Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play key roles in glioblastoma (GBM) biology and represent novel sources of biomarkers that are detectable in the peripheral circulation. Despite this notionally non-invasive approach to assess GBM tumours in situ, a comprehensive GBM EV protein signature has not been described. Here, EVs secreted by six GBM cell lines were isolated and analysed by quantitative high-resolution mass spectrometry. Overall, 844 proteins were identified in the GBM EV proteome, of which 145 proteins were common to EVs secreted by all cell lines examined; included in the curated EV compendium (Vesiclepedia_559; http://microvesicles.org). Levels of 14 EV proteins significantly correlated with cell invasion (invadopodia production; r2 > 0.5, p < 0.05), including several proteins that interact with molecules responsible for regulating invadopodia formation. Invadopodia, actin-rich membrane protrusions with proteolytic activity, are associated with more aggressive disease and are sites of EV release. Gene levels corresponding to invasion-related EV proteins showed that five genes (annexin A1, actin-related protein 3, integrin-β1, insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor and programmed cell death 6-interacting protein) were significantly higher in GBM tumours compared to normal brain in silico, with common functions relating to actin polymerisation and endosomal sorting. We also show that Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) washings are a novel source of brain tumour-derived EVs, demonstrated by particle tracking analysis, TEM and proteome profiling. Quantitative proteomics corroborated the high levels of proposed invasion-related proteins in EVs enriched from a GBM compared to low-grade astrocytoma tumour. Large-scale clinical follow-up of putative biomarkers, particularly the proposed survival marker annexin A1, is warranted.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11060-016-2298-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Recent advances in sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) have led to significant sensitivity enhancements that expand the range of radionuclides measurable by ICP-MS. The increasing capability and performance of modern ICP-MS now allows analysis of medium-lived radionuclides previously undertaken using radiometric methods. A new generation ICP-SFMS was configured to achieve sensitivities up to 80,000 counts per second for a 1 ng/L (133)Cs solution, providing a detection limit of 1 pg/L. To extend this approach to environmental samples it has been necessary to develop an effective chemical separation scheme using ultrapure reagents. A procedure incorporating digestion, chemical separation and quantification by ICP-SFMS is presented for detection of the significant fission product radionuclides of cesium ((135)Cs and (137)Cs) at concentrations found in environmental and low level nuclear waste samples. This in turn enables measurement of the (135)Cs/(137)Cs ratio, which varies with the source of nuclear contamination, and can therefore provide a powerful dating and forensic tool compared to radiometric detection of (137)Cs alone. A detection limit in sediment samples of 0.05 ng/kg has been achieved for (135)Cs and (137)Cs, corresponding to 2.0 × 10(-3) and 160 mBq/kg, respectively. The critical issue is ensuring removal of barium to eliminate isobaric interferences arising from (135)Ba and (137)Ba. The ability to reliably measure (135)Cs/(137)Cs using a high specification laboratory ICP-SFMS now enables characterization of waste materials destined for nuclear waste repositories as well as extending options in environmental geochemical and nuclear forensics studies.

The efficient characterization of nuclear waste materials represents a significant challenge during nuclear site decommissioning, with a range of radionuclides requiring measurement in varied and often complex sample matrices. ICP-MS is increasingly a practicable alternative to radiometric methods for medium to long-lived radionuclides.

Non-ferrous metals 2 Industrial chemicals 2.1 Fuels and lubricants 2.1.1 Petroleum products-gasoline, diesel, gasohol and exhaust particulates 2.1.2 Fuel-coal, peat and other solid fuels 2.1.3 Oils-crude oil, lubricants 2.1.4 Alternative fuels 2.2 Organic chemicals and solvents 2.2.1 The analysis of archaeological, cultural heritage and art objects 2.2.2 Remote analysis of harmful materials 2.2.3 Speciation 2.2.4 Applications requiring minimal sample preparation 2.2.5 Applications requiring analyte extraction or sample dissolution 2.3 Inorganic chemicals and acids 2.3.1 Coupled techniques 2.3.2 Forensic applications 2.3.3 Remote analyses of inorganic materials 2.3.4 Other applications of the analysis of inorganic materials 2.3.5 Analysis of nano-structures 2.4 Nuclear materials 2.4.1 Reviews, overviews and CRMs 2.4.2 Nuclear safeguards and forensics 2.4.3 Other nuclear applications 3 Materials 3.1 Ceramics and refractories 3.1.1 Analysis of archaeological, cultural heritage and art objects 3.2 Thin Films and Depth Proling 3.2.1 Laser-based techniques 3.2.2 Glow discharge and plasma techniques 3.3 Glasses 3.3.1 Laser-based techniques 3.3.2 Other techniques 3.3.3 Analysis of archaeological, cultural heritage and art objects 3.4 Catalysts 3.4.1 Surface Characterisation 3.4.2 Sampling and sample preparation 3.4.3 MiscellaneousThis review period has seen some changes to the format of the review. These changes are intended to more accurately reflect the current state of analytical research in the analysis of metals, chemicals and materials. As a consequence, the title of the review and some of the section headings have been altered to reflect this. Significant areas of growth include the use of LIBS in remote

Advances in the sensitivities achievable by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) offer the prospect of low-level measurement of shorter and longer lived radionuclides, thus expanding options for environmental and radioactively contaminated land assessment. In ICP-SFMS, the critical requirement for accurate detection is the effective chemical separation of isobaric and polyatomic interferences prior to sample introduction. As instrumental detection limit capability improves, accurate radionuclide determination requires highly effective separation materials that combine high analyte selectivity with subsequent quantitative analyte recovery compatible with ICP-SFMS detection. Two radioactive isotopes measurable by ICP-SFMS are the high yield fission products (135)Cs and (137)Cs that have entered the environment as a result of anthropogenic nuclear activities. ICP-SFMS enables reliable measurement of (135)Cs/(137)Cs ratios, which can be used as a forensic tool in determining the source of nuclear contamination. The critical requirement for accurate detection is the effective removal of isobaric interferences from (135)Ba and (137)Ba prior to measurement. A number of exchange materials can effectively extract Cs; however, non-quantitative elution of Cs makes subsequent ICP-SFMS quantification challenging. A novel extraction chromatographic resin has been developed by dissolving calix[4]arene-bis(tert-octylbenzo-crown-6) (BOBCalixC6) in octan-1-ol and loading onto an Amberchrom CG-71 prefilter resin material. Preparation of the material takes less than 1 h and, at an optimal concentration of 3 M HNO3, shows high selectivity toward Cs, which is effectively eluted in 0.05 M HNO3. The procedure developed shows high Cs selectivity and Ba decontamination from digests of complex matrixes including a saltmarsh sediment contaminated by aqueous discharges from a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility. Repeated tests show the resin can be reused up to four times. For low-level ICP-SFMS quantification, more complex sample matrixes benefit from a cation resin cleanup stage prior to using BOBCalixC6 that serves to enhance Ba decontamination and Cs recovery.

The effect of competing ions on the sorption behaviour of uranium onto carboxyl-functionalised graphene oxide (COOH-GO) were studied in batch experiments in comparison to graphene oxide (GO) and graphite. The effect of increasing the abundance of select chemical functional groups, such as carboxyl groups, on the selectivity of U sorption was investigated. In the course of the study, COOH-GO demonstrated superior performance as a sorbent material for the selective removal of uranyl ions from aqueous solution with a distribution coefficient of 3.72 ± 0.19 × 103 mL g−1 in comparison to 3.97 ± 0.5 × 102 and 2.68 ± 0.2 × 102 mL g−1 for GO and graphite, respectively.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s10967-018-5741-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This review covers advances in the analysis of advanced materials, metals, fuels and lubricants, nanostructures, ceramics, refractories, organic and inorganic chemicals, catalysts and nuclear materials by a range of techniques including X-ray, ICP, LIBS, mass spectrometry, synchrotron-based techniques, plus non-destructive and ablation surface techniques.

This review covers advances in the analysis of advanced materials, metals, fuels and lubricants, nanostructures, ceramics, refractories, organic and inorganic chemicals, catalysts and nuclear materials by a range of techniques including X-ray, ICP, LIBS, mass spectrometry, synchrotron-based techniques, plus non-destructive and ablation surface techniques.