Application of NMR metabolomics to search for human disease biomarkers

Since antiquity, humans have used body fluids like saliva, urine and sweat for the diagnosis of diseases. The amount, color and smell of body fluids are still used in many traditional medical practices to evaluate an illness and make a diagnosis. The development and application of analytical methods for the detailed analysis of body fluids has led to the discovery of numerous disease biomarkers. Recently, mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and multivariate statistical techniques have been incorporated into a multidisciplinary approach to profile changes in small molecules associated with the onset and progression of human diseases. The goal of these efforts is to identify metabolites that are uniquely correlated with a specific human disease in order to accurately diagnose and treat the malady. In this review we will discuss recent developments in sample preparation, experimental techniques, the identification and quantification of metabolites, and the chemometric tools used to search for biomarkers of human diseases using NMR.     

Recent applications of sample preparation techniques in food analysis

Even with the emergence of advanced techniques of separation and identification, it is rarely possible to analyse food without manipulation. The traditional techniques for sample preparation are time consuming and require large amount of reagents, which are expensive, generate considerable waste, contaminate the sample and can enrich it for analytes. The more analytical techniques have become highly developed, the more has sample clean-up become important in order to fully take advantage of them. Due to the multiplicity of food matrices, it is not possible to use one sample preparation technique, so many methods have been proposed for meeting all the requirements. The newest variations of wet digestion, solvent and sorbent extraction and membrane separation are summarised and their most recent applications to food analysis are provided.     

Recent advances in breath analysis to track human health by new enrichment technologies

Detection of biomarkers in exhaled breath has been gaining increasing attention as a tool for diagnosis of specific diseases. However, rapid and accurate quantification of biomarkers associated with specific diseases requires the use of analytical methods capable of fast sampling and preconcentration from breath matrix. In this regard, solid phase microextraction and needle trap technology are becoming increasingly popular in the field of breath analysis due to the unique benefits imparted by such methods, such as the integration of sampling, extraction, and preconcentration in a single step. This review discusses recent advances in breath analysis using these sample preparation techniques, providing a summary of recent developments of analytical methods based on breath volatile organic compounds analysis, including the successful identification of various biomarkers related to human diseases.     

基于质谱检测的相关色谱技术在阿尔茨海默病诊断中的应用

随着世界老年人口的急速增长,阿尔茨海默病发病人数也逐年增多,已成为继心脑血管疾病和恶性肿瘤之后威胁人类健康的“第三大杀手”。疾病的诊断和治疗同等重要,阿尔茨海默病诊断通常依靠典型的临床特征、神经影像技术以及检测疾病相关的生物标志物等。近些年来蛋白质组学和质谱技术迅速发展,可以利用这些技术寻找到与疾病相关的特异性的蛋白质分子作为早期诊断的生物标志物。本文就此进行了综述,主要包括基于蛋白质组学的诊断标志物的筛选和基于质谱检测的色谱技术在阿尔茨海默病诊断中的应用,引用文献34篇。     

Miniaturized surface engineered technologies for multiplex biosensing devices

The demand for quick, accurate, and affordable point-of-care (POC) devices increases with the advancement in the dimensions of nanotechnology and digital interfaces (Internet of Things). The future of diagnostic requires the platform which can provide us the following benefits i. e., on-site detection, qualitative as well as quantitative analysis, easy to use, portable, low sample requirement, cost-effective, and have multiplexing proficiency. Multiplex biosensing platforms (MBPs) have the above following advantages so are going to be mostly used in various healthcare applications in near future. MBPs have the potential to fulfill the ‘ASSURED’ criteria specified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for remote-limited settings. This review paper focuses on miniaturized platforms that have multiplexing benefits for the bioanalysis of different clinical samples related to various healthcare applications. In addition to this, screening of pesticides, antibiotics, and hazardous metal ions with these surface-engineered devices has also been accounted in food and environmental samples. Some of the advanced techniques including microfluidics (Lab-on-a-chip), wearable smart devices, and CRISPR/Cas system for multiplexing applications are briefly described here. Furthermore, various needs, challenges, and prospects in commercializing these multiplexed surface-engineered devices have been discussed in this review.     

福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织切片蛋白质组分析方法与应用研究进展

福尔马林固定石蜡包埋(Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedding,FFPE)是最常见的临床组织保存技术,FFPE组织具有标准化的制备流程、易于存储、标本量大、包含较完整的临床回顾性信息等特点,而成为疾病生物标志物发掘的良好载体。近年来,基于临床FFPE组织的特点,发展了系列蛋白质组学研究方法,包括样本制备、消解、分离到蛋白质质谱鉴定等多个领域,总体呈现出微量、高灵敏度、高通量的技术特点,并已成功用于肿瘤精准医学等临床蛋白质组研究。该综述将对FFPE组织切片样本的蛋白质组学方法,以及其在肿瘤研究中的应用进行概述,从而为临床精准医学蛋白质组学的研究提供借鉴思路。     

Assays for determination of matrix metalloproteinases and their activity

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Due to their ability to cleave and to remodel components of surrounding tissues, MMPs may affect cell migration, differentiation, growth, inflammatory processes, neovascularization, wound healing, apoptosis, the uterine cycle and many other actions within the body, including those needed for tumorigenesis and other diseases.MMPs can therefore be used as potential markers for detecting various cancers, neurodegenerative, and immune and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous MMP assays were developed for clinical and research purposes, but far more attention has been devoted to understanding their biological functions.Due to differences in methodology, results obtained in various laboratory settings are difficult to compare because of the lack of standards and analytical methods of validation. Limits of detection of particular methods used for identifying MMPs are also disputable.Enzymatic, immunochemical and fluorimetric methods are particularly suitable for clinical use. In-vivo imaging methods offer many potential advantages in cancer research and diagnostics. Other methods are subject to investigation [e.g., phage display, multiple-enzyme/multiple-reagent assay system (MEMRAS) and activity-based profiling].     

Recent advances in methods for the analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites

Catecholamines, for example epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are widely distributed and are important neurotransmitters and hormones in mammalian species. Several methods have been developed for analysis of catecholamines and related compounds. Determination of catecholamines in biological fluids has enabled us to clarify the physiological role played by these amines. Catecholamine levels in plasma and/or urine are also useful for diagnosis of several diseases, for example hypertension, pheochromocytoma, and neuroblastoma. This review covers reports from 2000 to the present of methods for the analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites.     

基于纳米材料的电化学免疫传感器在传染性病原体POCT中的应用

传染性病原体POCT对于及时有效控制传染病尤为关键。相比于传统检测方法,基于电化学免疫传感器的传染性病原体检测具有快速、灵敏、准确、易于小型化和集成化等优势,尤其适用于传染病POCT。新兴的纳米材料因其独特的理化性质可用于修饰传感器界面或作为生物分子的固载基质以及信号标记物等,有助于构建出高选择性和高灵敏度的电化学免疫传感器。在本文中,我们着重阐述了不同结构的纳米材料修饰的电化学免疫传感器在传染性病原体POCT检测中的应用,进一步介绍了基于纳米材料的电化学免疫传感器与不同检测技术联用在传染性病原体POCT中的应用,并对其发展前景做出了展望。     

外泌体分离与纯化技术研究进展

外泌体是所有真核细胞分泌到细胞外的直径介于30～150 nm的一种膜性纳米囊泡,参与细胞间生物信号的传递。大量实验证据表明,外泌体参与多种生物功能并发挥重要作用,包括蛋白质、RNA和脂质等生物分子的转移及多种疾病生理和病理过程的调节,被认为是疾病诊断、治疗和预后的重要的生物标志物和药物载体,因此发展简单、高效、经济的外泌体分离与纯化技术将有助于疾病的早期诊断和精准治疗。目前,利用外泌体的物理化学和生物化学特性已开发出多种分离外泌体的技术,但仍缺乏标准化和规模化临床级外泌体的分离方法,从而限制了其临床应用。另外,对分离出的外泌体的特征、纯度和数量的鉴定是判断外泌体分离纯化方法优劣的重要指标。本文综述了外泌体分离与纯化技术以及鉴定方法的研究进展,主要讨论分离技术的机制、性能、挑战和前景以及外泌体的鉴定方法,以期为外泌体的分离纯化提供新的思路和解决策略。     

脂肪族长碳链聚酰胺的制备与改性技术

脂肪族长碳链聚酰胺(LCPA)是指分子主链上相邻酰胺基团之间的亚甲基数目大于等于10的聚酰胺。LCPA的链结构的酰胺基团密度较低,除了具备传统短链聚酰胺的高强度的特点外,还具有优于短链聚酰胺的低吸水率、断裂伸长率、刚韧平衡性、尺寸稳定性和成型加工性能,因此被广泛应用于汽车软管、电子电器等领域。近三十年来,基于我国自主研发的微生物发酵法制备LCPA单体技术的发展,我国LCPA材料的制备和改性技术得到了迅猛发展,成为LCPA基工程塑料研究与开发的重要方向。本文首先概述了LCPA材料的定义和特点,然后从原料的制备开始,分类介绍了LCPA的聚合方法和单体类型及其优缺点,进而综述了近四年LCPA在高性能化改性和功能化改性方面的进展,最后进行了展望,提出了脂肪族长碳链聚酰胺未来的发展方向。该文可为LCPA的制备与改性技术研究和开发提供参考。     

Determination of currently used pesticides in biota

Although pesticides enable control of the quantity and quality of farm products and food, and help to limit diseases in humans transmitted by insects and rodents, they are regarded as among the most dangerous environmental contaminants because of their tendency to bioaccumulate, and their mobility and long-term effects on living organisms. In the past decade, more analytical methods for accurate identification and quantitative determination of traces of pesticides in biota have been developed to improve our understanding of their risk to ecosystems and humans. Because sample preparation is often the rate-determining step in analysis of pesticides in biological samples, this review first discusses extraction and clean-up procedures, after a brief introduction to the classes, and the methods used in the analysis of pesticides in biota. The analytical methods, especially chromatographic techniques and immunoassay-based methods, are reviewed in detail, and their corresponding advantages, limitations, applications, and prospects are also discussed. This review mainly covers reports published since 2008 on methods for analysis of currently used pesticides in biota.     

微波辅助萃取/样品前处理联用技术的研究进展

微波辅助萃取是近年来新发展的一种样品前处理技术,随着微波辅助萃取的发展和成熟,它与其它样品前处理技术的联用得到了迅速发展。与传统前处理方法相比,这些联用方法具有快速、高效、操作简便、节省溶剂、选择性好、应用范围广的特点。该文综述了微波辅助萃取及其与其它样品前处理技术联用的特点及适用性,并对近年来微波辅助萃取与其它前处理方法联用的发展概况及在分析领域中的应用情况进行了详细总结。     

聚多巴胺表面修饰毛细管电色谱的研究进展

毛细管电泳(CE)具有分离时间短、分离效率高、样品消耗量低等优点,在分离分析领域有着重要应用。原始的未修饰熔融石英毛细管只能提供阴极流向的电渗流和单一的电泳分离机制,分离性能有限,重复性较差,不能满足各类复杂样品体系尤其是中性和手性样品的分离需求。因此,有必要在CE中引入各类毛细管修饰策略,以拓展其实际应用潜力。贻贝仿生聚多巴胺(PDA)及其衍生材料因其简便易行的制备过程、优异的表面黏附性、良好的生物相容性、较强的二次反应活性和化学稳定性等优点,在催化、传感、水处理、样品前处理、生物医药以及CE分离等领域得到了广泛应用。PDA涂层的制备过程与物理吸附涂层一样简便,而表面黏附涂层的稳定性又可与共价键合涂层相媲美,因此非常适用于石英毛细管柱的修饰。更重要的是,PDA涂层较强的二次反应活性使其可作为反应平台进行灵活多样的二次表面修饰,便于构建多功能PDA涂层毛细管电色谱(CEC)固定相。基于这些突出优点,PDA涂层材料在CEC中的巨大应用价值逐渐得到了研究者们的广泛关注。该文首先对近3年有关PDA形成机理及PDA快速沉积表面化学的最新研究进展进行了总结,在此基础上综述了近10年PDA涂层材料...     

Recent advances in microchip electrophoresis for analysis of pathogenic bacteria and viruses

Life-threatening diseases, such as hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, are widespread due to pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Therefore, the development of highly sensitive, rapid, portable, cost-effective, and selective methods for the analysis of such microorganisms is a great challenge. Microchip electrophoresis (ME) has been widely used in recent years for the analysis of bacterial and viral pathogens in biological and environmental samples owing to its portability, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and rapid analysis. However, microbial enrichment and purification are critical steps for accurate and sensitive analysis of pathogenic bacteria and viruses in complex matrices. Therefore, we first discussed the advances in the sample preparation technologies associated with the accurate analysis of such microorganisms, especially the on-chip microfluidic-based sample preparations such as dielectrophoresis and microfluidic membrane filtration. Thereafter, we focused on the recent advances in the lab-on-a-chip electrophoretic analysis of pathogenic bacteria and viruses in different complex matrices. As the microbial analysis is mainly based on the analysis of nucleic acid of the microorganism, the integration of nucleic acid-based amplification techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR, and multiplex PCR with ME will result in an accurate and sensitive analysis of microbial pathogens. Such analyses are very important for the point-of-care diagnosis of various infectious diseases.     

保健食品中违禁药物检验技术研究进展

保健食品是适用于特定人群、具有调节作用、不以治疗疾病为目的的食品。随着人们生活水平的提高和对健康的追求,保健食品市场日益增大。目前,制售假冒伪劣保健产品、虚假宣传保健食品功效和欺诈式销售产品是制约保健食品产业可持续发展的主要因素。尤其是保健食品中违禁药物的非法添加,使保健食品的食用安全存在较大隐患,严重降低消费者的信心。对保健食品违禁添加的药物进行有效监管,对保护消费者权益具有十分重要的意义。该综述以与保健功能声称相关的药物药理作用为溯源基础,系统梳理了保健食品中可能非法添加的违禁药物种类,重点介绍常见的8类保健食品违禁药物检测技术进展,包括液相色谱法、液相色谱-质谱法、直接实时分析质谱法、气相色谱-质谱法、核磁共振波谱法、红外光谱法、高分辨质谱法等,以期为保健食品违禁药物检测标准的研制和日常监测提供参考,同时对保健食品中违禁药物添加的趋势和检验技术发展进行了简单展望。     

Application of analytical chemistry in the quality evaluation of Glycyrrhiza Spp

Licorice, one of the oldest traditional Chinese medications, is widely used in the treatment of various diseases. With the development of science and technology, an increasing amount of analytical techniques have been applied to the quality control of licorice. Herein, we summarize several of the quality control methods developed in recent years. These approaches include sample preparation processes, high-performance thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Among these various techniques, LC/MS has come forward as one of the main methods forquality control of licorice.     

Apoptosis Evaluation by Electrochemical Techniques

Apoptosis has close relevance to pathology, pharmacology, and toxicology. Accurate and convenient detection of apoptosis would be beneficial for biological study, clinical diagnosis, and drug development. Based on distinct features of apoptotic cells, a diversity of analytical techniques have been exploited for sensitive analysis of apoptosis, such as surface plasmon resonance, electrochemical methods, flow cytometry, and some imaging assays. Among them, the features of simplicity, easy operation, low cost, and high sensitivity make electrochemical techniques powerful tools to investigate electron‐transfer processes of in vitro biological systems. In this contribution, a general overview of current knowledge on various technical approaches for apoptosis evaluation is provided. Furthermore, recently developed electrochemical biosensors for detecting apoptotic cells and their advantages over traditional methods are summarized. One of the main considerations focuses on designing the recognition elements based on various biochemical events during apoptosis.     

Analytical methods for tracing plant hormones

Plant hormones play important roles in regulating numerous aspects of plant growth, development, and response to stress. In the past decade, more analytical methods for the accurate identification and quantitative determination of trace plant hormones have been developed to better our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant hormones. As sample preparation is often the bottleneck in analysis of plant hormones in biological samples, this review firstly discusses sample preparation techniques after a brief introduction to the classes, roles, and methods used in the analysis of plant hormones. The analytical methods, especially chromatographic techniques and immuno-based methods, are reviewed in detail, and their corresponding advantages, limitations, applications, and prospects are also discussed. This review mainly covers reports published from 2000 to the present on methods for the analysis of plant hormones.