Publications by authors named "Stanislav Pekov"

Rationale: Despite decades of implementation, the selection of optimal sample preparation conditions for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging is still ambiguous due to the lack of a universal and comprehensive evaluation methodology. Thus, numerous experiments with different matrix application conditions accompany a translation of the method to novel sample types and matrices.

Methods: Mouse brain tissues were covered with 9-aminoacridine through sublimation, followed by recrystallization in vapors of 5% (v/v) methanol solution in water.

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This article provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of methods of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS). AIMS has emerged as a powerful analytical tool in recent years, allowing for rapid and sensitive analysis of various samples without the need for extensive sample preparation. The integration of ML/AI algorithms with AIMS has further expanded its capabilities, enabling enhanced data analysis.

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Ambient ionization mass spectrometry was proved to be a powerful tool for oncological surgery. Still, it remains a translational technique on the way from laboratory to clinic. Brain surgery is the most sensitive to resection accuracy field since the balance between completeness of resection and minimization of nerve fiber damage determines patient outcome and quality of life.

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Hepatobiliary system cancers have demonstrated an increasing incidence rate in the past years. Without the presence of early symptoms, the majority of such cancers manifest with a set of similar symptoms, such as cholestasis resulting in posthepatic icterus. Differential diagnosis of hepatobiliary cancers is required for the therapy selection, however, the similarity of the symptoms complicates diagnostics.

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Diffuse gliomas continue to be an important problem in neuro-oncology. To solve it, studies have considered the issues of molecular pathogenesis from the intratumoral heterogeneity point. Here, we carried out a comparative dynamic analysis of the different cell populations' content in diffuse gliomas of different molecular profiles and grades, considering the cell populations' functional properties and the relationship with patient survival, using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, multiparametric fluorescent in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and cultural methods.

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Rapid and reliable methods for detecting tumor margins are crucial for neuro-oncology. Several mass spectrometry-based methods have been recently proposed to address this problem. Inline Cartridge Extraction (ICE) demonstrates the potential for clinical application, based on ex-vivo analysis of dissected tissues, but requires time-consuming steps to avoid cross-contamination.

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The study of the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is extremely important for identifying potential therapeutic targets as well as early markers. In this regard, the study of the role of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides is of particular relevance. Serine-8 phosphorylated forms (pSer8-Aβ) have been shown to have an increased aggregation capacity and may reflect the severity of amyloidosis.

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Article Synopsis
  • Ex-vivo molecular profiling is gaining attention in neurosurgery for identifying tissue during surgery, but more research is needed on how short-term storage affects molecular profiles.
  • The study investigates how different storage media, temperatures, and washing solutions impact the stability and reproducibility of molecular profiles, using rat brain samples for testing.
  • Findings suggest that storing samples in normal saline at room temperature for up to an hour maintains representative molecular profiles, with refrigeration showing minimal impact on the results.
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This review covers the results of the application of mass spectrometric (MS) techniques to study the diversity of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in human samples. Since Aβ is an important hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is a socially significant neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly worldwide, analysis of its endogenous variations is of particular importance for elucidating the pathogenesis of AD, predicting increased risks of the disease onset, and developing effective therapy. MS approaches have no alternative for the study of complex samples, including a wide variety of Aβ proteoforms, differing in length and modifications.

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Ambient ionization mass spectrometry has become one of the most promising approaches for rapid and high-throughput screening of small molecules in complex biological matrices for emergency medicine, forensics, and food and agriculture applications. The simple procedures for sample collection and ionization without additional pretreatment are vital in these fields. Many efforts have been devoted to modifying various ambient ionization techniques to simplify the procedures and improve the robustness and sensitivity of the methods.

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Article Synopsis
  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is primarily caused by the buildup of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, which forms plaques in the brains of the elderly, contributing to dementia.
  • * Recent research tracked the accumulation of specific Aβ proteoforms, particularly isoD7-Aβ, in a widely used mouse model (5xFAD) over time using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
  • * Findings showed that the fraction of isoD7-Aβ in these mice increased significantly with age, suggesting a potential link between this specific proteoform and the progression of AD.
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Tumor cell percentage (TCP) is an essential characteristic of biopsy samples that directly affects the sensitivity of molecular testing in clinical practice. Apart from clarifying diagnoses, rapid evaluation of TCP combined with various neuronavigation systems can be used to support decision making in neurosurgery. It is known that ambient mass spectrometry makes it possible to rapidly distinguish healthy from malignant tissues.

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Recently developed methods of ambient ionization allow the collection of mass spectrometric datasets for biological and medical applications at an unprecedented pace. One of the areas that could employ such analysis is neurosurgery. The fast identification of dissected tissues could assist the neurosurgery procedure.

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Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry can be used for rapid quantitation of peptides with various post-translational modifications (PTM), even if they do not shift the mass of the native peptide. Previously, it was shown that MALDI-TOF MS can be used for quantitation of isoD7 beta-amyloid 1-42 peptide. On the basis of the differences in the collision-induced dissociation fragmentation pattern of native Aβ, isoD7 Aβ, isoD23 Aβ, and isoD7_23 peptide (a di-isomerized peptide with both isomerization of D7 and D23 residues), we developed a MALDI-TOF-based method for simultaneous quantitation of all of these isoforms.

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Recently, mass-spectrometry methods show its utility in tumor boundary location. The effect of differences between research and clinical protocols such as low- and high-resolution measurements and sample storage have to be understood and taken into account to transfer methods from bench to bedside. In this study, we demonstrate a simple way to compare mass spectra obtained by different experimental protocols, assess its quality, and check for the presence of outliers and batch effect in the dataset.

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The development of perspective diagnostic techniques in medicine requires efficient high-throughput biological sample analysis methods. Here, we present an inline cartridge extraction that facilitates the screening rate of mass spectrometry shotgun lipidomic analysis of tissue samples. We illustrate the method by its application to tumor tissue identification in neurosurgery.

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Evaluation of post-translational modifications of protein molecules is important for both basic and applied biomedical research. Mass spectrometric quantitative studies of modifications, which do not change the mass of the protein, such as isomerization of aspartic acid, do not necessarily require the use of isotope-labelled standards. However, the accurate solution of this problem requires a deep understanding of the relationship between the mole fractions of the isomers and the peak intensities in the mass spectra.

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In our studies, it was shown that the effectiveness of the conditioned medium obtained by cultivating mesenchymal stem cells depends on the microenvironment conditions used to cultivate the cells. It was demonstrated that the conditioned medium obtained by culturing cells with low oxygen content (10%) has a much more pronounced protective effect. Protein compositions obtained from MSCs cultured under hypoxic (10% O hc-MSC) and normal (21% O nc-MSC) conditions were used to treat acute liver failure (ALF) induced in mice by acetaminophen injection.

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Cells metabolism alteration is the new hallmark of cancer, as well as an important method for carcinogenesis investigation. It is well known that the malignant cells switch to aerobic glycolysis pathway occurring also in healthy proliferating cells. Recently, it was shown that in malignant cells de novo synthesis of the intracellular fatty acid replaces dietary fatty acids which change the lipid composition of cancer cells noticeably.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study explores how immunoprecipitation (IP) combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can accurately identify and quantify isoAsp7 in amyloid-beta peptides (Aβ(1-42) and Aβ(1-16)).
  • It demonstrates that isoAsp7 in Aβ(1-42) can be quantified with a detection limit as low as 2 pmol, while Aβ(1-16) offers even better accuracy and a lower detection limit of 50 fmol.
  • The research indicates that this method is applicable for measuring isoAβ content in biological samples, but notes that certain antibodies might disrupt the accuracy of amyloid-β
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It is known that aspartic acid isomerization process plays a role in aging processes and may be used as a marker for aging of natural materials. As for Alzheimer's disease, the most abundant modification in the peptide profile is the aspartate isomerization of amyloid-β. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry-based approaches with Collision Induced Dissociation (CID) or Electron Capture Dissociation (ECD) fragmentation provide a good and precise method for the relative quantitation of iso- to normal amyloid-β peptides but require additional time consuming steps.

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Article Synopsis
  • Different conformations of oligonucleotides can be identified using gas-phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange in mass spectrometry.
  • The study shows that H/D exchange rates vary significantly with temperature, ranging from 25% at 50°C to 80% at 450°C.
  • Unlike previous findings, no bimodal distribution of deuterium was observed, suggesting that oligonucleotide ions rapidly change conformations in the ion formation region.
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