Application of electrospray mass spectrometry to the analysis of lipids : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Food Technology at Massey University

This work investigated the application of electrospray mass spectrometry (MS) to the elucidation of lipid structure, especially related to milkfat. This was the first time that the instrument in our laboratory had been used for this purpose. Standard samples of triacylglycerols (TAGs) were prepared in 1,2 dichloroethane: acetonitrile:formic acid (63:35:2) at approximately 0.005 mg/mL and were then used to optimise and quantify the ion signal (response) generated by the Perkin Elmer Sciex API300 electrospray mass spectrometer. Both MS and tandem MS experiments were performed. In the spectra, the TAG molecule was seen as an ammonium ion adduct (M+NH4)+. It was found that the relative responses of diacylglycerol (DAG) ions, formed during front end fragmentation of the (M+NH4)+ ion, depended on the position of the 'lost' fatty acid on the glycerol backbone and its carbon number, with the former rather than the latter being the more critical. This information enabled the fatty acid esterified to the sn2 carbon of the glycerol backbone to be identified, and also demonstrated that it was possible to identify each of the fatty acids in a TAG molecule accurately by molecular and DAG ion identification. MS/MS experiments were performed on DAG ions, rather than parent ions, to identify and measure the response of acylium ions generated during collision-assisted dissociation (CAD). In contrast to the response of the DAG ions above, it was found that the response of these acylium ions was dependent on their carbon number and degree of saturation rather than the position that the fatty acid had held on the glycerol backbone. Optimal voltage settings for analysis of TAGs by infusion MS were obtained, which gave good quality spectra and ample amounts of molecular and DAG ions. With this information, a novel liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method, which was able to characterise the TAGs in a number of complex lipid samples, was developed. The method was used to elucidate differences in the TAG structure of different bovine milkfats and also differences in fat from milk of various mammalian species

Eating attitudes in a group of 11-year-old urban South African girls

No Abstract. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 19(2) 2006: 80-8

Acidithiobacillus ferrianus sp. nov.:an ancestral extremely acidophilic and facultatively anaerobic chemolithoautotroph

Strain MG, isolated from an acidic pond sediment on the island of Milos (Greece), is proposed as a novel species of ferrous iron- and sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus. Currently, four of the eight validated species of this genus oxidize ferrous iron, and strain MG shares many key characteristics with these four, including the capacities for catalyzing the oxidative dissolution of pyrite and for anaerobic growth via ferric iron respiration. Strain MG also grows aerobically on hydrogen and anaerobically on hydrogen coupled to ferric iron reduction. While the 16S rRNA genes of the iron-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus species (and strain MG) are located in a distinct phylogenetic clade and are closely related (98–99% 16S rRNA gene identity), genomic relatedness indexes (ANI/dDDH) revealed strong genomic divergence between strain MG and all sequenced type strains of the taxon, and placed MG as the first cultured representative of an ancestral phylotype of iron oxidizing acidithiobacilli. Strain MG is proposed as a novel species, Acidithiobacillus ferrianus sp. nov. The type strain is MGT(= DSM 107098T= JCM 33084T).Similar strains have been found as isolates or indicated by cloned 16S rRNA genes from several mineral sulfide mine sites.Indexación: Scopu

Relationship between Fork Progression and Initiation of Chromosome Replication in E. coli

post-print687 K

Relationship between Fork Progression and Initiation of Chromosome Replication in E. coli

post-print687 K

Unintended health and societal consequences of international travel measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

RATIONALE FOR REVIEW International travel measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic represent a relatively intrusive form of non-pharmaceutical intervention. To inform decision-making on the (re)implementation, adaptation, relaxation or suspension of such measures, it is essential to not only assess their effectiveness but also their unintended effects. This scoping review maps existing empirical studies on the unintended consequences, both predicted and unforeseen, and beneficial or harmful, of international travel measures. We searched multiple health, non-health and COVID-19-specific databases. The evidence was charted in a map in relation to the study design, intervention and outcome categories identified and discussed narratively. KEY FINDINGS Twenty-three studies met our inclusion criteria-nine quasi-experimental, two observational, two mathematical modelling, six qualitative, and four mixed-methods studies. Studies addressed different population groups across various countries worldwide. Seven studies provided information on unintended consequences of the closure of national borders, six looked at international travel restrictions, and three investigated mandatory quarantine of international travelers. No studies looked at entry and/or exit screening at national borders exclusively, however six studies considered this intervention in combination with other international travel measures. In total, eleven studies assessed various combinations of the aforementioned interventions. The outcomes were mostly referred to by the authors as harmful. Fifteen studies identified a variety of economic consequences, six reported on aspects related to quality of life, well-being, and mental health, and five on social consequences. One study each provided information on equity, equality, and the fair distribution of benefits and burdens, environmental consequences and health system consequences. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS This scoping review represents the first step towards a systematic assessment of the unintended benefits and harms of international travel measures during COVID-19. The key research gaps identified might be filled with targeted primary research, as well as the additional consideration of gray literature and non-empirical studies

Intentional Storytelling to Sustain Low-cost/Free Breast Cancer Services: A Latina Example of Community-driven Advocacy

Background: Community-based public health advocacy efforts are crucial to sustaining the low-cost/free breast cancer services that support underserved populations. Objectives: We introduce two ways in which narrative theory may be a useful tool for developing advocacy materials and provide an example, using a community–academic partnership to promote Latina breast health in Chicago, Illinois. Methods: Community and academic partners 1) engaged 25 Spanish-speaking Latinas in an advocacy workshop, 2) leveraged narrative theory to develop multi-media advocacy materials, and 3) disseminated materials to policymakers. Lessons Learned: Our project highlights 1) that narrative theory may be useful to describe how Latinas engage policy-makers in relation to their needs and cultural norms, 2) the importance of flexibility and offering community members multiple options to engage policymakers, and 3) the importance of leveraging partners’ complementary strengths. Conclusions: Narrative theory may be a useful tool for developing advocacy materials in community–academic partnerships

Magnesium in Kidney Function and Disease—Implications for Aging and Sex—A Narrative Review

©2023. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by /4.0/ This document is the Published version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Nutrients. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/ 10.3390/nu15071710Magnesium (Mg) has a vital role in the human body, and the kidney is a key organ in the metabolism and excretion of this cation. The objective of this work is to compile the available evidence regarding the role that Mg plays in health and disease, with a special focus on the elderly population with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the eventual sex differences. A narrative review was carried out by executing an exhaustive search in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Ten studies were found in which the role of Mg and sex was evaluated in elderly patients with CKD in the last 10 years (2012–2022). The progression of CKD leads to alterations in mineral metabolism, which worsen as the disease progresses. Mg can be used as a coadjuvant in the treatment of CKD patients to improve glomerular filtration, but its use in clinical applications needs to be further characterized. In conclusion, there’s a need for well-designed prospective clinical trials to advise and standardize Mg supplementation in daily clinical practice, taking age and sex into consideration

Preliminary molecular phylogenetics of Sobralia and relatives (Orchidaceae: Sobralieae)

With over 200 species, the orchid tribe Sobralieae is a major constituent of the Neotropical flora. As currently circumscribed, the tribe includes four genera: Elleanthus, Epilyna, Sertifera, and Sobralia. Most species of these four genera typically produce long, cane-like stems but differ drastically in flower size and inflorescence structure. DNA sequence data support the monophyly of Elleanthus, Epilyna, and Sertifera but not Sobralia, which is a polyphyletic assemblage traditionally placed together due to relatively large flower size. Details of inflorescence structure provide characters that can easily distinguish the different clades of Sobralia. The misleading characteristic of flower size is probably due to at least several shifts in pollination syndrome within the tribe. With few exceptions, species of Sobralia predominantly offer no reward and are pollinated by bees. Elleanthus and Sertifera are small-flowered and mostly pollinated by hummingbirds with legitimate rewards. Nothing is known of pollination in Epilyna. Understanding the evolution of shifts in pollination syndrome will require more empirical observations of pollination within Sobralieae. In addition, increased taxon sampling and improved phylogenetic resolution are needed before generic realignments are made.Con más de 200 especies, la tribu de orquídeas Sobralieae es un componente importante de la riqueza florística de los neotrópicos. Actualmente esta tribu está constituída por cuatro géneros: Elleanthus, Epilyna, Sertifera, y Sobralia. Las plantas de éstos cuatro géneros generalmente producen tallos largos como cañas, pero difieren en forma drástica en el tamaño de la flor y la estructura de las inflorescencias. Datos de ADN apoyan la monofilia de Elleanthus, Epilyna, y Sertifera, pero no de Sobralia. Sobralia es un ensamblaje polifilético, tradicionalmente circunscrito por el gran tamaño de sus flores. Los detalles de la morfología floral y la posición de la inflorescencia proporcionan caracteres que fácilmente permiten distinguir los diferentes clados de Sobralia. El tamaño de la flor y ciertas otras características superficiales probablemente han sufrido cambios evolutivos en respuesta a cambios en el síndrome de polinización dentro de la tribu. La mayoría de las especies de Sobralia no ofrecen ninguna recompensa y son polinizadas por abejas en busca de néctar. Elleanthus y Sertifera tienen flores pequeñas que aparentemente son polinizadas por colibríes, en estos dos géneros las flores ofrecen néctar. No se conoce nada sobre la polinización de Epilyna. Mas observaciones empíricas de los polinizadores de Sobralieae son necesarias para entender la evolución de los síndromes de polinización, y requerirá un mayor muestreo de especies y una mejor resolución filogenética antes de realizar recircumscripciones genéricas.National Science Foundation/[DEB-234064]/NSF/Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Jardín Botánico Lankester (JBL