Study on the Stability of Antibiotics, Pesticides and Drugs in Water by Using a Straightforward Procedure Applying HPLC-Mass Spectrometric Determination for Analytical Purposes

The stability of analytes is a critical point in chemical analysis, especially in the field of trace levels residue analysis. Nowadays, due to advances in analytical technology and in separation sciences, the analyses of water have been improved. Unfortunately, in this context, one of the most critical issues in water analysis include compound stability from sampling station to laboratory procedures. This study was carried out to explore the stability of several compounds in water from sampling to analysis concerning analytes reported in implementing decision 2018/840—Watch List. During method development and validation, the stability of compounds was investigated to detect the best operating conditions concerning sampling, extraction and analysis. In this paper, we report a study on the stability of antibiotics, pesticides and drugs in water determined using a straight-forward procedure applying mass spectrometric detection for analytical purposes. The laboratory tests were performed in Milli-Q water and surface water by analyzing samples through direct injection, solvent mixture (Water/ACN) and solid phase extraction system from time 0 to 168 h. All the analytes of the WL are stable in aqueous solutions with the addition of at least 25% ACN even after 168 h, and the analytes have shown a matrix effect on recovery of some analytes such as Famoxadone from sampling results (recovery in surface water 72%). For all the analytes investigated, recoveries were between 70 and 130% by using SPE procedures before UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, which is in good agreement with method validation procedures

Hepatocyte Growth Factor-mediated satellite cells niche perturbation promotes development of distinct sarcoma subtypes

Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS) are distinct sarcoma subtypes. Here we investigate the relevance of the satellite cell (SC) niche in sarcoma development by using Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) to perturb the niche microenvironment. In a Pax7 wild type background, HGF stimulation mainly causes ERMS that originate from satellite cells following a process of multistep progression. Conversely, in a Pax7 null genotype ERMS incidence drops, while UPS becomes the most frequent subtype. Murine EfRMS display genetic heterogeneity similar to their human counterpart. Altogether, our data demonstrate that selective perturbation of the SC niche results in distinct sarcoma subtypes in a Pax7 lineage-dependent manner, and define a critical role for the Met axis in sarcoma initiation. Finally, our results provide a rationale for the use of combination therapy, tailored on specific amplifications and activated signaling pathways, to minimize resistance emerging from sarcomas heterogeneity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12116.00

Viable hypomorphic signaling mutant of the Met receptor reveals a role for hepatocyte growth factor in postnatal cerebellar development

Cerebellar development occurs mainly postnatally and implies cell proliferation and migration. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Met are involved in mediating these responses in other tissues and are coexpressed in the cerebellum. Here we show that Met is localized in granule cell precursors and that cultures of these cells respond to HGF with proliferation. To study the role of HGF and Met in the cerebellum in vivo, we produced a viable hypomorphic Met mutant by knocking in the met locus a point mutation to abrogate the receptor Grb2-binding site. A similar mutant was previously described as perinatal lethal. In this “first-generation” knock-in the recombinant locus retained the Neo cassette (Met(grb2/grb2neo+)). In the knock-in presented here Neo was Loxed and excised by Cre recombinase, which led to higher tissue levels of Met(grb2) protein, sufficient to rescue viability. In Met(grb2/grb2neo−) mice the size of the cerebellum was reduced and foliation defects were evident, especially in the central and posterior half of the vermis. Proliferation of granule precursors in vivo was 25% lower than in controls. In cultures of mutant granule cells HGF-induced microtubule-associated protein kinase activation was reduced and transient. Behavioral tests indicated a balance impairment in Met(grb2/grb2neo−) mice. Altogether these data indicate that normal cerebellar development and, possibly, function, require HGF and Met, and that proliferation of granule cells in the cerebellum critically depends on full HGF/Met signaling

Determination of Antibiotics, Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides and Hormones in Water Bodies in Italy in Occurrence with European Watch List Mechanism by Using an UHPLC-MS/MS System: Method Validation, Quantification and Evaluations

In recent years, the quality of aquatic ecosystems has received increasing attention from European institutions. The Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/840 drafted a Watch List (WL) of compounds to be monitored in Europe. In this study, we report a method based on solid phase extraction with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the whole water sample. The method was developed and validated for the determination of 12 listed compounds. The employment of solid-phase extraction by a horizon system ensures the analysis of the entire body of samples and minimizes sample manipulation. Different ng L−1 detection limits (from 2 to 50 ng L−1), linearities (from 2 to 500 ng L−1), accuracy (from 70 to 130%) and levels of precision (RSD less 20% at LOQs levels) were assessed to be satisfactory for quantification and confirmation at the levels of interest. The developed method was applied for quantitative analysis for Watch List compounds (with the exception of hormones) in surface water samples from different Italian sites during monitoring activities by the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies in the years 2019 and 2020

Determination of Antibiotics, Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides and Hormones in Water Bodies in Italy in Occurrence with European Watch List Mechanism by Using an UHPLC-MS/MS System: Method Validation, Quantification and Evaluations

In recent years, the quality of aquatic ecosystems has received increasing attention from European institutions. The Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/840 drafted a Watch List (WL) of compounds to be monitored in Europe. In this study, we report a method based on solid phase extraction with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the whole water sample. The method was developed and validated for the determination of 12 listed compounds. The employment of solid-phase extraction by a horizon system ensures the analysis of the entire body of samples and minimizes sample manipulation. Different ng L−1 detection limits (from 2 to 50 ng L−1), linearities (from 2 to 500 ng L−1), accuracy (from 70 to 130%) and levels of precision (RSD less 20% at LOQs levels) were assessed to be satisfactory for quantification and confirmation at the levels of interest. The developed method was applied for quantitative analysis for Watch List compounds (with the exception of hormones) in surface water samples from different Italian sites during monitoring activities by the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies in the years 2019 and 2020

A multinational observational study exploring adherence with the kidney disease : improving global outcomes recommendations for prevention of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines recommend a bundle of different measures for patients at increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that management in accordance with the KDIGO recommendations was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative AKI in high-risk patients. However, compliance with the KDIGO bundle in routine clinical practice is unknown. METHODS: This observational prevalence study was performed in conjunction with a prospective RCT investigating the role of the KDIGO bundle in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A 2-day observational prevalence study was performed in all participating centers before the RCT to explore routine clinical practice. The participating hospitals provided the following data: demographics and surgical characteristics, AKI rates, and compliance rates with the individual components of the bundle. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were enrolled in 12 participating hospitals. The incidence of AKI within 72 hours after cardiac surgery was 24.2%. In 5.3% of all patients, clinical management was fully compliant with all 6 components of the bundle. Nephrotoxic drugs were discontinued in 52.6% of patients, volume optimization was performed in 70.5%, 52.6% of the patients underwent functional hemodynamic monitoring, close monitoring of serum creatinine and urine output was undertaken in 24.2% of patients, hyperglycemia was avoided in 41.1% of patients, and no patient received radiocontrast agents. The patients received on average 3.4 (standard deviation [SD] +/- 1.1) of 6 supportive measures as recommended by the KDIGO guidelines. There was no significant difference in the number of applied measures between AKI and non-AKI patients (3.2 [SD +/- 1.1] vs 3.5 [SD +/- 1.1]; P = .347). CONCLUSIONS: In patients after cardiac surgery, compliance with the KDIGO recommendations was low in routine clinical practice

The AKI care bundle: all bundle components are created equal—are they?

Purpose!#!This study aimed at investigating the mechanisms underlying the oxygenation response to proning and recruitment maneuvers in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.!##!Methods!#!Twenty-five patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, at variable times since admission (from 1 to 3 weeks), underwent computed tomography (CT) lung scans, gas-exchange and lung-mechanics measurement in supine and prone positions at 5 cmH!##!Results!#!The average values of venous admixture and PaO!##!Conclusion!#!The amount of consolidated tissue was higher in patients assessed during the third week and determined the oxygenation responses following pronation and recruitment maneuvers