Partnering with immigrant families to promote language justice and equity in education.

Despite US federal legislation mandates institutions to provide meaningful access and participation to students and families in educational settings, culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families and caregivers of children in special education experience cultural and linguistic barriers. A Community Advisory Team (CAT) of parents, advocates, community interpreters and translators, researchers, and teachers explored CLD families' experiences and advocacy efforts. Critical bifocality and circuits of dispossession, privilege, and resistance informed the documentation of inequities and resistance to understand the linkages of structural arrangements of power. Focus groups with families (n = 21) speakers of Spanish, Portuguese, and Cantonese were conducted. Findings indicate perceived discrimination, poor and inadequate interpretation and translation services impact children's access to special education services, hinder family's communication with schools and reduce the perceptions of schools as trustworthy institutions. Families advocate relentlessly for their children and recommend schools listen to families and hire culturally and linguistically competent interpreters and translators. Community psychologists can make significant contributions to promote language justice in education settings through participatory approaches to inquiry that value CLD families' knowledge and expertise.

Internal standard application strategies in mass spectrometry imaging by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: We developed a model case study to evaluate three internal standard (IS) application strategies (methods I-III) using the psycholeptic phenobarbital (PB) and the isotopically labelled IS phenobarbital-D5 (PB-D5) from in vitro dosed tissues of the golden apple snail (Pomacea diffusa) by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). METHODS: In method I, the IS was deposited as microspots on top of 10 µm thick snail tissues; in method II, a thin IS film was applied; and in method III, the IS was spiked into the DESI solvent spray. DESI-MSI analyses were performed using a Thermo LTQ mass spectrometer equipped with a custom-built DESI source and two-dimensional moving stage. PB (m/z 231) and PB-D5 (m/z 236) were monitored in selected ion monitoring mode between m/z 227 and 239. RESULTS: The analytical performance of two IS strategies (methods I and II) in DESI-MSI was evaluated based on an intra- and inter-day precision assay, an accuracy assessment, and statistical analysis. In the inter-day DESI-MSI assay, method I exhibited better precision (6.5%-7.4%) than method II (10.7%-17.6%) between 10 and 100 ng/µL. In the accuracy assessment, PB quality controls of 75 ng/µL were back-calculated as 71 ± 4 and 83 ± 9 ng/µL, resulting in relative errors of -5% and 11% for methods I and II, respectively. Method III did not work under the experimental design and was not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Three IS application strategies were investigated and compared for a routine quantitative DESI-MSI approach. Methods I and II were not statistically significantly different as shown by a Bland-Altman plot, suggesting that these two methods can be used interchangeably. However, method III requires further research for future quantitative DESI-MSI analyses.

Rapid structural characterisation of benzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids from Ocotea spixiana acaricide extract by HPTLC-DESI-MSn.

INTRODUCTION: Lauraceae alkaloids are a structurally diverse class of plant specialised secondary metabolites that play an important role in modern pharmacotherapy, being useful as well as model compounds for the development of synthetic analogues. However, alkaloids characterisation is challenging due to low concentrations, the complexity of plant extracts, and long processes for accurate structural determinations. OBJECTIVE: The use of high-performance thin layer chromatography coupled with desorption electrospray ionisation multistage mass spectrometry (HPTLC DESI-MSn ) as a fast tool to identify alkaloids present in Ocotea spixiana extract and evaluate the extract's acaricide activity. METHODS: Ocotea spixiana twigs were extracted by conventional liquid-liquid partitioning. HPTLC analysis of the ethyl acetate extract was performed to separate isobaric alkaloids prior to DESI-MSn analysis, performed from MS3 up to MS7 . The extract's acaricide activity against Rhipicephalus microplus was evaluated by in vitro (larval immersion test) and in silico tests. RESULTS: HPTLC-DESI-MSn analysis was performed to identify a total of 13 aporphine and four benzylisoquinoline-type alkaloids reported for the first time in O. spixiana. In vitro evaluation of the extract and the alkaloid boldine showed significant activity against R. microplus larvae. It was established in silico that boldine had important intermolecular interactions with R. microplus acetylcholinesterase enzyme. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that HPTLC-DESI-MSn is a useful analytical tool to identify isoquinoline alkaloids in plant extracts. The acaricide activity of the O. spixiana ethyl acetate extract can be correlated to the presence of alkaloids.

Review and perspectives on the applications of mass spectrometry imaging under ambient conditions.

Ambient mass spectrometry (AMS)-based techniques are performed under ambient conditions in which the ionization and desorption occur in the open environment allowing the direct analysis of molecules with minimal or no sample preparation. A selected group of AMS techniques demonstrate imaging capabilities that can provide information about the localization of molecules on complex sample surfaces such as biological tissues. 2D, 3D, and multimodal imaging have unlocked an array of applications to systematically address complex problems in many areas of research such as drug monitoring, natural products, forensics, and cancer diagnostics. In the present review, we summarize recent advances in the field with respect to the implementation of new ambient ionization techniques and current applications in the last 5 years. In more detail, we mainly focus on imaging applications in topics related to animal whole bodies and tissues, single cells, cancer diagnostics and biomarkers, microbial cultures and co-cultures, plant and natural product metabolomics, and forensic applications. Finally, we discuss new areas of research, future perspectives, and the overall direction that the field may take in the years to come.

Rapid determination of the tumour stroma ratio in squamous cell carcinomas with desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS): a proof-of-concept demonstration.

Squamous cell carcinomas constitute a major class of head & neck cancers, where the tumour stroma ratio (TSR) carries prognostic information. Patients affected by stroma-rich tumours exhibit a poor prognosis and a higher chance of relapse. As such, there is a need for a technology platform that allows rapid determination of the tumour stroma ratio. In this work, we provide a proof-of-principle demonstration that Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS) can be used to determine tumour stroma ratios. Slices from three independent mouse xenograft tumours from the human FaDu cell line were subjected to DESI-MS imaging, staining and detailed analysis using digital pathology methods. Using multivariate statistical methods we compared the MS profiles with those of isolated stromal cells. We found that m/z 773.53 [PG(18:1)(18:1) - H]-, m/z 835.53 [PI(34:1) - H]- and m/z 863.56 [PI(18:1)(18:0) - H]- are biomarker ions that can distinguish FaDu cancer from cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) cells. A comparison with DESI-MS analysis of controlled mixtures of the CAF and FaDu cells showed that the abundance of the biomarker ions above can be used to determine, with an error margin of close to 5% compared with quantitative pathology estimates, TSR values. This proof-of-principle demonstration is encouraging and must be further validated using human samples and a larger sample base. At maturity, DESI-MS thus may become a stand-alone molecular pathology tool providing an alternative rapid cancer assessment without the need for time-consuming staining and microscopy methods, potentially further conserving human resources.

Correction: Rapid determination of the tumour stroma ratio in squamous cell carcinomas with desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS): a proof-of-concept demonstration.

Correction for 'Rapid determination of the tumour stroma ratio in squamous cell carcinomas with desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS): a proof-of-concept demonstration' by Michael Woolman et al., Analyst, 2017, 142, 3250-3260.

Reactive DESI-MS imaging of biological tissues with dicationic ion-pairing compounds.

This work illustrates reactive desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) with a stable dication on biological tissues. Rat brain and zebra fish tissues were investigated with reactive DESI-MS in which the dictation forms a stable bond with biological tissue fatty acids and lipids. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to characterize the dication (DC9) and to identify linked lipid-dication compounds formed. The fragment m/z 85 common to both DC9 fragmentation and DC9-lipid fragmentation was used to confirm that DC9 is indeed bonded with the lipids. Lipid signals in the range of m/z 250-350 and phosphoethanolamines (PE) m/z 700-800 observed in negative ion mode were also detected in positive ion mode with reactive DESI-MS with enhanced signal intensity. Reactive DESI-MS imaging in positive ion mode of rat brain and zebra fish tissues allowed enhanced detection of compounds commonly observed in the negative ion mode.

Chemical profiling and separation of bioactive secondary metabolites in Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) by normal and reverse phase thin layer chromatography coupled to desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

Maca is a Peruvian tuberous root of the Brassicaceae family grown in the central Andes between altitudes of 4000 and 4500 m. The medicinal plant is a nutraceutical with important biological activities and health effects. In this study, we report a rapid high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)-(-)desorption electrospray ionization (DESI)-mass spectrometry (MS) method to profile and separate intact glucosinolates without prior biochemical modifications from the hydromethanolic extracts of two phenotypes, red and black Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) seeds. In the first stage of the plant's life cycle, aromatic glucosinolates were the main chemical constituents whereby six aromatic, three indole, and one aliphatic glucosinolate were tentatively identified. At the seedling stage, glucolepigramin/Glucosinalbin was the most predominant precursor, rather than Glucotropaeolin, which is mainly found in hypocotyls and roots. These findings lead us to suggest that glucolepigramin/glucosinalbin play a major role as active precursors in the biosynthetic pathways of other secondary metabolites in the early stages of plant development. Between red and black Maca seeds, only minor differences in the relative abundances of glucosinolates were observed rather than different plant metabolites. For the first time, we report six potential plant antibiotics, phytoanticipins: glycosylated ascorbigens and dihydroascorbigens from Maca seeds. We also investigated a targeted reverse phase C18 functionalized TLC-DESI-MS method with high sensitivity and specificity for Brassicaceae fatty acids in Maca seeds and health supplements such as black Maca root lyophilized powder and tinctures. The investigation of secondary metabolites by normal and reverse phase TLC-DESI-MS methods, described in this study, can aid in their identification as they begin to emerge in later stages of development in plant tissues such as leaves, hypocotyls, and roots.

Identification of Sassafras albidum alkaloids by high-performance thin-layer chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and mapping by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging.

Sassafras albidum is an important tree species that occurs across North America. The presence of benzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids has been previously described; however, the spatial distribution of these compounds within S. albidum and other plants of Lauraceae family is still unclear. Mass spectrometry imaging has become an important tool in analysis of plants metabolites, uncovering important contributions about the functional role, biosynthetic pathway, and accumulation of these compounds in the plant. This work aimed to identify further alkaloids present in S. albidum roots, twigs, and leaves by high-performance thin-layer chromatography coupled to desorption electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (HPTLC DESI-MSn ) and to map the spatial distribution of these compounds by DESI-MS imaging. A total of 12 alkaloids were indentified in the roots and twigs, and six of them were detected for the first time in S. albidum. A high number of alkaloids was found in S. albidum roots; however, alkaloids were not detected in the leaves. Cross sections of roots and twigs were blotted onto TLC plates assisted by heating and solvent extraction, and these imprints were analyzed by DESI-MS imaging. The profile of alkaloid spatial distribution in DESI-MS images showed different accumulation patterns across and within different plant parts. Most alkaloids displayed higher intensities in the outer-most layer of the roots and twigs. The detailed spatial localization pattern of these alkaloids analyzed by DESI-MS imaging in different plant parts could contribute to a better understanding of the profile of distribution, accumulation, and biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids.

Monitoring Toxic Ionic Liquids in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) with Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (DESI-MSI).

Ambient mass spectrometry imaging has become an increasingly powerful technique for the direct analysis of biological tissues in the open environment with minimal sample preparation and fast analysis times. In this study, we introduce desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) as a novel, rapid, and sensitive approach to localize the accumulation of a mildly toxic ionic liquid (IL), AMMOENG 130 in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The work demonstrates that DESI-MSI has the potential to rapidly monitor the accumulation of IL pollutants in aquatic organisms. AMMOENG 130 is a quaternary ammonium-based IL reported to be broadly used as a surfactant in commercialized detergents. It is known to exhibit acute toxicity to zebrafish causing extensive damage to gill secondary lamellae and increasing membrane permeability. Zebrafish were exposed to the IL in a static 96-h exposure study in concentrations near the LC50 of 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/L. DESI-MS analysis of zebrafish gills demonstrated the appearance of a dealkylated AMMOENG 130 metabolite in the lowest concentration of exposure identified by a high resolution hybrid LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer as the trimethylstearylammonium ion, [C21H46N]+. With DESI-MSI, the accumulation of AMMOENG 130 and its dealkylated metabolite in zebrafish tissue was found in the nervous and respiratory systems. AMMOENG 130 and the metabolite were capable of penetrating the blood brain barrier of the fish with significant accumulation in the brain. Hence, we report for the first time the simultaneous characterization, distribution, and metabolism of a toxic IL in whole body zebrafish analyzed by DESI-MSI. This ambient mass spectrometry imaging technique shows great promise for the direct analysis of biological tissues to qualitatively monitor foreign, toxic, and persistent compounds in aquatic organisms from the environment. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Analysis of metabolic changes in plant pathosystems by imprint imaging DESI-MS.

The response of plants to microbial pathogens is based on the production of secondary metabolites. The complexity of plant-pathogen interactions makes their understanding a challenging task for metabolomic studies requiring powerful analytical approaches. In this paper, the ability of ambient mass spectrometry to provide a snapshot of plant metabolic response to pathogen invasion was tested. The fluctuations of glycoalkaloids present in sprouted potatoes infected by the phytopathogen Pythium ultimum were monitored by imprint imaging desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS). After 8 d from the inoculation, a decrease of the relative abundance of potato glycoalkaloids α-solanine (m/z 706) and α-chaconine (m/z 722) was observed, whereas the relative intensity of solanidine (m/z 398), solasodenone (m/z 412), solanaviol (m/z 430), solasodiene (m/z 396), solaspiralidine (m/z 428), γ-solanine/γ-chaconine (m/z 560) , ß-solanine (m/z 706), and ß-chaconine (m/z 722) increased. The progression of the disease, expressed by the development of brown necrotic lesions on the potato, led to the further decrease of all the glycoalkaloid metabolites. Therefore, the applicability of imprint imaging DESI-MS in studying the plant metabolic changes in a simple pathosystem was demonstrated with minimal sample preparation.

Blotting assisted by heating and solvent extraction for DESI-MS imaging.

Imprints of potato sprout (Solanum tuberosum L.), gingko leaves (Gingko biloba L.) and strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) were successfully imaged by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) on TLC plates through blotting assisted by heating and/or solvent extraction. Ion images showing the distribution of significant compounds such as glycoalkaloid toxins in potato sprout, ginkgolic acids and flavonoids in ginkgo leaves, and sugars and anthocyanidin in strawberry were obtained. Practical implications of this work include analysis of a wide range of irregular or soft materials by different imprinting conditions without requiring the addition of matrices or use of specific kinds of surfaces.