Exhaled Breath Condensate: A Non-Invasive Source for Tracking of Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations in Lung Diseases

Lung diseases have been recognized as an extensive cause of morbidity and mortality in the worldwide. The high degree of clinical heterogeneity and nonspecific initial symptoms of lung diseases contribute to a delayed diagnosis. So, the molecular and genomic profiling play a pivotal role in promoting the pulmonary diseases. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a novel and potential method for sampling the respiratory epithelial lining fluid is to assess the inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, drugs and genetic alterations in the pathophysiologic processes of lung diseases. The recent studies on the analysis of EBC from both a genetic and epigenetic point of view were searched from database and reviewed. This review provides an overview of the current findings in the tracking of genomic and epigenetic alterations which are potentially effective in better management of cancer detection. In addition, respiratory microbiota DNA using EBC samples in association with pulmonary disease especially lung cancer were investigated. Various studies have concluded that EBC has a great potential for analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA alterations as well as epigenetic modifications and identification of respiratory microbiome. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) based genomic profiling of EBC samples is recommended as a promising approach to establish personalized based prevention, diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment follow-ups for patients with lung diseases especially lung cancer

A single-shot diagnostic platform based on copper nanoclusters coated with cetyl trimethylammonium bromide for determination of carbamazepine in exhaled breath condensate

A fluorescent nanoprobe is designed for the determination of carbamazepine (CBZ) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of patients receiving CBZ. The probe consists of copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) coated with cetyl trimethylammonium bromide. The interaction of probe with CBZ results in blocking non-radiative e-/h+ recombination defect sites on the surface of Cu NCs and consequently enhancing the fluorescence intensity of Cu NCs. The experimental conditions were optimized by using a response surface methodology (central composite design). Under the optimized conditions, the calibration plot is linear in the 0.2 to 20 µg mL‒1 CBZ concentration range (excitation/emission wavelength: 290/480 nm) and the detection limit is as low as 0.08 µg mL‒1. The intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations for six replicated measurements of 10 µg mL–1 CBZ are 3.9 % and 4.8 %, respectively. The method was applied for the determination of CBZ level in EBC of patients receiving CBZ. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by HPLC-UV analysis as a references method

Direct Monitoring of Verapamil Level in Exhaled Breath Condensate Samples

Background: In this research, an enhanced fluorimetric assay was developed for the direct monitoring of verapamil in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). The method is based on a binding–induced rigidity inside the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelle which eliminate collisional quenching and vibrational modes responsible for non-radiative decay. This process produces an enhancement in the emission intensity of verapamil. Methods: Fluorescence intensity measurements were made at 15 ˚C on a FP-750 spectrofluorometer with maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of 280 nm and 310 nm, respectively. The important parameters influencing the analytical signal in experimental steps were investigated and optimized. The method was validated with considering of the linearity, recovery and limit of detection. Results: Under the optimized experimental conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.02 − 12.0 µg.mL−1 of verapamil with a detection limit of 0.008 µg.mL–1. Conclusion: The proposed method was found to be suitable and accurate for the determination of verapamil and the validated method was successfully used for analysis of verapamil in EBC of patients receiving verapamil with the satisfactory results

Volumetric properties of (peg 400 + water) and (peg 400 + ethanol) mixtures at several temperatures and correlation with the jouyban-acree model

Molar volumes and excess molar volumes were investigated from density values for (PEG 400 + water) and (PEG 400 + ethanol) binary mixtures at temperatures from 283.15 K to 313.15 K. Both systems exhibit negative excess volumes probably due to increased interactions like hydrogen bonding and/or large differences in molar volumes of components. Volume thermal expansion coefficients were also calculated for binary mixtures and pure solvents. The Jouyban-Acree model was used for density and molar volume correlations of the studied mixtures at different temperatures. The mean relative deviations between experimental and calculated density data were 0.1 and 0.5 %, for aqueous and ethanolic mixtures, respectively; whereas, in molar volume data the values were 18.0 and 6.9 %, for aqueous and ethanolic mixtures, respectively. The trained versions of the model for PEG 400 binary solvents could be used to predict the density values of other PEGs with reasonable prediction error employing the density of mono-solvents.En este artículo se calcularon los volúmenes molares y molares de exceso a partir de valores de densidad para los sistemas PEG 400 + agua y PEG 400 + etanol, en todo el intervalo de composición, a temperaturas entre 283,15 y 313,15 K. Los sistemas estudiados presentan volúmenes de exceso negativos probablemente debido a las fuertes interacciones por unión de hidrógeno entre las moléculas de los dos compuestos y a la gran diferencia en los volúmenes molares de los dos componentes puros. También se calcularon los coeficientes de expansión térmica-volumétrica en los solventes puros y las respectivas mezclas. Asimismo, se usó el modelo Jouyban- Acree para correlacionar la densidad y el volumen molar de las mezclas a las distintas temperaturas. Las desviaciones medias relativas en densidad fueron 0,1% y 0,5% para las mezclas acuosas y etanólicas, respectivamente, mientras que las desviaciones obtenidas para volumen molar fueron 18% y 6,9% para las mezclas acuosas y etanólicas, respectivamente. Los modelos obtenidos para las mezclas binarias con PEG 400 pueden usarse para predecir los valores con otros PEG, con un adecuado margen de error, utilizando las densidades de los solventes puros

Determination of valproic acid and 3-heptanone in plasma using air-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction with the assistance of vortex: Application in the real samples

Introduction: Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Adverse effects of VPA were studied in many reports, however, a dose-response relationship between VPA and its metabolites in epilepsy patients are extremely limited. In this paper, a high efficient method was developed for the preconcentration and determination of VPA and its main metabolite in plasma. Methods: For the extraction and preconcentration of the selected analytes, a volume of an extractant was placed at the bottom of the microtube containing pretreated plasma. The mixture was repeatedly withdrawn from the microtube and pushed-out into it using a 1.0-mL glass syringe and resulted in a cloudy mixture. For further turbidity, the mixture was shaken on a vortex agitator. This procedure was used to analyze the plasma samples of patients with epilepsy (n = 70). Results: The results revealed that in most patients with a low level of VPA relative to its expected level, 3-heptanone concentrations were high. The limits of quantification of 3-heptanone and VPA were 0.04 mg L–1 and 0.2 mg L–1, respectively. A suitable precision at a concentration of 2 mg L-1 for each analyte was obtained (relative standard deviation ≤ 9%). Conclusion: The obtained results indicated that this procedure is easy, sensitive, and reliable, and can be used for the analysis of the selected analytes in the plasma samples of patients with epilepsy

A New Method for Investigating Bioequivalence of Inhaled Formulations: A Pilot Study on Salbutamol

Purpose: An efficient, cost-effective and non-invasive test is required to overcome the challenges faced in the process of bioequivalence (BE) studies of various orally inhaled drug formulations. Two different types of pressurized meter dose inhalers (MDI-1 and MDI-2) were used in this study to test the practical applicability of a previously proposed hypothesis on the BE of inhaled salbutamol formulations. Methods: Salbutamol concentration profiles of the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples collected from volunteers receiving two inhaled formulations were compared employing BE criteria. In addition, the aerodynamic particle size distribution of the inhalers was determined by employing next generation impactor. Salbutamol concentrations in the samples were determined using liquid and gas chromatographic methods. Results: The MDI-1 inhaler induced slightly higher EBC concentrations of salbutamol when compared with MDI-2. The geometric MDI-2/MDI-1 mean ratios (confidence intervals) were 0.937 (0.721–1.22) for maximum concentration and 0.841 (0.592–1.20) for area under the EBC-time profile, indicating a lack of BE between the two formulations. In agreement with the in vivo data, the in vitro data indicated that the fine particle dose (FPD) of MDI-1 was slightly higher than that for the MDI-2 formulation. However, the FPD differences between the two formulations were not statistically significant. Conclusion: EBC data of the present work may be considered as a reliable source for assessment of the BE studies of orally inhaled drug formulations. However, more detailed investigations employing larger sample sizes and more formulations are required to provide more evidence for the proposed method of BE assay

A Simple Colorimetric Method for Determination of Ethanol in Exhaled Breath Condensate

Background: Ethanol is considered as a toxic compound when used in excess amounts. The toxic concentration for ethanol was reported to be 1000 – 2000 μg.mL-1 in plasma and serum samples. The aim of the current study was to develop a rapid and catalyst free colorimetric method for determination of ethanol in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sample. Methods: A redox reaction with dichromate-based colorimetric method was used for determination of ethanol in EBC. Results: The proposed method shows a good sensitivity and selectivity for ethanol in compared with other compounds and biomarkers existing in EBC. The color change can be easily observed by the naked eye in the presence of ethanol in the range of 300 - 8000 μg.mL-1. The quantitative detection of ethanol was fully validated and used for determination of ethanol in EBC of alcohol administrated individuals. Conclusion: This catalyst free colorimetric method has great potential for ethanol determination owing to many desirable properties such as high reliability, high sensitivity, and fast response time

Utilizing Nanoparticle Catalyzed TMB/H2 O2 System for Determination of Aspirin in Exhaled Breath Condensate

Background: According to the poison center data for most countries, more than thousands of people’s exposure to aspirin or salicylate-containing products. So, this work aimed was to offer a rapid colorimetric method for monitoring aspirin concentration in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Methods: A method based on a redox reaction catalyzed by nanoparticles was validated for the analysis of aspirin. 3,3 ,5,5 –Tetramethyl benzidine /H2 O2 and sodium dodecyl sulfate modified silver nanoparticles were used as the redox reagents and catalyst, respectively. Results: Detection mechanism of aspirin using this system is based on the inhibitory effect of aspirin on the signal intensity of the colorimetric systems. Since the decrement in signal intensity was proportional to aspirin level, a colorimetric method was proposed for its quantification in EBC samples. This method shows a linear relationship with aspirin concentration in the range of 10‒250 mg.L−1 with a relative standard deviation of < 3.5%. Conclusion: This method has great potential for aspirin determination due to some features such as high reliability, and fast response time

Contribution of iranian chemists in research activities, on the occasion of the international year of chemistry

On the occasion of the International Year of Chemistry (2011), scientometric anal- ysis of the publications of Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Israel and Malaysia in all fields and also in four chemistry sub-categories were extracted from Scopus and a number of quantitative and qualitative measures of the publications were discussed. Based on these findings, Iran is the leading state among the investigated countries in the field of chemistry concerning the number of publications and Israel is the leading state followed by Iran when the qualitative measures are considered