Latest ArticlesLubaberone (LUB) is the first U S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved feed additives for reducing gaseous emissions from animals or their wastes, and the intake of animal-derived foods is an important source of human exposure to LUB. However, the lack of applicable analytical methods makes it difficult for regulatory authorities to monitor LUB in animal-derived foods. There is an urgent need to establish efficient and accurate methods for the analysis of LUB in animal-derived foods. In this study, a method was developed for the determination of LUB from six types of typical animal-derived foods (beef, bovine liver, bovine fat, mutton, sheep liver and sheep fat) by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The effects of extraction solvent types, extraction methods, extraction time and purification cartridges on the recovery of LUB were investigated, and the optimal conditions for sample pretreatment were confirmed. The homogenized samples were extracted using 0.5% formic acid acetonitrile via ultrasonication for 10 min, and then filtered by high-speed centrifugation, and the extracted solution was cleaned using SPE with a PRiME HLB cartridge. The LUB was separated on a Shim-pack GIST C18-AQ chromatographic column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 2.7 μm) with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile as mobile phases at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, and detected in positive ion switching mode (ESI+) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning, and quantitatively analyzed using the external standard method. Under the optimized experimental conditions, LUB in different animal-derived food matrices showed good linearity within their respective linear concentration ranges with the correlation coefficients (r) greater than 0.99. The limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.4‒1.0 μg/kg and 1.0‒2.0 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of LUB spiked at low, medium and high levels ranged from 81.5% to 116.5% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 2.0%‒8.2%. The method is simple, rapid and highly sensitive, which can enable the analysis of LUB residues in animal-derived foods, and provides analytical technology support for the daily detection of LUB residues in imported and exported animal-derived foods.
This experiment is based on a 4-bit deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanoswitch, in which specific DNA single strands trigger a “linear-to-circular” conformational transition. By leveraging the migration differences between the two conformations in gel electrophoresis, digital binary encoding is achieved. Different combinations of conformational switches can represent distinct information. Inspired by the “protection-deprotection” strategy in organic chemistry, an ribonucleic acid (RNA) protection strand is introduced to prevent the formation of the circular structure, thereby establishing an information encryption system. The system utilizes ribonuclease A (RNase A) for specific enzymatic cleavage to remove the protection, restoring information readout and establishing an RNA-regulated encryption system. By integrating DNA nanotechnology, binary encoding, and chemical protection strategies, agarose gel electrophoresis is applied throughout the entire experimental process, enabling full visualization from molecular construction to information read‑write. This approach not only helps students master gel electrophoresis techniques and deepen their understanding of electrophoretic separation mechanisms and structure‑activity relationships at the molecular level, but also exposes them to cutting‑edge fields such as molecular information encoding and DNA nanotechnology, effectively stimulating innovative thinking and interdisciplinary problem‑solving skills.
Multiple sclerosis (MuS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with a globally increasing prevalence. Its pathogenesis involves complex interactions among immune dysregulation, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors. These contribute to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, posing significant challenges for both diagnosis and treatment. Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of small-molecule metabolites, has emerged as a powerful approach to elucidate MuS pathophysiology and identify potential biomarkers. In particular, alterations in amino acid and lipid metabolism are closely associated with inflammation, myelin damage, neurotransmitter imbalance, and immune activation. This review summarizes recent advancements in the application of chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques to MuS biomarker research. Key technologies include liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for analyzing metabolites in biological fluids, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for precise metabolite identification, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for profiling volatile compounds, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for mapping spatial metabolite distributions in tissues. Metabolomic analyses of MuS patient samples have revealed significant disruptions in amino acid metabolism. For instance, reduced arginine levels and elevated asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in cerebrospinal fluid suggest vascular dysfunction. Altered tryptophan metabolism, including altered levels of kynurenic acid and 5-hydroxytryptophan, reflects neurotransmitter imbalances. Increased pyroglutamic acid levels indicate oxidative stress. Lipid metabolism is also markedly perturbed in MuS. Changes in palmitic acid levels affect cell membrane integrity, while alterations in sphingolipids, key components of myelin, are linked to demyelination. Elevated oxysterols correlate with neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation. Additionally, systemic lipid changes, such as reduced low-density lipoprotein and altered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, have been associated with disease activity and progression. Due to their high sensitivity, resolution, and throughput, chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques are well-suited for detecting these metabolic alterations. Representative studies demonstrate the utility of LC-MS/MS in detecting amino acid perturbations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), GC-MS in identifying lipid abnormalities in serum, HRMS in generating detailed brain tissue metabolite profiles, and MALDI-TOF MS in visualizing lesion-specific metabolic distributions. These findings have led to the identification of promising biomarker candidates. For instance, decreased arginine may indicate endothelial dysfunction, while elevated oxysterols may serve as markers of neuroinflammatory activity. Such biomarkers hold potential for facilitating early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and personalized treatment strategies. Metabolomics via chromatography-mass spectrometry technologies has significantly advanced our understanding of MuS pathophysiology. Amino acid dysregulation affects neurotransmitter synthesis and immune modulation, while lipid imbalances impair myelin integrity and cellular signaling. These insights provide a foundation for the development of metabolite-based diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. Nonetheless, several challenges remain. MuS exhibits high heterogeneity, and metabolomic data are complex and variable. Improved biomarker specificity and standardization are needed for clinical application. Technological advances in chromatography-mass spectrometry resolution, along with standardized protocols, will be essential. Large-scale clinical validation across MuS subtypes is also critical. Integrating metabolomics with genomics and environmental factors may enhance biomarker reliability and elucidate individual disease trajectories. In conclusion, this review highlights the crucial role of chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in MuS research. By unraveling the metabolic underpinnings of inflammation and demyelination, it provides valuable insights into disease mechanisms and introduces novel avenues for early diagnosis and targeted therapy. Collaborative research efforts and methodological rigor will be key to translating these discoveries into clinical impact.
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) homologues are closely associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Accurate determination of their contents can provide an important basis for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study, an analytical method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was established, which enabled the simultaneous and accurate determination of 30 PC and LPC homologues using only 10 μL of human serum. Methanol-acetonitrile-methyl tert-butyl methyl ether-water was used as the extraction system, and an XBridge C18 column was selected as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of an acetonitrile-water mixture (1∶1, volume ratio) and isopropanol, both containing 7.5 mmol/L ammonium formate and 0.15% (volume ratio) formic acid, and gradient elution was adopted for separation. Detection was performed using an electrospray ionization source in the positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring. Method validation results showed that the method exhibited a good linear relationship, with an average linear correlation coefficient of ≥0.999 7 over a linear range of 0.125-100 μg/mL. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.01-1.94 μg/mL and 0.03-6.48 μg/mL, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 85.4% to 114.3%, while the intra-day precision and inter-day precision were no more than 4.6% and 12.6%, respectively. Serum samples from 110 clinical volunteers who underwent coronary angiography were determined using this method. The average population concentration of PC homologues was 526.80 μg/mL, and that of LPC homologues was 73.67 μg/mL. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that PC and LPC homologues were closely correlated with the severity of CAD, as well as with related clinical biochemical and lipid metabolism indicators, suggesting that they could serve as potential CAD-related metabolites in clinical practice. Designed to meet clinical analysis needs, this method features small serum sample volume, simple operation, and excellent response. It can efficiently determine 30 PC and LPC homologues in human serum, providing an important reference for exploring the association between these two lipid classes and CAD, as well as the translational application of related biomarkers.
To promote the standardization and harmonization of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing results in medical laboratories across Beijing, we established a reference method for HbA1c. This method participated in the International Comparison Program for HbA1c Reference Laboratories organized by the European Reference Laboratory Network for HbA1c to validate its accuracy. The experimental samples consisted of HbA1c network reference laboratory proficiency testing samples imported annually from the Netherlands, including six calibrators (A-F), ten intercomparison samples, several quality control materials, and additional auxiliary samples with International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC)-assigned values. The pre-treatment process involved digesting samples with protein endopeptidase Glu-C. The experimental samples were removed from the -80 ℃ freezer and allowed to reach room temperature. Subsequently, 50 μL of Glu-C (mass concentration: 200 μg/mL) was added to each sample vial at a ratio of total hemoglobin to enzyme of 1 mg∶0.01 mg. The volume was then adjusted to a final volume of 500 μL with ammonium acetate solution (50 mmol/L, pH 4.3). After thorough mixing, the samples were incubated at 37 ℃ for 18-20 h. Using mobile phases of methanol and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution under gradient elution conditions, the detection of HbA1c in international samples was performed via high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). A gradient elution mode was employed for liquid chromatography separation using a Shimadzu C18 column (50 mm×3 mm, 2.2 μm). The injector temperature was maintained at 4-8 ℃, with a column temperature of 30 ℃. The flow rate was kept constant at 0.6 mL/min, with an injection volume of 5 μL and a total run time of 8 min. The MS detection was performed using electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The monitored ion pairs for the precursor and product ions of non-glycated and glycated N-terminal hexapeptides are m/z 348.2/237.2 and m/z 429.2/245.2, respectively. The linearity was evaluated by performing regression analysis. The HbA1c (mmol/mol) quantification in unknown samples was achieved by performing linear regression using Analyst 1.6.2 software. Peak areas were integrated, with the abscissa (X-axis) representing the known concentration ratio of HbA1c to hemoglobin A0 (HbA0), and the ordinate (Y-axis) representing the average peak area ratio of glycated to non-glycated hexapeptides. Both glycated and non-glycated hexapeptides eluted within 3 min, with linear correlation coefficients ranging from 0.999 6 to 0.999 8. The quality control (QC) materials (≥3 types) annually provided by the IFCC were analyzed. Since each QC material in every shipment typically consists of two replicated vials, enzymatic digestion was performed in two separate batches. For each batch, five parallel samples were processed, followed by triplicate injections of each sample. Intra-assay and total coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated. The intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were 0.35%-2.20%, and the total CVs were 0.83%-2.39%. From 2018 to 2024, IFCC compared individual laboratory results with the overall median, calculating proportional bias (slope) and systematic bias (intercept) based on linear regression. Our laboratory’s combined statistical test value (computed from slope and intercept) ranged from 0.1 to 3.0. The systematic bias ranged from -0.69 to 1.27, and the proportional bias ranged from -0.009 to 0.021. The residual values from all testing points in the 2024 proficiency testing (PT) program were evenly distributed around zero. Furthermore, the magnitude of residual deviations from zero was relatively small compared to those observed across the 15 participating laboratories, demonstrating satisfactory consistency in our laboratory’s analytical results. The established HbA1c reference method demonstrated robust performance, achieving satisfactory results in IFCC international comparisons from 2018 to 2024.
Steroid hormones play a critical role in maintaining pregnancy and supporting fetal development. Accurate quantification of these hormones is essential for evaluating the endocrine status during pregnancy. While chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) is widely used in clinical practice in China, it has inherent methodological limitations. In contrast, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been internationally recognized for its superior analytical performance but remains underutilized in Chinese obstetric practice. Moreover, systematic evaluations comparing these two methods in pregnant women are still lacking. This study aimed to develop and validate an isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of four key steroid hormones, including cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP). In addition, a consistency analysis was conducted between LC-MS/MS and CLIA among pregnant women. Method validation followed international bioanalytical guidelines, evaluating linearity, limits of quantification (LOQs), recovery, and precision. Serum samples from 94 pregnant women were collected at Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between January 2022 and December 2023, and were analyzed using both LC-MS/MS and CLIA. Method comparison was performed using paired t-tests, Pearson correlation, Bland-Altman plots, and Passing-Bablok regression to assess concentration differences, correlation, and systematic biases between the two methods. In this study, the established LC-MS/MS method exhibited excellent performance, with linear coefficients of determination >0.999, LOQs of 0.008-0.137 ng/mL, spiked recoveries of 92.1%-110.9%, and intra-assay relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.2%-9.0%, meeting the requirements for clinical detection. In a cohort of 94 pregnant women, paired t-tests revealed significant differences in hormone concentrations measured by LC-MS/MS and CLIA (all P<0.001). Specifically, LC-MS/MS yielded significantly lower values for cortisol (64.31 vs. 120.60 ng/mL) and DHEAS (532.44 vs. 1 612.1 ng/mL), but higher values for testosterone (1.10 vs. 0.88 ng/mL) and 17-OHP (2.00 vs. 1.07 ng/mL). Bland-Altman analysis further revealed obvious negative proportional biases for cortisol and DHEAS, with bias values of -56.29 ng/mL and -1 079.68 ng/mL, respectively. Additionally, the biases increased with the increase of concentration. In contrast, testosterone and 17-OHP showed positive biases, with bias values of 0.22 ng/mL and 0.89 ng/mL, respectively. The two methods showed extremely strong positive correlations in the detection of the four hormones (P<0.001, r=0.819-0.974), among which the correlation of testosterone detection results was the highest (r=0.974). In the Passing-Bablok regression analysis, the consistency regression equation for cortisol was CLC-MS/MS=-3.58+0.57CCLIA. The confidence interval (CI) of the slope did not include 1, indicating obvious proportional bias. The consistency regression equation for DHEAS was CLC-MS/MS=-59.77+0.38CCLIA. The CIs of the intercept and slope did not include 0 and 1, respectively, suggesting the existence of fixed and proportional biases. The consistency regression equation for testosterone was CLC-MS/MS=-0.05+1.30CCLIA. The CIs of the intercept and slope did not include 0 and 1, respectively, indicating the existence of fixed and proportional biases. In addition, the differences increased with the increase of concentration. For 17-OHP, the regression equation was CLC-MS/MS=0.10+1.75CCLIA. Though the intercept was not statistically significant, the slope deviated significantly from 1, indicating a proportional bias. Additionally, LC-MS/MS values were significantly higher, and the difference increased with rising concentration. In conclusion, the established LC-MS/MS method offers high sensitivity, precision, and accuracy for the simultaneous quantification of multiple steroid hormones. The method reliably measured cortisol, DHEAS, testosterone, and 17-OHP levels in maternal serum. Additionally, our results revealed statistically significant differences between the two methods across all four hormones in pregnant women, with biases varying by concentration. These findings highlight the importance for clinicians to consider methodological differences when interpreting hormone test results during pregnancy, in order to improve the accuracy of endocrine assessment and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis due to analytical discrepancies. Future studies should incorporate large-scale maternal cohorts covering all stages of pregnancy and high-risk populations to further assess the clinical applicability of different methods and promote the standardization of LC-MS/MS for obstetric endocrine monitoring. In parallel, trimester-specific reference intervals should be established to support clinical interpretation and risk evaluation.
Accurate quantification of fat-soluble vitamin A (VA), vitamin D (25(OH)D), vitamin E (VE), vitamin K (VK) is essential for health assessment and disease diagnosis. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) plays a crucial role in the measurement of these vitamins due to its high specificity and sensitivity. However, the comparability and concordance of the detection results among different LC-MS/MS methods are still suboptimal. In this study, the analytical performance including linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, precision, accuracy and carryover was evaluated according to CLSI C62 and the Suggestions on Clinical Application of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Aliquots of 40 patient samples were collected from August to October 2022 from the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. These fat-soluble vitamins were measured using three LC-MS/MS methods. Passing-Bablok regression, Bland-Altman plots and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were performed to compare the differences among three methods. The consistency of the results before and after recalibration with a unified calibrator was evaluated. The results showed that the total CVs for the three mass spectrometry kits were 2.7%-10.1%, and the recoveries for all kits ranged from 88.8% to 109.2%, indicating that their detection performance met the requirements for clinical application. Concordance correlation analysis showed that two of the three methods had substantial agreement in vitamin D testing (CCC: 0.938), while the CCCs for other methods ranged from 0.322 to 0.853. After recalibration with a unified calibrator, except for vitamin K, the CCCs for the results of the three methods ranged from 0.918 to 0.983. In conclusion, the performance validation results of three LC-MS/MS methods for fat-soluble vitamins meet clinical requirements. The consistency among the three methods was poor, but using a unified calibrator significantly improved the consistency of these methods. The study provides recommendations for the standardization of clinical fat-soluble vitamin testing, thereby contributing to improved accuracy and consistency of results. This study will provide more reliable evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Accurate and reliable analytical methods are fundamental to ensuring the validity and reproducibility of scientific results, particularly in research involving trace-level contaminants in biological samples. While standardized methods regulated by official guidelines are commonly used in certified laboratories, research laboratories often rely on in-house or self-developed non-standard methods tailored for specific studies. These methods, however, frequently lack harmonized validation criteria, especially regarding accuracy evaluation. Traditionally, method accuracy is assessed through single performance indicators such as recovery, relative standard deviation (RSD), or bias. These indicators, although useful, may vary widely in their interpretation and offer limited insight into overall method performance, particularly when comparing between laboratories or over different concentration ranges. To address these limitations, the Société Française des Sciences et Techniques Pharmaceutiques (SFSTP) introduced the accuracy profile approach. This method integrates both trueness and precision using a statistical model to generate β-expectation tolerance intervals, allowing a visual and comprehensive representation of whether an analytical method meets predefined acceptance criteria across multiple concentration levels. Unlike traditional evaluations, which may obscure marginal performance failures, the accuracy profile provides a single, unified framework that simplifies interpretation and decision-making. In this study, we applied the SFSTP accuracy profile approach to validate a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for quantifying 20 urinary phenols. Method performance was assessed at three concentration levels (low, medium, and high) and the results were compared with conventional validation methods. The intra-batch RSD values ranged from 2.8% to 10.7%, and inter-batch RSD values ranged from 3.3% to 14.4%. The pooled intermediate precision RSD ranged from 4.9% to 16.6%, indicating acceptable reproducibility. Relative errors were between -25.3% and 13.0%, According to traditional evaluation using single parameters, the accuracy of all 20 phenol measurements met standard criteria. However, accuracy profile analysis revealed that only 13 phenols, such as bisphenol AF and bisphenol B, had β-expectation tolerance intervals entirely within the ±30% acceptance limits across all tested concentration levels. The remaining seven phenols, including benzylparaben and benzophenone-8, exceeded acceptable limits at low or medium concentrations, suggesting areas for method optimization. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the HPLC-MS/MS method provides reliable quantitative results for the majority of tested urinary phenols. More importantly, the SFSTP accuracy profile offers a superior alternative to conventional validation methods by combining accuracy parameters and risk analysis into a coherent, statistically sound framework. This approach enables researchers to clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of analytical methods without increasing experimental complexity or cost. Its advantages in standardization, interpretability, and decision-making support its broader adoption for validating non-standard methods in research and applied laboratories.
Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns worldwide. Despite advances in neonatal care, early diagnosis of sepsis remains challenging due to the lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers. While serum-based indicators have been widely studied, lipid metabolism in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remains relatively underexplored, limiting our understanding of central nervous system involvement (CNS) in the early stages of neonatal sepsis. This study aimed to systematically investigate lipid metabolic alterations in both serum and CSF samples from neonates with confirmed sepsis and to identify potential lipid biomarkers for early diagnosis. Seventeen neonates with blood culture-positive sepsis and seventeen controls with negative blood culture results were enrolled from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital (Women and Children’s Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology) between February 2020 and August 2023. Paired serum and CSF samples were collected and analyzed using targeted lipidomics based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Univariate analyses, including Student’s t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests, were applied to identify statistically significant differences in lipid levels between groups. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), were employed to further evaluate group separation and identify discriminatory lipid species. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, and candidate biomarkers were selected using the Boruta feature selection algorithm and evaluated for diagnostic performance using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A total of 322 lipid metabolites were identified in serum, with cholesteryl esters (CE), triacylglycerols (TAG), and phosphatidylcholines (PC) being the most abundant lipid classes. In the sepsis group, levels of nearly all lipid subclasses were significantly decreased compared to controls (P<0.05), except for TAG and diacylglycerols (DAG), which were not significantly altered. In CSF, 300 lipid species were detected, dominated by CE, PC, and phosphatidylethanolamines (PE). Significantly reduced levels of PE, ceramides (Cer), and lyso phosphatidylethanolamines (LPE) were observed in septic neonates (P<0.05). PCA plots demonstrated tight clustering of quality control (QC) samples, indicating high analytical reproducibility and stable instrument performance. In serum, PCA accounted for 66.1% of total variance, showing preliminary group separation that was further confirmed by OPLS-DA (R²Y=0.601, Q²Y=0.271), which identified 107 significantly downregulated lipid metabolites. Similarly, CSF PCA explained 75.7% of the variance, and OPLS-DA (R²Y=0.579, Q²Y=0.368) revealed 34 significantly downregulated lipid metabolites. Pathway enrichment analysis (FDR-P<0.05, pathway impact>0.10) showed that glycerophospholipid metabolism was the most significantly enriched pathway in both serum and CSF, followed by ether lipid and sphingolipid metabolism in serum. Key shared metabolites included PE(42:9), PC(38:0), LPC(22:6), and LPE(22:6), while PS(40:6) and PI(40:4) were specific to serum. Notably, thirteen differential lipid species were consistently identified in both serum and CSF, among which LPE(18:2), ePE(36:4), and Cer(d18:1/25:0) exhibited significant positive correlations between the two fluids (Pearson r=0.369-0.382, P<0.05), suggesting potential trans-barrier lipid communication or shared regulatory mechanisms. Boruta-based machine learning analysis identified LPC(28:1), LPE(18:2) and ePE(36:4) in serum as candidate biomarkers. These exhibited excellent diagnostic performance, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.96, 0.94, and 0.94, respectively, sensitivities ranging from 82.4% to 88.2%, and specificities from 94.1% to 100%. In CSF, Cer(d18:1/26:0), Cer(d18:1/25:0), and Cer(d18:1/24:1) were identified as high-importance variables. These demonstrated diagnostic AUCs of 0.89, 0.91, and 0.80, with sensitivities between 88.2% and 100% and specificities ranging from 64.7% to 70.6%. In summary, this study provides the first integrated lipidomic profiling of serum and CSF in neonatal sepsis, highlighting a consistent disruption in lipid metabolism, particularly within the glycerophospholipid pathway. Serum lipid biomarkers show promise as non-invasive early screening tools, while CSF lipid alterations offer valuable insights into CNS involvement and potential early neuroinflammatory responses. These findings support the potential of lipid-based biomarkers in improving the precision and timeliness of neonatal sepsis diagnosis. Nevertheless, the relatively small sample size and single-center design may limit the generalizability of the results. Future multicenter studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate these findings and support clinical translation into neonatal care.
Dry eye is characterized as a multifactorial disorder affecting the tear film and ocular surface, leading to symptoms of discomfort and visual disturbances, with the potential for ocular surface damage. It is among the most prevalent ocular surface disorders, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 5.0% to 50.0%, and an overall prevalence between 21.0% and 50.4% in China. Despite its high global prevalence, the fundamental mechanisms underlying the pathology of dry eye remain largely unexplored. Vitamins are crucial for maintaining ocular surface homeostasis, with vitamins A and E being physiologically present and essential for cell differentiation, development, and proper function. Deficiencies in these vitamins are frequently associated with dry eye, and systemic supplementation has been shown to benefit patients with low vitamin intake. Vitamins A and E may have potential clinical predictive value for the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye. In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously measure the concentrations of vitamins A and E in human tears. A Phenomenex Kinetex C18 column was employed for gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The mobile phase A consisted of a 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution, while mobile phase B comprised a 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid methanol solution. Positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode was utilized for MS/MS detection. The analytical method for vitamin A demonstrated a validated linear range of 5.00-300.00 ng/mL, with a limit of detection at 2.00 ng/mL. The spiked recoveries were between 98.3% and 104.7%, and intra- and inter-day precision ranged from 1.2% to 7.0%. Similarly, the method for vitamin E exhibited a validated linear range of 25.00-1 000.00 ng/mL, with a limit of detection at 6.00 ng/mL. The spiked recoveries ranged from 97.9% to 105.5%, and intra- and inter-day precision varied between 3.0% and 5.7%. Tear samples from five patients with dry eye and nine healthy volunteers were analyzed using this method. In the dry eye group, the average concentrations of vitamin A and vitamin E were 9.60 (5.13-12.54) ng/mL and 42.00 (31.75-128.00) ng/mL, respectively. In the healthy group, the average concentrations of vitamin A and vitamin E were 18.10 (12.46-21.69) ng/mL and 211.00 (181.00-459.75) ng/mL, respectively. Statistical differences in vitamin A and vitamin E levels between the dry eye group and the healthy group were identified using the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test (P<0.05). This study introduces a straightforward and reliable LC-MS/MS method for the detection of tear VA and VE levels, while also investigating their association with dry eye. This offers a novel reference for understanding the potential risk factors associated with dry eye.