Essential Reading
Bacterial Infection Diagnosis in Minutes
Bacterial infections could soon be diagnosed in minutes rather than days, thanks to a new method that detects pathogens directly from clinical samples – without the need for culturing. In a study led by scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Imperial College London, they outlined a metabolomic workflow that identifies species-specific bacterial metabolites and lipids, offering a rapid alternative to conventional microbiological diagnostics.
The researchers tested multiple analytical platforms to evaluate the method’s generalizability, including REIMS, DESI-MSI, and LC-MS. In the team’s press release, first author Wei Chen commented: “Our innovative approach is not to look directly for the pathogenic bacteria, but only for their metabolic products. This allows us to detect them indirectly, but much more quickly.” Read more
Arterial Plaque Analysis Links Micronanoplastics to Stroke History
Micronanoplastics have been detected at significantly higher concentrations in the neck arteries of people with plaque buildup – particularly those who have experienced stroke, mini-stroke or temporary vision loss – according to preliminary research.
The team quantified micronanoplastics via pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, enabling plastic detection through thermal degradation. After analyzing 48 carotid artery samples, researchers from the University of New Mexico and the Office of the Medical Investigator discovered that plastic levels in the plaques of symptomatic individuals were more than 50 times higher than in the artery walls of those without plaque. Read more
Worth Your Time
Using mass spectrometry imaging, researchers characterize metabolic alterations – under conditions of drought and alkaline stress – in different nodule regions of soybeans. Link
A comparison of extraction methods for polyphenols from grape seed wastes using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS: accelerated solvent extraction is found to be most efficient for phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins, while microwave-assisted extraction is best for flavonoids. Link
Implemented on an unmodified LC-MS system, Taylor/non-Taylor dispersion mass spectrometry enables quick buffer exchange and separation of small molecules from protein-ligand complexes, improving throughput and automation in native mass spectrometry. Link
A simple and efficient method using magnetic solid-phase extraction with graphene oxide combined with GC-MS/MS determines 11 fungicides in fresh fruit juice samples. Link
Detection of 107 pesticide residues in samples of livestock and poultry meat using multi-plug filtration purification combined with GC-MS/MS. Link
(Mass) Spectacular and Strange
The Fly Who Loved Me
We’re approaching that time of year again where sunglasses are donned, temperatures rise, and insects seemingly embark on a personal mission to ruin my day. But a recent study from researchers at Arizona State University and UC Santa Cruz on Wolbachia-infected fruit flies sheds light on a different kind of insect overfamiliarity of a more amorous nature.
Proteomic analysis of fruit flies revealed that infection via Wolbachia – a parasitic bacteria which lives inside insect cells – altered the levels of 177 host proteins in the brain – including those tied to sensory processing and behavior. Manipulation of one in particular, mGluR, in uninfected flies produced the same effect – that of sudden, unrelenting promiscuity.
The research not only sheds light on microbial manipulation of animal behavior, but also demonstrates the potential for new strategies in controlling insect-borne disease.
“Malaria, dengue, Zika viruses – they are all delivered by insects and kill millions of children and adults every year,” commented ASU’s Timothy Karr. “The control of these insect pests is all dependent on our ability to understand their physiology and biochemistry and how that might be helpful.”
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