Stability of Wheat Floret Metabolites during Untargeted Metabolomics Studies

A typical metabolomic analysis consists of a multi-step procedure. Variation can be introduced in any analysis segment if proper care in quality assurance is not taken, thus compromising the final results. Sample stability is one of those factors. Although sophisticated studies addressing sample decay over time have been performed in the medical field, they are emerging in plant metabolomics. Here, we focus on the stability of wheat floret extracts on queue inside an auto-injector held at 25 °C. The objective was to locate an analytical time window from extraction to injection with no significant difference occurring in the sample. Total ion current chromatograms, principal component analysis, and volcano plots were used to measure changes in the samples. Results indicate a maximum work window time of 7:45 h for Steele-ND wheat methanolic extractions in an auto-sampler at 25 °C. Comparisons showed a significant gradual increase in the number and intensity of compounds observed that may be caused by the degradation of other molecules in the sample extract. The approach can be applied as preliminary work in a metabolite profiling study, helping to set the appropriate workload to produce confident results.

Establishment of an Olfactory Region-specific Intranasal Delivery Technique in Mice to Target the Central Nervous System

We have recently developed a region-specific catheter-based intranasal application method in mice by using CT scan-based 3D cast models of the murine nose (DOI: 10.2376/0005-9366-17,102). This technique is able to specifically deliver drugs to the olfactory region or to the respiratory region only. Thereby, intranasally administered drugs could be delivered either via neuronal connections to the central nervous system or via the well-perfused rostral parts of the nasal mucosa to the systemic circulation. In the present study, we transferred successfully this novel delivery technique to C57Bl/6 mice and determined parameters such as insertions depth of the catheter and maximum delivery volume in dependence to the weight of the mouse. Breathing was simulated to verify that the volume remains at the targeted area. A step-by-step procedure including a video is presented to adopt this technique for standardized and reproducible intranasal central nervous system (CNS) delivery studies (DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111904).

Efficacy and Safety of Preoperative vs. Intraoperative Computed Tomography-Guided Lung Tumor Localization: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Thoracoscopic removal of small pulmonary nodules is traditionally accomplished through a two-step approach—with lesion localization in a CT suite as the first step followed by lesion removal in an operating room as the second step. While the advent of hybrid operating rooms (HORs) has fostered our ability to offer a more patient-tailored approach that allows simultaneous localization and removal of small pulmonary nodules within a single-step, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the two techniques (two- vs. single-step) are still lacking.Methods: This is a RCT conducted in an academic hospital in Taiwan between October 2018 and December 2019. To compare the outcomes of traditional two-step preoperative CT-guided small pulmonary nodule localization followed by lesion removal vs. single-step intraoperative CT-guided lesion localization with simultaneous removal performed by a dedicated team of thoracic surgeons. The analysis was conducted in an intention-to-treat fashion. The primary study endpoint was the time required for lesion localization. Secondary endpoints included radiation doses, other procedural time indices, and complication rates.Results: A total of 24 and 25 patients who received the single- and two-step approach, respectively, were included in the final analysis. The time required for lesion localization was significantly shorter for patients who underwent the single-step procedure (median: 13 min) compared with the two step-procedure (median: 32 min, p < 0.001). Similarly, the radiation dose was significantly lower for the former than the latter (median: 5.64 vs. 10.65 mSv, respectively, p = 0.001).Conclusions: The single-step procedure performed in a hybrid operating room resulted in a simultaneous reduction of both localization procedural time and radiation exposure.

Establishing A Sustainable Low-Cost Air Quality Monitoring Setup: A Survey of the State-of-the-Art

Low-cost sensors (LCS) are becoming popular for air quality monitoring (AQM). They promise high spatial and temporal resolutions at low-cost. In addition, citizen science applications such as personal exposure monitoring can be implemented effortlessly. However, the reliability of the data is questionable due to various error sources involved in the LCS measurement. Furthermore, sensor performance drift over time is another issue. Hence, the adoption of LCS by regulatory agencies is still evolving. Several studies have been conducted to improve the performance of low-cost sensors. This article summarizes the existing studies on the state-of-the-art of LCS for AQM. We conceptualize a step by step procedure to establish a sustainable AQM setup with LCS that can produce reliable data. The selection of sensors, calibration and evaluation, hardware setup, evaluation metrics and inferences, and end user-specific applications are various stages in the LCS-based AQM setup we propose. We present a critical analysis at every step of the AQM setup to obtain reliable data from the low-cost measurement. Finally, we conclude this study with future scope to improve the availability of air quality data.

Statistical Inference Using GLEaM Model with Spatial Heterogeneity and Correlation between Regions

A better understanding of the various patterns in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread in different parts of the world is crucial to its prevention and control. Motivated by the celebrated GLEaM model (Balcan et al., 2010 [1]), this paper proposes a stochastic dynamic model to depict the evolution of COVID-19. The model allows spatial and temporal heterogeneity of transmission parameters and involves transportation between regions. Based on the proposed model, this paper also designs a two-step procedure for parameter inference, which utilizes the correlation between regions through a prior distribution that imposes graph Laplacian regularization on transmission parameters. Experiments on simulated data and real-world data in China and Europe indicate that the proposed model achieves higher accuracy in predicting the newly confirmed cases than baseline models.

One-Step Synthesis of Indolizino[3,4,5-ab]isoindoles by Manganese(I)-Catalyzed C–H Activation: Structural Studies and Photophysical Properties

Herein, a regioselective synthesis of indolizino[3,4,5-ab]isoindoles (INIs), a valuable class of heterocycles with interesting luminescence properties, is described using manganese(I)-catalyzed C−H activation. The reported transformation proceeds in a one-step procedure...

Accuracy investigation of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) processed ABS and ULTRAT parts.

This paper aims to assess the dimensional deviation of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) processed ABS and ULTRAT parts using a new geometrical model which can evaluate three types of dimensional deviation: along the z-axis, along external and internal dimensions, and through diameters. The methodology involves a step-by-step procedure wherein after establishing the experimental plan and manufacturing the specimens, the measurements taken are analyzed via Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) to find out the optimal combination of parameters leading to the minimum deviation in all dimensions of parts for both materials. Statistical techniques such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Signal to Noise (S/N) ratio were also used. Subsequently, a confirmation test was carried out to validate the results obtained. The findings of the ANOVA and the S/N ratio were in good concordance with those of GRA.

2-Imidazolidinone Benzofurans as Unexpected Outcome of the Lewis Acid-Mediated Nenitzescu Reaction

The Lewis acid mediated Nenitzescu reaction with piperazinone enaminoesters surprisingly afforded rearranged 2-imidazolidinone 5-hydroxybenzofurans. The reaction was optimised and a scope study was performed. A one-pot two-step procedure was realised...

Microwave-Assisted Vacuum Synthesis of TiO2 Nanocrystalline Powders in One-Pot, One-Step Procedure

A new method for fast and simple synthesis of crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles with photocatalytic activity was developed by carrying out a classic sol–gel reaction directly under vacuum. The use of microwaves for fast heating of the reaction medium further reduces synthesis times. When the solvent is completely removed by vacuum, the product is obtained in the form of a powder that can be easily redispersed in water to yield a stable nanoparticle suspension, exhibiting a comparable photocatalytic activity with respect to a commercial product. The present methodology can, therefore, be considered a process intensification procedure for the production of nanotitania.

Modified three-step procedure to treat buried penis in children without previous surgery: experience in 150 cases

[Background] The buried penis has an abnormally smaller and shorter appearance. We performed a modified three-step procedure to correct the buried penis with satisfactory cosmetic results. [Methods] From May 2014 to December 2020, 150 boys, ranging in age from 2 to 7 years old (median age: 3.3 years), underwent this three-step procedure. The chief complaint was a smaller and shorter appearance of the penis. The surgical procedure consisted of three steps: complete degloving through a diamond-shaped penoscrotal incision, circumcision to remove the majority of the inner plate, and anchoring of the penopubic skin to the base of albuginea penis at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions with unabsorbable sutures. [Results] The mean operative time was 50 minutes (range from 40 to 60 minutes). The mean follow-up time was 2.8 years (range from 10 months to 6 years). There were no complications or recurrences. Good cosmetic results were achieved in all boys. [Conclusions] Our modified three-step procedure had good cosmetic results without complications. We recommend this effective surgical procedure for boys with buried penis who have no history of previous surgery.