ABSTRACT
The early detection of bronchial inflammation in asthma, through a non-invasive, simple method and under a subclinical state, could lead to a more effective control of this condition. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers of bronchial inflammation in the saliva of children with asthma through immunoassay and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in 44 children ages 6-12; the diagnosis of asthma was made according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) standards. The children's saliva was analyzed by immunoassay for the quantification of 37 cytokines, as well as SERS analysis in a confocal Raman microscope at 785 nm. We found a significant association between bronchial obstruction and IL-8 (p = 0.004), IL-10 (p = 0.008) and sCD163 (p = 0.003). The Raman spectra showed significant amplification in the region of 760 to 1750 cm-1. The Principal Component Analysis and Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA) method has a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 82% and an accuracy of 84% for the diagnosis of asthma. These results demonstrate the presence of a subclinical inflammatory state, suggestive of bronchial remodeling in the population studied. The SERS method is a potential tool for identifying bronchial inflammation and its endotype, allowing for a highly sensitive and specific diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Asthma/diagnosis , Bronchitis/diagnosis , Cytokines/analysis , Saliva/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Asthma/classification , Asthma/physiopathology , Biomarkers , Bronchitis/classification , Bronchitis/physiopathology , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Early Diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Mexico , Principal Component Analysis , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Melasma is an acquired, facial hyperpigmentation without a specific origin. It is regularly associated with multiple etiologic factors such as pregnancy, genetic, racial, and from estrogen administration. Among the methods to treat skin hyperpigmentation a series of skin bleaching agents have been used. At present, the most commonly used agent is known as hydroquinone. Nowadays, it is known that hydroquinone can cause cancer in animals with unknown relevance to humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, Raman spectroscopy was used to observe the presence of hydroquinone in the skin of 18 patients who have been under treatment for melasma. RESULTS: A significant increase in the Raman signal was observed in the six bands associated with hydroquinone after melasma treatment. CONCLUSION: The authors believe that monitoring the presence of hydroquinone may be useful for an optimal personalized treatment of melasma and to provide the specialist a support tool to control the administration of this type of bleaching agents.
