Applications of quantitative metabolomics to revolutionize early diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism in India.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are a group of disorders caused by disruption of metabolic pathways, which leads to accumulation, decreased circulating levels, or increased excretion of metabolites as a consequence of the underlying genetic defects. These heterogeneous groups of disorders cause significant neonatal and infant mortality across the whole world and it is of utmost concern for developing countries like India owing to lack of awareness and standard preventive strategies like newborn screening (NBS). Though the predictive cumulative incidence of IEMs is said to be ∼1:800 newborns, data pertaining to the true prevalence of individual IEMs is not available in the context of Indian population. There is a need for a large population-based study to get a clear picture of the prevalence of different IEMs. One of the best ways to screen for IEMs is by applying advanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology using a quantitative metabolomics approaches such as selected or multiple reaction monitoring (SRM or MRM). Recent developments in LC-MS/MRM based quantification of marker metabolites in newborns have opened a novel opportunity to screen multiple disorders simultaneously from a minuscule volume of biological fluids. In this review article, we have highlighted how LC-MS/MRM based metabolomics approach with its high sensitivity and diagnostic capability can make an impact on the nation's public health through NBS programs.

LC-MS analysis of p-aminosalicylic acid under electrospray ionization conditions manifests a profound solvent effect.

Selected-ion recording (SIR) or multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) protocols are widely employed for the quantification of targeted analytes by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). After chromatographic separation, analytes are desolvated and converted to gaseous ions usually by electrospray-ionization. The chromatographic peaks generated in this way are then integrated for quantification. It is generally assumed that the chromatographic peak intensities are dependent only on the selected MRM-transition protocols and the instrumental parameters set on the mass spectrometer. Using p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) as a model compound, we demonstrate that the nature of the LC mobile phase exerts a significant effect on the chromatographic peak intensities. Under identical mass spectrometric conditions, chromatographic peak intensities recorded with methanol as the mobile phase were drastically different from those acquired using acetonitrile as the eluent. In fact, the product-ion mass spectra recorded with protonated PAS under different solvent conditions were qualitatively different. The observed differences were attributed to the existence of different protomers of PAS in the gas phase in dissimilar ratios under different solvent-spray conditions. Results from ion-mobility mass spectrometry experiments confirmed this hypothesis. For example, when PAS was sprayed from an acetonitrile solution, the arrival-time profile recorded from the mass-selected m/z 154 ion for protonated PAS showed essentially one arrival-time peak for the N-protonated tautomer. In contrast, the profile recorded from a methanolic PAS solution showed a different arrival-time peak for a more mobile protomer, which was recognized as the carbonyl-protonated PAS. The coexistence of protomers in different and variable ratios in an ensemble of ions generated by electrospray ionization of a single pure compound wields strong ramifications on the identification and quantification of analytes by LC-MS. However, the inclusion of an ion-mobility separator before the mass-selected ions are fragmented and detected by mass spectrometry ameliorates the complications rendered by the coexistence of different protomers and deprotomers.

Sonochemical transformation of thymidine: A mass spectrometric study.

Ultrasound is extensively used in medical field for a number of applications including targeted killing of cancer cells. DNA is one of the most susceptible entities in any kind of free radical induced reactions in living systems. In the present work, the transformation of thymidine (dT) induced by ultrasound (US) was investigated using high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-Q-ToF-MS). dT was subjected to sonolysis under four different frequencies (200, 350, 620 and 1000 kHz) and at three power densities (10.5, 24.5 and 42 W/mL) in aerated as well as argon saturated conditions. A total of twenty modified nucleosides including non-fully characterized dT dimeric compounds were detected by LC-Q-ToF-MS. Out of these products, seven were obtained only in the argon atmosphere and two only in the aerated conditions. Among the identified products, there were base modified products and sugar modified products. The products were formed by the reaction of hydroxyl radical and hydrogen atom. Under aerated conditions, the reactions proceed via the formation of hydroperoxides, while in argon atmosphere disproportionation and radical recombinations predominate. The study provides a complete picture of sonochemical transformation pathways of dT which has relevance in DNA damage under ultrasound exposure.

Sustainable polyelectrolyte multilayer surfaces: possible matrix for salt/dye separation.

The development of a sustainable membrane surface based on chitosan/poly(acrylic acid) (CHI/PAA) multilayers suitable for applications in analytical separations is reported here. Bilayers are constructed on polyamide microfiltration membranes at a pH combination of 3/3 (CHI pH/PAA pH) through a layer by layer approach. A 12.5 bilayer yielded a thickness of 400 nm. Low pressure (10 psi) filtrations through a 5.5 bilayered membrane exhibited high flux (7 m(3) m(-2) day(-1)) and selectivity (NaCl/reactive black 5 (RB5) selectivity >8000). The selectivity and flux observed here are the highest reported to date for low pressure filtrations through membranes. The increase in flux with increasing feed salt concentration is correlated with morphological transformations. Salt content above 7500 ppm causes some perturbation of surface layers. The presence of RB5, a model dye in the feed, restores the surface to maintain sustainability. A skin layer as thin as 50 nm imparts a large separation window. An RB5 feed concentration of 500 ppm results in 98.64% rejection with a flux of 25.79 m(3) m(-2) day(-1). The increase in flux with feed dye concentration supports the plasticizing action of RB5. The transport studies with large feed dye concentrations indicate that at a dye concentration of 500 ppm, the linear growing region (pre-exponential, 5.5 bilayer) itself provides a separation window similar to that of 100 ppm. At the same time, 1000 ppm requires a 9.5 bilayer that falls in the nonlinear growing region. Scanning electron microscopy images show the increase in porosity with respect to feed dye. Interesting morphologies that show the sustainable nature of the membrane surfaces along with the transport data of RB5 are presented.

Isolation and in vitro cultivation of Auriculoscypha anacardiicola D.A. Reid et Manim., an insect-associated and potentially medicinal fungus from India.

Auriculoscypha anacardiicola, an obligate insect-associate and a potential medicinal fungus, is isolated and studied in vitro. Suitable methods for isolation and cultivation of the fungus have been developed. Incubating spore deposits made to fall from basidiomata on tap water agar seems to be the best method for developing cultures. Successful isolations were also accomplished from infected coccids. Cultures could not be developed from single basidiospores and from tissues of the basidiomata. Although production of ballistospores and blastospores as well as germ tube formation were observed at the time of germination of basidiospores, budding blastospores alone produced mycelial cultures. Observations such as the inability of single basidiospores to germinate, emergence of mycelium from a spore deposit, and the apparent conjugation of yeast cells indicate that dikaryotization resulting from fusion of compatible yeast cells is essential for development of mycelium in A. anacardiicola. The fungus grew well on all complex media tested. It seems that a purely synthetic medium devoid of any growth factors cannot support the growth ofA. anacardiicola and yeast extract seems to provide the required growth factors.