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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Neutron activation analysis of biological samples at the radiochemistry division of IPEN-CNEN/SP.

Neutron activation analysis is a very useful method for determination of a great number of elements in biological samples. At the Radiochemistry Division of the IPEN-CNEN/SP, this method is being extensively applied to study several materials, such as extracts from medicinal plants, human hair, snake venoms, human lungs, food-stuffs, and corn samples. Both instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) are used to analyze real samples, as well as biological standard reference materials to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the results.

Brazil↗

Determination of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in biological samples by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry using [7,7,16,16-2H4]-dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate as an internal standard.

A method for the determination of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) in biological samples is described. [7,7,16,16-2H4]-Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (2H4-DHEA-S) was synthesized and its applicability was examined as an internal standard with liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS). Deuterium atoms in 2H4-DHEA-S molecules were not exchanged to hydrogen atoms during the extraction procedure from biological specimens in the determination of DHEA-S with LC/MS. The calibration curve of DHEA-S was linear over the range of 2-500 ng on-column. The detection limit of DHEA-S was 0.5 ng on-column with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-assay with 200 ng of standard sample were 3.3 and 5.0%, respectively. These results were better than a similar method reported on previously (Nakajima et al., 1996). The proposed method was successfully developed for the determination of DHEA-S in biological samples.

Animals↗

Coupling of acetonitrile deproteinization and salting-out extraction with acetonitrile stacking for biological sample clean-up and the enrichment of hydrophobic compounds (porphyrins) in capillary electrophoresis.

A new sample pretreatment approach in CE was developed for concurrent biological sample clean-up and the concentration of hydrophobic compounds based on the combination of ACN deproteinization with salting-out extraction. Further enhancement in concentration detection sensitivity was achieved by coupling (offline) salting-out extraction with an online CE sample enrichment technique known as "ACN stacking". By optimizing the pH of salting-out extraction, a number of model compounds (hydrophobic porphyrins with clinical significances), i.e. zinc-protoporphyrin, protoporphyrin, and coproporphyrin (CP) III and I, can be efficiently extracted from the aqueous sample into a smaller volume organic solvent (ACN) phase and an enrichment factor of ca. 100 can be obtained. The pressure injection of the enriched ACN phase (containing ca.1% NaCl) into the CE capillary at 10% capillary volume resulted in additional concentration of the various hydrophobic porphyrins, allowing for a combined enrichment factor of ca.1000 to be obtained. Calibration curves obtained for the determination of a pair of positional isomers with significant diagnostic value, urinary CPIII and CPI, were found to be linear between 10-300 ng/mL (with R2 = 0.999), and LODs (absorbance detection at 400 nm) were ca. 0.8 ng/mL (1.1 nmol/L of CPIII or CPI). Based on a single salting-out extraction, intraday precisions (nine consecutive injections) for both CPIII and CPI (at spiked concentrations of 10-300 ng/mL into urine) in terms of migration time and peak area were found to be within the range of 0.2-0.5 and 0.8-2.9%, respectively.

Acetonitriles↗

Successive isolation and separation of the major lipid fractions including gangliosides from single biological samples.

Currently available techniques concerning extraction and characterization of the different lipids from biological specimens are designed for particular families and do not address consecutive isolation of lipid constituents in their globality. We describe here a simple, nondestructive chromatographic procedure that allows efficient elution and further analysis of the major lipid classes (neutral lipids, phospholipids, nonsialylated sphingolipids, and gangliosides) in their natural states from the same starting material. The procedure describes the use of solvent mixtures adapted to silicic acid column chromatography and permits 90-97% recovery of each of the above lipid groups. We have particularly concentrated on optimizing the efficient recovery of the diverse minor forms of gangliosides, free of other contaminants, from relatively small amounts of neural tissue. As model systems we have used in vivo and in vitro preparations of mammalian retina for which only fragmentary data are available on lipid composition. We show that relative to brain, retina contains, for example, twofold more sphingomyelin and sixfold more GD3 ganglioside. In turn, cultured retinal glial cells contain twofold higher levels of globoside and eightfold higher amounts of GM3 ganglioside with respect to intact retina. Compared to previously published techniques, we obtain improved total ganglioside recovery, with enrichment of poly-sialogangliosides. The technique presented here should be widely applicable to analyze global lipid composition of diverse biological samples.

Animals↗

Extractions of pyrroloquinoline quinone from crude biological samples.

The best conditions for extractions of free pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) from crude biological samples were investigated with various organic solvents and Sep-Pak C18 cartridges. PQQ was measured with use of its native fluorescence in aqueous solution. PQQ was well extracted into n-butanol under acid conditions, and addition of NaCl did not improve the solvent extraction. PQQ, which had been extracted into n-butanol, could be re-extracted into an aqueous phase by addition of either n-heptane or pyridine, or combination of them. PQQ, which had been adsorbed to Sep-Pak C18 cartridges, could be eluted with a mixture of pyridine and water with very excellent recovery. The recovery of 1 micrograms PQQ, which had been added to 1 g human liver, brain and 1 ml plasma and had undergone the n-butanol and the Sep-Pak extractions, was 50, 75 and 105%, respectively. From the blank fluorescence, endogenous levels of free PQQ in human liver, brain and plasma were found not greater than 0.41, 0.08 and 0.13 micrograms/g or ml, respectively, if present.

Brain Chemistry↗

Microchip-based purification of DNA from biological samples.

A microchip solid-phase extraction method for purification of DNA from biological samples, such as blood, is demonstrated. Silica beads were packed into glass microchips and the beads immobilized with sol-gel to provide a stable and reproducible solid phase onto which DNA could be adsorbed. Optimization of the DNA loading conditions established a higher DNA recovery at pH 6.1 than 7.6. This lower pH also allowed for the flow rate to be increased, resulting in a decrease in extraction time from 25 min to less than 15 min. Using this procedure, template genomic DNA from human whole blood was purified on the microchip platform with the only sample preparation being mixing of the blood with load buffer prior to loading on the microchip device. Comparison between the microchip SPE (microchipSPE) procedure and a commercial microcentrifuge method showed comparable amounts of PCR-amplifiable DNA could be isolated from cultures of Salmonella typhimurium. The greatest potential of the microchipSPE device was illustrated by purifying DNA from spores from the vaccine strain of Bacillus anthracis, where eventual integration of SPE, PCR, and separation on a single microdevice could potentially enable complete detection of the infectious agent in less than 30 min.

Adsorption↗

Evaluation of partial least-squares with second-order advantage for the multi-way spectroscopic analysis of complex biological samples in the presence of analyte-background interactions.

The combination of unfolded partial least-squares (U-PLS) with residual bilinearization (RBL) has not been properly exploited to process experimental second-order spectroscopic information, although it is able to achieve the important second-order advantage. Among other desirable properties, the technique can handle incomplete calibration information, i.e., when only certain analyte concentrations are known in the training set. It can also cope with analyte spectral changes from sample to sample, due to its latent variable structure. In this work, U-PLS/RBL has been successfully applied to experimental fluorescence excitation-emission matrix data aimed at the quantitation of analytes in complex samples: these were the antibiotic tetracycline and the anti-inflammatory salicylate, in both cases in the presence of human serum, where significant analyte-background interactions occur. The interactions of the analyte with the serum proteins modify their spectral fluorescence properties, making it necessary to employ training sets of samples where the biological background is present, possibly causing analyte spectral changes from sample to sample. The predictive ability of the studied model has been compared with that of parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), as regards test samples containing different sera, and also other pharmaceuticals which could act as potential interferents.

Calibration↗

Study on immunocapture-chemiluminescence assay of lipase activity in a biological sample.

A new approach for the determination of lipase (triacylglycerol lipase, EC.3.1.1.3) activity in a biological sample was investigated by combining an immunocapture technique with a chemiluminescence (CL) assay method in order to eliminate interference with CL detection. The proposed method consists of an immunocapture step to trap lipase and a subsequent step for CL detection of the activity of the captured lipase. The CL detection is based on the luminol-hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) reaction and utilizes a proenhancer substrate [a lauric acid ester of 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole (HDI)] which liberates an active enhancer, HDI, by enzymatic hydrolysis. A polyclonal antibody prepared with porcine pancreas lipase was used for the immunocapture. The proposed immunocapture-CL method effectively eliminated the interference with the CL reaction from biological components and enabled the determination of spiked porcine pancreas lipase activity in serum samples in the range 0.41-1.1 U(HDI) (1 U(HDI) corresponds to the amount which liberates 1 pmol HDI/min at 37 degrees C from the substrate). The method was further applied to the assay of the activity for human pancreas lipase in serum and the results showed good correlation (r = 0.871) with those by the conventional colorimetric method.

Colorimetry↗

Distinguishing phospholipase A2 types in biological samples by employing group-specific assays in the presence of inhibitors.

This manuscript reviews and updates radiolabel-based enzyme assays designed to distinguish the activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) types in biological samples. This approach should be useful in lipidomics studies. The assays were originally designed to differentiate between Group IVA cytosolic PLA2 (GIVA cPLA2), Group VIA calcium-independent PLA2 (GVIA iPLA2), Group IIA secreted PLA2 (GIIA sPLA2) and Group V secreted PLA2 (GV sPLA2). The specificity of these assays has now been confirmed using purified, recombinant human PLA2s and the utility of these assays is demonstrated with rat spinal cord homogenate as an example of a biological tissue sample of interest to the neuroscience community. Modifications to the original assays by the addition of group-specific inhibitors are presented to ensure the specificity of the assays and to further differentiate between recently identified PLA2s. Specific tests are suggested to confirm the specificity of each assay. Additionally, it was discovered that one commonly used GIVA cPLA2/GVIA iPLA2 inhibitor, methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP) from one commercial source, was found to inhibit GIIA sPLA2 and GV sPLA2, but not GIVA cPLA2, presumably due to oxidation of the compound during shipment, resulting in a different molecule with altered specificity.

Animals↗

Voltammetric determination of cyanide and thiocyanate in small biological samples.

Practical methods for the quantitative measurement of cyanide and thiocyanate content in small biological samples are presented. The basis of the procedures is electrochemical determination of CN- with a silver rotating disk electrode at 90 mV, relative to the Ag/AgCl reference electrode, or with a dropping mercury electrode in differential pulse mode at -240 mV. Thiocyanate is oxidized to CN- with permanganate under controlled conditions prior to its analysis. Endogenous cyanide and cyanide from SCN- oxidation are recovered, separately, by volatilization and trapping. Emphasis is placed on careful handling of specimens prior to analysis. Precautions include a provision for sequestering cyanide in storage, the use of an antioxidant, and an avoidance of the spontaneous sulfide formation from proteins that occurs in even mildly alkaline solutions.

Cyanides↗

Measurement of prostaglandin E3 and other eicosanoids in biologic samples using high pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay.

A method to measure PGE3 in biologic samples is described. Complete resolution of PGE3 from PGE1 and PGE2 is achieved by reversephase high pressure liquid chromatography. Quantification is carried out by radioimmunoassay using an antibody directed against PGE2 that has high cross-reactivity with PGE3. Using this method, a marked increase in PGE3 production by mouse kidney tissue and in rat urine was demonstrated after supplemental feeding of omega-3 fatty acids. This method can also be applied to measurement of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 in the same samples.

Alprostadil↗

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of catecholamines in biological samples by liquid/liquid extraction prepurification.

A prepurification procedure for the determination of catecholamines in biological samples was studied to simplify the procedure and increase selectivity and recovery. The procedure is based on liquid/liquid extraction of catecholamine-borate complexes. Under optimal conditions, catecholamines formed complexes with diphenylborate in an alkaline NH4Cl/NH4OH buffer that were extracted with n-heptanol. Catecholamines were reextracted into an HCl-acidified solution, followed by reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic separation with fluorometric detection. Application of the method to various samples of rat tissues and human urine showed procedural simplicity, high selectivity, and high recovery (about 90% or more for tissue samples). This method can be used for pharmacological studies on catecholamines.

Adult↗

Direct derivatization of drugs in untreated biological samples for gas chromatographic analysis.

The possibilities to derivatize an analyte directly in the biological sample are reviewed with examples from our own experiences and from the literature. Techniques, such as extractive acylation, alkylation and benzoylation, are frequently used. Improvement of the extractability of the drug from the matrix is a common feature, especially with hydrophilic compounds, where sometimes cyclizing reactions can be employed. Several analytes are reactive or labile in the sample and can be trapped in derivatization reactions in situ. In many cases, two-phase reactions lead to milder derivatization conditions (e.g. dealkylation of tertiary amines), which is favourable from a clean-up point of view.

Journal Article↗

A dual-column HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of DHPG (9-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine) and its mono and diesters in biological samples.

A convenient method for the simultaneous determination of various DHPG species present in biological samples is presented. This method utilizes a cation exchange column (25 cm X 4.6 mm i.d.) coupled in series to a short reversed-phase column (5 cm X 4.6 mm i.d.). The mobile phase consists of methanol:0.005M ammonium phosphate buffer, pH 2.5. There is a large polarity difference between DHPG and its esters due to the non-polar side chain of the ester moiety. The simultaneous determination of the diesters, monoesters, and DHPG in these samples using only the cation exchange or the reversed-phase column is not possible without time-consuming gradient elution. In the reversed-phase mode alone, the esters are highly retained relative to DHPG, whereas the esters are only slightly retained on a cation exchange column and are insensitive to changes in pH and ionic strength of the mobile phase. However, a combination of these two columns provides interesting selectivity for these compounds and offers a unique way of controlling the retention times of these species relative to each other. The retention time of esters can be selectively altered (with respect to DHPG) by changing the composition of methanol in the mobile phase. In contrast, the retention time of DHPG is controlled by changing the buffer strength and pH of the mobile phase.

Acyclovir↗

Simplified micro perchlorination method for polychlorinated biphenyls in biological samples.

Simplified methodology is presented for the micro determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in biological samples, by conversion to the decachlorobiphenyl (DCB) derivative. Beef adipose tissue and human milk extracts were fortified with PCB standards at 0.1--5.0 ppm, and perchlorinated with antimony pentachloride (SbCl5). Several Aroclors representing various degrees of chlorine content were investigated to assess the efficiency of conversion to DCB. Samples were cleaned up on a Florisil mini column and the PCBs were quantitated by electron capture GLC. Several chlorinated pesticides which were subjected to the perchlorination procedure did not interfere. As little as 0.1 ppm PCBs in 500 mg tissue extract can be recovered at 79-99%. The background DCB content of several brands of SbCl5 was determined. The levels of PCBs in human milk obtained by the perchlorination technique are compared with data acquired by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography in which the individual chlorobiphenyls in the sample are measured.

Adipose Tissue↗

[Measurement of vitamin E from biological samples].

Recent advances in HPLC have enabled to measure small amounts of tocopherols in biological samples. A fluorescence detector is usually used for detection of tocopherols, however we have determined tocopherols of blood samples by an electrochemical detection (ECD). This ECD method is 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional fluorescence methods, and is suitable for detection of small amounts of tocopherols of blood cells. In this report, preparation and extraction methods from blood samples are described. Preparation of blood to separate plasma, platelets, mononuclear cells, and polymorphonuclear cells is performed using a density-gradient method. Extraction of tocopherols usually involves saponification using ethanolic solution of potassium hydroxide.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Gold nanoparticle-assisted protein enrichment and electroelution for biological samples containing low protein concentration--a prelude of gel electrophoresis.

Protein enrichment is essential for biological samples that contain low protein concentrations, especially for proteomic studies that require sufficient quantities for subsequent MS analysis. Traditional precipitation methods, however, are limited in the sample volume and protein concentration required to cause efficient precipitations. We showed that gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) can be easily applied to concentrate proteins from more than 15 mL of human urine, in which the total protein concentration is less than 1.4 ppm. Moreover, Au-NP-aggregated proteins can be directly applied to gel electrophoresis for Au-NP-protein dissociation followed by free protein separation as well as for the subsequent in-gel digestion and protein identification by mass spectrometry. We compared this method with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation method, one of the most common precipitation methods, and TCA method showed no enrichment effect for protein samples with large volumes (>2 mL) or with low protein concentrations (4 ppm). Therefore, Au-NP aggregation is not only a simple and efficient method for enriching a broad range of proteins, it is also particularly useful for concentrating proteins from a relatively large volume of dilute biological fluids, under which TCA method is ineffective.

Amino Acid Sequence↗