Publications by authors named "Zdena Mala"

This review brings a survey of papers on analytical capillary and microchip isotachophoresis published since 2018 until the first quarter of 2022. Theoretical papers extending fundamental knowledge include those on computer simulations that remain an important research tool useful in the design of electrolyte systems. Many papers are focused on instrumental aspects where new media including microfluidic devices and their hyphenation to various detection techniques bring remarkable results.

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Electrophoretic focusing on an inverse electromigration dispersion profile is a relatively new electrophoretic separation method for the analysis of ionisable analytes. Although it offers alternative selectivity, powerful concentration capability and high sensitivity, so far only several systems for the analysis of anionic compounds were reported. This work describes for the first time a functional electrolyte system for the separation of cationic analytes by this method.

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This work extends the present working range of isotachophoresis (ITP) with electrospray-ionization mass-spectrometric (ESI-MS) detection and describes for the first time a functional cationic electrolyte system for analyses at medium-alkaline pH. So far no ITP-MS application was published on the analysis of medium strong bases although there is a broad spectrum of potential analytes like biogenic amines, alkaloids or drugs, where this technique promises interesting gains in both sensitivity and specificity. The presented results include a selection of suitable sufficiently volatile ESI-compatible system components, discussion of factors affecting system properties, and recommendations for functional ITP electrolyte systems.

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Electrophoretic sample stacking comprises a group of capillary electrophoretic techniques where trace analytes from the sample are concentrated into a short zone (stack). This paper is a continuation of our previous reviews on the topic and brings a survey of more than 120 papers published approximately since the second quarter of 2016 till the first quarter of 2018. It is organized according to the particular stacking principles and includes chapters on concentration adjustment (Kohlrausch) stacking, on stacking techniques based on pH changes, on stacking in electrokinetic chromatography and on other stacking techniques.

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This review brings a survey of studies on analytical ITP published since 2016 until the first quarter of 2018 and includes chapters about theory and principles, instrumentation and techniques, and analytical applications of ITP. It shows the position of analytical ITP among contemporary separation techniques, where particularly its unique concentrating capabilities keep the interest to include it into novel high-sensitivity analytical procedures. The reviewed papers are considered according to their nature, techniques used, and instrumentation employed.

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Electrophoretic focusing on inverse electromigration dispersion (EMD) gradient is a new analytical technique based on a unique separation principle where weak non-amphoteric ionogenic species are focused, separated and transported to the detector by an EMD profile of suitable properties. The present work extends the theoretical description of this method by introducing the concept of resolution and deriving the fundamental equation expressing resolution as function of basic system parameters. The results indicate that at constant current operation, resolution is proportional to the square root of time.

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This work describes for the first time a functional electrolyte system setup for anionic isotachophoresis (ITP) with electrospray-ionization mass-spectrometric (ESI-MS) detection in the neutral to medium-alkaline pH range. So far no application was published on the analysis of very weak acids by anionic ITP-MS although there is a broad spectrum of potential analytes with pK values in the range 5-10, where application of this technique promises interesting gains in both sensitivity and specificity. The problem so far was the lack of anionic ESI-compatible ITP systems in the mentioned pH range as all typical volatile anionic system components are fully ionized at neutral and alkaline pH and thus too fast to suit as terminators.

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Capillary isotachophoresis (ITP) is an electrophoretic technique offering high sensitivity due to permanent stacking of the migrating analytes. Its combination with electrospray-ionization mass-spectrometric (ESI-MS) detection is limited by the narrow spectrum of ESI-compatible components but can be compensated by experienced system architecture. This work describes a methodology for sensitive analysis of hydroxyderivatives of s-triazine herbicides, based on implementation of the concepts of moving-boundary isotachophoresis and of H as essential terminating component into cationic ITP with ESI-MS detection.

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This article describes for the first time the combination of electrophoretic focusing on inverse electromigration dispersion (EMD) gradient, a new separation principle described in 2010, with electrospray-ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric detection. The separation of analytes along the electromigrating EMD profile proceeds so that each analyte is focused and concentrated within the profile at a particular position given by its pKa and ionic mobility. The proposed methodology combines this principle with the transport of the focused zones to the capillary end by superimposed electromigration, electroosmotic flow and ESI suction, and their detection by the MS detector.

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The term "sample stacking" comprises a relatively broad spectrum of techniques that already form an almost inherent part of the methodology of CZE. Their principles are different but the effect is the same: concentration of a diluted analyte into a narrow zone and considerable increase of the method sensitivity. This review brings a survey of papers on electrophoretic sample stacking published approximately since the second quarter of 2014 till the first quarter of 2016.

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This review brings a survey of papers on analytical ITP published since 2014 until the first quarter of 2016. The 50th anniversary of ITP as a modern analytical method offers the opportunity to present a brief view on its beginnings and to discuss the present state of the art from the viewpoint of the history of its development. Reviewed papers from the field of theory and principles confirm the continuing importance of computer simulations in the discovery of new and unexpected phenomena.

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The possibilities of reaching higher sensitivity in capillary electrophoretic analyses of complex samples with ESI-MS detection were investigated on the example of analysis of diclofenac and ibuprofen in waters. The applied separation approach is based on application of isotachophoresis that ensures permanent stacking of analytes until they reach the detector. Investigation of the possibilities of MS detector optimization have shown that optimization of fragmentor voltage and working in the SIM mode with collection of data for multiple fragments both increases the method specificity and approx.

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This paper brings a survey of papers on analytical capillary ITP published since 2012 until the first quarter of 2014. These papers are ranged according to their nature, the techniques used, and the instrumentation employed. The sequence of the related chapter titles is as follows: Theory and simulations, techniques and instrumentation, single-column and column-switching applications of ITP, ITP in microfluidic systems, on-line ITP-CZE and transient ITP (tITP) techniques and applications.

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This contribution is a methodological review of the publications about the topic from the last 2 years. Therefore, it is primarily organized according to the methods and procedures used in surveyed papers and the origin and type of sample and specification of analytes form the secondary structure. The introductory part about navigation in the architecture of stacking brings a brief characterization of the various stacking methods, with the description of mutual links to each other and important differences among them.

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This contribution is the third part of the project on strategies used in the selection and tuning of electrolyte systems for anionic ITP with ESI-MS detection. The strategy presented here is based on the creation of self-maintained ITP subsystems in moving-boundary systems and describes two new principal approaches offering physical separation of analyte zones from their common ITP stack and/or simultaneous selective stacking of two different analyte groups. Both strategic directions are based on extending the number of components forming the electrolyte system by adding a third suitable anion.

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This contribution is the second part of the project on strategies used in the selection of electrolyte systems for anionic ITP with ESI-mass spectrometric detection. It presents ITP as a powerful tool for selective stacking of anionic analytes, performed in a nonconventional way in moving-boundary systems where two co-anions are present in both the leading and terminating zones. The theoretical background is given to substantiate the conditions for the existence and migration of ITP boundaries in moving-boundary systems and stacking of analytes at these boundaries.

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The subject of this work is the definition of a simple model based on general ITP theory that allows describing and predicting the behavior of ITP systems compatible with ESI-MS detection. The model is exemplified by anionic ITP of weak acids that represent an interesting potential application field of ITP-ESI-MS. Suitable ESI-compatible electrolyte systems of very simple composition are proposed including a special free-acid ITP arrangement.

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In this contribution we present an innovative way to easy, fast, and highly sensitive analyses by CE with ESI-MS detection. The new method is designed to be applied to ESI-compatible electrolytes (e.g.

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This review brings a survey of the literature on analytical isotachophoresis (ITP) from the years 2010-2012. It confirms the fact that ITP alone is not used for analyses frequently but that its online combinations with other methods are of paramount importance. This review shows that the inherent features of the technique and first of all its concentrating ability are still unique for reaching high sensitivity and efficient sample cleanup in analytical applications.

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Sample stacking is a term denoting a multifarious class of methods and their names that are used daily in CE for online concentration of diluted samples to enhance separation efficiency and sensitivity of analyses. The essence of these methods is that analytes present at low concentrations in a large injected sample zone are concentrated into a short and sharp zone (stack) in the separation capillary. Then the stacked analytes are separated and detected.

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This paper deals with unwanted effects of carbonate in capillary zone electrophoretic analyses of anions in alkaline BGEs with indirect UV absorption and conductivity detection. Computer simulations and experimental study of selected model systems have shown that carbon dioxide absorbed from air into BGEs and samples induce important electrophoretic effects like formation of new additional zones and/or boundaries that may further induce strong and pronounced temporary changes in the migration of analytes. Examples are reduction of the pH of alkaline BGEs around pH 11 by up to 1 unit or formation of a pronounced detectable carbon dioxide peak comparable with peaks of analytes at 1 mM level.

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Sample stacking is of vital importance for analytical CE since it may bring the required sensitivity of analyses. A lot of new relevant papers are published every year and regular surveys seem to be very helpful for experts and practitioners. The contribution presented here is a continuation of a series of regularly published reviews on the topic and covers the last two years.

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Capillary ITP is currently used as one of the most important tools for preseparation and preconcentration of trace analytes in complex or diluted samples. This contribution is a continuation of a series of regularly published reviews on the topic and covers the last 2 years. It brings a survey of related literature organized into following sections: theory and methodology, instrumentation and techniques, and applications.

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This contribution introduces a new separation principle in CE which offers focusing of weak nonamphoteric ionogenic species and their inherent transport to the detector. The prerequisite condition for application of this principle is the existence of an inverse electromigration dispersion profile, i.e.

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In CZE one often gets more peaks than the number of sample components. In practice the additional peaks are often left unexplained or assigned to unidentified impurities or system peaks although cases exist when one analyte forms two or more regular distinct zones. One source of such effects are samples with high salt content that are generally assumed to bring higher sensitivity due to the sample self-stacking mechanism.

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