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1.
AAPS PharmSciTech ; 25(5): 109, 2024 May 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38730125

Although inhalation therapy represents a promising drug delivery route for the treatment of respiratory diseases, the real-time evaluation of lung drug deposition remains an area yet to be fully explored. To evaluate the utility of the photo reflection method (PRM) as a real-time non-invasive monitoring of pulmonary drug delivery, the relationship between particle emission signals measured by the PRM and in vitro inhalation performance was evaluated in this study. Symbicort® Turbuhaler® was used as a model dry powder inhaler. In vitro aerodynamic particle deposition was evaluated using a twin-stage liquid impinger (TSLI). Four different inhalation patterns were defined based on the slope of increased flow rate (4.9-9.8 L/s2) and peak flow rate (30 L/min and 60 L/min). The inhalation flow rate and particle emission profile were measured using an inhalation flow meter and a PRM drug release detector, respectively. The inhalation performance was characterized by output efficiency (OE, %) and stage 2 deposition of TSLI (an index of the deagglomerating efficiency, St2, %). The OE × St2 is defined as the amount delivered to the lungs. The particle emissions generated by four different inhalation patterns were completed within 0.4 s after the start of inhalation, and were observed as a sharper and larger peak under conditions of a higher flow increase rate. These were significantly correlated between the OE or OE × St2 and the photo reflection signal (p < 0.001). The particle emission signal by PRM could be a useful non-invasive real-time monitoring tool for dry powder inhalers.


Dry Powder Inhalers , Lung , Particle Size , Dry Powder Inhalers/methods , Lung/metabolism , Administration, Inhalation , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Aerosols , Powders , Drug Liberation
3.
Environ Sci Technol ; 58(19): 8432-8443, 2024 May 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38699990

Sea salt (ss) aerosols in PM2.5 are often quantified through source apportionment by applying sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) as the markers, but both markers can be substantially emitted from anthropogenic sources. In this study, we differentiate ss from nonss (nss) portions of Na+ and Cl- to better apportion PM2.5 in a coastal tropical urban environment. Size-resolved ionic profiles accounting for Cl- depletion of aged ss were applied to 162-day measurements during 2012 and 2018-2019. Results show that the nss (likely anthropogenic) portions, on average, account for 50-80% of total Na+ and Cl- in submicron aerosols (PM1). This corresponds to up to 2.5 µg/m3 of ss in submicron aerosols that can be ∼10 times overestimated if one attributes all Na+ and Cl- in PM1 to ss. Employing the newly speciated ss- and nss-portions of Na+ and Cl- to source apportionment of urban PM2.5 via positive matrix factorization uncovers a new source of transported anthropogenic emissions during the southwest monsoon, contributing to 12-15% of PM2.5. This increases anthropogenic PM2.5 by ≥19% and reduces ss-related PM2.5 by >30%. In addition to demonstrating Cl- depletion (aging) in submicron aerosols and quantifying ssNa+, nssNa+, ssCl-, as well as nssCl- therein, the refined PM2.5 apportionment resolves new insights on PM2.5 of anthropogenic origins in urban environments, useful to facilitate policy making.


Aerosols , Air Pollutants , Cities , Environmental Monitoring , Particulate Matter , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Air Pollutants/analysis
4.
Environ Health Perspect ; 132(5): 56001, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38728217

BACKGROUND: Respiratory tract infections are major contributors to the global disease burden. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) holds potential as a rapidly deployable framework to understand respiratory pathogen transmission and inform policy on infection control. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this paper was to evaluate, motivate, and inform further development of the use of QMRA as a rapid tool to understand the transmission of respiratory pathogens and improve the evidence base for infection control policies. METHODS: We conducted a literature review to identify peer-reviewed studies of complete QMRA frameworks on aerosol inhalation or contact transmission of respiratory pathogens. From each of the identified studies, we extracted and summarized information on the applied exposure model approaches, dose-response models, and parameter values, including risk characterization. Finally, we reviewed linkages between model outcomes and policy. RESULTS: We identified 93 studies conducted in 16 different countries with complete QMRA frameworks for diverse respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Legionella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, influenza, and Bacillus anthracis. Six distinct exposure models were identified across diverse and complex transmission pathways. In 57 studies, exposure model frameworks were informed by their ability to model the efficacy of potential interventions. Among interventions, masking, ventilation, social distancing, and other environmental source controls were commonly assessed. Pathogen concentration, aerosol concentration, and partitioning coefficient were influential exposure parameters as identified by sensitivity analysis. Most (84%, n=78) studies presented policy-relevant content including a) determining disease burden to call for policy intervention, b) determining risk-based threshold values for regulations, c) informing intervention and control strategies, and d) making recommendations and suggestions for QMRA application in policy. CONCLUSIONS: We identified needs to further the development of QMRA frameworks for respiratory pathogens that prioritize appropriate aerosol exposure modeling approaches, consider trade-offs between model validity and complexity, and incorporate research that strengthens confidence in QMRA results. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12695.


Respiratory Tract Infections , Risk Assessment/methods , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/microbiology , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/transmission , COVID-19/prevention & control , Staphylococcus aureus , Infection Control/methods , Legionella , Aerosols
6.
J Biomech ; 168: 112126, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38718595

The development and application of multi-scale models of the lung has significantly increased in recent years. These hybrid models merge realistic representations of the larger airways with lower-dimensional descriptions of the bronchioles and respiratory airways. Due to recent advancements, it is possible to calculate airflow and dosimetry throughout the entire lung, enabling model validation with human or animal data. Here, we present a hybrid modeling pipeline and corresponding characteristic airflow and particle deposition hotspots. Next, we discuss the limitations of current hybrid models, including the need to update lower-dimensional deposition function descriptions to better represent realistic airway geometries. Future directions should include modeling diseased lungs and use of machine learning to predict whole lung dosimetry maps for a wider population.


Aerosols , Computer Simulation , Lung , Models, Biological , Humans , Lung/physiology , Animals
7.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 10665, 2024 05 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38724540

Bioaerosols generated during toilet flushing can contribute to the spread of airborne pathogens and cross-contamination in indoor environments. This presents an increased risk of fomite-mediated or aerosol disease transmission. This study systematically investigated the factors contributing to increased bioaerosol exposure following toilet flushing and developed an empirical model for predicting the exposure-relevant bioaerosol concentration. Air in a toilet cubicle was sampled by impaction after seeding with Clostridium difficile spores. Design of Experiments (DoE) main effects screening and full factorial design approaches were then employed to investigate the significant factors that heighten the risk of exposure to bioaerosols post-flush. Our findings reveal that the inoculated bacterial concentration (C), time elapsed after flushing (t), lateral distance (d), and mechanical ventilation (v) are significant predictors of bioaerosol concentration, with p-values < 0.05. The interaction term, C × d showed a marked increase in bioaerosol concentration up to 232 CFU/m3 at the closest proximity and highest pathogen load. The interplay of C and t (C × t) demonstrated a time-dependent attenuation of bioaerosol viability, with concentrations peaking at 241 CFU/m3 immediately post-flush and notably diminishing over time. The lateral distance and time post-flush (d × t) interaction also revealed a gradual decrease in bioaerosol concentration, highlighting the effectiveness of spatial and temporal dilution in mitigating bioaerosol exposure risks. Furthermore, there is an immediate rise in relative humidity levels post-flush, impacting the air quality in the toilet environment. This study not only advances our understanding of exposure pathways in determining bioaerosol exposure, but also offers pivotal insights for designing targeted interventions to reduce bioaerosol exposure. Recommendations include designing public toilets with antimicrobial surfaces, optimizing ventilation, and initiating timely disinfection protocols to prioritise surfaces closest to the toilet bowl during peak exposure periods, thereby promoting healthier indoor environments and safeguarding public health in high-traffic toilet settings.


Aerosols , Air Microbiology , Clostridioides difficile , Toilet Facilities , Aerosols/analysis , Humans , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Bathroom Equipment/microbiology
8.
J Environ Radioact ; 276: 107439, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38692068

Radionuclides from the reactor accident Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were observed in the airborne aerosols at CTBT International Monitoring System (IMS) stations (MRP43, CMP13) in Africa. The maximum activity concentrations in the air measured in Mauritania were 186.44 10-6 Bq.m-3, 264.16 10-6 Bq.m-3 and 1269.94 10-6 Bq.m-3 for 134Cs, 137Cs and 131I respectively, and in Cameroon 16.42 10-6 Bq.m-3, 25.53 10-6 and 37.58 10-6 Bq.m-3 respectively for 134Cs, 137Cs and 131I. The activity ratio of 134Cs/137Cs is almost constant throughout the period of time relevant to this study due to their long half-lives of 30.2 years for 137Cs and 2.06 years for 134Cs. Whereas the 131I/137Cs activity ratio varies in time according to the radioactive decay with a half-live of 8.06 days for 131I and different removal rates of both radionuclides from the atmosphere during transport. The EMAC atmospheric chemistry-general circulation was used to simulate the emission and transport of the isotope 137Cs and map the deposition of the 137Cs deposition over Africa.


Aerosols , Air Pollutants, Radioactive , Cesium Radioisotopes , Fukushima Nuclear Accident , Radiation Monitoring , Air Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis , Aerosols/analysis , Cesium Radioisotopes/analysis , Atmosphere/chemistry , Iodine Radioisotopes/analysis , Nuclear Power Plants , Africa
9.
J Environ Manage ; 359: 121004, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38710146

In order to fully understand the carbon emission from different fuels in rural villages of China, especially in the typical atmospheric pollution areas. The characteristics of carbonaceous aerosols and carbon dioxide (CO2) with its stable carbon isotope (δ13C) were investigated in six households, which two households used coal, two households used wood as well as two households used biogas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), from two rural villages in Fenwei Plain from March to April 2021. It showed that the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted from biogas and LPG couldn't be as lower as expected in this area. However, the clean fuels could relatively reduce the emissions of organic carbon (OC) and element carbon (EC) in PM2.5 compare to the solid fuels. The pyrolyzed carbon (OP) accounted more total carbon (TC) in coal than the other fuels use households, indicating that more water-soluble OC existed, and it still had the highest secondary organic carbon (SOC) than the other fuels. Meantime, the coal combustions in the two villages had the highest CO2 concentration of 527.6 ppm and 1120.6 ppm, respectively, while the clean fuels could effectively reduce it. The average δ13C values (-26.9‰) was much lighter than almost all the outdoor monitoring and similar to the δ13C values for coal combustion and vehicle emission, showing that they might be the main contributors of the regional atmospheric aerosol in this area. During the sandstorm, the indoor PM2.5 mass and CO2 were increasing obviously. The indoor cancer risk of PAHs for adults and children were greater than 1 × 10-6, exert a potential carcinogenic risk to human of solid fuels combustion in rural northern China. It is important to continue concern the solid fuel combustion and its health impact in rural areas.


Aerosols , Carbon Dioxide , Carbon Isotopes , Particulate Matter , Carbon Dioxide/analysis , China , Particulate Matter/analysis , Aerosols/analysis , Carbon Isotopes/analysis , Coal , Air Pollutants/analysis , Carbon/analysis , Humans , Family Characteristics , Rural Population , Environmental Monitoring
10.
J Environ Manage ; 359: 121071, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38718608

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 1 µm (PM1.0) can be extremely hazardous to human health, so it is imperative to accurately estimate the spatial and temporal distribution of PM1.0 and analyze the impact of related policies on it. In this study, a stacking generalization model was trained based on aerosol optical depth (AOD) data from satellite observations, combined with related data affecting aerosol concentration such as meteorological data and geographic data. Using this model, the PM1.0 concentration distribution in China during 2016-2019 was estimated, and verified by comparison with ground-based stations. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the model is 0.94, and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) is 8.49 µg/m3, mean absolute error (MAE) is 4.10 µg/m3, proving that the model has a very high performance. Based on the model, this study analyzed the PM1.0 concentration changes during the heating period (November and December) in the regions where the "coal-to-gas" policy was implemented in China, and found that the proposed "coal-to-gas" policy did reduce the PM1.0 concentration in the implemented regions. However, the lack of natural gas due to the unreasonable deployment of the policy in the early stage caused the increase of PM1.0 concentration. This study can provide a reference for the next step of urban air pollution policy development.


Air Pollutants , Particulate Matter , Particulate Matter/analysis , China , Air Pollutants/analysis , Coal , Environmental Monitoring , Air Pollution/analysis , Aerosols/analysis
11.
PLoS One ; 19(5): e0300241, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38696384

OBJECTIVE: Technical ex-vivo comparison of commercial nebulizer nozzles used for Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC). METHODS: The performance of four different commercial nebulizer nozzles (Nebulizer; HurriChemTM; MCR-4 TOPOL®; QuattroJet) was analysed concerning: i) technical design and principle of operation, ii) operational pressure as function of the liquid flow rate, iii) droplet size distribution via laser diffraction spectrometry, iv) spray cone angle, spray cone form as well as horizontal drug deposition by image-metric analyses and v) chemical resistance via exposing to a cytostatic solution and chemical composition by means of spark optical emission spectral analysis. RESULTS: The Nebulizer shows quasi an identical technical design and thus also a similar performance (e.g., mass median droplet size of 29 µm) as the original PIPAC nozzles (MIP/ CapnoPen). All other nozzles show more or less a performance deviation to the original PIPAC nozzles. The HurriChemTM has a similar design and principle of operation as the Nebulizer, but provides a finer aerosol (22 µm). The principle of operation of MCR-4 TOPOL® and QuattroJet differ significantly from that of the original PIPAC nozzle technology. The MCR-4 TOPOL® offers a hollow spray cone with significantly larger droplets (50 µm) than the original PIPAC nozzles. The QuattroJet generates an aerosol (22 µm) similar to that of the HurriChemTM but with improved spatial drug distribution. CONCLUSION: The availability of new PIPAC nozzles is encouraging but can also have a negative impact if their performance and efficacy is unknown. It is recommended that PIPAC nozzles that deviate from the current standard should be subject to bioequivalence testing and implementation in accordance with the IDEAL-D framework prior to routine clinical use.


Aerosols , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , Humans , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Pressure , Particle Size , Equipment Design
12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38791837

Air pollution poses a significant health hazard in urban areas across the globe, with India being one of the most affected countries. This paper presents environmental monitoring study conducted in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, to assess air quality in diverse urban environments. The study involved continuous indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring, focusing on particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, bioaerosols, and associated meteorological parameters. Laser sensor-based low-cost air quality monitors were utilized to monitor air quality and Anderson 6-stage Cascade Impactor & Petri Dish methods for bioaerosol monitoring. The study revealed that PM2.5 levels were consistently high throughout the year, highlighting the severity of air pollution in the region. Notably, indoor PM2.5 levels were often higher than outdoor levels, challenging the common notion of staying indoors during peak pollution. The study explored the spatial and temporal diversity of air pollution across various land-use patterns within the city, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions in different urban areas. Additionally, bioaerosol assessments unveiled the presence of pathogenic organisms in indoor and outdoor environments, posing health risks to residents. These findings underscore the importance of addressing particulate matter and bioaerosols in air quality management strategies. Despite the study's valuable insights, limitations, such as using low-cost air quality sensors and the need for long-term data collection, are acknowledged. Nevertheless, this research contributes to a better understanding of urban air quality dynamics and the importance of public awareness in mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgent need for effective air quality management strategies in urban areas. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers striving to address air pollution in rapidly urbanizing regions.


Air Pollutants , Air Pollution , Cities , Environmental Monitoring , Particulate Matter , India , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation , Particulate Matter/analysis , Air Pollutants/analysis , Air Pollution/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Aerosols/analysis
13.
Clin Oral Investig ; 28(5): 292, 2024 May 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38693418

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to aerosol particles generated from tooth grinding has a negative impact on the health of dental personnel. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the impact of indoor relative humidity (IRH) on the deposition of these suspended particles in a well-controlled dental environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a humidity control system was employed to effectively regulate and maintain indoor relative humidity (IRH). A novel computer-assisted numerical control system was developed to pre-treat the molar specimens, and accurately simulate clinical tooth grinding procedures. Each procedure was performed in triplicate, with an online real-time particle counter (ORPC; TR-8301, TongrenCo.) measuring aerosol production. All testing devices were controlled remotely. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis/ Dunn's post hoc test with Bonferroni correction, p < 0.05). RESULTS: The findings showed that with increasing IRH, the maximum peak concentration of aerosol particles decreased by 397% from 6.51 × 107 particles/m3 at 30% to 1.64 × 107 particles/m3 at 80%. The Kruskal-Wallis test results indicated a statistically significant effect of IRH on the aerosol increment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the IRH level can effectively promote the deposition of aerosol particles, with a return to baseline within 15 min after reaching 60% or above. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our study suggested that maintaining IRH above 70% during the cleaning process, allowing natural recovery to ambient humidity levels within 15 min after cleaning, and taking basic precautions, may lead to an adequate reduction in the possible health risks of aerosol contamination.


Aerosols , Air Pollution, Indoor , Humidity , Humans , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis
14.
Int J Pharm ; 657: 124182, 2024 May 25.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38697584

Despite advances in drug delivery technologies, treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is challenging due to pathophysiological barriers such as lung injury, oedema fluid build-up, and lung inflammation. Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) can be delivered directly to the lung site of action with the use of aerosol-based drug delivery devices, and this circumvents the hepatic first-pass effect and improves the bioavailability of drugs. This review discusses the various challenges and barriers for pulmonary drug delivery, current interventions for delivery, considerations for effective drug delivery, and the use of nanoparticle drug delivery carriers as potential strategies for delivering therapeutics in ARDS. Nanosystems have the added benefit of entrapping drugs, increase pulmonary drug bioavailability, and using biocompatible and biodegradable excipients that can facilitate targeted and/or controlled delivery. These systems provide an alternative to existing conventional systems. An effective way to deliver drugs for the treatment of ARDS can be by using colloidal systems that are aerosolized or inhaled. Drug distribution to the deeper pulmonary tissues is necessary due to the significant endothelial cell destruction that is prevalent in ARDS. The particle size of nanoparticles (<0.5 µm) makes them ideal candidates for treating ARDS as they can reach the alveoli. A look into the various potential benefits and limitations of nanosystems used for other lung disorders is also considered to indicate how they may be useful for the potential treatment of ARDS.


Drug Delivery Systems , Lung , Nanoparticles , Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/drug therapy , Humans , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Administration, Inhalation , Animals , Lung/metabolism , Lung/drug effects , Aerosols , Drug Carriers/chemistry
15.
Environ Monit Assess ; 196(6): 577, 2024 May 25.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38795190

Aerosol microbiome studies have received increased attention as technological advancements have made it possible to dive deeper into the microbial diversity. To enhance biomass collection for metagenomic sequencing, long-term sampling is a common strategy. While the impact of prolonged sampling times on microorganisms' culturability and viability is well-established, its effect on nucleic acid stability remains less understood but is essential to ensure representative sample collection. This study evaluated four air samplers (SKC BioSampler, SASS3100, Coriolis µ, BioSpot-VIVAS 300-P) against a reference sampler (isopore membrane filters) to identify nucleic acid stability during long-term sampling. Physical sampling efficiencies determined with a fluorescent tracer for three particle sizes (0.8, 1, and 3 µm), revealed high efficiencies (> 80% relative to reference) for BioSampler, SASS3100, and BioSpot-VIVAS for all particle sizes, and for Coriolis with 3 µm particles. Coriolis exhibited lower efficiency for 0.8 µm (7%) and 1 µm (50%) particles. During 2-h sampling with MS2 and Pantoea agglomerans, liquid-based collection with Coriolis and BioSampler showed a decrease in nucleic acid yields for all test conditions. BioSpot-VIVAS displayed reduced sampling efficiency for P. agglomerans compared to MS2 and the other air samplers, while filter-based collection with SASS3100 and isopore membrane filters, showed indications of DNA degradation for 1 µm particles of P. agglomerans after long-term sampling. These findings show that long-term air sampling affects nucleic acid stability in both liquid- and filter-based collection methods. These results highlight bias produced by bioaerosol collection and should be considered when selecting an air sampler and interpreting aerosol microbiome data.


Aerosols , Air Microbiology , Environmental Monitoring , Nucleic Acids , Aerosols/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation , Nucleic Acids/analysis , Particle Size , Microbiota , Air Pollutants/analysis
16.
Environ Sci Technol ; 58(19): 8380-8392, 2024 May 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38691504

A comprehensive understanding of the full volatility spectrum of organic oxidation products from the benzene series precursors is important to quantify the air quality and climate effects of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and new particle formation (NPF). However, current models fail to capture the full volatility spectrum due to the absence of important reaction pathways. Here, we develop a novel unified model framework, the integrated two-dimensional volatility basis set (I2D-VBS), to simulate the full volatility spectrum of products from benzene series precursors by simultaneously representing first-generational oxidation, multigenerational aging, autoxidation, dimerization, nitrate formation, etc. The model successfully reproduces the volatility and O/C distributions of oxygenated organic molecules (OOMs) as well as the concentrations and the O/C of SOA over wide-ranging experimental conditions. In typical urban environments, autoxidation and multigenerational oxidation are the two main pathways for the formation of OOMs and SOA with similar contributions, but autoxidation contributes more to low-volatility products. NOx can reduce about two-thirds of OOMs and SOA, and most of the extremely low-volatility products compared to clean conditions, by suppressing dimerization and autoxidation. The I2D-VBS facilitates a holistic understanding of full volatility product formation, which helps fill the large gap in the predictions of organic NPF, particle growth, and SOA formation.


Benzene , Benzene/chemistry , Organic Chemicals/chemistry , Oxidation-Reduction , Aerosols , Volatilization , Air Pollutants , Models, Theoretical
17.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 4035, 2024 May 13.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38740742

Rapid and accurate detection of respiratory virus aerosols is highlighted for virus surveillance and infection control. Here, we report a wireless immunoassay technology for fast (within 10 min), on-site (wireless and battery-free), and sensitive (limit of detection down to fg/L) detection of virus antigens in aerosols. The wireless immunoassay leverages the immuno-responsive hydrogel-modulated radio frequency resonant sensor to capture and amplify the recognition of virus antigen, and flexible readout network to transduce the immuno bindings into electrical signals. The wireless immunoassay achieves simultaneous detection of respiratory viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza A H1N1 virus, and respiratory syncytial virus for community infection surveillance. Direct detection of unpretreated clinical samples further demonstrates high accuracy for diagnosis of respiratory virus infection. This work provides a sensitive and accurate immunoassay technology for on-site virus detection and disease diagnosis compatible with wearable integration.


Hydrogels , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype , SARS-CoV-2 , Wireless Technology , Immunoassay/methods , Immunoassay/instrumentation , Humans , Hydrogels/chemistry , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Wireless Technology/instrumentation , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/isolation & purification , Aerosols , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19/immunology , Antigens, Viral/immunology , Antigens, Viral/analysis , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/immunology , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/isolation & purification , Limit of Detection
18.
Environ Sci Technol ; 58(20): 8748-8759, 2024 May 21.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38709019

Sea spray aerosols (SSA) greatly affect the climate system by scattering solar radiation and acting as seeds for cloud droplet formation. The ecosystems in the Arctic Ocean are rapidly changing due to global warming, and the effects these changes have on the generation of SSA, and thereby clouds and fog formation in this region, are unknown. During the ship-based Arctic Century Expedition, we examined the dependency of forced SSA production on the biogeochemical characteristics of seawater using an on-board temperature-controlled aerosol generation chamber with a plunging jet system. Our results indicate that mainly seawater salinity and organic content influence the production and size distribution of SSA. However, we observed a 2-fold higher SSA production from waters with similar salinity collected north of 81°N compared to samples collected south of this latitude. This variability was not explained by phytoplankton and bacterial abundances or Chlorophyll-a concentration but by the presence of glucose in seawater. The synergic action of sea salt (essential component) and glucose or glucose-rich saccharides (enhancer) accounts for >80% of SSA predictability throughout the cruise. Our results suggest that besides wind speed and salinity, SSA production in Arctic waters is also affected by specific organics released by the microbiota.


Aerosols , Glucose , Salinity , Seawater , Arctic Regions , Seawater/chemistry , Glucose/metabolism , Phytoplankton
19.
Environ Sci Technol ; 58(20): 8857-8866, 2024 May 21.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38718183

Comprehensive identification of aerosol sources and their constituent organic compounds requires aerosol-phase molecular-level characterization with a high time resolution. While real-time chemical characterization of aerosols is becoming increasingly common, information about functionalization and structure is typically obtained from offline methods. This study presents a method for determining the presence of carboxylic acid functional groups in real time using extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry based on measurements of [M - H + 2Na]+ adducts. The method is validated and characterized using standard compounds. A proof-of-concept application to α-pinene secondary organic aerosol (SOA) shows the ability to identify carboxylic acids even in complex mixtures. The real-time capability of the method allows for the observation of the production of carboxylic acids, likely formed in the particle phase on short time scales (<120 min). Our research explains previous findings of carboxylic acids being a significant component of SOA and a quick decrease in peroxide functionalization following SOA formation. We show that the formation of these acids is commensurate with the increase of dimers in the particle phase. Our results imply that SOA is in constant evolution through condensed-phase processes, which lower the volatility of the aerosol components and increase the available condensed mass for SOA growth and, therefore, aerosol mass loading in the atmosphere. Further work could aim to quantify the effect of particle-phase acid formation on the aerosol volatility distributions.


Aerosols , Carboxylic Acids , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
20.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2808: 167-175, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38743370

Measles virus is one of the most contagious airborne human viruses which keeps causing outbreaks in numerous countries over the world despite the existence of an efficient vaccine. Fusion inhibitory lipopeptides were shown to inhibit viral entry into target cells, and their adequate administration into the respiratory tract may provide a novel preventive approach against airborne infections. Aerosol delivery presents the best administration route to deliver such preventive compounds to the upper and lower respiratory tract. This approach offers a conceptually new strategy to protect the population at risk against infection by respiratory viruses, including measles. It is a noninvasive needle-free approach, which may be used when antiviral protection is required, without any medical assistance. In this chapter, we describe the nebulization approach of lipopeptide compounds in nonhuman primates and the subsequent measles virus challenge.


Aerosols , Disease Models, Animal , Measles virus , Measles , Animals , Measles/prevention & control , Lipopeptides/administration & dosage , Humans , Drug Delivery Systems/methods
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