Enzyme immunoassay of somatostatin (SS)-like immunoreactive substance in bovine milk

A sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for somatostatin (SS)-like immunoreactivity (SS-LI) was developed with the use of beta-D-galactosidase labeled antigen. The minimum amount of SS-like immunoreactive substance (SS-IS) detectable by this method was 1.0 fmol/well (25 pmol/l). The level of SS-IS in bovine foremilk was about 20 pmol/l, and the level was unchanged after delivery. On the other hand, the levels of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP)-IS and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-IS in bovine foremilk were very high, but fell during 1 week after delivery to about 10% of those in foremilk.     

Rapid analysis of porphyrins at low ng/l and microg/l levels in human urine by a gradient liquid chromatography method using octadecylsilica monolithic columns

Rapid gradient RP-HPLC method with fluorimetric detection for trace analysis of diagnostically significant porphyrins in human urine was developed for clinical and diagnostic purposes. Results show that optimized high-pressure gradient elution and monolithic column Chromolith SpeedRod RP18e enabled separation of seven urine porphyrins including baseline separation of I and III positional isomers of uro- and coproporphyrins within 3.2 min. Problems associated with high metal cation complexing ability of the analytes and common stainless steel based instrumentation were substantially reduced by use of 0.1 mol/l ammonium citrate buffer (pH 5.47) and methanol as a mobile phase components. Good reproducibilities of retention times (within +/- 0.36% RSD) and peak areas (from +/- 0.6 to +/- 2.5% RSD) at 5-20 microg/l level of the analytes were achieved. Determined LOQ (10 x S/N) values of diagnostically important porphyrins using fluorimetric detection (ex.405 nm/em.620 nm) were 82 pmol/l (65 ng/l, 1.30 pg/injection) for uroporphyrin I, 44 pmol/l (33 ng/l, 0.66 pg/injection) for uroporphyrin III, 50 pmol/l (40 ng/l, 0.80 pg/injection) for coproporphyrin I and 47 pmol/l (39 ng/l, 0.78 pg/injection) for coproporphyrin III. Attained LOQ concentration level is approximately 20-120 times lower than concentration of porphyrins in a urine of healthy person. Calculated LOD's (3 x S/N) were at a low ng/l levels, what enabled quantification of carry-over effect to be from 2.0% to 0.2% in each of three consecutive blank runs and from 2.5% to 7% in total after injection of mixed standard of porphyrins with 5-20 microg/l concentrations. Recovery of porphyrins at low microg/l concentration levels was from 93% to 97.5%. Devised method increases productivity of clinical laboratory from 2 to 10 times in dependence of duration of currently used method.     

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for beta-endorphin in human plasma.

We established a highly sensitive and specific double-antibody enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for beta-endorphin (beta-EP). For competitive reactions, the beta-EP-antibody was incubated with beta-EP standard (or sample) and beta-D-galactosidase-labeled beta-EP (delayed addition). Free and antibody-bound labeled antigen were separated by using an anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G coated immunoplate. The enzyme activity on the plate was fluorometrically determined. The minimal detection limit was approximately 0.4fmol/well (10 pmol/l). Using this assay system, beta-EP-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in human plasma was determined. The level of beta-EP-LI in extracted human plasma from 6 normal subjects was 2.44 +/- 0.68 pmol/l. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the plasma of a normal subject revealed a single immunoreactive form which eluted with the same retention time as that of synthetic beta-EP.     

Determination of an irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MDL 72974A) in human plasma and urine by gas chromatography-positive-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and specific assay has been developed for the quantitative measurement in human plasma and urine of the irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B [(E)-4-fluoro-beta-fluoromethylenebenzene-butanamine HCl salt] (MDL 72974A) (I). This assay is based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with ammonia as the chemical ionization reagent gas. After addition of 1-fluoro-2-(4-chlorobenzene)-ethanamine HCl salt (MDL 71946A) as the internal standard, plasma (1 ml) and urine (100 microliter) samples were extracted using an automated solid-liquid extraction procedure on CN columns. The eluent was dried with a stream of nitrogen, and the residue was derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride. Selected-ion monitoring of the [MNH4]+ ions m/z 361 (I) and 351 (internal standard) was used for quantification. The method yielded a linear response over the concentration range 0.25-100 pmol/ml in plasma with a limit of quantitation of 0.25 pmol/ml. The within-day reproducibility at a concentration of 5 pmol/ml was 4.6% and at a concentration of 50 pmol/ml was 1.3%. The day-to-day reproducibility was 5.2 and 7.0% at concentrations of 10 and 30 pmol/ml, respectively. The method was applied to the quantification of I in plasma and urine after the administration of 12-mg doses of I to a healthy male volunteer.     

Excretion of iodide in 24-h urine as determined by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A simple method is presented for the routine analysis of iodide in urine. After a one-step sample clean-up, iodide was separated by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography and detected electrochemically with a silver electrode. The coefficient of variation of a single analysis of iodide in a pooled urine sample (530 nmol/l) was 7.6%. The detection limit, derived from a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, was 3 pmol, corresponding to 0.06 mumol/l. The recovery of iodide added to urine was 96 +/- 7%. The accuracy of the method was assessed by analysing ten different samples with neutron activation analysis. The data obtained with the two methods showed a high correlation (r = 0.991) and did not differ significantly. Excretion of iodide in samples of 24-h urine from a free-living population was shown to have a log-normal distribution and to be higher in men than in women. The iodide/creatinine ratio was independent of sex and increased with age.     

Enzyme immunoassay of a substance P-like immunoreactive substance in human plasma and saliva.

A sensitive and specific double-antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for a substance P (SP)-like immunoreactive substance (SP-IS) was developed. For competitive reactions, the SP-antibody was incubated with SP standard (or sample) and beta-D-galactosidase labeled Tyr8-SP (delayed addition). Free and antibody-bound enzyme hapten were separated by using an anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G coated immunoplate. Activity of the enzyme on the plate was fluorometrically determined. The present immunoassay allows detection of 0.4 to 10 fmol/well of SP. Using the present EIA, SP-ISs in human saliva and plasma were determined. The level of SP-IS in human saliva was about 7 pmol/l, which was almost three times higher than that in human plasma.     

Determination of urinary vanillactic acid and plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine as markers of non-secreting neuroblastoma by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

An accurate and precise isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic technique for the analysis of urinary vanillactic acid (VLA) and plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), especially at low concentrations (pmol/l) for VLA and nmol/l for DOPA), is described. The compounds were purified in a single step, (on an anion exchanger for VLA and on aluminium oxide for DOPA), separated by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography, and detected electrochemically. A single analysis was complete within 18 min. Mean recoveries of 103 and 81% were obtained for VLA and DOPA, respectively, and the limits of detection were 42 and 76 pmol/l, respectively. The mean values of the intra-assay coefficient of variation were 14 and 7.1% for VLA and DOPA, respectively, and the mean values of the inter-assay coefficient of variation were 15.7 and 11.6%, respectively. Modifications of the retention times (between 2 and 42 min) induced by changes in the eluent were determined. Reference values for normal children and children with neuroblastoma or various tumours are given.     

对酞内酰胺苯甲酰氯柱前衍生反应HPLC法检测痕量芳香胺

建立了一种快速、灵敏检测痕量芳香胺的新方法。对苯胺、邻甲苯胺和间甲苯胺与对酞内酰胺苯甲酰氯（简称ＰＩＢ－Ｃｌ）的衍生反应条件、衍生物色谱分离及定量检测条件等进行了研究。衍生试剂在有机溶剂中与３种芳香胺反应迅速，衍生物用乙腈＋水（４８＋５２）作流动相，在反相色谱系统中得到了良好的分离。３种芳香胺的检出限分别为：苯胺１．５ｐｍｏｌ，邻甲苯胺和间甲苯胺均为２．０ｐｍｏｌ。     

Synthesis of fluorescent label, DBD-beta-proline, and the resolution efficiency for chiral amines by reversed-phase chromatography

DBD-d(and l)-beta-proline, new fluorescent chiral derivatization reagents, were synthesized from the reaction of 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7- fl uoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-F) with beta-proline. The racemic mixture synthesized was separated by a chiral stationary phase (CSP) column, Chiralpak AD-H, with n-hexane-EtOH-TFA-diethylamine (70:30:0.1:0.1) as the mobile phase. The dl-forms were decided according to the results obtained from a circular dichroism (CD) detector after separation by the CSP column. The fractionated enantiomers reacted with chiral amine to produce a couple of diastereomers. The labeling proceeded in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) and pyridine as the activation reagents. The reaction conditions were mild and no racemization occurred during the diastereomer formation. The resulting diastereomers fluoresced at around 570 nm (excitation at around 460 nm). Good linearity of the calibration curves was obtained in the range 1-75 pmol and the detection limits on chromatogram were less than 1 pmol. The separability of the diastereomers was compared with the diastereomers derived from DBD-d(or l)-proline. The resolution values (Rs) obtained from the diastereomers of three chiral amines with DBD-d(or l)-beta-proline were higher than those derived from DBD-d(or l)-proline, e.g. dl-phenylalanine methylester (dl-PAME), 2.23 vs 1.37; (R)(S)-1-phenylethylamine [(R)(S)-PEA], 2.09 vs 1.13; and (R)(S)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamines [(R)(S)-NEA], 5.19 vs 1.23. The results suggest that the position of COOH group on pyrrolidine moiety in the structures is one of the important factors for the efficient separation of a couple of the diastereomers.     

High performance liquid chromatography determination of cyanide in urine by pre-column fluorescence derivatization

A method for the determination of cyanide in human urine has been developed. The method is based on the reaction of cyanide with 2,3-naphthalenedialdehyde and taurine to give a fluorescent product for reversed-phase HPLC separation and fluorometric detection. After centrifugation followed by dilution of urine samples, the specimens could be analysed directly by this method. The recovery of cyanide added to urine at concentration levels of 50-1000 pmol/mL was 85-96%. The detection limit of cyanide was 30 pmol/mL in urine. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of urine from smokers and nonsmokers. The mean concentrations of cyanide were found to be 215 pmol/mL for the former and 84 pmol/mL for the latter.     

An automated analyzer for methylated arginines in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column fluorescence reaction

A fully automated analyzer for methylated L-arginine metabolites [N,N-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA), N-methylarginine (NMMA) and N,N'-dimethyl-L-arginine (SDMA)] by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column fluorescence derivatization was developed. This system consists of an on-line extraction, a separation on a reversed phase ion-pair chromatograph, a post-column derivatization by o-phthaladehyde (OPA) and thiol reaction, and fluorescence detection. NMMA, ADMA and SDMA were separated in 40 min with isocratic elution by a combination of octanoate and cyclohexane carboxylate as ion-pair reagents. The eluate was monitored at 450 nm with excitation at 337 nm. The calibration curves for NMMA, ADMA and SDMA showed linearity over the range from 0.05 micromol l(-1) (0.5 pmol on column) to 5.0 micromol l(-1) (50 pmol on column). This method does not require any time-consuming pre-treatment and requires only 10 microl of plasma sample for assay.     

Increased sensitivity of an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for the determination of triazine herbicides by variation of tracer incubation time

Immunoassays for triazine herbicides were tested for their reaction to the variation of the tracer incubation time. By application of a sequential technique the measuring range of atrazine could be expanded to five decades and the total duration of the test could be reduced to about 30 min. In an optimized version a lower detection limit of 9 pmol/l (2 ng/l) was achieved. The detection limit of a sensitive immunoassay for terbuthylazine is also below the concentration limit demanded of the German drinking water regulation (100 ng/l) and reaches 130 pmol/l (30 ng/l). Short tracer incubation times did not lead to increased cross-reactivities in contrast to theoretical models [1, 2]. Different mechanisms, which could cause a shift of the center point of the calibration curve, are discussed, including kinetic considerations.Nomenclature ametryn 2-(ethylamino)-4-(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-1,3,5-triazine - atrazine 2-(chloro)-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine - deethylatrazine 2-(amino)-4-(chloro)-6-(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - DOC dissolved organic carbon - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - glyme 1,2-dimethoxyethane - hydroxyatrazine 2-(ethylamino)-4-(hydroxy)-6-(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine - PBS phosphate buffered saline - propazine 2-(chloro)-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine - simazine 2-(chloro)-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine - terbuthylazine 2-(tert-butylamino)-4-(chloro)-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine - TLC thin-layer chromatography - TMB 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine - tracer enzyme (peroxidase) labeled hapten     

Determination of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and its structural analogue by liquid chromatography and ion spray tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled to ion spray tandem mass spectrometry was developed as a method for the simultaneous analysis of the amino acid 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and its structural analogue, cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid (CDA). ACC and CDA fragmentation as well as optimization of MS parameters were investigated in positive ion mode. In selective reaction monitoring mode the protonated molecule [M+H]+ was selected as parent ion for both ACC and CDA, while the immonium ion from ACC and the [M+H-H2O]+ ion from CDA were selected, respectively, as product ions. In spite of the high selectivity of MS/MS among the 20 protein amino acids potentially present with ACC and CDA in the plant material analyzed, Glu and Thr can interfere with the signal of ACC. As a result, their chromatographic separation is necessary. This was achieved in less than 4 min by ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography with nonafluoropentanoic acid as ion-pair reagent. A linear response within a concentration range of 1-5 mg l(-1) was observed for this LC method and the detection limit was found to be 20 pmol for ACC and 150 pmol for CDA (using a 20-microl loop). This methodology was successfully applied to the detection of ACC in apple tissue.     

Separation,quantification, spectral properties and stability of photosynthetic pigments on CN-coated HPTLC plates

Summary Chlorophylls, phaeophytins a and b, -carotene, lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin can be separated in 15 min on HPTLC, CN-coated sheets using chloroform-hexane-methanol (25-70-05 v/v). The algebraic characteristics of calibration curves and of the absorbance decay with time have been determined for each component. Solid phase spectra have been established from 370 to 700 nm and their variations have been examined with respect to the amounts of pigments spotted on the plates and to the storage time of chromatograms in the dark at 4°C.Pigments extracted with chloroform from barley leaves were analysed using the described method. A 5% accuracy is normally to be expected, and the sensitivity ranges from 0.5 pmol (-carotene) or 1 pmol (chlorophylls a and b) to 12 pmols (lutein) in quantitative determinations at 425 nm.     

Determination of ethane,pentane and isoprene in exhaled air using a multi-bed adsorbent and end-cut gas-solid chromatography

A method for the determination of exhaled ethane, pentane and isoprene was developed and validated. The method was based on pre-concentration of the analytes on a multi-bed solid adsorbent tube containing Tenax TA, Carboxen 569 and Carboxen 1000, thermal desorption and gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionisation detection (FID). A pre-column in an end-cut GC system was used to avoid problems with water and strongly retained substances. The detection limits were 5, 2 and 6 pmol per sample for ethane, pentane and isoprene, respectively, using a sample volume of 500 ml. The linearity was good for all analytes with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999. The repeatability for exhaled air samples was 7, 10 and 12% for ethane, pentane and isoprene, respectively. Analysis of a certified reference material of ethane and pentane did not differ significantly from the certified values. Ethane and pentane levels were stable up to six days of storage in sample tubes. Isoprene levels were not stable during storage in the sample tubes used here, but using Carbopack X instead of Carboxen 569, levels were stable up to two days. The levels of exhaled ethane, pentane and isoprene in healthy subjects (n = 4) were 8.1+/-5.8 pmol l(-1), 11+/-5.8 pmol l(-1) and 2.4+/-0.90 mnol l(-1), respectively. The method could, with minor modifications, be used to determine other low-molecular hydrocarbons in exhaled air as well.     

QD-antibody conjugates via carbodiimide-mediated coupling: a detailed study of the variables involved and a possible new mechanism for the coupling reaction under basic aqueous conditions

A detailed study into the optimization of carbodiimide-mediated coupling of antibodies (Ab) and quantum dots (QD) for use in cellular imaging has been undertaken. This involved the grafting of commercially available carboxyl-modified QDs (Evident Technologies "Lake Placid Blue" Evitag and eBioscience's eflour nanocrystals) with anti-Cdc8 Abs to produce conjugates with specific affinity for fission yeast tropomyosin Cdc8 protein. The water-soluble carbodiimide 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) was used to activate the QDs prior to their incubation with antibody, and a range of QD-carboxyl/EDC/Ab mole ratios were used in the experiments in attempts to optimize fluorescence and bioaffinity of the conjugate products (EDC to QD-carboxyl-600 nmol/15 pmol to 0.12 nmol/15 pmol and QD to Ab 120 pmol/24 pmol to 120 pmol/1.2 pmol). It was observed that a specific "optimum" ratio of the three reactants was required to produce the most fluorescent and biologically active product and that it was generated at alkaline pH 10.8. Increasing the ratio of Ab to QD produced conjugate which was less fluorescent while reducing the ratio of EDC to QD in the activation step led to increased fluorescence of product. Conjugates were tested for their possession of antibody by measurement of their absorption at OD(280 nm) and for their fluorescence by assay λ(max(em)) at 495 nm. A quantitative assay of the bioactivity of the conjugates was developed whereby a standardized amount of Cdc8 antigen was spotted onto nylon membranes and reacted with products from conjugation reactions in a sandwich-type colormetric assay The "best" conjugate was used in intracellular imaging of yeast Cdc8 protein and produced brighter, higher definition images of fixed yeast cell actin structure than a fluorescein-Ab conjugate routinely produced in our laboratory. The QD-Ab conjugate was also significantly more resistant to photobleaching than the fluorescein-Ab conjugate. Results from other experiments involving EDC, the water-soluble carbodiimide 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)carbodiimide metho-p-toluenesulphonate (CMC), and EDC.HCl have suggested a new reaction mechanism for EDC coupling under basic aqueous conditions. In summary, a robust understanding of commercial QD-COOH surface chemistry and the variables involved in the materials' efficient conjugation with a bioligand using carbidiimide has been obtained along with an optimized approach for Ab-QD conjugate production. A novel assay has been developed for bioassay of QD-Ab conjugates and a new mechanism for EDC coupling under basic aqueous conditions is proposed.     

Enzyme immunoassay of angiotensin II in human plasma.

We established a highly sensitive double-antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for angiotensin (ANG) II. For competitive reactions, the ANG II-antibody was incubated with ANG II standard (or sample) and beta-D-galactosidase-labeled ANG III (delayed addition). Free and antibody-bound labeled antigen were separated using an anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) coated immunoplate. The enzyme activity on the plate was fluorometrically determined. The present immunoassay allows detection of 0.4 to 72 fmol/well of ANG II. Using the present EIA, ANG II-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in human plasma was determined. The level of ANG II-LI in human plasma from 10 healthy volunteers was 33.3 +/- 10.4 pmol/l.     

手性柱前衍生高效液相色谱法拆分牙本质中天冬氨酸对映体

手性柱前衍生高效液相色谱法拆分牙本质中天冬氨酸对映体傅世江,范垂昌,张世鑫魏奉群赵婷（中国医科大学法医化学教研室沈阳１１０００１）（辽宁基础医学研究所沈阳ｌ１０００３）（辽宁省分析测试研究中心沈阳１１００１５ｊ１前言由于氨基酸消旋化理论￣［１］在考古...     

Fundamental and clinical evaluation of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in pancreatitis by radioimmunoassay kit

Plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentrations of normal individuals and patients with pancreatitis were studied using a VIP RIA kit. The inter-assay and intra-assay variation of this kit were between 2.1 and 9.4%. The VIP levels increased in the acute phase of acute pancreatitis and patients with chronic pancreatitis. The VIP concentration increased during the first 30 min of glucose tolerance test, but this increase was much smaller than that in insulin. These results suggest that this kit is useful for physiologic and pathologic changes in the VIP level.     

A cyclodextrin host-guest recognition approach to a label-free electrochemical DNA hybridization biosensor

A novel label-free electrochemical DNA hybridization biosensor using a β-cyclodextrin/poly(N-acetylaniline)/carbon nanotube composite modified screen printed electrode (CD/PNAANI/CNT/SPE) has been developed. The proposed DNA hybridization biosensor relies on the intrinsic oxidation signals of guanine (G) and adenine (A) from single-stranded DNA entered into the cyclodextrin (CD) cavity. Due to the binding of G and A bases to complementary cytosine and thymine bases in dsDNA, the signals obtained for ssDNA were much higher than that of dsDNA. The synergistic effect of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes provides a significantly enhanced voltammetric signal, and the CD encapsulation effect makes anodic peaks of G and A shift to less positive potentials than that at the bare SPE. The peak heights of G and A signals are dependent on both the number of the respective bases in oligonucleotides and the concentration of the target DNA sequences. Hybridization of complementary strands was monitored through the measurements of oxidation signal of purine bases, which enabled the detection of target sequences from 0.01 to 1.02 nmol μl(-1) with the detection limit of target DNA as low as 5.0 pmol μl(-1) (S/N = 3). Implementation of label-free and homogeneous electrochemical hybridization detection constitutes an important step toward low-cost, simple, highly sensitive and accurate DNA assay. Discrimination between complementary, noncomplementary, and two-base mismatch targets was easily accomplished using the proposed electrode.