Biomedical subjects

Gary J Van Berkel

Publications and source records attributed to Gary J Van Berkel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Anion partitioning and ion-pairing behavior of anions in the extraction of cesium salts by 4,5' '-Bis(tert-octylbenzo)dibenzo-24-crown-8 in 1,2-dichloroethane.

A systematic study of anion partitioning and ion pairing was performed for an extraction of individual cesium salts into 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) using 4,5' '-bis(tert-octylbenzo)dibenzo-24-crown-8 as the cesium receptor. Equilibrium constants corresponding to the extraction of ion pairs and dissociated ions, formation of the 1:1 cesium/crown complex (confirmed by electrospray mass spectrometry), and dissociation of the ion pairs in water-saturated 1,2-DCE at 25 degrees C were obtained from equilibrium modeling using the SXLSQI program. The standard Gibbs energy of partitioning between water and water-saturated 1,2-DCE was determined for picrate, permanganate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, methanesulfonate, trifluoroacetate, and acetate anions. The dissociation of the organic-phase complex ion pair [Cs(4,4' '-bis(tert-octylbenzo)dibenzo-24-crown-8]+NO3- observed in the extraction experiments was shown to be consistent with the dissociation constant determined independently by conductance measurements. As attributed to the large effective radius of the complex cation, the evident anion discrimination due to ion pairing in the 1,2-DCE phase was relatively small, by comparison only a tenth of the discrimination exhibited by the anion partitioning. Only chloride and picrate exhibit evidence for significantly greater-than-expected ion-pairing tendency. These results provide insight into the inclusion properties of the clefts formed by opposing arene rings of the crown ether upon encapsulation of the Cs+ ion, whose weak anion recognition likely reflects the preferential inclusion of 1,2-DCE molecules in the clefts. Observed anion extraction selectivity in this system, which may be ascribed predominantly to solvent-induced Hofmeister bias selectivity toward large charge-diffuse anions, was nearly the same whether cesium salts were extracted as dissociated ions or ion pairs.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Electrochemically modulated separation, concentration, and detection of plutonium using an anodized glassy carbon electrode and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Plutonium is shown to be retained on anodized glassy carbon (GC) electrodes at potentials positive of +0.7 V (vs Ag/AgCl reference) and released upon potential shifts to values negative of +0.3 V. This phenomenon has been exploited for the separation, concentration, and detection of plutonium by the coupling an electrochemical flow cell on-line with an ICPMS system. The electrochemically controlled deposition and analysis of Pu improves detection limits by analyte preconcentration and by matrix and isobaric ion elimination. Information related to the parametric optimization of the technique and hypotheses regarding the mechanism of electrochemical accumulation of Pu are reported. The most likely accumulation scenario involves complexation of Pu(IV) species, produced under a controlled potential, with anions retained in the anodization film that develops during the activation of the GC electrode. The release mechanism is believed to result from the reduction of Pu(IV) in the anion complex to Pu(III), which has a lower tendency to form complexes.

Carbon↗

PubMed2006

Automated sampling and imaging of analytes separated on thin-layer chromatography plates using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Modest modifications to the atmospheric sampling capillary of a commercial electrospray mass spectrometer and upgrades to an in-house-developed surface positioning control software package (HandsFree TLC/MS) were used to enable the automated sampling and imaging of analytes on and within large area surface substrates using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Sampling and imaging of rhodamine dyes separated on TLC plates were used to illustrate some of the practical applications of this system. Examples are shown for user-defined spot sampling from separated bands on a TLC plate (one or multiple spots), scanning of a complete development lane (one or multiple lanes), or imaging of analyte bands in a development lane (i.e., multiple lane scans with close spacing). The post data acquisition processing and data display aspects of the software system are also discussed.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

PubMed2006

Expanded use of a battery-powered two-electrode emitter cell for electrospray mass spectrometry.

A battery-powered, controlled-current, two-electrode electrochemical cell containing a porous flow-through working electrode with high surface area and multiple auxiliary electrodes with small total surface area was incorporated into the electrospray emitter circuit to control the electrochemical reactions of analytes in the electrospray emitter. This cell system provided the ability to control the extent of analyte oxidation in positive ion mode in the electrospray emitter by simply setting the magnitude and polarity of the current at the working electrode. In addition, this cell provided the ability to effectively reduce analytes in positive ion mode and oxidize analytes in negative ion mode. The small size, economics, and ease of use of such a battery-powered controlled-current emitter cell was demonstrated by powering a single resistor and switch circuit with a small-size, 3 V watch battery, all of which might be incorporated on the emitter cell.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of a surface-sampling probe electrospray mass spectrometry system for the analysis of surface-deposited and affinity-captured proteins.

A combined self-aspirating electrospray emitter/surfacing-sampling probe coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer was used to sample and mass analyze proteins from surfaces. The sampling probe mass spectrometer system was used to sample and detect lysozyme that had been deposited onto a glass slide using a piezoelectric spotter or murine gamma-interferon affinity captured on a glass slide using surface-immobilized anti-gamma-interferon antibody. The detection level for surface-deposited lysozyme (spot size < or =200 microm) was approximately 1.0 fmol (approximately 100 fmol/mm2) as determined from the ability to measure accurately the protein molecular mass from the mass spectrum acquired by sampling the deposit. These detection limits may be sufficient for certain applications in which protein fractions from a separation method are collected onto a surface. Radiolabeled proteins were used to quantify the surface density of immobilized antibody and the efficiency of capture of the gamma-interferon on glass and higher surface area ceramic supports. The capture density of gamma-interferon at surface saturation ranged from about 23 to 50 fmol/mm2 depending on the capture surface. Nonetheless, mass spectrometric detection of affinity capture protein was successful in some cases, but the results were not reproducible. Thus, improvement of the sampling system, ionization efficiency and/or capture density will be necessary for practical sampling of affinity-captured proteins. The means to accomplish improved sampling system detection limits and to increase the absolute amounts of protein captured per unit area are discussed.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed2006

Quantitation of cotinine in nonsmoker saliva using chip-based nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

A new analytical procedure was developed for the quantitation of nonsmoker salivary cotinine. Small volumes of saliva were diluted with water, fortified with cotinine-d3 (internal standard), then passed through small extraction columns. The analyte and internal standard were eluted with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid/acetonitrile. Aliquots of each extract were analyzed directly, without chromatographic separation, using chip-based (NanoMate) nanospray tandem mass spectrometry. The calculated detection limit was 0.49 ng cotinine/mL saliva. This method was used to quantify salivary cotinine collected from nonsmoking human subjects living in one of three environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure categories or "cells": 1. smoking home/smoking workplace; 2. smoking home/nonsmoking workplace; and 3. nonsmoking home/smoking workplace. Samples were collected during five sequential days, including Saturday, as part of a larger study to evaluate potential variability in exposure to ETS. Salivary cotinine measurements were made for the purpose of excluding misclassified smokers and for comparison with known levels of exposure to airborne nicotine in each exposure category. The concentrations observed were consistent with those reported from other large studies reported elsewhere. A non-parametric statistical test was applied to the data within each cell. No statistically significant differences were found between the mean cotinine concentrations collected on a weekday as compared to those collected on a weekend day. When the non-parametric test was applied to the three cells, a statistically significant difference was observed between cell 1 compared to cells 2 and 3. The salivary cotinine concentrations were thus statistically invariant over a five-day exposure period, and they were greatest under the conditions of smoking home and smoking workplace.

Cotinine↗

PubMed2006

Performance evaluation of the Scent Transfer Unit (STU-100) for organic compound collection and release.

The Scent Transfer Unit (STU-100) is a portable vacuum that uses airflow through a sterile gauze pad to capture a volatiles profile over evidentiary items for subsequent canine presentation to assist law enforcement personnel. This device was evaluated to determine its ability to trap and release organic compounds at ambient temperature under controlled laboratory conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses using a five-component volatiles mixture in methanol injected directly into a capture pad indicated that compound release could be detected initially and 3 days after the time of collection. Additionally, 15 compounds of a 39-component toxic organic gaseous mixture (10-1000 parts per billion by volume [p.p.b.(v)]) were trapped, released, and detected in the headspace of a volatiles capture pad after being exposed to this mixture using the STU-100 with analysis via GC-MS. Component release efficiencies at ambient temperature varied with the analyte; however, typical values of c. 10% were obtained. Desorption at elevated temperatures of reported human odor/scent chemicals and colognes trapped by the STU-100 pads was measured and indicated that the STU-100 has a significant trapping efficiency at ambient temperature. Multivariate statistical analysis of subsequent mass spectral patterns was also performed.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Expanded electrochemical capabilities of the electrospray ion source using porous flow-through electrodes as the upstream ground and emitter high-voltage contact.

Use of a porous flow-through electrode at the upstream ground contact or at both the upstream ground contact and the high-voltage emitter contact in an electrospray ion source was shown to provide for new types of electrochemical experiments utilizing only the electrochemistry inherent to electrospray. The normal stainless steel bore-through union serving as the upstream grounding point in a floated electrospray emitter system was replaced with a high surface area porous flow-through electrode assembly to achieve effective electrochemical reduction of analytes at this point in positive ion mode, and effective electrochemical oxidation of analytes in negative ion mode. This was demonstrated by the oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and reserpine in negative ion mode and by the reduction of thionine in positive ion mode. In the case of reversible oxidation (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) and reduction (thionine) processes, partial rereduction and reoxidation of the products due to reaction with products generated by cathodic and anodic processes at the emitter were observed, respectively. By implementing two high surface area porous flow-through electrodes in the system, one as the upstream grounding point and the other as the emitter electrode, a multiple-step reaction scheme was achieved that included consecutive electrochemical reduction and oxidation reactions and a following chemical reaction as demonstrated by the hydroquinone tagging of an initially disulfide-linked peptide.

Electrochemistry↗

PubMed2005

Automation of a surface sampling probe/electrospray mass spectrometry system.

An image analysis automation concept and the associated software (HandsFree TLC/MS) were developed to control the surface sampling probe-to-surface distance during operation of a surface sampling electrospray system. This automation system enables both "hands-free" formation of the liquid microjunction used to sample material from the surface and hands-free reoptimization of the microjunction thickness during a surface scan to achieve a fully automated surface sampling system. The image analysis concept and the practical implementation of the monitoring and automated adjustment of the sampling probe-to-surface distance (i.e., liquid microjunction thickness) are presented. The added capabilities for the preexisting surface sampling electrospray system afforded through this software control are illustrated by an example of automated scanning of multiple development lanes on a reversed-phase C8 TLC plate and by imaging inked lettering on a paper surface. The post data acquisition processing and data display aspects of the software package are also discussed.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

PubMed2005

Study and application of a controlled-potential electrochemistry-electrospray emitter for electrospray mass spectrometry.

This paper discusses continued studies and new analytical applications of a recently developed three-electrode controlled-potential electrochemical cell incorporated into an electrospray ion source (Van Berkel, G. J.; Asano, K. G.; Granger, M. C. Anal. Chem. 2004, 76, 1493-1499.). This cell contains a porous flow-through working electrode (i.e., the emitter electrode) with high surface area and auxiliary electrodes with small total surface area that are incorporated into the emitter electrode circuit to control the electrochemical reactions of analytes in the electrospray emitter. The current at the working and auxiliary electrodes, and current at the grounding points upstream and downstream of the emitter in the electrospray circuit, were recorded in this study, along with the respective mass spectra of model compound reserpine, under various operating conditions to better understand the electrochemical and electrospray operation of this emitter cell. In addition to the ability to control analyte oxidation in positive ion mode (or reduction in negative ion mode) in the electrospray emitter, this emitter cell system was shown to provide the ability to efficiently reduce analytes in positive ion mode and oxidize analytes in negative ion mode. This was demonstrated by the reduction of methylene blue in positive ion mode and oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid in negative ion mode. Also, the ability to control electrochemical reactions via potential control was used to selectively ionize (oxidize) analytes with different standard electrochemical potentials within mixtures to different charge states to overcome overlapping molecular ion isotopic clusters. The analytical benefit of this ability was illustrated using a mixture of nickel and cobalt octaethylporphyrin.

Cobalt↗

PubMed2005

Quantitative thin-layer chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of caffeine using a surface sampling probe electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry system.

Quantitative determination of caffeine on reversed-phase C8 thin-layer chromatography plates using a surface sampling electrospray ionization system with tandem mass spectrometry detection is reported. The thin-layer chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method employed a deuterium-labeled caffeine internal standard and selected reaction monitoring detection. Up to nine parallel caffeine bands on a single plate were sampled in a single surface scanning experiment requiring 35 min at a surface scan rate of 44 mum/s. A reversed-phase HPLC/UV caffeine assay was developed in parallel to assess the mass spectrometry method performance. Limits of detection for the HPLC/UV and thin-layer chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry methods determined from the calibration curve statistics were 0.20 ng injected (0.50 muL) and 1.0 ng spotted on the plate, respectively. Spike recoveries with standards and real samples ranged between 97 and 106% for both methods. The caffeine content of three diet soft drinks (Diet Coke, Diet Cherry Coke, Diet Pepsi) and three diet sport drinks (Diet Turbo Tea, Speed Stack Grape, Speed Stack Fruit Punch) was measured. The HPLC/UV and mass spectrometry determinations were in general agreement, and these values were consistent with the quoted values for two of the three diet colas. In the case of Diet Cherry Coke and the diet sports drinks, the determined caffeine amounts using both methods were consistently higher (by approximately 8% or more) than the literature values.

Caffeine↗

PubMed2005

Thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled using desorption electrospray ionization.

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) was demonstrated as a means to couple thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with mass spectrometry. The experimental setup and its optimization are described. Development lanes were scanned by moving the TLC plate under computer control while directing the stationary DESI emitter charged droplet plume at the TLC plate surface. Mass spectral data were recorded in either selected reaction monitoring mode or in full scan ion trap mode using a hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Fundamentals and practical applications of the technique were demonstrated in positive ion mode using selected reaction monitoring detection of rhodamine dyes separated on hydrophobic reversed-phase C8 plates and reversed-phase C2 plates, in negative ion full scan mode using a selection of FD&C dyes separated on a wettable reversed-phase C18 plate, and in positive ion full scan mode using a mixture of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine from an over-the-counter pain medication separated on a normal-phase silica gel plate.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of "shotgun" proteomics for identification of biological threat agents in complex environmental matrixes: experimental simulations.

There is currently a great need for rapid detection and positive identification of biological threat agents, as well as microbial species in general, directly from complex environmental samples. This need is most urgent in the area of homeland security, but also extends into medical, environmental, and agricultural sciences. Mass-spectrometry-based analysis is one of the leading technologies in the field with a diversity of different methodologies for biothreat detection. Over the past few years, "shotgun"proteomics has become one method of choice for the rapid analysis of complex protein mixtures by mass spectrometry. Recently, it was demonstrated that this methodology is capable of distinguishing a target species against a large database of background species from a single-component sample or dual-component mixtures with relatively the same concentration. Here, we examine the potential of shotgun proteomics to analyze a target species in a background of four contaminant species. We tested the capability of a common commercial mass-spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics platform for the detection of the target species (Escherichia coli) at four different concentrations and four different time points of analysis. We also tested the effect of database size on positive identification of the four microbes used in this study by testing a small (13-species) database and a large (261-species) database. The results clearly indicated that this technology could easily identify the target species at 20% in the background mixture at a 60, 120, 180, or 240 min analysis time with the small database. The results also indicated that the target species could easily be identified at 20% or 6% but could not be identified at 0.6% or 0.06% in either a 240 min analysis or a 30 h analysis with the small database. The effects of the large database were severe on the target species where detection above the background at any concentration used in this study was impossible, though the three other microbes used in this study were clearly identified above the background when analyzed with the large database. This study points to the potential application of this technology for biological threat agent detection but highlights many areas of needed research before the technology will be useful in real world samples.

Biological Warfare↗

PubMed2005

Thin-layer chromatography/electrospray ionization triple-quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry system: analysis of rhodamine dyes separated on reversed-phase C8 plates.

The direct analysis of separated rhodamine dyes on reversed-phase C(8) thin-layer chromatography plates using a surface sampling/electrospray emitter probe coupled with a triple-quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer is presented. This report represents continuing work to advance the performance metrics and utility of this basic surface sampling electrospray mass spectrometry system for the analysis of thin-layer chromatography plates. Experimental results examining the role of sampling probe spray end configuration on liquid aspiration rate and gas-phase ion signal generated are discussed. The detection figures-of-merit afforded by full-scan, automated product ion and selected reaction monitoring modes of operation were examined. The effect of different eluting solvents on mass spectrum signal levels with the reversed-phase C(8) plate was investigated. The combined effect of eluting solvent flow-rate and development lane surface scan rate on preservation of chromatographic resolution was also studied. Analysis of chromatographically separated red pen ink extracts from eight different pens using selected reaction monitoring demonstrated the potential of this surface sampling electrospray mass spectrometry system for targeted compound analysis with real samples.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Self-aspirating atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source for direct sampling of analytes on surfaces and in liquid solutions.

A self-aspirating heated nebulizer probe is described and demonstrated for use in the direct analysis of analytes on surfaces and in liquid samples by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry. Functionality and performance of the probe as a self-aspirating APCI source is demonstrated using reserpine and progesterone as test compounds. The utility of the probe to sample analytes directly from surfaces was demonstrated first by scanning development lanes of a reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography plate in which a three-component dye mixture, viz., Fat Red 7B, Solvent Green 3, and Solvent Blue 35, was spotted and the components were separated. Development lanes were scanned by the sampling probe operated under computer control (x, y plane) while full-scan mass spectra were recorded using a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. In addition, the ability to sample the surface of pharmaceutical tablets (viz., Extra Strength Tylenol and Evista tablets) and to detect the active ingredients (acetaminophen and raloxifene, respectively) selectively was demonstrated using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Finally, the capability to sample analyte solutions from the wells of a 384-well microtiter plate and to perform quantitative analyses using MS/MS detection was illustrated with cotinine standards spiked with cotinine-d3 as an internal standard.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

PubMed2004

Controlling analyte electrochemistry in an electrospray ion source with a three-electrode emitter cell.

The inherent electrochemistry occurring at the emitter electrode of an electrospray ion source was effectively controlled by incorporating a three-electrode controlled-potential electrochemical cell into the controlled-current electrospray emitter circuit. Two different basic cell designs were investigated to accomplish this control, namely, a planar flow-by working electrode and a porous flow-through working electrode design, each operated with a potentiostat floated at the electrospray high voltage. Control of the analyte electrochemistry was tested using the indole alkaloid reserpine, which is often used to test the specifications of electrospray mass spectrometry instrumentation. Reserpine was relatively easy to oxidize (E(p) = 0.73 V vs Ag/AgCl) in the acidic electrospray medium (acetonitrile/water 1:1 v/v, 5.0 mM ammonium acetate, 0.75 vol % acetic acid) and was oxidized when the conventional electrospray emitter was used at low solution flow rate. With the proper cell auxiliary electrode configuration and adjustment of the working electrode potential, it was found that reserpine oxidation could be "turned off" at flow rates as low as 2.5 microL/min as well as at flow rates as high as 30-40 microL/min. Just as important, it was also possible to "turn on" essentially 100% oxidation of reserpine in this flow rate range. The area of the auxiliary electrode along with flow rate, which affect mass transport of analytes to this electrode, were found to be critical in controlling the electrochemical reactions in the emitter cell. Such control over analyte electrochemical reactions in the emitter has been difficult or impossible to achieve with a conventional electrospray emitter. This control is paramount in obtaining experimental results free from electrochemically generated artifacts of the analyte or in exploiting electrochemical reactions involving the analyte to analytical advantage.

Electrochemistry↗

PubMed2004

Rotation planar chromatography coupled on-line with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

The coupling of a rotation planar preparative thin-layer chromatography system on-line with mass spectrometry is demonstrated using a simple plumbing scheme and a self-aspirating heated nebulizer probe of a corona discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. The self-aspiration of the heated nebulizer delivers approximately 20 microL/min of the 3.0 mL/min eluate stream to the mass spectrometer, eliminating the need for an external pump in the system. The viability of the coupling is demonstrated with a three-dye mixture composed of fat red 7B, solvent green 3, and solvent blue 35 separated and eluted from a silica gel-coated rotor using toluene. The real-time characterization of the dyes eluting from the rotor is illustrated in positive ion full-scan mode. Other self-aspirating ion source systems including atmospheric pressure photoionization, electrospray ionization, and inductively coupled plasma ionization, for example, might be configured and used in a similar manner coupled to the chromatograph to expand the types of analytes that could be ionized, detected, and characterized effectively.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of sustained off-resonance irradiation collisionally activated dissociation and multipole storage-assisted dissociation for top-down protein analysis.

Tandem mass spectrometric data acquired for small (8-18 kDa) intact proteins by sustained off-resonance irradiation collisionally activated dissociation (SORI-CAD) and multipole storage-assisted dissociation (MSAD) were compared, and the results indicate that the two activation methods do not always provide the same fragmentation patterns. In MSAD experiments, the charge state distribution made available by the ionization conditions may dictate the range of fragment ions that can be generated. In addition, conditions of high space charge within the hexapole impair transmission and/or trapping of high m/z species, which can result in loss of important precursor and product ions. Finally, the non-resonant nature of activation in MSAD can provide access to secondary dissociation processes that are not available by SORI. Because of these considerations, MSAD is less reliable than SORI for generating sequence tag data. However, it appears that MSAD samples 'preferred' cleavage processes (i.e. those occurring at D and P residues) just as well as SORI, which implies that MSAD data may be somewhat more compatible with search algorithms that utilize unprocessed fragment ion masses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗