Biomarkers最新文献

Objective: To examine the role and diagnostic potential of miR-421 in prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: Expression data and clinical information for miR-421 were obtained from the TCGA and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. Experimental validation was performed at the cellular, blood, and tissue levels to confirm miR-421 expression and its association with clinicopathological features. ROC curves were drawn on the bioinformatic study using TCGA data. The target genes of miR-421 were predicted via four online databases, and protein interaction associations were analyzed for intersecting targets. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was subsequently conducted to assess functional relevance.

Results: MiR-421 was significantly overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, a finding validated in cell, blood, and tissue samples. ROC analysis on the bioinformatic study using TCGA data revealed that miR-421 reliably differentiated PCa tissues from normal tissues. Higher miR-421 expression was associated with an elevated Gleason score, advanced TNM stage, and metastasis. GO enrichment analysis indicated that the target genes of miR-421 were significantly related to diverse molecular functions.

Conclusions: MiR-421 is a promising biomarker for diagnosing and predicting PCa.

Introduction: Urine metabolomics offers a non-invasive approach to diagnose and manage inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), by identifying distinct metabolic signatures.

Objectives: This narrative review summarizes current findings on urinary metabolites in IBD, evaluating their roles in disease differentiation, assessment of activity, and monitoring therapeutic response.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE up to October 2023 was conducted using keywords, such as 'urine metabolomics', 'inflammatory bowel disease', 'Crohn's disease', 'ulcerative colitis', and 'urinary biomarkers'. Studies were included that described alterations to metabolic pathways, including those related to the urea cycle, central energy metabolism (Krebs cycle), amino acid metabolism, and neurotransmitters.

Results: Specific urinary metabolites differentiate IBD patients from healthy controls and between CD and UC. Decreased urinary levels of hippurate, acetate, methanol, formate, and methylamine are observed in IBD, indicating altered gut microbiota. In CD patients, urea cycle alterations include reduced urinary urea and ornithine with increased arginine. Changes in Krebs cycle intermediates show decreased citrate and succinate in adults, but increased fumarate and isocitrate in pediatric patients, reflecting energy metabolism differences. Amino acid metabolism differs by age: Adults exhibit decreased urinary asparagine, lysine, and histidine, while pediatric patients show increased methionine, proline, aspartic acid, and isoleucine. Elevated urinary neurotransmitters like dopamine are noted in pediatric IBD patients. Urine metabolomics also can monitor treatment efficacy by distinguishing responders from non-responders to therapies and differentiating active disease from remission.

Conclusion: Urine metabolomics provides promising, non-invasive biomarkers to enhance IBD diagnostics by distinguishing CD from UC and offering insights into underlying metabolic disturbances, paving the way for more precise, accessible patient care.

Background: Mortality in patients after carotid artery stenting (CAS), a treatment approach for atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis, is influenced by numerous factors. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the Naples prognostic score (NPS), which reflects nutritional and inflammatory status, in CAS patients.

Methods: We retrospectively included 697 patients who underwent CAS from January 2016 to December 2020 at our institute. The primary endpoint of the study was long-term all-cause mortality. The study population was divided into two groups based on the NPS value: Low NPS (NPS 0-2) and high NPS (NPS 3-4). Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of death.

Results: The median follow-up time was 60.8 (46.36-75.36) months. During the follow-up period, all-cause mortality was higher in the high-NPS group compared to the low-NPS group [54% (n = 88) vs. 24% (n = 128) p < 0.001]. Advanced age (p = 0.003), diabetes (p = 0.023), and NPS (hazard ratio: 1.83, confidence interval: 1.58-2.12, p < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of all-cause mortality at long-term follow-up.

Conclusion: Consequently, NPS as a marker of malnutrition and inflammation, was found to be associated with long-term mortality and serves as an independent predictor of long-term mortality in patients undergoing CAS.

Background: The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score estimates mortality for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aimed to investigate whether biomarkers reflecting the neurohormonal response (pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP), mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), and copeptin), inflammation (suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocytes), and troponin add prognostic value to the TIMI risk score.

Methods: This sub-study of the prospective PREDICT cohort included 1700 non-comatose and non-cardiogenic shock STEMI patients upon admission. Blood samples were collected before coronary angiography. Biomarker quartiles (Q4vsQ1-3) association with 30-day mortality were examined using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results: High levels of all biomarkers were associated with 30-day mortality independently of TIMI risk score, hazard ratio (HR)_Q4vsQ1-3 (95%CI), MR-proADM: 8.8 (3.9-20), proANP: 3.5 (1.8-6.7), copeptin: 1.9 (1.1-3.5), ST2: 4.5 (2.3-8.6), CRP: 2.6 (1.3-4.9), and leukocyte: 2.18 (1.2;4.0). TIMI risk score had a high prognostic value, AUC(95%CI): 0.76 (0.69-0.83). Only MR-proADM, proANP, CRP, ST2, and TnT added prognostic value to the risk score, 0.84 (0.77-0.91), 0.80 (0.74-0.87), 0.78 (0.71-0.86), 0.81 (0.73-0.88), and 0.79 (0.71-0.87), respectively. However, MR-proADM demonstrated a higher prognostic value on its own (0.86 (0.80-0.91)).

Conclusion: TIMI risk score and all the biomarkers added prognostic values of 30-day mortality. The strongest predictor of 30-day mortality was observed for MR-proADM alone.

Background: Endoglin/CD105-microvessel density (CD105-MVD) is identified as one of the most potential methods for semi-quantification of angiogenesis in human cancer tissues. Present study aimed to examine the diagnosticand prognostic value of CD105-MVD in two clinically distinct subtypes of urothelial carcinoma of bladder (UCB) namely non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients.

Methods: Message expression of endoglin was analysed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and MVD measurement was done by immunohistochemical staining in 90 UCB [NMIBC: 60; MIBC: 30] patients. SEM studies were carried out to examine tumor vasculature and extent of neoangiogenesis in NMIBC and MIBC patients.

Results: Elevated message expression of CD105 showed statistical significance with tumor stage, grade, smoking/tobacco chewing history in NMIBC andage in MIBC cohort. Higher values of CD105-MVD showed statistical relevance with tumor stage, grade, size, smoking/tobacco chewing history in NMIBC cohort. Kaplan Meier test identified high CD105-MVD as strong predictor of poor RFS in NMIBC patients.

Conclusions: Association of CD105 expression and MVD with the clinicohistopathological features as well as poor survival outcomes potentially identify it as a preferred marker of clinical significance in a given cohort of UCB patients.Clinical significanceStrong association of CD105 at message level with the demographics of UCB patients identifies it as a marker of diagnosis in a given cohort of patients.Survival analysis examined CD105-MVD as an independent strong predictor of poor recurrence free survival in NMIBC patients.Present study provides clear evidence of increased vascular density, vascular sprouts proliferation and new blood vessel formation with disease aggressiveness indicating CD105 as a preferred marker of neoangiogenesis in the given cohort of patients.The study describes CD105-MVD as a biomarker of diagnosis and prognosis with the sensitivity of 91.67% and 93.33% in a given cohort of NMIBC and MIBC patients.

Introduction: Adults who switch from smoking cigarettes to use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may reduce their exposure to harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs). This study assessed changes in exposure to HPHCs, assessed via biomarkers of exposure (BOEs), among adults who switched to a new ENDS product.

Methods: Adults who smoke cigarettes (N = 89) were randomized to: (1) switch completely to using JUUL2 Virginia Tobacco (N = 24) or Polar Menthol (N = 24); (2) continue smoking usual brand (UB) cigarettes (N = 21); or (3) abstain from all tobacco/nicotine products (N = 20) for 6 d. Changes in exposure to nicotine and 11 other HPHCs from Baseline to Day 6 were compared among study groups.

Results: Changes in nicotine exposure did not significantly differ between JUUL2 and UB Cigarette groups (ps > 0.37). Among participants who switched completely to JUUL2 products, median percent reductions (Day 6-Baseline) in non-nicotine BOEs ranged from 65% to 94%, significantly greater than changes in the UB Cigarette group (ps < 0.001). None of the non-nicotine BOEs significantly differed between the JUUL2 groups and the Abstinence group (ps > 0.025).

Conclusions: This randomized study demonstrates that adults who switch completely from smoking cigarettes to use of JUUL2 ENDS products substantially reduce their exposure to HPHCs associated with smoking-related diseases.

International standard registered clinical trial number: ISRCTN27662176.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a substantial global health burden, with treatment outcomes significantly influenced by the interaction between the immune system and the tumor microenvironment.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the role of peripheral blood immune cell subpopulations, particularly CD8+ CD28+ T cells, in predicting treatment response in metastatic CRC patients receiving bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy.

Methods: A cohort of 45 CRC patients was analyzed. Flow cytometry was utilized to assess immune cell subpopulations.

Results: Higher CD8+ CD28+ T cell counts were associated with better treatment responses, including improved objective response rates. In a murine CRC model, the combination therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth and enhanced immune cell function.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of CD8+ CD28+ T cells as potential biomarkers for predicting treatment outcomes in CRC. They also suggest that bevacizumab, when combined with chemotherapy, can modulate immune function and improve clinical efficacy.

Background: Testing for Staphylococcus aureus (SA) colonization in emergency department (ED) patients may guide prevention strategies against hospital acquired infections (HAIs). This study determined the prevalence of SA carriers in a general ED population, characterized the population, and identified predictors for SA colonization.

Methods: A prospective monocentric observational cohort study in a tertiary care hospital collected nasopharyngeal swabs in 1000 adult patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for methicillin resistant and methicillin sensitive SA (MRSA/MSSA) was performed. Risk factor questionnaires and routine data from the clinical information system were captured. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were applied to report prevalence and outcomes and to identify predictors.

Results: The prevalence for SA was 33.7% (n = 328; 95%-CI: 30.7-36.8): MSSA 30.9% (n = 301; 95%-CI: 28.0-34.0) and MRSA 2.8% (n = 27; 95%-CI: 1.8-4.0). Key predictors of SA colonization included having a catheter (OR 2.0, 95%-CI 1.0-4.0, p = 0.044) and requiring nursing care (OR 1.9, 95%-CI: 1.2-2.9, p = .007), even after adjusting for age and sex.

Conclusion: Testing strategies for SA detection in ED need to focus on vulnerable populations with an elevated risk for HAIs and associated adverse outcomes. Individuals requiring nursing care could be a key target population for screening efforts.

Background: At present, there is a lack of efficient biomarkers for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, and the influence of natural factors such as high iodine exposure on the expression of biomarkers remains unclear.

Methods: Serum samples from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and non-cancer controls matched 1:1 in different iodine nutritional regions were analyzed metabolomically using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap Exploris mass spectrometry (UHPLC-OE-MS) platform. Then the data were randomly divided into training and test sets in a 1:1 ratio according to the different iodine nutritional regions and different PTC status. In the training set, differential metabolites were selected by multivariate statistical analysis methods, and the prediction models were then built using Random forest (RF), Gradient boosting machine (GBM), and Support vector machine (SVM) models. At last, their diagnostic effects were examined in the test set.

Results: PTCs were significantly separated from non-cancer samples, and a total of 37 differentially expressed metabolites were selected. The results of pathway analysis showed that the PTC-related differential metabolites were mainly involved in the sphingolipid metabolism and glycerophosphate metabolism. The prediction models constructed by the 6 screened potential biomarkers could all better identify PTCs in the test set. The metabolomic fingerprinting between PTC and non-cancer groups in different water iodine regions did not show significant disturbance. However, high iodine exposure would effect on the expression of six metabolites, reflecting in a significantly different diagnostic efficacy in different water iodine regions.

Conclusion: Serum metabolites have potential value as biomarkers of PTC, and iodine status affects the expression and even diagnostic levels of certain serum metabolites.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the levels of cathepsin B and pentraxin 3 in maternal serum of pregnant women with preeclampsia in the second trimester, to ascertain the impact of these levels on maternal and fetal outcomes, and to present a comprehensive analysis of the combined effects of cathepsin B and pentraxin 3 levels.

Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted at Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022. The study included 78 pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia and 78 healthy pregnant women in the second trimester, between the ages of 18 and 45. Once a diagnosis of preeclampsia was established, maternal serum samples were obtained from the pregnant women prior to the initiation of any therapeutic intervention. Once all samples had been collected, the values for cathepsin B and pentraxin 3 were determined using the ELISA method.

Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant elevation in the levels of pentraxin 3 (p = 0.008) and cathepsin B (p = 0.005) in pregnancies affected by preeclampsia when compared to those deemed healthy. Moreover, pentraxin-3 (p = 0.007) and cathepsin B (p = 0.002) were found to be significantly elevated in severe preeclampsia compared to mild preeclampsia. A comparison of the groups with and without HELLP syndrome revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The ROC analysis revealed that the Cathepsin B 7.04 cut-off value was statistically significantly associated with the prediction of preeclampsia in all cases, with a sensitivity of 78.2% and a specificity of 47.4% (p = 0.005, AUC = 0.631).

Conclusion: The levels of CB and PTX3 may be employed as biomarkers to facilitate the early diagnosis of PE during the second trimester. Furthermore, these biomarkers may prove to be promising for the prediction of PE severity.