O óxido nítrico (NO) tem papel relevante nas diversas funções fisiológicas do organismo e nos mais variados sistemas que o compõe. Sabe-se que esta molécula é um constituinte normal do ar exalado na respiração de humanos e de animais. Tem como funções modular respostas inflamatórias e imunes bem como atuar na regulação do tônus vascular da musculatura lisa das vias aéreas. Esta molécula vem sendo reconhecida como importante marcador de lesão pulmonar, o que despertou a intensa investigação do NO no ar exalado. Uma metodologia não invasiva, de baixo custo e de fácil aplicação está sendo extensivamente estudada para a captação do ar exalado através do seu resfriamento e condensação, denominada Condensado do Exalado Pulmonar (CEP). É grande o interesse no estudo de doenças pulmonares inflamatórias, no entanto, observa-se uma considerável carência de evidências acerca dos níveis de concentração de mediadores inflamatórios, como o NO em amostras de indivíduos hígidos utilizando o CEP. Diante disso, decidiu-se elaborar um protótipo de aparato para coleta do condensado e empregar esta técnica para determinar valores de concentração de NO em uma amostra de voluntários hígidos. A metodologia de coleta utilizada foi baseada nas recomendações da força tarefa da American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) para procedimentos de coleta de condensado, com o intuito de evitar erros metodológicos, padronizar e trazer mais evidências para auxiliar a inserção do método na rotina clínica, além de disponibilizá-lo para novas pesquisas. Para isto foram selecionados 116 indivíduos adultos hígidos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 20 e 70 anos. O protótipo de aparato utilizado na pesquisa foi de fabricação artesanal e desenvolvido na Divisão de Cirurgia Torácica e Cardiovascular da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo- FMRP/USP, visto que os aparatos comerciais são todos importados, de custo elevado e que ainda não forneceram evidências suficientes de que algum destes seria o padrão ouro para a coleta. O aparato foi eficiente para coletar o CEP e o NO foi detectável em todas as amostras. A média de NO foi de 13±14,4µM, e não houve correlação com o gênero (p=0,847) e idade (p=0,811). Não foi observado correlação entre o NO e o volume de CEP coletado (p=0,944). O volume de CEP coletado é dependente do volume exalado total (p<0,001). A partir destes resultados pode-se verificar que o aparato é viável e eficiente. Não foram encontradas correlações entre a concentração de NO no CEP, idade e o gênero. O presente estudo poderá contribuir com futuras pesquisas de caráter comparativo e fornecer mais uma opção de aparato para coleta do condensado do exalado pulmonar, provendo baixo custo, reprodutibilidade e reutilização do aparato / Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in various physiological functions in the body and in various systems that compose it. It is known that this molecule is a normal constituent of exhaled breath in humans and animals. Its functions modulate inflammatory and immune responses as well as act in the regulation of vascular tone of smooth muscles of the airways. This molecule has been recognized as an important marker of lung injury, which sparked intense investigation of exhaled NO. A non-invasive method, low cost and easy application has been extensively studied to collect the exhaled air through its cooling and condensation, termed exhaled breath condensate. There is great interest in the study of inflammatory lung diseases, however, there is a considerable lack of evidence about the concentration levels of inflammatory mediators such NO in samples of healthy individuals using exhaled breath condensate. Given this, it was decided to develop a prototype apparatus for collecting exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and employ this technique to determine concentration values of nitric oxide in a sample of healthy volunteers. The sampling methodology based on the recommendations of the task force of the American Thoracic Society / European Respiratory Society (ATS / ERS) for procedures using for collection of condensate, in order to avoid methodological errors, standardize and bring more evidence to support the inclusion of the method in clinical routine, and make it available for further research. We selected 116 healthy adults of both gender, aged between 20 and 70. The prototype apparatus used in the research was designed, produced and developed in the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo-FMRP / USP. The commercial devices are all imported, expensive and not yet provided sufficient evidence that any of these would be the gold standard for collection. The apparatus was efficient to collect the EBC and NO was detectable in all samplesThe average NO was 14.4 ± 13 µM, and there was no correlation with gender (p = 0.847) and age (p = 0.811). There was no correlation between NO and the volume of collected EBC (p = 0.944). The volume of collected EBC is dependent on the total exhaled volume (p <0.001). From these results it can be seen that the apparatus is feasible and efficient. No correlation was found between the concentration of NO in the EBC, age and gender. The present study may contribute to future comparative studies of character and provide another option for apparatus for collecting condensate, providing low cost, reliability and reusability of the apparatus

Incorporation of magnetic microparticles (~ 1 um) at electrode structures increases electron transfer e¢ ciency, observed as increased current, for multiple electrochemical systems. Current increases occur with magnetic field. Inclusion of magnetic materials into the cathode matrix of alkaline MnO2 batteries requires the materials to be stable in the strong base electrolyte, typically 6 to 9 M KOH. Samarium cobalt magnetic particles sustain strong permanent magnetic fields and are stable in base without surface modification. Studies were undertaken at fast (C/2), moderate (C/3), and slow (C/5) constant current discharges. Here, alkaline MnO2 batteries generated increased power and energy when magnetic microparticles are incorporated into the cathode of the battery. Because of anode limitations in the battery, total coulombic output is not increased for the first electron discharge, but the available power and energy is significantly higher compared to nonmagnetic batteries at voltages above 0.9V. Constant current discharge curves of magnetic batteries demonstrate higher voltages than nonmagnetic batteries at a given time, which translates to greater power output. This effect is also observed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, where charge transfer resistance is less for magnetically modified cells. This work also developed voltammetric measurement protocols for acetone concentration collected in the liquid and vapor phase and measured in solution. Acetone on the breath is an indicator for physiological dysregulation. Measurements are demonstrated for acetone concentrations across the human physiological range, 1 uM to 10 mM at platinum electrodes in 0.5 M H2SO4. Effects arise through adsorption of acetone from the gas phase onto a platinum surface and hydrogen in acidic solution within the voltammetric butterfly region. The protocol is demonstrated to yield breath acetone concentration on a human subject within the physiological range and consistent with ketone urine test strip.

Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at advanced stage and as a result, survival rates are low. Recent studies describe exhaled breath and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a potential non-invasive method of sampling the airways for assessing inflammation of the respiratory system, and possibly for the early detection of LC. It was hypothesised that higher concentrations of markers and protein will be present in the EBC of LC patients compared to those of normal controls and healthy smokers, and may aid in assessing lung status. Methods: The gaseous phase of breath was investigated for volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns using an electronic nose (eNose) system, in addition to off-line measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels. The aqueous phase, EBC, was collected during tidal breathing through a glass collection device cooled to 4??C by ice. Nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and pH levels were determined by a fluorescent modification of the Griess method, and silicon chip sensor pH meter, respectively. Protein levels in EBC were examined with a bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, silver staining and PAGE techniques, while the levels of tumour markers, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA, were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The eNose machine was not able to produce characteristic VOC profiles from exhaled breath unique to each study group, while no significant difference was observed for mean NOx concentrations in the LC group when compared to other subjects (p=0.8824). Higher protein levels were found in the EBC of LC patient compared to normal controls (p=0.0204), with subsequent measurements of elevated CEA levels observed in the LC group when compared to non-smokers and smokers (p=0.023). Conclusion: This study showed that protein can be detected in the exhaled breath condensate of patients, with a significantly elevated amount in the samples from newly diagnosed LC patients. The mechanism for these differences remains to be determined but may be related to inflammatory changes within the airway, such as vascular protein leakage and release of mediators. Future work may aim to identify the upregulated proteins, and focus on proteomics and tissue microarrays to explore candidate proteins.

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

Real time detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) using Selected Ion Flow Tube – Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) provides a unique opportunity for research into breath testing for clinical diagnosis. However, before engaging in research into breath analytes as markers of disease, appropriate breath collection methods are required. Collection of breath for SIFT-MS instruments fall into two categories, direct breath collection into the instrument and the remote breath collection onto a storage medium. This thesis describes the development and validation of both methods of breath collection equipment for SIFT-MS analysis. Development of the direct breath collection device involved standardising and optimising the way in which breath is sampled by SIFT-MS. Design considerations include ergonomics, patient safety, breathing resistance, materials, and appropriate operating conditions of the device. Results from materials testing showed that all materials emit VOCs and the best approach is to minimise VOC emission by careful material selection. To minimise flow resistance experienced by the patient, the capillary from which the SIFT-MS instrument samples, is placed as close as possible to the users mouth. The optimal operating temperature of the device was found to be 100°C - 120°C, which ensures that water vapour will not condense inside the capillary causing blockage. In order to ensure patient safety the device is adequately insulated using stagnant air which also minimises VOC emission from insulation materials. Because a SIFT-MS instrument is large and cannot be easily shifted around a hospital, a system of remote sample collection is required. It is also important to separately collect and analyse breath from the respiratory alveolar region. For this reason the remote breath collection device designed also fractionates collected breath samples into the breath from the upper airways and alveolar breath. The storage medium chosen for the collected breath samples is a gas sampling bag made from Tedlar™. Collection of breath into Tedlar™ bags allows breath to be stored as a whole air sample, the ideal form for analysis with the SIFT-MS technique. Alveolar breath is fractionated from deadspace gasses by measuring a subject's exhalation and collecting the portion of interest. The breath exhalation is measured by an averaging Pitot tube and pressure transducer. Signal processing and automation of the remote breath collection device is controlled by a Cypress Microsystems PSoC microcontroller. To validate the device isoprene and acetone concentrations in fractionated breath samples were compared with a whole breath sample. Results showed that the alveolar breath fraction had a higher concentration of acetone than the upper airway fraction, indicating that the breath was successfully fractioned. However, isoprene concentrations were lower in both fractions due to hyperventilation of the subject causing a dilution effect of alveolar VOCs. Therefore, a higher sample collection volume is required per exhalation, and regulating subjects' breathing rate will avoid the dilution effect observed in collected breath samples. Overall, this thesis had designed, developed and validated two forms of breath collection systems for use with SIFT-MS technology.

No description available.

Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at advanced stage and as a result, survival rates are low. Recent studies describe exhaled breath and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a potential non-invasive method of sampling the airways for assessing inflammation of the respiratory system, and possibly for the early detection of LC. It was hypothesised that higher concentrations of markers and protein will be present in the EBC of LC patients compared to those of normal controls and healthy smokers, and may aid in assessing lung status. Methods: The gaseous phase of breath was investigated for volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns using an electronic nose (eNose) system, in addition to off-line measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels. The aqueous phase, EBC, was collected during tidal breathing through a glass collection device cooled to 4??C by ice. Nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and pH levels were determined by a fluorescent modification of the Griess method, and silicon chip sensor pH meter, respectively. Protein levels in EBC were examined with a bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, silver staining and PAGE techniques, while the levels of tumour markers, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA, were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The eNose machine was not able to produce characteristic VOC profiles from exhaled breath unique to each study group, while no significant difference was observed for mean NOx concentrations in the LC group when compared to other subjects (p=0.8824). Higher protein levels were found in the EBC of LC patient compared to normal controls (p=0.0204), with subsequent measurements of elevated CEA levels observed in the LC group when compared to non-smokers and smokers (p=0.023). Conclusion: This study showed that protein can be detected in the exhaled breath condensate of patients, with a significantly elevated amount in the samples from newly diagnosed LC patients. The mechanism for these differences remains to be determined but may be related to inflammatory changes within the airway, such as vascular protein leakage and release of mediators. Future work may aim to identify the upregulated proteins, and focus on proteomics and tissue microarrays to explore candidate proteins.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--McGill University, 1997. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.