Detection of melatonin and 5-HTP in dietary supplements based on multiple spectra

IntroductionMelatonin and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), known for benefits in regulating sleep and combating depression, respectively, are incorporated into dietary supplements. Rapid and accurate identification of dietary supplement types and their contents remains a significant challenge in ensuring food safety.MethodsIn this study, qualitative and quantitative analysis of melatonin and 5-HTP was performed using Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Purity and crystal structures of the samples were investigated using Raman spectroscopy and PXRD, establishing the foundation for terahertz (THz) simulations.Results and discussionThe Raman spectroscopy results demonstrate that the characteristic Raman peaks of melatonin and 5-HTP in the range from 170 cm−1 to 1700 cm−1 were observed at 1356 cm−1 and 1,304 cm−1, respectively. Results of THz revealed that melatonin and 5-HTP each have five THz characteristic peaks, which distinguish these substances. The peak of melatonin at 1.23 THz shows a good linear fit with the mass fraction, while 5-HTP has a similar relationship at 1.14 THz. Then, L-tryptophan, a common contaminant in the production of melatonin and 5-HTP, was successfully identified within the mixture. Finally, it is demonstrated that THz technology can effectively detect melatonin and 5-HTP in commercial dietary supplements. This study establishes a rapid, efficient, and non-destructive approach for the regulation and quantitative analysis of dietary supplements

Terahertz spectroscopy study of oridonin and ponicidin in the anticancer Chinese herbal medicine Rabdosia rubescens

Rabdosia rubescens, a Chinese herbal medicine with anticancer properties, contains two active ingredients: oridonin and ponicidin. Both compounds exhibit antitumor effects by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy and inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. To further explore the differences in molecular structure and pharmacological properties between the two substances, this study employs Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to investigate the spectral characteristics of oridonin and ponicidin in the frequency range of 0.1 to 2.3 THz. The crystal structures of the two substances are simulated using Materials Studio software and Density Functional Theory (DFT), yielding their spectra and molecular vibration modes, which elucidate the mechanism underlying the peak generation. The consistency between experimental and simulation results confirms the reliability of the experimental findings. Thus, THz spectroscopy can effectively distinguish between these two substances. Finally, a THz detection is performed on Rabdosia rubescens capsules purchased from the market, revealing the presence of absorption peaks for both substances in their absorption spectra. This provides a new approach for detecting active ingredients in Chinese herbal medicines

Benralizumab efficacy and safety in severe asthma: A randomized trial in Asia

Background: Benralizumab is indicated as add-on therapy in patients with uncontrolled, severe eosinophilic asthma; it has not yet been evaluated in a large Asian population with asthma in a clinical trial. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of benralizumab in patients with severe asthma in Asia. Methods: MIRACLE (NCT03186209) was a randomized, Phase 3 study in China, South Korea, and the Philippines. Patients aged 12–75 years with severe asthma receiving medium- to high-dose inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonists, stratified (2:1) by baseline blood eosinophil count (bEOS) (≥300/μL; <300/μL), were randomized (1:1) to benralizumab 30 mg or placebo. Endpoints included annual asthma exacerbation rate (AAER; primary endpoint), change from baseline at Week 48 in pre-bronchodilator (BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 is being defined, not BD, which has already been defined) and total asthma symptom score (TASS). Safety was evaluated ≤Week 56. Results: Of 695 patients randomized, 473 had baseline bEOS ≥300/μL (benralizumab n = 236; placebo n = 237). In this population, benralizumab significantly reduced AAER by 74% (rate ratio 0.26 [95% CI 0.19, 0.36], p <0.0001) and significantly improved pre-BD FEV1 (least squares difference [LSD] 0.25 L [95% CI 0.17, 0.34], p <0.0001) and TASS (LSD −0.25 [−0.45, −0.05], p = 0.0126) versus placebo. In patients with baseline bEOS <300/μL, there were numerical improvements in AAER, pre-BD FEV1, and TASS with benralizumab versus placebo. The frequency of adverse events was similar for benralizumab (76%) and placebo (80%) in the overall population. Conclusions: MIRACLE data reinforces the efficacy and safety of benralizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma in an Asian population, consistent with the global Phase 3 results

RESEARCH ON BENDING STRESS OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS COMPONENT WITH EMBEDDED CABLE

The composite materials component with embedded cable three point bending stress finite element analysis model was established,and the influence of cable embedding position,resin enrichment zone length and cable diameter on the bending stress of the component was analyzed under the three point bending load to the same bending load. The results show that the closer the cable is embedded in the composite surface,the greater the bending stress of the component. With the length of the resin enrichment zone increase,the bending stress of the component increases. With the diameter of the cable increase,the bending stress of the component increases. With 90% confidence,the cable embedding position has a significant influence on the maximum bending stress,the resin length and cable diameter have no significant effect on the maximum bending stress of the component. The cable embedding position,cable diameter,resin length affect the maximum bending stress of the component in a descending order. The research conclusion provides a theoretical basis for the cable embedded composite technology

Human epididymis protein 4 and Lewis y enhance chemotherapeutic resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer through the p38MAPK pathway

Abstract Background Ovarian cancer has a high mortality rate due to difficulties in early detection and chemotherapy resistance. Human epididymal protein 4 (HE4) has been adopted as a novel serum biomarker for early ovarian cancer diagnosis, we have previously detected the presence of Lewis y antigen modifications on HE4 in ovarian cancer cell lines. In this study, we aimed to analyze the expression of HE4 and Lewis y antigen in human ovarian cancer in order to analyze their correlation with each other, as well as with the clinical pathological parameters of ovarian cancer patients. Methods We first used immunohistochemistry to detect the respective expressions of these compounds in two patient groups (chemotherapy-resistant and -sensitive) containing a total of 95 patients. Then, we adopted a bioinformatic approach and used online large-sample databases (TCGA, CCLE and GTEx; Metascape, Cytoscape) to explore the potential mechanisms of action of these compounds. Results Our results demonstrate that high HE4 and Lewis y expressions could be used as markers for chemotherapy-resistance and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. These two expressions were widely correlated in various cancer tissues and are thought to act by activating the p38 MAPK pathway and inducing VEGFA, PTGS2,EGR1,andHIFI1A, thereby promoting malignant biological behavior and resistance in ovarian cancer. Conclusions This finding not only reveals the possible mechanism by which HE4 and Lewis y antigen affect ovarian cancer, but also identifies a four-gene signature that could be very useful in ovarian cancer detection and/or the development of new targeted therapies.</jats:p