Comprehensive fatty acid fractionation profilling in preeclampsia: a case control study with multivariable analysis

Background Preeclampsia is a complication during pregnancy characterised by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria that develops after 20 weeks of gestation. Dyslipidemia in pregnancy is correlated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. However, the dynamic changes in lipid metabolic product, particularly fatty acid fraction, in preeclampsia maternal circulation, are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate fatty acid fraction in preeclampsia maternal blood compared with normotensive normal pregnancy. Methods A total of 34 women who developed preeclampsia and 32 women with normotensive normal pregnancy were included in our case-control study. Maternal blood samples were collected for serum fatty acid fractions analysis and other biochemical parameters. Serum fatty acid fractions included long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), saturated fatty acid, and total fatty acid, measured with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean difference of fatty acid level was analysed using parametric and non-parametric bivariate analysis based on normality distributed data, while the risk of preeclampsia based on fatty acid fraction was analysed using a logistic regression model. Results Women with preeclampsia have lower high-density lipoprotein (53.97 ± 12.82 mg/dL vs. 63.71 ± 15.20 mg/dL, p = 0.006), higher triglyceride (284.91 ± 97.68 mg/dL vs. 232.84 ± 73.69 mg/dL, p = 0.018) than that in the normotensive group. Higher palmitoleic acid was found in women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive normal pregnancy (422.94 ± 195.99 vs. 325.71 ± 111.03 μmol/L, p = 0.037). The binary logistic regression model showed that pregnant women who had total omega-3 levels within the reference values had a higher risk of suffering preeclampsia than those with the higher reference value (odds ratio OR (95% CI): 8,5 (1.51–48.07), p = 0.015). Pregnant women who have saturated fatty acid within reference values had a lower risk for suffering preeclampsia than those in upper reference value (OR (95% CI): 0.21 (0.52–0.88), p = 0.032). Conclusion Overall, palmitoleic acid was higher in women with preeclampsia. Further analysis indicated that reference omega-3 in and high saturated fatty acid serum levels are characteristics of women with preeclampsia.

Transcriptome Analysis of Environmental Pseudomonas Isolates Reveals Mechanisms of Biodegradation of Naphthenic Acid Fraction Compounds (NAFCs) in Oil Sands Tailings

Naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) are highly recalcitrant constituents of oil sands tailings. Although some microorganisms in the tailings can individually and synergistically metabolize NAFCs, the biochemical mechanisms that underpin these processes are hitherto unknown. To this end, we isolated two microorganisms, Pseudomonas protegens and Pseudomonas putida, from oils sands tailings and analyzed their transcriptomes to shed light on the metabolic processes employed by them to degrade and detoxify NAFCs. We identified 1048, 521 and 1434 genes that are upregulated in P. protegens, P. putida and a 1:1 co-culture of the strains, respectively. We subsequently enumerated the biochemical activities of enriched genes and gene products to reveal the identities of the enzymes that are associated with NAFC degradation. Separately, we analyzed the NAFCs that are degraded by the two pseudomonads and their 1:1 co-culture and determined the composition of the molecules using mass spectrometry. We then compared these molecular formulas to those of the cognate substrates of the enriched enzymes to chart the metabolic network and understand the mechanisms of degradation that are employed by the microbial cultures. Not only does the consortium behave differently than the pure cultures, but our analysis also revealed the mechanisms responsible for accelerated rate of degradation of NAFCs by the co-culture. Our findings provide new directions for engineering or evolving microorganisms and their consortia for degrading NAFCs more stably and aggressively.

Characterization of Ultrafiltration-Fractionated Humic Acid Derived from Chinese Weathered Coal by Spectroscopic Techniques

Weathered coal is a widely used raw material of farm-oriented humic acid in China, while the high heterogeneity impedes its sufficient utilization. In this study, we fractionated the humic acid derived from Chinese weathered coal by ultrafiltration, and three fractions with the molecular range of ≥100 kDa, 10–100 kDa, ≤10 kDa were obtained. Subsequently, the chemical and spectral properties of the fractions were characterized by elemental analysis, potentiometric titration, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and other spectroscopy. The results showed that more than 60% of humic acid by weight was concentrated in the molecular range higher than 100 kDa, while only 3.25% was assigned to that with molecular weight lower than 10 kDa. The humic acid fraction with molecular weight higher than 100 kDa showed more carbon content, lower H/C atomic ratio, while higher E4/E6 ratio, more aromatic structure in FTIR, 13C NMR, and XPS spectra, indicating a higher degree of aromaticity and stronger hydrophobicity. Conversely, there were more carboxyl groups and aliphatic structures, while fewer condensed aromatic rings for the humic acid fraction with molecular weight less than 100 kDa. These differences provide a baseline for the better utilization of weathered coal.

Analysis of the acid and neutral fractions present in Carramboa tachirensis (Aristeg.) Cuatrec. (Asteraceae) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

The genus Carramboa (family Asteraceae) comprises seven species, among which is the Carramboa tachirensis (Aristeg.) (Cuatrec.), species endemic to the Andean paramos. In this paper we prepared an extract of n-hexane: diethyl ether (3:1) from dried leaves of the plant then followed a march acid-base, yielding two fractions: an acid, which was methylated, and one neutral. Both were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The identification was made by comparison with authentic standards and with the use of databases Wiley (6th Edition), Nist 05, and Adams. Compounds identified were: ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (11.16 %), ent-kauran-19-oic acid (9.18 %) and ent-15α-hydroxy-16-en-kaur-19-oic acid (17.03 %) of the acid fraction and ent-kaur-16-en-19-ol (2.63 %), epi-ruilopeziol (5.19 %) and 16

Occurrence and characterisation of naphthenic acid fraction components in oil residues and sediments stranded on the shoreline of Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada

In June 2016, oil residues and sediment samples were collected from the shoreline of Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, at sites affected by the 1970 Arrow oil spill. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, fate, and behaviour of oil components 45 years post-spill by analysing polar naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) through high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC–HRMS). In all samples, the most abundant NAFC species were those having only oxygen as the heteroatom (Oo species, o indicating the number of oxygen atoms, from 1 to 8) and a high degree of saturation. NAFC species only containing two oxygen atoms (O2) accounted for 50–70% of all Oo species. The abundance of all remaining species was negligible compared with Oo species. NAFCs in most Arrow oil residues had higher levels of oxygen species than the oil remaining stored in the sunken tanker. Environmental sediment samples collected from near a marina away from the spill site contained a dominant biological, whereas all Arrow oil residues were mainly composed of NAFCs that are characteristic of petroleum. The abundance of NAFCs in the Arrow oil residues varied between sites, confirming that site-specific environmental conditions play a major role in controlling the fate and behaviour of oil components, including NAFCs.

Occurrence and characterisation of naphthenic acid fraction components in oil residues stranded on the shoreline of Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, fate, and behaviour of oil components 46 years post-spill by analysing polar naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs). Methods Oil residues and sediment samples were collected from the shoreline of Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, at sites affected by the 1970 Arrow oil spill, in June 2016. Sediments were extracted with Soxhlet extraction; NAFCs were separated through a silica gel column firstly, then analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS). Results and discussion In all samples, the most abundant NAFC species were those having only oxygen as the heteroatom (Oo species, o indicating the number of oxygen atoms, from 1 to 8) and a high degree of saturation. O2 species accounted for 50–70% of all Oo species. NAFCs with sulphur heteroatoms were the second abundant species, then by those containing both nitrogen and oxygen heteroatoms. NAFCs in most Arrow oil residues had higher levels of oxygen species, especially for heavier molecular weight congeners, than the oil remaining stored in the sunken tanker. Environmental sediment samples, collected from near a marina away from the spill site, mainly contained a biological contribution with obviously recent petroleum oil input, whereas all Arrow oil residues were composed mainly of NAFCs that are characteristic of petroleum, and varied abundance between sites. Conclusions Characteristics of NAFCs from different sources varied from each other. Site-specific environmental conditions played a major role in controlling the fate and behaviour of oil components, including NAFCs.

1,2-Indanedione (IND) Reagent for Detection of Latent Fingermarks: A Review

1,2-Indanedione (IND) is a chemical method for the detection of latent fingermarks on dry, porous surfaces such as paper, cardboard etc. It is an amino acid sensitive fluorescent reagent for developing latent fingermarks. The method is based on interaction of IND with amino acid fraction of latent fingermarks. The method develops clear, stable, pink (also known as Joullie pink) colored fingerprints which are fluorescent in nature. It is an efficient and non-destructive procedure for developing latent fingermarks on wide range of surfaces of forensic importance. Standardized testing of IND formulation is suggested to improve the eficiency of this reagent to develop latent fingermarks on wide range of surfaces of forensic importance.