Study on a noninvasive method for rapid screening Human Serum albumin injectables by Raman spectroscopy

Human serum albumin(HSA)injectable product is a severely afflicted area on drug safety due to its high price and restricted supply.Raman spectroscopy performances high specificity on HSA detection and it is even possible to determine HSA injectable products noninvasively.In this study,we developed a noninvasive rapid screening method for of HSA injectable products by using portable Raman spectrometer.Qualitative models were established by using principal component analysis combined with classical least squares(PCA-CLS)algorithm,while quanti-tative model was established by using partial least squares(PLS)algorithm.Model transfer in different instruments of both the same and different apparatus modules was further discussed in this paper.A total of 34 HSA injectable samples collected from markets were used for verification.The identification results showed 100%accuracy and the predicted concentrations of those identified as true HSA were consistent with their labeled concentrations.The quantitative results also indicated that model transfer was excellent in the same apparatus modules of Raman spectrometer at all concentration levels,and still good enough in the different apparatus modules although the relative standard deviation(RSD)value showed a little increasing trend at low HSA concentration level.In conclusion,the method was proved to be feasible and efficient for screening HSA injections,especially on its screening speed and the consideration of glass containers.Moreover,with inspiring results on the model transfer,the method could be used as a universal screening mean to different Raman instruments.

Rapid Screening of 82 Pesticide Residues in Feed by Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish a qualitative method for rapid detection of pesticide residues in feed.[Methods]A rapid screening method for 82 pesticide residues in feed was established using ultra liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)combined with optimized pretreatment methods.[Results]Feed samples were extracted with 0.2%formic acid-acetonitrile solution,shaken,centrifuged,and re-centrifuged,and the supernatant was filtered with a 0.22μm filter membrane for determination.The samples were separated on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 chromatographic column(2.1 mm×50 mm,1.8μm),and subjected to gradient elution with methanol-water solution as the mobile phase,and scanning was performed in ESI+mode.82 compounds could be accurately qualitatively detected in 13 min.[Conclusions]This method is simple to operate,time-saving,and can be applied to rapid screening of large-scale feed.This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of new methods in the future.

Rapid Screening of 26 Organophosphorus Pesticides in Fresh Milk by Ultra Liquid Chromatography Coupled With Quadrupole-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

[Objectives]A rapid screening and analysis method for 26 organophosphorus agrochemicals in fresh milk was established using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry.[Methods]Raw milk was extracted with acetonitrile solution containing 0.2%formic acid by volume,and purified with a Dikma ProElut QuECHERS solid phase extraction cartridge.Target compounds were separated on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 chromatographic column(2.1 mm×50 mm,1.8μm)with methanol-water solution as a mobile phase for gradient elution,and through scanning with an electrospray ion source in positive ion mode,26 kinds of organophosphorus agrochemicals could be accurately qualitatively determined within 10 min.[Results]When using formic acid acetonitrile with a volume fraction of 0.2%,there were more types of detected compounds and a greater recovery;and using B cartridge could effectively eliminate the interference of non-polar substances such as phospholipids,achieve higher number of detected compounds than those of A and C,and well separate the 26 kinds of agrochemical residues.[Conclusions]This study provides a reference method for the rapid screening of agrochemical residues in dairy cows in the future.

Rapid screening of genetically modified ingredients in soybean and cotton processing by-product and waste using direct qPCR

To develop a simple and fast method for screening genetically modified ingredients from processing by-product and waste,direct quantitative PCR(qPCR)kit-Taqman which omitting multi genomic DNA preparing steps was developed in this study.A total of 18 oil crop processing by-products and wastes including 10 soybean and 8 cotton materials were collected from food processing factories.Compared with 2 commercial direct qPCR kits,conditions of DNA releasing procedure and PCR amplification were optimized.Element screening was performed at the initial step of genetically modified(GM)ingredient testing procedure via direct qPCR.GM event identification was carried out in positive samples by initial screening.Totally 5 screening elements(P–35S,T-NOS,Cp4-epsps,bar and pat)for soybean materials and 6 screening elements(P–35S,T-NOS,NPTII,Cry1Ac,bar and pat)for cotton samples were detected.In GM event identification,MON531 and MON1445 were found in cotton materials.Results were further confirmed by real-time PCR with DNA extraction and purification.The direct qPCR system proposed by this research was convenient for rapid screening and identification of GM ingredients in oil crop primary by-product and waste.

Rapid Screening of Nine Illicit Drugs in Human Blood and Urine by Direct Analysis in Real‑Time Mass Spectrometry

We aimed to establish for the rapid detection of morphine,O6‑monoacetylmorphine,heroin,codeine,cocaine,methamphetamine,ketamine,methadone,and dolantin in human blood and urine by direct analysis in real‑time coupled with tandem mass spectrometry(DART‑MS/MS).These samples were extracted by acetonitrile‑methanol(V/V=4:1),using DART 12 Dip‑it automatic sampling system.They were injected at 400℃,and analyzed by positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring mode.The detection limits of morphine,O6‑Monoacetylmorphine,heroin,codeine,cocaine,methamphetamine,ketamine,methadone,and dolantin were 100,50,50,100,20,20,10,1,and 0.01 ng/mL,respectively.The practical cases contained methamphetamine,codeine,cocaine,and O6‑monoacetylmorphine were detected accurately and rapidly.The method has the advantages of high sensitivity and good accuracy.The sample processing is simple and can be analyzed in a short time.This method is suitable for the analysis of morphine,O6‑monoacetylmorphine,heroin,codeine,cocaine,methamphetamine,ketamine,methadone,and dolantin in some practical cases.

Rapid visual screening of soft-story buildings from street view images using deep learning classification

Rapid and accurate identification of potential structural deficiencies is a crucial task in evaluating seismic vulnerability of large building inventories in a region. In the case of multi-story structures, abrupt vertical variations of story stiffness are known to significantly increase the likelihood of collapse during moderate or severe earthquakes. Identifying and retrofitting buildings with such irregularities—generally termed as soft-story buildings—is, therefore, vital in earthquake preparedness and loss mitigation efforts. Soft-story building identification through conventional means is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. In this study, an automated procedure was devised based on deep learning techniques for identifying soft-story buildings from street-view images at a regional scale. A database containing a large number of building images and a semi-automated image labeling approach that effectively annotates new database entries was developed for developing the deep learning model. Extensive computational experiments were carried out to examine the effectiveness of the proposed procedure, and to gain insights into automated soft-story building identification.

Usefulness of the Japanese version of Rapid Dementia Screening Test for mild cognitive impairment in older patients with cardiovascular disease:a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Cognitive decline is common among older patients with cardiovascular disease(CVD) and can decrease their self-management abilities. However, the instruments for identifying mild cognitive impairment(MCI) are not always feasible in clinical practice. Therefore, this study evaluated whether MCI could be detected using the Japanese version of the Rapid Dementia Screening Test(RDST-J), which is a simple screening tool for identifying cognitive decline.METHODS This retrospective single-center study included patients who were ≥ 65 years old and hospitalized because of CVD.Patients with a pre-hospitalization diagnosis of dementia were excluded. Each patient's cognitive function had been measured at discharge using the RDST-J and the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(Mo CA-J), which is a standard tool for MCI screening. The correlation between the two scores was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis was also to evaluate whether the RDST-J could identify MCI, which was defined as a Mo CA-J score of ≤ 25 points.RESULTS The study included 78 patients(mean age: 77.2 ± 8.9 years). The RDST-J and Mo CA-J scores were strongly correlated(r = 0.835, P < 0.001). The ROC analysis revealed that an RDST-J score of ≤ 9 points provided 75.4% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity for identifying MCI, with an area under the curve of 0.899(95% CI: 0.835-0.964). The same cut-off value was identified when excluding patients with a high probability of dementia(RDST-J score of ≤ 4 points).CONCLUSIONS The RDST-J may be a simple and effective tool for identifying MCI in older patients with CVD.

Establishment of Quick Testing Efficiency Evaluation Model and Analysis of Related Factors

Objective: “Rapid screening, targeted sampling, objective test” is an efficient test model. The factors affecting the efficiency include false screening rate, missing rate and rapid screening time. However, only missing rate and accuracy have been used as technical requirements to evaluate rapid screening method. In this study, efficiency was regarded as evaluation index of quick testing method. Method: The evaluation model of quick testing efficiency was established by comparing time of routine testing and quick testing. By simulation calculation, the effect factors such as rapid screening time, false screening rate, missing rate and defective rate were analyzed. Results: The calculation formula of efficiency was derived. Simulation results showed that the lower defective rate, the higher efficiency;the smaller missing rate, false screening rate, or screening time, the higher efficiency and the degree of improving efficiency is related to defective rate;sometimes, the screening time is the most important factor affecting the efficiency. In certain cases, if the false screening rate or missing rate is 50%, the efficiency can be increased by more than 10 times. Conclusions: Taken together, this study highlighted a role of efficiency which functioned as an index to evaluate rapid screening. Quick testing efficiency evaluation model can be used for the calculation efficiency, and can be used to analysis the relationship between efficiency and the influence factors, and can provide the theoretical foundation for rapid screening method development and evaluation.

Sustainability Assessment for Wastewater Treatment Systems—Case Studies in Egypt

Low sanitation coverage is a significant problem in Egypt, especially in rural areas. The Rapid Sustainability Screening (RSS) model was developed to assess the sustainability of wastewater treatment systems (WWTS), both planned and existing, and support decision-makers in selecting alternatives. The model considers the three fundamental sustainability dimensions, namely, environmental, social, and economic. In the present paper, the model was successfully tested by evaluating the sustainability performance of three operating rural WWTS in Egypt (Constructed Wetland (CW)-BeniSuef, Constructed Wetland (CW)-Dakahlia, and Activated Sludge (AS)-Gharbia). CW-BeniSuef was the most sustainable system based upon environmental and social considerations with values of 2.50 and 2.71, respectively. On the other hand, CW-Dakahlia is the most economically sustainable system, with a value of 2.25. The highest sustainability overall ranking system was CW-BeniSuef with overall sustainability of 2.81, followed by CW-Dakahlia with a value of 2.18, and the least sustainable technology is AS-Gharbia (1.72). The RSS model can support the decision-makers and operators during the different phases of a wastewater treatment project development (e.g., feasibility, operation). The model has been developed in a user-friendly and straightforward manner. The simplicity of the model may encourage the decision-makers and EIA practitioners to expand the assessment to consider sustainability rather than focusing on one or two aspects only (i.e., environment and society) in isolation of the possible interaction between them.

A linear DNA template-based framework for site-specific unnatural amino acid incorporation

Site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids(UNAAs)into proteins using an orthogonal translation system(OTS)has expanded the scope of protein-coding chemistry.The key factor affecting UNAA embedding efficiency is the orthogonality of the OTS.Compared to traditional cell systems,cell-free systems are more convenient to control the reaction process and improve the utilization rate of UNAA.In this study,a linear DNA template-based cell-free unnatural protein synthesis system for rapid high-throughput screening and evolution was proposed.A total of 14 cell extracts were selected for screening out cell extract with high expression level.The result showed that EcAR7ΔAΔSer cell extract was optimal for the cell-free system.In addition,the screening results of four UNAAs,p-propargyloxy-l-phenylalanine(pPaF),p-azyl-phenylalanine(pAzF),p-acetyl-l-phenylalanine(pAcF),and p-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine(pBpF),showed that o-aaRS and o-tRNA of pPaF had good orthogonality.A new pair of corresponding o-aaRS and o-tRNA for pBpF was screened out.These results proved that this method could speed up the screening of optimal OTS components for UNAAs with versatile functions.

A mini-microbial fuel cell for voltage testing of exoelectrogenic bacteria

Current methods for testing the electricity generation capacity of isolates are time-and laborconsuming.This paper presents a rapid voltage testing system of exoelectrogenic bacteria called Quickscreen,which is based on a microliter microbial fuel cell(MFC).Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella baltica were used as the model exoelectrogenic bacteria;Escherichia coli that cannot generate electricity was used as a negative control.It was found that the electricity generation capacity of the isolates could be determined within about five hours by using Quickscreen,and that its time was relatively rapid compared with the time needed by using larger MFCs.A parallel,stable,and low background voltage was achieved using titanium as a current collector in the blank run.The external resistance had little impact on the blank run during the initial period.The cathode with a five-hole configuration,used to hydrate the carbon cathode,gave higher cathode potential than that with a one-hole configuration.Steady discharge and current interrupt methods showed that the anode mostly contributed to the large internal resistance of the Quickscreen system.However,the addition of graphite felt decreased the resistance from 18 to 5 kΩ.This device was proved to be useful to rapidly evaluate the electricity generation capacity of different bacteria.