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Atmospheric pressure gas-phase H/D exchange of serine octamers.

The recently discovered homochiral serine octamer has been a focus of interest because of its possible implications for the origin of homochirality in living systems. Electrospray ionization (ESI) and sonic spray ionization (SSI) tandem mass spectrometry have been used to generate this unusually stable magic number cluster. Several structures have been suggested for the serine octamer, based on tandem mass spectrometry, ion mobility measurements, and quantum mechanical calculations. We now report experimental hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange data, which demonstrate the existence of two different structures for the serine octamer. These forms undergo exchange at significantly different rates. One form may correspond to solution-phase assembled clusters and the other to octamers formed during the ionization process. Experiments done at higher resolution confirm that the experimental observations made here apply to the serine octamer without interference from metaclusters, namely, higher order clusters (Ser(16) + 2H)(+2), etc., the (12)C isotopes of which have mass-to-charge ratios identical to the protonated octamers. H/D exchange of racemic serine shows predominantly the extensively exchanged ion population, as well as providing evidence that racemic serine generates abundant metaclusters. The evidence presented here shows that one type of serine octamer is responsible for the strong chiral effects associated with the formation of these magic number clusters. These slowly exchanging more fragile clusters are the octamers that might have played a role in homochirogenesis.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

On the signal response of various pesticides in electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization depending on the flow-rate of eluent applied in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

The API-MS signal response of several pesticides (atrazine, simazine, isoproturon, diuron, chlorfenvinphos, chlorpyrifos, alachlor, trifluralin) depending on the flow-rate of eluent entering the MS interface was investigated. The investigations were based on API-MS-MS analyses of standard pesticide mixtures in the flow injection mode (FIA) at systematically varied eluent flow-rates using both an ESI interface (Turboionspray) and a heated nebulizer type APCI source. In the result, the individual compounds included in this study showed significant differences in their signal response behaviour depending on the flow-rate of eluent applied. The most hydrophobic compounds among the investigated pesticides (chlorpyrifos and trifluralin) showed drastic losses of sensitivity with increasing eluent flow-rate in both ESI and APCI, while more hydrophilic compounds like atrazine, simazine and isoproturon showed the expected signal response (concentration-sensitive in ESI, mass-flow-sensitive in APCI) at least within a certain range of flow-rates (200-600 microl/min in ESI, 200-2000 microl/min in APCI). These findings lead to the conclusion that application of a programmed HPLC eluent flow-rate may be advantageous to achieve maximum sensitivity of API-MS detection for all pesticides of interest. This is exemplified by the implementation of a flow gradient into an online SPE-HPLC-APCI-MS/MS method for improved analysis of pesticides in drinking water.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

Characterization of the chemical structure of sulphated glycosaminoglycans after enzymatic digestion. Application of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure interface.

Pneumatically assisted electrospray was demonstrated to be a powerful ionization source for the analysis of oligosaccharides. A mass spectrometer was interfaced to an HPLC system, using this interface, to determine oligosaccharides from the enzymatic digestion of heparin separated on a reversed-phase column. To set up the technique, and particularly to clarify the ionization process, purified disaccharides, from enzymatic digestion of chondroitin sulphates, were measured. The use of a suitable counter ion in the mobile phase, tetrapropylammonium (TPA), to optimize the HPLC separation, gave, with sulphated di- and oligosaccharides, adducts [M + nTPA - (n + m)H]m-, which were unexpectedly stable to fragmentation; molecular ions [M - (n + 1)H]n-, in the presence of the counter ion, were observed only with desulphated or monosulphated disaccharides. The stability of the adducts and the use of a deuterated ion-pair reagent permitted an exact evaluation of the molecular masses of disaccharides and oligosaccharides of unknown structure. Spectra obtained in the absence of the counter ion contained singly or multiply charged molecular ions and fragmentation ions mainly from loss of the sulphate groups; under these ionization conditions the exact mass determination and interpretation of the spectra were difficult. After removal of the counter ion, tandem mass spectra could be obtained with some interesting data for the characterization of these molecules. Complete spectral analyses were performed with amounts of samples of 50 micrograms but, using microbore columns, one twentieth of this amount may give good spectra.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

Microwave assisted catalytic wet air oxidation of H-acid in aqueous solution under the atmospheric pressure using activated carbon as catalyst.

Catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) is a promising method for the treatment of heavily contaminated wastewater. However, its application is restricted due to severe operation conditions (high pressure and high temperature). A microwave (MW) assisted oxidation method was investigated aiming to treat heavily contaminated wastewater under milder conditions. H-acid (1-amino-8-naphthol-3, 6-disulfonic acid) was selected as target compound to evaluate the performance of this novel process. The removal of H-acid and TOC (total organic carbon) for H-acid solution of 3000 mg/L reached as high as 92.6% in 20 min and 84.2% in 60 min, respectively under optimal conditions. The existence of activated carbon and oxygen proved to be critical for effective treatment. The activated carbon acted not only as a catalyst for H-acid decomposition, but also as a special material for the absorption of MW energy. Air was supplied to the reactor as an oxygen source at constant flows. The amino group in H-acid was converted ultimately into nitrate, and sulfonic group into sulfate. This observation gave an evidence of H-acid mineralization although other organic intermediates were unable to be determined. The value of BOD(5)/COD (ratio of 5d biochemical oxygen demand to chemical oxygen demand) increased from 0.008 to 0.467 indicating a significant improvement of biodegradability for the solution, which is beneficial for the further biological treatment of the wastewater.

Acids↗

The influence of environmental agents on prostaglandin biosynthesis and metabolism in the lung. Inhibition of lung 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase by exposure of guinea pigs to 100 per cent oxygen at atmospheric pressure.

Enzymes in the 100 000g supernatant fraction of guinea-pig lungs, in the presence of NAD-+, converted PGF-2 alpha (prostaglanding F-2 alpha) into a less-polar compound. The u.v. spectrum of this metabolite showed a strong absorption band at 230 nm, which is characteristic of a carbonyl group in conjugation with a double bond. Reduction of this metabolite with NaBH4 resulted in a compound that behaved like PGF2 ALPHA on t.l.c. and g.l.c. From this evidence we concluded that PGF2alpha is metabolized in vitro to 15-oxo-PGF2 alpha by the NAD-+-dependent prostaglandin dehydrogenase system of guinea-pig lung. The effect of exposure of the animal to SO-2 and O2 on the rate of prostaglanding biosynthesis and catabolism by lung fractions in vitro was studied. Exposure of guinea pigs to 500 p.m. of SO2 for 5h or to 50p.p.m for 9 days (6h/day) did not alter the production or degradation of prostaglandings by lung fractions in vitro. In contrast, exposure of guinea pigs to 100% O2 for 48 h inhibited the rate of prostaglanding metabolism in vitro by 60-70% without significantly altering the rate of biosynthesis by lung fractions. Inhibition of prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity in vitro by lung fractions after exposure of the animal to O2 was dependent on the duration of exposure. Gluthathione S-aryltransferase and catechol O-methyltransferase activites of guinea-pig lung 100 000g supernatant were unaltered by exposure of the animal to O2. Thus it appears that inhibition of pulmonary prostaglandin dehydrogenase by exposure of the animal to O2 is not the result of a general toxic response. It was postulated that the inhibition of prostaglanding dehydrogenase may occur after exposure of the animal to other oxidant gases.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization mass spectra of glucose and 2-fluorodeoxyglucose for quantitative analysis of 2-fluorodeoxyglucose by high-performance liquid chromatography.

2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) labeled by fluorine-18 is the most widely used radiopharmaceutical for positron emission tomography (PET). For high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/MS assay and quality control, the mass spectra of FDG and glucose (Glc) in organic + water solutions were studied by flow injection analysis (FIA) and in a chromatographic eluate. In acetonitrile (MeCN) + 0.025% ammonium formate (NH(4)HCO(2)) solvent (80 : 20), electrospray ionisation (ESI) of glucose-FDG provides M.NH(4)(+) and 2M.Na(+) (M = Glc or FDG) as the most intense positive ions. Formation of the latter ions and also of M.MeCN.Na(+) and 2MeCN. Na(+) is typical of the presence of NaCl in the ESI inlet. The positive ions include heavier ions corresponding to the impurities separated by HPLC and also to the cross-ring fragmentation of complexes (2FDG. aMeCNX)L, where a = 0 or 1, L is either Na(+) or NH(4)(+) and X is a fragmented pyranose or anhydropyranose residue. The second most abundant Glc negative ion is m/z = 359 which was interpreted as (2GlcH(+))(). The negative-ion spectrum of FDG has dominating lines due to FDG.HCO(2)() ions at m/z 227 and also (2FDGH(+))() at m/z 363. The m/z 363 signal is suppressed in the presence of NaCl at a molar ratio of 4 : 1 to NH(4)HCO(2), while the ions at m/z 217 and 219, i.e. FDG.Cl(), become three times more intense than FDG.HCO(2)(). The latter ion appears to be most suitable as an analytical signal for chemical analysis of FDG at m/z 226 and 227. Limits of FDG quantitation (LOQ) of 19 ng and 21 ng were found for the 200(+) and 227() ion signals, respectively, and are wholly adequate for verification of total FDG content in radiopharmaceuticals.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

A validated liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitation of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in human plasma.

In order to support studies on various medication protocols for the treatment of cocaine abuse, an accurate, precise, and sensitive (2.5 to 750 ng/mL) liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay was developed to determine cocaine and benzoylecgonine in human plasma. Cocaine-d3 and benzoylecgonine-d3 were added as internal standards and samples were subjected to solid-phase extraction. Cocaine recovery was 94.4% and benzoylecgonine was 80.3% at 2.5 ng/mL. The selected reaction monitoring of parent ions at m/z 304 and 290 resulted in strong fragments at m/z 182 and 168 for cocaine and benzoylecgonine, respectively. The method was fully validated. The mean measured concentration at the 2.5 ng/mL, the lower limit of quantitation, was within 10.8% of the target and the precision determined at the low (5 ng/mL), medium (50 ng/mL), and high (650 ng/mL) quality controls ranged from 0.9 to 6.2 %CV. Cocaine and benzoylecgonine concentrations in plasma treated with 1% NaF showed changes of less than 10% when maintained at room temperature for up to 7 h and no significant changes when subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles. The concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine remained stable in plasma samples stored at -20 degrees C for up to 11 months. Methanolic stock solutions of both analytes are stable, staying within 2% of the freshly prepared stock solutions, when stored at -20 degrees C for up to 235 days. Both extracted analytes reconstituted in methanolic solutions are stable for up to seven days whether stored at -20 degrees C or at room temperature on the autosampler. The method is rugged, rapid, and robust and has been applied to the batch analysis of more than 700 samples during pharmacokinetic profiling to assess potential interactions between intravenous (i.v.) cocaine challenge and treament medications. Results from three of these subjects receiving 40 mg (i.v.) cocaine demonstrate the utility of the method.

Adolescent↗

Quantitative determination of dexamethasone in bovine milk by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

Dexamethasone (DXM) is a synthetic glucocorticoid that is authorized for therapeutic use in veterinary medicine. The European Community (EC) fixed a maximum residue limit (MRL) at 2ng/g for liver, 0.75ng/g for muscle and kidney tissues, and 0.3ng/ml for milk, while its use as growth-promoter is completely banned. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a simple and reliable method to determine DXM residues in bovine milk. Milk proteins were removed by the addition of concentrated trichloroacetic acid and paper filtration. Solid-phase extraction clean-up on a C18 reversed phase column was performed to obtain an extract suitable for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Chromatographic separation of DXM and the internal standard desoximetasone, was achieved on a PLRP-S polymeric reversed phase column, using a mixture of 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid in water (mobile phase A) and acetonitrile (mobile phase B) as the mobile phases. They were identified using the MS/MS detection technique, and were subsequently quantified. The method has been validated according to the requirements of the EC at 0.15, 0.30 and 0.60ng/ml (being half the MRL, the MRL and double the MRL levels fixed by the EC). Calibration graphs were prepared in the 0.15-5ng/ml range and good linearity was achieved (r>or=0.99 and goodness of fit <or=10%). A limit of quantification of 0.15ng/ml, i.e. half the MRL, was obtained. The limit of detection was 41pg/ml. The decision limit (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta) were 0.48 and 0.76ng/ml, respectively. The within-day and between-day precisions, expressed as R.S.D. values, were all below the maximum allowed R.S.D. values calculated according to the Horwitz equation. The results for accuracy fell within the -50 to +20% range. Recovery was 56%. The method was used for the quantitative determination of DXM residues in milk after intravenous administration of DXM to lactating cows to determine its depletion kinetics.

Animals↗

Photosynthesis and respiration of a wheat stand at reduced atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen.

A 34-day functional test was conducted in Johnson Space Center's Variable Pressure Growth Chamber (VPGC) to determine responses of a wheat stand to reduced pressure (70 kPa) and modified partial pressures of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Reduced pressure episodes were generally six to seven hours in duration, were conducted at reduced ppO2 (14.7 kPa), and were interrupted with longer durations of ambient pressure (101 kPa). Daily measurements of stand net photosynthesis (Pn) and dark respiration (DR) were made at both pressures using a ppCO2 of 121 Pa. Corrections derived from leakage tests were applied to reduced pressure measurements. Rates of Pn at reduced pressure averaged over the complete test were 14.6% higher than at ambient pressure, but rates of DR were unaffected. Further reductions in ppO2 were achieved with a molecular sieve and were used to determine if Pn was enhanced by lowered O2 or by lowered pressure. Decreased ppO2 resulted in enhanced rates of Pn, regardless of pressure, but the actual response was dependent on the ratio of ppO2/ppCO2. Over the range of ppO2/ppCO2 of 80 to 200, the rate of Pn declined linearly. Rate of DR was unaffected over the same range and by dissolved O2 levels down to 3.1 ppm, suggesting that normal rhizosphere and canopy respiration occur at atmospheric ppO2 levels as low as 11 kPa. Partial separation of effects attributable to oxygen and those related to reduced pressure (e.g. enhanced diffusion of CO2) was achieved from analysis of a CO2 drawdown experiment. Results will be used for design and implementation of studies involving complete crop growth tests at reduced pressure.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

Indirect identification of isoprenoid quinones in Escherichia coli by LC-MS with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in negative mode.

A novel analytical method was applied for identification of isoprenoid quinones in Escherichia coli by liquid chromatography atmospheric press chemical ionization mass spectrometry in negative mode (LC-NI-APCI-MS). Extraction and clean-up of sample were carried out on Sep-Pak Plus Silica solid-phase extraction cartridges. Ubiquinone-7 (UQ-7), Ubiquinone-8 (UQ-8) and Mequinone-8 (MK-8) were determined directly using combined information on retention time, molecular ion mass, fragment ion masses and UV characteristic spectrometry without any standard reagent. It was found that UQ-8 was the major component of isoprenoid quinones in Escherichia coli under aerobic condition. Compared with UQ-8, the relative abundance of UQ-7 and MK-8 is only 15% and 14%, respectively. The average recoveries of UQ-6, UQ-10 and vitamin K(1) in Escherichia coli were investigated by standard spiking experiment. The recoveries were achieved in the range from 94 to 106%, and the relative standard deviations (RSD) of the triplicate analysis of the spiked samples (UQ-6, UQ-10 and vitamin K(1)) ranged from 3 to 8%. The detection limits of LC-NI-APCI-MS were estimated to be 5, 40 and 0.8 microg/g dry cell for UQ-6, UQ-10 and vitamin K(1), respectively.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Ultrasonic atomisation into reduced pressure atmosphere--envisaging aseptic spray-drying for microencapsulation.

A novel spray-drying technique consisting of feeding a fluid through an ultrasonic atomiser, drying the spray under reduced pressure and collecting the particles in a liquid bath was evaluated. Drying by mild vacuum instead of hot air, as employed in conventional spray-drying, and simple particle recovery render this method suitable for aseptic microsphere preparation. As a model system, the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) was encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres. Particle yields of above 80% exceeded largely values found for conventional laboratory-scale spray-drying equipment. BSA encapsulation efficiency mostly ranged in the region of 60%, with losses probably occurring through partitioning into the aqueous collection bath. Mean particle sizes ranged from 13 to 24 microm, depending on the polymer type and solvent; particle size distributions were excellently reproducible. The microspheres were found to be very porous and exhibited a pronounced 24-h burst release of above 50% of total dose, probably promoted by the porosity. However, when more concentrated polymer solutions (8% instead of 5% (w/w)) were employed, burst release reduced to an average of 16%.

Air Pressure↗

1991 Federal Nursing Service Award recipient. The effect of increased atmospheric pressure on glucose reagent strip accuracy.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is currently being used throughout the world as an adjunctive therapy for non-healing diabetic wounds. Anecdotal accounts of diabetic patients experiencing hypoglycemic reactions with HBO necessitated glucose testing by fingerstick during treatment dives to 2.4 atmospheres absolute. This study looked at four glucose testing methods and the accuracy of their readings using high and low control solutions at both sea level and at depth. A one-way analysis of variance showed significant differences with all of the high and 75% of the low control solutions when comparing sea level readings to depth readings. The significance varied between reaction rate and end point reading methods, with the reaction rate technology performing better.

Air Pressure↗

New approach to the cultivation of methanogenic bacteria: 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (HS-CoM)-dependent growth of Methanobacterium ruminantium in a pressureized atmosphere.

The sensitivity of the requirement of Methanobacterium ruminantium strain M1 to a new coenzyme, 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (HS-CoM) was examined by use of new techniques that were developed for rapid and efficient handling of large numbers of cultures of methanogenic bacteria. The system uses sealed tubes that contain a gas mixture of 80% hydrogen and 20% carbon dioxide under a pressure of 2 to 3 atm. This modification of the Hungate technique reduces variability among replicate cultures and simplifies the dispensing, sterilization, and storage of liquid media as well as the transfer and maintenance of methanogenic bacteria. Results indicate a limit of sensitivity of the assay at 5 nM HS-CoM, with half-maximal growth at 25 nM HS-CoM. Coenzyme activity could be replaced by 2,2'-dithiodiethanesulfonic acid at a half-molar equivalent of the HS-CoM concentration, or by 2-(methylthio)ethanesulfonic acid on an equimolar basis. These data reveal a very sensitive and precise requirement for HS-CoM in the nutrition of this fastidious anaerobe.

Anaerobiosis↗