Extent of Equivalence of Results for Urine Albumin among 3 Candidate Mass Spectrometry Reference Measurement Procedures.

Background: Urine albumin (UA) is an important biomarker of chronic kidney disease. Current in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD-MDs) for measuring UA are not standardized, and median results among IVD-MDs differ by approximately 45%. Since fixed decision values are used to interpret UA, higher-order reference measurement procedures (RMPs) are needed for metrological traceability.

Computational design of an imine reductase: mechanism-guided stereoselectivity reversion and interface stabilization.

Imine reductases (IREDs) are important biocatalysts in the asymmetric synthesis of chiral amines. However, a detailed understanding of the stereocontrol mechanism of IRED remains incomplete, making the design of IRED for producing the desired amine enantiomers challenging. In this study, we investigated the stereoselective catalytic mechanism and designed an ()-stereoselective IRED from (IR) using pharmaceutically relevant 2-aryl-substituted pyrrolines as substrates.

Evaluation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equations by cross-platform assessment of accuracy-based EQA data against SI-traceable reference value.

Objectives: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) is the primary cholesterol target for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although beta-quantitation (BQ) is the gold standard to determine LDLC levels accurately, many clinical laboratories apply the Friedewald equation to calculate LDLC. As LDLC is an important risk factor for CVD, we evaluated the accuracy of Friedewald and alternative equations (Martin/Hopkins and Sampson) for LDLC.

Commutability assessment of human urine certified reference materials for albumin and creatinine on multiple clinical analyzers using different statistical models.

Urine albumin concentration and albumin-creatinine ratio are important for the screening of early-stage kidney damage. Commutable urine certified reference materials (CRMs) for albumin and creatinine are necessary for standardization of urine albumin and accurate measurement of albumin-urine ratio. Two urine CRMs for albumin and creatinine with certified values determined using higher-order reference measurement procedures were evaluated for their commutability on five brands/models of clinical analyzers where different reagent kits were used, including Roche Cobas c702, Roche Cobas c311, Siemens Atellica CH, Beckman Coulter AU5800, and Abbott Architect c16000.

Candidate High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry-Based Reference Method for the Quantification of Procalcitonin in Human Serum Using a Characterized Recombinant Protein as a Primary Calibrator.

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a widely used biomarker for rapid sepsis diagnosis and antibiotic stewardship. Variability of results in commercial assays has highlighted the need for standardization of PCT measurements. An antibody-free candidate reference measurement procedure (RMP) based on the isotope dilution mass spectrometry and protein calibration approach was developed and validated to quantify PCT in human serum.

Improving the accuracy of chloride measurements through participation in regular external quality assessment programme.

Background: A chloride test is an integral part of a basic metabolic panel that is essential for the assessment of a patient's acid-base and electrolyte status. While many methods are available commercially for the routine measurement of chloride, there is a need to address the accuracy and variability among the measurement results, especially with the prevalence of patients seeking treatment across different healthcare providers for alternative opinions.

Method: A method based on sector field inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-IDMS) was developed for the measurement of chloride in human serum.

Measurement of urine albumin by liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry and its application to value assignment of external quality assessment samples and certification of reference materials.

Objectives: Urine albumin is measured in clinical laboratories by immunoturbidimetry. However, large biases are observed among the different routine methods. To standardize the measurement of urine albumin, a reference measurement procedure (RMP) and urine albumin certified reference materials (CRMs) are needed.

Determination of purity values of amino acid reference materials by mass balance method: an approach to the quantification of related structure impurities.

A systematic procedure for the determination of purity values of amino acid reference materials was developed by use of mass balance method where four categories of impurities (related structure impurities (RSIs), water, organic solvent residue (OSR), and non-volatile residue (NVR)) were quantified separately. The amount of RSIs was determined using a combination of three quantification methods. To ensure metrological traceability in the determination of RSIs, at least one such impurity in each candidate amino acid reference material was quantified using liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS/MS).

Enhancing the accuracy of measurement of small molecule organic biomarkers.

Over two decades, the Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG) of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) has organized a number of comparisons for clinically relevant small molecule organic biomarkers. The aim of the OAWG community is to be part of the coordinated international movement towards accuracy and comparability of clinical measurements that will, in turn, minimize the wastage of repeat testing and unnecessary therapy to create a sustainable healthcare industry. International and regional directives/requirements on metrological traceability of calibrators and control materials are in place.

Simple and accurate candidate reference measurement procedure for total testosterone in human serum by one-step liquid-liquid extraction coupled with isotope dilution mass spectrometry.

Testosterone in human serum is commonly tested in clinical laboratories using immunoassay methods as well as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. To standardize and ensure the accuracy of the measurement results, reference procedures with higher metrological order are required. A simple measurement procedure based on one-step liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS/MS) was developed for total testosterone in human serum.

Commutable whole blood reference materials for hemoglobin A1c validated on multiple clinical analyzers.

Background The measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is important for diagnosing diabetes mellitus as well as assessing glycemic control in diabetic patients. Commutable whole blood certified reference materials (CRMs) are needed in the measurement of HbA1c for method validation and/or as quality controls. Methods We developed three levels of hemolyzed whole blood CRMs for HbA1c.

Simple and accurate measurement of carbamazepine in surface water by use of porous membrane-protected micro-solid-phase extraction coupled with isotope dilution mass spectrometry.

To achieve fast and accurate analysis of carbamazepine in surface water, we developed a novel porous membrane-protected micro-solid-phase extraction (μ-SPE) method, followed by liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS/MS) analysis. The μ-SPE device (∼0.8 × 1 cm) was fabricated by heat-sealing edges of a polypropylene membrane sheet to devise a bag enclosing the sorbent.

Achieving comparability with IFCC reference method for the measurement of hemoglobin A1c by use of an improved isotope-dilution mass spectrometry method.

The development of reference measurement methods for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is important for quality assurance in diabetes management. The IFCC reference method using purified proteins as calibration standards is the recommended accuracy-based reference method for the standardization of HbA1c measurement. We developed a highly precise and accurate liquid chromatography-isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS/MS) procedure, which can serve as an alternative accuracy-based method for HbA1c measurement.

Developing a reference measurement procedure for free glycerol in human serum by two-step gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry.

Background: Free glycerol in human serum is measured in clinical laboratories using enzymatic methods, which can be affected by interferences from biological samples. These methods are not applicable when stable isotopic tracers are used to determine lipid kinetics. Hence, a reference measurement procedure for free glycerol in human serum is needed.

An improved reference measurement procedure for triglycerides and total glycerides in human serum by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Background: Triglycerides are widely tested in clinical laboratories using enzymatic methods for lipid profiling. As enzymatic methods can be affected by interferences from biological samples, this together with the non-specific nature of triglycerides measurement makes it necessary to verify the accuracy of the test results with a reference measurement procedure. Several such measurement procedures had been published.

High accuracy analysis of glucose in human serum by isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Background: An isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) technique has been developed for high accuracy analysis of glucose in human serum. Currently, all the IDMS methods for glucose analysis are based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this study, isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID LC-MS/MS) was investigated.

Luminescent atropisomeric N,N-chelating ligands from copper-catalyzed one-pot C-N and C-C coupling reactions.

New atropisomeric N,N-chelating ligands with a 3,3'-bis[2-(2'-py)-indolyl] unit have been achieved via one-pot reactions that involve the formation of multiple C-N bonds between an indolyl and a brominated benzene and the indolyl 3,3'-C-C coupling. The new ligands display distinct blue intramolecular excimer emission (lambda(max) = 445 nm). Cu(I) ions bind to the new N,N-chelate ligands with a homochiral selectivity.

Blue luminescent 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazole derivative ligands and their orange luminescent mononuclear and polynuclear organoplatinum(II) complexes.

Five new 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazole derivative ligands, 1,4-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (1,4-bmb), 4,4'-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]biphenyl (bmbp), 1-bromo-4-[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (Brmb), 1,3-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (1,3-bmb), and 1,3,5-tris[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (tmb), have been synthesized by Ullmann condensation methods. The corresponding mononuclear and polynuclear PtII complexes, Pt2(1,4-bmb)Ph4 (1), Pt2(bmbp)Ph4 (2), Pt(Brmb)Ph2 (3), Pt2(1,3-bmb)Ph4 (4), and Pt3(tmb)Ph6 (5), have been obtained by the reaction of the appropriate ligand with [PtPh2(SMe2)]n. The structures of the free ligands 1,4-bmb, bmbp, and tmb, as well as the complexes 1-3, were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Organoboron compounds with an 8-hydroxyquinolato chelate and its derivatives: substituent effects on structures and luminescence.

Four new luminescent organoboron complexes have been synthesized and fully characterized. These compounds are four-coordinate boron chelated by either 8-hydroxyquinolato (q) or functionalized 8-hydroxylquinolato ligands, including BPh2(5-(1-naphthyl)-q) (1), BPh2(5-(2-benzothienyl)-q) (2), B(2-benzothienyl)2q (3), and B(2-benzothienyl)2(2-Me-q) (4). All four compounds have a tetrahedral geometry as established by X-ray diffraction analyses.

Blue phosphorescent Zn(II) and orange phosphorescent Pt(II) complexes of 4,4'-diphenyl-6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyrimidine.

To investigate the different phosphorescent promoting effects of organic emitters by various metal centers, a new ligand, 4,4'-diphenyl-6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyrimidine (pmbp), and its Zn(II), Hg(II), and Pt(II) complexes, [Zn(pmbp)(2)](ClO(4))(2)(1), Pt(pmbp)Ph(2)(2), Zn(pmbp)Cl(2)(3), and Hg(pmbp)Cl(2)(4) were synthesized. Their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The zinc complexes 1 and 3 exhibit blue luminescence in the solid state at ambient temperature, but the mercury complex 4 is not luminescent.

Three-coordinate organoboron compounds BAr2R (Ar = mesityl, R = 7-azaindolyl- or 2,2'-dipyridylamino-functionalized aryl or thienyl) for electroluminescent devices and supramolecular assembly.

Eight novel three-coordinate boron compounds with the general formula BAr(2)L, in which Ar is mesityl and L is a 7-azaindolyl- or a 2,2'-dipyridylamino-functionalized aryl or thienyl ligand, have been synthesized by Suzuki coupling, Ullmann condensation methods, or simple substitution reactions (L = p-(2,2'-dipyridylamino)phenyl, 1; p-(2,2'-dipyridylamino)biphenyl, 2; p-(7-azaindolyl)phenyl, 3; p-(7-azaindolyl)biphenyl, 4; 3,5-bis(2,2'-dipyridylamino)phenyl, 5; 3,5-bis(7-azaindolyl)phenyl, 6; p-[3,5-bis(2,2'-dipyridylamino)phenyl]phenyl, 7; 5-[p-(2,2'-dipyridylamino)phenyl]-2-thienyl, 8). The structures of 1, 3, and 5-7 have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. These new boron compounds are bright blue emitters.