Detection of Anomalous Sodium Chloride Concentrations in Perspiration Using Microsensors

Author(s):  
David Gaibor ◽  
Mehdi Goulamaly ◽  
Nilu Jariwala ◽  
Mark Piontkowski ◽  
Mansour Zenouzi ◽  
...  

It is common knowledge that an early diagnosis of a disease improves the treatment provided to a patient. With the advent of nanotechnology, engineers and scientists are beginning to utilize these nanoscale capabilities in the hope of - early disease detection. Viral, bacterial infections and other chronic diseases seem to alter the concentrations of some compounds present in sweat [1,2]. This project attempts to detect some of these diseases by measuring the variation in salinity of sweat that differs from the commonly accepted level [2]. By creating a low-cost, reusable and portable microsensor, it can then apply the same principles to construct a nanosensor to yield even more accurate results. The electrical signals obtained by the sensor produce data that translates into diagnostic medical results for sweat-related illnesses such as cystic fibrosis [3]. For a deeper and thorough understanding of all aspects of the sensor, multiple concepts for measuring sweat using electrical signals were considered. Ultimately, the concept chosen to measure varying sweat concentrations was through a capacitor. Multiple capacitor designs were simulated to determine the best way of maximizing performance. After the sensors were constructed, they were tested using various concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl), from 0.1 grams per liter to 5 grams per liter, dissolved in distilled water to mimic the effect of authentic human sweat [4]. The designed sensor is successfully able to determine the likelihood of a person having cystic fibrosis using a sweat sample as their sweat sodium chloride concentration will correspond to an electrical signal obtained throughout the testing process.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 905-906
Author(s):  
Aubrey Milunsky

The patient reported in the foregoing letter is of particular interest in view of the recent observations on patients with tnisomy 21 and cystic fibrosis. The multiple possibilities that could explain the clinical presentation have no doubt been considered by the authors. However, the description of "hypoplastic thrombocytopenia" and later pancytopenia in this patient, associated with pancreatic insufficiency, leads to the serious consideration of Shwachman's syndrome (pancreatic insufficiency and bone marrow dysfunction). The wide discrepancy between the sodium and chloride concentrations in the sweat reported in their letter indicates that evaporation of water may have occurred from the sweat sample, leading to an apparently higher sodium and chloride concentration.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cibele Zanardi Esteves ◽  
Letícia de Aguiar Dias ◽  
Estela de Oliveira Lima ◽  
Diogo Noin de Oliveira ◽  
Carlos Fernando Odir Rodrigues Melo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackgroundCystic fibrosis is a disabling genetic disease with an increased prevalence in populations with European heritage. Currently, the most used technique for collection of cystic fibrosis samples and diagnosis is provided through uncomfortable tests, with uncertain results, mostly based on chloride concentration in sweat. Since cystic fibrosis mutation induces many metabolic changes in patients, exploring these alterations might be an alternative to visualize potential biomarkers that could be used as interesting tools for further diagnostic upgrade, prioritizing simplicity, low cost and quickness.MethodsThis contribution describes an accurate strategy to provide potential biomarkers related to cystic fibrosis, which may be understood as a potential tool for new diagnostic approaches and/or for monitoring disease evolution. Therefore, the present proposal consists of using skin imprints on silica plates as a way of sample collection, followed by direct-infusion high-resolution mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis, intending to identify metabolic changes in skin composition of cystic fibrosis patients.ResultsMetabolomics analysis allowed identifying chemical markers that can be traced back to cystic fibrosis in patients’ skin imprints, differently from control subjects. Seven chemical markers from several molecular classes were elected, represented by bile acids, a glutaric acid derivative, thyrotropin releasing hormone, an inflammatory mediator, a phosphatidic acid, and diacylglycerol isomers, all reflecting metabolic disturbances that occur due to of cystic fibrosis.ConclusionThe comfortable method of sample collection combined with the identified set of biomarkers represent potential tools that open the range of possibilities to manage cystic fibrosis and follow the disease evolution. This exploratory approach points to new perspectives about cystic fibrosis management and maybe to further development of a new diagnostic assay based on them.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 5463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amico ◽  
Brandas ◽  
Moran ◽  
Baroni

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease associated with the defective function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that causes obstructive disease and chronic bacterial infections in airway epithelia. The most prevalent CF-causing mutation, the deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (F508del), leads to CFTR misfolding, trafficking defects and premature degradation. A number of correctors that are able to partially rescue F508del-CFTR processing defects have been identified. Clinical trials have demonstrated that, unfortunately, mono-therapy with the best correctors identified to date does not ameliorate lung function or sweat chloride concentration in homozygous F508del patients. Understanding the mechanisms exerted by currently available correctors to increase mutant F508del-CFTR expression is essential for the development of new CF-therapeutics. We investigated the activity of correctors on the mutant F508del and wild type (WT) CFTR to identify the protein domains whose expression is mostly affected by the action of correctors, and we investigated their mechanisms of action. We found that the four correctors under study, lumacaftor (VX809), the quinazoline derivative VX325, the bithiazole compound corr4a, and the new molecule tezacaftor (VX661), do not influence either the total expression or the maturation of the WT-CFTR transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Contrarily, they significantly enhance the expression and the maturation of the full length F508del molecule. Three out of four correctors, VX809, VX661 and VX325, seem to specifically improve the expression and the maturation of the mutant CFTR N-half (M1N1, residues 1–633). By contrast, the CFTR C-half (M2N2, residues 837–1480) appears to be the region mainly affected by corr4a. VX809 was shown to stabilize both the WT- and F508del-CFTR N-half isoforms, while VX661 and VX325 demonstrated the ability to enhance the stability only of the mutant F508del polypeptide.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 905-905
Author(s):  
Arturo J. Aballi ◽  
Franklin Desposito

The patient reported in the foregoing letter is of particular interest in view of the recent observations on patients with tnisomy 21 and cystic fibrosis. The multiple possibilities that could explain the clinical presentation have no doubt been considered by the authors. However, the description of "hypoplastic thrombocytopenia" and later pancytopenia in this patient, associated with pancreatic insufficiency, leads to the serious consideration of Shwachman's syndrome (pancreatic insufficiency and bone marrow dysfunction). The wide discrepancy between the sodium and chloride concentrations in the sweat reported in their letter indicates that evaporation of water may have occurred from the sweat sample, leading to an apparently higher sodium and chloride concentration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Wilbert ◽  
Sarah C. Grünert ◽  
Andrea Heinzmann ◽  
Sebastian F. N. Bode

Abstract Background Childhood hypoglycemia in combination with hepatomegaly is suspicious for inborn errors of metabolism. Cystic fibrosis typically presents with failure to thrive, pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms. Hepatic involvement and hypoglycemia can occur in a significant number of patients, although hepatomegaly is uncommon. Case presentation A 28 months old boy was presented with recurrent upper airways infections, progressive lethargy and weight loss. Clinically hepatomegaly was the main presenting feature and hypoglycemia (minimum 1.4 mmol/l) was noted as were elevated transaminases. The patient did not produce enough sweat to analyze it. Infectious causes for hepatitis were excluded and a broad metabolic work-up initiated. A therapy with starch was initiated to control hypoglycemia. In further course loose stools were reported and pancreatic elastase was found to be reduced. A further sweat test yielded pathological chloride concentration and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Conclusions Cystic fibrosis is a systemic disease and less common presentations need to be considered. Even in the age of CF-newborn screening in many countries CF needs to be ruled out in typical and atypical clinical presentations and diagnostics need to be repeated if inconclusive.


Author(s):  
Daniel Saverio Spozito ◽  
Francisco Ubaldo Vieira Junior ◽  
Eduardo Tavares Costa
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Daniel J Wolter ◽  
Alison Scott ◽  
Catherine R Armbruster ◽  
Dale Whittington ◽  
John S Edgar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bacteria adapt to survive and grow in different environments. Genetic mutations that promote bacterial survival under harsh conditions can also restrict growth. The causes and consequences of these adaptations have important implications for diagnosis, pathogenesis, and therapy. Objectives We describe the isolation and characterization of an antibiotic-dependent, temperature-sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant chronically infecting the respiratory tract of a cystic fibrosis (CF) patient, underscoring the clinical challenges bacterial adaptations can present. Methods Respiratory samples collected from a CF patient during routine care were cultured for standard pathogens. P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from samples were analysed for in vitro growth characteristics, antibiotic susceptibility, clonality, and membrane phospholipid and lipid A composition. Genetic mutations were identified by whole genome sequencing. Results P. aeruginosa isolates collected over 5 years from respiratory samples of a CF patient frequently harboured a mutation in phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (psd), encoding an enzyme responsible for phospholipid synthesis. This mutant could only grow at 37°C when in the presence of supplemented magnesium, glycerol, or, surprisingly, the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, which the source patient had repeatedly received. Of concern, this mutant was not detectable on standard selective medium at 37°C. This growth defect correlated with alterations in membrane phospholipid and lipid A content. Conclusions A P. aeruginosa mutant chronically infecting a CF patient exhibited dependence on sulphonamides and would likely evade detection using standard clinical laboratory methods. The diagnostic and therapeutic challenges presented by this mutant highlight the complex interplay between bacterial adaptation, antibiotics, and laboratory practices, during chronic bacterial infections.


2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (spe) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Aguiar Mendes ◽  
Heizir Ferreira de Castro

The objective of this work was to evaluate the replacement of Gum Arabic for sodium chloride to reduce fat and organic contents in dairy wastewater using two low cost commercially available lipase preparations from animal source (Kin Master - LKM and Nuclear- LNU). The best performance was achieved when lipase Nuclear (LNU) was used as catalyst. In addition, this lipase preparation has also lower cost, which makes its use a quite promising technique for reduction of suspended solids as proteins and lipids contents found in wastewater generated by dairy industries.


1960 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinah Abram ◽  
N. E. Gibbons

The optical densities of suspensions of cells of Halobacterium cutirubrum, H. halobium, or H. salinarium, grown in media containing 4.5 M sodium chloride, increase as the salt concentration of the suspending medium decreases, until a maximum is reached at about 2 M; below this concentration there is an abrupt decrease in optical density. The cells are rod shaped in 4.5 M salt and change, as the salt concentration decreases, through irregular transition forms to spheres; equal numbers of transition forms and spheres are present at the point of maximum turbidity, while spheres predominate at lower salt concentrations. Cells suspended in 3.0 M salt, although slightly swollen, are viable, but viability decreases rapidly with the more drastic changes in morphology at lower salt concentrations. Cells grown in the presence of iron are more resistant to morphological changes but follow the same sequence. Cells "fixed" with formaldehyde, at any point in the sequence, act as osmometers and do not rupture in distilled water although their volume increases 10–14 times. The results indicate that the red halophilic rods require a high sodium chloride content in their growth or suspending medium to maintain a rigid cell wall structure.


2002 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 3965-3968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Shields ◽  
Samuel R. Farrah

ABSTRACT Viruses were characterized by their adsorption to DEAE-Sepharose or by their elution from octyl-Sepharose by using buffered solutions of sodium chloride with different ionic strengths. Viruses whose adsorption to DEAE-Sepharose was reduced most rapidly by an increase in the sodium chloride concentration were considered to have the weakest electrostatic interactions with the solids; these viruses included MS2, E1, and φX174. Viruses whose adsorption to DEAE-Sepharose was reduced least rapidly were considered to have the strongest electrostatic interactions with the column; these viruses included P1, T4, T2, and E5. All of the viruses studied adsorbed to octyl-Sepharose in the presence of 4 M NaCl. Viruses that were eluted most rapidly following a decrease in the concentration of NaCl were considered to have the weakest hydrophobic interactions with the column; these viruses included φX174, CB4, and E1. Viruses that were eluted least rapidly from the columns after the NaCl concentration was decreased were considered to have the strongest hydrophobic interactions with the column; these viruses included f2, MS2, and E5.


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