Article
Microbiology
Paloma Troyano-Hernaez, Pedro Herrador, Francisco Gea, Beatriz Romero-Hernandez, Gabriel Reina, Agustin Albillos, Juan Carlos Galan, Africa Holguin
Summary: The use of dried blood and plasma samples is an effective alternative for hepatitis C virus diagnosis and quantification. These samples show high sensitivity and specificity for up to 3 months of storage, with dried plasma samples being more reliable for shorter storage times. Dried blood samples can also be used for HCV core antigen detection, with increased sensitivity when adjusting cut-off values.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Paloma Troyano-Hernaez, Pedro Herrador, Francisco Gea, Beatriz Romero-Hernandez, Gabriel Reina, Agustin Albillos, Juan Carlos Galan, Africa Holguin
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of dried blood and plasma samples in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The results showed that dried samples had 100% sensitivity and specificity in HCV RNA quantification, and maintained a high correlation for up to 3 months of storage. Additionally, dried samples could be used for HCV core antigen detection and sensitivity could be increased by adjusting cut-off values.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Wei Zhou, Emir Nazdrajic, Janusz Pawliszyn
Summary: Solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-direct mass spectrometry (MS) is an efficient tool for rapid screening and quantitation of trace target compounds. Researchers developed a coated blade spray (CBS)-MS method that enables analysis in both positive and negative modes on different sides of the same blade. This approach allows for fast and efficient analysis and has been successfully applied to the rapid analysis of 20 drugs of abuse in saliva samples.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Li, Biao Chao, Wu Wang, Yina Luo, Lilin Wang, Lili Lin, Gang Yang, Jun Wu
Summary: Isoprene is the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) emitted by vegetation and a major contributor to secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in the atmosphere. This study synthesized four isomers of isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) and measured them using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The fragmentation behaviors of IEPOX derivatives were examined using electron-impact (EI) and methane chemical ionization (CI) sources mass spectra. The study also identified IEPOX isomers in ambient PM2.5 aerosols and analyzed their concentrations and ratios to 2-methyltetrols. The results confirm the important role of IEPOX as active intermediates in the photooxidation of isoprene in the atmosphere.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Lingqi Qiu, Michael D. Psimos, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: This study reports the accelerated oxidation of aromatic sulfones in microdroplets, which shows a high reaction rate and regioselectivity. Experimental data suggest that the water radical cation derived from traces of water in the solvent acts as the oxidant.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Manu Prasad, Jonathan Zorea, Sankar Jagadeeshan, Avital B. Shnerb, Sooraj Mathukkada, Jebrane Bouaoud, Lucas Michon, Ofra Novoplansky, Mai Badarni, Limor Cohen, Ksenia M. Yegodayev, Sapir Tzadok, Barak Rotblat, Libor Brezina, Andreas Mock, Andy Karabajakian, Jerome Fayette, Idan Cohen, Tomer Cooks, Irit Allon, Orr Dimitstein, Benzion Joshua, Dexin Kong, Elena Voronov, Maurizio Scaltriti, Yaron Carmi, Cristina Conde-Lopez, Jochen Hess, Ina Kurth, Luc G. T. Morris, Pierre Saintigny, Moshe Elkabets
Summary: In head and neck cancer, treatment with MEK1/2 inhibitor delays tumor progression and enhances antitumor immunity of CD8(+) T cells. Sensitizing tumors to immunotherapy during MEK1/2 inhibition can eliminate tumors and induce immune memory. Prolonged treatment with MEK1/2 inhibitor may lead to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment due to epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingqi Qiu, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Microdroplets exhibit unique chemistry, including simultaneous oxidation and reduction reactions. The active reagent is identified as the water radical cation/anion pair. The coexistence of oxidative and reductive species supports the existence of a double-layer structure at the microdroplet surface.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jyotirmoy Ghosh, Joshua Mendoza, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: The sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reaction is of great significance in drug discovery, materials science, and chemical biology. In this study, the SuFEx reaction was successfully accelerated by microdroplet reaction and the reaction scope was determined. Additionally, the study demonstrated the value of microdroplet-assisted accelerated reactions combined with high-throughput experimentation for characterization of reaction scope.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dylan T. Holden, Nicolas M. Morato, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Recent experiments show that the interface of aqueous microdroplets can promote the formation of isomeric dipeptides, which facilitates amide bond formation. This finding offers a possible solution to the water paradox of biopolymer synthesis in prebiotic chemistry.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jyotirmoy Ghosh, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Electrospray deposition of copper salt-containing microdroplets onto the liquid surface leads to the formation of Cu nanoclusters which catalyze the azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction to form triazoles. This in situ nanocatalyst preparation method provides significantly higher catalytic activity compared to conventional methods. The Cu-containing droplets gently land on the liquid surface, forming a catalyst film that promotes the heterogeneous reaction.
Article
Oncology
Yossi Nishri, Maayan Vatarescu, Ishai Luz, Lior Epstein, Mirta Dumancic, Sara Del Mare, Amit Shai, Michael Schmidt, Lisa Deutsch, Robert B. Den, Itzhak Kelson, Yona Keisari, Lior Arazi, Tomer Cooks, Vered Domankevich
Summary: The combination of diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy (DaRT) with standard-of-care chemotherapy or antiangiogenic therapy shows promise in improving the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kai-Hung Huang, Nicolas M. Morato, Yunfei Feng, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Late-stage diversification of drug molecules is facilitated by reaction screening using high-throughput experimentation. In this study, a rapid method for functionalizing bioactive molecules based on accelerated reactions in microdroplets is presented. Using this method, an opioid agonist and an antagonist were diversified and characterized by tandem mass spectrometry after screening over 500 reactions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Eric T. Dziekonski, Thomas C. Sams, Lucas J. Szalwinski, L. Edwin Gonzalez, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Two-dimensional tandem mass spectrometry (2D-MS/MS) is employed to characterize each sample in an array by creating ion populations from complex mixtures using desorption electrospray ionization. Automated high-throughput examination of each sample in the array is achieved through integrated movement of the sample array and automated data acquisition. Position control is accomplished using an Arduino microprocessor, a RAMPS control board, two stepper motors, and a custom MATLAB graphical user interface. Data processing improvements are made to enhance visual discrimination of peaks from the background in local regions of the 2D spectrum.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
R. Graham Cooks, Yunfei Feng, Kai-Hung Huang, Nicolas M. Morato, Lingqi Qiu
Summary: The article argues that mass spectrometry (MS) can be used sequentially for the three key steps in drug discovery: reaction screening, synthesis scale-up, and bioactivity assessment. The chosen ionization method, desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), is both an analytical technique and a procedure for small-scale synthesis. DESI is highly compatible with automation, allowing for high throughput in both synthesis and analysis.
ISRAEL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Jyotirmoy Ghosh, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Mass spectrometry (MS), a century-old analytical technique, is now being used as a preparative method. Electrospray deposition (ESD) of charged droplets generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) is an efficient way to form nanomaterials, including catalysts. By using mass-analyzed ions and performing ion soft landing (SL), higher chemical specificity in surface modification can be achieved, although this vacuum-based method is slow due to low ion currents. MS-based synthesis by ESD or SL provides advantages over traditional approaches, allowing control over material properties and surface patterning without the need for additives or reducing agents.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicolas M. Morato, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Mass spectrometry (MS) is widely used in the chemical sciences for various applications such as monitoring reaction products, identifying disease biomarkers, and measuring thermodynamic parameters. Electrospray ionization (ESI) is a commonly used method to ionize polar compounds from solution. Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is a technique that directly generates ions from objects in the ambient environment. The simplicity and wide applicability of DESI revolutionized the analysis of complex materials for their organic components, particularly for in situ applications.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingqi Qiu, Mousumi Saha, Stefan Kraft, Eric T. Dziekonski, Christopher J. Welch, Yumin Dai, Andreas Kaerner, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: This study employs a rapid tandem mass-spectrometry method for determining water content in complex organic solutions, with a focus on trace-water analysis. Water is captured using a charge-labeled molecular probe, which selectively binds to the strongly electrophilic aldehyde site. This method allows for quantitative determinations over a wide concentration range with high accuracy and short analysis times.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Eric T. Dziekonski, Gregory S. Eakins, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: In this study, an Arduino Uno microcontroller is used to control several electrical/electromechanical switches and the timing of all experimental subsystems in response to the instrument trigger output and a user selected operating mode. By calibrating and measuring the RF amplitude control signal in 1D mode, it is possible to calculate the applied RF amplitude in 2D mode, thereby allowing the user to determine relevant quadrupole operating parameters for a particular sample.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sangeeta Pandey, Yanyang Hu, Peter L. Anderson, Jennifer J. Kiser, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: We validate the concept of point-of-care assessment of long-term alcohol consumption by measuring phosphatidylethanol in blood/dried blood spots using nano-electrospray ionization and MS/MS with a miniature mass spectrometer. The levels of "abstinence", "moderate", and "chronic" consumption can be rapidly distinguished for both sample types, and quantitative analysis is achieved with blood samples (LoQ-100 ng mL(-1)).
