Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jungmin Jo, Ji-Yi Lee, Kyoung-Soon Jang, Atsushi Matsuki, Amgalan Natsagdorj, Yun-Gyong Ahn
Summary: This study presents a method for the quantification of 18 NPAH and OPAH congeners in the atmosphere using gas chromatography coupled with chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The method achieves high sensitivity and selectivity without sample preparations. It was validated and applied to aerosol samples collected from three regions in Northeast Asia, and the results showed that Ulaanbaatar had the highest total mean concentration of NPAHs and OPAHs. The method can be utilized for the quantification of NPAHs and OPAHs over a wide concentration range.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Puspa L. Adhikari, Edward B. Overton, Deepa Pangeni, Bishnu P. Regmi
Summary: Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (alkyl PAHs) are more toxic and persistent than non-alkylated parent PAH compounds, posing a greater threat to environmental quality. The lack of reliable analytical methods for quantifying alkyl PAHs has hindered their inclusion as priority pollutants by the US EPA. This study demonstrates that using relative response factors of parent PAHs to quantify alkylated PAH isomers can lead to underestimation of alkyl PAHs, particularly in MRM-based analyses.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuta Goto, Keiko Nakamuta, Haruhiko Nakata
Summary: This study analyzed 11 types of petroleum fuels and lubricants for PAH compounds, finding that the PAH compositions varied between different fuels due to differences in refining temperatures and boiling points. The oils were classified into four groups based on principal component analysis, and could potentially be used for oil fingerprinting analyses to identify sources of oil spill accidents.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Hao Zhang
Summary: The system performance for wideband microwave frequency fiber-optic multi-access in harsh ambient environment is investigated in this article. A theoretical model for noise property suffering from temperature variation and mechanical vibration is established. Experimental measurements are conducted to investigate and analyze the performance deterioration of a typical star-topology distribution system. To enhance environmental adaptation, phase stabilization and vibration absorption are implemented at the optical transmitting end.
IEEE PHOTONICS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Khushboo Sharma, Pramod Kumar, Jayant Sharma, Satkar Deep Thapa, Aparna Gupta, Rajeev Rajak, Bidyutjyoti Baruah, Amit Prakash, Rakesh Kumar Ranjan
Summary: The present study aims to measure PM2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient atmosphere of the Sikkim Himalaya to understand the influence of natural and anthropogenic activities on aerosol loading and their chemical characteristics. The study found that the seasonal mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PAHs were high during autumn and low during summer season. The high concentrations of PAHs were mainly attributed to heavy traffic activities, with other possible sources being fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rongfan Ren, Minghui Yuan, Hongli Li, David Da Yong Chen
Summary: Carbohydrates are essential for energy supply and biological functions, but identifying and distinguishing their isomers has been challenging due to their similar structures and possible glycosidic linkages. This study developed an ionization tandem mass spectrometry method to characterize disaccharide isomers by in situ methylation. The method allowed for immediate methylation of hydroxyl groups on disaccharides, enabling their ionization and distinction through mass spectrometry. This approach was used to directly identify disaccharide isomers in real commercial products without complex pretreatment or chromatographic separation.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Prasun Goswami, Takeshi Ohura, Shyamantha Subasinghe, Anura Upasanta-Kumara Wickrama-Arachchige, Saya Takeuchi, Mayuko Imaki, Yasuaki Niizuma, Mafumi Watanabe, Keerthi S. Guruge
Summary: The limited research on the accumulation of hazardous chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs and BrPAHs) in micro-mesoplastics (mMPs) motivated this investigation. mMPs were collected from coastal environments in Sri Lanka and Japan, and several target compounds were detected. The study found that the concentration of PAHs in mMPs from the southern Sri Lankan coastline was relatively high, with phenanthrene and naphthalene being the dominant congeners.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Fulin Qu, Hanbing Zhao, Kai Wu, Yang Liu, Xinyu Zhao, Wengui Li
Summary: The study evaluated the phase transformations and microstructural properties of a drilled cylinder specimen from a C40 concrete dam used for mining wastewater disposal over a span of 20 years. Various analysis methods were used to assess the performance of powder samples obtained through layer-by-layer grinding. The results showed the presence of calcite in all ground powder samples, suggesting carbonation in all layers, as well as increased porosity and looser interfacial transition zones (ITZs) in the outer layer samples. The findings provide significant support for the safety assessment of concrete structures in mining environments.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Yi-Hsin Chen, Chia-Yu Liu, Zachary J. Devereaux, Chia-Yun Wang, Sarah Trimpin, I-Chung Lu
Summary: Mass spectrometry has the potential to provide faster and more accurate analyses for diagnosing diseases than current diagnostics and point-of-care technologies. A portable mass spectrometer using a homebuilt ionization source based on matrix-assisted ionization (MAI) was developed for clinical measurements. This portable MAI-MS allows for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of clinically-relevant samples with user-friendly sample introduction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Patrick Wai-Keung Fong, Hanlin Hu, Zhiwei Ren, Kuan Liu, Li Cui, Tao Bi, Qiong Liang, Zehan Wu, Jianhua Hao, Gang Li
Summary: This study focuses on the fabrication of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in an air-knife-assisted high-humidity environment, achieving high performance. In-depth spectroscopy allows accurate determination of precursor film thickness, improving the precision of device fabrication.
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
Engineering, Chemical
Ruijie He, Shuaizhuo Liu, Rui Wang, Tao Fu, Ruiyang Zhang, Qian Zhang, Ying Zhou
Summary: This study developed a super-hydrophobic material through an in-situ growing approach, which showed excellent environmental tolerance and separation efficiency in oil-water separation, demonstrating its potential for practical application.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hilary M. Brown, Patrick W. Fedick
Summary: 3D-PCSI-MS is a rapid method for detecting trace PFAS in solid media through ambient ionization mass spectrometry, with advantages of low cost, scalability, and high-throughput screening of bulk samples without sample preparation.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Patric Bourceau, Benedikt Geier, Vincent Suerdieck, Tanja Bien, Jens Soltwisch, Klaus Dreisewerd, Manuel Liebeke
Summary: Label-free molecular imaging techniques can directly map hundreds of metabolites in biological tissues, but it is difficult to localize microbes and assign metabolites to host or microbiome members in host-microbe interactions. To solve this problem, we developed a correlative imaging approach combining MALDI-MSI with FISH to identify and localize microbial cells on the same section.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fei Gao, Feifei Wang, Yang Xu, Xinyu Zhang
Summary: Ambient dose equivalent dosemeters are widely used in nuclear facilities for routine monitoring or emergency situations. In-situ calibration method has been developed to ensure their accuracy, with experiments conducted at various sites in China Institute of Atomic Energy showing relative deviation within 5%. The combined standard uncertainty of the in-situ calibration factor is 2.8% and expanded uncertainty is 5.6% (k=2), meeting the calibration requirements of fixed dosemeters.
RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lucas J. Szalwinski, L. Edwin Gonzalez, Nicolas M. Morato, Brett M. Marsh, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: In this study, the growth of E. coli was monitored using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and changes in lipids were observed. The study also demonstrated the potential of desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for rapid sampling of complex mixtures.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Samadhi C. Kulathunga, Nicolas M. Morato, Qing Zhou, R. Graham Cooks, Andrew D. Mesecar
Summary: A novel label-free assay based on high-throughput DESI-MS and a fluorometric coupled-enzyme method were developed for quantitation and kinetic analysis of the sulfonation reaction catalyzed by SULT2B1b. Both methods provided consistent kinetic data and indicated the affinity trend of SULT2B1b with its substrates. The DESI-MS assay has promising potential for identifying SULT2B1b inhibitors as prostate cancer therapeutics and can be applied to other drug discovery efforts.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kai-Hung Huang, Jyotirmoy Ghosh, Shiqing Xu, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: Late-stage functionalization is an approach to generate modified molecules that retain functional groups present in the active drugs. This study characterizes the potential value of high-throughput desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HT DESI-MS) for small-scale rapid late-stage functionalization.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingshuo Chen, Zhenwei Wei, Kai-Hung Huang, Mycah Uehling, Michael Wleklinski, Shane Krska, Alexey A. Makarov, Timothy Nowak, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: In this study, nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) was used to monitor the precatalysts, catalytic intermediates, reagents, and products of the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Pd cluster ions related to the active catalyst and an oxidized catalyst were detected, with the latter increasing as the reaction proceeds. Further experiments confirmed the presence of the oxidized catalyst. Monitoring the formation and conversion of the oxidative addition intermediate provided insights into the progress of the transmetalation step in the catalytic cycle.
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
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)).