1.8 Umweltanalytik
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- 2021 (53) (entfernen)
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- 1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien (53)
- 1.8 Umweltanalytik (53)
- 1.7 Organische Spuren- und Lebensmittelanalytik (6)
- 1.5 Proteinanalytik (4)
- 1.1 Anorganische Spurenanalytik (3)
- 1.4 Prozessanalytik (2)
- 1.6 Anorganische Referenzmaterialien (2)
- 6 Materialchemie (2)
- 1.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere (1)
- 1.9 Chemische und optische Sensorik (1)
Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (19)
Under the auspices of the Protein Analysis Working Group (PAWG) of the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière (CCQM) a pilot study, CCQM-P216, was coordinated by the Chinese National Institute of Metrology (NIM), National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). Eleven Metrology Institutes or Designated Institutes and the BIPM participated in the first phase of the pilot study (Part 1). The purpose of this pilot study was to develop measurement capabilities for larger proteins using a recombinant humanized IgG monoclonal antibody against Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 (Anti-S IgG mAb) in solution. The first phase of the study was designed to employ established methods that had been previously studies by the CCQM Protein Analysis Working Group, involving the digestion of protein down to the peptide or amino acid level. The global coronavirus pandemic has also led to increased focus on antibody quantitation methods. IgG are among the immunoglobulins produced by the immune system to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG can therefore be detected in samples from affected patients. Antibody tests can show whether a person has been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2, and whether or not they potentially show lasting immunity to the disease. With the constant spread of the virus and the high pressure of re-opening economies, antibody testing plays a critical role in the fight against COVID-19 by helping healthcare professionals to identify individuals who have developed an immune response, either via vaccination or exposure to the virus. Many countries have launched large-scale antibody testing for COVID-19. The development of measurement standards for the antibody detection of SARS-CoV-2 is critically important to deal with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody is being used as a model system to build capacity in methods that can be used in antibody quantification. Amino acid reference values with corresponding expanded uncertainty of 36.10 ± 1.55 mg/kg, 38.75 ± 1.45 mg/kg, 18.46 ± 0.78 mg/kg, 16.20 ± 0.67 mg/kg and 30.61 ± 1.30 mg/kg have been established for leucine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine and proline, respectively. Agreement between nearly all laboratories was achieved for the amino acid analysis within 2 to 2.5 %, with one participant achieving markedly higher results due to a technical issue found in their procedure; this result was thus excluded from the reference value calculations. The relatively good agreement within a laboratory between different amino acids was not dissimilar to previous results for peptides or small proteins, indicating that factors such as hydrolysis conditions and calibration procedures could be the largest sources of variability. Peptide reference values with corresponding expanded uncertainty of 4.99 ± 0.28 mg/kg and 6.83 ± 0.65 mg/kg have been established for ALPAPIEK and GPSVFPLAPSSK, respectively. Not surprisingly due to prior knowledge from previous studies on peptide quantitation, agreement between laboratories for the peptide-based analysis was slightly poorer at 3 to 5 %, with one laboratory's result excluded for the peptide GPSVFPLAPSSK. Again, this level of agreement was not significantly poorer than that achieved in previous studies with smaller or less complex proteins. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report.
Vergleichende Darstellung SARS-CoV-2-spezifischer Nanobodys aus unterschiedlichen Wirtsorganismen
(2021)
Aufgrund der anhaltenden COVID-19-Pandemie werden neutralisierende Therapeutika benötigt. Eine Möglichkeit zur Behandlung stellt die Verwendung monoklonaler Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Immun-globuline dar. Ihre Produktion in Säugetierzellen ist jedoch schwer skalierbar, um den weltweiten Bedarf zu decken. VHH-Antikörper, auch Nanobodys genannt, bieten hierfür eine Alternative, da sie eine hohe Temperaturstabilität aufweisen und eine kostengünstige Produktion in prokaryotischen Wirtsorganismen ermöglichen.
Increasing contamination of environmental waters with pharmaceuticals represents an emerging threat for the drinking water quality and safety. In this regard, fast and reliable analytical methods are required to allow quick countermeasures in case of contamination. Here, we report the development of a magnetic bead-based immunoassay (MBBA) for the fast and cost-effective determination of the analgesic diclofenac (DCF) in water samples, based on diclofenac-coupled magnetic beads and a robust monoclonal anti-DCF antibody. A novel synthetic strategy for preparation of the beads resulted in an assay that enabled for the determination of diclofenac with a significantly lower limit of detection (400 ng/L) than the respective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). With shorter incubation times and only one manual washing step required, the assay demands for remarkably shorter time to result (< 45 min) and less equipment than ELISA. Evaluation of assay precision and accuracy with a series of spiked water samples yielded results with low to moderate intra- and inter-assay variations and in good agreement with LC–MS/MS reference analysis. The assay principle can be transferred to other, e.g., microfluidic, formats, as well as applied to other analytes and may replace ELISA as the standard immunochemical method.
The CCQM-K148.a comparison was coordinated by the BIPM on behalf of the CCQM Organic Analysis Working Group for NMIs and DIs which provide measurement services in organic analysis under the CIPM MRA. It was undertaken as a "Track A" comparison within the OAWG strategic plan. CCQM-K148.a demonstrates capabilities for assigning the mass fraction content of a solid organic compound having moderate molecular complexity, where the compound has a molar mass in the range (75 - 500) g/mol and is non-polar (pKow < −2), when present as the primary organic component in a neat organic solid and where the mass fraction content of the primary component in the material is in excess of 950 mg/g.
Participants were required to report the mass fraction of Bisphenol A present in one supplied unit of the comparison material. Participants using a mass balance method for the assignment were also required to report their assignments of the impurity components present in the material. Methods used by the seventeen participating NMIs or DIs were predominantly based on either stand-alone mass balance (summation of impurities) or qNMR approaches, or the combination of data obtained using both methods. The results obtained using thermal methods based on freezing-point depression methods were also reported by a limited number of participants. There was excellent agreement between assignments obtained using all three approaches to assign the BPA content.
The assignment of the values for the mass fraction content of BPA consistent with the KCRV was achieved by most of the comparison participants with an associated relative standard uncertainty in the assigned value in the range (0.1 - 0.5)%.
Portable, antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren für die Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf
(2021)
Die Wasseranalytik wird bestimmt von zwei Hauptbedarfen, einerseits der Erfassung der Gewässergüte und Grundwassergüte als Basis für die Bereitstellung einwandfrei-en Trinkwassers und zum anderen des Monitorings der Wasserqualität in den Prozes-sen der Wasseraufbereitung und der Abwasserreinigung. Für beide Anwendungsbe-reiche ist eine laborbasierte Analytik eher hinderlich, werden die Analysenergebnisse doch eigentlich vor Ort benötigt, um etwa Beprobungskampagnen rasch anpassen zu können. Desweiteren werden die Daten auch schnell benötigt, um zeitnah in die technischen Prozesse einzugreifen. Organische Kontaminanten werden meist über chromatographische Verfahren, häufig gekoppelt mit einer massenspektrometrischen Detektion, in instrumentelle Labormethoden erfasst und die hochauflösende Massen-spektrometrie und die Non-target-Analytik haben viel zum Wissen über das Vorkom-men, insbesondere von sog. „emerging contaminants“, beigetragen, sowie zum Ver-ständnis der beteiligten Eintragspfade und Abbauwege. Moderne, portable Analy-senmethoden und insbesondere Sensoren werden zukünftig aber ihren Platz in der Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf einnehmen. Dies gilt insbesondere für anti-körperbasierte Analysenverfahren, da erst diese oft die nötige Selektivität und Sensitivität in die Detektionsmethoden einbringen.
A vast number of emerging pollutants has been detected in the environment over the last decades. Analytical methods suitable for trace analysis are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e. antibody-based, methods which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyse for the distribution and the trends of concentration levels of contaminants in the environment. Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. In order to use them wisely, indicator substances, sometimes called anthropogenic markers, should be selected and used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site) or in facilities such as wastewater treatment plants for on-line monitoring. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel (multiplex) analysis of several analytes of interest.
The microtiter-plate based ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) is the method of choice for the analysis of a large number of samples [1]. ELISAs are available to monitor for anthropogenic markers such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the antihistaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the priority pollutant bisphenol A, and the bile acid isolithocholic acid. For on-site screening and monitoring, simpler formats, like mix-and-read assays, e.g. the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) [2] or Lateral-flow Immunoassays (LFIA) [3] are more suitable tools, the latter based on dipsticks or cassettes, that is why they are also called pregnancy test-like assays. The suitability of multi-analyte formats such as immunomicroarrays depends on the choice of a signal-producing system that provides small uncertainties and good reproducibility of the measurements. Bead-based (“suspension”) arrays read out in flow cytometers are a powerful platform for multiplex assays [4]. Electrochemical formats run on portable devices provide additional advantages as no light source is required. They are most promising for stand-alone analysers and biosensors
Portable, antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren für die Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf
(2021)
Die Wasseranalytik wird bestimmt von zwei Hauptbedarfen, einerseits der Erfassung der Gewässergüte und Grundwassergüte als Basis für die Bereitstellung einwandfreien Trinkwassers und zum anderen des Monitorings der Wasserqualität in den Prozessen der Wasseraufbereitung und der Abwasserreinigung. Für beide Anwendungsbereiche ist eine laborbasierte Analytik eher hinderlich, werden die Analysenergebnisse doch eigentlich vor Ort benötigt, um etwa Beprobungskampagnen rasch anpassen zu können. Des Weiteren werden die Daten auch schnell benötigt, um zeitnah in die technischen Prozesse einzugreifen. Organische Kontaminanten werden meist über chromatographische Verfahren, häufig gekoppelt mit einer massenspektrometrischen Detektion, in instrumentellen Labormethoden erfasst, und die hochauflösende Massenspektrometrie und die Non-target-Analytik haben viel zum Wissen über das Vorkommen, insbesondere von sogenannten „Emerging Contaminants“, beigetragen, sowie zum Verständnis der beteiligten Eintragspfade und Abbauwege. Moderne, portable Analysenmethoden und insbesondere Sensoren werden zukünftig aber ihren Platz in der Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf einnehmen. Dies gilt insbesondere für antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren, da erst diese oft die nötige Selektivität und Sensitivität in die Detektionsmethoden einbringen.
One of the most important chemicals used in the production of polymer plastics and coatings is bisphenol A. However, despite the large number of studies on the toxicity and hormonal activity of BPA, there are still open questions and thus considerable media attention regarding BPA toxicity. Hence, it is necessary to develop a sensitive, simple, cost-efficient, specific, portable, and rapid method for monitoring bisphenol A and for high sample throughput and on-site screening analysis. Lateral flow immunoassays have potential as rapid tests for on-site screening. To meet sensitivity criteria, they must be carefully optimized. A latex microparticle-based LFIA for detection of BPA was developed. The sensitivity of the assay was improved by non-contact printing of spot grids as the control and test lines with careful parameter optimization. Results of the test could be visually evaluated within 10 min with a visual cut-off of 10 µg/L (vLOD). Alternatively, photographs were taken, and image analysis performed to set up a calibration, which allowed for a calculated limit of detection (cLOD) of 0.14 µg/L. The method was validated for thermal paper samples against ELISA and LC–MS/MS as reference methods, showing good agreement with both methods
In this work, we report an electrochemical immunosensor to detect ethinylestradiol in water samples, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a detection technique. For the development of this immunosensor, the direct modification of the working electrode of a screen-printed carbon electrode was carried out. First, to reduce the resistance of the electrode, electroreduced graphene was incorporated on the surface.
Second, a porous gold structure was electrodeposited on reduced graphene by electrodeposition and the dynamic hydrogen bubble template assisted method. Thus, a marked increase in surface area was obtained for anti-EE2 antibodies immobilization. Subsequently, the specific anti-EE2 antibodies were covalently immobilized using α-lipoic acid for attaching them to the gold surface.
The electrode modified with the antibodies was incubated for 30 min in the samples containing EE2, producing the specific Antigen antibody binding. As the charge transfer resistance of a redox probe in the electrode surface is governed by the surface blocking effects, the charge transfer resistance was related to the amount of EE2 captured to realize a quantitative determination. For this, the EIS measurements were performed in a 4 mM [Fe(CN)6]4−/3− solution in 0.1 M KCl. The obtained Nyquist diagrams were adjusted using the Randles circuit as an equivalent circuit to obtain the corresponding resistances. The developed methodology showed good selectivity, precision, and sensitivity; although the LOD obtained was higher than those presented in other published articles, it turned out to be an alternative that allows the determination of ethinylestradiol using a simple disposable electrode.
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed.
Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust, and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., antibody-based methods, which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyze for the distribution and the concen-tration trends of contaminants.
Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances or sum parameters are being established and used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site), more precisely at the point-of-need. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel analysis of several analytes of interest (multiplexing).
The talk reports on methods and data for compounds considered as anthropogenic contamination markers (the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the anti-histaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial amoxicillin, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the endo-crine disruptor bisphenol A, and a bile acid). Some work on mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and ergot alka-loids) is also presented. It is demonstrated that antibody-based approaches have a huge potential to gain analytical insights at the point-of-need.
Antibody-based analytical techniques have gained increasing importance in environmental analysis. Rapid assays, portable devices and formats that require a limited number of steps have a high potential for on-site analysis in outdoor environments or in environmentally relevant facilities such as wastewater treatment plants. Many of these methods have become more sensitive and more versatile due to new, advanced materials, such as novel particles, specifically prepared surfaces, new labels, specifically coated electrodes etc. The talk shows some of our works in this context.
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed.
Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust, and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., anti-body-based technologies, which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyze for the distribution and the concentration trends of contaminants.
Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances or sum parameters must be established to be used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable in-strumentation in the field (on-site), more precisely at the point-of-need. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel analysis of several analytes of interest (multiplexing). The talk reports on methods and data for compounds con-sidered as anthropogenic contamination markers (the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the anti-histaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial amoxicillin, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A, and a bile acid). Some work on mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and ergot alkaloids) is also presented. It is demonstrated that antibody-based technolo-gies have a huge potential to gain analytical insights at the point-of-need.
Mit dem Testsystem zur Probe
(2021)
Warfarin ist seit den 1950er Jahren einer der bekanntesten Gerinnungshemmer. Beim Menschen wird es bis heute zur Vorbeugung von Thrombose und der Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern und Arrhythmie eingesetzt. Doch schon einige Jahre vor der FDA Zulassung (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) als Medikament wurde es zur Bekämpfung von Nagetieren eingesetzt. Bis heute wurde es nur teilweise durch weitaus wirksamere antikoagulante Rodentizide (ARs) der zweiten Generation, sogenannte Superwarfarine, ersetzt. In der Fachliteratur finden sich zahlreiche Beispiele für sekundäre und tertiäre Vergiftung mit ARs bei Wildtieren und anderen Nichtzieltieren. Bisher ist relativ wenig über die Bioakkumulation, Persistenz und Toxizität von ARs und deren Transformationsprodukten (TPs) in der terrestrischen und aquatischen Umwelt, sowie der Nahrungskette bekannt.
Um Einblicke in mögliche Transformations- und Abbauprozesse von Warfarin unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen zu erhalten und um diese Einflüsse zu simulieren, wurde hierzu eine elektrochemische Reaktorzelle in Kopplung mit einem Massenspektrometer verwendet. So können mögliche Phase-I-Metabolite und sogenannte „oxidation products“ vorausgesagt werden. Hinsichtlich des Verhaltens während der Wasseraufbereitung in Kläranlagen wurden technisch relevante Prozesse wie Chlorung, UV-Bestrahlung und Ozonung in Modellen simuliert, um hier potenzielle Abbauwege und -prozesse aufzuklären. Gebildete Transformationsprodukte wurden daher mittels unterschiedlicher chromatografischer Verfahren getrennt und massenspektrometrisch identifiziert, charakterisiert und verglichen.
Cardiolipin (CL) is a major cardiac mitochondrial phospholipid maintaining regular mitochondrial morphology and function in cardiomyocytes. Cardiac CL production includes ist biosynthesis and a CL-remodeling process. Here we studied the impact of CL-biosynthesis and the enzyme Cardiolipin Synthase (CLS) on cardiac function.
CLS and cardiac CL-species were significantly downregulated in cardiomyocytes following catecholamine-induced cardiac damage in mice, accompanied by increased oxygen consumption rates, signs of oxidative stress and mitochondrial uncoupling. RNAi-mediated cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown of CLS in Drosophila melanogaster resulted in marked cardiac dilatation, severe impairment of systolic performance and slower diastolic filling velocity assessed by fluorescence-based heart imaging. Finally, we showed that CL72:8 is significantly decreased in cardiac samples from patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In summary, we identified CLS as a regulator of cardiac function. Considering the cardiac depletion of CL-species in HFrEF, pharmacological targeting of CLS may be a promising therapeutic approach.zeige mehrzeige weniger
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are widely used in everyday items such as food additives and in personal care products. In addition, they have multiple medical applications: as laxatives, excipients, and covalently coupled to drug molecules leading to improved pharmacokinetics (PEGylation). While generally regarded as biologically inert, the human body is known to produce antibodies against PEGylated molecules. In addition, PEGs have been shown to be part of a biomarker signature to predict colon cancer outcome, suggesting a more complex and yet unknown behavior of PEGs in the human body.
Here, we introduce PEGomics, a retrospective screening approach of publicly available LC-MS data. Using a custom R script to process entire studies, the presence of PEGs was reveled in most human plasma, serum and whole blood samples investigated. Several PEG species and adducts were identified and their correlation with different diseases and health conditions was investigated further.
Blood PEG levels significantly differed between patient groups in multiple clinical studies related to e.g. pregnancy duration, fasting and smoking. We discuss possible causes for these effects in the light of recent reports of allergies against PEGs and outline our further strategies to identify the source of PEGs in the human body as well as possible metabolic transformations.
The general understanding has been that PEGs are biologically inert, meaning they pass the human body without any relevant reaction with anything. But recent studies have shown that migth not be correct. Here a retrospective analysis of LC-MS data was performed to determine correlations between blood PEG levels in humans and different experimental factors.
Background: There is a need for biomarker to identify patients “at risk” for rheumatoid arthritis (risk-RA) and to better predict the therapeutic response and in this study we tested the hypothesis that novel native and citrullinated heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)-DL autoantibodies could be possible biomarkers.
Methods: Using protein macroarray and ELISA, epitope recognition against hnRNP-DL was analysed in sera from different developed RA disease and diagnosed SLE patients. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/9 and myeloid Differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-dependency were studied in sera from murine disease models. HnRNP-DL expression in cultivated cells and synovial tissue was analysed by indirect immunofluorescence, immunoblot and immunohistochemistry.
MACC1 is a prognostic and predictive metastasis biomarker for more than 20 solid Cancer entities. However, its role in cancer metabolism is not sufficiently explored. Here, we report on how MACC1 impacts the use of glucose, glutamine, lactate, pyruvate and fatty acids and show the comprehensive analysis of MACC1-driven metabolic networks. We analyzed concentrationdependent changes in nutrient use, nutrient depletion, metabolic tracing employing 13C-labeled substrates, and in vivo studies. We found that MACC1 permits numerous effects on cancer
metabolism. Most of those effects increased nutrient uptake. Furthermore, MACC1 alters metabolic pathways by affecting metabolite production or turnover from metabolic substrates. MACC1 supports use of glucose, glutamine and pyruvate via their increased depletion or altered distribution within metabolic pathways. In summary, we demonstrate that MACC1 is an important regulator of metabolism in cancer cells.
Lipid droplets, the dynamic organelles that store Triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol esters (CE), are highly accumulated in colon cancer cells. This work studies the TG and CE subspecies profile in colon carcinoma cell lines, SW480 derived from primary tumor, and SW620 derived from a metastasis of the same tumor. It was previously reported that the total TG and CE content is dramatically higher in SW620 cells; however, TG and CE subspecies profile has not been investigated in detail. The work presented here confirms that the total TG and CE Content is significantly higher in the SW620 cells. Moreover, the fatty acid (FA) composition of TG is significantly altered in the SW620 cells, with significant decrease in the abundance of saturated triglycerides. This resulted in a significantly decreased TG saturation index in the SW620 cells. The saturation index of CE was also significantly decreased in the SW620 cells.
Contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem and a potential health threat. Immunochemical methods based on the binding of the analyte to specific antibodies enable fast & cost-effective on-site analyses. Magnetic bead-based immunoassays allow for implementation into an immunosensor for online testing. Particles are prepared by either coupling the analyte molecule (diclofenac) or the respective antibody (amoxicillin) to the surface. For miniaturization, detection is performed electrochemically (chronoamperometry) on a microfluidic chip. The developed immunosensor will enable detection of pharmaceuticals directly in water supply pipes.
We report a two-step process for the immobilization of gold nanocubes (Au-NCs) on a glass surface using a combination of extraction and exchange reaction using poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and trisodium citrate (TSC). Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) stabilized gold nanocubes (CTAC/Au-NCs) synthesized by a microfluidic synthesis procedure were successfully deposited on silane-modified glass substrate after extraction of excess CTAC using chloroform followed by exchange of CTAC to TSC on the surface of Au-NCs. Further, TSC/Au-NCs were found to be highly stable and suitable for microfluidic sensing of different glucose concentrations using localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectroscopy offering an improved sensitivity (126.37 nm/RIU).
The poster presents the main achievements of the capacity building project ALCOREF “Forensic alcohol reference materials”. The project was part of the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR).
Altogether 43 certified ethanol in water reference materials (CRMs) in the mass fraction range of 0.1 to 7 mg/g were developed by project partners. These CRMS are suitable for the calibration and verification of evidential breath alcohol analysers according to the requirements of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML). Furthermore, 10 new or improved Calibration and Measurement Capability (CMC) claims for purity assessment of ethanol and ethanol quantification were prepared. Newly established measurement capabilities and the new CRMs were successfully tested in three intercomparisons conducted as official intercomparisons of EURAMET Technical Committee for Metrology in Chemistry.
Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) hybrid fluorescent nanoparticles and ZIF antibody conjugates have been synthesized, characterized, and employed in lateral-flow immunoassay (LFIA). The bright fluorescence of the conjugates and the possibility to tailor their mobility gives a huge potential for diagnostic assays. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as label, proved the integrity, stability, and dispersibility of the antibody conjugates, LC-MS/MS provided evidence that a covalent link was established between these metal-organic frameworks and lysine residues in IgG antibodies.
Contamination of drinking water with pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem and a potential health threat. Immunochemical methods based on the binding of the analyte to specific antibodies enable fast and cost-effective on-site analyses. Magnetic bead-based immunoassays allow for implementation into an immunosensor for online testing. These particles are prepared by either coupling the analyte molecule (diclofenac) or the respective antibody (amoxicillin) to the surface. For miniaturization, detection is performed electrochemically on a microfluidic chip. The developed immunosensor will enable detection of pharmaceuticals directly in water supply pipes.
Electrochemical methods offer great promise in meeting the demand for user-friendly on-site devices for Monitoring important parameters. The food industry often runs own lab procedures, for example, for mycotoxin analysis, but it is a major goal to simplify analysis, linking analytical methods with smart technologies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, with photometric detection of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB),form a good basis for sensitive detection. To provide a straightforward approach for the miniaturization of the detectionstep, we have studied the pitfalls of the electrochemical TMB detection. By cyclic voltammetry it was found that the TMB electrochemistry is strongly dependent on the pH and the electrode material. A stable electrode response to TMB could be achieved at pH 1 on gold electrodes. We created a smartphonebased, electrochemical, immunomagnetic assay for the detection of ochratoxin A in real samples, providing a solid basis forsensing of further analytes.
Metrology for Monitoring of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Under the EU Water Framework Directive
(2021)
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances especially three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1))at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.With respects to their physicochemical properties, the 3 substances have the potential to disseminate within aquatic environments, to enter the food chain and to bioaccumulate, Chemical monitoring relies on a succession of actions: sampling, storage and preservation of representative samples; pre-treatment of a sample portion for quantification, calibration, final determination, calculation of results, uncertainty estimation and final expression of results. Throughout this chain of operations, the guarantee of the stability of the analyte is a key issue that has to be addressed to correctly qualify and discuss monitoring data.
The project EDC-WFD aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch. Environmental quality standards (EQS) for these compounds are at the ultra-trace level (EQS EE2 = 35 pg/L, EQS E2 = 400 pg/L, EQS E1 = 3600 pg/L) and pose a significant challenge to analytical methods. Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17αE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. The project will also evaluate the interaction and partitioning of the 5 estrogenic compounds between water samples and suspended particulate matter (SPM) and the capability of developed methods to address the different fractions of matrix (whole water and dissolved concentrations of estrogens).
This contribution will present the objectives and methods applied within the EDC-WFD project that could support a better comprehension of the biogeochemical cycle of selected estrogenic substances in aquatic system
Funding: This project (18NMR01) has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
A recently introduced inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight-mass spectrometer (ICP-ToF-MS) shows enhanced sensitivity compared to previous developments and superior isotope ratio precision compared to other ToF and commonly used single-collector ICP-MS instruments. Following this fact, an improvement for isotope dilution ICP-MS using the new instrumentation has been reported. This study aimed at investigating whether this improvement also meets the requirements of species-specific isotope dilution using GC/ICP-MS, where short transient signals are recorded. The results of the analysis of monomethylmercury (MMHg) of a sediment reference material show that isotope ratio precision of ICP-MS instruments equipped with quadrupole, sector-field, and time-of-flight mass analyzers is similar within a broad range of peak signal-to-noise ratio when analyzing one isotopic system. The procedural limit of quantification (LOQ) for MMHg, expressed as mass fraction of Hg being present as MMHg, w(Hg)MMHg, was similar as well for all investigated instruments and ranged between 0.003 and 0.016 μg/kg. Due to the simultaneous detection capability, the ICP-ToF-MS might, however, be more favorable when several isotopic systems are analyzed within one measurement. In a case study, the GC/ICP-ToF-MS coupling was applied for analysis of MMHg in sediments of Finow Canal, a historic German canal heavily polluted with mercury. Mass fractions between 0.180 and 41 μg/kg (w(Hg)MMHg) for MMHg, and 0.056 and 126 mg/kg (w(Hg)total) for total mercury were found in sediment samples taken from the canal upstream and downstream of a former chemical plant.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.
The project EDC-WFD Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17αE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four selected effect-based methods (EBM) will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment. In particular, the EBM sensitivity, specificity and accuracy on reference materials with single or mixture solutions of the five substances at a concentration of EQS values will be explored.
This project (18NMR01) has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
Herein, we present liquid and gas chromatographic methods coupled with
(high-resolution) mass spectrometry for the analysis of warfarin’s TPs.
Methodologies such as UV-irradiation, ozonation, and chlorination were
utilized to simulate primarily technical water treatment, as well as, abiotic transformation processes. Examination of resulting compounds by numerous analytical methods has provided first insights into a multitude of formed substances. Moreover, the oxidative phase I metabolism was mimicked by an electrochemical flow cell with the aim to synthesize and confirm major metabolic products via a nonbiologically mediated process. The further aim is the toxicological assessment of relevant TPs, as well as, the quantification of warfarin and its TPs under environmentally relevant conditions employing the introduced methodologies.
Sediments and soils can act as sinks of species of inorganic mercury (Hg2+), while they are simultaneously sources of volatile (Hg0) and organic species, such as monomethylmercury (MMHg). Although the fraction of MMHg in total Hg of sediments is suggested to be as low as 0.1 1%, MMHg is a serious threat for humans and wildlife due to its high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification and the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier. This is highlighted by exceptionally high MMHg concentrations found in fish and fish predators, as well as aquatic insects and birds living in close vicinity to Hg contaminated waterbodies. Humans are exposed to MMHg mainly by ingestion of (predatory) fish and rice.
One example of a highly Hg contaminated waterbody is Finow Canal, the oldest artificial waterway still in operation in Germany, with Hg mass fractions of up to or even more than 100 µg/g found in the sediment, which are suggested to be attributable to a chemical plant producing (among other things) mercury-based seed dressings. Despite this high mass fraction of Hg, anaerobic conditions, high amounts of organic matter and iron, which are all favorable for Hg methylation, no investigations of Hg speciation have been conducted there up to now.
We investigated Hg speciation in sediments of Finow Canal on length from before the known polluted sited into the confluence with another waterway using species-specific isotope dilution (SSID) GC-ICP-ToF-MS. Mass fraction of up to 41 ng/g MMHg were determined in samples taken from Finow Canal and elevated concentrations could also be found around 14 km downstream of the confluence of Finow Canal with another waterway. In addition to this, highly toxic monoethylmercury (EtHg) could be detected in most of the sediment samples. These results are the first evidence of the occurrence of MMHg in this region and show the need for further investigation of the whole regional ecosystem, as well as the consideration of possible measures of remediation.
Background - It is known that dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids may improve cardiac function. However, relatively high daily doses are required to achieve sufficient cardiac concentrations of beneficial omega‐3 fatty acids. The liver X receptor (LXR) is a nuclear hormone receptor and a crucial regulator of lipid homeostasis in mammals. LXR activation has been shown to endogenously reprogram cellular lipid profiles toward increased polyunsaturated fatty acids levels. Here we studied whether LXR lipid reprogramming occurs in cardiac tissue and exerts cardioprotective actions.
Methods and Results - Male 129SV mice were treated with the LXR agonist AZ876 (20 µmol/kg per day) for 11 days. From day 6, the mice were injected with the nonselective β‐agonist isoproterenol for 4 consecutive days to induce diastolic dysfunction and subendocardial fibrosis while maintaining systolic function. Treatment with isoproterenol led to a marked impairment of global longitudinal strain and the E/e' ratio of transmitral flow to mitral annular velocity, which were both significantly improved by the LXR agonist. Histological examination showed a significant reduction in isoproterenol‐induced subendocardial fibrosis by AZ876. Analysis of the cardiac lipid composition by liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry revealed a significant increase in cardiac polyunsaturated fatty acids levels and a significant reduction in saturated fatty acids by AZ876.
Conclusions - The present study provides evidence that the LXR agonist AZ876 prevents subendocardial damage, improves global longitudinal strain and E/e' in a mouse model of isoproterenol‐induced cardiac damage, accompanied by an upregulation of cardiac polyunsaturated fatty acids levels. Cardiac LXR activation and beneficial endogenous cardiac lipid reprogramming may provide a new therapeutic strategy in cardiac disease with diastolic dysfunction.
The cross talk between adipose tissue and the heart has an increasing importance for cardiac function under physiological and pathological conditions. This study characterizes the role of fat body lipolysis for cardiac function in Drosophila melanogaster.
Perturbation of the function of the key lipolytic enzyme, brummer (bmm), an ortholog of themammalian ATGL (adipose triglyceride lipase) exclusively in the fly’s fat body, protected the heart against starvation-induced dysfunction.
We further provide evidence that this protection is caused by the preservation of glycerolipid stores, resulting in a starvation-resistant maintenance of energy supply and adequate cardiac ATP synthesis. Finally, we suggest that alterations of lipolysis are tightly coupled to lipogenic processes, participating in the preservation of Lipid energy substrates during starvation. Thus, we identified the inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis and subsequent energy preservation as a protective mechanism against cardiac dysfunction during catabolic stress.
The presentation provides an overview of the EMPIR project ALCOREF “Certified forensic alcohol reference materials”. Results of an EURAMET intercomparison of ethanol in water reference materials developed in the project are presented, and two different statistical models for the key comparison reference function are discussed, the Frequentist approach and a Bayesian approach.
Molekülmassenspektrometrie entwickelt sich weg von klassischer Target- hin zu Nontarget-Analytik. Elementmassenspektrometrie liefert hohe Ortsauflösung beim Element-Imaging und analysiert einzelne Zellen. Aufgrund der Fortschritte bei den Geräten für Timeof-Flight-Massenspektrometrie mit induktiv gekoppeltem Plasma (ICPToF-MS) lässt sich das gesamte Periodensystem der Elemente in kurzen transienten Signalen quasi-simultan massenspektrometrisch erfassen.
Der Bedarf nach schnellen und kostengünstigen Analysemethoden in der (Trink-)Wasseranalytik steigt mit dem zunehmenden Eintrag pharmazeutisch aktiver Substanzen in die Umwelt.
Insbesondere die Kontamination mit Antibiotika erscheint neben ökotoxikologischen Effekten vor allem in Hinblick auf die Evolution resistenter Keime im Wasser besorgniserregend.
Wir berichten hier über die Entwicklung eines magnetpartikelbasierten Immunoassays (MBBA) zur Detektion des Breitbandantibiotikums Amoxicillin (AMX) in Wasserproben, der im Vergleich zum entsprechenden Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) eine wesentlich kürzere Analysendauer sowie einen breiteren Messbereich mit niedrigerer Nachweisgrenze aufweist. Das angewendete Assayprinzip ist dabei leicht auf weitere Analyten übertragbar und ermöglicht die Implementierung in einen Immunosensor.
How to trace the "cereal" killer? Fungal secondary metabolites, aka mycotoxins, pose a severe health risk for humans and animals. Since their occurrence in food, such as cereal products, is inevitable, the detection is of considerable importance. I want to demonstrate how the trace analysis of mycotoxins in foodstuff can be performed outside the laboratory. For this purpose, sensitive, antibody-based methods are combined with electrochemical smartphone-based detection.
Die zunehmende Kontamination von (Trink)-Wasser mit pharmazeutischen Rückständen stellt ein potenzielles Gesundheitsrisiko dar und verlangt nach schnellen und zuverlässigen Analysemethoden. Hierbei können antikörper-basierte Methoden helfen, da sie schnelle und kostengünstige Vor-Ort-Messungen sowie Onlineanalysen ermöglichen.
Der Übergang von konventionellen plattenbasierten Formaten, wie ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay), zu einem Immunosensor für Online-Messungen wird durch den Einsatz magnetischer Mikropartikel als mobile Messplattform ermöglicht.
Die Partikel werden dazu entweder mit dem Antikörper oder dem Analyten gekoppelt. Diese beiden Strategien werden am Beispiel zweier relevanter Kontaminanten des Wassers gezeigt: Diclofenac (DCF) & Amoxicillin (AMX), und sind leicht auf andere Analyten übertragbar. Die magnetpartikelbasierten Assays (MBBAs) weisen niedrigere Nachweisgrenzen, breitere Messbereiche sowie kürzere Analysezeiten als die entsprechenden ELISAs auf und können in einen Immunosensor mit elektrochemischer Detektion auf einem mikrofluidischen Chip integriert werden.
Partikelbasierte Multianalyt- Fluoreszenzimmunoassays für die Unweltanalytik und Biotechnologie
(2021)
Zur Beurteilung der Wasserqualität können Markersubstanzen, wie Carbamazepin, Diclofenac, Koffein und Gallensäuren, verwendet werden. Erhöhte Konzentrationen dieser anthropogenen Marker weisen auf Einleitstellen von Abwasser hin und zeigen somit an, wo Gewässer verschmutzt werden. Diese Arbeit beschreibt deshalb die Etablierung, Optimierung und Validierung eines partikelbasierten Suspensionsarray Fluoreszenzimmunoassays (SAFIA), mit dem diese Substanzen gleichzeitig und parallel in vielen Proben quantitativ bestimmt werden können. Für SAFIA wurde das Format des kompetitiven indirekten Immunoassays gewählt. Als Plattform wurden fluoreszenzintensitätscodierte Polystyrol-Kern/Siliziumdioxid-Schale-Partikel, auf deren Oberfläche Haptene als kompetitive Bindungsstellen für Antikörper immobilisiert wurden, verwendet. Hier zeigte sich, dass eine selektive Erkennung der Haptenstruktur auf der Oberfläche der Partikel durch die Antikörper nur gegeben war, wenn die Partikel zusätzlich mit Polyethylenglykolgruppen funktionalisiert wurden. Zum Auslesen des Fluoreszenzsignals wurde ein Durchflusszytometer verwendet. Kompatibilität mit der Durchführung in Mikrotiterplatten wurde erreicht, indem eine Stopp-lösung für den SAFIA, basierend auf Formaldehyd, entwickelt wurde. Nach der Optimierung der Assayparameter können die oben genannten vier Analyten gleichzeitig in einer Probe mindestens bis zu einer Konzentration von 0.3 μg L-1 nachgewiesen werden. Der Assay kann ohne Wasch-schritte ausgeführt werden und ist somit einfacher als konventionelle Immunoassays, wie z. B. ELISA. Der SAFIA wurde hinsichtlich Interferenzen und Selektivität untersucht. Dabei zeigte sich, dass Matrixbestandteile, die in wässrigen Umweltproben vorkommen, keinen bzw. nur einen ge-ringen Einfluss auf den SAFIA hatten. Im simulierten Umweltscreening eines Flusses und mithilfe der Analyse von Abwasserproben wurde SAFIA validiert; hier zeigte SAFIA eine mit ELISA vergleich-bare Genauigkeit, bei gleichzeitiger Senkung der Analysenzeit und -kosten. Die gleichzeitige Detektion mehrerer anthropogener Marker erlaubte zudem Rückschlüsse auf die Art von Verschmutzungsquellen, im Gegensatz zu ELISA, mit dem nur ein Analyt bestimmt werden kann. Da hochaffine Antikörper für Immunoassays essenziell sind, wurde ein SAFIA zum Screening antikörperproduzierenden Zellen (Hybridomzellen) entwickelt und eingesetzt. Durch die Implementierung eines Sandwichimmunoassays zur IgG Bestimmung und durch Verwendung von homo- und heterologen Haptenstrukturen konnten aus einem Pool von Hybridomzellen diejenigen ausgewählt werden, deren sekretierter Antikörper die geringsten Nachweisgrenzen im Immunoassay erlauben. Damit konnte das Anwendungsspektrum des SAFIA maßgeblich vergrößert werden. Er vereinfacht als biotechnologisches Werkzeug stark sowohl die Produktion von monoklonalen Antikörpern als auch die Analyse von Umweltproben.
The presentation summarizes the results of the EURAMET key comparison QM-S13 “Comparison of value assigned forensic alcohol in water reference materials”. Possible options for the key comparison reference function (KCRF) are discussed: the frequentist approach and a Bayesian approach. Both methods are used to determine the degrees of equivalence of materials and participants.
The presentation summarizes the results of the EURAMET key comparison QM-S14 “Measurement capabilities for the quantification of ethanol in water”. Possible options for the key comparison reference value (KCRV) are discussed. A Bayesian approach is finally used to estimate the KCRV and the degrees of equivalence of participants.
We report on rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and vibrationally resolved resonanceenhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy of the chiral molecule 1-indanol. Spectra of the S1 ’ S0 electronic transition are recorded in a jet-cooled, pulsed molecular beam. Using two timedelayed pulsed lasers, the lifetimes of the S1 state of the two most stable conformers, referred to as eq1 and ax2, have been determined. The S1 ’ S0 origin bands of these conformers as well as the Transition to a vibrationally excited level in the S1 state of eq1 are recorded with full rotational resolution (25 MHz observed linewidth) by measuring the LIF intensity following excitation with a tuneable, narrowband cw laser. On selected rotationally resolved electronic transitions, Lamb-dips are measured to confirm the Lorentzian lifetime-contribution to the observed lineshapes. The rotationally resolved S1 ’ S0 origin band of a neon-complex of eq1 is measured via LIF as well. The fit of the rotationally resolved LIF spectra of the origin bands to those of an asymmetric rotor yields a standard deviation of about 6 MHz.
The resulting spectroscopic parameters are tabulated and compared to the outcome of ab initio calculations. For both conformers as well as for the Ne-eq1 complex, the geometric structures in the S0 and S1 states are discussed. For all systems, the transition dipole moment is mainly along the a-axis, the contributions along the b- and c-axes being about one order of magnitude smaller.
Magnetpartikelbasierte Immunoassays für die Bestimmung von Amoxicillin und Diclofenac im Trinkwasser
(2021)
Wir berichten hier über die Entwicklung von magnetpartikelbasierten Immunoassays für die Bestimmung zweier relevanter Kontaminanten des Trinkwassers: Diclofenac (DCF) und Amoxicillin (AMX). Für die beiden Analyten wurden die Assays nach unterschiedlichen Prinzipien entwickelt, die sich auch auf weitere Analyten übertragen lassen. Im Vergleich zum herkömmlichen ELISA weisen die hier entwickelten magnetpartikelbasierten Assays einen größeren Messbereich mit niedrigeren Bestimmungsgrenzen bei gleichzeitig deutlich reduzierter Analysendauer auf. Darüber hinaus können die Immunoassays in ein automatisierbares Onlinesystem zur Analyse in der Trinkwasserversorgung implementiert werden. Strategien hierfür werden erläutert.
We present the development of magnetic bead-based immunoassays for two potential contaminants of drinking water: the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and the broad-spectrum antibiotic amoxicillin. For these analytes, different assay formats were developed which can generally be transferred to other analytes. The use of magnetic beads not only enables implementation of the assays into an online system since the beads can be reversibly immobilized by applying a magnetic field. Furthermore, our MBBAs hold several advantages over the conventional ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) for both analytes, such as lower limits of quantification, shorter assay duration and less washing steps required.
Strategies for the setup and miniaturization of an online immunosensor including electrochemical readout on a microfluidic chip will be discussed.
Immunomagnetic ochratoxin a assay with electrochemical 3,3′,5,5′ tetramethylbenzidine detection
(2021)
The demand for miniaturized analytical devices monitoring important parameters in the food and medical industry has increased strongly in the past decades. With fast progress, smart technologies are finding their way into our everyday life. For the future, it is, therefore, a major goal to also link analytical methods with smart technologies to create user-friendly on-site devices. In food industry the monitoring of harmful substances such as dioxins, heavy metals or mycotoxins plays a key role, since the European Commission prescribes legal limits for various food products and beverages[1]. Therefore, companies often have their own laboratories and trained personnel. For one of the most abundant and toxic mycotoxins, Ochratoxin A (OTA) we want to present an electrochemical detection system in which the read-out can be performed with a smartphone connected via Bluetooth to a miniaturized potentiostat. The recognition of OTA is performed with specific antibodies in a competitive assay format. Anti-OTA-antibodies were captured on magnetic beads on which the competitive binding between OTA and an OTA horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer was performed. To quantify OTA, the enzymatic reaction of the tracer with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2 is employed. Oxidized TMB, which is enzymatically produced by the reduction of H2O2, is quantified by amperometry with screen-printed electrodes in a custom-made flow system. The results of the electrochemical detection method are in good correlation with the photometric detection of TMB. To demonstrate the applicability, we tested our system with OTA-spiked beer and performed the measurement via smartphone.
Warfarin ist seit den 1950er Jahren einer der bekanntesten Gerinnungshemmer. Beim Menschen wird es bis heute zur Vorbeugung von Thrombose und der Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern und Arrhythmie eingesetzt. Doch schon einige Jahre vor der FDA Zulassung (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) als Medikament wurde es zur Bekämpfung von Nagetieren eingesetzt. Bis heute wurde es nur teilweise durch weitaus wirksamere antikoagulante Rodentizide (ARs) der zweiten Generation, sogenannte Superwarfarine, ersetzt.
In der Fachliteratur finden sich zahlreiche Beispiele für sekundäre und tertiäre Vergiftung mit ARs bei Wildtieren und anderen Nichtzieltieren. Bisher ist relativ wenig über die Bioakkumulation, Persistenz und Toxizität von ARs und deren Transformationsprodukten (TPs) in der terrestrischen und aquatischen Umwelt, sowie der Nahrungskette bekannt.
Um Einblicke in mögliche Transformations- und Abbauprozesse von Warfarin unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen zu erhalten und um diese Einflüsse zu simulieren, wurde hierzu eine elektrochemische Reaktorzelle in Kopplung mit einem Massenspektrometer verwendet. So können mögliche Phase-I-Metabolite und sogenannte „oxidation products“ vorausgesagt werden. Hinsichtlich des Verhaltens während der Wasseraufbereitung in Kläranlagen wurden technisch relevante Prozesse wie Chlorung, UV-Bestrahlung und Ozonung in Modellen simuliert, um hier potenzielle Abbauwege und -prozesse aufzuklären. Gebildete Transformationsprodukte wurden daher mittels unterschiedlicher chromatografischer Verfahren getrennt und massenspektrometrisch identifiziert, charakterisiert und verglichen.
The demand for quick and reliable online sensors is rising not only in the field of environmental analysis with new and diversifying sources of pollution. A major aspect of this is the contamination of (drinking) water with pharmaceuticals representing a potential health threat and requiring timely countermeasures in case of contamination.
In this regard, antibody-based methods can be helpful as they enable fast and cost-effective on-site and potentially online analyses. The transition from the conventional plate-based formats like ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) to an immunosensor fit for online sensing can be achieved by using magnetic microparticles as a mobile sensing platform.
Beads are prepared by either coupling the antibody or the analyte to the surface. Both these strategies are presented using the example of two relevant contaminants in water: diclofenac (DCF) & amoxicillin (AMX), and can be transferred to other analytes.
The developed magnetic bead-based assays (MBBAs) exhibit lower LODs, enhanced sensitivity as well as shorter time of analysis than the respective ELISAs and can be integrated into an immunosensor with electrochemical detection on a microfluidic chip.
Contamination of waters with pharmaceuticals is an alarming problem as it may support the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, fast and cost-effective analytical methods for potential on-site analysis are desired in order to control the water quality and assure the safety of its use as a source of drinking water. Antibody-based methods, such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can be helpful in this regard but can also have certain pitfalls in store, depending on the analyte. As shown here for the class of β-lactam antibiotics, hydrolysis of the β-lactam ring is a key factor in the immunochemical analysis as it influences antibody recognition. With the antibody used in this study, the limit of detection (LOD) in the immunoassay could be significantly reduced by hydrolysis for the five tested penicillins, with the lowest LOD for carbenicillin (0.2 nmol/L) and the greatest impact on penicillins G and V (reduction by 85%). In addition to enhanced quantification, our strategy also provides access to information about the degree of hydrolysis in water samples as shown for the most abundant penicillin amoxicillin.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders worldwide. About 0.3 % of the global population and approximately 2 % of people older than 80 years are affected by PD. Monoamine oxidase B (Mao B) is an enzyme, which is a drug target in Parkinson’s disease (PD), since it is involved in dopamine metabolism. Several Mao B inhibitors are well established as medication for PD patients. However, the medical treatment is only little personalized since the monitoring of the patients Mao B activity is complex and requires sophisticated laboratory equipment. Here a sensorial Mao B activity determination system has been developed which has potential in the personalization of the medical PD treatment. The enzyme activity is quantified by amperometric detection of enzymatically produced H2O2. Therefore, the enzyme is enriched from the solution via cellulose particles which are functionalized with antibodies against human Mao B. The successful capturing of the enzyme can be verified by SDS-PAGE. For activity determination the enzyme is brought in contact with a suitable substrate - here benzylamine. Selectivity of the amperometric hydrogen peroxide detection in the presence of co-reactants has been verified. Within the time span of 30 min, a linear dependency of enzymatically produced H2O2 with the substrate incubation time can be observed. This allows the evaluation of the Mao B activity. The results have been correlated to an optical detection method. Furthermore, the method has been tested for different amounts of enzyme used in the experiments and found to be sensitive enough for Mao B analysis in blood samples.
The demand for miniaturized analytical devices monitoring important parameters in the food and medical industry has increased strongly in the past decades. With fast progress, smart technologies are finding their way into our everyday life. For the future, it is, therefore, a major goal to also link analytical methods with smart technologies to create user-friendly on-site devices. In food industry the monitoring of harmful substances such as dioxins, heavy metals or mycotoxins plays a key role, since the European Commission prescribes legal limits for various food products and beverages[1]. Therefore, companies often have their own laboratories and trained personnel. For one of the most abundant and toxic mycotoxins, Ochratoxin A (OTA) we want to present an electrochemical detection system in which the read-out can be performed with a smartphone connected via Bluetooth to a miniaturized potentiostat. The recognition of OTA is performed with specific antibodies in a competitive assay format. Anti-OTA-antibodies were captured on magnetic beads on which the competitive binding between OTA and an OTA horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer was performed. To quantify OTA, the enzymatic reaction of the tracer with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2 is employed. Oxidized TMB, which is enzymatically produced by the reduction of H2O2, is quantified by amperometry with screen-printed electrodes in a custom-made flow system. Since it is well-known that oxidized TMB can precipitate on electrode surfaces[2], we have studied pitfalls of the electrochemical detection of TMB. By cyclic voltammetry we have compared the stability of the electrochemistry of TMB at different electrode materials (gold and carbon) and pH values (pH 1 and pH 4). It was found that a stable response of the electrode could be achieved at pH 1 on gold electrodes. Thus, we applied these reaction conditions for amperometric detection of TMB in the OTA assay. The results of the electrochemical detection method are in good correlation with the photometric detection of TMB. To demonstrate the applicability, we tested our system with OTA-spiked beer and performed the measurement via smartphone.
Metformin is widely used as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, but central effects of metformin have received little attention. When metformin (200 mg/kg i.p.) was administered to C57Bl6 mice, metformin concentration in cerebrospinal fluid peaked at 29 μM after 30 min but dropped quickly and was low at 90 min. In mouse hypothalamus sampled by microdialysis, systemically administered metformin caused minor and transient increases of acetylcholine, glucose and lactate while choline levels decreased. When metformin (0.2−10 mM) was locally infused via retrodialysis, there was a short-lasting increase of acetylcholine in the hypothalamus. Extracellular lactate levels in hypothalamus showed a massive increase upon metformin infusion while glucose levels decreased. In isolated mitochondria of mouse brain, metformin inhibited oxygen consumption and the activity of complex I. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration likely explains lactate formation in the brain during metformin infusion which may cause lactic acidosis during metformin intoxication. The changes of cholinergic activity in the hypothalamus may be associated with appetite suppression observed during metformin treatment.
The demand for miniaturized analytical devices monitoring important parameters in the food and medical industry has increased strongly in the past decades. With fast progress, smart technologies are finding their way into our everyday life. For the future, it is, therefore, a major goal to also link analytical methods with smart technologies to create user-friendly on-site devices. In food industry the monitoring of harmful substances such as dioxins, heavy metals or mycotoxins plays a key role, since the European Commission prescribes legal limits for various food products and beverages. Therefore, companies often have their own laboratories and trained personnel. For one of the most abundant and toxic mycotoxins, Ochratoxin A (OTA) we want to present an electrochemical detection system in which the read-out can be performed with a smartphone connected via Bluetooth to a miniaturized potentiostat. The recognition of OTA is performed with specific antibodies in a competitive assay format. Anti-OTA-antibodies were captured on magnetic beads on which the competitive binding between OTA and an OTA horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer was performed. To quantify OTA, the enzymatic reaction of the tracer with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2 is employed. Oxidized TMB, which is enzymatically produced by the reduction of H2O2, is quantified by amperometry with screen-printed electrodes in a custom-made flow system. Since it is well-known that oxidized TMB can precipitate on electrode surfaces, we have studied pitfalls of the electrochemical detection of TMB. By cyclic voltammetry we have compared the stability of the electrochemistry of TMB at different electrode materials (gold and carbon) and pH values (pH 1 and pH 4). It was found that a stable response of the electrode could be achieved at pH 1 on gold electrodes. Thus, we applied these reaction conditions for amperometric detection of TMB in the OTA assay. The results of the electrochemical detection method are in good correlation with the photometric detection of TMB. To demonstrate the applicability, we tested our system with OTA-spiked beer and performed the measurement via smartphone.
The negative effects induced in marine organisms by Climate Change related abiotic factors consequences, namely ocean warming, are well-known. However, few works studied the combined impacts of ocean warming and contaminants, as pharmaceutical drugs. Carbamazepine (CBZ) and cetirizine (CTZ) occur in the marine environment, showing negative effects in marine organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of Ocean warming on the effects of CBZ and CTZ, when acting individually and combined (drug vs drug), in the edible clam Ruditapes philippinarum. For that, drugs concentration, bioconcentration factors and biochemical parameters, related with clam’s metabolic capacity and oxidative stress, were evaluated after 28 days exposure to environmentally relevant scenarios of these stressors. The results showed limited impacts of the drugs (single and combined) at control and warming condition. Indeed, it appeared that warming improved the oxidative status of contaminated clams (higher reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio, lower lipid peroxidation and Protein carbonylation levels), especially when both drugs were combined. This may result from clam’s defence mechanisms activation and reduced metabolic capacity that, respectively, increased elimination and limited production of reactive oxygen species. At low stress levels, defence mechanisms were not activated which resulted into oxidative stress. The present findings highlighted that under higher stress levels clams may be able to activate defence strategies that were sufficient to avoid cellular damages and loss of redox homeostasis.
Nevertheless, low concentrations were tested in the present study and the observed responses may greatly Change under increased pollution levels or temperatures. Further research on this topic is needed since marine heat waves are increasing in frequency and intensity and pollution levels of some pharmaceuticals are also increasing in coastal systems.