Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

08:34
Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns
Published on: September 16, 2019
12.1K
Comparison of breath sampling methods: a post hoc analysis from observational cohort studies
Amalia Z Berna1, Chad L Schaber, Lucy B Bollinger
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. aodom@wustl.edu.
The Analyst
|February 1, 2019
Summary
Polymer sampling bags captured significantly more volatile compounds in children
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Pediatric Research
Background:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath offer potential biomarkers for various health conditions.
- Previous studies characterized breath volatile profiles in Malawian children with and without falciparum malaria.
- Comparing different breath sampling methods is crucial for accurate biomarker discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of polymer sampling bags (mixed breath) versus Bio-VOC™ (alveolar breath) for capturing breath volatile profiles.
- To assess breath collection methods for biomarker discovery in pediatric populations.
- To evaluate breath volatile detection in children with and without falciparum malaria.
Main Methods:
- Post hoc analysis of two observational cohorts involving children aged 3-15 years in Malawi.
- Breath samples collected using polymer sampling bags and Bio-VOC™ devices two months apart.
- Analysis of breath volatile compounds using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
Main Results:
- Polymer sampling bags detected a substantially higher mean number of volatiles (137) compared to Bio-VOC™ (47).
- Bio-VOC™ collection resulted in reduced levels of endogenous volatiles like acetone and isoprene, even after volume correction.
- Findings suggest Bio-VOC™ may dilute volatiles or introduce ambient air, impacting detection.
Conclusions:
- Polymer sampling bags are superior for comprehensive breath volatile detection in pediatric populations.
- Sampling bags are better suited for untargeted volatile searches and biomarker discovery.
- This comparison aids in selecting optimal methods for breath analysis in children.
Related Concept Videos
Observational Studies
11.0K
Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
11.0K
Breathing
64.5K
The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
64.5K
Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
852
Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
852
Sampling Methods: Sample Types
3.3K
Sampling materials are classified into three main types: solid, liquid, and gas.
Solid samples include a variety of substances, such as sediments from water bodies, soil, metals, and biological tissues. Two standard methods for extracting sediments from water bodies are grab sampling and piston coring. Grab sampling involves using a device to collect a discrete sediment sample from the bottom of a water body with minimal disturbance. Grab samples do not always represent the entire area due to...
Solid samples include a variety of substances, such as sediments from water bodies, soil, metals, and biological tissues. Two standard methods for extracting sediments from water bodies are grab sampling and piston coring. Grab sampling involves using a device to collect a discrete sediment sample from the bottom of a water body with minimal disturbance. Grab samples do not always represent the entire area due to...
3.3K
Naturalistic Observations
17.1K
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
17.1K
Convenience Sampling Method
11.4K
Sampling is a technique to select a portion (or subset) of the larger population and study that portion (the sample) to gain information about the population. Data are the result of sampling from a population. The sampling method ensures that samples are drawn without bias and accurately represent the population.
Convenience sampling is a non-random method of sample selection; this method selects individuals that are easily accessible and may result in biased data. For example, a marketing...
Convenience sampling is a non-random method of sample selection; this method selects individuals that are easily accessible and may result in biased data. For example, a marketing...
11.4K

