Mass spectrometry and renal calculi.

The present review represents a concise and complete survey of the literature covering 2004-2009, concerning the mass spectrometric techniques involved in the structural investigation of renal calculi. After a short presentation of the fundamental mass spectrometric techniques (MALDI-TOF, QTOF, MS-MS) as well as hyphenated methods (GC-MS, LC-MS, CE-MS), an extensive study of the urinary proteome analysis as well as the detection and quantification by mass spectrometry of toxins, drugs and metabolites from renal calculi is presented.

Enhanced electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of long-chain polysaccharides.

A novel strategy was developed to extend the application of electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry (MS) to the analysis of long-chain polysaccharides. High molecular weight polydisperse maltodextrins (poly-alpha(1-4) glucose) and dextrans (poly-alpha(1-6) glucose) were chosen as model compounds in the present study. Increased ionization efficiency of these mixtures in the positive ion mode was achieved upon modification of their reducing end with nitrogen-containing groups.