Spirometry, impulse oscillometry and capnovolumetry in welders and healthy male subjects.

Background: Welding processes emit fine and ultrafine aerosol particles which are potentially harmful to the lungs of welders. In the past, changes in lung function were mostly determined by conventional spirometry. In this study spirometry was combined with new techniques such as Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) and Capnovolumetry (CVS) in order to assess welding associated changes in lung function.

Simultaneous determination of 3-nitrotyrosine, tyrosine, hydroxyproline and proline in exhaled breath condensate by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

The analysis of biomarkers from exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a non-invasive but challenging method for the detection of pulmonary diseases. The amino acids L-proline (Pro) and l-tyrosine (Tyr) are precursors for two important metabolites, trans-L-4-hydroxyproline (trans-L-4-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-carboxylic acid, t-Hyp) and nitrotyrosine (NT). Whereas t-Hyp is supposed to be a biomarker for lung fibrosis, NT is a promising biomarker for inflammation in airway diseases.