Systematic Detection and Identification of Bioactive Ingredients from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS Combined with a Screening Method

Bitter orange, Citrus aurantium L. var. amara (CAVA), is an important crop and its flowers and fruits are widely used in China as a food spice, as well as in traditional Chinese medicine, due to its health-promoting properties. The secondary metabolites that are present in plant-derived foods or medicines are, in part, responsible for the health benefits and desirable flavor profiles. Nevertheless, detailed information about the bioactive ingredients in CAVA is scarce. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the phytochemicals of CAVA by high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Here, a systematic screening method combined with HPLC-Q-TOF-MS was presented. This technique was used to systematically screen metabolites, primarily from the complex matrix of CAVA, and to identify these compounds by their exact masses, characteristic fragment ions, and fragmentation behaviors. A total of 295 metabolites were screened by the screening method and 89 phytochemicals were identified in the flowers, fruits, roots, leaves, and branches of CAVA. For the first time, 69 phytochemicals (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc.) were reported from CAVA. The results highlight the importance of CAVA as a source of secondary metabolites in the food, medicine, and nutraceutical industries

One-Step Separation of Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium: A Three-Liquid-Phase Extraction Approach

Three-liquid-phase extraction and one-step separation of platinum, palladium, and rhodium in the system composed of diisoamyl sulphide (S201), polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide random block copolymer (EOPO), Na2SO4, and H2O were investigated. Experimental results indicated that phase-forming salt type, salt concentrations, coexisting H+ and Cl- concentrations in equilibrious Na2SO4 aqueous solutions have significant influences on the three-liquid-phase partitioning behaviors of Pt(IV), Pd(II), and Rh(III). Under the optimized operation parameters, over 99 wt % of Pd(II), about 90 wt % of Pt(IV), and 85 wt % of Rh(III) in initial feed solutions were respectively concentrated into S201 top phase, EOPO middle phase, and Na2SO4 bottom aqueous phase. The present work explores a possibility to develop a three-liquid-phase extraction approach for one-step separation of platinum metal ions in highly concentrated acidic chloride media obtained by hydrometallurgical processes

Total Occlusion of the Culprit Artery in Non-ST-segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome: an Analysis of the Influencing Factors and Long-term Outcome Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background About one-fourth of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) are found with total occlusion of the culprit artery, and their outcomes are poor. However, there is little research in this population in China. Objective To identify the possible influencing factors of total occlusion of the culprit artery and long-term outcomes following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with NSTE-ACS. Methods Three hundred and seven NSTE-ACS patients with PCI treatment were recruited from the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu from January 2018 to December 2019, among whom, 42 with total occlusion of the culprit artery (pre-PCI TIMI grade 0 or 1, occlusion group) , and other 265 without (pre-PCI TIMI grade 2 or 3, non-occlusion group) . The baseline characteristics and results of regular follow-ups were collected. The endpoints were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) , including all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, revascularization, and new stroke. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify the potential influencing factors of total occlusion of the culprit artery. The Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of MACCE. Multivariate Cox regression was adopted to assess the influence of total occlusion of the culprit artery on prognosis. Results Compared with non-occlusion group, occlusion group had higher prevalence of non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction and the left circumflex coronary artery as the culprit vessel, as well as higher levels of hypersensitive troponin T, creatine kinase isoenzyme and B-type natriuretic peptide at admission (P<0.05) . Moreover, occlusion group had lower level of systolic blood pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) , as well as the left anterior descending coronary artery as the culprit vessel at admission (P<0.05) . The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed LVEF〔OR=1.064, 95%CI (1.018, 1.112) , P=0.006〕 was associated with total occlusion of the culprit artery in NSTE-ACS. Occlusion group had higher cumulative incidence of MACCE, revascularization or new stroke than non-occlusion group (P<0.05) . After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that total occlusion of the culprit artery was associated with MACCE〔OR=2.684, 95%CI (1.229, 5.862) , P=0.013〕 and revascularization〔OR=3.024, 95%CI (1.320, 6.931) , P=0.009〕 in NSTE-ACS. Conclusion LVEF may be an associated factor of total occlusion of the culprit artery in patients with NSTE-ACS. Therefore bedside echocardiography is recommended as a routine examination before coronary angiography in patients with NSTE-ACS. In addition, total occlusion of the culprit artery is an influencing factor of MACCE, revascularization, and new stroke in these patients

Liquid-Liquid-Liquid Three Phase Extraction Apparatus:Operation Strategy and Influences on Mass Transfer Efficiency

A new mixer-settler-mixer three chamber integrated extractor is proposed in this work for liquid-liquid-liquid three phase countercurrent and continuous extraction. Experiments revealed the influences of the structural design of the three-liquid-phase extractor and some key operational parameters on three-phase partition of two phenolic isomers, p -nitrophenol ( p -NP) and o -nitrophenol ( o -NP). The model three-liquid-phase extraction system used here is nonane (organic top-phase)-polyethylene glycol (PEG 2000) (polymer middle-phase)-(NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 aqueous solution (aqueous bottom-phase). It is indicated that agitating speed and retention time in three-phase mixer are key parameters to extraction fraction of nitrophenol. Dispersion band behavior is related to agitating intensity, and its occurrence does not affect the extraction fraction of target compounds. The present work highlights the possibility of a feasible approach of scaling up of the proposed three-phase extraction apparatus for future industrial-aimed applications

Block copolymer micellization induced microphase mass transfer: Partition of Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III) in three-liquid-phase systems of S201-EOPO-Na2SO4-H2O

Three-liquid-phase partitioning of Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III) in systems of S201(diisoamyl sulfide)/nonane-EOPO(polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide random block copolymer)-Na2SO4-H2O was investigated. Experimental results indicated that the selective enrichment of Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III) respectively into the S201 organic top phase, EOPO-based middle phase and Na2SO4 bottom phase was achieved by control over the phase behavior of the three-liquid-phase systems (TLPS). The microphase mass transfer behavior of Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Rh(III) was closely related to the micellization of EOPO molecules. A suggested micromechanism model and a mass transfer model describe the micellization of EOPO molecules and the effect on mass transfer of platinum ions across the microphase interfaces. The salting-out induced continuous dehydration and ordered arrangement of the hydrophilic PEO segments in amphiphilic EOPO micelle, and these are the main driving forces for mass transfer of platinum metal ions onto the exposed activity sites of the dehydrated PEO segments. The differences in microphase interfacial structure of EOPO micelles are crucial for the efficient separation between Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Rh(III). (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Intermediate-Term Prognostic Value of Homocysteine in Acute Coronary Syndrome Complicated with or without Hypertension: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study

Background: As a classical biomarker associated with hypertension, the prognostic value of homocysteine (Hcy) in the intermediate-term outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the role of homocysteine in ACS patients with different blood pressure statuses. Methods: A total of 1288 ACS patients from 11 general hospitals in Chengdu, China, from June 2015 to December 2019 were consecutively included in this observational study. The primary endpoint was defined as all-cause death. Secondary endpoints included cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), unplanned revascularization and nonfatal stroke. The patients in the hypertension group (n = 788) were further stratified into hyperhomocysteinemia (H-Hcy, n = 245) and normal homocysteinaemia subgroups (N-Hcy, n = 543) around the cut-off value of 16.81 µmol/L. Similarly, the nonhypertensive patients were stratified into H-Hcy (n = 200) and N-Hcy subgroups (n = 300) around the optimal cut-off value of 14.00 µmol/L. The outcomes were compared between groups. Results: The median follow-up duration was 18 months. During this period, 78 (6.05%) deaths were recorded. Kaplan‒Meier curves illustrated that H-Hcy had a lower survival probability than N-Hcy in both hypertension and nonhypertension groups (p < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that H-Hcy was a predictor of intermediate-term mortality in ACS, regardless of blood pressure status. Conclusions: Elevated Hcy levels predict intermediate-term all-cause mortality in ACS regardless of blood pressure status. This association could be conducive to risk stratification of ACS. Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry in China (ChiCTR1900025138)

Sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) exerts anti‐ulcerative colitis effects through gut microbiota modulation

Abstract Traditional Chinese medicinal books have noted that sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) may effectively manage inflammation‐linked conditions. The folk use of sea bass during pregnancy as nutritional care is also popular in China. However, scientific verification of health benefits of sea bass remains a lack of report. Our previous studies have proven that sea bass has therapeutic benefits for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, a further investigation on the interacted mechanism among sea bass, UC, and gut microbiota has still not been fully explored and clarified. Hence, gut microbiota as the crucial mechanism of UC was evaluated. Gut ecosystem was analyzed by 16sRNA sequencing. The potential microbial biomarker was found through LEfSe analysis. Flow cytometry was then further applied to verify the identified biomarker. Results revealed that sea bass could effectively recover the abundance of UC‐mediated microbiota. LEfSe analysis found that Christensenellaceae could be identified as the potential biomarker for sea bass‐mediated gut microbiota in UC. Further in vitro study conjointly confirmed that the identified bioactive constituent of sea bass could significantly promote the growth of Christensenella minuta. Sufficient results derived that sea bass could ameliorate UC through gut microbiota modulation. C. minuta was identified as the promising microbial biomarker for the mechanism of sea bass in treating intestinal inflammation. It provided further elucidation on the pharmacological mechanism of sea bass in alleviating UC through gut microbiota modulation. It is a crucial driving force for the progress of scientific research on the dietary therapy of sea bass

Liquid-Liquid-Liquid Three Phase Extraction Apparatus: Operation Strategy and Influences on Mass Transfer Efficiency

A new mixer-settler-mixer three chamber integrated extractor is proposed in this work for liquid-liquid-liquid three phase countercurrent and continuous extraction. Experiments revealed the influences of the structural design of the three-liquid-phase extractor and some key operational parameters on three-phase partition of two phenolic isomers, p-nitrophenol (p-NP) and o-nitrophenol (o-NP). The model three-liquid-phase extraction system used here is nonane (organic top-phase)-polyethylene glycol (PEG 2000) (polymer middle-phase)-(NH4)(2)SO4 aqueous solution (aqueous bottom-phase). It is indicated that agitating speed and retention time in three-phase mixer are key parameters to extraction fraction of nitrophenol. Dispersion band behavior is related to agitating intensity, and its occurrence does not affect the extraction fraction of target compounds. The present work highlights the possibility of a feasible approach of scaling up of the proposed three-phase extraction apparatus for future industrial-aimed applications

Sex-specific Analysis of the Management and Outcome of Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background There may be sex-specific differences in the treatment and outcome of elderly people with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) . However, few studies have reported sex-specific differences in management and prognosis of older Chinese people with AMI. Objective To assess the sex-specific differences in management strategies, in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular mortality within one year after discharge in older Chinese people with AMI. Methods We consecutively enrolled 1 579 elderly (&gt;60 years of age) patients with AMI admitted to 11 tertiary general hospitals in Chengdu between January 2017 and June 2019, including 1 056 men and 523 women. Sex-specific analysis of clinical characteristics, management strategies and 1-year outcome were performed. Kaplan-Meier estimator was used to describe the incidences of cardiovascular death within one year after discharge between men and women and the associated factors were explored using multivariate Cox proportions hazards regression analysis. Results Female patients had lower prevalence of smoking, and alcohol consumption, history of percutaneous coronary intervention and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, typical symptoms including chest pain and chest tightness, and use of dual antiplatelet agents and statins, and lower mean creatinine levels than male patients (P&lt;0.05) . Moreover, female patients had older mean age, diabetes, and higher mean heart rate, greater prevalence of Killip class≥Ⅱ, and higher mean level of total cholesterol, longer mean symptom-onset-to-balloon time and first medical contact to balloon dilation time, and higher in-hospital mortality rate (P&lt;0.05) . Furthermore, the cardiovascular mortality rate within one year after discharge was higher in women (P&lt;0.05) . Multivariate Cox proportions hazards regression analysis showed sex〔HR=1.830, 95%CI (1.029, 3.255) , P=0.040〕, age〔HR=1.063, 95%CI (1.031, 1.095) , P&lt;0.001〕, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction〔HR=2.382, 95%CI (1.380, 4.113) , P=0.002〕, cardiogenic shock〔HR=2.474, 95%CI (1.259, 4.859) , P=0.009〕, creatinine〔HR=1.004, 95%CI (1.001, 1.006) , P=0.003〕 and PCI〔HR=0.228, 95%CI (0.135, 0.386) , P&lt;0.001〕 were associated with cardiovascular death within one year after discharge. Conclusion The rates of reperfusion treatment in older women and men with AMI were similar, but there were differences in treatment efficiency and outcome. Older women with AMI had lower in-hospital treatment efficacy, longer total myocardial ischemia time, lower prevalence of pharmacological treatment, and higher in-hospital all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality within one year after discharge