Toxicity of Aged Paint Particles to Soil Ecosystems: Insights from .

Despite the extensive global consumption of architectural paint, the toxicological effects of aged exterior paint particles on terrestrial biota remain largely uncharacterized. Herein, we assessed the toxic effect of aged paint particles on soil environments using the nematode () as a test organism. Various types of paint particles were generated by fragmentation and sequential sieving (500-1000, 250-500, 100-250, 50-100, 20-50 μm) of paint coatings collected from two old residential areas.

Improving liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry sensitivity for characterization of lignin oligomers and phenolic compounds using acetic acid as a mobile phase additive.

Characterization of complex lignin degradation products by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) requires a high sensitivity, which can be improved by use of optimized mobile phase additive. In this study, chromatographic separation and ionization efficiency for LC-MS analysis of lignin oligomers and lignin-derived phenolic compounds were compared among six different mobile phase additives. We found that acetic acid exhibits analytical performance superior to the other mobile phase additives for characterization of lignin degradation products by LC-(-)-ESI-MS/MS.

Synthesis of Alternating Polyisocyanate Copolymers by Anionic Polymerization for Mimicking Amphiphilic Helical Peptides.

The amphiphilic conformation of α-helical peptides has important biological functions, such as ion transport, antifreeze, and innate immunity, which can be mimicked by alternating polyisocyanate copolymers. We synthesized poly(allyl isocyanate-alt-(S)-(-)-α-methylbenzyl isocyanate (P(AIC-alt-SMBIC)) and ammonium-containing P(AIC-alt-SMBIC) (N-P(AIC-alt-SMBIC)), ensuring the amphiphilic helical conformation. The benzyl group of SMBIC plays an important role in alternating copolymerization with its steric and electron-withdrawing effects, while AIC provides an alkene group capable of introducing a customized functional group.

Characterization of Spray Modes and Factors Affecting the Ionization Efficiency of Paper Spray Ionization.

In this study, we systematically evaluated the factors affecting the ionization efficiency of paper spray ionization (PSI), such as electric field, solvent supply rate, and paper thickness and hydrophobicity. The observed paper spray plume was classified into three modes: single cone-jet, multi-jet, and rim-jet modes. With the increase in the spraying voltage, the spray plume appeared in order of single cone-jet, multi-jet, and rim-jet modes.

Fluorescent paper strip immunoassay with carbon nanodots@silica for determination of human serum amyloid A1.

A fluorescent paper strip immunoassay in conjunction with carbon nanodots@silica (CND@SiO) as a label was developed for the quantitative measurements of human serum amyloid A1 (hSAA1) in serum at clinically significant concentrations for lung cancer diagnosis. Monodispersed CND@SiO was prepared by cohydrolysis between silane-crosslinked carbon nanodots and silica precursors via the Ströber method and further attached covalently to anti-hSAA1 (14F8) monoclonal antibody [anti-hSAA1(14F8)] specific to the hSAA1 target. The hSAA1 concentrations were then determined by quantifying the blue fluorescence intensity upon 365 nm excitation of the captured hSAA1 with anti-hSAA1(14F8)-CND@SiO conjugates in the test line on a paper strip where anti-hSAA1 (10G1) monoclonal antibody was physisorbed.

Development of an optimized sample preparation method for quantification of free fatty acids in food using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Accurate and precise determination of free fatty acid (FFA) contents is essential for quality control and assurance in food production. Herein, a mass spectrometric study was performed to develop a sample preparation protocol that can minimize exogenous FFA contamination during the quantification of FFA in food. The quantities of exogenous FFAs were measured using various combinations of seven pretreatment methods for a sample tube, three extraction methods, and four types of sample tubes.

Microfluidic ultrafine particle dosimeter using an electrical detection method with a machine-learning-aided algorithm for real-time monitoring of particle density and size distribution.

Growing concerns related to the adverse health effects of airborne ultrafine particles (UFPs; particles smaller than 300 nm) have highlighted the need for field-portable, cost-efficient, real-time UFP dosimeters to monitor individual exposure. These dosimeters must measure both the particle density and size distribution as these parameters are essential to the determination of where and how many UFPs will be deposited in human lungs. However, though various kinds of laboratory-grade instruments and hand-held monitors have been developed, they are expensive and only capable of measuring particle size distribution.

Monitoring the Effective Density of Airborne Nanoparticles in Real Time Using a Microfluidic Nanoparticle Analysis Chip.

Determining the effective density of airborne nanoparticles (NPs; particles smaller than 100 nm in diameter) at a point of interest is essential for toxicology and environmental studies, but it currently requires complex analysis systems comprising several high-precision instruments as well as a specially trained operator. To address these limitations, a field-portable and cost-efficient microfluidic NP analysis device is presented, which provides quantitative information on the effective density and size distribution of NPs in real time. Unlike conventional analysis systems, the device can operate in a standalone mode because of the chip operating principle based on the electrostatic/inertial classification and electrical detection methods.

A novel pathway for initial biotransformation of dinitroaniline herbicide butralin from a newly isolated bacterium Sphingopyxis sp. strain HMH.

Butralin (N-sec- Butyl-4-tert-butyl-2,6-dinitroaniline) is a highly persistent dinitroaniline herbicide frequently detected in the environment. In this study, butralin-degrading soil bacterium, Sphingopyxis sp. strain HMH was isolated from agricultural soil samples.

Physiological responses of the abalone Haliotis discus hannai to daily and seasonal temperature variations.

Organisms inhabiting tidal mixing-front zones in shallow temperate seas are subjected to large semidiurnal temperature fluctuations in summer. The ability to optimize energy acquisition to this episodic thermal oscillation may determine the survival, growth and development of these ectotherms. We compared the physiological and molecular responses of Haliotis discus hannai cultivated in suspended cages to fluctuating or stable temperature conditions.

Thermoalkaliphilic laccase treatment for enhanced production of high-value benzaldehyde chemicals from lignin.

Enzymatic conversion of lignin into high-value chemicals is a key step in sustainable and eco-friendly development of lignin valorization strategies. In the present study, a novel thermoalkaliphilic laccase, CtLac, from Caldalkalibacillus thermarum strain TA2.A1 was tested for the depolymerization of lignin and the production of value-added chemicals, using three different lignocellulosic biomass, organosolv lignin (OSL), and Kraft lignin.

A novel laccase from thermoalkaliphilic bacterium Caldalkalibacillus thermarum strain TA2.A1 able to catalyze dimerization of a lignin model compound.

In the present study, the gene encoding a multicopper oxidase, more precisely a laccase from the thermoalkaliphilic aerobic bacterium Caldalkalibacillus thermarum strain TA2.A1 (CtLac), was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. CtLac is a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of 57 kDa as determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.