• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2012

The objective of the study was to estimate the measurement uncertainty associated with determination of creatinine (Cr) in urine samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Centrifuged urine samples (10 ${\mu}L$) were diluted with 390 ${\mu}L$ of distilled water. To 20 ${\mu}L$ aliquots of diluted urine samples, 30 ${\mu}L$ of internal standard solution (Cr-$d_3$, 5 ${\mu}g/mL$) and 10 ${\mu}L$ of acetonitrile were added and filtered. The samples (1 ${\mu}L$) were introduced into LC-MS/MS with no further pretreatment. Cr was separated on a multi-mode ODS column (Scherzo SM-C18, 75 ${\times}$ 2.0 mm I.D., 3 ${\mu}m$) and quantified by LC-MS/MS operating in MRM mode (Cr, m/z 114.0${\rightarrow}$ 86.0; Cr-$d_3$, m/z 117.0${\rightarrow}$ 89.1). The four factors that contribute uncertainty to the final result were extracted and evaluated. The principal factors of contribution to combined standard uncertainty were sample dilution, calibration curve and repeatability, while the preparation of standard solution was only a minor factor. Relative extended uncertainty of the measured concentration was 14.2% in a real urine sample.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2018

A quantitation method for free amino acids in human serum was developed using a stepwise-dilution method and a bimodal cation exchange (CEX)/hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-tandem mass spectrometry system equipped with an electrospray ionization source (ESI/MS/MS). This method, which was validated using quality control samples, was optimized for enhanced selectivity and sensitivity. Dithiothreitol (DTT) was used as a reducing agent to prevent the oxidation of a serum sample ($50{\mu}L$), which was then subjected to stepwise dilution using 3, 30, and 90 volumes of acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Imtakt Intrada Amino Acid column ($50mm{\times}3mm$, $3{\mu}m$) in mixed mode packed with CEX and HILIC ligands embedded in the stationary phase. Underivatized free amino acids were eluted and separated within 10 min. As a result of the validation, the precision and accuracy for the inter- and intraday assays were determined as 2.11-11.51% and 92.82-109.40%, respectively. The lowest limit of quantification (LLOQ) was $0.5-4.0{\mu}g/mL$ and the matrix effect was 80.22-115.93%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of free amino acids in human serum.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.461-467
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• 2019

Several studies investigating the prevention and treatment of external parasites in farmed olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus have found that the anticoccidial agent toltrazuril sulfone is an effective antiparasitic. Prior to undertaking a full-scale study, we developed analytical methods to detect the levels of toltrazuril and toltrazuril sulfone in farmed flounder samples using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This analysis showed that LC-MS/MS changed the mobile phase and collision energy of toltrazuril and toltrazuril sulfone. This was validated using established conditions. Sample pre-treatment for this process involved extraction with dichloromethane and purification by liquid-liquid extraction in formic acid, acetonitrile, and h-hexane, followed by determination of all compounds by LC-MS/MS. Separation was achieved within 10 min by gradient elution using a Capcell Pak C18 ($3.0{\mu}m$, $100{\times}2.0mm$) analytical column (Shiseido UG 120V) with a mixture of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and acetonitrile. Multiple reaction monitoring was used for selective detection of toltrazuril and toltrazuril sulfone. This method yields satisfactory results for linearity, precision, and limits of quantification. Therefore, the method established in our study will serve as a basis for further research on parasite control by toltrazuril and toltrazuril sulfone.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.193-201
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• 2021

We have demonstrated a sensitive analytical method of measuring oleracone D in mouse plasma using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oleracone D and oleracone F (internal standard) in mouse plasma samples were processed using a liquid-liquid extraction method with methyl tertbutyl ether, resulting in high and reproducible extraction recovery (80.19-82.49 %). No interfering peaks around the peak elution time of oleracone D and oleracone F were observed. The standard calibration curves for oleracone D ranged from 0.5 to 100 ng/mL and were linear with r² of 0.992. The inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision and the stability fell within the acceptance criteria. The pharmacokinetics of oleracone D following intravenous and oral administration of oleracone D at doses of 5 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg, respectively, were investigated. When oleracone D was intravenously injected, it had first-order elimination kinetics with high clearance and volume of distribution values. The absolute oral bioavailability of this compound was calculated as 0.95 %, with multi-exponential kinetics. The low aqueous solubility and a high oral dose of oleracone D may explain the different elimination kinetics of oleracone D between intravenous and oral administration. Collectively, this newly developed sensitive LC-MS/MS method of oleracone D could be successfully utilized for investigating the pharmacokinetic properties of this compound and could be used in future studies for the lead optimization and biopharmaceutic investigation of oleracone D.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.66-75
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• 2021

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 are cytokines secreted by immune cells. Cytokines induce the proliferation of macrophages or promote the differentiation of secretory cells. The initiation and progression of allergic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, are dependent on cytokines acting through related receptor complexes. IL-4 and IL-13 are N-glycoproteins. Glycan structures in glycoproteins play important roles in protein folding, protein stability, enzymatic function, inflammation, and cancer development. Therefore, the glycan structure of IL-4 and IL-13 needs to be elucidated in detail for the development of effective therapies. We report the first attempt to characterize the site-specific N-glycosylation of recombinant IL-4 and IL-13 via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The tandem mass spectra of intact N-glycopeptides were identified using the Integrated GlycoProteome Analyzer (I-GPA) platform, which can automatically and rapidly analyze multiple N-glycopeptides, including their glycan composition and amino acid sequences. The recombinant IL-4 and IL-13 were identified with amino acid sequence coverages of 84% and 96%, respectively. For IL-4, 52 glycoforms on one N-glycosylation site were identified and quantified. In IL-13, 232 N-glycopeptides from three N-glycosylation sites were characterized, with the site Asn52 being the most extensively glycosylated (~80%). The complex glycans were the most abundant glycan on IL-4 and IL-13 (~96% and 91%, respectively), and the biantennary glycans were the most abundant in both recombinant IL-4 and IL-13 proteins.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.209-213
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• 2020

This study examined the residue of dl-methylephedrine hydrochloride (MEP) on the muscle of pigs administered orally with MEP 12 g/ton feed for seven consecutive days. Twenty healthy cross swine were administered MEP. Four treated animals were selected arbitrarily to be sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days after treatment. MEP residue concentrations in the muscle were determined by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The drug was extracted from muscle samples using 10 mM ammonium formate in acetonitrile followed by clean-up with n-hexane. The analyte was separated on an XBridgeTM hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column using 10 mM ammonium formate in deionized distilled water and acetonitrile. The correlation coefficient (R2) of the calibration curve was 0.9974, and the limits of detection and quantification were 0.05 and 0.15 ㎍/kg, respectively. The recoveries at three spiking levels were 94.5-101.2%, and the relative Standard Deviations was less than 4.06%. In the MEP-treated group, MEP residues on one day post-treatment were below the maximum residue limit in the muscle. The developed method is sensitive and reliable for the detection of MEP in porcine muscle tissues. Furthermore, it exhibits low quantification limits for animal-derived food products destined for human consumption.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.506-511
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• 2010

The levels of salivary cortisol and cortisone in Korean adults were measured for the first time using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The salivary cortisol and cortisone were separated within 10 min. The regression coefficients (r) of the calibration curves were greater than 0.999 for the two steroids. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) were 0.2 ng/ml for cortisol and 1 ng/ml for cortisone. The intra-day precisions of the assay were <3.9% and 8.6% for cortisol and cortisone respectively, and the inter-day precisions were <1.9% and 4.3% for cortisol and cortisone, respectively. The salivary cortisone concentrations were approximately 4-9 times higher than those of salivary cortisol during the daytime. Diurnal rhythms, during which the cortisol and cortisone concentrations were higher in the morning than in the afternoon, were also observed. The present assay may be useful for the diagnosis of several adrenal dysfunctions in clinical biochemistry.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.65-74
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• 2006

Modem drug discovery requires rapid pharmacokinetic evaluation of chemically diverse compounds for early candidate selection. This demands the development of analytical methods that offer high-throughput of samples. Naturally, liquid chromatography / tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is choice of the analytical method because of its superior sensitivity and selectivity. As a result of the short analysis time(typically 3-5min) by LC-MS/MS, sample preparation has become the rate- determining step in the whole analytical cycle. Consequently tremendous efforts are being made to speed up and automate this step. In a typical automated 96-well SPE(solid-phase extraction) procedure, plasma samples are transferred to the 96-well SPE plate, internal standard and aqueous buffer solutions are added and then vacuum is applied using the robotic liquid handling system. It takes only 20-90 min to process 96 samples by automated SPE and the analyst is physically occupied for only approximately 10 min. Recently, the ultra-high flow rate liquid chromatography (turbulent-flow chromatography)has sparked a huge interest for rapid and direct quantitation of drugs in plasma. There is no sample preparation except for sample aliquotting, internal standard addition and centrifugation. This type of analysis is achieved by using a small diameter column with a large particle size(30-5O ${\mu}$m) and a high flow rate, typically between 3-5 ml/min. Silica-based monolithic HPLC columns contain a novel chromatographic support in which the traditional particulate packing has been replaced with a single, continuous network (monolith) of pcrous silica. The main advantage of such a network is decreased backpressure due to macropores (2 ${\mu}$m) throughout the network. This allows high flow rates, and hence fast analyses that are unattainable with traditional particulate columns. The reduction of particle diameter in HPLC results in increased column efficiency. use of small particles (<2 urn), however, requires p.essu.es beyond the traditional 6,000 psi of conventional pumping devices. Instrumental development in recent years has resulted in pumping devices capable of handling the requirements of columns packed with small particles. The staggered parallel HPLC system consists of four fully independent binary HPLC pumps, a modified auto sampler, and a series of switching and selector valves all controlled by a single computer program. The system improves sample throughput without sacrificing chromatographic separation or data quality. Sample throughput can be increased nearly four-fold without requiring significant changes in current analytical procedures. The process of Bioanalytical Method Validation is required by the FDA to assess and verify the performance of a chronlatographic method prior to its application in sample analysis. The validation should address the selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and stability of the method. This presentation will provide all overview of the work required to accomplish a full validation and show how a chromatographic method is suitable for toxirokinetic sample analysis. A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method developed to quantitate drug levels in dog plasma will be used as an example of tile process.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.182-190
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• 2014

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS) method was established for quantitative analysis of twelve components, allantoin (1), morroniside (2), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) (3), loganin (4), coumarin (5), cinnamic acid (6), mesaconitine (7), cinnamaldehyde (8), hypaconitine (9), aconitine (10), alisol B (11), and alisol B acetate (12) in a Palmijihwang-hwan decoction. The twelve constituents were separated on a UPLC BEH C18 column ($2.1{\times}100mm$, $1.7{\mu}m$) at a column temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ by gradient elution with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min and the injection volume was $2.0{\mu}L$. Calibration curves of all compounds were acquired with values of the correlation coefficient ${\geq}0.99$ within the test ranges. The limits of detection and quantification for all analytes were 0.01 - 4.53 ng/mL and 0.03 - 13.60 ng/mL, respectively. The concentrations of the compounds 1 - 9 and 12 were 72.83, 4389.00, 4859.00, 3155.17, 223.67, 33.50, 1.97, 518.00, 2.25, and $25.00{\mu}g/g$, respectively. However, compounds 10 and 11 were not detected.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.3233-3240
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• 2012

We demonstrated the combined applications of online protein digestion using trypsin immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) and dual tandem mass spectrometry with collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) for tryptic peptides eluted through the trypsin-IMER. For the trypsin-IMER, the organic and inorganic hybrid monolithic material was used. By employing the trypsin-IMER, the long digestion time could be saved with little or no sacrifice of the digestion efficiency, which was demonstrated for standard protein samples. For three model proteins (cytochrome c, carbonic anhydrase, and bovine serum albumin), the tryptic peptides digested by the IMER were analyzed using LC-MS/MS with the dual application of CAD and ETD. As previously shown by others, the dual application of CAD and ETD increased the sequence coverage in comparison with CAD application only. In particular, ETD was very useful for the analysis of highly-protontated peptide cations, e.g., ${\geq}3+$. The combination approach provided the advantages of both trypsin-IMER and CAD/ETD dual tandem mass spectrometry applications, which are rapid digestion (i.e., 10 min), good digestion efficiency, online coupling of trypsin-IMER and liquid chromatography, and high sequence coverage.