Owlstone Medical (United Kingdom)

Background: Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can provide insight into various physiological and metabolic processes. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine if exhaled VOCs would differ across disease severity in heart failure (HF) patients. Methods: We recruited 62 individuals who were classified as healthy control (CTL), admissions with fluid overload (DHF), NYHA class I-II or NYHA class II-III. Breath samples were collected using the ReCIVA Breath Sampler (Owlstone Medical Ltd) and analyzed using mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. Typical clinical characteristics were documented at the time of exhaled breath collection. Results: Data were obtained on 16 CTL, 21 DHF, 15 NYHA I-II and 10 NYHA II-III (characteristics shown in Table). For the HF groups, DHF, NYHA I-II and NYHA II-III, the %HPEFF were 32, 63 and 63% respectively. Regarding exhaled VOCs, we observed a stepwise increase in VOCs potentially linked to lipid peroxidation or fatty acid metabolism, such as pent-3-en-2-one, 2-pentanone, and 4-heptanone, as disease severity worsened. A similar trend was seen for sulphur containing compounds (methyl propyl sulfide, allyl methyl sulfide and 1(methyl thiol)-1 propene)), potentially providing insight into impaired hepatic or renal clearance in more advanced HF. The level of methyl pyruvate on breath also rose with increasing disease severity, which may reflect altered energy metabolism. Finally, gut microbiome-related VOCs (acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, and butyric anhydride) increased across severity groups, potentially reflecting dysbiosis in advanced disease. Conclusions: In a small pilot study aiming to identify potential exhaled breath biomarkers in HF, we observed significant differences in VOCs across disease severity. These compounds have been linked to lipid peroxidation, energy metabolism, liver and kidney function as well as microbial fermentation and short-chain fatty acid metabolism. Collectively, these data demonstrate the ability of breath omics to potentially stratify disease severity and provide additional biological insights into HF pathophysiology. Larger studies are needed to determine whether a breath biomarker panel could be established to quantify disease severity and predict decompensation risk in HF.

ABSTRACTInterest in the endogenous role of methane has grown rapidly over the past decade, driven both by its relevance for disease detection (including intestinal methanogen overgrowth) as well as discoveries that raise the possibility of endogenous sources of methane and suggestive evidence of methane effects relevant to physiology. This review explores both established and emerging origins of breath methane, its physiological relevance, and the evolving landscape of detection methods. We aim to summarize current understanding and provide a platform to outline key directions for future research. Evidence supports the existence of non‐microbial, endogenous methane production pathways and potential biological effects beyond the gut. However, the concentrations generated via these pathways and the levels required to elicit physiological responses remain under investigation. Recent technological advances have enabled more accessible and longitudinal breath methane monitoring, opening new avenues for research and clinical application.

A novel pre-clinical method for collecting breath samples from intubated mice is presented, which can be tailored to respiratory disease research. Integrated with gold-standard respiratory mechanics equipment (flexiVent®), the approach captures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) onto industry-standard sorbent tubes, resulting in mouse breath samples that can be transported and analysed through TD-GC-MS and other central lab technologies. Background levels originating from the intubation equipment are shown to be low enough to effectively distinguish on-breath VOCs from background compounds. Quantitative analysis reveals a distinct number of compounds at elevated levels in mouse breath, despite their lower abundance compared to human breath samples. It is proposed that this method provides a route for translating pre-clinical findings and biomarkers into human clinical studies, particularly in the context of respiratory disease.

Air pollution, particularly particulate matter less than 2.5 μg/m³ (PM2.5), is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen and contributes to lung cancer and respiratory diseases. Lung inflammation is a response to pollutants, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath, which could serve as non-invasive markers for assessing inflammation. This randomized double-blind crossover study examined breath VOCs over 24 hours following acute high exposure to PM2.5 in 20 non-smoking, healthy individuals. Participants underwent two separate exposures in the UBC Air Pollution Exposure Lab booth: 300 μg/m³ of PM2.5 from a diesel engine, and to filtered air, spaced a minimum of six weeks apart. Breath collected using Breath Biopsy® before exposure, immediately after, and at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, and 24 hours post-exposure. Samples were analysed by GC-MS, both untargeted and targeted analyses was conducted. iData analysis included univariate analysis and multivariate techniques such as ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA). ASCA revealed a significant effect of exposure type (300 μg/m³ PM2.5 vs. sham, p < 0.01) and a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between post-exposure time and exposure type. From targeted analysis, inflammation-related compounds significantly increased in individuals exposed to PM2.5 compared to controls. From untargeted analysis, 12 VOCs significantly increased in breath of the 300 μg/m³ PM2.5 group, which diminished in samples collected 24 hours post-exposure. A distinct breath VOC profile is detectable in individuals exposed to inflammation triggers, suggesting that breath VOCs may detect acute airway inflammation and assess respiratory diseases secondary to air pollution.

This article explores the journey of transitioning from PhD to a book author, emphasising the importance of soft skills cultivated during academic pursuits. Drawing from personal experience, the author underscores the parallels between academia and authorship, highlighting skills such as effective communication, networking, resilience, and self-discipline. The ability to translate complex ideas, build relationships, persevere through challenges, and maintain a structured writing routine proves essential in navigating the publishing landscape. Practical strategies are offered to nurture these skills, including engaging in conversations, participating in authorial communities, embracing a growth mindset, and mastering self-discipline. Ultimately, the article illuminates how the journey from PhD to authorship is marked by growth, challenges, and the development of crucial soft skills, laying a foundation for success in the dynamic world of publishing.

ABSTRACT St Agnes Museum, Cornwall, currently holds in its collections a paint box with a metal plaque reading ‘John Opie 1806’, containing pigments and other artists’ materials. John Opie produced hundreds of oil paintings until his untimely death in 1807 and was a well-known and successful painter of portraits and historical scenes. However, his work has been little studied, in comparison to his contemporaries such as Joshua Reynolds. This paper discusses the identification of the pigments in the paint box using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Seven pigments have been identified as ultramarine, lead white, fustic and carmine lakes, carbon black (likely ivory), hematite, and burnt sienna, consistent with the bottle labels where present. The identification has been further confirmed using historical literature, which has shown that the pigments are likely to be contemporary with the stated date of 1806. This information adds to the body of knowledge about the artist specifically, and the artists pigments generally available at the time.