scholarly journals Comparison of extraction methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human serum and placenta samples—insights into extractable organic fluorine (EOF)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas-Marius Kaiser ◽  
Rudolf Aro ◽  
Anna Kärrman ◽  
Stefan Weiss ◽  
Christina Hartmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ◽  
Organic Fluorine

AbstractSince the detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in humans and different environmental media in the last two decades, this substance group has attracted a lot of attention as well as increasing concerns. The fluorine mass balance approach, by comparing the levels of targeted PFAS after conversion to fluorine equivalents with those of extractable organic fluorine (EOF), showed the presence of unidentified organofluorine in different environmental samples. Out of the thousands of PFAS in existence, only a very small fraction is included in routine analysis. In recent years, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has demonstrated the ability to analytically cover a wide spectrum of PFAS. In contrast, conventional extraction methods developed 10 to 15 years ago were only evaluated for a limited number of PFAS. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of three different extraction methods, adapted from the literatures without further optimization (ion-pair liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction (SPE), using hydrophilic-lipophilic (HLB) or weak anion exchange (WAX) sorbents), for human biomonitoring of 61 PFAS in serum and placental tissue samples. In addition, levels of EOF were compared among these extraction methods via spiked samples. Results showed that performance, in terms of recovery, differed between the extraction methods for different PFAS; different extraction methods resulted in different EOF concentrations indicating that the choice of extraction method is important for target PFAS and EOF analysis. Results of maternal serum samples, analyzed in two different laboratories using two different extraction methods, showed an accordance of 107.6% (± 21.3); the detected perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in maternal and cord serum samples were in the range of 0.076 to 2.9 ng/mL.Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Extraction and Analysis of Tetrahydrocannabinol, A Cannabis Compound in Oral Fluid

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Zhiyuan Mi ◽  
Jiangtao Su ◽  
Xiangyu You ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Testing ◽  
Oral Fluid ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Liquid Extraction ◽  
Phase Extraction ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Liquid Liquid Extraction ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Target

Although misuse and abuse of Cannabis is well known, the health benefits have been proved by various biomedical studies. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major active substance in leaves of Cannabis, which is the common target for drug testing. In field drug testing, oral fluid (OF) has its unique advantages over other specimens such as blood, urine, and hair. Thus the study of THC in OF is gaining popularity in Cannabis research. In this review, extraction methods are introduced in three categories, which are Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE), Solid Phase Extraction (SPE), and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE). Examples of application with each method will be covered. Advantages and disadvantages of these methods will be compared. In addition, methods in analysis following extraction will be briefly discussed.

Characterization of the role of microRNA-517a expression in low birth weight infants

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 522-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Y. Song ◽  
W. W. Song ◽  
Y. Han ◽  
D. Wang ◽  
Q. Na
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Trophoblast Invasion ◽  
Normal Birth Weight ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Normal Birth

The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression of the placenta-specific microRNA miR-517a in maternal serum and in placental tissue from low birth weight newborns and try to detect the effects of miR-517a expression on invasion potential of trophoblasts. Placental tissue and maternal serum were collected from both low birth weight newborns (n = 10) and normal birth weight newborns (n = 20). Expression of miR-517a was assessed in placenta and serum samples by real-time qRT-PCR. In addition, human trophoblast HTR8/SVneo cells were transfected with a miR-517a 2′-O-methyl oligonucleotide or a negative control RNA, and invasion was measured using transwell migration assays. Expression of miR-517a was significantly increased in placentas from low birth weight newborns (61.79 ± 23.06) in comparison with those of normal birth weight newborns (5.01 ± 1.97; P < 0.05). The expression of miR-517a was also increased in maternal serum isolated from the low birth weight newborn (25.78 ± 8.69) compared with the normal birth weight newborn (3.21 ± 1.07; P < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-517a significantly inhibited invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells (P < 0.05). These data indicate that miR-517a overexpression could potentially lead to low birth weight, likely through the inhibition of trophoblast invasion.

scholarly journals Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Swedish household dust and exposure of pet cats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana M. Weiss ◽  
Bernt Jones ◽  
Jacco Koekkoek ◽  
Anders Bignert ◽  
Marja H. Lamoree
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Household Dust ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Exposure Pathway ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

AbstractPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are used in a wide range of products and have been found ubiquitously in our indoor environment, and there is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse endocrine effects, such as thyroid hormone disruption. Pet cats have a high dust intake due to their grooming behavior and have been shown to be a suitable sentinel species for assessment of toddler’s exposure. Here we used paired household dust (n=46) and cat serum (n=27) samples to establish whether dust is a relevant exposure pathway to PFASs. An analytical method for PFAS analysis was optimized using a low volume of cat serum samples, combining solid-phase extraction and online sample cleanup. Dust was extracted with methanol by sonication and cleaned up by addition of active carbon. In total, 27 PFASs were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The correlation between PFAS levels in dust and serum, serum lipids and thyroid hormone levels, and PFAS levels in dust between different rooms were statistically evaluated. PFOS and PFDA could be quantified in all cat serum samples (median 2300 pg/mL and 430 pg/mL, respectively), followed by PFOA (median 1100 pg/mL), quantified in 96% of the samples. The levels of 6:2 and 8:2 diPAPs were determined in 65% and 92% of the serum samples, respectively, and were an order of magnitude lower (1.4–160 pg/mL). Household dust on the other hand was dominated by 6:2 and 8:2 diPAPs, with a median of 65 ng/g dust and 49 ng/g dust, respectively. PFOS (median 13 ng/g dust) and PFOA (median 9 ng/g dust) were quantified in 93% of the dust samples. Only eight PFASs were detected (>LOD) in at least 50% of the samples of both matrices and could be paired. Significant correlations between cat serum and dust were found for PFOA (rS=0.32, p<0.049) and PFUnDA (rS=0.55, p<0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between serum total thyroxine (rS=0.11, p<0.05) and PFNA and between serum cholesterol and PFHpA (rS=0.46, p<0.01), PFUnDA (rS=0.40, p<0.05), PFDoDA (rS=0.44, p<0.01), and sum PFAS (rS=0.48, p<0.01). In conclusion, this study confirmed that dust is a relevant exposure pathway for the ingestion of some PFASs for cats, and the serum levels of PFASs could be of relevance for the cat’s health.

scholarly journals Preparative, extraction, and analytical methods for simultaneous determination of legacy and insensitive munition (IM) constituents in aqueous, soil or sediment, and tissue matrices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Crouch ◽  
Jared Smith ◽  
Bobbi Stromer ◽  
Christian Hubley ◽  
Samuel Beal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Supply Costs

No standard method exists for determining levels of insensitive munition (IM) compounds in environmental matrices. This project resulted in new methods of extraction, analytical separation and quantitation of 17 legacy and 7 IM compounds, daughter products of IM, and other munition compounds absent from USEPA Method 8330B. Extraction methods were developed for aqueous (direct-injection and solid-phase extraction [SPE]), soil, sediment, and tissue samples using laboratory-spiked samples. Aqueous methods were tested on 5 water sources, with 23 of 24 compounds recovered within DoD QSM Ver5.2 limits. New solvent extraction (SE) methods enabled recovery of all 24 compounds from 6 soils within QSM limits, and a majority of the 24 compounds were recovered at acceptable levels from 4 tissues types. A modified chromatographic treatment method removed analytical interferences from tissue extracts. Two orthogonal high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) separation methods, along with an HPLC–mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS) method, were developed. Implementing these new methods should reduce labor and supply costs by approximately 50%, requiring a single extraction and sample preparation, and 2 analyses rather than 4. These new methods will support environmental monitoring of IM and facilitate execution of risk-related studies to determine long-term effects of IM compounds.

scholarly journals Second trimester levels of maternal serum total activin A and placental inhibin/activin alpha and betaA subunit messenger ribonucleic acids in Down syndrome pregnancy

1998 ◽  
pp. 425-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lambert-Messerlian ◽  
S Luisi ◽  
P Florio ◽  
V Mazza ◽  
JA Canick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Normal Karyotype ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Ribonucleic Acids ◽  
Gapdh Mrna

OBJECTIVES: Previous data have shown that inhibin A (alpha/betaA) is increased about twofold in maternal serum samples from Down syndrome pregnancy. Our objectives were to determine whether activin A (betaA/betaA) was similarly increased in maternal serum from pregnancies affected with fetal Down syndrome, and to investigate whether increased expression of each inhibin/activin subunit occurred in placental tissue from cases of fetal Down syndrome. DESIGN AND METHODS: Maternal serum total activin A levels were measured in 20 cases of fetal Down syndrome and 100 unaffected pregnancy samples. In addition, analysis of inhibin/activin alpha and betaA subunit mRNA levels was performed in placental tissue extracts from six cases of fetal Down syndrome and six tissues with a normal karyotype. RESULTS: The median total activin A level in the Down syndrome cases was 0.82 MoM (multiples of the median); values did not differ significantly (P = 0.36, Mann-Whitney U analysis) from those in unaffected pregnancies. The inhibin alpha subunit/GAPDH mRNA ratio, but not that of betaA subunit/GAPDH mRNA, was significantly greater (P < 0.01, ANOVA) in placental tissue from Down syndrome than in control placental tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike inhibin A, activin A is not significantly increased in Down syndrome relative to unaffected pregnancy. Furthermore, increased amounts of maternal serum inhibin A in Down syndrome pregnancy probably result from increased placental expression of inhibin alpha, but not betaA, subunit.

scholarly journals Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Early Pregnancy and Risk for Preeclampsia: A Case-Control Study in Southern Sweden

Toxics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Lars Rylander ◽  
Christian H. Lindh ◽  
Stefan R. Hansson ◽  
Karin Broberg ◽  
Karin Källén
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Southern Sweden ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ◽  
Low Exposure ◽  
Control Study

Preeclampsia is one of the most common causes of perinatal and maternal morbidity/mortality. One suggested environmental risk factor is exposure to endocrine-disrupting pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The present case-control study in southern Sweden aims to investigate the hypothesized association between serum concentrations of PFAS in early pregnancy and the risk of developing preeclampsia. The study included 296 women diagnosed with preeclampsia (cases) and 580 healthy pregnant women (controls). Maternal serum samples were obtained from a biobank of samples collected in early pregnancy in connection with screening for infections. Serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem-mass-spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Among primiparous women, there were no differences in PFAS concentrations in early pregnancy between the cases and the controls whereas among multipara women, the cases had significantly higher concentrations of PFNA (median concentrations were 0.44 and 0.38 ng/mL, p = 0.04). When individual PFAS were categorized into quartiles and adjustment for potential confounders was performed, the women in the highest quartiles had no significant increased risks of developing preeclampsia as compared with women in the lowest category. In conclusion, the present study provides limited support for the hypothesized association between PFAS and preeclampsia in a population with relatively low exposure levels.

scholarly journals The expression of miRNA encoded by C19MC and miR-371-3 strongly varies among individual placentas but does not differ between spontaneous and induced abortions

PROTOPLASMA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 258 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Gottlieb ◽  
Inga Flor ◽  
Rolf Nimzyk ◽  
Lars Burchardt ◽  
Burkhard Helmke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Mirna Gene ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Interindividual Variation ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Trimester Abortion ◽  
Interindividual Differences ◽  
Induced Abortions

AbstractmiRNAs of the largest human miRNA gene cluster at all, i.e., C19MC, are almost exclusively expressed in the placenta. Nevertheless, only little is known about the interindividual variation of their expression and even about possible influence of gestational age, conflicting data is reported as well as for miRNAs of the much smaller miR-371-3 cluster. Our present study aims at the analyses of the expression of miRNAs from both clusters at different times of pregnancy, possible differences between placenta samples obtained from spontaneous or induced abortions in the first trimester, and the possible variation of miRNA expression at different sites within same placentas. miR-371a-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p, miR-517a-3p, and miR-520c-3p were quantified in 85 samples and miR-371a-3p was quantified in maternal serum samples taken immediately before delivery. While for miRNA-517a-3p and miR-520c-3p the expression increased with increasing gestational age, the present study revealed strong interindividual differences in the expression of miR-371-3 in full-term placental tissue as well as for miRNAs of the C19MC cluster, where the levels differed to a much lesser extent than for the former microRNAs. Also, strong interindividual differences were noted between the serum samples but differences related to the site of the placenta where the sample has been taken from were excluded. For neither of the data from placental tissue, the study revealed differences between the spontaneous and induced abortion group. Thus, the differences do not in general seem to be related to first trimester abortion. It remains to be elucidated whether or not they affect other prenatal processes.

MRSA/MSSA causing infections: prevalence of mecA gene

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Vieira ◽  
N Leal ◽  
A Rodrigues ◽  
C Chaves ◽  
F Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Meca Gene ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Penicillin Binding Protein ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
University Center ◽  
Mrsa Strains ◽  
Human Flora ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Introduction Staphylococcus aureus is part of the human flora, present in the skin and mucous membranes but can become pathogenic, causing a wide spectrum of infections that were initially treated with penicillin. However, were observed some strains with resistance to this antibiotic and, therefore was developed a new antibiotic, the methicillin. After its introduction, arose the first S. aureus with resistance to methicillin (MRSA) due to the presence of a gene known as mecA that encodes an altered penicillin binding protein (PBP2a). In Europe, it is estimated that MRSA are associated to 44% of hospital acquired infections and its mortality rate is around 20%. Objectives Prevalence of MRSA strains in different types of infection in Coimbra district. Methodology Were analysed a total of 539 isolates of S. aureus previously characterized to the antibiotic susceptibility profile in the Hospital and University Center of Coimbra. Through the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin we classified our strains into MRSA and S. aureus methicillin-sensitive (MSSA); simultaneously, the mecA gene was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results Of the 539 isolates, 49% were considered MRSA and 51% MSSA. All MRSA isolates express the mecA gene, but from the total of 276 MSSA, 191 show this gene but do not express it. MRSA isolates were mostly from respiratory tract samples (48%) and blood cultures (21%) while MSSA were isolated in skin and soft tissue samples (35%). Conclusion MRSA are considered one of the primary pathogens for the development of pneumonia and septicaemia due to its highly virulent potential and the increasing expression of genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, infections caused by MRSA continue with highly representability in the clinical context and their dissemination is a public health problem.

scholarly journals UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS Quantification of Relevant Substrates and Metabolites of the Kynurenine Pathway Present in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid from Gastric Cancer Patients—Method Development and Validation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6972
Author(s):  
Ilona Sadok ◽  
Katarzyna Jędruchniewicz ◽  
Karol Rawicz-Pruszyński ◽  
Magdalena Staniszewska
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Peritoneal Fluid ◽  
Method Development ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Esi Ms ◽  
Gastric Cancer Patients ◽  
Development And Validation

Metabolites and enzymes involved in the kynurenine pathway (KP) are highly promising targets for cancer treatment, including gastrointestinal tract diseases. Thus, accurate quantification of these compounds in body fluids becomes increasingly important. The aim of this study was the development and validation of the UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS methods for targeted quantification of biologically important KP substrates (tryptophan and nicotinamide) and metabolites(kynurenines) in samples of serum and peritoneal fluid from gastric cancer patients. The serum samples were simply pretreated with trichloroacetic acid to precipitate proteins. The peritoneal fluid was purified by solid-phase extraction before analysis. Validation was carried out for both matrices independently. Analysis of the samples from gastric cancer patients showed different accumulations of tryptophan and its metabolites in different biofluids of the same patient. The protocols will be used for the evaluation of tryptophan and kynurenines in blood and peritoneal fluid to determine correlation with the clinicopathological status of gastric cancer or the disease’s prognosis.

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