Future Science OA 2019 early career researcher issue: foreword

Future Science OA 2019 early career researcher issue: forewor

Clinical mass spectrometry in heart disease

Clinical mass spectrometry in heart diseas

Translation of exhaled breath volatile analyses to sport and exercise applications

Background: Exhaled breath gases are becomingly increasingly investigated for use as non-invasive measurements for clinical diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath, which make up the exhaled volatilome, offer a rich sample medium that provides both information to external exposures as well as endogenous metabolism. For these reasons, exhaled breath analyses can be extended further beyond disease-based investigations, and used for wider biomarker measurement purposes. The use of a rapid, non-invasive (and potentially non-physically demanding) test in an exercise and/or sporting situation may provide additional information for translation to performance sport, recreational exercise/fitness and clinical exercise health. Aim of review: This review intends to provide an overview into the initial exploration of exhaled VOC measurements in sport and exercise science, and understand current limitations in knowledge and instrumentation that have restricted these methodologies in becoming common practice. Key scientific concepts of review: Exhaled VOCs have been applied to sport/exercise investigations with a current emphasis on measurement of chemical exposure during and/or following exercise. This includes the measurement of disinfection by-products from chlorine-disinfected swimming pools, as well as exposure to petrochemicals from combustion engines (e.g. vehicle fumes). However, exhaled VOC measurements have been less employed in the context of performance sport. For example, the application of exhaled VOCs to map biochemical/physiological processes of intense exercise is currently under explored and warrants further study. Nevertheless, there is promise for exhaled VOC testing in the development of rapid/on-line anti-doping screens, with initial steps taken in this field

Mass spectrometry in medicine: a technology for the future?

Mass spectrometry in medicine: a technology for the future

Gut microbial metabolites as mediators of renal disease: do short-chain fatty acids offer some hope?

Gut microbial metabolites as mediators of renal disease: do short-chain fatty acids offer some hope

How to transition from 'early career' to 'established'.

PhDs, postdocs, fellows and newly appointed lecturers all fall into the category of early-career researchers (ECRs). The life of researchers in early stages of their career is far from straightforward. Funding is a huge barrier for many ECRs looking to make the next step in their career, but it's not the only challenge. It is important that we recognize, support and reward their development. This feature sees ECRs at different stages discuss their experiences and tips for success

B-type natriuretic peptide molecular forms for risk stratification and prediction of outcome after acute myocardial infarction

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is known to be a risk marker following acute myocardial infarction (MI). More recently, truncated molecular forms of the BNP molecule have been identified, with the association of these forms and outcome in acute MI not known. The present study investigated their use as risk stratifying biomarkers of this condition. Methods: BNP molecular forms (BNP 5-32, BNP 4-32 and BNP 3-32) were measured in plasma from 1,078 acute MI patients using immunocapture followed by MALDI-ToF-mass spectrometry. Associations of molecular forms with short-term and long-term adverse outcomes were assessed. Results: BNP molecular forms were independent predictors of mortality/reinfarction, mortality/rehospitalization due to heart failure, and a composite of all events at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years and showed prognostic ability comparable with conventional BNP measurements (P <0.001-0.026 vs. N-terminal [NT]-proBNP P <0.001-0.020, respectively). Reclassification analyses showed BNP molecular forms successfully reclassified patient risk when used in addition to the GRACE clinical risk score (P ≤0.005). BNP 5-32 showed utility as a secondary risk stratification biomarker when used in combination with the GRACE score and NT-proBNP by successful down-classification of high-risk patients. Conclusions: BNP molecular forms were associated with poor prognosis at 6 months, 1 year and at 2 years in patients with acute MI. BNP 5-32 showed successful utility as a secondary marker in combination with NT-proBNP after GRACE scoring. This study suggests a potential role for BNP molecular forms in prognosis and risk stratification after acute MI

In reply: Response to letter to the editor ‘Predictive Value of NT-proBNP in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction’; Regarding Article ‘Trimethylamine N-oxide and Risk Stratification after Acute Myocardial Infarction"

In reply: Response to letter to the editor ‘Predictive Value of NT-proBNP in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction’; Regarding Article ‘Trimethylamine N-oxide and Risk Stratification after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Probiotics: current landscape and future horizons

In recent years there has been a rapid rise in interest for the application of probiotic supplements to act as mediators in health and disease. This appeal is predominantly due to ever-increasing evidence of the interaction of the microbiota and pathophysiological processes of disease within the human host. This narrative review considers the current landscape of the probiotic industry and its research, and discusses current pitfalls in the lack of translation from laboratory science to clinical application. Future considerations into how industry and academia must adapt probiotic research to maximize success are suggested, including more targeted application of probiotic strains dependent on individual capabilities as well as application of multiple advanced analytical technologies to further understand and accelerate microbiome science. Lay abstract: The global market for probiotic supplements is continually expanding. Despite the public perception of benefits provided by probiotics, the evidence to conclusively link probiotic strains to improved characteristics of health or disease is lacking. This is owing, in part, to the lack of large-scale research trials, but also to the insufficient understanding of the interactions occurring within the human system following supplementation. More in-depth research into individual probiotic strains, combined with the application of multiple advanced measurement techniques will provide a future direction for probiotic research and, in turn, aim to provide useful data to translate into routine healthcare practice

Real-time monitoring of exhaled volatiles using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization on a compact mass spectrometer

© 2016 Future Science Ltd.Aim: Breath analyses have potential to detect early signs of disease onset. Ambient ionization allows direct combination of breath gases with MS for fast, on-line analysis. Portable MS systems would facilitate field/clinic-based breath analyses. Results & methodology: Volunteers ingested peppermint oil capsules and exhaled volatile compounds were monitored over 10 h using a compact mass spectrometer. A rise and fall in exhaled menthone was observed, peaking at 60-120 min. Real-time analysis showed a gradual rise in exhaled menthone postingestion. Sensitivity was comparable to established methods, with detection in the parts per trillion range. Conclusion: Breath volatiles were readily analyzed on a portable mass spectrometer through a simple inlet modification. Induced changes in exhaled profiles were detectable with high sensitivity and measurable in real-time