Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of camptothecin from Camptotheca acuminata seeds

Naturally occurring camptothecin（CPT） is an important source of chemotherapeutic agents.The extraction from Camptotheca acuminata is still the main approach to obtain CPT compared with total synthesis.In the present study,ultrasound-assisted extractions（UAE） of CPT from C.acuminata seeds with alkaline solutions were investigated and CPT yield were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography.The conditions of alkaline species and concentrations,extraction time,extraction temperature and ultrasonic power were optimized.Results show that both Na3PO4 and Na2CO3 solutions gain good extraction yields,whereas Na3PO4 solution has stronger basicity and need higher concentration than Na2CO3 solution does,thus aqueous Na2CO3 is more beneficial for the extraction.The optimal condition was ultrasonically extracted with 0.5% aqueous Na2CO3 at 50°C and ultrasonic power of 400 W for 60 min.Comparing with UAE with ethanol,the extraction with 0.5% Na2CO3 solution achieves higher yield.Moreover,aqueous Na2CO3 as a solvent has various advantages including non-toxicity,inflammable,non-corrosive and low cost,which ensure this UAE method is a superior method with high utilizing prospect.

Extraction Process of Green Pigment from Leaves of Arctium lappa L. by Ultrasound Assisted Method and Its Stability Study

[Objectives] The research aimed to extract green pigment from leaves of Arctium lappa L. and inspect its stability. [Methods] Ultrasound assisted method was used. [Results] Water bath temperature had little impact on green pigment, and Al^(3+), Cu^(2+), Mg^(2+) and Zn^(2+) in metal ions greatly affected green pigment, while Fe^(3+) had very little impact on the stability of green pigment. pH did not basically affect green pigment of A. lappa L. [Conclusions] The extraction rate and stability of green pigment from leaves of A. lappa L. were higher, and it was one of materials suitable for extracting green pigment.

Determination of Five (5) Possible Contaminants in Recycled Cardboard Packages and Food Simulants Using Ultrasound Assisted Extraction Coupled to GC-MS

A modified analytical procedure has been developed to test for 5 organic pollutants [benzophenone, 2 diisopropylnaphthalenes (DIPNs) {2,6- and 2,7-diisopropylnapthalene} and 2 hydrogenated terphenyls (HTPs) {m-terphenyl and o-terphenyl}] that can be found as residues in recycled cardboards intended for use as food packaging materials and to test for migration levels of these compounds in a food simulant (Tenax). A main objective was to develop a modified rapid and reliable method for the identification and quantification of these compounds at low concentrations. The method was based on ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction (UAE) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The developed method was applied to analyze 3 commercially available recycled carton board food-packaging materials and also to study the potential migration of the 5 organic pollutants from these materials into Tenax to check if these recycled cardboards can be considered as suitable for use in direct contact with foodstuffs. The limits of detection (LODs) of standard solutions of the 5 compounds were determined at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The LODs and the limits of quantification (LOQs) of examined pollutants ranged between 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg, and 0.1 to 1 mg/kg, respectively. The extremely low amounts of most contaminants that migrate from packaging materials to Tenax indicate that the recycled cardboards tested can be safely used for direct food contact applications.

New Wireless Handheld Ultrasound-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB) Devices: An Important Innovation in Breast Diagnosis

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) plays a fundamental role in the preoperative assessment of breast lesions pro- viding large histology samples that are useful to define diagnoses and biological parameters to guide treatment planning. This technique has been used in our institute since 2000 and two new wireless handheld ultrasound-guided VABB de- vices have been introduced since May 2012. In this report we analyze our experience with these revolutionary devices which are able to provide the option of single-insertion contiguous tissue samples respectively with a 13/14-gauge aperture. Our initial experience on 75 lesions shows that these devices are safe, fast, procedurally advantageous for operators and well accepted by patients. Finally VABB procedures can markedly reduce the need for surgical biopsy.

Ionic Liquid-Based Ultrasound-Assisted Emulsification Microextraction Coupled with HPLC for Simultaneous Determination of Glucocorticoids and Sex Hormones in Cosmetics

An effective and environmentally friendly method based on ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction(IL-USAEME) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed for the determination of nine hormones including three glucocorticoids, one androgen and five progestogens in cosmetics. Several factors that affect the extraction efficiency, such as the kinds and volume of ionic liquid, salt concentration, ultrasonic power and time, and centrifugation time were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum extraction condition, the recoveries of analytes ranged from 85.97% to 108.84% except prednisolone (62.30%). The intraday and interday precision was below 2.51% and 3.30%, respectively.

Response Surface Optimization of Ultrasound-assisted Aqueous Two-phase Extraction of Sweet Potato Leaf Polysaccharides

[Objectives]The ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides was studied.[Methods]With the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides as the index,the aqueous two-phase extraction system was determined,and the optimal extraction conditions were optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology.[Results]The optimal parameters were ethanol concentration 25.68%,liquid-to-material ratio 55.83,and ultrasonic treatment time 38.33 min.Under these conditions,the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides could reach 20.646 mg/g.[Conclusions]The ethanol/ammonium sulfate aqueous system is a rapid and efficient method for extracting sweet potato leaf polysaccharides,which is of great significance for the application of sweet potato leaf extract as a natural food additive.

Ultrasound assisted electrocatalytic oxidation of 3-chlorophenol in aqueous solution

Ultrasound assisted electrocatalytic process was used for enhancing decomposition efficiency of organic compounds. In this paper, the effect of ultrasonic frequency, ultrasonic intensity and pH value on 3-chlorophenol decomposition were studied. It was found that 3-chlorophenol in aqueous solution can be markedly decomposed by ultrasound assisted electrocatalytic process. The rate of decomposition increased with the increase of frequency, and low frequency is proper in the ultrasound assisted electrocatalytic system. The removal of 3-chlorophenol increased visibly with the increase of ultrasonic intensity until the intensity of 1.56 W/cm2. Alkaline condition is beneficial to 3-chlorophenol decomposition, the rate at pH 9.08 was higher than pH 2.48 and 6.85. The major intermediate formed during 3-chlorophenol decomposition was 2-chloro-pbenzoquinone, which was readily decomposed by ultrasound assisted electrocatalytic process.

Diagnosis and excision of breast multi-focal lesions by ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy:a comparative evaluation

Objective To compare and evaluate the efficacy of diagnosis and excision for appropriately selected breast multi-focal lesions and solitary lesion by ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy(UGVAB).Methods Among 392 appropriately selected patients,187 patients with multi-focal lesions and 205 patients with solitary lesion were treated by the 8-gauge UGVAB from May 2007 to June 2009.All lesions were removed as completely as possible.The patients with benign pathology underwent physical and ultrasound examinations at one week and 6 months after procedure.Results During the procedure,only three patients had vasovagal syncope and twenty others complained of other intraoperative discomfort.An accurate pathological diagnosis was obtained in all lesions.There was no apparent false-negative result among the 696 lesions with benign pathology at a follow-up of 6 months after procedure.The rates of malignant or premalignant pathology,postoperative complications and residual lesions in patients with multi-focal lesions were higher than those in patients with solitary lesion.If each lesion was considered as a subject of study,there was no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion UGVAB is an effective method for diagnosis and excision of appropriately selected breast multi-focal lesions and can be used routinely.

Efficacy and Safety of Ultrasound Guided Vacuum-Assisted Excision of Fibroadenomas: A Systematic Review

Background: Ultrasound-guided, vacuum-assisted excision [UGVAE] of fibroadenomas is an emerging minimally invasive procedure. UGVAE is being increasingly employed by breast radiologists and surgeons. It has been approved for this use since 2006 by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure based on the up to date available evidence. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the Cochrane library, Medline, Embase, PubMed, Google scholar, Trip-database, Internet, and the reference lists of relevant articles was performed. We searched for literature with sizeable cases of therapeutic vacuum-assisted excision of fibroadenomas. All prospective studies with more than 20 study participants were screened. The study quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation [GRADE] approach. All were in English. Results: Of the four case series that fulfilled the inclusion criteria there were 516 patients in which 520 procedures were performed. Overall complete excision rate was 89.4%. In two of the studies, this was 100% when the lesions were less than 1.5 cm but reduced to 61% when between 1.5 and 2 cm. Most common significant complication was bleeding with 2 cases of pneumothorax. None of the studies can be regarded as high quality going by GRADE approach. Conclusion: Within the limit of the current published case series, UGVAE appears to be an effective and safe procedure for excision of small fibroadenomas of less than 15 mm in size. A well designed case control study or randomized controlled trials with a sufficient sample size is needed to further assess its safety, effectiveness and more importantly, patients’ satisfaction especially in larger sized fibroadenomas.

Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds on the Characteristics of Walnut Shells

Walnuts are one of nature’s more waste-heavy products. 67% of the nut is shell and husk, low value by-products that are rich in phenolic compounds. The phenolic compounds extracted from walnut shells are potentially good natural sources of antioxidants for the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, phenolic compounds were extracted using an ultrasonic bath, an ultrasonic probe and a standard shaking method. The extraction yield achieved with an ultrasonic probe was 51.2 mg GAE/g DW, two times higher than both the shaking method and the ultrasonic bath method which were 20.6 mg GAE/g DW and 25.8 mg GAE/g DW, respectively. Phenolic extraction was further improved by a size reduction of the walnut shells. The best extraction yield of 52.8 mg GAE/g DW was attained when the particle size was between 45 - 100 mesh. The ultrasonic probe treatment is the best method for extraction of phenolic compounds from walnut shells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging indicated that the ultrasonic probe treatment could better rupture the hard structure of the cells, increasing the penetration of solvents and thus the extraction yield.

Pectinmethylesterase extraction from orange solid wastes: Optimization and comparison between conventional and ultrasound-assisted treatments

During orange juice production, a half of fresh oranges weight is considered as production waste (peels, pulp, seeds, orange leaves and damaged orange fruits). An alternative for the management of these wastes is their treatment by addition of lime and a latter pressing, obtaining a press cake and a press liquor rich in sugars (10°Brix) and citric acid, protein, pectin and ethanol. For non-thermal concentration of press liquor to obtain citruss molasses (65°-70°Brix), the removal of pectin is necessary. Traditionally, depectinization of juices has been done by using pectinmethylesterase (PME) enzymes from external sources. In this work it performed the extraction of PME enzymes from orange peels to obtain the optimum extraction conditions. Two different methods of solventextraction were compared (conventional andultrasound-assisted methods). For the conventional extraction experiments, a central composite design with three variables ([NaCl], pH and time) and five replicates of the center point was used. For ultrasound-assisted extraction, experiments were done at pH = 5.5 and [NaCl] = 1.25M), varying extraction time (1-30 min). Response variables were PME activity, protein content and a ratio between them, named PME effectiveness (ηPME). At the same experimental conditions (pH =5.5, [NaCl] = 1.25 M, t = 15 min) it was found that conventional extractions led to slightly better results in terms of ηPME than ultrasound-assisted extraction method.

Ultrasound-Assisted Emulsification Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Based on Solidification of Floating Organic Droplet for Separation of Trace Gold Prior to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Determination

In the present work, a ultrasound-assisted emulsification dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet method has been developed as a sample preparation method prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry determination of trace amounts of gold in the standard, wastewater and river water samples. In the proposed method, 1-dodecanol and 5-(4-dimethylamino-benzylidene) were used as extraction solvent and chelating agent, respectively. Several factors that may be affected on the ex-traction process, such as type and volume of the extraction solvent, ionic strength, pH of the aqueous solu-tion, extraction temperature and extraction time were studied and optimized. Under the best experimental conditions, the calibration curve exhibited linearity over the range of 8.0 ng●mL-1- 3.0 μg●mL-1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9978 and detection limit based on three times the standard deviation of the blank signal was 1.5 ng●mL-1. Eight replicate determinations of 0.2 and 1.0 μg●mL-1 of gold gave a mean absorbance of 0.051 and 0.253 with relative standard deviations of ±2.3% and ±1.5%, respectively. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of gold ions in a silica ore, wastewater, river water and standard samples and satisfactory results were obtained.

Mucosal-incision assisted biopsy for suspected gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of the procedure, mucosal-incision assisted biopsy (MIAB), for the histological diagnosis of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), we performed a retrospective review of the 27 patients with suspected gastric GIST who underwent MIAB in our hospitals. Tissue samples obtained by MIAB were sufficient to make a histological diagnosis (diagnostic MIAB) in 23 out of the 27 patients, where the lesions had intraluminal growth patterns. Alternatively, the samples were insufficient (non-diagnosticMIAB) in remaining 4 patients, three of whom had gastric submucosal tumor with extraluminal growth patterns. Although endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration is the gold standard for obtaining tissue specimens for histological and cytological analysis of suspected gastric GISTs, MIAB can be used as an alternative method for obtaining biopsy specimens of lesions with an intraluminal growth pattern.

Intrauterine diagnosis of proximal jejunal atresia in a neonate conceived by assisted conception technique: a case report

Jejunal atresia is an entity within an array of congenital intestinal anomalies. We present a case of antepartum diagnosis of proximal jejunal atresia in a baby conceived through assisted conception.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-assisted Extraction of Polysaccharide from Hibiscus syriacus L.

The ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Hibiscus syriacus L. at 180 W low power was optimized by the single factor tests and orthogonal test. Extraction temperature,ultrasonic treatment time,extraction times,and material-to-liquid ratio were considered as independent variables. The results suggested that the best extraction condition were determined as the extraction temperature at 80 ℃,the ultrasonic treatment time of 40 min,the material-to-liquid ratio at1∶ 20（ g/ml）,and the extraction times of 3. Under the optimal conditions,the extraction rate of polysaccharides from Hibiscus syriacus was 3. 114%.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary intervention in patients with surgically altered anatomy

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD) in patients with surgically altered anatomies.METHODS: We performed a search of the MEDLINE database for studies published between 2001 to July2014 reporting on EUS-BD in patients with surgically altered anatomy using the terms "EUS drainage" and "altered anatomy". All relevant articles were accessed in full text. A manual search of the reference lists of relevant retrieved articles was also performed. Only fulltext English papers were included. Data regarding age, gender, diagnosis, method of EUS-BD and intervention, type of altered anatomy, technical success, clinical success, and complications were extracted and collected. Anatomic alterations were categorized as: group 1, Billroth Ⅰ; group 2, Billroth Ⅱ; group 4, Rouxen-Y with gastric bypass; and group 3, all other types. RESULTS: Twenty three articles identified in the literature search, three reports were from the same group with different numbers of cases. In total, 101 cases of EUS-BD in patients with altered anatomy were identified. Twenty-seven cases had no information and were excluded. Seventy four cases were included for analysis. Data of EUS-BD in patients categorized as group 1, 2 and 4 were limited with 2, 3 and 6 cases with EUS-BD done respectively. Thirty four cases with EUS-BD were reported in group 3. The pooled technical success, clinical success, and complication rates of all reports with available data were 89.18%, 91.07% and 17.5%, respectively. The results are similar to the reported outcomes of EUS-BD in general, however, with limited data of EUS-BD in patients with altered anatomy rendered it difficult to draw a firm conclusion. CONCLUSION: EUS-BD may be an option for patients with altered anatomy after a failed endoscopic-retrogradecholangiography in centers with expertise in EUS-BD procedures in a research setting.

Effects of ultrasound on the desulfurization performance of hot coal gas over Zn-Mn-Cu supported on semi-coke sorbent prepared by high-pressure impregnation method

Zn-Mn-Cu/SC（U） sorbent was hydrothermally synthesized by ultrasound-assisted high-pressure impregnation method with semi-coke（SC）as support and the mixed solution of zinc nitrate,manganese nitrate and copper nitrate as active component precursors.The desulfurization performances of hot coal gas on the prepared sorbent at a mid-temperature of 500°C were tested in fixed-bed reactor.Morphology and pore structure of the prepared sorbent were also characterized by TEM,N2adsorption/desorption isotherms and XRD.For comparison,the sorbent of Zn-Mn-Cu/SC prepared by conventional high-pressure impregnation was also evaluated and characterized in order to study the effects of ultrasound treatment.Zn-Mn-Cu/SC（U） sorbent prepared by high-pressure impregnation under ultrasound-assisted condition showed a better desulfurization performance than Zn-Mn-Cu/SC.It could remove H2 S from 1000×10-6m3/m3 to 0.1×10-6m3/m3 at 500°C and maintained for 12.5 h with the sulfur capacity of 7.74%,in which both the breakthrough time and sulfur capacity were about 32% and 51% higher than those of Zn-Mn-Cu/SC sorbent.The introduction of ultrasound during high-pressure impregnation process greatly improved the morphology and pore structure of the sorbent.The ultrasonic treatment made particle size of active components smaller and made them more evenly disperse on semi-coke support,which provided more opportunities to contact with H2S in coal-based gases.However,there were no any difference in compositions and existing forms of active components on the Zn-Mn-Cu/SC and Zn-Mn-Cu/SC（U） sorbents.

A REVIEW ON ARTERY WALL SEGMENTATION TECHNIQUES AND INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS MEASUREMENT FOR CAROTID ULTRASOUND IMAGES

Stroke and heart attack,which could be led by a kind of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease named as atherosclerosis,would seriously cause human morbidity and mortality.It is important for the early stage diagnosis and monitoring medical intervention of the atherosclerosis.Carotid stenosis is a classical atherosclerotic lesion with vessel wall narrowing down and accumulating plaques burden.The carotid artery of intima-media thickness(IMT)is a key indicator to the disease.With the development of computer assisted diagnosis technology,the imaging techniques,segmentation algorithms,measurement methods,and evaluation tools have made considerable progress.Ultrasound imaging,being real-time,economic,reliable,and safe,now seems to become a standard in vascular assessment methodology especially for the measurement of IMT.This review firstly attempts to discuss the clinical relevance of measurements in clinical practice at first,and then followed by the challenges that one has to face when approaching the segmentation of ultrasound images.Secondly,the commonly used methods for the IMT segmentation and measurement are presented.Thirdly,discussion and evaluation of different segmentation techniques are performed.An overview of summary and future perspectives is given finally.

双水相协同超声法提取枇杷叶中绿原酸的工艺研究

试验采用响应面法优化双水相协同超声法提取枇杷叶中绿原酸的工艺,探讨提取液中乙醇体积分数、超声温度、超声时间、磷酸氢二钾用量和超声功率对绿原酸提取率的影响。结果显示,双水相协同超声法提取枇杷叶中绿原酸最佳提取工艺条件为乙醇体积分数61%、超声温度61℃、超声时间25 min、磷酸氢二钾用量4.6 g,此条件下绿原酸提取率1.53%,与预测值相接近。研究表明,双水相协同超声法提取枇杷叶中绿原酸的提取工艺稳定可行,可为枇杷叶的资源化开发与利用提供参考。

油茶蒲黄酮的制备及组分鉴定

为促进油茶蒲的高值化开发利用,推动油茶产业高质量发展,以油茶蒲为原料,采用超声辅助醇提法制备油茶蒲粗黄酮,并采用AB-8大孔树脂吸附法纯化。另外,对纯化的油茶蒲黄酮的结构进行了紫外光谱和红外光谱表征,利用UPLC-Q-TOF-MS对其组分进行了鉴定。结果表明:采用超声辅助醇提法制备的油茶蒲粗黄酮中黄酮含量为32.41%,采用AB-8大孔树脂纯化后的黄酮含量为70.14%,黄酮总回收率为60.12%;紫外光谱与红外光谱分析表明,纯化物具有明显的黄酮类紫外、红外特征光谱,证明该纯化物主要成分为黄酮类化合物;UPLC-Q-TOF-MS从该纯化物中共鉴定出44种多酚类和黄酮类化合物,其中14种黄酮类化合物、30种多酚类化合物,油茶蒲黄酮多以黄酮苷类化合物形式存在,且多为山奈酚的糖苷类化合物,油茶蒲黄酮中含有原花青素、儿茶素、表儿茶素及没食子酸等抗氧化活性成分。根据油茶蒲黄酮的组成成分,推测其具有开发成为抗糖尿病食品以及与抗癌药物联用治疗疾病的潜力。