High-Speed, Integrated Ablation Cell and Dual Concentric Injector Plasma Torch for Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Uranium Single Particle Analysis for Simultaneous Fluorine and Uranium Isotopic Determinations via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy/Laser Ablation-Multicollector-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Uranyl fluoride (UO2F2) particles (<20 μm) were subjected to first-of-its-kind analysis via simultaneous laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). Briefly, a nanosecond pulsed high-energy laser was focused onto the sample (particle) surface. In a single laser pulse, the UO2F2 particle was excited/ionized within the microplasma volume, and the emission of light was collected via fiber optics such that emission spectroscopy could be employed for the detection of uranium (U) and fluorine (F). The ablated particle was simultaneously transported into the MC-ICP-MS for high precision isotopic (i.e., 234U, 235U, and 238U) analysis. This method, LIBS/LA-MC-ICP-MS was optimized and employed to rapidly measure 80+ UO2F2 particles, which were subjected to different calcination processes, which results in varying degrees of F loss from the individual particles. In measuring the particles, the average F/U ratios for the populations treated at 100 and 500 °C were 2.78 ± 1.28 and 1.01 ± 0.50, respectively, confirming loss of F through the calcination process. The average 235U/238U on the particle populations for the 100 and 500 °C were 0.007262 (22) and 0.007231 (23), which was determined to be <0.2% from the expected value. The 234U/238U ratios on the same particles were 0.000053 (11) and 0.000050 (10) for the 100 and 500 °C, respectively, <10% from the expected value. Notably, each population was analyzed in under 5 min, demonstrating the truly rapid analysis technique presented here.

Imaging of Subcellular Distribution of Platinum in Single Cells Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a well-established and sensitive analytical technique, which provides high-resolution imaging of endogenous elements, element tagged-markers, metal-containing nanoparticles, and metallodrugs within cells. Here we describe a protocol for imaging the subcellular distribution of platinum within A549 cells, following their incubation with the platinum-based anticancer agent, Oxaliplatin. We outline the essential steps in sample preparation and instrumental setup and discuss how the current generation of low-dispersion instruments facilitates new approaches to data acquisition and image processing. The protocol described herein can be easily adapted for other cell lines and metal-containing labeling agents.

Accumulation of molybdenum in major organs following repeated oral administration of bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate in the Sprague Dawley rat

Molybdenum is an essential dietary trace element required for several critical enzyme systems. High intake is associated with toxicity in ruminants and animal studies. The proposed therapeutic use of molybdenum based drugs poses a potential risk for accumulation through chronic administration of therapeutic doses of this element. The current experiment was designed to study the effect of daily dosing of a molybdenum compound, bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate (TTM), in Sprague Dawley rats using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-ToF-MS), and two dosing levels of TTM for up to 3-months. To investigate if molybdenum accumulation was associated with tissue toxicity, histopathology, haematology and clinical biochemistry markers of toxicity were incorporated into the study design. There were no behavioural signs of toxicity to the rats, and no clinical or anatomic pathology associated with treatment. The current data did show a progressive accumulation of molybdenum within the adrenal gland, kidneys, liver, spleen, brain and testes. While this was not associated with tissue toxicity within the three-month study design, greater exposure over a longer period of time has potential for adverse pathophysiological cellular function. Tissue toxicity, as a result of local excessive accumulation of molybdenum over time has clear implications for the therapeutic use of molybdenum in humans and demands sensitive monitoring of tissue molybdenum levels to avoid toxicity. The current study highlights the shortcomings of conventional biomonitoring approaches to detect molybdenum accumulation with the goal of avoiding molybdenum associated toxicity.

Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry Imaging in Biology

Elemental imaging gives insight into the fundamental chemical makeup of living organisms. Every cell on Earth is comprised of a complex and dynamic mixture of the chemical elements that define structure and function. Many disease states feature a disturbance in elemental homeostasis, and understanding how, and most importantly where, has driven the development of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) as the principal elemental imaging technique for biologists. This review provides an outline of ICP-MS technology, laser ablation cell designs, imaging workflows, and methods of quantification. Detailed examples of imaging applications including analyses of cancers, elemental uptake and accumulation, plant bioimaging, nanomaterials in the environment, and exposure science and neuroscience are presented and discussed. Recent incorporation of immunohistochemical workflows for imaging biomolecules, complementary and multimodal imaging techniques, and image processing methods is also reviewed.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as a novel clinical imaging tool to detect asbestos fibres in malignant mesothelioma

RATIONALE

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive and incurable malignancy associated with prior exposure to asbestos fibres. Difficulties remain in relation to early diagnosis, notably due to impeded identification of asbestos in lung tissue. This study describes a novel laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging approach to identify asbestos within mesothelioma models with clinical significance.

METHODS

Human mesothelioma cells were exposed to different types of asbestos fibres and prepared on plastic slides for LA-ICP-MS analysis. No further sample preparation was required prior to analysis, which was performed using an NWR Image 266 nm laser ablation system coupled to an Element XR sector-field ICP mass spectrometer, with a lateral resolution of 2 μm. Data was processed using LA-ICP-MS ImageTool v1.7 with the final graphic production made using DPlot software.

RESULTS

Four different mineral fibres were successfully identified within the mesothelioma samples based on some of the most abundant elements that make up these fibres (Si, Mg and Fe). Using LA-ICP-MS as an imaging tool provided information on the spatial distribution of the fibres at cellular level, which is essential in asbestos detection within tissue samples. Based on the metal counts generated by the different types of asbestos, different fibres can be identified based on shape, size, and elemental composition. Detection of Ca was attempted but requires further optimisation.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of asbestos fibres in lung tissues is very useful, if not necessary, to complete the pathological dt9iagnosis of asbestos-related malignancies in the medicolegal field. For the first time, this study demonstrates the successful application of LA-ICP-MS imaging to identify asbestos fibres and other mineral fibres within mesothelioma samples. Ultimately, high-resolution, fast-speed LA-ICP-MS analysis has the potential to be integrated into clinical workflow to aid earlier detection and stratification of mesothelioma patient samples.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as a novel clinical imaging tool to detect asbestos fibres in malignant mesothelioma

RATIONALE

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive and incurable malignancy associated with prior exposure to asbestos fibres. Difficulties remain in relation to early diagnosis, notably due to impeded identification of asbestos in lung tissue. This study describes a novel laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging approach to identify asbestos within mesothelioma models with clinical significance.

METHODS

Human mesothelioma cells were exposed to different types of asbestos fibres and prepared on plastic slides for LA-ICP-MS analysis. No further sample preparation was required prior to analysis, which was performed using an NWR Image 266 nm laser ablation system coupled to an Element XR sector-field ICP mass spectrometer, with a lateral resolution of 2 μm. Data was processed using LA-ICP-MS ImageTool v1.7 with the final graphic production made using DPlot software.

RESULTS

Four different mineral fibres were successfully identified within the mesothelioma samples based on some of the most abundant elements that make up these fibres (Si, Mg and Fe). Using LA-ICP-MS as an imaging tool provided information on the spatial distribution of the fibres at cellular level, which is essential in asbestos detection within tissue samples. Based on the metal counts generated by the different types of asbestos, different fibres can be identified based on shape, size, and elemental composition. Detection of Ca was attempted but requires further optimisation.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of asbestos fibres in lung tissues is very useful, if not necessary, to complete the pathological dt9iagnosis of asbestos-related malignancies in the medicolegal field. For the first time, this study demonstrates the successful application of LA-ICP-MS imaging to identify asbestos fibres and other mineral fibres within mesothelioma samples. Ultimately, high-resolution, fast-speed LA-ICP-MS analysis has the potential to be integrated into clinical workflow to aid earlier detection and stratification of mesothelioma patient samples.

Distribution of nutrient and toxic elements in brown and polished rice

Rice is a staple food in many countries around the world and it is a source of not only the nutrients, but also toxic elements. In this study, we evaluated four degrees of polishing and determined the elemental content (P, S, K, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Hg, Pb) in brown rice, rice bran and the resulting white rice using microwave assisted decomposition followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. Additionally, individual rice grains at every polishing step were analyzed by laser ablation ICP-MS to generate elemental distribution maps. While P, K, Mn and Fe were predominantly located in bran layer, S, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, and Hg were present in both the bran and endosperm. As the elemental distribution in the grain varies, polishing to produce white rice results in removal of different amounts of nutrient and toxic elements.

A viscous film sample chamber for Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry

Laser Ablation - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a powerful method to determine the elemental composition of solid-state samples as it combines the high sensitivity and isotope selectivity of ICP-MS detection and the simplicity of laser ablation sampling. This technique enables rapid multiple sampling of the analysed material, such as needed for mapping or in-depth profiling applications. However, the duration of these measurements is practically restricted by the time taken for the particle to be transported from the sampling point to the ICP torch. The ablation cell, i.e. the sample holder, should combine high removal rate, high efficiency (i.e. complete transport of the ablated material) and reduced memory effects. These goals may be achieved by carefully designing the geometry of the cell and its gas flow patterns. A new cell design which enables a homogeneous wahout time of around 210 ms from a cylindrical chamber with 70 mm diameter is introduced in this paper. Washout time was determined as the time for the transient signal of 238U from a NIST610 glass standard to fall to 10% of its peak value. This result is achieved by combining a diffused, cylindrical flow pattern with an extraction tube coaxial with the laser beam and fixed to the laser assembly which enables the sampling point to be constantly positioned on the ablation spot. The lower part of the cell is mounted on the x,y stage for sample movement: the cell sealing is warranted by a viscous film junction between the lower and upper cell parts. Optimisation and performances of the apparatus are discussed in detail and performances are compared to existing designs.

Novel Image Metrics for Retrieval of the Lateral Resolution in Line Scan-Based 2D LA-ICPMS Imaging via an Experimental-Modeling Approach

The quality of elemental image maps obtained via line scan-based LA-ICPMS is a function of the temporal response of the entire system, governed by the design of the system and mapping and acquisition conditions used, next to the characteristics of the sample. To quantify image degradation, ablation targets with periodic gratings are required for the construction of a modulation transfer function (MTF) and subsequent determination of the lateral resolution as a function of image noise and contrast. Since such ablation targets, with suitable matrix composition, are not readily available, computer-generated periodic gratings were virtually ablated via a computational process based on a two-step discrete-time convolution procedure using empirical/experimental input data. This experimental-modeling procedure simulates LA-ICPMS imaging based on two consecutive processes, viz., LA sampling (via ablation crater profiles [ACP]) and aerosol washout/transfer/ICPMS measurement (via single pulse responses [SPR]). By random selection of experimental SPRs from a large database for each individual pulse during the simulation, the convolution procedure simulates an accurate elemental image map of the periodic gratings with realistic (proportional or flicker) noise. This facilitates indirect retrieval of the experimental lateral resolution for the matrix targeted without performing actual line scanning on periodic gratings.

Quantitative Determination and Subcellular Imaging of Cu in Single Cells via Laser Ablation-ICP-Mass Spectrometry Using High-Density Microarray Gelatin Standards

This manuscript describes the development and characterization of a high-density microarray calibration standard, manufactured in-house and designed to overcome the limitations in precision, accuracy, and throughput of current calibration approaches for the quantification of elemental concentrations on the cellular level using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). As a case study, the accumulation of Cu in the model organism Scrippsiella trochoidea resulting from transition metal exposure (ranging from 0.5 to 100 μg/L) was evaluated. After the Cu exposure, cells of this photosynthetic dinoflagellate were treated with a critical point drying protocol, transferred to a carbon stub, and sputter-coated with a Au layer for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. In subsequent LA-ICPMS analysis, approximately 100 cells of each population were individually ablated. This approach permitted the evaluation of the mean concentration of Cu in the cell population across different exposure levels and also allowed the examination of the cellular distribution of Cu within the populations. In a cross-validation exercise, subcellular LA-ICPMS imaging was demonstrated to corroborate synchrotron radiation confocal X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) microimaging of single cells investigated under in vivo conditions.