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[Determination of ketamine and its metabolites in biological samples].

The abuse of ketamine has gained popularity in recent years. It is important to develop rapid and accurate methods to determine ketamine and its metabolites in biological samples. The metabolites of ketamine are norketamine and dehydronorketamine in vivo. At present, there are blood, urine, hair and so on as specimens for detection, while the methods include GC, GC/MS, HPLC, LC/MS, HPCE etc. In this paper, these methods used for ketamine and its metabolites were reviewed in order to provide some preference for the study in relative fields.

Anesthetics, Dissociative↗

Quantification of endocannabinoids in rat biological samples by GC/MS: technical and theoretical considerations.

In the last several years, interest has increased significantly about the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol, two lipid messengers that activate cannabinoid receptors. Quantification of these compounds in biological samples presents numerous technical challenges. Because of their low abundance, endocannabinoids are usually quantified by isotope dilution assays using mass spectrometry coupled to either gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography. Although endocannabinoid levels in biological fluids, such as plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, can be directly determined by these techniques, the complex lipid profile of brain tissue samples mandates purification of lipid extracts before GC/MS analysis; this step is not necessary when using HPLC/MS. We have found that when silica gel chromatography is used for endocannabinoid purification, poor recovery and loss of deuterium from the internal standards lead to inaccurate estimation of endocannabinoid levels. By contrast, purification strategies using C(18) solid-phase extraction permits precise and reproducible GC/MS quantification of endocannabinoids in tissue samples.

Animals↗

An automated dosimetry system for microwave and thermal exposure of biological samples in vitro.

A waveguide exposure system with automated sample temperature measurement is described. This system provides on-line determination of the temperature profile over time of biological samples in vitro. It allows automated computation of the specific absorption rate determined from heating/cooling curves, uses minimally-perturbing thermometry, is biocompatible and can be used for measurements of both microwave and conventional heating.

Electronic Data Processing↗

Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of the insect growth regulator fenoxycarb in environmental and biological samples.

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for fenoxycarb was adapted for quantitative detection of this insect growth regulator in various environmental, agricultural, food and biological matrices. Environmental samples were taken from soil and surface waters in Hungary. The ELISA enabled fenoxycarb detection in surface waters in the 1.1-125 ng ml(-1) concentration range without sample cleanup. In contrast, soil produced a strong matrix effect due to humic acids and other soil components. Several fruit homogenates and commercial fruit juices (eg apple, pear, grape) were analyzed by the ELISA. The assay was found to be suitable for analysis of fenoxycarb in fruit juices diluted 1:40. Biological samples included insect, fish and bovine tissues. The ELISA was applied to detect fenoxycarb in various biological matrices from larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The assay proved useful for the analysis of haemolymph diluted 1:10 or at higher dilutions. Fat body and whole body homogenates, however, caused severe matrix effects. Fenoxycarb was detected in liver homogenates (diluted 1:40) from fish treated with various doses of fenoxycarb, and the concentrations determined correlated with the applied doses. The method was used to analyze spiked bovine urine samples diluted 1:10 or at greater dilutions. Fenoxycarb content determined by the ELISA in water and fruit juice samples was validated using GC-MS with solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sample preparation. The results of these studies demonstrated both the value and limitations of the assay when used for monitoring fenoxycarb in environmental, food and biological samples.

Animals↗

Development of a high-performance liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique, with an ionspray interface, for the determination of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lyso-PAF in biological samples.

An HPLC-mass spectrometric technique with an ionspray interface was developed for the determination of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and PAF-related compounds in biological samples. HPLC separations were performed using a reversed-phase column. The mass spectra showed intense [M + H]+ ions. Collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ions gave characteristic daughter ions corresponding to the phosphorylcholine group. By selective-ion monitoring, a detection limit of 0.3 ng was obtained for all molecules; by multiple reaction monitoring, the same sensitivity was achieved for PAF whereas for lyso-PAF the limit was 3 ng. Finally, PAF was comparatively determined by bioassay and HPLC-MS after extraction from the cell pellets and the supernatants of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils unstimulated or stimulated with opsonized zymosan. The good correlation observed between these techniques indicated the reliability of HPLC-MS for biochemical studies on PAF and PAF-related molecules.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Photolytic clean-up of biological samples for gas chromatographic analysis of chlorinated paraffins.

A method based on gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) for the analysis of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in biological samples has been investigated. The method includes photolytic destruction of halogenated aromatic compounds, such as PCBs, to eliminate some of the interferences in the analysis of CPs in environmental samples. Gel permeation chromatography was used to isolate CPs from the interfering components of Toxaphene and chlordane after the photolysis. GC-ECD gave a detection limit of 20 ng CPs/g fresh muscle tissue. The recovery of CPs from a spiked moose liver sample was estimated to 94%.

Animals↗

Determination of silver in biological samples using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry based on Zeeman effect background correction and matrix modification.

A method for the determination of silver in human body fluids and biological material is described. The silver in an acid digest of biological samples and diluted body fluids is quantified using Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (ZGFAAS). The effects of NH4H2PO4 as matrix modifier and standard addition are discussed. Atomization from the graphite tube wall and from the pyrolytical tube with platform is also discussed and the peak height and the peak area are compared. The best results were achieved by using matrix modification, stabilized temperature platform furnace, integrated absorbance and standard addition technique. The calibration was linear up to 15 micrograms X L-1; the between-run precision was 5.9% at 40 micrograms X kg-1 of silver.

Animals↗

Headspace solid-phase microextraction with 1-pyrenyldiazomethane on-fibre derivatisation for analysis of fluoroacetic acid in biological samples.

A new and in part automated headspace solid-phase microextraction method for quantitative determination of the highly toxic rodenticide fluoroacetic acid (FAA) in serum and other biological samples has been developed. FAA and deuterated acetic acid (internal standard) were extracted from acidified samples by a StableFlex divinylbenzene-Carboxen on polydimethylsiloxane fibre. The acids were derivatised on the fibre in-situ with 1-pyrenyldiazomethane and detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact ionisation and selected ion monitoring. The calibration curve for FAA in serum was linear over the range from 0.02 to 5 microg/ml, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.02 and 0.07 microg/ml, respectively. The method was also tested with spiked whole blood, urine, stomach contents and kidney samples. It was sufficiently reliable, reproducible and sensitive for use in routine forensic toxicology applications.

Calibration↗

Immunological quantitation of rabbit plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in biological samples: evidence that rabbit platelets do not contain PAI-1.

Two immunoassays for the specific quantitation of rabbit plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen and activity in biological samples were developed and applied for the evaluation of PAI-1 in rabbits. Levels of PAI-1 antigen in rabbit plasma were 9.8+/-4.6 ng/ml (mean +/- SD, n = 6), with a corresponding value of 20.5+/-13.5 ng/ml for PAI-1 activity. In rabbit serum PAI-1 antigen was 11.8+/-4.9 ng/ml (n = 6) and PAI-1 activity was 2.9+/-2.0 ng/ml (n = 6). Endotoxin injection (20 microg/kg, i.v.) induced a time-dependent increase of both PAI-1 antigen and PAI-1 activity levels in rabbit plasma, eventually resulting in a 40- to 90-fold increase (p<0.0001 vs. baseline). A linear correlation was found between PAI-1 antigen and activity levels in normal plasma (r = 0.90, n = 6, p<0.05) and in plasma from endotoxin-treated rabbits (r = 0.98, n = 20, p<0.001). Analysis of PAI-1 antigen and activity in lysates of washed rabbit platelets revealed the absence of PAI-1 (i.e. <0.03 ng/10(8) platelets). In conclusion, development of specific immunological assays allowed the quantitation of PAI-1 in rabbit samples. In striking contrast to other species (human, rat, mouse, pig) rabbit platelets lack detectable amounts of PAI-1 (i.e. >100-1000 fold lower vs other species studied). This observation may have important implications for the use of experimental rabbit models especially in studies on the role of platelets in various pathological conditions including thrombosis and atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

An extended modeling of the micropipette aspiration experiment for the characterization of the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of adherent thin biological samples: numerical and experimental studies.

The micropipette aspiration (MA) experiment remains a quite widely used micromanipulation technique for quantifying the elastic modulus of cells and, less frequently, of other biological samples. However, moduli estimations derived from MA experiments are only valid if the probed sample is non-adherent to the rigid substrate. This study extends this standard formulation by taking into account the influence of the sample adhesion. Using a finite element analysis of the sample aspiration into the micropipette, we derived a new expression of the aspirated length for linear elastic materials. Our results establish that (i) below a critical value, the thickness h of the probed sample must be considered to get an accurate value of its Young's modulus (ii) this critical value depends both on the Poisson's ratio and on the sample adhesivity. Additionally, we propose a novel method which allows the computation of the intrinsic Young's modulus of the adherent probed sample from its measured apparent elasticity modulus. Thanks to the set of computational graphs we derived from our theoretical analysis, we successfully validate this method by experiments performed on polyacrylamide gels. Interestingly, the original procedure we proposed allows a simultaneous quantification of the Young's modulus and of the Poisson's ratio of the adherent gel. Thus, our revisited analysis of MA experiments extends the application domain of this technique, while contributing to decrease the dispersion of elastic modulus values obtained by this method.

Acrylic Resins↗

Differential plus polarographic determination of submicrogram quantities of carmustine and related compounds in biological samples.

A polarographic method was developed to determine the antineoplastic agent carmustine and other nitrosoureas, such as N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and N-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosourea, in biological fluids at levels well below 1 microgram/ml or g. The stability of carmustine in different media was investigated to prevent losses during administration or assay. Examples of nitrosourea determination in biological samples are given.

Animals↗

Highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography for the measurement of malondialdehyde in biological samples.

A highly sensitive method for the measurement of malondialdehyde as thiobarbituric acid-malondialdehyde complex by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection in biological samples is described. As samples, 20 microliters of rat plasma or 10% (w/v) liver homogenate mixed with 2.0% thiobarbituric acid in 2 M sodium acetate buffer containing 0.05% butyl hydroxytoluene (pH 3.5) were heated at 95 degrees C for 45 min to give the complex. The complex, extracted with n-butanol, was chromatographed on a system equipped with a reversed-phase column, and the eluted peak was monitored with a fluorescence detector (excitation wavelength 515 nm, emission wavelength 553 nm). The mobile phase was a acetonitrile-water (2:8, v/v) under isocratic conditions at ambient temperature, and a single analysis was done in ca. 4 min. The minimum detection level for malondialdehyde was as low as 0.05 pmol. The n-butanol extract was stable at least for 3 days. The simple mobile phase, the extremely sensitive detection limit, and the stability of the complex make this system applicable to routine clinical analysis with a small amount of tissue or biopsy sample.

Animals↗

Thin-layer chromatography analysis of fructooligosaccharides in biological samples.

This study presents the application of a rapid, simple and inexpensive thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for the analysis of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) as feed additives (prebiotics) in complicated biological samples with minimal pre-treatment. Prebiotics have been monitored in different parts of the intestinal tract (jejunum, ileum and colon) of monogastric animals to which commercially available dietetic products containing fructooligosaccharides Raftifeed IPX, Raftilose and polysaccharide maltodextrin have been added into the feed. Thereby it contributes to a clarification of fructooligosaccharides and polysaccharides transformation in the digestive system. Chromatographic separation has been studied on different chromatographic systems (stationary and mobile phases). Optimal separation of fructooligosaccharides in dietetic products as well as in the samples from intestinal tract of monogastric animals has been achieved on glass-backed precoated silica gel layers impregnated with sodium acetate. The layers were developed with butanol-ethanol-water (5:3:2, v/v) in a vertical trough glass chamber with mobile phase vapour saturation. The visualisation of FOSs on chromatograms was performed with mixture of diphenylamine-aniline-phosphoric acid in acetone as primary detection reagent. Coloured spots of FOSs (blue-pink spots) on chromatograms have also been detected by reflectance densitometry at wavelength lambda=370nm. Simultaneously, the concentration of acetic acid, which is one of FOSs fermentation product, was monitored in the intestinal contents from jejunum, ileum and colon by capillary isotachophoresis.

1-Butanol↗

On-line dual microdialysis with ESI-MS for direct analysis of complex biological samples and microorganism lysates.

A novel dual-microdialysis approach has been developed for fast and efficient fractionation and cleanup for ESI-MS and ESI MS/MS analyses of biological samples. A modified dynamic microdialyzer utilizing two mirror-image serpentine channels, which sandwich a regenerated cellulose membrane of selected molecular weight cutoff, serves as the first stage for the removal of high-molecular-weight components and cellular residue. The second stage employs a hollow microdialysis capillary to remove low-molecular-weight species (e.g., salts) which can degrade or preclude analysis ESI-MS. A protein mixture consisting of 30 microM bovine serum albumin (BSA), 4.0 microM cytochrome c, 2.3 microM ubiquitin, and 9.4 microM bradykinin in 0.5 M NaCl was used to evaluate the performance of this system. Essentially complete removal of both BSA and NaCl was achieved, resulting in high-quality mass spectra containing only the lower molecular weight proteins. After passing through the on-line dual-microdialysis system, a crude bacteria cell lysate yielded clean ESI-mass spectra in approximately 20 min. MS/MS of selected ions demonstrated abundant fragment ions and provided a second-dimension "fingerprint" of the complex cellular fraction. Preliminary application of this technique for direct characterization of microorganism lysates is presented.

Escherichia coli↗

Personal-computer-based system for electron beam X-ray microanalysis of biological samples.

A system based on a personal computer has been developed which provides a relatively inexpensive way to equip an electron microscopy laboratory for quantitative elemental analyses of cryosectioned biological samples. This system demonstrates the feasibility of making an X-ray analyser from a personal computer, together with commercially available hardware and software components. Hardware and software have been assembled to drive the beam in a scanning electron microscope, collect and analyse X-ray spectra, and save, retrieve, and analyse data. Our software provides a menu-controlled user interface to direct spectra acquisition and analysis. Spot analyses, video images, and quantitative elemental images may be obtained and results transferred in ASCII format to other computers. Wet weight, as well as dry weight, concentrations are calculated, if measurements were made of areas of the hydrated sample before it was freeze-dried. Grey-level copies of video and quantitative elemental images may be made on a laser printer.

Animals↗

Near-field scanning optical microscopy probes: a comparison of pulled and double-etched bent NSOM probes for fluorescence imaging of biological samples.

Bent near-field optical probes for biological applications have been fabricated using a combination of a two-step chemical etching method and focused ion beam milling to create a well-defined aperture. The transmission efficiencies have been evaluated as a function of laser wavelength (lambda) and aperture size (D) for both large and small core fibres. The probe transmission behaviour follows a (D/lambda)3 relationship. The double-etched probes are compared to pulled probes fabricated from highly GeO2-doped dispersion compensating fibre and a standard single-mode optical fibre. The transmission efficiencies of both types of pulled probes are approximately two orders of magnitude lower than double-etched probes with similar aperture sizes. To demonstrate the utility of the various probes, their imaging performance has been evaluated for samples of polymer beads and phase-separated phospholipid monolayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine or cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin mixtures. Both pulled and double-etched probes are suitable for fluorescence imaging of polymer spheres. However, pulled probes are rapidly damaged at the higher input laser intensities required for fluorescence imaging of monolayer samples doped with < 1% of a fluorescent dye-labelled lipid. The images obtained with the double-etched probes show excellent spatial resolution and signal/noise, illustrating the potential of such probes for imaging of biological samples.

Microscopy, Atomic Force↗

Determination of glutathione in biological samples by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A selective and sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of reduced glutathione (GSH) in biological samples (rat liver, spleen and plasma). The method involved a prechromatographic thiol derivatization with methyl 4-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-4-oxo-2-butenoate; the reaction was rapid (5 min) under mild conditions (pH 7.5 and ambient temperature) and selective for the sulphydryl group. The thiol adducts were separated on a reversed-phase C-18 column using acetonitrile: 0.05 M triethylammonium (TEA) phosphate (pH 4) solution 32:68 (v/v) as the mobile phase. Fluorescence detection (lambda em = 450 nm; lambda exc = 310 nm) was used and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was about 0.5 pmole of the injected GSH adduct. The method was also applied to the determination of total glutathione in rat plasma after a preliminary reduction with dithiothreitol.

Animals↗

Trace elements analysis in biological samples by radioisotopic x-ray fluorescence.

The X-ray fluorescence technique, induced by radioisotopic sources, provides a very simple method for the simultaneous analysis of trace elements in biological samples. For blood, serum, platelets, etc., samples of about 0.1 ml were deposited on filter paper disks, dried, and analyzed. In such a way the "thin specimen" approximation is realized, resulting in the following advantages: The X-ray intensity of a given element is a liner function of mass per unit area over several orders of magnitude. Interelement effects became negligible. The ratio of fluorescent X-rays to scattered radiation is increased. The sensitivity of the technique for elements with atomic number ranging from about 20-92 varies from some units to some tens of parts per million by weight in 100 s measuring time, by using a gas proportional counter, and from about some tenths to some parts per million by using an X-ray semiconductor detector, in a measuring time of 10(3)-10(4)s. In such a way and with the described features, the Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br content of several speciments of blood and serum was determined. Measurements were further carried out in order to labelling blood components with stable tracers and to detect their concentration by means of the X-ray fluorescence technique. The life span of platelets was, for example, measured after labelling platelets with stable Selenocystine. The sensitivity of the XRF technique can further be enhanced by about three orders of magnitude by using a pre-enrichment step with ion-exchange resins and liquid volumes not lower than 500 ml. Urine analyses have been carried in such a way, and copper in about 20 ml serum after selective extraction.

Blood Platelets↗