phenomenon. This is the first report about a multiple recombinant ALV-K strain that could invade and injure the brain tissue of chickens in China. Our findings enriched the epidemiologic data of ALV and helped to reveal the evolution of ALV strains prevalent in chicken fields.

Novel Inactivated Subtype B Avian Metapneumovirus Vaccine Induced Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses.

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), a highly contagious agent, is widespread and causes acute upper respiratory tract disease in chickens and turkeys. However, currently, there is no vaccine licensed in China. Herein, we describe the development of an inactivated aMPV/B vaccine using the aMPV/B strain LN16. Combined with a novel adjuvant containing immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs), the novel vaccine could induce high virus-specific and VN antibodies. In addition, it activated B and T lymphocytes and promoted the expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ. Importantly, boosting vaccination with the inactivated aMPV/B vaccine could provide 100% protection against aMPV/B infection with reduced virus shedding and turbinate inflammation. The protection efficacy could last for at least 6 months. This study yielded a novel inactivated aMPV/B vaccine that could serve as the first vaccine candidate in China, thus contributing to the control of aMPV/B and promoting the development of the poultry industry.

Minerals content in different types of local and branded honey in Sindh, Pakistan.

The 15 honey samples were collected from diferent areas of Sindh, 8 samples were collected from local honey and 7 samples were purchase from local market Hyderabad Sindh. The 13 minerals were analyzed like potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co). The results of the major and trace elements in honey samples were found in the range from Na 77.5-200 mg/kg, K 225-439 mg/kg, Ca 46.1-98.1 mg/kg, Mg 31.3-73.8 mg/kg and trace elements Fe 2.98-16-2 mg/kg, Zn 1.11-4.1 mg/kg, Co 0.01-0.23 mg/kg, Cu 0.08-0.33 mg/kg, Mn 0.12-0.95 mg/kg, Cr 0.012-0.10 mg/kg, Ni 0.06-0.33 mg/kg, Pb 0.01-0.14 mg/kg, Cd 0.01-0.38 mg/kg. The results of K was found higher while the chromium was found lowest value in Sindh honeys. The statistical analysis correlation determination, principal components analysis and cluster analysis determined to evaluate the data.

The high conserved cellular receptors of avian leukosis virus subgroup J in Chinese local chickens contributes to its wide host range.

Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is a tumor-inducing virus that spreads among most chicken species, causing serious financial losses for the poultry industry. Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is a recombinant exogenous ALV, which shows more extensive host range in comparison with other subgroups, especially in Chinese local chickens. To identify the relationship between ALV-J host range and the polymorphism of its cellular receptors, we performed a wide range epidemiological investigation of current ALV-J infection in Chinese local chickens, and discovered that all the 18 local chicken breeds being investigated from main local chicken breeding provinces were ALV-J positive. Furthermore, we cloned ALV-J cellular receptor genes of chNHE1 and chANXA2 of these 18 chicken breeds. Sequence alignment demonstrated that despite several regular mutations at the nucleotide level, there were no corresponding amino acid mutations for either chNHE1 gene or chANXA2 gene. Additionally, virus entry assay indicated that the level of viral enter into cells is stable among different chicken breeds. Results of this study indicated that the wide host range of ALV-J in Chinese local chickens was partially due to the high conservatism of its cellular receptors, and also provide target sites for drug design of resistance to ALV-J infection.

Water quality assessment of Ramser site, Indus Delta, Sindh, Pakistan.

Seven representative sampling stations were selected from Indus Delta comprising of (1) Keti Bander, (2) Darya Peer, (3) Kharo Chanr, (4) Jati, (5) Shah Bander, (6) Nariri Dhand and (7) Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) near Rupa Mari. The sampling scheme was repeated seven times during 2014-2015 for 1 year. The samples were analysed for temperature, conductivity, pH, hardness, chloride, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, sulphate, orthophosphate-P, nitrite-N, nitrate-N, Na, K, Fe, Ni, Cr, Co, Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and As. The analysis was carried out using standard analytical procedures. A number of parameters crossed the WHO permissible limits and water quality guidelines for aquatic life and indicated pollution within coastal region. Coefficient of correlation (r) among physicochemical parameters and metal ions were examined and a number of parameters did not correlate positively and did not indicate natural origin and may indicate their presence due to human activity. The samples were examined for cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. The samples also indicated the presence of Presumptive Coliform, Faecal coliform and E. coli.

HDAC6 alleviates prion peptide-mediated neuronal death via modulating PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway.

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) controls several major cellular responses to stress that play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, including aggresome formation, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, the specific role of HDAC6 in prion diseases is not known. In this study, we examined the relationship between HDAC6 and cellular response to the neurotoxic synthetic prion protein fragment PrP106-126. We determined that exposure of cerebral cortical neurons to this fragment alters the expression and localization of HDAC6. Suppression of HDAC6 activity or knockdown of HDAC6 expression exacerbates the neuronal cell death induced by PrP106-126, but that overexpression of HDAC6 alleviates PrP106-126-induced neuronal death. We also found that this protective effect of HDAC6 involves the activation of autophagy and modulation of PI3K-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Overexpression of HDAC6 in neurons-induced autophagy correlated with a reduction in phosphorylated mTOR and phosphorylated p70S6K in response to PrP106-126 stimulation, conversely, HDAC6 deficiency interfered with autophagy and increased phosphorylated mTOR and phosphorylated 70S6K. In addition, HDAC6 also appears to modulate the phosphorylation of Akt; overexpression of HDAC6 increased the phosphorylated Akt, but HDAC6 deficiency resulted in further reduction of phosphorylated Akt. Overall, we demonstrate that HDAC6 protects neurons from toxicity of prion peptide, and that this protection occurs at through the regulation of the PI3k-Akt-mTOR axis.