Identification of plant-based spilled oils using direct analysis in real-time-time-of-flight mass spectrometry with hydrophobic paper sampling.

Spilled plant-based oils behave very differently in comparison to petroleum oils and require different clean-up measures. They do not evaporate, disperse, dissolve, or emulsify to a significant degree but can polymerize and form an impermeable cap on sediment, smothering benthic media and resulting in an immediate impact on the wildlife community. The current study explored the application of rapid up-to-date direct analysis in real time (DART) with high-resolution mass spectrometry for plant-based oil typing.

Prevalence and associations of cerebral microbleeds in an Australian memory clinic cohort.

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are small brain haemorrhages, identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They indicate potential for cognitive decline and mortality in memory clinic attendees. The presence of more than four CMBs is exclusionary for some clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Validity and feasibility of four standardized aerobic fitness tests in patients with depression: A cross-sectional study.

The objective of this study was to examine the validity and feasibility of four standardized aerobic fitness tests to either measure V˙ Opeak or to estimate V˙ Omax (e V˙ Omax) in patients with major depression disorder (MDD). To this end, all subjects (n = 43) performed one maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test with gas exchange measurement (CPET) on a bicycle ergometer. Additionally, three submaximal tests (Åstrand-Rhyming bicycle ergometer test [ART], Physical work capacity test [PWC], and 6-min walk test [6MWT]) were performed within two weeks in counterbalanced order.

Correspondence between the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) and accelerometer-based physical activity in inpatients treated for major depressive disorders in comparison to non-depressed controls.

Introduction: Major depressive disorders (MDD) are a leading health concern worldwide. While first line medication treatments may fall short of desired therapeutic outcomes, physical activity (PA) interventions appear to be a promising and cost-effective add-on to improve symptoms of depression. This study aimed to address challenges in the assessment of PA in inpatients treated for MDD by examining the correspondence of self-reported and accelerometer-based PA.

Amino Acid Composition Determination From the Fractional Mass of Peptides.

A peptide's fractional mass is directly associated with its elemental composition and thus amino acid composition. Here it is demonstrated that a peptide's fractional mass alone can be a useful identifier or indicator of that composition for small to mid-sized peptides (5-7 amino acids) and can significantly reduce the number of viable amino acid compositions for larger peptides (> 8 residues) to include or exclude certain possibilities. Separate consideration of the integer portion of the peptide's mass helps to reduce the number of possibilities where many duplicate fractional mass values are found.

Degradation strategies for structural characterization of insoluble synthetic polymers by mass spectrometry.

With the advent of soft ionization techniques such as electrospray (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) to produce intact gas-phase ions from nonvolatile macromolecules, mass spectrometry has become an essential technique in the field of polymeric materials. However, (co)polymers of very high molecular weight or with reticulated architectures still escape ESI or MALDI, mainly due to solubility issues. Strategies developed to tackle such an analytical challenge all rely on sample degradation to produce low-mass species amenable to existing ionization methods.

Cardiorespiratory fitness, perceived fitness and autonomic function in in-patients with different depression severity compared with healthy controls.

Over 300 million individuals worldwide suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD). Individuals with MDD are less physically active than healthy people which results in lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and less favorable perceived fitness compared with healthy controls. Additionally, individuals with MDD may show autonomic system dysfunction.

Correlation of Orthognathic Surgical Movements to Perception of Facial Appearance in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.

Study Design: Cephalometric scans were compared before and after surgery to assess the degree of correction. Correlations between skeletal movements and survey outcomes were determined using multivariate regression analysis.

Objective: This study aims to identify relationships between subjective observer-reported improvements in esthetics and emotional appearance with specific surgical movements.

Long-term outcomes of physical activity counseling in in-patients with major depressive disorder: results from the PACINPAT randomized controlled trial.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an increasingly common psychiatric illness associated with a high risk of insufficient physical activity, which in turn is associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes. Theory-based, individually tailored, in-person and remote physical activity counseling has the potential to increase physical activity levels in various populations. Given this, the present study investigated the effect of such a physical activity intervention on the physical activity behavior of in-patients with MDD.

Selective Sampling to and Desorption from Single Solid-Phase Microextraction Arrow Fiber for Replicative and Quantitative Analysis.

New analytical functionality is demonstrated with an enclosed interface that joins a solid phase microextraction (SPME) device, a direct analysis in real time (DART) probe, and a high-resolution mass spectrometer. With a single 20 mm long SPME Arrow, the interface is able to perform five discrete DART analyses on different areas of the same fiber in 1 min of practical operation time. Three-fiber replicates for 15 runs total produce 15% or better center of variance (CV) values for both volatile headspace sampling and direct immersion sampling of a solvated analyte.

Method development for forensic oil identification by direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The current well-established chromatography and mass spectrometry based oil spill identification procedures, such as those outlined by the European Committee for Standardization, are highly reliable as methods, highly defensible in the court of law, and widely applicable to the majority of oil spill situations. Nevertheless, the methodology is time consuming and labour intensive, which may not be ideal when dealing with an emergency oil spill situation. In this study, direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART/TOFMS) was used to successfully develop an efficient oil identification method.

Macronutrient intake as a prospective predictor of depressive symptom severity: An exploratory study with adolescent elite athletes.

Background: Appropriate availability of macro- and micronutrients has an important impact on cognitive performance, mood and mental health. Although the critical role of nutrition for elite athletes' performance was recognized early on, little is known about whether consumption of specific macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fat) predict the development of future depressive symptoms in adolescent elite athletes.

Methods: Participants were recruited from three Swiss Olympic Partner Schools (SOPS) in the Northwestern German speaking part of Switzerland.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk among in-patients with depression compared to healthy controls.

Introduction: Compared to the general population, individuals with depression have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, little is known so far whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) moderates this relationship. Therefore, we examined whether common physiological cardiovascular risk factors differ between patients with depression and healthy (non-depressed) controls, whether patients and controls differ in CRF, and whether higher CRF is associated with a lower cardiovascular risk in both patients and healthy controls.

Differences in Selective Attention and Inhibitory Control in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Healthy Controls Who Do Not Engage in Sufficient Physical Activity.

Background: Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are characterized by neurocognitive impairments and show deficits in various cognitive performance indicators, including executive function. We examined whether sustained attention and inhibitory control differ between patients with MDD and healthy controls, and whether differences exist between patients with mild, moderate, and severe depression.

Methods: Clinical in-patients ( = 212) aged 18-65 years with a current diagnosis of MDD and 128 healthy controls were recruited.

An implementation evaluation of the physical activity counseling for in-patients with major depressive disorder (PACINPAT) intervention: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The physical activity counseling for in-patients with major depression (PACINPAT) randomized controlled trial was launched to tackle physical inactivity for in-patients with major depressive disorder. Evidence shows that despite potential treatment effects, physical inactivity is prevalent in this population. To contribute to the assessment of how this in-person and remote, theory-based, individually tailored intervention was designed, received and effected behavior, the aim of this study was to evaluate its implementation.

Wood from Hardwood Angiosperms and Coniferous Gymnosperms Shows Distinctive Lignin Peaks in Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) Mass Spectra.

A data set was constructed consisting of 3021 mass spectra randomly selected from all available families in the ForeST© (Forensic Spectra of Trees) database of mass spectra for wood analyzed by Direct Analysis in Real Time ionization coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART-TOFMS). Clear and reproducible differences were observed between the lignin peaks for hardwood angiosperms and coniferous gymnosperms, with DART-TOFMS spectra of angiosperms showing significantly higher relative abundances for peaks associated with syringyl subunits. Application of the method to processed wood samples demonstrated that these differences can be used to provide support for enforcing trade laws by accurately identifying the source of finished wood products from hardwood angiosperms and coniferous gymnosperms.

Short-term outcomes of physical activity counseling in in-patients with Major Depressive Disorder: Results from the PACINPAT randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: A physical activity counseling intervention based on a motivation-volition model was developed and delivered to in-patients with Major Depressive Disorders with the aim of increasing lifestyle physical activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short-term outcomes of this intervention.

Methods: A multi-center randomized controlled trial was conducted in four Swiss psychiatric clinics.

Teachers' reported beliefs about giftedness among twice exceptional and culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse populations.

The purpose of this research study was to assess the impact of professional learning on teachers' reported beliefs about students identified as twice exceptional (2e) and students from culturally, economically, and linguistically diverse (CLED) populations, using a semi-randomized experimental design intervention. Teachers in the experimental condition participated in professional learning opportunities featuring curriculum materials, lessons, and activities highlighting support for students identified as 2e or from CLED populations. Teachers in the control condition received no intervention.

Aperture Size Influences Oxidation in Positive-Ion Nitrogen Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry.

Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectrometry commonly uses helium as the DART gas. With the looming helium shortage, other gases are being evaluated for DART. Nitrogen is inexpensive and readily available, making it a desirable alternative.

Osteoporosis identification among previously undiagnosed individuals with vertebral fractures.

Unlabelled: Because osteoporosis is under-recognized in patients with vertebral fractures, we evaluated characteristics associated with osteoporosis identification. Most patients with vertebral fractures did not receive evaluation or treatment for osteoporosis. Black, younger, and male participants were particularly unlikely to have had recognized osteoporosis, which could increase their risk of negative outcomes.

Worth the risk? Contemporary indications, yield and complications of lumbar punctures in a metropolitan Australian health service.

Background: Performing lumbar punctures carries a risk of harm to the patient, but the information cerebrospinal fluid provides often makes this procedure necessary. Clinicians in the Australian setting would benefit from having more information on these procedures, in order to help them in a risk versus benefit analysis.

Aims: To describe the contemporary indications, cerebrospinal fluid findings and complications of lumbar punctures in a metropolitan Australian health service.

[Enjoying Sports and Movement in Mental Illness].

Enjoying Sports and Movement in Mental Illness Sports and exercise therapy is an effective complemant in the treatment of major depression. The recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of intensive physical activity per week should be met to achieve positive effects of physical activity. In addition, individual needs and the physical health conditions must be considered in the planning and implementation, so that exercise will be enjoyed in the long term.

Creating a Searchable Chromatographic Database with the NIST Mass Spectral Search Program.

The NIST Mass Spectral Search Program can be used to create a searchable database of chromatograms. This approach was tested for a small database of chromatograms for gin volatiles and for a database of insect cuticular hydrocarbons with retention times and reconstructed total ion current chromatographic peak areas substituted for / values and abundance. The Identity search permitted matching of randomly selected chromatograms against the database with good results.