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ABSTRACT: Matrix effect is unavoidable in direct solid analysis, which usually is a leading cause of the nonstoichiometric effect in quantitative analysis. In this research, experiments were carried out to study the overall characteristics of atomization and ionization in laser-solid interaction. Both nanosecond (ns) and femtosecond (fs) lasers were applied in a buffer-gas-assisted ionization source coupled with an orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Twenty-nine solid standards of ten different matrices, including six metals and four dielectrics, were analyzed. The results indicate that the fs-laser mode offers more stable relative sensitivity coefficients (RSCs) with irradiance higher than 7 × 10(13) W·cm(-2), which could be more reliable in the determination of element composition of solids. The matrix effect is reduced by half when the fs-laser is employed, owing to the fact that the fs-laser ablation and ionization (fs-LAI) incurs an almost heat-free ablation process and creates a dense plasma for the stable ionization.
Analytical Chemistry 04/2013; · 5.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In modern bioanalytics, elemental analysis of single cells is important yet challenging due to the complicated biological matrices and elemental contents. We have developed the high irradiance femtosecond laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometry (fs-LI-O-TOFMS) to determine the elemental composition of individual cells. The sample preparation procedure is simple and fast through heating and drying the cells. Under typical operating conditions, elements above femtogram levels in a single cell can be clearly observed in the spectrum with reasonable isotope ratios. Some of the nonmetallic elements that are difficult to measure by ICPMS, such as P, S, and Cl, can be easily determined by fs-LI-O-TOFMS. Replicate analyses show that signal variations are 15-35% for metallic elements and 25-50% for nonmetallic elements. The results demonstrate that fs-LI-O-TOFMS is a simple, rapid, and practical tool for the elemental determination of single cells.
Analytical Chemistry 04/2013; · 5.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ions in Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) are predominantly singly charged for small analyte molecules. With the estimated high number density and low temperature of electrons, the three-body recombination mechanism is attractive and should be considered as an important cause for the charge reduction in the plume. Theoretical calculations indicate that the rate coefficient of the three-body recombination is about 50 times higher than that of the two-body recombination if the analyte molecule has insufficient degrees of freedom. Experimental results show that, for small analyte molecules, the ratio of AH2(2+)/AH(+) is close to the theoretical 5% value from the three-body recombination modeling and this ratio declines with the increasing electron and matrix molecule number density caused by greater laser irradiance. The ratio of [A + 2](+)/[A + 1](+) is higher than the theoretical isotopic value, and the excess [A + 2](+) could exclusively result from the three-body recombination collisions. Further evidence demonstrates that [A + 2](+)/[A + 1](+) increases with electron number density, which is in correspondence with the model. All of these theoretical and experimental results indicate that three-body recombination is an essential charge reduction mechanism for small molecules in the MALDI plume.
The Analyst 03/2013; · 4.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Bladder cancer (BC) and kidney cancer (KC) are the first two commonly occurring genitourinary cancers in China. In this study, a comprehensive LC-MS-based method, which utilizes both reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) separations, has been carried out in conjunction with multivariate data analysis to discriminate the global serum profiles of BC, KC, and noncancer controls. An independent test set consisting of different patients has been used to objectively evaluate the predictive ability of the analysis platform. Excellent sensitivity and specificity have been achieved in detection of KC and BC. The results suggest that serum metabolic profiling could be used for different types of genitourinary cancer diagnosis. Furthermore, cancer type-specific biomarkers were found through a critical selection criterion. As a result, eicosatrienol, azaprostanoic acid, docosatrienol, retinol, and 14'-apo-beta-carotenal were found as specific biomarkers for BC; and PE(P-16:0e/0:0), glycerophosphorylcholine, ganglioside GM3 (d18:1/22:1), C17 sphinganine, and SM(d18:0/16:1(9Z)) were found as specific biomarkers for KC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used for the preliminary evaluation of the biomarkers. These biomarkers have great potential to be used in the clinical diagnosis after further rigorous assessment.
Proteomics 06/2012; 12(14):2238-46. · 4.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Serum and urine samples from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and control samples were analyzed by UPLC-TOF-MS; fast
and slow separation gradients were compared using both positive and negative ionization modes. The resulting data were analyzed
using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and models were developed to differentiate between patient and
control samples. The models were evaluated using external test sets to classify their predictive ability. Under both fast
and slow gradient conditions, the PLS-DA models generated using serum samples were more robust than those generated using
urine samples, and the positive ionization mode produced better differentiation and higher classification rates than negative
ionization mode. In addition, fast gradient conditions were found to have a comparable ability for differentiation to slow
gradient conditions.
KeywordsUltra performance liquid chromatography-Time-of-flight mass spectrometry-Metabonic study
Chromatographia 04/2012; 72(9):807-813. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to use metabonomic profiling to identify a potential specific biomarker pattern in urine as a noninvasive bladder cancer (BC) detection strategy. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based method, which utilized both reversed phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction chromatography separations, was performed, followed by multivariate data analysis to discriminate the global urine profiles of 27 BC patients and 32 healthy controls. Data from both columns were combined, and this combination proved to be effective and reliable for partial least squares-discriminant analysis. Following a critical selection criterion, several metabolites showing significant differences in expression levels were detected. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used for the evaluation of potential biomarkers. Carnitine C9:1 and component I, were combined as a biomarker pattern, with a sensitivity and specificity up to 92.6% and 96.9%, respectively, for all patients and 90.5% and 96.9%, respectively for low-grade BC patients. Metabolic pathways of component I and carnitine C9:1 are discussed. These results indicate that metabonomics is a practicable tool for BC diagnosis given its high efficacy and economization. The combined biomarker pattern showed better performance than single metabolite in discriminating bladder cancer patients, especially low-grade BC patients, from healthy controls.
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 07/2011; 10(10):M111.007922. · 7.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Studying metal-biomolecule interactions is critical to the elucidation of the molecular basis of the biological functions and toxicity of metals. In the present study, a competitive fluorimetric approach has been developed to measure the apparent affinity of biomolecules for Be(2+) by using a Be(2+)-specific fluorigenic probe (10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline-7-sulfonate, HBQS). Under physiological conditions, HBQS coordinates with Be(2+) in a molar ratio of 1:1 and results in a fluorescence shift from 580 nm for HBQS to 480 nm for the Be-HBQS complex associated with significant fluorescence enhancement. When a beryllium ligand is present in the mixture of Be(2+) and HBQS, the competition of ligand against HBQS for beryllium ion binding results in dissociation and thus a fluorescence decrease of the Be-HBQS complex. By titrating ligand and monitoring the dose-dependent decrease of Be-HBQS complex fluorescence at 480 nm, the apparent affinity between ligand and Be(2+) can be derived. Applying this simple approach, the apparent affinities of various nucleotides and the iron-storage protein ferritin for beryllium ion have been determined. In particular, the apparent dissociation constant of Be(2+) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) was also validated by an electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) method. The general applicability of the proposed competition assay was further demonstrated using FluoZin-1, a zinc fluorescent indicator, in a binding study for Zn(2+) and bovine serum albumin. This newly developed competitive fluorimetric assay provides a sensitive, simple, and generic approach for affinity estimation of metal and biomolecule binding.
Talanta 07/2011; 85(1):638-43. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A rhodamine 6G hydrazide fluorescent chemosensor was prepared for the rapid HOCl detection in aqueous media. The system makes good use of the irreversible HOCl-mediated selective oxidation reaction to generate fluorescent response proportional to the amount of HOCl in neutral buffer. This probe exhibits great photostability, high sensitivity, and good selectivity for HOCl over other reactive species and most of the common metal ions. Furthermore, the probe is cell membrane permeable, and its applicability has been successfully demonstrated for fluorescence imaging of both exogenous and endogenous HOCl within living cells. Cytotoxicity assays prove that this probe is almost nontoxic to the cultured cell lines under the experimental conditions.
Talanta 07/2011; 85(1):779-86. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A novel method for obtaining elemental, fragmental, and molecular information of organometallic compounds has been developed using high irradiance laser induced time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LI-TOFMS) with a buffer-gas-assisted ion source. This technique permits direct and matrix-free analysis of solid analyte with minimal sample preparation. In addition, it shows special advantages in integrated acquisition of elemental, fragmental, and molecular information from a single target, on the basis of which identification of organometallic complexes is simplified and expedited.
Analytical Chemistry 02/2011; 83(6):2403-7. · 5.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A LC-MS based method, which utilizes both reversed-performance (RP) chromatography and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) separations, has been carried out in conjunction with multivariate data analysis to discriminate the global serum profiles of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients and healthy controls. The HILIC was found necessary for a comprehensive serum metabonomic profiling as well as RP separation. The feasibility of using serum metabonomics for the diagnosis and staging of RCC has been evaluated. One-hundred percent sensitivity in detection has been achieved, and a satisfactory clustering between the early stage and advanced-stage patients is observed. The results suggest that the combination of LC-MS analysis with multivariate statistical analysis can be used for RCC diagnosis and has potential in the staging of RCC. The MS/MS experiments have been carried out to identify the biomarker patterns that made great contribution to the discrimination. As a result, 30 potential biomarkers for RCC are identified. It is possible that the current biomarker patterns are not unique to RCC but just the result of any malignancy disease. To further elucidate the pathophysiology of RCC, related metabolic pathways have been studied. RCC is found to be closely related to disturbed phospholipid catabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, fatty acid beta-oxidation, cholesterol metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism.
Journal of Proteome Research 02/2011; 10(3):1396-405. · 5.11 Impact Factor
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Journal of Chinese Mass Spectrometry Society. 01/2011; 32(2):121-128.
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ABSTRACT: An elemental imaging method using a laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer system was developed for the simultaneous detection of all metal and nonmetal elements. The instrument control and data processing were realized by self-developed programs. This system is capable of simultaneous detection of metal and nonmetal elements, with a spatial resolution of 50 μm, the lowest detection limits of 3 × 10(-7) g/g (Li), and a dynamic range of 7 orders of magnitude. Moreover, this technique does not require standards for quantitative analysis and can be a powerful and versatile tool for elemental imaging.
Analytical Chemistry 01/2011; 83(3):1102-7. · 5.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This article reviews the development of and applications for high irradiance laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LI-O-TOFMS). LI-O-TOFMS has solved the bottleneck problems in traditional high irradiance laser ionization mass spectrometry, which allows the instrument to acquire explicit spectra with high resolution. A buffer-gas-assisted ion source effectively reduces the kinetic energy of the ions and suppresses the multiply charged ion interference. The pulse train data acquisition technique was applied to reduce the spectrum interference from multiply charged ions and polyatomic ions according to the temporal profiles of different ion packets in the repelling region. Relatively high laser irradiance (≥10(10) W/cm(2)) is preferable for achieving uniform relative sensitivities for different elements in the samples of different matrices. LI-O-TOFMS has been used in the standardless, semiquantitative analysis of solids, which is proved to be a fast and convenient technique for solid sample analysis. By increasing the laser irradiance and reducing the buffer gas pressure, the determination of nonmetallic elements in solids can also be achieved without losing spectral explicity. Recent applications, such as elemental analysis of a single egg cell and acquiring elemental, fragmental, and molecular information of chemicals, were given to demonstrate the potential of the new technique. All of these results reveal that LI-O-TOFMS is an advanced tool in the elemental analysis of solids in terms of modern mass spectrometry.
Mass Spectrometry Reviews 01/2011; 30(6):1256-68. · 10.46 Impact Factor
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Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities -Chinese Edition- 11/2010; 31(11):2113-2115. · 0.62 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Serum samples from kidney cancer patients and healthy controls were analyzed by both direct infusion mass spectrometry (DIMS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with a high resolution ESI-Q-TOFMS. The classification and biomarker discovery capacities of the two methods were compared, and MS/MS experiments were carried out to identify potential biomarkers. DIMS had comparable classification and prediction capabilities to LC-MS but consumed only ~5% of the analysis time. With regard to biomarker discovery, twenty-three variables were found as potential biomarkers by DIMS, and 48 variables were obtained by LC-MS. DIMS is recommended to be a fast diagnostic method for kidney cancer, while LC-MS is necessary when comprehensive screening of biomarkers is required.
The Analyst 11/2010; 135(11):2970-8. · 4.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Employing single nanoparticle detection with a laboratory-built high-sensitivity flow cytometer, we developed a simple and versatile platform that is capable of detecting the surface plasmon resonance scattering of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as small as 24 nm, differentiating GNPs of different sizes, and providing accurate quantification of GNPs. Low-concentration samples (fM to pM) in small volumes (microL) can be measured in minutes with an analysis rate of up to 100-200 GNPs per second. Among these features, absolute quantification provides a distinct advantage because it does not require standard samples.
Journal of the American Chemical Society 09/2010; 132(35):12176-8. · 9.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The capabilities of two-dimensional separation using a high irradiance laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LI-O-TOFMS) were demonstrated in this paper. Ions were separated via their initial kinetic energy in one dimension and their mass-to-charge ratios in the other dimension. Investigation of the transient ion profiles after laser pulses revealed that the separation of analyte ions from multiply charged ions and gas species ions was achieved. Comparison of mass spectra in the normal accumulation mode and in the two-dimensional separation mode indicated that the relative sensitivity coefficients are stable and close to their true values in the two-dimensional separation mode, especially for trace elements that are prone to interference.
Analytical Chemistry 03/2010; 82(7):3077-80. · 5.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A novel method has been developed that allows the direct speciation analysis of iron oxides based on a modified laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Time resolved mass spectra were acquired for the investigation of elemental ions and oxide ions generated by a laser ionization source. Speciation methodologies, including the identification of characteristic ions and the use of ion abundance ratios were evaluated for the differentiation of the oxides. The influence of operating parameters on the distribution of cluster ions was investigated, and their mechanism of formation discussed.
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 03/2010; 21(7):1227-34. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The simultaneous determination of nonmetallic elements in solid samples is difficult owing to their discrepant physical and chemical properties. We developed a high-irradiance laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LI-O-TOFMS) system and applied it for the determination of nonmetallic elements in solids. Helium was used as the buffer gas at 250 Pa in the source chamber; the laser irradiance was about 7 x 10(10) W/cm(2). A series of artificial standards containing B, C, N, O, F, Si, P, S, Cl, As, Br, Se, I, and Te were used. Explicit spectra were obtained with only a little interference from gas species and doubly charged matrix ions. Standardless semiquantitative analysis could be accomplished with a novel sampling methodology to obtain near-uniform sensitivity coefficients for different elements. Limits of detection (LOD) at microgram per gram level and a dynamic range of 6 orders of magnitude were achieved for most nonmetallic elements.
Analytical Chemistry 03/2010; 82(5):1949-53. · 5.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper describes a rapid and sensitive strategy for the absolute and simultaneous quantification of specific pathogenic strain and total bacterial cells in a mixture. A laboratory-built compact, high-sensitivity, dual channel flow cytometer (HSDCFCM) was modified to enable dual fluorescence detection. A bacterial cell mixture comprising heat-killed pathogenic Escherichia coli E. coli O157:H7 and harmless E. coli DH5alpha was used as a model system. Pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 cells were selectively labeled by red fluorescent probe via antibody-antigen interaction, and all bacterial cells were stained with membrane-permeable nucleic acid dye that fluoresces green. When each individual bacterium passes through the interrogating laser beam, E. coli O157:H7 emits both red and green fluorescence, while E. coli DH5alpha exhibits only green fluorescence. Because the fluorescence burst generated from each individual bacterial cell was easily distinguished from the background, accurate enumeration and consequently absolute quantification were achieved for both pathogenic and total bacterial cells. By using this strategy, accurate counting of bacteria at a density above 1.0 x 10(5) cells/mL can be accomplished with 1 min of data acquisition time after fluorescent staining. Excellent correlation between the concentrations measured by the HSDCFCM and the conventional plate-counting method were obtained for pure-cultured E. coli O157:H7 (R(2) = 0.9993) and E. coli DH5alpha (R(2) = 0.9998). Bacterial cell mixtures with varying proportions of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli DH5alpha were measured with good ratio correspondence. We applied the established approach to detecting artificially contaminated drinking water samples; E. coli O157:H7 of 1.0 x 10(2) cells/mL were accurately quantified upon sample enrichment. It is believed that the proposed method will find wide applications in many fields demanding bacterial identification and quantification.
Analytical Chemistry 02/2010; 82(3):1109-16. · 5.86 Impact Factor
