Abstract: To provide a method for discriminating a microorganism by selecting and using a marker protein capable of reproducibly and quickly discriminating a bacterial species of the genus Listeria. The method for discriminating a microorganism according to the present invention includes: a step of subjecting a sample containing a microorganism to mass spectrometry to obtain a mass spectrum; a reading step of reading a mass-to-charge ratio m/z of a peak derived from a marker protein from the mass spectrum; and a discrimination step of discriminating which bacterial species of Listeria bacteria the microorganism contained in the sample contains based on the mass-to-charge ratio m/z, in which at least one of 17 ribosomal proteins L3, L4, L23, L2, L24, L6, L18, S5, L15, S13, S11, L10, L21, L13, S9, L31, S16 is used as the marker protein and particularly at least one of 8 ribosomal proteins L24, L6, L18, L15, S9, L31, S16 among the 17 ribosomal proteins is used.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing groundwater samples with multiple organic tracer species from a petroleum containing reservoir include obtaining the sample, isolating an aqueous fraction of the groundwater sample, separating the aqueous fraction into a plurality of components, where each component corresponds to a different one of the organic tracer species, combining each of the separated components with at least one lanthanide element to form a plurality of component solutions, where a ratio of the at least one lanthanide element to the separated component in each component solution is 5:1 or greater, and analyzing each component solution to determine a relative amount of each organic tracer species in the groundwater sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for evaluating in vivo protein nutrition based on an LC-MS-MS technique, including the following steps: (1) collecting contents from different intestinal segments, and extracting and isolating protein ingredients; (2) determining the concentration of proteins; (3) treating before carrying out mass spectrometry: including digestion and desalting of a whole protein solution; (4) LC-MS-MS analysis; (5) database searching; and (6) data processing. Proteomic technology is used to identify proteins in the contents of different intestinal segments and digestive products thereof, and the source of the proteins in the contents of different intestinal segments and the contents thereof can be determined therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining whether a subject is afflicted with a motor neuron disease, the method comprising conducting an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and/or plasma, measuring the level of one or more sterol/oxysterol analytes, and comparing these to reference values. Further, the invention relates to methods of identifying agents suitable for the treatment of MND, and monitoring the progress of the disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel and improved methods of analyzing proteins, peptides and polypeptides by mass spectrometry using ion-ion reactions. More specifically the disclosure relates to improved methods for implementing the m/z selective arresting of ion-ion reactions within the ion-ion reaction cell of a mass spectrometer system during a period where ion-ion reactions are performed.

Abstract: A molecular nanotag is disclosed that includes a core nanoparticle with a diameter of less than about 100 nm, with an optional shell surrounding the core, and an armor bound to the surface of the core nanoparticle, or if present, to the surface of the shell. The molecular nanotag also includes a functionalized end with a fixed number of binding sites that can selectively bind to a molecular targeting ligand. Any one of, or any combination of, the core, the shell and the armor contribute to fluorescence, light scattering and/or ligand binding properties of the molecular tag that are detectable by microscopy or in a devices that measures intensity or power of fluorescence and light scattering.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel means for accurate qualitative and quantitative analyses for each N-glycosylation site. The method of analyzing N-linked sugar chain(s) of glycoprotein according to the present invention comprises: treating a part of a glycopeptide-containing sample to be analyzed with endo-?-N-acetylglucosaminidases to cleave off sugar chains while leaving one GlcNAc of the chitobiose core on the Asn at the N-glycosylation site; subjecting the obtained sugar chain-cleaved sample to preliminary liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry; predicting the retention time of the glycopeptide of interest and the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of the precursor ion in main analysis based on the results of the preliminary liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry; and carrying out the main analysis. By this method, the binding sites and structures of N-linked sugar chains in a glycoprotein can be analyzed.

Abstract: A kit or composition for in situ simultaneously derivatization of 14 phenol and carboxylic acid metabolites of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in a urine sample is disclosed. The derivatization imparts a positive charge to phenol and carboxylic acid for subsequent LC-MS analysis. Limit of detection reached part-per-trillion levels for o-Cresol and part-per-billion levels for the remaining BTEX metabolites. BTEX metabolites can be detected in less than 35 mins according to one embodiment of the invention. Methods, kits and compositions disclosed herein can be used for in situ simultaneous derivatization of phenol and carboxylic acid in aqueous solution in general.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for obtaining a metabolite solution comprising a mass spectrometry compatible volatile salt or volatile compound.

Abstract: A charge detector includes: a charge sensor that senses a charged analyte and produces a charge signal in response to contact with the charged analyte; a transducer in electrical communication with the charge sensor and that: receives the charge signal from the charge sensor, receives a feedback control signal; and produces a transduction signal in response to receipt of the charge signal and the feedback control signal; and a sensitivity controller in electrical communication with the transducer and that: receives the transduction signal from the transducer; produces the feedback control signal in response to receipt of the transduction signal from the transducer; and produces a charge readout in response to receipt of the transduction signal from the transducer.

Abstract: Methods of assessing, such as characterizing or determining, condensate-associated characteristics of a compound, such as a test compound, and applications thereof are provided. For example, methods of determining a partition characteristic of a test compound in a target condensate, methods of determining a relative partition characteristic of a test compound in a target condensate, and methods of determining a condensate preference profile of a test compound are provided. Additionally, methods of designing and/or identifying and/or making a compound, or portion thereof, with a desired relative condensate partition characteristic are provided.

Abstract: Described are methods, compositions, and devices for a concatemeric protein standard that behaves as a protein but transforms into single peptides upon digestion, which is optimized to function as a non-obtrusive process control for mass spectrometry analysis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for using chemical tags which have two or more sites for ionization to improve quantification and identification of components of interest from a complex mixture. This method relies on first selectively reacting one or more component in a sample with a chemical tag having two or more sites for ionization, followed by separation of components based on charge status, and finally characterization of each component to identify the same. Additionally disclosed are compounds useful as chemical tags in the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents suitable in the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules such as carbohydrates as well as adducts of such reagents and analyte molecules and applications of said reagents and adducts. Further, the present invention relates to methods for the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules.

Abstract: Diagnostic analyzers with pretreatment carousels and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first carousel that includes a first annular array of slots to receive a first vessel. The example first carousel also includes a first track of rotation about the first carousel having a first diameter and a second track of rotation about the first carousel having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The example apparatus includes a first diverter to move the first vessel from the first track to the second track. In addition, the example apparatus includes a second carousel coaxial with the first carousel. The example second carousel includes a second annular array of slots to receive a second vessel.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for analyzing the protein corona are described herein, as well as its application in the discovery of advanced diagnostic tools as well as therapeutic targets.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising performing a plurality of experimental runs, wherein each experimental run comprises: periodically mass analysing fragment or product ions at a plurality of time intervals, wherein a delay time is provided between the start of the experimental run and the first time interval at which the fragment or product ions are mass analysed. Different delay times are provided in different ones of the experimental runs and fragment or product ions that have been analysed in the same time interval in at least one of said experimental runs and that have been analysed in different time intervals in at least one other of said experimental runs are identified as fragment or product ions of interest. These fragment or product ions are thus determined to relate to different precursor ions and are used to identify their respective precursor ions.

Abstract: The present description provides a cancer assay panel for targeted detection of cancer-specific methylation patterns. Further provided herein are methods of designing, making, and using the cancer assay panel for the diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract: The method presented herein includes acquiring a mass spectrum of a molecule that includes mass spectrum peaks corresponding to a precursor ion and fragment ions. The method also includes identifying at least a portion of the fragment ions in the mass spectrum as corresponding to one or more monomer subunit ion of the precursor ion by appending one or more of the fragment ions to an inferable constituent to produce a topology building block. The topology building block is then stored in a candidate pool as corresponding to one or more of the monomer subunit ion if the combined mass of the inferable constituent and one or more of the fragment ions satisfy a first user-defined mass tolerance. One or more candidate topology of the precursor ion is then obtained by combining a plurality of the topology building blocks that satisfy a second user-defined mass tolerance for the precursor ion.