Use of laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) for localizing multiple elements in soft and hard tissues

The potential of laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) as a sensitive microanalytical technique was explored in applications relevant to nephrology. Aluminum and associated elements, such as iron, were localized in fresh tissue biopsies obtained from uremic patients treatment by chronic hemodialysis. The LAMMA was applied to serum, liver, bone, and parathyroid glands of such patients. In addition, we used LAMMA to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of routine histochemistry, in particular on human bone sections stained by the aluminon method. The high, multielemental sensitivity and molecular microprobe potential of LAMMA established important advantages over other microchemical methods forin situ analysis at the micron level in histological sections.     

Nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: sample preparation, data analysis, and application to the analysis of complex peptide mixtures

We report the development of a robust interface for off-line coupling of nano liquid chromatography (LC) to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and its application to the analysis of proteolytic digests of proteins, both isolated and in mixtures. The interface makes use of prestructured MALDI sample supports to concentrate the effluent to a small sample plate area and localize the MALDI sample to a predefined array, thereby enriching the analyte molecules and facilitating automated MALDI-MS analysis. Parameters that influence the preparation of MALDI samples from the LC effluent were evaluated with regard to detection sensitivity, spectra quality, and reproducibility of the method. A procedure for data processing is described. The presented nano LC MALDI-MS system allowed the detection of several peptides from a tryptic digest of bovine serum albumin, at analyzed amounts corresponding to one femtomole of the digested protein. For the identification of native proteins isolated from mouse brain by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, nano LC MALDI-MS increased the number of detected peptides, thereby allowing identification of proteins that could not be identified by direct MALDI-MS analysis. The ability to identify proteins in complex mixtures was evaluated for the analysis of Escherichia coli 50S ribosomal subunit. Out of the 33 expected proteins, 30 were identified by MALDI tandem time of flight fragment ion fingerprinting.     

MALDI-TOF MS技术在临床病原真菌鉴定中的应用进展

基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱技术（MALDI-TOF-MS）目前是一种快速而可靠的微生物鉴定方法.随着可鉴定真菌谱的完善,MALDI-TOF MS技术已逐步应用于临床常见致病酵母菌、酵母样真菌和丝状菌的鉴定中,本文将就此做一综述.     

A study on in vitro glycation processes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

The number of glucose molecules condensed on glycated bovine serum albumin have been easily determined by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Measurements were carried out on samples from incubation of the proteins with glucose at different concentrations (0.02 M, 0.2 M, 2 M and 5 M). A clear increase in molecular mass of BSA with respect to incubation time is detected. In contrast to what is observed with fluorescence, the plots of molecular mass increase vs. incubation time show tha occurrence of a steady state, corresponding to the complete saturation of all the protein sites against glucose. Comparison of fluorescence and molecular mass data reveals that some further reactions, different from condensation, must take place, which could be in principle either intramolecular or originated by reactivity of modified condensed gluocse moieties vs. free glucose.     

The role of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in biological microanalysis: technique comparisons and prospects.

The virtues and limitations of SIMS ion microscopy are compared with other spectroscopic techniques applicable to biological microanalysis, with a special emphasis on techniques for elemental localization in biological tissue (electron, X-ray, laser, nuclear, ion microprobes). Principal advantages of SIMS include high detection sensitivity, high depth resolution, isotope specificity, and possibilities for three-dimensional imaging. Current limitations, especially in comparison to X-ray microanalysis, center on lateral spatial resolution and quantification. Recent SIMS instrumentation advances involving field emission liquid metal ion sources and laser post-ionization will help to minimize these limitations in the future. The molecular surface analysis capabilities of static SIMS, especially with the new developments in commercial time-of-flight spectrometers, are promising for application to biomimetic, biomaterials, and biological tissue or cell surfaces. However, the direct microchemical imaging of biomolecules in tissue samples using SIMS will be hindered by limited concentrations, small analytical volumes, and the inefficiencies of converting surface molecules to structurally significant gas phase ions. Indirect detection using elemental or isotopically tagged molecules, however, shows considerable promise for molecular imaging studies using SIMS ion microscopy.     

Evaluation of sphingolipids in vitreous bodies from a patient with Gaucher disease, using delayed extraction matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Gaucher disease is a glycolipid storage disorder characterized by the accumulation of glucosylceramide in tissues. Using delayed extraction matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DE MALDI-TOF-MS), we analyzed sphingolipids in vitreous bodies from a patient with Gaucher disease who suffered from vitreous opacities. Crude lipids were extracted from the freeze-dried vitreous bodies with chloroform and methanol. After mild alkaline treatment of the crude lipids, a sphingolipid fraction was prepared and analyzed by DE MALDI-TOF-MS. The results were as follows: (a). the m/z values of the ions found in the mass spectra for both the control and the Gaucher disease patient corresponded to different sphingomyelin species. (b). The mass spectrum of the Gaucher disease patient showed additional ions with m/z values corresponding to different ceramide monohexoside (CMH) species. It was indicated that the accumulation of CMH in vitreous bodies from Gaucher disease patients could be easily detected with the DE MALDI-TOF-MS method.     

Metabolite profiling of plant carotenoids using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Although modern MS has facilitated the advent of metabolomics, some natural products such as carotenoids are not readily compatible to detection by MS. In the present article, we describe how matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF-MS) can be utilized to acquire mass spectra of carotenoids effectively. The procedure is sensitive (pmole range), reduces 'spot to spot' variation and provides high mass accuracy, thus aiding identification. The technique has been applied in vivo to the analysis of carotenoids in isolated plant cells and in vitro to three applications: (i) to show compatibility with purification methods such as LC, TLC and HPLC; (ii) for the rapid identification and quantification (by isotope dilution) of carotenoids present in crude extracts from plant tissues and whole cells; (iii) simultaneous semi-quantitative determination of carotenoids metabolites (m/z values) in crude plant extracts. Multivariate analysis of the recorded m/z values shows the effectiveness of the procedure in distinguishing genotypes from each other. In addition, the utility of the technique has been demonstrated on two mutant tomato populations, to determine alterations in carotenoid content, and a comparison made with traditional HPLC-photodiode array analysis. These data show that MALDI/TOF-MS can be used to rapidly profile, identify and quantify plant carotenoids reproducibly, as well as detecting other metabolites (m/z) in complex biological systems.     

Secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of the copper distribution in Drosophila melanogaster chronically intoxicated with Bordeaux mixture

The fungicides used intensively in agriculture may affect non-target organisms. The concentrations of copper sulfate-based fungicide, Bordeaux mixture, normally used in agriculture, can significantly reduce both the life span and breeding rate of Drosophila melanogaster. The present study examines the distribution of copper in organ sections of fruit flies intoxicated with Bordeaux mixture, by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The organs of most control flies contained no copper. In contrast, copper accumulated in the cytoplasm of all the mesenteron and Malpighian tubule epithelial cells of the treated flies. There were also copper deposits in the fat body and the epithelia of the seminal receptacle and accessory glands of some flies, but there was little or no copper in the ovaries. The mesenteron and Malpighian tubules are generally responsible for detoxification by accumulation of ingested metal salts in insects. The high concentration of Bordeaux mixture used saturated these organs and resulted in excess copper being deposited in other sites, such as the fat body and the reproductive system.     

三种前处理在基质辅助激光解析电离飞行时间质谱鉴定假丝酵母菌属中的应用比较

目的 比较3种前处理方法在基质辅助激光解析电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI TOF MS)鉴定假丝酵母菌属中的结果可靠性。 方法 以ITS测序鉴定结果为金标准,对临床分离的66株假丝酵母分别采用传统直涂法、改良直涂法和甲酸-乙腈蛋白提取法进行前处理,MALDI TOF MS鉴定,比较3种方法的Biotyper Log值,分析质谱图的差异。 结果 传统直涂法、改良直涂法和甲酸-乙腈提取法对66株假丝酵母的属水平鉴定率分别为48.5%、50.0%和97.0%,Biotyper Log均值分别为1.628、1.674和2.010,其中甲酸-乙腈提取法对66株假丝酵母的种水平鉴定率为53.0%。甲酸-乙腈提取法得到的质谱图比另2种方法的质谱图离子峰更加密集,图像更复杂,鉴定结果可信度更高。 结论 甲酸-乙腈蛋白提取法对假丝酵母菌属的鉴定成功率和可靠性明显高于传统直涂法和改良直涂法,对临床假丝酵母菌病的准确诊断具有重要价值。     

基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱在微生物鉴定中的研究进展

与传统的微生物鉴定技术相比,基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF MS)是一种准确、可靠和快速的鉴定和分型的技术。本文通过检索近年来国内外相关研究论文,总结最新的研究进展,发现MALDI-TOF MS在临床病原微生物、食源性微生物以及环境微生物等鉴定中有较大的优势,加快了微生物鉴定的进程,同时探索该技术在新领域的最新进展和面临的挑战,以期为我国基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱技术的发展提供参考。     

Rapid analysis of O-acetylated neuraminic acids by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

N-Acetylneuraminic acid (a sialic acid) occurs mainly as a terminal substituent of oligosaccharides of glycoconjugates. Derivatives of neuraminic acid occur widely, substituted in the amino and hydroxy side chains, as well in the C-9 carbon skeleton. These derivatives are responsible for specific functions of sialic acids during cell-cell, cell-substrate, or cell-virus interactions. The study of O-acetylated neuraminic acids is difficult, because only small amounts are extractable from natural sources and they are generally unstable to acids and bases. We report a new method for the rapid analysis of O-acetylated neuraminic acids, using a combination of reversed phase HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A mixture of neuraminic acids from bovine submaxillary gland mucins was analysed, as well as neuraminic acids variously substituted in the amino and hydroxy side chains with acetyl and glycolyl groups, respectively. © 1998 Rapid Science Ltd     

The prognostic value of the serum ferritin in a southern Brazilian cohort of patients with Gaucher disease

The clinical utility of serum ferritin as a biomarker of disease severity and prognosis in Gaucher disease (GD) is still debated. Here, we aimed to evaluate ferritin and its relation to clinicolaboratory parameters of GD patients seen at the Reference Center for Gaucher Disease of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, so as to gather evidence on the utility of ferritin as a biomarker of this condition. A retrospective chart review was performed collecting pre-and posttreatment data from GD patients. Eighteen patients with ferritin levels available before and after treatment were included in the study. Nine of these participants were males, and seventeen had type I GD. All patients were given either enzyme replacement (n = 16) or substrate reduction therapy (n = 2), and ferritin was found to decrease from 756 [318-1441] ng/mL at baseline to 521 [227-626] ng/mL (p=0.025) after 28.8 month soft treatment. Serum ferritin levels did not correlate with measures of disease severity, but showed an association with age at onset of treatment (ρ= 0.880; n = 18; p < 0.001). In conclusion, although serum ferritin did not correlate with disease severity, after a median 28.8 months of treatment, clinical outcomes had clearly improved, and ferritin levels had decreased.     

基质辅助激光解析电离飞行时间质谱在医学真菌领域的应用进展

基质辅助激光解析电离飞行时间质谱（matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry,MALDI-TOF MS）是近年来新兴的微生物检测技术,通过核糖体蛋白分析实现对真菌快速、准确鉴定。本文针对MALDI-TOF MS用于致病真菌鉴定、分类、体外抗真菌药物敏感性检测以及临床微生物样本直接检测等方面作一综述。     

The deconvolution of pyrolysis mass spectra using genetic programming: application to the identification of some Eubacterium species

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry was used to produce complex biochemical fingerprints of Eubacterium exiguum, E. infirmum, E. tardum and E. timidum. To examine the relationship between these organisms the spectra were clustered by canonical variates analysis, and four clusters, one for each species, were observed. In an earlier study we trained artificial neural networks to identify these clinical isolates successfully; however, the information used by the neural network was not accessible from this so-called `black box' technique. To allow the deconvolution of such complex spectra (in terms of which masses were important for discrimination) it was necessary to develop a system that itself produces `rules' that are readily comprehensible. We here exploit the evolutionary computational technique of genetic programming; this rapidly and automatically produced simple mathematical functions that were also able to classify organisms to each of the four bacterial groups correctly and unambiguously. Since the rules used only a very limited set of masses, from a search space some 50 orders of magnitude greater than the dimensionality actually necessary, visual discrimination of the organisms on the basis of these spectral masses alone was also then possible.     

Cellular and subcellular localization of chromium in the crab Liocarcinus puber (Brachyrhyncha) by transmission electron microscopy,secondary ion mass spectrometry and electron microprobe analysis

The swimming crab Liocarcinus puber (Crustacea Brachyrhyncha) was exposed for 2 weeks to CrCl₃ (chromium occurs principally in the trivalent state in the natural environment). The gills, digestive gland and muscle were examined by several analytical techniques for cellular and subcellular localization of chromium. The techniques applied were secondary ion mass spectrometry (ion microscopy and ion microprobe analysis) associated with photon microscopy and X-ray spectrometry (electron microprobe analysis) together with transmission electron microscopy. The digestive gland was found to be free of chromium, whereas chromium was adsorbed onto the gill exoskeleton. The muscle was the only tissue with intracellular electron-dense precipitates with no surrounding membrane. The metal was detected in the heterophagic vacuoles of amoebocytes where it was associated with phosphorus and trapped in an unsoluble form. Mechanisms of chromium cellular and subcellular metabolism were compared between crabs and other aquatic organisms. L. puber does not appear to be a suitable bioindicator of chromium pollution because of molting and its low chromium bioaccumulation capability.     

Ultrasensitive radioisotope,stable-isotope,and trace-element analysis in the biological sciences using tandem accelerator mass spectrometry

The new technique of tandem accelerator mass spectrometry (TAMS) has improved the sensitivity for measurement of several long-lived radioisotopes and certain stable isotopes by many orders of magnitude. Nuclear physics tandems and new small dedicated accelerators are now able to measure¹⁴C,¹⁰Be,²⁶Al,³²Si,³⁶Cl,⁴¹Ca, and¹²⁹I in natural materials. Sensitivities down to 10⁵ atoms per sample can be achieved in favorable cases. By accelerating ions to MeV energies, one can eliminate molecules and uniquely identify the atomic numbers below 20. Although most applications to date have been in the earth sciences, the opportunity now exists for important new applications in biology and toxicology. Trace elements can be measured at the parts per billion (10⁹) level using a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) ion source. Radioactive tracer measurements can be made for elements, such as aluminum, for which there are no isotopes with suitable half-lives for conventional decay counting methods. For¹⁴C, counting times become much shorter and dose levels can be reduced.     

Homology-based functional proteomics by mass spectrometry: application to the Xenopus microtubule-associated proteome

The application of functional proteomics to important model organisms with unsequenced genomes is restricted because of the limited ability to identify proteins by conventional mass spectrometry (MS) methods. Here we applied MS and sequence-similarity database searching strategies to characterize the Xenopus laevis microtubule-associated proteome. We identified over 40 unique, and many novel, microtubule-bound proteins, as well as two macromolecular protein complexes involved in protein translation. This finding was corroborated by electron microscopy showing the presence of ribosomes on spindles assembled from frog egg extracts. Taken together, these results suggest that protein translation occurs on the spindle during meiosis in the Xenopus oocyte. These findings were made possible due to the application of sequence-similarity methods, which extended mass spectrometric protein identification capabilities by 2-fold compared to conventional methods.