In this thesis, improved techniques for biomolecule analysis using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and hyphenations between those have been presented.A pre-concentration method which is possible to apply in both techniques, has also been investigated. In this work the off-line MS mode has been used either in the form of fractionation (Paper I) or by incorporating the MALDI target in the CE separation system (Paper II).In Paper I, a protocol for CE-MALDI analysis of cyanogen bromide digested bacteriorhodopsin (BR) peptides as model integral membrane protein peptides were established. Also, an improved protocol for partially automated manufacturing of a concentration MALDI-target plate is presented. The design of the targets was suitable for the fractions from the CE. A novel technique for the integration of CE to MALDI-MS using a closed-open-closed system is presented in Paper II, where the open part is a micro canal functioning as a MALDI target window. A protein separation was obtained and detected with MALDI-MS analysis in the micro canal. A method has been developed for detection of monosaccharides originating from hydrolysis of a single wood fiber performed in a micro channel, with an incorporated electromigration pre-concentration step preceding CE analysis in Paper III. The pre-concentration showed to be highly complex due to the fact that several parameters are included that affecting each other. In Paper IV a protocol using enzymatic digestion, MALDI-TOF-MS and CE with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection for the investigation of the degree of substitution of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to bovine serum albumin (BSA), as a contact allergen model system for protein-hapten binding in the skin, is presented. The intention of a further CE-MALDI hyphenation has been considered during the work. In Paper V 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) was investigated, showing promising MALDI-MS matrix properties for hydrophobic proteins and peptides. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) was undoubtedly the better matrix for the hydrophilic proteins, but its performance for the larger and hydrophobic peptides was not optimal. Consequently, DHAP can be used as a compliment matrix for improved analysis of hydrophobic analytes. / QC 20101214

<p>Due to the hydrophobic nature of integral membrane proteins (IMP) they give rise to several difficulties concerning handling and analysis, which is not the case for the most water soluble proteins. New analysis methods are needed, where the insolubility problems of the hydrophobic proteins due to aggregation and adhesion are tackled. Those problems also affect digestion performance and equipment compatibility for the analysis.</p><p>Protocols for analysis and separation specified for IMP are presented in <b>Paper I</b> and<b> III</b>.</p><p>The instrumentation used in this work was capillary electrophoresis (CE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Both instruments are suitable for peptide/proteins analysis.</p><p>In <b>Paper I</b>, protocols for a CE separation of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) peptides as model IMP peptides are established. Also, a partially automated manufacturing procedure of a concentration MALDI-target is presented, suitable for fractions from CE. The MS analysis detected 9 out of 10 cyanogen bromide (CNBr) digested BR peptides. A novel technique for the off-line integration of CE to MALDI-MS using a closed-open-closed system is presented in <b>Paper II</b>, where the open part is a microcanal functioning as a MALDI target window. Investigation of the microcanal electro-osmotic flow (EOF) properties and band broadening characteristics was performed. A protein separation was obtained and detected with MALDI-MS analysis in the microcanal. Different protein digestion methods were evaluated using BR in <b>Paper III</b> through MALDI-MS. Several digestion methods as well as MS media were investigated alongside different MALDI matrices. For example, matrices as the hydrophobic 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) or 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) mixed with DHB, appeared to be promising matrices for analysis of BR.</p> / <p>Med anledning av integrala membranproteiners (IMP) hydrofoba egenskaper uppstår flera svårigheter vid hantering och analys av IMP, vilket inte är fallet för vattenlösliga proteiner. Nya analysmetoder krävs, som löser löslighetsproblemen för de hydrofoba proteinerna som tex flockning och adsorbtion. Dessa problem påverkar även klyvningsgrad och kompatibilitet med analysutrustningen.</p><p>I <b>Artikel I</b> och <b>Artikel III</b> presenteras protokoll för analys och separation specifikt för IMP. Instrumenteringen som har använts i detta arbete är kapillärelektrofores (CE) och matris-assisterad laserdesorptions-joniserings-masspektrometri (MALDI-MS). Båda instrumenten är lämpade för peptid/protein analyser.</p><p>I <b>Artikel I</b>, presenteras protokoll för en CE separation av peptider från bacteriorhodopsin (BR), som användes som modellpeptider för IMP. En delvis automatiserat tillverkningsprocedur för en koncentrerande MALDI-platta, som är anpassad för CE fraktionerna beskrivs också. MS-analysen detekterade 9 av 10 BR-peptider från cyanobromid-klyvning (CNBr). En ny teknik för off line-integrering av CE till MALDI-MS genom ett slutet-öppet-slutet system presenteras i <b>Artikel II</b>, där den öppna delen är en mikrokanal som fungerar som detektionsfönster i MALDI. Undersökning av mikrokanalens egenskaper som tex det elektroosmotiska flödet (EOF) och bandbreddningen utvärderades. En proteinseparation genomfördes och detekterades med MALDI–MS i mikrokanalen. Olika proteinklyvningsmetoder för BR undersöktes i <b>Artikel</b> <b>III</b> med MALDI-MS. Flera proteinklyvningsmetoder samt MS-medier utvärderades tillsammans med olika MALDI-matriser. Den hydrofoba matrisen 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) och 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) eller 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) blandade med DHB, visade sig exempelvis vara lovande matriser för BR-analyser.</p>

INTRODUÇÃO: As infecções por bactérias anaeróbias são geralmente de origem endógena, polimicrobianas e mistas. Devido a sua natureza fastidiosa, essas bactérias necessitam de uma prévia incubação em meios líquidos enriquecidos, como o caldo Thioglicolato (CT) para serem recuperadas, o isolamento desses microrganismos é trabalhoso e o tempo de resposta - TAT (turn around time) estendido desse exame pode estar associado a falhas terapêuticas e ao aumento da resistência bacteriana. A cultura de anaeróbios (CANA) ainda é um desafio para os laboratórios clínicos de rotina e novas estratégias para diminuir o TAT são fundamentais para que esse exame forneça um impacto clínico significativo. OBJETIVO: Otimizar o processo de triagem da CANA pela modificação do CT; comparar a identificação dos anaeróbios pelas metodologias fenotípicas ANC (Vitek 2- bioMérieux, France) e MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS - bioMérieux, France) e verificar o impacto econômico das ações propostas MÉTODOS: O caldo de triagem CT foi modificado eluindo individualmente discos comerciais de antibióticos (em concentrações fixas) selecionados por apresentarem baixa ou nenhuma ação contra microrganismos anaeróbios e com um bom espectro de ação para os principais aeróbios associados em culturas mistas e foram escolhidos aqueles que após uma bateria de testes frente a 15 cepas dos principais anaeróbios envolvidos em infecções humanas mantiveram a viabilidade inicial. O caldo Thioglicolato modificado (CTM) foi composto pela adição dos antibióticos que apresentaram a melhor \"performance\" acima descrita. A sensibilidade e especificidade do CTM foram avaliadas paralelamente com CT na rotina de CANA do HCFMUSP. Para a avaliar a identificação fenotípica, 421 anaeróbios isolados no período de seis meses foram submetidos a identificação pelo ANC (Vitek 2) e MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS). Os resultados discordantes ou com baixa discriminação da espécie foram avaliados pelo sequenciamento 16S rRNA. O impacto econômico da introdução do CTM bem como os custos diretos da identificação pelo MALDI-TOF foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: O CTM foi composto por amicacina, gentamicina e aztreonam. Das 159 amostras clínicas triadas pelo CT e CTM, 11 (7%) foram positivas para CANA com as mesmas espécies isoladas em ambos os meios. Utilizando o CTM, foi obtida uma redução dos falsos positivos de 97 (61%) para 69 (43%) quando comparado ao CT (p < 0,05). O TAT do resultado negativo da CANA com o CTM foi reduzido de 14 para sete dias em 28 (18%) amostras; o CTM permitiu a liberação do resultado positivo da CANA 48 horas à frente do CT. A sensibilidade do CTM foi igual ao CT, porém a especificidade foi superior em 19%. Das 421 cepas avaliadas, 35 foram identificadas somente pelo MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS) sendo que uma (Clostridium innocum) foi identificada somente pelo sequenciamento 16S rRNA. Das 386 avaliadas por ambas as metodologias, houve uma concordância de 97% e os resultados das 13 (3%) cepas submetidas ao sequenciamento foram concordantes em 92% com o MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS) que promoveu a redução do TAT do resultado positivo em cinco dias. A implementação do CTM possibilitou uma redução de custos nessa amostragem, de R$ 2.240,00 e a identificação pelo MALDI-TOF proporcionou uma economia de R$ 7.786,00. Considerando os valores econômicos encontrados nesse estudo e projetando-os nas estatísticas de CANA do HCFMUSP em 2017, o CTM poderia proporcionar uma economia de R$ 132.560,00 /ano e o MALDI-TOF uma redução nos gastos de R$ 13.579,00/ ano CONCLUSÕES: A padronização e implementação do CTM permitiu uma um aumento significativo de especificidade da cultura anaeróbia com redução do TAT e dos custos. A utilização do MALDI-TOF diminuiu o TAT das identificações aliado a uma melhor performance de forma custo efetiva / INTRODUCTION: Anaerobic bacterial infections are usually of endogenous origin, polymicrobial and mixed. Because of their fastidious nature, these bacteria require prior incubation in enriched liquid media, such as Thioglycolate broth (TB) to be recovered, the isolation of these microorganisms is laborious, and the TAT (turn around time) extended time of this examination may be associated with therapeutic failures and increased bacterial resistance. Anaerobic culture (AC) is still a challenge for routine clinical laboratories, and new strategies for lowering TAT are critical to provide a significant clinical impact. OBJECTIVE: To optimize the AC screening process by modifying the TB; Compare anaerobical identification between (Vitek 2- bioMérieux, France) and MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS - bioMérieux, France) and to verify the economic impact of the proposed actions. METHODS: TB broth was modified by eluting individually antibiotic commercial discs (at fixed concentrations) selected for low or no action against anaerobic microorganisms and with a good action spectrum for the main associated aerobes in mixed cultures. Those who maintained the initial viability after a battery of tests against 15 strains of the major anaerobes involved in human infections were selected. Modified Thioglycolate Broth (MTB) was composed of the antibiotics that presented the best performance described above. The sensitivity and specificity of MTB were evaluated in parallel with TB in the HCFMUSP AC routine. To evaluate the phenotypic identification, 421 anaerobes isolated in the six-month period were submitted to identification by ANC (Vitek 2) and MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS). Discordant results or those with low discrimination of the species were submitted to 16S rRNA sequencing. The economic impact of the introduction of MTB as well as the direct costs of MALDI-TOF identification were assessed. RESULTS: MTB was composed of amikacin, gentamicin and aztreonam. Of the 159 clinical samples screened by TB and MTB, 11 (7%) were positive for AC with the same species isolated in both media. Using MTB, a reduction of false positives was obtained from 97 (61%) to 69 (43%) when compared to TB (p < 0.05). The TAT of the negative result of the AC with the MTB was reduced from 14 to 7 days in 28 (18%) samples; the MTB allowed the release of the AC positive result 48 hours ahead of the TB. The sensitivity of MTB was equal to TB, but the specificity was higher in 19%. Of the 421 strains evaluated, 35 were identified only by MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS) and one (Clostridium innocum) was identified only by 16S rRNA sequencing. Of the 386 evaluated by both methodologies, there was a concordance of 97% and the results of the 13 (3%) strains submitted to the sequencing were concordant in 92% with the MALDI-TOF (Vitek MS) that promoted TAT of the positive result reduction in five days. The implementation of the MTB made possible a reduction of costs in this sampling, of US $ 677,00 and the identification by MALDI-TOF provided a saving of US $ 2354,00. Considering the economic values found in this study and projecting them in the HCFMUSP AC statistics in 2017, the MTB could provide savings of US $40,070.00 / year and MALDI-TOF a reduction in expenses of US $ 4,100.00 / year. CONCLUSIONS: Standardization and implementation of MTB allowed a significant increase of anaerobic culture specificity with TAT and costs reduction. The use of MALDI-TOF reduced the TAT of the identifications and also resulted in a better performance in a cost effective way

The mechanochemical polycondensation between a diamine and a dialdehyde constitutes a sustainable alternative to classical solvent-based polymerization reactions. This process not only allows for a higher conversion and a shorter reaction time as compared to standard solvent-based syntheses of this conjugated polymer, but the reaction can also be adjusted by the energy introduced via the ball mill.

Le cholestérol est l'une des molécules biologiques indispensable au bon fonctionnement de la plupart des organismes vivants, y compris chez l’homme. Cette molécule se trouve en abondance dans des tissus cérébraux et joue trois rôles principaux dans l'organisme. C’est un constituant (composant) essentiel de la membrane cellulaire qui sert à maintenir l’intégrité et la fluidité des cellules. Le cholestérol est aussi un élément déclencheur pour la production d’hormones stéroïdiennes comme les hormones sexuelles et la vitamine D. Finalement, il contribue à la production des acides biliaires par le foie. Dans cette étude, une méthode analytique de quantification absolu du cholestérol dans sections tissulaires de cerveau de souris par IMS a été développée. Pour ce faire, dans un premier temps des courbes d’étalonnage faites à partir de concentrations croissantes de cholesterol-d7 ont été réalisé en dopant directement des sections minces d’homogénat de cerveau. Par la suite, un étalon interne de stigmastérol (un stérol naturel d’origine exclusivement végétale) a été utilisé pour normaliser les signaux en provenance du cholestérol et du cholestérol-d7. Finalement, les analyses ont été effectué en utilisant une méthode IMS préalablement développée au laboratoire pour la détection spécifique et l’imagerie du cholestérol par désorption ionisation laser assistée par l’argent. L’étalon interne a été utilisé ici pour réduire les erreurs instrumentales, et les résultats avant et après normalisation montrent le rôle fonctionnel de cette méthode dans l’amélioration de la linéarité de la courbe d’étalonnage et, en conséquence, la mesure précise du cholestérol dans des échantillons analysés. / Cholesterol is one of the biological molecules essential for the proper functioning of most living organisms, including humans, and accurate quantification of cholesterol has many potential implications. This molecule is found abundantly in the brain and plays three main roles in the body. It is an essential component of the cell membrane which serves to maintain the integrity and fluidity of cells. Cholesterol is also a chemical trigger for the production of various steroid hormones such as sex hormones and vitamin D. Ultimately, it helps the liver to produce bile acids. A greater understanding of cholesterol and of its role in the body may directly impact our understanding of these processes. In this study, an analytical method for the absolute quantification of cholesterol in the mouse brain slices by IMS was developed. To achieve this calibration curves made from increasing concentrations of cholesterol-d7 were first performed by doping them on thin sections of brain homogenate. Subsequently, stigmasterol (a natural sterol of exclusively plant origin) was used as an internal standard to normalize the signals from cholesterol and cholesterol-d7 was evenly deposited over all analyzed sections. Finally, the analyzes were performed using an IMS method previously developed in the laboratory for the specific detection and imaging of cholesterol by silver-assisted laser ionization desorption. The internal standard was used here to reduce instrument errors, and the before and after normalization results show the functional role of this method in improving the linearity of the calibration curve and, therefore, the accurate measurement of cholesterol in the analyzed samples.

Due to the hydrophobic nature of integral membrane proteins (IMP) they give rise to several difficulties concerning handling and analysis, which is not the case for the most water soluble proteins. New analysis methods are needed, where the insolubility problems of the hydrophobic proteins due to aggregation and adhesion are tackled. Those problems also affect digestion performance and equipment compatibility for the analysis. Protocols for analysis and separation specified for IMP are presented in Paper I and III. The instrumentation used in this work was capillary electrophoresis (CE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Both instruments are suitable for peptide/proteins analysis. In Paper I, protocols for a CE separation of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) peptides as model IMP peptides are established. Also, a partially automated manufacturing procedure of a concentration MALDI-target is presented, suitable for fractions from CE. The MS analysis detected 9 out of 10 cyanogen bromide (CNBr) digested BR peptides. A novel technique for the off-line integration of CE to MALDI-MS using a closed-open-closed system is presented in Paper II, where the open part is a microcanal functioning as a MALDI target window. Investigation of the microcanal electro-osmotic flow (EOF) properties and band broadening characteristics was performed. A protein separation was obtained and detected with MALDI-MS analysis in the microcanal. Different protein digestion methods were evaluated using BR in Paper III through MALDI-MS. Several digestion methods as well as MS media were investigated alongside different MALDI matrices. For example, matrices as the hydrophobic 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) or 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) mixed with DHB, appeared to be promising matrices for analysis of BR. / Med anledning av integrala membranproteiners (IMP) hydrofoba egenskaper uppstår flera svårigheter vid hantering och analys av IMP, vilket inte är fallet för vattenlösliga proteiner. Nya analysmetoder krävs, som löser löslighetsproblemen för de hydrofoba proteinerna som tex flockning och adsorbtion. Dessa problem påverkar även klyvningsgrad och kompatibilitet med analysutrustningen. I Artikel I och Artikel III presenteras protokoll för analys och separation specifikt för IMP. Instrumenteringen som har använts i detta arbete är kapillärelektrofores (CE) och matris-assisterad laserdesorptions-joniserings-masspektrometri (MALDI-MS). Båda instrumenten är lämpade för peptid/protein analyser. I Artikel I, presenteras protokoll för en CE separation av peptider från bacteriorhodopsin (BR), som användes som modellpeptider för IMP. En delvis automatiserat tillverkningsprocedur för en koncentrerande MALDI-platta, som är anpassad för CE fraktionerna beskrivs också. MS-analysen detekterade 9 av 10 BR-peptider från cyanobromid-klyvning (CNBr). En ny teknik för off line-integrering av CE till MALDI-MS genom ett slutet-öppet-slutet system presenteras i Artikel II, där den öppna delen är en mikrokanal som fungerar som detektionsfönster i MALDI. Undersökning av mikrokanalens egenskaper som tex det elektroosmotiska flödet (EOF) och bandbreddningen utvärderades. En proteinseparation genomfördes och detekterades med MALDI–MS i mikrokanalen. Olika proteinklyvningsmetoder för BR undersöktes i Artikel III med MALDI-MS. Flera proteinklyvningsmetoder samt MS-medier utvärderades tillsammans med olika MALDI-matriser. Den hydrofoba matrisen 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) och 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (2H3MBA) eller 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (2H5MBA) blandade med DHB, visade sig exempelvis vara lovande matriser för BR-analyser. / QC 20101109