(2-Ethoxyethoxy)acetic acid: An unusual compound found in the gas chromatographic analysis of urinary organic acids

An unknown acidic compound was detected in a number of urine samples from patients with a suspected metabolic disorder and some patients treated with chemotherapy. The structure of this compound has been characterized as (2-ethoxyethoxy)acetic acid, using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/ computer system.The authentic compound was synthesized and compared with the unknown. Urinary (2-ethoxyethoxy)acetic acid is assumed to be formed endogenously from an exogenous precursor, probably 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol.     

Poly(methylidene malonate 2.1.2) nanoparticles: a biocompatible polymer that enhances peri-adventitial adenoviral gene delivery.

Vascular gene therapy is currently limited by low and transient levels of gene transfection. The objectives of this study were to determine whether peri-adventitial delivery of adenovirus coupled to nanoparticles could improve transfection efficiency and duration. Adenovirus was absorbed to the surface of nanoparticles that were made from poly(methylidene malonate)2.1.2 (PMM2.1.2). These complexes were found to have good adhesive properties to both cultured vascular smooth muscle cells and to the luminal and adventitial layers of excised rabbit carotid arteries. Adenovirus encoding to beta-galactosidase coupled to PMM2.1.2 nanoparticles or adenovirus alone were delivered locally to the adventitia of rabbit carotid arteries. Transfection rate was assessed histologically by the percentage of beta-galactosidase positive cells in the vessel wall at 1 and at 2 weeks. There was significantly higher transfection rate when adenovirus was complexed with nanoparticles as compared to free adenovirus (At 1 week: 10+/-3.9% beta-gal positive cells vs. 2.4+/-0.3% and at 2 weeks: 4.3+/-4.1% vs. 0%, P<0.005 for all). This difference was present in both the medial and adventitial layers. In conclusion, adenoviral mediated gene therapy was significantly enhanced by adsorbing the virus to PMM2.1.2 nanoparticles. This delivery method may be a good therapeutic strategy for the treatment of various vascular diseases.     

Correction: Ultrasound-assisted leaching of vanadium from fly ash using lemon juice organic acids

Correction for ‘Ultrasound-assisted leaching of vanadium from fly ash using lemon juice organic acids’ by G. Rahimi et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 1685–1696, DOI: 10.1039/C9RA09352G.

The authors regret that the name of one of the authors (Farhad Rahmani) was shown incorrectly in the original article. The corrected author list is as shown above.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Correction: Conversion of N-acyl amidines to amidoximes: a convenient synthetic approach to molnupiravir (EIDD-2801) from ribose

Correction for ‘Conversion of N-acyl amidines to amidoximes: a convenient synthetic approach to molnupiravir (EIDD-2801) from ribose’ by Ajaz Ahmed et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 36143–36147, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA06912H.

The authors regret that affiliation b was incorrectly given in the original article. The corrected affiliation is shown here.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Correction: A novel biomass-based support (Starbon) for TiO2 hybrid photocatalysts: a versatile green tool for water purification

Correction for ‘A novel biomass-based support (Starbon) for TiO₂ hybrid photocatalysts: a versatile green tool for water purification’ by Juan Carlos Colmenares et al., RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 20186–20192.

The authors regret that the Experimental section (2.2 Preparation of hybrid TiO₂-based carbonaceous materials) of the original article requires a small correction. There was apparently some minor arithmetic error involved in the calculation of the nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ which was deposited on carbonaceous carbon materials. The nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ deposited on carbonaceous carbon materials was calculated incorrectly (should be 20.9 wt% TiO₂ instead of 25 wt% TiO₂). It should be recognized that this error does not affect any discussion and conclusions reported in this publication. However, this correction is necessary to determine the nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ which was deposited on carbon materials and improve the quality of this scientific publication.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Phylogeny and potential transmission routes of midgut-associated endosymbionts of tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae)

Many tsetse species (Diptera: Glossinidae) harbour two morphologically different intracellular endosymbiotic microorganisms associated with gut tissue: primary (P) and secondary (S) endosymbionts. The P-endosymbionts of tsetse (Wigglesworthia glossinidia) are sequestered in specialized epithelial cells, bacteriocytes, which form a structure (bacteriome) in the anterior portion of the gut. Phylogenetic characterization of P-endosymbionts from the three subgenera of genus Glossina has shown that these organisms constitute a distinct lineage within the γ-subdivision of Proteobacteria and have evolved concordantly with their insect host species, suggesting an evolutionarily ancient association for this symbiosis. The S-endosymbiont is a smaller (1–2 μm) gram-negative rod and is harboured in midgut epithelial cells. Its phylogenetic characterization from Glossina morsitans morsitans had shown that it is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae within the γ-3 subdivision of the Proteobacteria, closely related to enteric bacteria. Some tsetse species harbour a third bacterium in their reproductive tissue, which was shown phylogenetically to belong to the Wolbachia pipientis assemblage of microorganisms. Here, we show that S-endosymbionts from five tsetse species, representing all three subgenera, form a cluster of closely related microorganisms, based on their almost identical 16S rRNA gene sequences. This high similarity provides strong evidence of recent independent acquisition of S-endosymbionts by individual tsetse species, unlike Wigglesworthia which displays concordant evolution with host insect species. A PCR-based assay and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was developed to localize the S-endosymbionts and Wigglesworthia in ovary, egg, milk-gland and spermatheca tissues in order to investigate the potential routes for the vertical transmission of these symbionts to the intrauterine larvae. Only S-endosymbionts were found to infect milk gland tissue, suggesting that milk gland secretions represent a route of transmission for these symbionts into the developing larva. The ovary tissue was found to harbour only Wolbachia, confirming its transovarial transmission, whereas the mode of transmission of Wigglesworthia remains unknown.     

急性缺血性脑卒中不同药物、剂量、给药途径溶栓治疗效果的系统评价

目的评价不同药物、剂量、给药途径(静脉或动脉)的溶栓疗法治疗急性缺血性脑卒中的疗效和安全性.方法应用国际Cochrane协作网的系统评价方法对全世界关于不同药物、剂量、给药途径溶栓疗法治疗急性缺血性脑卒中的随机和半随机对照试验进行了系统评价.结果共收集到14个已完成的随机对照试验,8个试验(共包括1334例病人)符合纳入标准,其中6个试验比较了不同剂量的t-PA和尿激酶的疗效,3个试验比较了不同药物的疗效.高剂量溶栓治疗组致死性颅内出血事件较低剂量溶栓治疗组显著增加(OR5.02,95%CI1.56-16.18),高剂量溶栓治疗组呈现早期死亡或严重出血增加的趋势但未达到统计学意义,远期死亡或颅外出血在高、低剂量组之间无明显差异,不同溶栓药物效果的比较无显著差异.结论目前尚无足够证据证明是否低剂量溶栓药物治疗急性缺血性脑卒中比高剂量更为安全和有效,亦不能作出一种溶栓药物比另一种更好或哪种给药途径更佳的结论.本系统评价的更新版将于近期在Cochrane图书馆发表.     

Correction: White light employing luminescent engineered large (mega) Stokes shift molecules: a review

Correction for ‘White light employing luminescent engineered large (mega) Stokes shift molecules: a review’ by Nadia Nabihah Mohd Yusof Chan et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 13409–13445, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA00129A.

The authors regret that Fig. 17 was incorrectly shown in the original article. The amended figure is shown below with labels 8a and 8b corrected to 12a and 12b.Open in a separate windowFig. 17(Top) Molecular structure of 2-thienyl (12a) and 2,6-bisthienyl (12b) BODIPY derivatives and their emission colour, taken under ambient light and UV light (handheld UV lamp, 365 nm). c = 7.5 × 10⁻⁶ M (toluene, 25 °C). (Middle) Fluorescence spectra of 12a, 12b and unsubstituted BODIPY. (Bottom) Rationalization of the large Stokes shift of 12b: the geometry relaxation upon photoexcitation and the frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) involved in the vertical excitation (i.e., UV-vis absorption, the left two columns) and emission (right column) of 12b. The figures were adapted from ref. 98 with permission. Copyright 2012 American Chemical Society.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Differential effect of blood collection tubes on total free fatty acids (FFA) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) concentration: a model for studying interference from tube constituents

BACKGROUND: Besides total triiodothyronine (TT3), total free fatty acids (FFA) concentrations were higher with serum separator tube (SST) than Vacuette tubes. METHODS: The effects of surfactant, rubber stopper, and separator gel from various tubes were investigated on FFA, beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-HB), and TT3 with 8 different tube types in blood specimens of apparently healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Compared to Vacuette tubes, serum FFA and TT3 concentrations were significantly higher in SST than glass tubes. Reformulated SST eliminated the increase in TT3 but not FFA. No significant difference was observed for beta-HB concentration among tube types. Surfactant and rubber stoppers from the different tube types significantly increased TT3 but not FFA and beta-HB concentrations. Agitation of whole blood but not serum or plasma specimens with separator gel from SST, reformulated SST and plasma preparation tube (PPT) tubes compared to Vacuette tubes gave higher FFA but not beta-HB levels. CONCLUSIONS: Unidentified component(s) from the separator gel in SST, reformulated SST and PPT tubes cause falsely high FFA concentration. In contrast to TT3, falsely high FFA results require exposure of whole blood and not serum to tube constituent(s). The approach employed here may serve as a model for assessing interference(s) from tube constituent(s).     

Correction: Efficient in situ N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(ii) generated from Pd(OAc)2 catalysts for carbonylative Suzuki coupling reactions of arylboronic acids with 2-bromopyridine under inert conditions leading to unsymmetrical arylpyridine ketones: synthesis,characterization and cytotoxic activities

Correction for ‘Efficient in situ N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(ii) generated from Pd(OAc)₂ catalysts for carbonylative Suzuki coupling reactions of arylboronic acids with 2-bromopyridine under inert conditions leading to unsymmetrical arylpyridine ketones: synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activities’ by Nedra Touj et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 40000–40015.

Errors were present in the published article in terms of the co-author name spelling for J. Al-Tamimi and the author affiliations. The corrected list of author and affiliation details in this paper is as shown here.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Synthetic cathinones (bath salts): legal status and patterns of abuse

OBJECTIVE: To review the current legal status and patterns of abuse of bath salts. DATA SOURCES : A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE (1950-December 2011), PubMed (1966-December 2011), EMBASE (1966-December 2011), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-December 2011) using the search terms bath salts, mephedrone, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone to identify articles on the legal status of bath salts and on studies focusing on patterns of abuse of bath salts. The GovTrack.us Web site was searched to determine the status of federal bills regarding bath salts. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and Drug Enforcement Administration Web sites and the Federal Register were also examined to identify legislation on bath salts. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION : Case reports and studies regarding bath salts were examined. Federal laws involving bath salts were also evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS : The Department of Justice issued a final order in the Federal Register, temporarily placing the 3 synthetic stimulants, mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone, and methylone, under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Literature evaluated included case reports, retrospective studies, surveys, toxicology data, and chemical analyses studies. Information in the literature demonstrated that bath salts are highly abused, and common adverse effects include hypertension, tachycardia, and psychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSIONS : Psychoactive substances recently sold as bath salts have been placed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Pharmacists can play an important role in raising awareness on the dangers of bath salts abuse through patient counseling and community outreach programs. The evidence on legal status and patterns of abuse clearly demonstrates that bath salts contain dangerous substances that should be permanently controlled.     

Correction: Affinity binding of chicken apolipoprotein A1 to a novel flax orbitide (linusorb)

Correction for ‘Affinity binding of chicken apolipoprotein A1 to a novel flax orbitide (linusorb)’ by Pramodkumar D. Jadhav, et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 17702–17709.

The authors regret the omission of the following conflict of interest statement.Dr Martin J. T. Reaney is the founder of, and has an equity interest in, Prairie Tide Diversified Inc. (PTD, Saskatoon, SK, Canada: previous company name is Prairie Tide Chemicals Inc.). Dr Youn Young Shim is a Market Consultant for PTD in Korea. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of Saskatchewan in accordance with its conflict of interest policies.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

准分子激光原位角膜磨镶术与准分子激光角膜上皮瓣下磨镶术比较治疗近视效果的系统评价

目的 系统评价准分子激光原位角膜磨镶术(LASIK)与准分子激光角膜上皮瓣下磨镶术(LASEK)比较治疗近视的疗效与安全性.方法 计算机检索PubMed、Embase、Cochrane图书馆(2010年2期)、CNKI、VIP 及万方数据库(1990.01～2010.10),检索语种限制为中、英文,纳入LASIK对比L...