• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.18-20
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• 2012

We report observation of laser desorption/ionization (LDI) of peptides from flat surfaces of tungsten silicide ($WSi_2$). In contrast to MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) and SALDI (surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization) mass spectrometry, this study did not utilize any matrices and surface nanostructures. In this work, LDI on $WSi_2$ surfaces is demonstrated to cover a mass range up to 1,600 Da (somatostatin; monoisotopic mass = 1637.9 Da). In addition, it exhibited a high sensitivity, which could detect peptides, which could detect peptides of low femtomole levels (20 fmol for angiotensin II). The observed LDI process was discussed to be largely thermal, more specifically, due to laser-induced surface heating that is most likely promoted by the low thermal diffusivity (${\kappa}$) of $WSi_2$ substrate.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.17-20
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• 2015

Sesamin, one of the lignans in sesame seed, was a labile compound in MS and it was reported that the protonated molecule of sesamin decomposed easily in ES ionization process and it cannot be detected (G. Yan, et al., Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2007, 21, 3613-3620). To protect labile compounds, an amino-cyclodextrin (NCyD) was added to the sample to promote the host-guest interaction complex in ESI-MS. As a result, sesamin was ionized as the NCyD-sesamin-NCyD (1:2) complex without undesired decomposition, suggesting that the amino-CyDs assist the ionization of the labile molecules capped with CyDs by host-guest interaction and these compounds were ionized without their decomposition, those are like amino-CyD complex-assisted ionization. The amino-CyD complexes of sesamin and sesamolin were also analyzed by their ion-mobility MS.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Microfluidic technologies hold high promise and emerge as a potential molecular tool to facilitate the progress of fundamental and applied biomedical researches by enabling miniaturization and upgrading current biological research tools. In this review, we summarize the state of the art of existing microfluidic technologies and its' application for characterizing biophysical properties of individual cells. Microfluidic devices offer significant advantages and ability to handle in integrating sample processes, minimizing sample and reagent volumes, and increased analysis speed. Therefore, we first present the basic concepts and summarize several achievements in new coupling between microfluidic devices and mass spectrometers. Secondly, we discuss the recent applications of microfluidic chips in various biological research field including cellular and molecular level. Finally, we present the current challenge of microfluidic technologies and future perspective in this study field.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.118-124
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• 2021

Many previous studies have focused on revealing the harmfulness of microplastic particles, whereas very few studies have focused on the effects of chemicals, particularly photooxidation product. In this study, products of photodegradation from expanded polystyrene (EPS), compounds produced by photolysis by ultraviolet (UV) light, were investigated. EPS was directly irradiated and photolyzed using a UV lamp, and then the extracted sample was analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Multiple ionization techniques, including electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, and atmospheric pressure photoionization, were used. In total, >300 compounds were observed, among which polystyrene monomer, dimer, and oxidized products were observed. In this work, the data presented clearly demonstrate that it is necessary to identify and monitor oxidized plastic compounds and assess their effect on the environment.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.105-108
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• 2017

Recently, deciduous teeth have been proposed as a promising biomatrix for estimating internal and external chemical exposures of an individual from prenatal periods to early childhood. Therefore, detection of organic chemicals in teeth has received increasing attention. Organic materials in tooth matrix are mostly collagen type proteins, but lipids and other small organic chemicals are also present in the tooth matrix. In this study, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) was employed to obtain lipid fingerprints from deciduous teeth. Phospholipids and triacylglcerols (TAGs) from deciduous teeth were successfully detected by MALDI MS with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) or gold nanoparticle (AuNP) as a matrix.

• 분석과학
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.465-468
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• 1995

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization in mass spectrometry is a fast and accurate method to determine the molecular weight of natural and synthetic polymers. Unknown peptides such as elastase inhibitor and $\small{D}$-hydantoinase were analyzed using sinapinic acid as matrix and their molecular weights were compared with the results from protein sequencer and gel filtration chomatography, respectively. Synthetic polymers such as polyethyleneglycol, polypropyleneglycol, polydimethylsiloxane, and polystyrene were analyzed using matrices such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hdroxyazobenzenecarboxylic acid, and 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether. Average molecular weights of polystyrene were compared with molecular weights by gel permeation chromatography.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

Lipids play important roles in biological systems; they store energy, play a structural role in the cell membrane, and are involved in cell growth, signal transduction, and apoptosis. Phospholipids (PLs) in particular have received attention in the medical and lipidomics research fields because of their involvement in human diseases such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, and many cancers associated with lipid metabolic disorders. Here I review experimental strategies for PL analysis based on nanoflow liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-ESI-MSn). In particular, discussed are lipid extraction methods, nanoflow LC separation of PLs, effect of ionization modifiers on the ESI of PLs, influence of chain lengths and unsaturation degree of acyl chains of PLs on MS intensity, structural determination of the molecular structure of PLs and their oxidized products, and quantitative profiling of PLs from biological samples such as tissue, urine, and plasma in relation to cancer and coronary artery disease.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.64-68
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• 2016

Scanning electron microscopy combined with thermal ionization mass spectrometry (SEM-TIMS) was used to determine the precise isotope ratios of ultra-trace levels of uranium contained in individual microparticles. An advanced multiple ion counter system consisting of three secondary ion multipliers and two compact discrete dynodes was used for complete simultaneous ion detection. For verification purposes, using TIMS with complete simultaneous measurement, isotopes were analyzed in 5 pg of uranium of a certified reference material. A microprobe in the SEM was used to transfer individual particles from a NUSIMEP-7 sample to TIMS filaments, which were then subjected to SEM-TIMS and complete simultaneous measurement. The excellent agreement in the resulting uranium isotope ratios with the certified NUSIMEP-7 values shows the validity of SEM-TIMS with complete simultaneous measurement for the analysis of uranium isotopes in individual particles. Further experimental study required for investigation of simultaneous measurement using the advanced multiple ion counter system is presented.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.16-19
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• 2011

Oxidation products of ceftiofur were formed in hydrogen peroxide solution. The structures of the ceftiofur oxidation products were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI/MS/MS). The products were identified as compounds oxidized at the sulfur of a cephem ring. For further analysis, experiments were performed using $O^{18}$-labeled hydrogen peroxide. In addition, density-functional calculations were carried out for six possible oxidation products to support the experimental results.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.160-165
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• 2023

Citronella oil, an essential oil extracted through steam distillation from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon, is a natural complex substance (NCS) regulated by the Korean government for its use in insect repellents. The component ratios of NCSs like citronella oil vary due to differences in manufacturing processes and origins, presenting a challenge in identifying and quantifying these substances in consumer chemical products. This study analysed ten commercially available products of the most commonly used types of citronella oil, specifically Java and Ceylon types, using gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) and GC with flame ionization detection (FID). Through chromatographic data, we aimed to determine the components that can qualitatively identify citronella oil and the indicator ingredients that can be used for content analysis.