Breath analysis holds the promise of a non-invasive technique for the diagnosis of diverse respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Breath contains small metabolites that may be putative biomarkers of these conditions. However, the discovery of reliable biomarkers is a considerable challenge in the presence of both clinical and instrumental confounding factors. Among the latter, instrumental time drifts are highly relevant, as since question the short and long-term validity of predictive models. In this work we present a methodology to counter instrumental drifts using information from interleaved blanks for a case study of GC-MS data from breath samples. The proposed method includes feature filtering, and additive, multiplicative and multivariate drift corrections, the latter being based on component correction. Biomarker discovery was based on genetic algorithms in a filter configuration using Fisher's ratio computed in the partial least squares-discriminant analysis subspace as a figure of merit. Using our protocol, we have been able to find nine peaks that provide a statistically significant area under the ROC curve of 0.75 for COPD discrimination. The method developed has been successfully validated using blind samples in short-term temporal validation. However, the attempt to use this model for patient screening six months later was not successful. This negative result highlights the importance of increasing validation rigor when reporting biomarker discovery results.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/aaa492 | DOI Listing |
Int J Biol Macromol
January 2025
NBFC - National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy; University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Naples, Italy. Electronic address:
Bio-valorization of agri-food wastes lies in their possible conversion into fermented foodstuffs/beverages and/or biodegradable polymers such as bacterial cellulose. In this study, three different kombucha cultures were formulated using agri-food waste materials, citrus fruit residues and used coffee grounds, as alternative carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Over 21 days of fermentation, the kinetic profile was followed by monitoring cell number, pH variation, minerals, trace elements and production of bacterial cellulose.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt Immunopharmacol
January 2025
Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. Electronic address:
Global healthcare systems are under tremendous strain due to the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. Growing data suggested that overconsumption of high-fat/high-carbohydrates diet (HFHCD) is associated with enhanced incidence of metabolic alterations, neurodegeneration, and cognitive dysfunction. Functional foods have gained prominence in curbing metabolic and neurological deficits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
The aerial parts (Herba Saniculae) and the underground parts (Radix Saniculae) of (sanicle) have been used traditionally in Austrian folk medicine to treat wounds. Interestingly, in the Austrian vernacular, "Radix Saniculae" can also refer to the underground parts of . This ambiguity can lead to mistakes in using these two plants and, importantly, adulterations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain.
L. (cotton-lavender) is receiving increasing attention due to its potential for modern medicine and is considered both a functional food and nutraceutical. In this work, the phytochemical profile of its flower hydromethanolic extract was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and its applications as a biorational for crop protection were explored against spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria P.O. Box X20, South Africa.
The global rise in temperatures due to climate change has made it difficult even for specialised desert-adapted plant species to survive on sandy desert soils. Two of Namibia's iconic desert-adapted plant species, and the quiver tree , have recently been shown to be under threat because of climate change. In the current study, three ecologically important Namibian milk bushes were evaluated for their climate change response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!