Turbulent Flow Chromatography Research Articles

Determination of Busulfan and Melphalan in Plasma by Turbulent Flow Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Melphalan and busulfan are DNA-alkylating agents that are often used concurrently in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) conditioning regimens. Studies have demonstrated that this combination of alkylating agents is very effective and well-tolerated prior to HCT. This combination is widely used for acute leukemia, advanced lymphoid malignancies, and multiple myeloma. Our goal was to develop an assay for the rapid measurement of both compounds simultaneously in the hopes that rapidly measuring their concentrations could possibly shorten the length of hospital stay. It would also simplify specimen handling in the clinic and the laboratory, reduce the amount of blood drawn, and allow for rapid reporting of the drug levels, thereby facilitating rapid dose adjustments.This chapter describes a validated method that measures both compounds simultaneously. Melphalan and busulfan were extracted from plasma with methanol containing deuterated internal standards. Turbulent flow chromatography coupled with reversed-phase HPLC was used for separation, while the mass spectrometer was set in the positive ion mode. This method has proven accurate and rapid and allowed for timely dose adjustments. The assay was linear over the clinically relevant ranges; the analytical measurement range for busulfan and melphalan was 10-5000ng/mLand 10-15,000 ng/mL, respectively. Specimens containing elevated drug levels were diluted yielding a final clinically reportable range of 10-25,000ng/mL for busulfan and 10-75,0000ng/mL for melphalan. This method is very suitable for simultaneous measurements of these drugs and is currently being used to support pharmacokineticstudies.

Determination of cannabinoids in 50 μL whole blood samples by online extraction using turbulent flow chromatography and LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS: Application on driving under the influence of drugs cases.

The analysis of cannabinoids in whole blood is usually done by traditional mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, after offline cleanup or derivatization steps which can be lengthy, laborious, and expensive. We present a simple, fast, highly specific, and sensitive method for the determination of Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), 11-hydroxy-Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in 50 μL whole blood samples. After the addition of deuterated internal standards (IS) and a simple protein precipitation step, an online extraction of sample supernatants using turbulent flow chromatography (TurboFlow-Thermo Scientific) was carried out. Analytes were separated on a C18 analytical column and detected by LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS using a Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Focus MS system. MS detection was performed in polarity switching and selected ion monitoring (SIM) modes using five specific acquisition windows, at a resolution of 70,000 (FWHM). Total run time was about 10min including preanalytical steps. Method validation was carried out by determining limit of detection (LOD), lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), linearity range, analytical accuracy, intra-assay and interassay precision, carry-over, matrix effect, extraction recovery, and selectivity, for all analytes. Measurement uncertainties were also evaluated, and a decision rule was set with confidence for forensic purposes. The method may become suitable for clinical and forensic toxicology applications, taking advantage of the small matrix volume required, the simple and cost-effective sample preparation procedure, and the fast analytical run time. Performances were monitored over a long-term period and tested on 7620 driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) samples, including 641 positive samples.

LC-HRMS toxicological screening and biological sample preparation: Evaluation of extraction by turbulent flow chromatography and protein precipitation procedures

LC-HRMS has nowadays become the “gold standard” for identification of xenobiotics in clinical and forensic toxicology providing both high selectivity and specificity. Sample preparation and introduction nevertheless remain a key step and should be simple, universal, reproducible and sensitive for a broad range of analytes. Two types of sample introduction were tested for drugs spiked in biological samples: on-line extraction by turbulent flow chromatography (TurboFlow®) versus direct injection. Then, parameters of protein precipitation such as organic solvent, sample/organic solvent ratio and evaporation after precipitation were evaluated. In all, 62 compounds (drugs of abuse, pharmaceuticals and metabolites) were selected according to several criteria such as polarity, log P, retention time, occurrence in drug screening and divided in two groups regarding their therapeutic (A: n = 20) or regulatory (B: n = 42) concentrations. Plasma, blood and urine samples were prepared by spiking different concentrations (0.25 to 1000 μg/L, n = 6) into blank matrices. TurboFlow® and LC analyses were performed using a Transcend II TLX-1 and Vanquish systems. Data were acquired on an Exploris 120 Orbitrap Mass spectrometer and processed with TraceFinder 5.1 software (ThermoFisher Scientific®, San Jose, USA). The analytical workflow was based on previous publication (Helfer, J Chrom B, 2017, 1043, 138–149) with minor modifications: Phenyl replaced by Fluoro Turboflow column. 400 μL of sample was mixed with 600 μL of acetonitrile for precipitation. After shaking and centrifugation, the supernatant was injected. Several parameters were assessed for protein precipitation: – Sample/organic solvent ratio: 1:1,5; 1:2 and 1:3; – Organic solvent: acetonitrile, methanol, acetonitrile plus 0.1% formic acid, acetonitrile:methanol (50:50, v:v), methanol plus 0.2 M ZnSO4 (80:20, v:v) and acetonitrile with 80 mg QuEChERS extraction salts; – Concentration: direct injection or evaporation after precipitation. The performances were evaluated regarding the limits of identification (LOI), reproducibility at the respective LOI of each compound and linearity. Reproducibility gave satisfactory results for 59 and 56 compounds in direct injection and in TurboFlow® in all matrices (CV < 15%). Linearity was acceptable in both injection modes with no exception (R2 > 0.95). Finally, sensitivity appeared to be the most differentiating factor, direct injection showing lower limits for 29 (plasma), 31 (blood) and 28 (urine) compounds. For example, identification was possible at 10 μg/L in plasma for gabapentin, metformin and baclofen in direct injection and at 100 μg/L in TurboFlow®. For protein precipitation, 1:1.5 and 1:2 ratios were statistically equivalent in term of sensitivity regardless of the matrix, whereas 1:3 ratio showed an average decrease of 48%, 35% and 22% of pic areas in plasma, blood and urine samples respectively. The LOI obtained with different organic solvent were identical except for few compounds. Acetonitrile provided lower LOI for sufentanyl (0.25 vs. 1 μg/L for other solvents) whereas methanol in urine showed better results for zopiclone (1 μg/L vs. 5 μg/L). Finally, the addition of QuEChERS salt and evaporation after precipitation doubled at least the average signal intensity for all drugs. Despite some benefits such as large injection volume and automation, the sensitivity of the method including TurboFlow® extraction did not show improvements compared with direct injection. Indeed, small hydrophilic molecules had generally less retention on TurboFlow® column resulting in lower recovery and signal suppression can occur due to many matrix components. The addition of formic acid for protein precipitation does not improve the sensitivity, neither ZnSO4 nor mix of solvents. Simple and providing adequate sensitivity, the use of acetonitrile as organic solvent for protein precipitation with a ratio of 1:2 was chosen for the 3 matrices for routine. The addition of QuEChERS salts and evaporation after precipitation could be dedicated to specific cases where very low LOI has to be reached.

High-throughput analysis of the steroid profile in placental cell cultures to evaluate endocrine disrupting effects of contaminant exposure

Human placental JEG-3 cells conserve a high P450 aromatase activity and are therefore suitable to evaluate how contaminants may interfere with the routes involved in estrogen synthesis during pregnancy. This has been traditionally assessed by measuring aromatase activity through the amount of tritiated water (3H2O) formed during the aromatization of 1β-3H-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (3H-AD). This work presents a greener and safer analytical approach for this purpose, which consists of the determination of the trace amounts of the steroids (estradiol, estrone, testosterone, and androstenedione) present in the culture medium. Turbulent flow chromatography coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (TFC-HPLC-MS/MS) delivered the high selectivity and sensitivity (limits of detection between 2 and 5 pg/mL) required for these measurements. Moreover, its automation allows high-throughput of samples with minimum sample handling and achieves high precision in the analysis (relative standard deviation values <6%). As a proof of concept, the method was applied to evaluate the effect of monohaloacetic acid exposure on the steroid profile of JEG-3 cells. Iodoacetic acid showed an estrogenic effect (statistically significant increase of estradiol levels compared to unexposed cells) at the highest concentration level tested (0.5 µM) that deserves further evaluation.

Mass Spectrometry Multiplexed Detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Testing of large populations for virus infection is now a reality worldwide due to the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. The demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing using alternatives other than PCR led to the development of mass spectrometry (MS)-based assays. However, MS for SARS-CoV-2 large-scale testing have some downsides, including complex sample preparation and slow data analysis. Here, we describe a high-throughput targeted proteomics method to detect SARS-CoV-2 directly from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. This strategy employs fully automated sample preparation mediated by magnetic particles, followed by detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein peptides by turbulent flow chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Determination of urinary metabolites of the UV filter homosalate by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS

Homosalate (HMS) is an organic UV filter used in sunscreens and personal care products worldwide. It has been detected in various environmental matrices and in humans after application of HMS-containing products. However, sufficient data on the internal HMS exposure in humans is currently not available. Thus, we aimed at providing an analytical method for the sensitive determination of specific HMS metabolites in human urine. We describe the synthesis of analytical standards for the four oxidative HMS metabolites included in this method: 5-((2-hydroxybenzoyl)oxy)-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (HMS-CA) and 3-hydroxy-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (3OH-HMS), as cis- and trans-isomers, respectively. After enzymatic hydrolysis, urine samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry, including turbulent flow chromatography for online sample cleanup and analyte enrichment (online-SPE-LC-MS/MS). Quantification was performed by stable isotope dilution analysis, using deuterium-labeled HMS-CA as internal standards (cis and trans). Limits of quantification of 0.02–0.04 μg L−1 were sufficiently low to quantify the HMS metabolites for up to 96 h (trans-HMS-CA), 48 h (cis-HMS-CA and 3OH-trans-HMS), and 24 h (3OH-cis-HMS) after a pilot dermal application of a commercially available sunscreen in one human volunteer, showing clear elimination kinetics. Furthermore, in a German pilot population (n = 35), HMS metabolites were above the LOQ precisely in those three individuals who had applied sunscreen within the previous five days, thus corroborating the specificity of the identified metabolites as biomarkers of HMS exposure. The method is currently used in a human metabolism study and will be applied in future population-scale human biomonitoring studies.

Rapid measurement of anticoagulant rodenticides in human blood and urine using online turbulent flow chromatography coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

AbstractAnticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are widely used to control rodents. A method based on online turbulent flow chromatography (TFC) combined with LC-MS/MS has been established for rapid quantitative determination of eight ARs in human blood and urine. This method, which does not require time-consuming pre-processing steps, renders it especially suited for use in emergency poisoning cases. Sample preparation, including extraction, centrifugation, and filtration, was followed by online clean-up using TFC. The total run-time was within 13.5 min, including online purification, chromatographic separation, and re-equilibration of the TFC system. The parameters for sample extraction, purification, separation, and detection in this study were optimized separately. The linear regression coefficients of matrix-matched calibration standard curves established for quantification were greater than 0.9976. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for the method were found to be 0.3–3.0 ng/mL in human blood and 0.06–0.6 ng/mL in urine. The recoveries of spiked target compounds at different concentrations in human blood and urine were 91.8–111.9% and 86.9–105.3%, respectively. Inter- and intra-day precision values were both less than 12.5%, and the matrix effects of human blood and urine samples for ARs were 75.3–108.6% and 102.7–130.0%, respectively. This method had successfully applied to the emergency detection of ARs in biological samples of poisoned patients.

Determination of specific urinary nonylphenol metabolites by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS as novel human exposure biomarkers

Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine disrupting and ecotoxic substance that has been detected in a variety of environmental matrices. It is utilized for the production of non-ionic nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO) detergents and other high production volume chemicals. Human biomonitoring data are scarce and mostly limited to the non-oxidized NP, which is ubiquitous in the (laboratory) environment and susceptible to external contamination. Here, we describe a sensitive, precise, accurate and rugged analytical method for the determination of OH-NP and oxo-NP, two potential alkyl-chain-oxidized metabolites of NP in human urine. We used single isomer standards, obtained by custom synthesis, for the quantification of the sum of the respective isomers. After enzymatic hydrolysis of potential urinary phase II conjugates, urine samples were analyzed by online turbulent flow chromatography for analyte enrichment and matrix depletion coupled to reversed phase liquid chromatography with negative electrospray-ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry detection (online-SPE-LC-MS/MS). Quantification was performed by stable isotope dilution analysis. Limits of quantification in urinary matrix were 0.5 µg/L for OH-NP and 0.25 µg/L for oxo-NP. Mean relative recoveries were 101–105% (OH-NP) and 112–117% (oxo-NP) and the method imprecision (CV) in matrix was below 5%. In spite of extensive use restrictions in the EU since 2003, we could quantify OH-NP and oxo-NP in 94% and 47% of spot urine samples from the general German population (n = 32) collected in 2014. Thus, both metabolites seem suitable as sensitive and specific urinary biomarkers of NP exposure for future human biomonitoring population studies. Currently this method is used to quantitatively investigate human NP metabolism and to derive urinary metabolite excretion fractions that can be used to calculate external doses based on urinary biomarker concentrations.

Simultaneous determination of 15 pesticide residues in Chinese cabbage and cucumber by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry utilizing online turbulent flow chromatography

In this experiment, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was built to determine 15 pesticide residues in Chinese cabbage and cucumber samples based on online turbulent flow chromatography purification. After modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction, extracts were directly injected to the TLX (TurboFlow Liquid Xcalibur) system and brought to TurboFlow™ columns for on-line purification and then transferred to analytical column for further separation and analysis. TurboFlow™ columns types, transfer flow rate, and transfer time were optimized. Limits of detection and limits of quantification of the method obtained for 15 pesticide residues were ranged between 0.2–1.0 μg/kg and 0.5–2.0 μg/kg in Chinese cabbage and cucumber samples. Recoveries of pesticide residues were in range of 75.3%–103.7%. Matrix effects for 15 pesticides were in range of 5.6%–106.6%. The developed method has been successfully used for the determination of 15 pesticide residues in real samples.

Determination of di-n-butyl adipate (DnBA) metabolites as possible biomarkers of exposure in human urine by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS

Di-n-butyl adipate (DnBA) is an alternative to the anti-androgenic and strictly regulated di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) used as a cosmetic ingredient, plasticizer, and in various articles of everyday life. Hence, exposures of the general population have to be expected. Currently, biomarkers of DnBA exposure and methods for their determination are not available. Here, we describe a sensitive, rugged and precise analytical method for the determination of the DnBA monoester metabolite mono-n-butyl adipate (MnBA), as well as its potential downstream metabolites 3-hydroxy-mono-n-butyl adipate (3OH-MnBA) and 3-carboxy-mono-n-propyl adipate (3cx-MnPrA) in human urine. Glucuronic acid conjugates present in urine were deconjugated using a pure β-glucuronidase. The metabolites were then analyzed by liquid chromatography on a C18 column with superficially porous particles coupled to electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry, applying online turbulent flow chromatography for analyte enrichment and matrix depletion (online-SPE-LC-MS/MS). The metabolites were quantified using stable isotope dilution analysis with limits of quantification of 0.05 µg/L (MnBA), 0.1 µg/L (3OH-MnBA), and 0.5 µg/L (3cx-MnPrA). Method imprecision in urinary matrix was below 7% (coefficient of variation) for all analytes. Mean relative recoveries were between 93% and 107%. The suitability of the DnBA metabolites as biomarkers of exposure was demonstrated after dermal application of a commercially available sunscreen containing DnBA. Maximum concentrations were reached 6.5 h after dose (219 µg/L 3cx-MnPrA, 91 µg/L MnBA, and 3.9 µg/L 3OH-MnBA). Elimination kinetics were similar for all three metabolites. We were able to quantify 3cx-MnPrA and MnBA until 4 d after sunscreen application. In a sample set of 35 urine samples from the general German population, 3cx-MnPrA was quantified in 94% (median 2.54 µg/L, maximum 78.3 µg/L) and MnBA in 3% (median < LOQ, maximum 0.18 µg/L) of the samples. The method will be applied in future human metabolism and human biomonitoring population studies.

Determination of human urinary metabolites of the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) by online-SPE-HPLC-MS/MS

Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) is a plasticizer and phthalate substitute used in various consumer products. Relevant population exposures have to be assumed. In this study we describe the determination of three specific side chain-oxidized monoester metabolites of DEHA, mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl adipate (5OH-MEHA), mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl adipate (5oxo-MEHA), and mono-5-carboxy-2-ethylpentyl adipate (5cx-MEPA) in human urine as potential biomarkers of DEHA exposure. After enzymatic hydrolysis, urine samples were analyzed by online turbulent flow chromatography for matrix depletion and analyte enrichment coupled to liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (online-SPE-LC-MS/MS). For quantification stable isotope dilution was applied with limits of quantification of 0.05 μg/L for 5cx-MEPA and 5OH-MEHA, and 0.1 μg/L for 5oxo-MEHA. Method accuracies (relative recoveries) were between 92 and 109%, and relative standard deviations <5%. We investigated the applicability of the method for internal DEHA exposure assessment in six volunteers who had consumed food wrapped in commercial PVC-cling film containing DEHA and in two small pilot populations without known DEHA exposure (44 pregnant Brazilian women and 32 German adults). In the cling film experiment, we could quantify all three metabolites in all post exposure urine samples, with 5cx-MEPA being most prominent (0.30–10.2 μg/L), followed by 5OH-MEHA (0.12–4.31 μg/L) and 5oxo-MEHA (0.12–2.84 μg/L). In the Brazilian and German samples we could detect DEHA exposures in 43 and 9% of all samples, again with 5cx-MEPA as the most prominent metabolite. Based on validation and pilot biomonitoring results, the method has proven appropriate for DEHA biomonitoring and will be applied in future metabolism and population studies.

Quality management system in flow cytometry unit from a clinical laboratory. Implementation of international organization for standardization (ISO) 15189

In clinical and forensic toxicology, fast and specific methods are needed for the screening of different classes of drugs. A complete general unknown screening procedure was developed using turbulent flow chromatography with electrospray ionization and Orbitrap mass spectrometry.After protein precipitation, samples were injected directly into the turbulent flow chromatographic system and analyzed with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The Exactive® operated in positive and negative modes with alternated high collision dissociation in order to obtain characteristic fragments. We built a library containing 616 compounds by analyzing a reference standard for all the molecules.Identification was based on retention time, accurate measured mass, isotopic pattern and presence of specific fragments. For each substance, we set a calibration range encompassing infra-therapeutic, therapeutic, supra-therapeutic and toxic concentrations in order to generate semi-quantitative result. For 65% of the components, the limit of detection was below 5 ng/mL. The validation process showed the approach to be selective, sensitive, accurate and precise.The method has been accredited by COFRAC (French Accreditation Committee) according to the ISO 15189 standard. Applicability was successfully tested by analyzing authentic serum, urine and whole blood samples.

Monitoring of organophosphate and pyrethroid metabolites in human urine samples by an automated method (TurboFlow™) coupled to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry

There is a growing concern to pesticide exposure in humans, being the organophosphate (OP), carbamate and pyrethroid the most commonly used insecticides. Therefore, a fast, simple and automated screening method based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS) has been developed to determine six OPs metabolites (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol “TCPy”, 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol “IMPY”, 4-nitrophenol “PNP”, 4-nitrophenol-d4 “PNP-d4″, 3-chloro-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin “CMHC” and 2-diethylamino-6-methylpyrimidin-4ol “DEAMPY”) and three pyrethroid metabolites (3-phenoxybenzoic acid “3-PBA”, 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid “4-F-3-PBA” and 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid “cis/trans-DCCA”) in human urine samples. Off-line solid phase extraction (SPE), on-line SPE and turbulent flow chromatography (TurboFlow™) extraction methodologies were compared, obtaining better results when TurboFlow™ was applied, achieving a total analysis time of 13.83 min. Several validation parameters were tested, obtaining suitable results for all studied compounds. Recoveries ranged from 70 to 116%, meanwhile repeatability and reproducibility were lower than or equal to 7% and 13%, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were set in the range from 1 μg/L to 5 μg/L (except for DCCA at 10 μg/L). Finally, thirty seven urine samples from women and men living near the agricultural areas of Almeria (Spain) were analyzed to know and control the contamination on the human health. PNP, DEAMPY and IMPY were detected in six urine samples at trace levels except IMPY, which was detected at 3.44 μg/L in one of the samples. Additionally, a post-targeted and untargeted analysis were carried out in the samples, identifying eleven insecticides such as bensulide or cinerin II, one insecticide metabolite, fipronil sulfone, one drug metabolite, carboxyibuprofen and two nicotine metabolites, cotinine and 2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)isonicotinic acid, in several samples.

Determination of Lipophilic Marine Biotoxins in Shellfish by Online Turbulent Flow Chromatography Coupled to Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A novel method based on online turbulent flow chromatography (TFC) combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) has been established for simultaneous quantitative determination of 11 lipophilic marine toxins (OA, DTX1, DTX2, YTX, hYTX, AZA1, AZA2, AZA3, PTX2, SPX1, and GYM) in shellfish. Sample preparation, including extraction with 75% methanol aqueous solution, centrifugation, and filtration, was followed by online cleanup using TFC. The total run time was within 15.5 min, including online purification, chromatographic separation, and re-equilibration of the TFC system. Various experimental parameters including extraction, purification, separation, and detection were optimized separately in this study. The developed method was validated, and good performance characteristics were obtained. The linear regression coefficients (R2) of matrix-match calibration standard curves established for quantification were higher than 0.9945. The limits of detection and quantification of this method ranged between 0.5 and 4.0, and 1.5 and 10.0 µg/kg, respectively. The average recoveries of spiked target compounds with different concentrations ranged from 80.1 to 113.8%, the intra- and inter-day precision were lower than 12.7% and 14.9%, respectively. The matrix effects were in the range of 76.1–115.9%. The method accuracy was also confirmed with certified reference materials. The results indicate that the developed method has great potential for the routine laboratory analysis or emergency detection of lipophilic marine toxins in shellfish.

Determination of metabolites of the UV filter 2-ethylhexyl salicylate in human urine by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS

The UV filter 2‑ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS) is widely used in sunscreens and other personal care products (PCP). EHS has been detected in a variety of environmental matrices. However, data on the internal EHS exposure in humans is not available, due to the lack of exposure biomarkers and analytical methods for their determination. Here, we report a method for the determination of three oxidative EHS metabolites in human urine: 2‑ethyl‑5‑hydroxyhexyl 2‑hydroxybenzoate (5OH-EHS), 2‑ethyl‑5‑oxohexyl 2‑hydroxybenzoate (5oxo-EHS), and 5‑(((2‑hydroxybenzoyl)oxy)methyl)heptanoic acid (5cx-EPS). Urine samples are incubated with β‑glucuronidase and analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry, coupled with online sample clean-up and analyte enrichment using turbulent flow chromatography (online-SPE-LC-MS/MS). Quantification is performed by stable isotope dilution analysis, using deuterium-labeled standards of each of the three metabolites. The described method is precise (coefficient of variation <5% within-series and interday), accurate (mean relative recoveries between 96% and 105%), and sensitive, with limits of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 μg/L (5cx-EPS), 0.05 μg/L (5OH-EHS), and 0.15 μg/L (5oxo-EHS). After dermal application of an EHS containing sunscreen to a human volunteer, we were able to quantify all three metabolites in urine samples collected post application, showing clear elimination kinetics. In spot urine samples from the general population (n = 35) we were able to quantify EHS biomarkers in 91% of all samples, with highest concentrations in individuals (n = 11) who stated use of PCPs containing UV filters within 5 days prior to sampling. We will apply the method for investigating human EHS metabolism and in future human biomonitoring studies for EHS exposure and risk assessment.

Current Trends in Fully Automated On-Line Analytical Techniques for Beverage Analysis

The determination of target analytes in complex matrices such as beverages requires a series of analytical steps to obtain a reliable analysis. This critical review presents the current trends in sample preparation techniques based on solid phase extraction miniaturization, automation and on-line coupling. Techniques discussed include solid-phase extraction (SPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), in-tube solid-phase microextraction (in-tube SPME) and turbulent-flow chromatography (TFC). Advantages and limitations, as well as several of their main applications in beverage samples are discussed. Finally, fully automated on-line systems that involve extraction, chromatographic separation, and tandem mass spectrometry in one-step are introduced and critically reviewed.

Prenatal maternal stress is associated with lower cortisol and cortisone levels in the first morning urine of 45-month-old children

Prenatal stress (PS) has been related to altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity later in life. So far, studies in children assessing HPA axis functioning have focused on salivary cortisol, reflecting daytime activity. The present work is part of a prospective study and aims to extend knowledge about the association between PS and HPA axis regulation in children.To do so, we investigated cortisol, cortisone, and the ratio cortisone/(cortisone + cortisol) in the first morning urine of 45-month-old children in relation to several measures of maternal stress during pregnancy. Urinary cortisol and cortisone were measured by online turbulent flow chromatography coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PS was defined as: perceived stress for aim 1 (Perceived Stress Scale; n = 280); presence of self-reported (n = 371) and expert-rated psychopathology for aim 2 (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; n = 281); continuous measures of anxiety and depression for exploratory aim 3 (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; n = 280).Aim 1: Perceived maternal PS showed negative associations with cortisol and cortisone levels. Aim 2: The presence of expert-rated maternal psychopathology was associated with reduced morning cortisone. Aim 3: Continuous measures of anxiety and depression showed negative associations with cortisol and cortisone levels. After correcting for multiple testing, perceived maternal PS (aim 1) and prenatal level of anxiety (aim 3) were significant predictors of children’s urinary cortisol and cortisone in the morning (and, in the case of cortisone, also prenatal level of depression).The ratio cortisone/(cortisone + cortisol) as a global marker for the balance between the enzymes metabolizing cortisol to cortisone and vice versa (11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases type 1 and 2; 11β-HSD1 and 2) was not associated with any measure of maternal PS (aims 1–3).The present study provides insight into possible programming effects of PS on nocturnal HPA axis activity and a proxy of 11β-HSD in a large sample. The results suggest that the nocturnal rate of cortisol production is lower in children exposed to PS, but do not support the hypothesis of divergent 11β-HSD activity.

Development of a Fast and Facile Analytical Approach to Quantify Radiometabolites in Human Plasma Samples Using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Introduction: Conventional metabolite analyses often require manual sample preparation, generating variability of measurements. This study describes a new method to quantify radiometabolites in blood, combining ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and turbulent flow chromatography, an alternative fully automated process allowing analyte’s extraction. Methods: A new radiotracer for dopamine transporter imaging, namely LBT-999, was used to demonstrate the method’s robustness. Matrix effect, Turboflow column loading, linearity, specificity and precision were evaluated with in vitro samples of LBT-999 in human plasma. Radiodetector sensitivity and preliminary evaluation were respectively determined by analysis of calibrated samples of [18F]LBT-999 and blood samples from 4 healthy subjects injected with [18F]LBT-999, withdrawn at 5, 15, 30 and 45 min pi. Results: With three sequential loadings (3 × 100 μL) of the Turboflow column, mean coefficients of variation were 1%, below 2%, 2% and 30.9% for matrix effect, specificity, repeatability and intermediate precision, respectively. Correlation coefficients for linearity were superior to 0.97. Limits of detection and quantification of the radiodetector were fixed at 3 and 9 c/s. Retention times for [18F]LBT-999 and the two radiometabolites detected by radio-UHPLC were 6.5, 4.8 and 9.6 min. Forty-five min after the injection, parent fraction was still predominant with 57.8% ± 25% of the total radioactivity. Conclusions: An innovative approach, allying UHPLC and Turboflow column, was developed and its sensitivity, linearity, specificity and repeatability validated. Preliminary results of the clinical trial are in accordance with literature data, demonstrating its efficiency in radiometabolites quantification.

Critical assessment of different methods for quantitative measurement of metallodrug-protein associations

Quantitative screening for potential drug–protein binding is an essential step in developing novel metal-based anticancer drugs. ICP–MS approaches are at the core of this task; however, many applications lack in the capability of large-scale high-throughput screenings and proper validation. In this work, we critically discuss the analytical figures of merit and the potential method-based quantitative differences applying four different ICP–MS strategies to ex vivo drug–serum incubations. Two candidate drugs, more specifically, two Pt(IV) complexes with known differences of binding affinity towards serum proteins were selected. The study integrated centrifugal ultrafiltration followed by flow injection analysis, turbulent flow chromatography (TFC), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC), all combined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). As a novelty, for the first time, UHPLC SEC-ICP–MS was implemented to enable rapid protein separation to be performed within a few minutes at > 90% column recovery for protein adducts and small molecules.Graphical abstractQuantitative screening for potential drug–protein binding is an essential step in developingnovel metal-based anticancer drugs

High-resolution turbulent flow chromatography

The resolution power of turbulent flow chromatography using carbon dioxide as the mobile phase and coated (crosslinked methyl phenyl polysiloxane) open tube columns (OTCs) as the stationary phase was investigated under retentive conditions (0 <k< 1). The improvement in column efficiency from a laminar to a turbulent flow regime was accurately measured for small molecules (coronene and benzo[a]anthracene). This relative increase in column performance decreased from 9 to 5, 3, and to 3 with increasing the retention factor from 0 to 0.2, 0.5, and to 1.0, respectively. Despite a four to five orders of magnitude larger sample dispersion coefficient in turbulent than in laminar flow, the mass transfer in turbulent flow chromatography is still controlled and limited by the slow sample transport across the viscous layer at the column wall. The benefit of turbulent flow chromatography is then restricted to small retention factor (k< 0.2). From a practical viewpoint, turbulent flow chromatography using carbon dioxide as the mobile phase and 20 m long × 180 μm i.d. × 0.2 μm film thickness OTCs provides ultra-fast (analysis time < 10 s) and high-resolution (plate counts of 33,000) separations of weakly retained compounds (k∼0.1) at Reynolds number around 5000 (3.75 mL/min, 3000 psi back pressure).