The limit of detection in generalized least-squares calibrations: an example using alprazolam liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry data.

Limit of detection (LOD) values provide useful indicators for the suitability of an analytical method for samples with low analyte levels. An LOD value can also be used to estimate the false positive probability (p(x >or= LOD)) of a result for a sample with no analyte present, as well as the false negative probability (p(x

Comparison of ordinary, weighted, and generalized least-squares straight-line calibrations for LC-MS-MS, GC-MS, HPLC, GC, and enzymatic assay.

The impact of experimental errors in one or both variables on the use of linear least-squares was investigated for method calibrations (response = intercept plus slope times concentration, or equivalently, Y = a(1) + a(2)X ) frequently used in analytical toxicology. In principle, the most reliable calibrations should consider errors from all sources, but consideration of concentration (X) uncertainties has not been common due to complex fitting algorithm requirements. Data were obtained for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and enzymatic assay. The required experimental uncertainties in response were obtained from replicate measurements. The required experimental uncertainties in concentration were determined from manufacturers' furnished uncertainties in stock solutions coupled with uncertainties imparted by dilution techniques. The mathematical fitting techniques used in the investigation were ordinary least-squares, weighted least-squares (WOLS), and generalized least-squares (GLS). GLS best-fit results, obtained with an efficient iteration algorithm implemented in a spreadsheet format, are used with a modified WOLS-based formula to derive reliable uncertainties in calculated concentrations. It was found that while the values of the intercepts and slopes were not markedly different for the different techniques, the derived uncertainties in parameters were different. Such differences can significantly affect the predicted uncertainties in concentrations derived from the use of the different linear least-squares equations.

Relationships between concentrations of cocaine and its hydrolysates in peripheral blood, heart blood, vitreous humor and urine.

Cocaine is known to degrade in vivo and in vitro by several hydrolytic mechanisms. A previous study found that the initial amount of cocaine added to plasma could be accounted for by summing the molar concentrations of cocaine's hydrolysis products and the cocaine remaining after hydrolysis. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether or not relationships might exist between such molar concentration sums for different postmortem bodily fluids. Determinations of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, and ecgonine were performed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with heart blood, femoral blood, vitreous humor (VH), and urine (UR). The results demonstrate a strong correlation between blood and VH concentrations (correlation coefficients of 0.88-0.94), weak correlation between the UR and blood concentrations (correlation coefficients of 0.61-0.64), and weak correlation between UR and VH concentrations (correlation coefficient of 0.59). The results demonstrate that ecgonine is a significant hydrolysate with concentrations on the same order of magnitude as benzoylecgonine. The results are consistent with rapid distribution of the parent drug and its hydrolysates in the blood and VH. The strong correlation between the blood and VH demonstrates that VH is an important medium for toxicology testing when attempting to make a determination of cocaine intoxication.