Inkjet nanoinjection for high-thoughput chemiluminescence immunoassay on multicapillary glass plate.

We report a novel chemiluminescence diagnosis system for high-throughput human IgA detection by inkjet nanoinjection on a multicapillary glass plate. As proof-of-concept, microhole-based polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheets were aligned on a multicapillary glass plate to form a microwell array as microreactors for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The multicapillary glass plate was utilized as a switch that controlled the holding/passing of the solution.

Detection of BCR-ABL using one step reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction and microchip electrophoresis.

One-step reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) coupled with microchip electrophoresis (MCE) was established to analyze BCR-ABL fusion gene. The use of one-step RT-PCR could simplify the RT-PCR procedure and thus reduced the risk of contamination and sample consumption. This method also enhanced the sensitivity for amplified target DNA and dramatically shorted the analysis time.

Application of carbon-based nanomaterials in sample preparation: a review.

In this paper, a broad overview on the applications of different carbon-based nanomaterials, including nanodiamonds, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanocones-disks and nanohorns, as well as their functionalized forms, in sample preparation is provided. Particular attention has been paid to graphene because many papers regarding its application in this research field are becoming available. The distinctive properties, derivatization methods and application techniques of these materials were summarized and compared.

Rapid determination of residual pesticides in tobacco by the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample pretreatment method coupled with LC-MS.

A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample pretreatment method coupled with LC-MS was developed for the determination of 11 pesticides in tobacco. Sample pretreatment parameters and instrumental parameters of LC-MS were investigated, and the optimal conditions were selected. Under the optimized conditions, the 11 pesticides were detected simultaneously with a good linear relationship (r(2) = 0.

Production of superoxide anion radicals as evidence for carbon nanodots acting as electron donors by the chemiluminescence method.

In this communication, a novel chemiluminescence phenomenon was observed for the as-prepared carbon nanodots (CDs) in a concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The generation of superoxide anion radical (O2˙(-)) directly provides evidence for the excellent electron-donating ability of CDs.

A piezoelectric drop-on-demand generator for accurate samples in capillary electrophoresis.

In this work, we propose a piezoelectric droplet generator for injection of well-defined amounts of sample in capillary electrophoresis. We demonstrate stable, precise and drop-on-demand droplet formation for various solutions, with precise control of waveform driving piezoelectric crystal inside the ink-jet head. By tuning the waveform, we can also manipulate the droplet size and delivery frequency.

A simple and versatile microfluidic cell density gradient generator for quantum dot cytotoxicity assay.

In this work, a simple and versatile microfluidic cell density gradient generator was successfully developed for cytotoxicity of quantum dots (QDs) assay. The microfluidic cell density gradient generator is composed of eight parallel channels which are respectively surrounded by 1-8 microwells with optimized length and width. The cells fall into microwells by gravity and the cell densities are obviously dependent of microwell number.

Generation of picoliter droplets of liquid for electrospray ionization with piezoelectric inkjet.

We report the association of inkjet and electrospray ionization MS to detect picoliter droplet, where the liquid volume and its position onto the tip can be precisely controlled to form ultrafine droplets for successive ionization of the analyte. Single rectangle pulse was applied to piezoelectric device on inkjet microchip for the ejection of each picoliter droplet, and it was controlled by a computer. The voltage and width of driving pulse for the inkjet were optimized to make reproducible ejection of the solvent with low viscosity.

Automated high performance liquid chromatography with on-line reduction of disulfides and chemiluminescence detection for determination of thiols and disulfides in biological fluids.

In general, the reduction of disulfide bonds with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) is performed using off-line operation, which is not only time-consuming but also vulnerable to the spontaneous re-oxidation of thiols during sample preparation and subsequent analysis procedures. To the best of our knowledge, there has been not any case on the on-line reduction for biological disulfides coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, these obstacles are overcome by packing Zn(II)-TCEP complexes into a home-made column.

Development and applications of paper-based electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry for monitoring of sequentially generated droplets.

In this work, sub-microlitre droplets were generated by gravity and electrostatic attraction using a capillary tube. The parameters affecting the sizes and frequency of the droplets were investigated. The volume of droplets could be controlled in the range from 0.

Characterization of drug permeability in Caco-2 monolayers by mass spectrometry on a membrane-based microfluidic device.

In this study, an integrated microfluidic device was developed for drug permeability assays with real-time online detection by a directly coupled mass spectrometer. The integrated microfluidic device contained two independent channels sandwiched by a semipermeable polycarbonate membrane for cell culture, and micro solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns for sample clean-up and concentration prior to mass spectrometry detection. Curcumin, a model drug, was delivered to an upper or bottom channel by a pressure-driven flow to mimic dynamic in vivo conditions, and it was forced to permeate into the other side channel.

High-performance liquid chromatography assay of cysteine and homocysteine using fluorosurfactant-functionalized gold nanoparticles as postcolumn resonance light scattering reagents.

Herein, a new postcolumn resonance light scattering (RLS) detection approach coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed to detect cysteine and homocysteine. In the established system, the fluorosurfactant-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were first employed as postcolumn RLS reagents. The detection principle was based on the enhancement of RLS intensity of AuNPs upon the addition of cysteine/homocysteine.

Strategy for signaling molecule detection by using an integrated microfluidic device coupled with mass spectrometry to study cell-to-cell communication.

Cell-to-cell communication is a very important physiological behavior in life entity, and most of human behaviors are related to it. Although cell-to-cell communications are attracting much attention and financial support, rare methods have been successfully developed for in vitro cell-to-cell communication study. In this work, we developed a novel method for cell-to-cell communication study on an integrated microdevice, and signaling molecule and metabolites were online-detected by an electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometer (ESI-Q-TOF-MS) after on-chip solid-phase extraction.

Vortex solvent bar microextraction for phthalate esters from aqueous matrices.

An improved hollow fiber solvent bar microextraction method termed as vortex solvent bar microextraction (VSBME) was developed. A short hollow fiber immobilized with organic extraction solvent was served as the solvent bar for microextraction of phthalate esters from aqueous matrices. The hydrophobic analytes were pre-focused at the bottom of the vortex under the vigorous magnetic stirring before extraction, which facilitated the mass transfer of analytes from aqueous matrix to organic extraction phase in the subsequent solvent bar microextraction.

Targeted isolation and analysis of single tumor cells with aptamer-encoded microwell array on microfluidic device.

Microfluidic-based single cells analysis has been of great interest in recent years, promising disease diagnosis and personalized medicine. Current technologies are challenging in bioselectively isolating specific single cells from complex matrices. Herein, a novel microfluidic platform integrated with cell-recognizable aptamer-encoded microwells was specifically developed to isolate single tumor cells with satisfied single-cell occupancy and unique bioselectivity.

Evaluation of the absorption of methotrexate on cells and its cytotoxicity assay by using an integrated microfluidic device coupled to a mass spectrometer.

An integrated microfluidic device was developed for high-throughput drug screening with an online electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ESI-Q-TOF MS). The multiple gradient generator followed by an array of microscale cell culture chambers and on-chip solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns for sample pretreatment prior to mass analysis was integrated in the device which was fabricated in one single step. By using the combination system, the process for characterization of drug absorption and evaluation of cytotoxicity could be simultaneously realized.

Determination of ammonia in water based on chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer between peroxymonocarbonate and branched NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles.

The ultraweak chemiluminescence (CL) from the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and carbonate is strongly enhanced by the branched NaYF(4):Yb(3+)/Er(3+) nanoparticle (NP) in the presence of aqueous ammonia. It was explained that ammonia catalyzes the decomposition of peroxymonocarbonate, which is the product of hydrogen peroxide mixing with bicarbonate, making the formation of (CO(2))(2)*, (O(2))(2)*, and (1)O(2). The excitation energy, carried by these emitter intermediates, can be transferred to NaYF(4):Yb(3+)/Er(3+) NP.

Automated online pretreatment and cleanup recycle coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of deca-bromodiphenyl ether in human serum.

Automated online SPE-HPLC-MS was established for the determination of deca-bromodiphenyl ether in human serum. The online SPE with large volume injection was utilized to enhance the sensitivity. Online SPE with dilution line greatly decreased matrices effect, which enabled serum samples to be injected directly into pre-column.

Carbon nanodots sensitized chemiluminescence on peroxomonosulfate-sulfite-hydrochloric acid system and its analytical applications.

In the present work, new water-soluble fluorescent carbon nanodots (C-dots) were prepared in a facile microwave pyrolysis approach in minutes by combining glycine and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements showed that the resulting C-dots had diameters of about 3 nm. (13)C NMR spectra further confirmed the presence of carbons (sp(2) and sp(3)) indicating a nanocrystalline core of the resulting C-dots with hydroxyl of PEG 200 covered outside.

Cytotoxicity of quantum dots assay on a microfluidic 3D-culture device based on modeling diffusion process between blood vessels and tissues.

In this work, a novel quantum dot (QD) cytotoxicity assay platform on a microfluidic three-dimensional (3D) culture device via imitating the diffusion process between blood vessels and tissues was developed. The device is composed of a main channel and two sets of cell culture chambers. The cell culture chambers were located at different distances from the main channel and were divided into "close chambers" and "far chambers".

Development of an automatic multi-channel ink-jet ejection chemiluminescence system and its application to the determination of horseradish peroxidase.

In this work, an automatic multi-channel ink-jet for chemiluminescence (CL) analysis was developed. The four-channel ink-jet device was controlled by a home-made circuit. Differing from the classic flow injection CL, the whole procedure for CL analysis was automatically completed on a hydrophobic glass side.

Determination of trace anions in liquefied petroleum gas using liquid absorption and electrokinetic migration for enrichment followed by ion chromatography.

A simple sample enrichment technique, electrokinetic migration enrichment in single phase using a designed device, coupled with ion chromatography is presented for the determination of four anions (H(2)PO(4)(-), Cl(-), NO(3)(-), and SO(4)(2-)) in liquefied petroleum gas by liquid adsorption. The electrokinetic migration enrichment is based on the phenomenon of ion electrokinetic migration to the opposite electrode. When the anions migrated to the anode in a smaller volume chamber under the electric field, the concentration was realized.

Gas dispersion concentration of trace inorganic contaminants from fuel gas and analysis using head-column field-amplified sample stacking capillary electrophoresis.

The presence of inorganic elements in fuel gas generally accelerates the corrosion and depletion of materials used in the fuel gas industry, and even leads to serious accidents. For identification of existing trace inorganic contaminants in fuel gas in a portable way, a highly efficient gas-liquid sampling collection system based on gas dispersion concentration is introduced in this work. Using the constructed dual path gas-liquid collection setup, inorganic cations and anions were simultaneously collected from real liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with indirect UV absorbance detection.

Fabrication of a gel particle array in a microfluidic device for bioassays of protein and glucose in human urine samples.

This paper describes a simple method for fabricating a series of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) hydrogel microstructures inside microfluidic channels as probe for proteins and glucose. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of this newly developed system, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was chosen as a model protein. PEG microcolumns were used for the parallel detection of multiple components.

Self-catalytic degradation of ortho-chlorophenol with Fenton's reagent studied by chemiluminescence.

The degradation of ortho-chlorophenol using Fenton's reagent was studied by chemiluminescence (CL). Without a special CL reagent, a weak CL emission from the mixture of ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide was observed at room temperature. The CL intensity was increased by the addition of ortho-chlorophenol into the mixed solution.