In Vivo Endoscopic Tissue Identification by Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry (REIMS)

Gastrointestinal cancers are a leading cause of mortality, accounting for 23 % of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. In order to improve outcomes from these cancers, novel tissue characterization methods are needed to facilitate accurate diagnosis. Rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) is a technique developed for the in vivo classification of human tissue through mass spectrometric analysis of aerosols released during electrosurgical dissection. This ionization technique was further developed by utilizing surface induced dissociation and was integrated with an endoscopic polypectomy snare to allow in vivo analysis of the gastrointestinal tract. We tested the classification performance of this novel endoscopic REIMS method in vivo. It was shown to be capable of differentiating between healthy layers of the intestinal wall, cancer, and adenomatous polyps based on the REIMS fingerprint of each tissue type in vivo.     

Solid deformation induced by the adsorption of methane and methanol under sub- and supercritical conditions

Carbonaceous materials with some degree of flexibility in their physical structure can expand or contract under the influence of the forces exerted by adsorbed molecules. To gain insight into how adsorption of non-polar and polar fluids could deform a carbon solid, we present GCMC simulations of sub- and supercritical adsorption of methane and methanol in slit-shaped pores whose walls are made of graphene layers. Our extensive simulation study shows that there is a strong correlation between solvation pressure and solid deformation, and that the expansion or contraction of the pore strongly depends on adsorbate loading, temperature and pore size.     

Metabolic profiling of rodent biological fluids via 1H NMR spectroscopy using a 1 mm microlitre probe

The application of a 1 mm TXI (1H/13C/15N) microlitre NMR probe with z-gradient for metabolic profiling of biofluids is described. The probe was used to provide spectral profiles for rat blood plasma using only approximately 2 microl of fluid with a range of solvent suppression techniques. Using a similar amount of fluid, spectra were obtained from rat and mouse cerebrospinal fluid, demonstrating that the probe could be used to profile rodents metabolically via biofluids previously inaccessible to NMR analysis without the need for termination.     

Formation of alkylsilane-based monolayers on gold

The formation of monolayers of alkylsilanes on a gold surface is characterized by X-ray photoelectron and reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopies. The reaction occurs through the activation of multiple Si-H bonds. Reactivity of the newly synthesized systems to oxygen and water is reported.     

Full-field characterization of femtosecond pulses by spectrum and cross-correlation measurements

We present a practical and accurate technique for retrieving the amplitude and the phase of ultrashort pulses from a nonlinear (second-order) intensity cross correlation and the spectrum that overcomes shortcomings of previous attempts. We apply the algorithm to theoretical and experimental data and compare it with frequency-resolved optical gating.     

Second-harmonic generation frequency-resolved optical gating analysis of low-intensity shaped femtosecond pulses at 1.55 mum

We illustrate observation and characterization of medium- and low-intensity shaped ultrashort pulses at lambda=1.55mum through single-shot geometry (multishot-average) second-harmonic generation-frequency-resolved optical gating. The pulses are shaped by amplitude filters in the Fourier plane of a compact folded shaper. Sensitivity to pulses with energies of less than 20 pJ and high dynamic range is reported for this configuration. Application of this method to the propagation of ~170-fs pulses through a 50-m fiber link is also illustrated.     

High-performance liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) for the analysis of xenobiotic metabolites in rat urine: application to the metabolites of 4-bromoaniline

The use of HPLC-ICP-MS for the profiling and quantification of the metabolites of 4-bromoaniline following reversed-phase gradient chromatography is demonstrated. In the 0-8 h post dose sample, which contained the highest concentrations of compound-related material, it was possible to detect at least 16 metabolites of the compound. The methodology described offers the possibility of obtaining metabolite profiles and quantification for drugs and other xenobiotics in biological fluids and excreta without the requirement for radiolabelled tracers.     

Atmospheric sampling and analysis for the detection of nuclear proliferation

A method is described to estimate the effectiveness and cost of atmospheric sampling and analysis systems for the detection of effluents from undeclared nuclear fuel reprocessing and gas centrifuge U enrichment facilities. The method of detection is applied to a large area in the Middle East to provide estimates of the effectiveness and costs of several candidate systems. High sensitivity thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is the most sensitive technique reported for the detection of ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu in weekly or monthly aerosol samples. This technique allows the detection of effluents from a gas centrifuge or a reprocessing facility at distances up to 70 to 100 km under optimum conditions.