Analytical approach in diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases: Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) – simultaneous analysis of metabolites in urine by enantioselective multidimensional capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (enantio-MDGC-MS)

Maple Syrup Urine disease (USUD) is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder of branched-chain amino acid (L-valin, L-leucine, and L-isoleucine metabolism named after the characteristic smell of affected patients urine. MSUD is caused by a deficiency of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase compex resulting in an accumulation of branched-chain aamino acids and the corresponding α-keto-and α-hydroxy acids in blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid causing neurological damage and mental retardation. The enantioselective analysis of chiral MSUD metabolites and analysis of achiral compounds as corresponding N,O-methoxycarbonyl methyl esters by derivatization with methyl chloroformate (MCF) has been achieved simultaneusly by enantioselective multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using heptakis (2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyl-dimethyl-silyl)-β-cyclodextrin as chiral stationary phase. Derivatization with MCF allows the analysis of the structurally different metabolitetes such as branched-chain-carboxylic-, α-oxo-, α-hydroxy- and α-amino acids in a single chromaatographic run. Mass selective detection immensely improves the unequivocaaal identification of metabolites even when they occur as trace compound. The described method allows a reliable screening of MSUD metabolites in patients' urine without time consuming sample preparation and is also suitable for label enrichment analysis without any methodical changes. During this investigation urine sample from three MSUD paatients were analyzed.     

Rapid determination of amino acids in neonatal blood samples based on derivatization with isobutyl chloroformate followed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple, rapid and sensitive analytical method for determination of amino acids in neonatal blood samples. The developed method involves the employment of derivatization and a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique together with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Amino acids in blood samples were derivatized by a mixture of isobutyl chloroformate, methanol and pyridine, and the N(O,S)-alkoxycarbonyl alkyl esters thus formed were headspace extracted by a SPME fiber. Finally, the extracted analytes on the fiber were desorbed and detected by GC/MS in electron impact (EI) mode. L-Valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-phenylanaline and L-tyrosine in blood samples were quantitatively analyzed by measurement of the corresponding N(O,S)-alkoxycarbonyl alkyl esters using an external standard method. SPME conditions were optimized, and the method was validated. The method was applied to diagnosis of neonatal phenylkenuria (PKU) and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) by the analyses of five amino acids in blood samples. The results showed that the proposed method is a potentially powerful tool for simultaneous screening for neonatal PKU and MSUD.     

Direct analysis of dried blood spots by in-line desorption combined with high-resolution chromatography and mass spectrometry for quantification of maple syrup urine disease biomarkers leucine and isoleucine

A in-line desorption device was developed, which allows for direct analysis of dried blood spots eliminating the need for punching disks from the filter paper cards. Using this device, we have validated a method to quantify biomarkers related to maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), a metabolism disorder that often requires a second-tier test for confirmation. Direct analysis of newborn screening cards is conducted in-line with a high-resolution chromatographic separation with mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization and multiple-reaction monitoring. Quantification of leucine and isoleucine using an isotopically labeled internal standard encompasses a range suitable for MSUD assessment. Precision and accuracy of the technique was acceptable with relative standard deviations within 10% at three fortified concentrations and an unfortified level. A post-column infusion test shows minimum matrix suppression was observed using this direct sampling technique.     

抗菌剂吉米沙星支链的合成研究进展

吉米沙星是一种新型喹诺酮类抗菌剂,其支链是影响其药效的最重要部分,对药理活性有决定性影响。文章综述了吉米沙星支链的合成方法,并对各种方法进行比较分析,总结出各自的优缺点。采用氧化剂法合成吉米沙星支链,反应条件温和,总收率最高可达39.6％,三废污染少。此工艺中的中间体3（4-氰基-1-（N-叔丁氧羰基）吡咯烷-3-酮）...     

Physicochemical characterization of natural-like branched-chain glycosides toward formation of hexosomes and vesicles

Synthetic branched-chain glycolipids have become of great interest in biomimicking research, since they provide a suitable alternative for natural glycolipids, which are difficult to extract from natural resources. Therefore, branched-chain glycolipids obtained by direct syntheses are of utmost interest. In this work, two new branched-chain glycolipids are presented, namely, 2-hexyldecyl β(α)-D-glucoside (2-HDG) and 2-hexyldecyl β(α)-D-maltoside (2-HDM) based on glucose and maltose, respectively. The self-assembly properties of these glycolipids have been studied, observing the phase behavior under thermotropic and lyotropic conditions. Due to their amphiphilic characteristics, 2-HDG and 2-HDM possess rich phase behavior in dry form and in aqueous dispersions. In the thermotropic study, 2-HDG formed a columnar hexagonal liquid crystalline phase, whereas in a binary aqueous system, 2-HDG formed an inverted hexagonal liquid crystalline phase in equilibrium with excess aqueous solution. Furthermore, aqueous dispersions of the hexagonal liquid crystal could be obtained, dispersions known as hexosomes. On the other hand, 2-HDM formed a lamellar liquid crystalline phase (smectic A) in thermotropic conditions, whereas multilamellar vesicles have been observed in equilibrium with aqueous media. Surprisingly, 2-HDM mixed with sodium dodecyl sulfate or aerosol OT induced the formation of more stable unilamellar vesicles. Thus, the branched-chain glycolipids 2-HDG and 2-HDM not only provided alternative nonionic surfactants with rich phase behavior and versatile nanostructures, but also could be used as new drug carrier systems in the future.     

Separation-Free Electrochemical Immunosensor Strategies

ABSTRACT

The simplification of the assay strategy is an essential development for the commercial success of immunosensors. The problems associated with assay simplification stem from the fact that immune recognition is not accompanied by an easily detectable event. Direct methods such as those based on optical systems have circumvented such problems by measuring mass changes. However, such devices are not so amenable to instrumental simplification. Electrochemical methods have so far offered the best prospects for commercial biosensors. Success has only occurred with enzyme-based biosensors measuring simple biochemical molecules such as glucose, lactate and creatinine. The use of antibody-based assay strategies requires the introduction of electrochemical labels. Introduction of such species results in greater complexity, accompanied by a series of assay steps. This extension in assay complexity is in direct opposition to the concept of the biosensor: simplicity. Several strategies have been taken to remove these assay steps and reduce the complexity of the immunoassay. Such strategies may contribute to the application of immunosensors as a serious commercial proposition.     

Location of a branch in a saturated carbon chain

Oxidative degradation by chromic acid in glacial acetic acid has been developed as an effective method for location of a branch in a saturated carbon chain. Detection of cleavage products by use of gas phase chromatography allows convenient application of the method to samples of 3–10 mg. Several branched-chain acids and a branched-chain hydrocarbon have been found to yield the expected cleavage products; however, selective attack on a branch located alpha, beta or gamma to carboxyl is not significant. The mechanism of the oxidation and the protective influence of carboxyl are discussed.     

Utilisation d'ylides du phosphore en chimie des sucres,X. Synthèse stéréospécifique de l'épimère en C3 du streptose et d'autres sucres ramifiés,dérivés de désoxy-5-pentoses, à groupements gem-hydroxy-formyle ou gem-hydroxy-hydroxyméthyle

The synthesis of branched-chain sugars of the gem-hydroxy-formyl and the gem-hydroxy-hydroxymethyl types is described. A 5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-furanos-3-ulose is treated with cyanomethylene-triphenyl-phosphorane, yielding the two geometrical isomers of the corresponding branched-chain unsaturated sugar. Cis-dihydroxylation(KMnO₄) of these cyanomethylenic compounds affords stereoselectively and in high yield the gem-hydroxy-formyl branched chain sugars whose formyl group is on the more hindered face of the furanose ring. The hydroxymethyl analogues of the latter compounds are readily prepared by their borohydride reduction. This method constitutes a new general route to type A branched-chain sugars epimeric at the branching-point with the sugars which would have been obtained by the classical procedure involving Grignard reagents.     

Modifications to increase the efficiency of the fluorometric cycling assay for cyclic ADP-ribose

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is an intracellular messenger that triggers the release of calcium ions from intracellular stores in a variety of cell types. The fluorometric cycling assay has become the preferred method for measuring cADPR due to its high level of sensitivity (in the sub-nanomolar range) and its use of commercially available reagents. Additionally, the assay is performed in multiwell plates, making it suitable for high throughput screening using a fluorescence plate reader. The findings reported in this paper present several problems that may be encountered during various stages of the assay, and provide solutions to these problems. Modifications to the assay address reduced recovery of sample and cADPR with removal of perchloric acid (PCA) using organic solvent, reduction in diaphorase activity with heat treatment, and effects on resorufin fluorescence by pH range. Using these modifications, we report an increase of approximately 15% in recovery of brain cADPR, and show that between-subject variability is greatly reduced. We hope that these observations will encourage more widespread application of this valuable assay.     

The Comparison of CA 125 Immunoassay Methods

CA 125 is an antigen defined by monoclonal antibody OC 125 and has been widely applied for clinical diagnosis of ovarian cancer Methods based on IRMA, ELISA and CLEIA for detecting CA 125 have been reported. Many instruments for CA 125 assay in clinical practice have been estabilished. However, there have been many discrepancies among different assay methods. In this work, we study the discrepancies in precision, positivity rate, assay linearity and reproducibility between commercially available CA 125 CLEIA and ELISA techniques by comparing with IRMA. The results would provide a scientific basis for choosing a method of CA 125 immunoassay in the diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma and monitoring of response to therapy,with no need of radioactive reagents.     

Quantification of trimethylsilyl derivatives of amino acid disease biomarkers in neonatal blood samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A novel analytical procedure was developed for the rapid determination of disease biomarkers of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD),L-valine,L-leucine,L-isoleucine, andL-phenylalanine in dried blood spots. Amino acids extracted from neonatal dried blood spots were rapidly derivatized with bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Derivatization conditions and the method validation were studied: optimal derivatization conditions were acetonitrile as reaction solvent, a temperature of 100°C, and a reaction time of 30 min. The proposed method provided a detection limit lower than 2.0 μM, recovery between 92% and 106%, and relative standard deviation less than 8.0%. The method was further tested in screening for neonatal MSUD by determination ofL-valine,L-leucineL-isoleucine, andL-phenylalanine in blood samples. The experimental results show that GC-MS following BSTFA derivatization is a rapid, simple, and sensitive method for the determination of amino acid disease biomarkers in blood samples, and is a potential tool for fast screening of MSUD. Figure     

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of branched-chain keto acid hydrazone derivatives: optimization of techniques and application to branched-chain keto acid balance studies across the forearm.

A sensitive method of quantifying branched-chain keto acids in plasma and whole blood samples is described. It is based on the separation by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives with ultraviolet detection. The sample clean-up steps that are usually required for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography are eliminated. A reduction in ketoisocaproate isomer formation is obtained by incubation of derivatives in ice. The method is reproducible (coefficient of variation 2%, n = 5, at the 200-pmol level) and the ultraviolet response is linearly related to branched-chain keto acid concentration. Recoveries are high (greater than 95%). Other keto acids do not co-elute with branched-chain keto acids. Because of its sensitivity and precision, this method can be proposed for whole blood branched-chain keto acid balance studies across organs.     

Gas chromatographic determination of serum branched-chain alpha-keto acids derivatized by extractive alkylation

The procedure presented for gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of alpha-keto acids is relatively simple, requiring only a few steps for the formation of derivatives suitable for measurement. The recoveries of the branched-chain alpha-keto acids varied from 92.7% to 106.7%, being sufficiently good especially when smaller amounts of the alpha-keto acids were added to serum. In addition, the coefficients of variation are satisfactorily small, also for biological samples. The measured values of branched-chain alpha-keto acids correspond well with those presented earlier by different methods. There exists a slight but insignificant difference between women and men, the values being lower in sera of women for the three branched-chain alpha-keto acids studied.     

Using liquid crystals as a readout system in urinary albumin assays

Detecting human serum albumin (HSA) in urine samples is a standard procedure for the diagnosis of kidney problems and the prognosis of patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). In this study, we developed a HSA assay by incorporating a thin layer of liquid crystals (LCs) as a readout system such that the presence of HSA in urine samples can be detected as optical signals. In combination with dilution protocols, this assay can be used to estimate the concentration range of HSA simply by counting the number of bright spots. Our results show that the assay can detect HSA at concentrations as low as 15 μg mL(-1). It is anticipated that this assay can provide a faster and simpler alternative for the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with kidney diseases.     

Rapid microchip-based electrophoretic immunoassays for the detection of swine influenza virus

Towards developing rapid and portable diagnostics for detecting zoonotic diseases, we have developed microchip-based electrophoretic immunoassays for sensitive and rapid detection of viruses. Two types of microchip-based electrophoretic immunoassays were developed. The initial assay used open channel electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection with a labeled antibody to detect influenza virus. However, this assay did not have adequate sensitivity to detect viruses at relevant concentrations for diagnostic applications. Hence, a novel assay was developed that allows simultaneous concentration and detection of viruses using a microfluidic chip with an integrated nanoporous membrane. The size-exclusion properties of the in situ polymerized polyacrylamide membrane are exploited to simultaneously concentrate viral particles and separate the virus/fluorescent antibody complex from the unbound antibody. The assay is performed in two simple steps--addition of fluorescently labeled antibodies to the sample, followed by concentration of antibody-virus complexes on a porous membrane. Excess antibodies are removed by electrophoresis through the membrane and the complex is then detected downstream of the membrane. This new assay detected inactivated swine influenza virus at a concentration four times lower than that of the open-channel electrophoresis assay. The total assay time, including device regeneration, is six minutes and requires <50 microl of sample. The filtration effect of the polymer membrane eliminates the need for washing, commonly required with surface-based immunoassays, increasing the speed of the assay. This assay is intended to form the core of a portable device for the diagnosis of high-consequence animal pathogens such as foot-and-mouth disease. The electrophoretic immunoassay format is rapid and simple while providing the necessary sensitivity for diagnosis of the illness state. This would allow the development of a portable, cost-effective, on-site diagnostic system for rapid screening of large populations of livestock, including sheep, pigs, cattle, and potentially birds.     

Ratiometric Electrochemistry: Improving the Robustness,Reproducibility and Reliability of Biosensors

Electrochemical biosensors are an increasingly attractive option for the development of a novel analyte detection method, especially when integration within a point-of-use device is the overall objective. In this context, accuracy and sensitivity are not compromised when working with opaque samples as the electrical readout signal can be directly read by a device without the need for any signal transduction. However, electrochemical detection can be susceptible to substantial signal drift and increased signal error. This is most apparent when analysing complex mixtures and when using small, single-use, screen-printed electrodes. Over recent years, analytical scientists have taken inspiration from self-referencing ratiometric fluorescence methods to counteract these problems and have begun to develop ratiometric electrochemical protocols to improve sensor accuracy and reliability. This review will provide coverage of key developments in ratiometric electrochemical (bio)sensors, highlighting innovative assay design, and the experiments performed that challenge assay robustness and reliability.     

Fate of branched-chain fatty acids in anaerobic environment of river sediment

The fate of six different branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) in an anaerobic environment of a river sediment was studied in vitro by culturing enrichment consortia. The anaerobic consortium of BCFA-degrading genus degraded BCFAs with tertiary carbons through β-oxidation, followed by methanogenesis by methane-producing anaerobic bacteria. The consortium could not degrade BCFAs with quaternary carbon. Degree of branching at the alpha or beta position along the carbon chain interfered with the beta-oxidation mechanisms of the branched-chain fatty acid.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the measurement of urinary catecholamines in diagnosis of pheochromocytoma

The measurement of catecholamines in human body fluids is requested frequently for the differential diagnosis and monitoring of pheochromocytoma. The methods in most clinical laboratories focus on high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection, which suffers from high background noise, low sensitivity, and poor separation. We reported and developed a robust high‐throughput liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method in routine clinical laboratories for the measurement of urinary catecholamines for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The method was validated for consistent linearity, good recovery (88–112%), excellent stability and low carryover. Intra‐ and inter‐assay precision values for catecholamines were all below 3.35 and 4.83% respectively. Dilution linearity was investigated with satisfactory linearly dependent coefficients (r > 0.9988). The reference intervals were obtained from 310 results derived from patients in which the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was excluded. This method was successfully used in our laboratory. The clinical characteristics of patients have been explored with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, we have developed a reliable assay for the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry measurement of catecholamines in a routine clinical laboratory. The assay requires a small volume of urine, and all analytes are measured simultaneously. The assay is rapid and reliable to be executed, offering the potential for routine clinical laboratories.     

Quantitative kinetics of proteolytic enzymes determined by a surface concentration-based assay using peptide arrays

Peptide arrays have emerged as a key technology for drug discovery, diagnosis, and cell biology. Despite the promise of these arrays, applications of peptide arrays to quantitative analysis of enzyme kinetics have been limited due to the difficulty in obtaining quantitative information of enzymatic reaction products. In this study, we developed a new approach for the quantitative kinetics analysis of proteases using fluorescence-conjugated peptide arrays, a surface concentration-based assay with solid-phase peptide standards using dry-off measurements, and compared it with an applied concentration-based assay. For fabrication of the peptide arrays, substrate peptides of cMMP-3, caspase-3, caspase-9, and calpain-1 were functionalized with TAMRA and cysteine, and were immobilized onto amine-functionalized arrays using a heterobifunctional linker, N-[γ-maleimidobutyloxy]succinimide ester. The proteolytic activities of the four enzymes were quantitatively analyzed by calculating changes induced by enzymatic reactions in the concentrations of peptides bound to array surfaces. In addition, this assay was successfully applied for calculating the Michaelis constant (K(m,surf)) for the four enzymes. Thus, this new assay has a strong potential for use in the quantitative evaluation of proteases, and for drug discovery through kinetics studies including the determination of K(m) and V(max).