Peptide nucleic acid bis-quinoline conjugates are reported as attractive far-red emitting probes that detect mutated mRNA in living cells at SNP resolution.
This review presents and discusses a new frontier for fast, risk-free and potentially inexpensive diagnostics of respiratory diseases by detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in exhaled breath. One part of the review is a didactic presentation of the overlaying concept and the chemistry of exhaled breath. The other part discusses diverse sensors that have been developed and used for the detection of respiratory diseases (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary arterial hypertension, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and pneumoconiosis) by analysis of VOCs in exhaled breath. The strengths and pitfalls are discussed and criticised, particularly in the perspective in disseminating information regarding these advances. Ideas regarding the improvement of sensors, sensor arrays, sensing devices and the further planning of workflow are also discussed.
The current letter describes the rational behind breath analysis of lung cancer and the progress made so far by means of mass spectrometry and smart sensor arrays. Additionally, it presents and discusses the potential of breath analysis in enabling inexpensive and non-invasive technology that would allow efficient early detection of cancer; stratifying the population based on their bio-specification for a tailored (personalized) therapy; and bedside fast assessment of treatment efficacy in order to change the therapeutic approach. At the end, the letter pinpoints the main implementation strengths of the method as a routine diagnostic and monitoring in the digital era.
It is well established that cells behave as “microsocieties” that need strict coordination in communication. Any breakdown in this regulatory network can lead to pathological conditions, primarily when “miscommunication” occurs within the immune system. The different components of the immune system communicate using an intricate language of cytokines, chemokines and other cell interactions to orchestrate a response. Cytokines contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis and prevention of immunological disorders by tightly regulating the release of pro-inflammatory signals and, in balance with anti-inflammatory cytokine release, assuring a controlled and localized immune reaction. Although cytokines are indispensable for the exact signaling in the immune system, their biological effects often overlap, and individual cytokines have multiple regulatory functions. This chapter focuses on the potential role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as signaling/communication agents that shape different components of the immune system. It also emphasizes the immunomodulatory effects of VOCs, especially on the transcriptional profile of monocytes.
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