Human aflatoxin exposure in Kenya, 2007: a cross-sectional study.

Aflatoxins contaminate approximately 25% of agricultural products worldwide. They can cause liver failure and liver cancer. Kenya has experienced multiple aflatoxicosis outbreaks in recent years, often resulting in fatalities. However, the full extent of aflatoxin exposure in Kenya has been unknown. Our objective was to quantify aflatoxin exposure across Kenya. We analysed aflatoxin levels in serum specimens from the 2007 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey - a nationally representative, cross-sectional serosurvey. KAIS collected 15,853 blood specimens. Of the 3180 human immunodeficiency virus-negative specimens with ≥1 mL sera, we randomly selected 600 specimens stratified by province and sex. We analysed serum specimens for aflatoxin albumin adducts by using isotope dilution MS/MS to quantify aflatoxin B1-lysine, and normalised with serum albumin. Aflatoxin concentrations were then compared by demographic, socioeconomic and geographic characteristics. We detected serum aflatoxin B1-lysine in 78% of serum specimens (range =

Isotope dilution ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in human serum.

BACKGROUND: An ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with calibration traceable to NIST SRM was developed and validated to measure concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(2) (25OHD(2)), 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25OHD(3)) and the C-3 epimer of 25OHD(3) (epi-25OHD(3)) in human serum. METHODS: Tri- and hexa-deuterated internal standards were added to serum (100 µl) to monitor recovery. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to extract the hexane-soluble materials. Calibration solutions [8-100 nmol/L 25OHD(2,) 12-150 nmol/L 25OHD(3), and 4-50 nmol/L epi-25OHD(3)] prepared in phosphate-buffered saline containing 4% albumin were similarly processed. Using a pentafluorophenyl column (2.1×100 mm) and isocratic methanol/water (72/28, v/v) flowing at 0.4 ml/min, run time was 14 min per sample; 25OHD(3) and epi-25OHD(3) were baseline separated. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the positive ion mode with selected reaction monitoring captured the following transitions: 25OHD(2), m/z 395.3>377.3 (209.1 qualifier); (epi-)25OHD(3), m/z 383.3>365.3 (105.1 qualifier); d(3)-25OHD(2), m/z 398.3>380.3; and d(6)-25OHD(3), m/z 389.3>371.3. RESULTS: Recovery averaged ≥98%. Total imprecision was ≤10% when concentrations were ≥20 nmol/l. Bias averaged <5%. Detection limits were <5 nmol/l. Median (nmol/l) 25OHD(2), 25OHD(3) and epi-25OHD(3) were quantitated in 98 blood donors (

Exploration of larger central ring linkers in furamidine analogues: synthesis and evaluation of their DNA binding, antiparasitic and fluorescence properties.

The effects of replacing the central furan ring of furamidine with indole and benzimidazole on their DNA binding affinity, antiparasitic activity and fluorescence are reported. The bis-cyanophenylindoles required to make the corresponding amidines were prepared by sequential Stille and/or Suzuki coupling reactions. The bis-cyanophenylbenzimidazoles were obtained by coupling 4-cyanobenzaldehydes with the appropriate cyano substituted phenylenediamine. The bis-nitriles were converted to the diamidines by reaction with LiN[Si(CH(3))(3)](2) or by Pinner methodology. Specifically, we have prepared new series of 2,6- and 2,5-diaryl indoles (6a,b, 12 and 17a-d) and the related benzimidazoles (24, 30 and 35). The new compounds bind in the DNA minor groove in DNA AT base pair sequences and eight of the ten new analogues exhibit ΔT(m) values comparable to or higher than that of furamidine. Six of ten of the new compounds exhibit lower IC(50) values against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (T. b. r.) and eight of ten exhibit lower IC(50) values against Plasmodium falciparum (P. f.) than furamidine. Four of the ten show greater efficacy than furamidine in the rigorous T. b. r. STIB900 mouse model for African trypanosomiasis. Generally, the fluorescence properties of the new analogues are similar to that of DAPI.

Rapid quantitative determination of fat-soluble vitamins and coenzyme Q-10 in human serum by reversed phase ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography with UV detection.

We are presenting the first ultra-high pressure LC (UHPLC) method for rapid quantitative measurement of vitamin A, E (alpha- and gamma-tocopherol), beta-carotene and CoQ(10) from human serum. The chromatography was performed on Shield RP(18) UHPLC column with UV detection. The method was validated based on linearity, accuracy, matrix effects study, precision and stability. The calibration was linear over the following range: 0.09-10.0 for retinol and gamma-tocopherol, 0.05-5 for beta-carotene, 0.9-100 for alpha-tocopherol and 0.14-15 mg/L for CoQ(10). The limit of detection and quantitation for retinol, gamma-tocopherol, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and CoQ(10) were as follows 0.07/0.024, 0.018/0.06, 0.004/0.12, 0.078/0.261, 0.008/0.028 mg/L. The recoveries were above 85%. The inter- and intra-assay precision was below 10%. Reference intervals were established for children and adults. Because of its low cost, extremely short analysis time (2 min) and excellent chromatographic reproducibility this UHPLC method can easily be adopted for high-throughput clinical and pharmacokinetics studies.

Analysis of urinary aromatic acids by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

The separation and detection of 11 urinary aromatic acids was developed using HPLC-MS/MS. The method features a simple sample preparation involving a single-step dilution with internal standard and a rapid 8 min chromatographic separation. The accuracy was evaluated by the recovery of known spikes between 87 and 110%. Inter- and intra-assay precision (CV) was below 11% in all cases and the analytes were observed to be stable for up to 8 weeks when stored at -20 degrees C. The method was validated based upon linearity, accuracy, precision and stability and was used to establish reference intervals for children and adults.

Direct analysis of un-derivatized asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and L-arginine from plasma using mixed-mode ion-exchange liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A high-throughput analytical method was developed for the measurement of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and L-arginine (ARG) from plasma using LC/MS/MS. The sample preparation was simple and only required microfiltration prior to analysis. ADMA and ARG were assayed using mixed-mode ion-exchange chromatography which allowed for the retention of the un-derivatized compounds. The need for chromatographic separation of ADMA from symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) was avoided by using an ADMA specific product ion. As a result, the analytical method only required a total run time of 2 min. The method was validated by linearity, with r2>or=0.995 for both compounds, and accuracy, with no more than 7% deviation from the theoretical value. The estimated limit of detection and limit of quantification were suitable for clinical evaluations. The mean values of plasma ADMA and ARG taken from healthy volunteers (n=15) were 0.66+/-0.12 and 87+/-35 microM, respectively; the mean molar ratio of ARG to ADMA was 142+/-81.

Fujita-Ban QSAR analysis and CoMFA study of quinoline antagonists of immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides.

One hundred seven 2-arylquinolin-4-amines were assayed in vitro for inhibition of the immunostimulatory effect of oligodeoxynucleotides containing a CpG-motif. The compounds are functionalized with various basic and non-basic groups at the aryl moiety and at the amino substituent of the quinolin-4-amine, and some of them contain an additional substituent at position 6 or 7 of the quinoline. Activities of these antagonists, expressed as EC(50) values, range from 0.2 to 200nM. A statistically significant structure-activity correlation was obtained for the Fujita-Ban variant of the classical Free-Wilson analysis. The CoMFA results derived from several models consistently indicate that electrostatic interactions of the molecules with a biological receptor contribute to biological activities to a greater extent than steric effects.

New triple-helix DNA stabilizing agents.

Several substituted quinolin-4-amines and heteroaromatic analogs were synthesized and evaluated for interaction with triplex polydA.2polydT and duplex polydA.polydT by using UV-thermal melting experiments. Excellent triple-helix DNA ligands with high affinity toward T.A.T triplets and triple/duplex selectivity were designed through a rational approach.