原子光谱/元素质谱在生命分析中的应用进展

原子光谱/元素质谱是元素分析的强有力手段,其在生命分析领域的应用也越来越广泛。在单细胞元素分析方面,相关研究工作主要关注元素在单细胞中的分布和形态变化;在元素标记策略分析领域,利用原子光谱（atomic spectrometry, AS）和电感耦合等离子体质谱（inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ICP-MS）实现对小分子、核酸、蛋白质等目标分析物的高灵敏检测是研究热点;在金属药物分析领域,ICP-MS为研究金属药物在生物体中的摄入、分布、代谢和排泄等过程提供了便利,也为进一步阐明药物作用机理以及金属药物的设计和改进提供了数据支持;在生物元素成像领域,ICP-MS与激光剥蚀技术（laser ablation, LA）联用,可以对生物样品进行原位分析和微区分析,结合有机质谱实现元素相关生物过程的分子机制研究;与相关分离方法联用,原子光谱和元素质谱还可以对生物组织中元素进行形态分析,研究其在相关过程中的生物转化过程。本文从单细胞元素分析、元素标签标记策略、金属药物转运与代谢以及生物组织中元素分布分析等方面,评述了原子光谱和ICP-MS在生命分析中的应用实例,并对该领域的发展前景进行了展望。     

Potential of total-reflection X-ray spectrometry for multielement analysis of biological samples using dilution or suspension sample preparation techniques

In most clinical and nutritional studies, it is of significance to know information about the multielemental composition of biological samples. Conventional analysis of biological samples relies upon sample digestion followed by atomic spectrometry detection. This approach is essential for the quantification of ultratrace elements in biological samples. While in other applications it could be of interest to have simpler analytical methods with multielemental capability but involving a minimum sample treatment, reduce the amount of sample and a more cost-effective analysis. In the present contribution, the possibilities and drawbacks of simple sample treatments (i.e., dilution and suspension) in combination with total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) for the analysis of different types of biological samples have been critically evaluated. For that, a set of reference materials or well-characterized biological human fluids (blood, serum, plasma and seminal plasma) and animal/vegetal tissues have been used to estimate the analytical capabilities in terms of limits of detection, trueness and precision of the proposed TXRF methods. The results are based on the authors' experience in analysing biological samples using TXRF, and it is expected that they can be useful for new TXRF users in this field and they can provide a good basis for further application of this technique in clinical studies and other applications dealing with the analysis of biological samples in the future.     

Analytical techniques in biomedical stable isotope applications: (isotope ratio) mass spectrometry or infrared spectrometry?

An overview is presented of biomedical applications of stable isotopes in general, but mainly focused on the activities of the Center for Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases of the University Medical Center Groningen. The aims of metabolic studies in the areas of glucose, fat, cholesterol and protein metabolism are briefly explained, as well as the principle of breath testing and the techniques to study body composition and energy expenditure. Much attention is paid to the analytical considerations based upon metabolite concentrations, sample size restrictions, the availability of stable isotope labelled substrates and dose requirements in relation to compound-specific isotope analysis. The instrumental advantages and limitations of the generally used techniques gas chromatography/reaction/isotope ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry are described as well as the novelties of the recently commercialised liquid chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The present use and future perspective of infrared (IR) spectrometry for clinical and biomedical stable isotope applications are reviewed. In this respect, the analytical demands on IR spectrometry are discussed to enable replacement of isotope ratio mass spectrometry by IR spectrometry, in particular, for the purpose of compound-specific isotope ratio analysis in biological matrices.     

Analytics/Methods

An overview is presented of biomedical applications of stable isotopes in general, but mainly focused on the activities of the Center for Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases of the University Medical Center Groningen. The aims of metabolic studies in the areas of glucose, fat, cholesterol and protein metabolism are briefly explained, as well as the principle of breath testing and the techniques to study body composition and energy expenditure. Much attention is paid to the analytical considerations based upon metabolite concentrations, sample size restrictions, the availability of stable isotope labelled substrates and dose requirements in relation to compound-specific isotope analysis. The instrumental advantages and limitations of the generally used techniques gas chromatography/reaction/isotope ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry are described as well as the novelties of the recently commercialised liquid chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The present use and future perspective of infrared (IR) spectrometry for clinical and biomedical stable isotope applications are reviewed. In this respect, the analytical demands on IR spectrometry are discussed to enable replacement of isotope ratio mass spectrometry by IR spectrometry, in particular, for the purpose of compound-specific isotope ratio analysis in biological matrices.     

Application of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for trace elemental analysis of rainwater

Applicability of total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry for trace elemental analysis of rainwater samples was studied. The study was used to develop these samples as rainwater standards by the National University of Singapore (NUS). Our laboratory was one of the participants to use TXRF for this study. The rainwater sample obtained from NUS was analysed by TXRF and the trace elements Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, V and Pb were determined as required by the NUS. The average precision was found to be within 16% and the TXRF-determined elemental concentrations of these elements were below 20 μg/l. The average deviation of TXRF-determined values from the certified values were 20% (excluding the deviation for Fe and V which were comparatively high). Apart from the above elements, S, K, Ca, Rb, Sr, Ba and Br were also determined by TXRF and were found to be in the range of 0.2 to 191 μg/l. TXRF-determined values of our laboratory played an important role in the certification of concentration of seven elements in this rainwater sample which was later developed as a rainwater standard.     

Investigating the impact of internal standard heterogeneity on gold quantification with total reflection X-ray fluorescence: A simulation study

Total reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) is a powerful analytical tool with high detection sensitivity that has been applied to a variety of biological samples. While its ability to quantify gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in cancer cells has been demonstrated, the extension to tissue slices would be of interest. To that end, the preservation of the underlying tissue microstructure requires samples to be measured as microtome slices. In this form, internal standard spiking is warranted. Thus, it is important to examine the impact of sample heterogeneity on the TXRF's quantification accuracy. To address these questions, a TXRF spectrometer along with 5 μm thin heterogeneous and homogeneous samples were modeled using TOPAS. The simulation model generated TXRF spectra which were then analyzed to obtain recovery rates of Au in both sample types. The results showed near 100% recovery regardless of the elemental spatial distribution in the samples. This provides insights into the quantification potential for AuNPs inside tumors that are histologically processed into thin tissue slices. In addition, this simulation toolkit provides the first practical means of modeling TXRF spectroscopy which will hopefully be of use to the TXRF community.     

Total reflection x‐ray fluorescence analysis—a review

Total reflection x‐ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) is a special energy‐dispersive x‐ray analytical technique extending XRF down to the ultra trace element range. Detection limits of picograms or nanograms per gram levels are reached with x‐ray tube excitation. Using synchrotron radiation as excitation source, femtogram levels are detectable, particularly important for Si wafer surface analysis. TXRF is specially suited for applications in which only a very small amount of sample is available, as only a few micrograms are required for the analysis. In this review, an overview of theoretical principles, advantages, instrumentation, quantification and application is given. Chemical analysis as well as surface analysis including depth profiling and thin‐film characterization is described. Special research results on extension to low‐Z elements, excitation with synchrotron radiation and x‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) for chemical speciation at trace levels are reviewed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of factors affecting the results of natural water analyses by total reflection X‐ray fluorescence

The study aims to choose the conditions for the direct analysis of different types of natural water samples by total reflection X‐Ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF). The effect of some factors on TXRF results was studied such as the surface density of dried water residue on the sample carrier, the dilution ratio of high‐mineralized samples with ultrapure water and the solution of the detergent Triton X‐100, the salt contents, the internal standard concentration, and repeated pipetting of an aliquot of fresh water. The influence of self‐absorption phenomena on quantification results was demonstrated by using brine samples. The TXRF results for natural waters of varying salinity (brines, fresh waters, and ground waters) and model solutions are presented. For a number of analytes, the data obtained by TXRF were compared to those obtained by ‘wet’ chemistry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A setup for synchrotron‐radiation‐induced total reflection X‐ray fluorescence and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure recently commissioned at BESSY II BAMline

An automatic sample changer chamber for total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) analysis in TXRF geometry was successfully set up at the BAMline at BESSY II. TXRF and TXRF‐XANES are valuable tools for elemental determination and speciation, especially where sample amounts are limited (<1 mg) and concentrations are low (ng ml^?1 to µg ml^?1). TXRF requires a well defined geometry regarding the reflecting surface of a sample carrier and the synchrotron beam. The newly installed chamber allows for reliable sample positioning, remote sample changing and evacuation of the fluorescence beam path. The chamber was successfully used showing accurate determination of elemental amounts in the certified reference material NIST water 1640. Low limits of detection of less than 100 fg absolute (10 pg ml^?1) for Ni were found. TXRF‐XANES on different Re species was applied. An unknown species of Re was found to be Re in the +7 oxidation state.     

Illuminate Proteins and Peptides by Elemental Tag for HPLC-ICP-MS Detection

Abstract

High-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) is becoming a significant complementary technique of HPLC–molecular mass spectrometry for proteins and peptides quantification. However, the naturally occurring heteroelements inside proteins and peptides, such as sulfur, phosphor, and selenium, are not sensitive enough in ICP-MS for low-abundance proteins and peptides, due to their low ionization efficiency or polyatomic spectral interference. In order to make the low-abundance proteins and peptides “visible” by HPLC-ICP-MS, a foreign elemental tag can be employed. The foreign elemental tags are highly sensitive in ICP-MS and almost absent in common biological matrices, which leads to significantly low limits of detection. This review summarizes the major applications of elemental tags in combination with HPLC-ICP-MS detection. The organic mercury tags, iodine tags, ferrocene tags, and macrocyclic metal chelate complex tags are discussed in detail. The recent development of HPLC-ICP-MS in combination with elemental tags demonstrates the great potential in sensitive and accurate proteins and peptides quantification.     

Application of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in plant science: Solutions,threats, and opportunities

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is a nondestructive, rapid, simultaneous multi-elemental imaging methodology for plant materials. Its applications are broad and cover most of the elements with varying concentration below the parts per million (ppm). XRF is a well-established atomic spectrometric technique that is also being used as a field portable instrumentation. In recent decades, XRF has been considered a very versatile tool for plant nutrition diagnosis due to its fast and multi-elemental analytical imaging response directly from a solid sample. In this review, we have mainly focused on the recent developments and advancements in XRF spectrometry to analyze plant materials. We have also included the fundamental aspects and instrumentation for XRF spectrometry for its use in plants imaging. We have also covered the use of XRF for vegetal tissues and plant leaves. Mainly, we have briefly focused on some features of sampling procedures and calibration strategies regarding the use of XRF for plant tissues. Microchemical imaging applications by XRF, μ-XRF, μ-SRXRF, and TXRF have been covered for a wide variety of plant tissues such as leaves, roots, stems, and seeds.     

Molybdenum,Platinum, and Tantalum Metal Atomizers or Vaporizers in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Abstract

The application of metal (tantalum, molybdenum, and platinum) devices in analytical atomic spectrometry is reviewed in this article. These metal devices have been employed in various analytical atomic spectrometric techniques for more than three decades, mainly as electrothermal atomizers or electrothermal vaporizers, in various physical shapes, such as tubes, platforms, loops, and wires (or coils/filaments). Their application spans from atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic emission spectrometry (AES) atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES) to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The analytical figures of merit and the practical applications reported for these metal devices are reviewed, and the atomization mechanism on these metal atomizers is briefly summarized, too. In addition, other applications of the metal devices are discussed, including analyte preconcentration by electrodeposition and sequential metal vapor elution analysis (SMVEA). Furthermore, the application of these metals in graphite furnaces encompasses the schemes with the metals in the form of furnace linings, platforms, or impregnated salts.     

光声成像研究进展

本文阐述了光声成像的工作原理,光声信号的产生,传播和探测过程,并总结了光声成像的研究进展,包括时域光声成像和频率域光声成像的研究进展、以及各自的特点,为光声成像领域的研究起到一定的借鉴作用。分析认为光声成像技术有着其他医学成像技术没有的诸多优点,如高分辨率、高对比度、成像深度深等具有广阔的应用前景和较高应用价值,是未来生物医学领域最重要的实时医学成像技术之一,因此得到了国际上的广泛关注。     

Recent Advances in TXRF

Abstract

Total reflection X‐ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) is a special method of energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis extending EDXRF to the ultra trace element level. The achievable detection limits depend on the excitation source and are in the range of picograms to femtograms. Only small amounts of sample are required and the quantification by adding one element as an internal standard is easy as thin film approximation is valid. In this article, the recent advances in TXRF are reviewed with over 80 references. The principles, advantages, instrumentation, improvements with X‐ray optics, synchrotron radiation as excitation sources as well as various fields of application, wafer surface analysis, depth profiling, absorption spectroscopy, medical samples, biological samples, environmental monitoring, archeological and polymer samples are described. Related techniques are also mentioned and discussed.     

准分子激光取样与电感耦合等离子体质谱和光谱联用分析仪器研究进展

将准分子激光剥蚀取样后的产物经由电感耦合等离子质谱与光谱分析,从而获得被激光剥蚀样品的元素与同位素含量信息,是迄今为止适应于表面原位微区分析最为重要的分析科学技术手段之一。基于准分子激光剥蚀取样技术分别与电感耦合等离子体质谱或发射光谱技术联用的分析手段, 已经被广泛应用于地质学、材料学、环境科学,甚至生命科学领域的原位微区分析研究当中, 并且分别体现了各自技术的优势：固体材料表面的原位微区激光剥蚀取样技术既可以获取被分析材料的原位微区信息（满足了需要空间高分辨的微区元素与同位素信息提取的需求）,又避免了样品预处理带来的可能污染问题,同时,脉冲宽度为纳秒或飞秒的深紫外准分子激光具有极高的能量密度,用于剥蚀固体材料表面取样产生的热效应较低,引起的化学元素和同位素分馏效应不明显,其剥蚀取样的产物（气溶胶）可以更为接近代表原被剥蚀固体材料表面的化学元素和同位素组成;电感耦合等离子质谱分析和光谱分析技术已被证明可以高质量地提供被分析样品的元素与同位素信息,激光剥蚀取样技术与电感耦合等离子体质谱分析技术联用已经为固体材料表面的原位微区元素和同位素分析,带来了大量可信的科学分析数据,近年来将质谱分析手段与光谱分析手段联用于等离子体分析,并应用于元素和同位素化学分析,利用质谱分析与光谱分析方法各自的优点,优势互补,旨在提高电感耦合等离子质谱和光谱技术的元素和同位素分析精度,有望成为了一种新的分析科学方案。从应用于原位微区微量元素与同位素化学分析的需求出发,介绍了基于准分子激光剥蚀取样技术和电感耦合等离子体质谱与光谱分析技术同步联用的分析技术方案,并对于研发相关分析仪器的进展进行了概括与展望。     

A brief review on mass/optical spectrometry for imaging analysis of biological samples

Imaging analysis, especially bioimaging analysis, has been a hot research topic in recent years. There are numerous imaging analysis techniques for diverse applications of a wide spectrum of samples, with their unique advantages and disadvantages, and there are several related reviews published yearly. Among them, imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a relatively novel analytical technique for studying the distribution of molecular or ionic species at the level of tissue, cell, or subcellular, with its main feature of combining mass spectra for molecular identification and image visualization for quick and convenient analysis. The IMS does not require chemical labeling or complex sample preparation. This review, therefore, mainly focuses on the popular emerging IMS technique, including related ionization techniques in connection with their IMS applications, and some unique optical imaging techniques such as chemiluminescence imaging and dual-modal bioimaging for biological sample analysis, with 105 related recent references.     

从迈克耳孙干涉仪到光学相干层析术

介绍了迈克耳孙干涉仪在物理学发展史上的重要作用及生物医学成像技术的发展状况．从迈克耳孙干涉仪的发展过程出发,讨论了光学相干层析术的原理、特性及其在生物医学成像、物理学、材料科学中的应用,并将频谱光学相干层析术与傅里叶变换光谱术作了比较,最后讨论了它在教学上的意义．     

Cluster TOF-SIMS imaging of human skin remains: analysis of a South-Andean mummy sample

A skin sample from a South-Andean mummy dating back from the XI(th) century was analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging using cluster primary ion beams (cluster-TOF-SIMS). For the first time on a mummy, skin dermis and epidermis could be chemically differentiated using mass spectrometry imaging. Differences in amino-acid composition between keratin and collagen, the two major proteins of skin tissue, could indeed be exploited. A surprising lipid composition of hypodermis was also revealed and seems to result from fatty acids damage by bacteria. Using cluster-TOF-SIMS imaging skills, traces of bio-mineralization could be identified at the micrometer scale, especially formation of calcium phosphate at the skin surface. Mineral deposits at the surface were characterized using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and mass spectrometry imaging. The stratigraphy of such a sample was revealed for the first time using this technique. More precise molecular maps were also recorded at higher spatial resolution, below 1?μm. This was achieved using a non-bunched mode of the primary ion source, while keeping intact the mass resolution thanks to a delayed extraction of the secondary ions. Details from biological structure as can be seen on SEM images are observable on chemical maps at this sub-micrometer scale. Thus, this work illustrates the interesting possibilities of chemical imaging by cluster-TOF-SIMS concerning ancient biological tissues.     

Resonant Laser Excitation/Ionization and Mass Spectrometry in Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry

SCOPE OF REVIEW

This paper reviews the coupling of resonant laser ionization and laserexcited fluorescence with mass spectrometry to make difficult isotopic-ratio measurements. To keep this review focused and manageable in size, it covers only metal and noble-gas isotopic analyses that find applications in isotope geochemistry and cosmochemisty. Many research groups are applying lasers and mass spectrometry to atomic, molecular, and isotopic analyses that address problems in nuclear physics [1], materials science [2-4], biology [5,6], environmental science, and other areas of geochemistry and cosmochemistry [7,8]. Several previous reviews and monographs cover the basic principles and instrumentation of resonant laser processes and mass spectrometry in more breadth [9-12]. The latest Analytical Chemistry Fundamental Reviews [13] and the published proceedings of the biannual International Symposium on Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy and Its Applications provide updates of other recent work [8]. This review does not comprehensively encompass the use of lasers for analyte sampling by desoxption, ablation, sputtering, or melting. Several other specific reviews discuss laser sampling in elemental [14,15] and stable-isotope analyses [16,17]. This review does include applications in which pulsed ion sputtering and laser desoxption atomize analytes for ionization by resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS). This review also does not include isotopic-analytical methcds that use solely optical spectroscopy. The continuing development of laser and plasma technology is leading to promising spectroscopic-only methods for stable-isotope analysis [18-21].     

金属稳定同位素标记生物分析进展

细胞和组织的很多特定功能都由其在不同的生理条件下的生物分子含量决定,极少数分子的改变就有可能影响细胞生物功能并触发疾病生理过程,因此高灵敏的生物分子检测技术在疾病机理研究和疾病早期诊断方面具有重要作用。金属稳定同位素和放射同位素化学性质相近,借鉴放射同位素标记的成功经验,通过金属稳定同位素标记多组分生物分子,可以用原子质谱高灵敏地检测多组分生物分子。作为灵敏准确的金属元素检测工具,电感耦合等离子体质谱检出限低、基体效应低、线性范围广、同位素谱线分辨率高,因此适用于金属元素标记生物分子检测。金属稳定同位素标记已经被广泛应用到蛋白质、核酸、酶活性、生物小分子、甚至单个细胞的检测中,取得了一些可喜的进展,并展现了广阔未来应用前景。金属稳定同位素标记生物分析方法有三个特性：高灵敏度-大多数金属的稳定同位素有较高的标记灵敏度,并且可以通过纳米材料标记等方法实现信号放大;多组分同时分析-质谱仪同位素谱线高分辨率提供了多组分分析能力;高准确度-同位素稀释法提供了可溯源到SI国际单位制的高准确度检测结果。为了更好的推动相关研究,简要介绍金属稳定同位素标记生物分析的进展,主要内容包括以下几个部分：金属稳定同位素检测工具-无机质谱、金属稳定同位素标记高灵敏度分析、金属稳定同位素标记多组分同时分析、金属稳定同位素标记高准确度分析、金属稳定同位素标记单细胞分析的进展。