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Isotopes01:12

Isotopes

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Elements have a set number of protons that determines their atomic number (Z). For example, all atoms with eight protons are oxygen; however, the number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element. The sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes. Elements can have multiple isotopes, for example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14.
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Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes02:31

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A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...
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Vitamins01:30

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Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced...
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Isotopes and Radioisotopes01:28

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In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
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Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect01:13

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

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Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the mass differences between isotopes. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...
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Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption01:27

Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption

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Electrolytes are essential minerals and ions primarily obtained from the diet and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Most electrolytes are absorbed in the small intestine. While the absorption of iron and calcium primarily occurs in the duodenum, calcium is also absorbed in the jejunum and ileum. In these regions, passive diffusion contributes to its absorption alongside active transport mechanisms in the duodenum. These ions can exit the enterocytes through specialized active...
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Analysis of Vitamin A Stable Isotope Tracers using LC-MS/MS.

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The retinol isotope dilution (RID) method accurately measures vitamin A levels using mass spectrometry. This technique enhances speed and sensitivity for precise total body stores (TBS) estimation in humans.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Human Nutrition

Background:

  • Accurate assessment of total body stores (TBS) of vitamin A is crucial for human health.
  • The retinol isotope dilution (RID) method relies on precise measurement of plasma isotopic ratios.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a fast, sensitive, and simultaneous LC-MS/MS method for analyzing labeled and non-labeled retinoids.
  • To optimize the quantification of retinol for the RID method, avoiding lengthy extraction and derivatization.

Main Methods:

  • Stable isotope dilution using labeled (13C or 2H) retinol.
  • Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI).
  • Plasma sample preparation involving solvent extraction for retinol isolation.

Main Results:

  • High sensitivity achieved with retinol detection limits as low as 6 fmol on-column.
  • LC-MS/MS enables simultaneous analysis of labeled and non-labeled retinoids, distinguishing retinol from retinyl esters.
  • Successful isolation and quantification of endogenous and labeled retinol from plasma.

Conclusions:

  • LC-MS/MS provides an efficient and sensitive approach for retinol quantification in the RID method.
  • The described method improves the accuracy and efficiency of estimating vitamin A total body stores (TBS).
  • This analytical strategy supports improved nutritional assessment and public health strategies related to vitamin A status.