Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “IONIZATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources

An efficient ionization method of electrospray mass spectrometry: the development of an aromatic-cored matrix that wraps labile metal complexes through molecular recognition.

Compound 1a, which possesses a triphenylene core and six tetraethyleneoxide side chains, shows efficient ionization of M(II)-containing (M=Pd, Pt) complexes in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The molecular ion peaks [M]+, which are hardly detected under common ESI-MS conditions, are clearly observed as their [M x (1a)n]+ (n=1-4) adducts. UV-visible and NMR studies reveal that the electron-rich triphenylene core of 1a binds to the electron-deficient frameworks of the M(II) complexes in solution, giving rise to charge transfer (CT) complexes. We suggest that 1a stabilizes the complexes and promotes efficient ionization through unique donor-acceptor molecular recognition.

Journal Article↗

A possible association between ionizing radiation and pituitary adenoma: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the recognition of ionizing radiation as a causal risk factor for a variety of solid tumors (including brain tumors), to date, such an association with pituitary adenoma (PA) has not been demonstrated. METHODS: To evaluate a possible association between past exposure to radiation and the occurrence of PA, the authors reviewed about 4900 medical records of patients who had been irradiated in childhood for tinea capitis. An additional search for patients was performed using the Israel Cancer Registry. The average radiation dose to the pituitary gland was estimated as 0.56 grays, and, for all patients, a meticulous validation of the irradiation was performed. RESULTS: A group of 16 patients who developed symptomatic PA after childhood exposure to radiotherapy were identified. Overall, the clinical and demographic characteristics of these patients were similar to other series reported in the literature. There was an apparently high rate of second primary tumors (25%), all of them in the irradiated area, diagnosed among this group. The methodologic issues that limit the demonstration of a possible association between radiation and PA and the epidemiologic and experimental findings in the literature are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the ample amount of evidence identifying low-dose ionizing radiation as a risk factor for a number of intracranial tumors as well as for tumors arising in endocrine organs, a radiation immunity of the pituitary gland is difficult to accept. Hence, the authors suggest that this series should be considered as preliminary observation that supports the role of ionizing radiation in the development of this tumor.

Adenoma↗

Activation of the neutrophil NADPH-oxidase by free fatty acids requires the ionized carboxyl group and partitioning into membrane lipid.

To investigate NADPH-oxidase activation, we studied the effects of free fatty acid (FFA), their uncharged derivatives, and calcium on membrane lipid structure and superoxide anion (O2-) release from intact neutrophils and in cell-free O2(-)-generating systems. This study determined that in calcium-free phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), cis-unsaturated FFA (cis FFA), trans-unsaturated FFA (trans FFA), and to a limited extent saturated FFA decreased the polarization of the membrane lipid structure probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), and these decreases correlated with partitioning of the FFA into the plasmalemma and the release of O2- from intact neutrophils and in cell-free preparations. Although a decrease in DPH polarization was always observed under conditions that resulted in the release of O2-, there was not a direct correlation between the amount of decrease in DPH polarization and the release of O2-. Trans FFA did not induce a dose-dependent decrease or as dramatic a decrease in DPH polarization compared with cis FFA, yet the trans FFA stimulated a greater release of O2- at 2.5, 5, and 10 microM concentrations. In addition, responses of the neutrophil to trans FFA, but not cis FFA, were differentially affected by the presence of calcium. When 0.1 mM calcium was added to the PBS decreases in DPH polarization in response to trans FFA were reduced by greater than 60%, whereas O2- was reduced by only 25-36%. The addition of 0.1 mM calcium 3 min after the trans FFA had partitioned into the membrane also reversed by 50-65% decreases in DPH polarization but did not affect the release of O2-. In the presence of 0.9 mM calcium, only the cis FFA decreased DPH polarization or stimulated the release of O2-. Calcium is known to interact more readily with the ionized carboxyl group of trans FFA, neutralizing the anionic charge through an electrostatic interaction. In support of the requirement for the ionized carboxyl group, structurally similar uncharged cis, trans, and saturated fatty alcohols; methyl esters; and aldehydes decreased DPH polarization in the absence and presence of 0.9 mM calcium; however, none of these compounds stimulated the release of O2-. These results indicate that, in addition to the partitioning of FFA into the plasmalemma, which results in calcium-modulatable decreases in DPH polarization, activation or assembly of the NADPH-oxidase requires the ionized carboxyl group.

Animals↗

Infrared laser desorption and ionization of polypeptides from a polyacrylamide gel.

We observed direct desorption and ionization of angiotensin II and bovine insulin from a frozen polyacrylamide gel without the addition of an exogenous matrix, using picosecond pulses from a tunable, mid-infrared free-electron laser tuned to strong absorption bands of the gel. At 5.7, 5.9, 6.1 and 6.3 microm we were able to desorb and ionize both analyte molecules, with the strongest analyte signal generated at 5.9 microm. However, no analyte signal was observed at 5.5 microm. Consistent with a previous report, we did not observe ions of either polypeptide at 2.9 microm, in spite of strong overall absorption. We discuss the implications of this wavelength-dependent ionization, including possible ablation mechanisms and energy partitioning between competing vibrational modes.

Acrylic Resins↗

Laser desorption-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization: a novel ion source for the direct coupling of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to mass spectrometry.

Laser desorption-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LD-APCI-MS) is presented for the atmospheric pressure (AP) sampling of tryptic peptides directly from a polyacrylamide gel. In contrast to other gel sampling mass spectrometric approaches, this technique does not require the addition of any exogenous matrices to the gel to assist with ionization. In this arrangement, a CO(2) laser at 10.6 micro m is used to desorb intact neutral peptide molecules from the gel, followed by ionization in the gas-phase with APCI. The ions are then sampled via a heated capillary inlet and transferred to a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer for mass analysis. Preliminary results suggest the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-LD-APCI-MS technique provides several advantages that could translate into a more convenient, robust methodology for the rapid identification and characterization of proteins. Finally, strategies regarding the further development of the method are presented.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry of purine and pyrimidine markers of inherited metabolic disorders.

Purines and pyrimidines are of interest owing to their significance in processes in living organisms. Mass spectrometry is a promising analytical tool utilized in their analysis. Two atmospheric pressure ionization (API) methods (electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)) in both negative and positive modes applied to selected purine and pyrimidine metabolites (markers of inherited metabolic disorders) were studied. APCI is less sensitive to alkali metal cations present in a sample and offers higher response than ESI for studied compounds. Both of the techniques afford quasi-molecular ions, but fragmentation also occurs to a certain extent. However, the application of collision-induced dissociation of quasi-molecular ions is essential to confirm a certain metabolite in a sample. Fragmentation of both positive and negative ions was evaluated using multi-stage mass spectrometric experiments. Typical neutral losses correspond to molecules NH(3), H(2)O, HCN, CO, H(2)NCN, HNCO and CO(2). The ion [NCO](-) arises in the negative mode. The cleavage of the glycosidic C-N bond is characteristic for relevant metabolites. Other neutral losses (CH(2)O, C(2)H(4)O(2) and C(3)H(6)O(3)) originate from fragmentation of the glycosidic part of the molecules. In addition to fragmentation, the formation of adducts of some ions with applied solvents (H(2)O, CH(3)OH) was observed. The composition of the solution infused into the ion source affects the appearance of the mass spectra. Tandem mass spectra allow one to distinguish compounds with the same molecular mass (uridine-pseudouridine and adenosine-2'-deoxyguanosine). Flow injection analysis APCI-MS/MS was tested on model samples of human urines corresponding to adenosine deaminase deficiency and xanthine oxidase deficiency. In both cases, the results showed potential diagnostic usefulness.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

Selective adduct formation by furan chemical ionization reagent in gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry.

The analytical potential of furan as a chemical ionization (CI) reagent was evaluated for selectivity with nine monosubstituted naphthalene compounds. The ion-molecule reactions of furan and tetrahydrofuran (THF) were compared with those of methane, methanol and acetonitrile (prominently producing [M + H](+) ion base peaks) with naphthalene compounds in chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CI-MS). Reactions with furan predominantly show M(+) and [M + 39](+) ions. Based on this phenomenon, investigations were carried out for some of the molecular factors such as proton affinity, substituent effects and the preferred site of [C(3)H(3)](+) ion attachment that influence reactivity in furan CI. High selectivity with different substituents is observed in the formation of [M + 39](+) adduct ion, suggesting its usefulness as selective ionization reagent liquid. The selectivity and sensitivity are illustrated in the analysis of mixture of amino acids. Furthermore, the structure determination and reaction mechanism study is characterized by collision-activated dissociation experiments in CI-MS/MS and CI-MS/MS/MS.

Journal Article↗

Distinguishing N-oxide and hydroxyl compounds: impact of heated capillary/heated ion transfer tube in inducing atmospheric pressure ionization source decompositions.

In the pharmaceutical industry, a higher attrition rate during the drug discovery process means a lower drug failure rate in the later stages. This translates into shorter drug development time and reduced cost for bringing a drug to market. Over the past few years, analytical strategies based on liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) have gone through revolutionary changes and presently accommodate most of the needs of the pharmaceutical industry. Among these LC/MS techniques, collision induced dissociation (CID) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS and MS(n)) techniques have been widely used to identify unknown compounds and characterize metabolites. MS/MS methods are generally ineffective for distinguishing isomeric compounds such as metabolites involving oxygenation of carbon or nitrogen atoms. Most recently, atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source decomposition methods have been shown to aid in the mass spectral distinction of isomeric oxygenated (N-oxide vs hydroxyl) products/metabolites. In previous studies, experiments were conducted using mass spectrometers equipped with a heated capillary interface between the mass analyzer and the ionization source. In the present study, we investigated the impact of the length of a heated capillary or heated ion transfer tube (a newer version of the heated capillary designed for accommodating orthogonal API source design) in inducing for-API source deoxygenation that allows the distinction of N-oxide from hydroxyl compounds. 8-Hydroxyquinoline (HO-Q), quinoline-N-oxide (Q-NO) and 8-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (HO-Q-NO) were used as model compounds on three different mass spectrometers (LCQ Deca, LCQ Advantage and TSQ Quantum). Irrespective of heated capillary or ion transfer tube length, N-oxides from this class of compounds underwent predominantly deoxygenation decomposition under atmospheric pressure chemical ionization conditions and the abundance of the diagnostic [M + H - O](+) ions increased with increasing vaporizer temperature. Furthermore, the results suggest that in API source decompostion methods described in this paper can be conducted using mass spectrometers with non-heated capillary or ion transfer tube API interfaces. Because N-oxides can undergo in-source decomposition and interfere with quantitation experiments, particular attention should be paid when developing API based bioanalytical methods.

Journal Article↗

Cytosolic ionized calcium concentration in isolated chondrocytes from each zone of the growth plate.

In isolated chondrocytes from the growth plate, there is an increase in both the cytosolic ionized calcium concentration and in total cell calcium content as the cells approach the mineralization front. The reserve zone chondrocytes have a cytosolic ionized calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, of 124 +/- 23 nM and a total cell calcium content, CaT, of 12.8 +/- 6.8 nmol/mg cell protein. Proliferative zone chondrocytes have a [Ca2+]i of 172 +/- 29 nM and a CaT of 16.1 +/- 11.8 nmol/mg cell protein. Hypertrophic zone chondrocytes have a [Ca2+]i of 273 +/- 49 nM and a CaT of 35.8 +/- 16 nmol/mg protein. Chondrocytes isolated from the entire growth plate have a [Ca2+]i of 132 +/- 29 nM and a CaT of 13.2 +/- 2.5 nmol/mg cell protein. Chondrocytes isolated from noncalcifying hyaline cartilage have a [Ca2+]i of 85 +/- 10 nM and a CaT of 11.5 +/- 1.4 nmol/mg cell protein. There appears to be a correlation between intracellular calcium accumulation, an increase in the intracellular ionized calcium concentration, and the process of cartilage matrix mineralization.

Animals↗

Ionization kinetics of the carbon acid phenindione.

The ionization kinetics of carbon acids are slow relative to those of classical acids and bases. Phenindione (2-phenyl-1,3-indandione) is a 1,3-diketone carbon acid of macroscopic experimental pKa 4.09 at 25 degrees and ionic strength 0.1. The ionization kinetics of phenindione were determined at an ionic strength of 0.1 and 25 degrees using stopped-flow spectrophotometry and a pH jump technique. A log k'obs-pH profile for the approach to the ionization equilibrium was determined, and a mechanism consistent with the profile was postulated. The percent enol versus diketo form of phenindione and the pKaenol and pKadiketo were calculated from the kinetic data. Phenindione acid deprotonation kinetics by various oxygen and nitrogen bases suggested that, with bases of pKa 4.7--8.5 and in the pH 5--8.5 range, the acidic phenindione proton as approximately 45% transferred in the rate-determining transition state.

Buffers↗

Chemical reaction, diffusion, and ionization model for dissolution of oxygen acids and carbon acids.

A chemical reaction, diffusion, and ionization model, which assumes the establishment of ionization equilibrium at an equilibrium plane located within the diffusion layer, is tested by use of experimental dissolution rates for some oxygen acids and carbon acids. For oxygen acids both two- and three-zone models predict observed dissolution rates; however, for barbituric acid dihydrate and phenylbutazone neither model successfully depicts the dissolution behavior. Although the three-zone model approximately predicts dissolution rates of oxygen acids, its complexity does not add to the accuracy of the calculated rate. The three-zone model does support the frequent assumption that ionization is instantaneous and can be ignored in modeling.

Barbiturates↗

Evaluation of thermodynamic ionization constants by computation of spectrophotometric and potentiometric experimental data obtained simultaneously from a flow system.

A method is proposed for the direct and simultaneous determination of the thermodynamic ionization constants of bifunctional substances, with (microscopic) and without overlap in the ionizations, with computational treatment of spectrophotometric and potentiometric experimental data obtained simultaneously in a flow system. For monofunctional substances, potentiometric data are enough. The data are obtained at very low values of ionic strength, which is variable throughout the experiment because no inert electrolyte is added. The MICROTER program, written in FORTRAN 77, is based on an algorithm of mathematical optimization with a controlled-descent movement. The ionization constants of the following substances of pharmacological interest were determined: cysteine, penicillamine, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin (bifunctional with overlap); cephalexin and cephapirin (bifunctional without overlap); and tolazoline, naphazoline, and oximetazoline (monofunctional).

Adsorption↗

Combined effects of ionizing radiation and cycloheximide on gene expression.

We performed experiments to determine the effects of ionizing radiation exposure on expression of genes such as beta-actin, c-fos, histone H4, c-myc, c-jun, Rb, and p53 after exposure of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells to the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. The purpose of these experiments was to determine the role of a labile protein in the radiation-induced response. The results revealed that when ionizing radiation (either fission-spectrum neutrons or gamma rays) was administered 15 min after cycloheximide treatment of SHE cells, the radiation exposure reduced cycloheximide-mediated gene induction of c-fos, histone H4, and c-jun. In addition, dose-rate differences were found when radiation exposure most significantly inhibited the cycloheximide response. Our results suggest that ionizing radiation does not act as a general protein-synthesis inhibitor and that the presence of a labile protein is required for the maintenance of specific gene transcription and mRNA accumulation after radiation exposure, especially at high dose-rates.

Actins↗

Continuum electrostatic analysis of irregular ionization and proton allocation in proteins.

Irregular (nonsigmoidal) ionization behavior of titratable groups in proteins is analyzed theoretically, using a computational algorithm designed to count explicitly for tautomers of titratable groups and different locations of polar hydrogens. On the basis of calculations for different model systems (acid-acid, base-base, acid-base pairs, and cluster of three strongly interacting groups), it is demonstrated that the pK values, extracted from nonsigmoidal titration curves by fitting to a sum of Henderson-Hasselbalch equations, do not describe the ionization equilibrium correctly. The conditions for observation of irregular titration curves are derived analytically for the case of arbitrary couple of interacting ionizable groups. A possible relation between irregularly shaped titration curves and tautomerization is also illustrated. The protonation-deprotonation equilibrium of Asp76 in ribonuclease T1 is shown to be coupled to dipole reorientation of a water molecule bound at the protein-solvent interface. This finding provides a new interpretation of the experimentally observed chemical shift of this residue.

Amino Acids↗

Calculating proton uptake/release and binding free energy taking into account ionization and conformation changes induced by protein-inhibitor association: application to plasmepsin, cathepsin D and endothiapepsin-pepstatin complexes.

The protein-inhibitor binding energies of enzymes are often pH dependent, and binding induces either proton uptake or proton release. The proton uptake/release and the binding energy for three complexes with available experimental data were numerically studied: pepstatin-cathepsin D, pepstatin-plasmepsin II and pepstatin-endothiapepsin. Very good agreement with the experimental data was achieved when conformational changes were taken into account. The role of the desolvation energy and the conformational changes was revealed by modeling the complex, the separated molecules in the complex conformation and the free molecules. It was shown that the conformational changes induced by the complex formation are as important for the proton transfer as the loss of solvation energy caused by the burial of interface residues. The residues responsible for the proton transfer were identified and their contribution to the proton uptake/release calculated. These residues were found to be scattered along the whole protein rather than being localized only at the active site. In the case of cathepsin D, these residues were found to be highly conserved among the cathepsin D sequences of other species. It was shown that conformation and ionization changes induced by the complex formation are critical for the correct calculation of the binding energy. Taking into account the electrostatics and the van der Waals (vdW) energies within the Boltzmann distribution of energies and allowing ionization and conformation changes to occur makes the calculated binding energy more realistic and closer to the experimental value. The interplay between electrostatic and vdW forces makes the pH dependence of the binding energy smoother, because the vdW force acts in reaction to the changes of the electrostatic energy. It was found that a small fraction of the ionizable groups remain uncharged in both the free and complexed molecules. The sequence and structural position of these groups aligns well within the three proteases, suggesting that these may have specific role.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination of coplanar and non-coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls in human serum by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection: electron impact or electron-capture negative ionization?

A time- and cost-saving method for the congener-specific analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human serum has been developed and validated. After two fast extraction and clean-up steps, analyses were performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry with single ion monitoring (GC/SIM-MS), either in electron impact (EI) or electron-capture negative ionization (ECNI) mode. For the determination of dioxin-like congeners, an improvement in EI-MS sensitivity is desirable and use of NI is thus preferred. The procedure was validated for 12 dioxin-like congeners by analyzing spiked samples on three different days and using (13)C(12)-labelled analogues as internal standards. When using an NCI source, the limit of quantification was assessed at 0.01 microg/L, except for PCBs #77 and #81, which cannot be reliably detected below 0.05 microg/L. For the lower chlorinated non-dioxin-like congeners, NI offers less selectivity because of limited fragmentation. Electron impact ionization and electron-capture negative ionization mode can therefore be considered to be complementary for the determination of PCB congeners in the general population.

Dioxins↗

An electrospray-ionization mass spectrometer with new features.

The construction and performance of an electrospray-ionization mass spectrometer with new features are described. The mass spectrometer consists of a newly designed electrospray ion-source that is plugged directly into a modified commercial quadrupole mass spectrometer with the ions entering the mass analyzer through a long metal capillary tube and three stages of differential pumping. The present ion source differs from previous designs in the combination of techniques employed in the transportation and desolvation of solvated biomolecule ions, prior to mass analysis. Transport of ionized entities between atmospheric pressure and vacuum is carried out through a 203 mm long stainless steel capillary tube with a 0.5 mm bore. Desolvation is effected by the use of controlled heat transfer through the long capillary tube and collisional activation in a region of reduced pressure between the capillary tube exit and the skimmer. Desolvation with this system is convenient and effective and does not involve the strong countercurrent flows of gases that have been used by all previous workers. The effects on the spectra of peptides of capillary tube temperature and desolvation collision energy are investigated. Electrospray-ionization mass spectrometric results are described for thirteen proteins with molecular masses ranging from 5000 to 77,000 Da. The performance of the present instrument, with respect to mass accuracy and sensitivity, is comparable with previously reported systems. The effect of protein concentration in solution on the electrospray mass spectrometric response and charge-state distribution is discussed.

Mass Spectrometry↗

Direct chemical ionization mass spectrometry of short-chain polysaccharides.

Underivatized short-chain polysaccharides such as two inulins from different plants containing up to 35-40 monosaccharide units with molecular weights of up to 6500 Da and dextran T 1.5 containing up to 16-20 monosaccharide units with molecular weights of up to 3200 Da have been investigated by direct chemical ionization. Under soft ionization conditions such as ammonia chemical ionization and reduced ion-source temperature, it was possible to obtain spectra of the native polysaccharides showing dominant ion series corresponding to ammonia adduct ions of oligosaccharides, and also ion series corresponding to ammonia adduct ions of anhydro-oligosaccharides.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗