Nestin is highly expressed in foetal spinal cord isolated from placenta previa patients and promotes inflammation by enhancing NF-κB activity

Purpose: Nestin is expressed in various tissues of the embryo in patients with placenta previa, while the regulatory mechanism still unknown.

Materials and methods: All participants terminated pregnancy. Among them, 75 patients with placenta previa were assigned to the case group and 80 healthy pregnant women with normal placenta were assigned to the control group. Expression of nestin and CDK5 in foetal spinal cord tissues was detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time RT-PCR methods. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum expression of some pro-inflammatory cytokines in placenta previa patients. The interaction between nestin and CDK5 was evaluated by immunoprecipitation and siRNA inhibition of nestin was performed to estimate its effect on NF-κB activity in foetal spinal cord tissues.

Results: Along with increased expression of nestin and CDK5 in foetal spinal cord tissues in the case group, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ were increased in the serum of placenta previa patients. siRNA inhibition analysis indicated that nestin interacted with CDK5 and regulated NF-κB activity in foetal spinal cord tissues.

Conclusions: Nestin is highly expressed and the interaction between nestin and CDK5 might lead to the progress of placenta previa through its regulation on NF-κB.     

The relationship of single-strand breaks in DNA to breast cancer risk and to tissue concentrations of oestrogens

Context: Clinical study of breast cancer patients in Chicago, IL, USA.

Objective: Ascertain the utility of measurements of single-strand breaks (SSB) in DNA for assessment of breast cancer risk.

Methods: Fine-needle aspirates of the breast, SSB by nick translation, percent breast density (PBD), Gail model risk, cumulative methylation index (CMI), enzymes of DNA repair and tissue antioxidants.

Results: DNA repair enzymes and 4-hydroxyestradiol were negatively associated with SSB; CMI and PBD were positively associated.

Conclusions: Quantitative measurement of SSBs by this procedure indicates the relative number of SSBs and is related to promoter methylation, antioxidant availability and percent breast density.     

A bizarre sternorrhynchan wing from the Lower Jurassic of Luxembourg (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Pincombeomorpha?)

Fossil wing of Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha with peculiar venation is described from the lower Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) of Bascharage (Grand-duchy of Luxembourg). It represents new family Xulsigiidae fam. nov., comprising a new genus and species Xulsigia karetsa gen. et sp. nov. It is placed preliminarily in extinct infraorder Pincombeomorpha for the presence of three branches of median vein. Key to families of Pincombeomorpha is given and the taxonomic position and venation features of the new fossil are discussed.

Family Xulsigiidae is registered in Zoobank under the http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3A57B428-638A-439A-AEC4-D18B5959B5CA

Genus Xulsigia is registered in Zoobank under the http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2B255A30-5A7C-4CF8-AE77-18ED6E8E03C2     

Potential of lysophosphatidylinositol as a prognostic indicator of cardiac arrest using a rat model

Aims: The potential of a lysophosphatidylinositol species, LPI(18:0), as a biomarker of ischaemia was tested using a rat model of cardiac arrest (CA).

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to asphyxia-induced CA or CA followed by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) resuscitation. The brain, heart, kidney and liver tissues were harvested from rats after 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60?min CA and 30?min CA followed by 60?min CPB resuscitation. Blood samples were collected from inferior vena cava and hepatic veins following 30?min CA. Phospholipids were extracted from the four tissues and blood and analysed by HPLC-MS.

Results: The relative content of LPI(18:0) compared to a phosphatidylinositol species, PI(18:0,22:4), was significantly increased in the brain, heart, liver and kidney following 30?min CA and decreased following CPB resuscitation. In addition, the increase of the LPI(18:0)/PI(18:0,22:4) ratio in the four tissues was proportional to the duration of ischaemia for CA lasting up to 60?min. The ratio was also found to be increased in plasma from the hepatic vein following 30?min CA.

Conclusion: LPI(18:0) is a good indicator of CA downtime and has a potential to be used for early prognostication of outcome in CA.     

Propeptide big-endothelin,N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide and mortality. The Ludwigshafen risk and cardiovascular health (LURIC) study

Context: The endothelin system (Big-ET-1) is a key regulator in cardiovascular (CV) disease and congestive heart failure (CHF).

Objectives: We have examined the incremental value of Big-ET-1 in predicting total and CV mortality next to the well-established CV risk marker N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP).

Methods: Big-ET-1 and NT-proBNP were determined in 2829 participants referred for coronary angiography (follow-up 9.9 years).

Results: Big-ET-1 is an independent predictor of total, CV mortality and death due to CHF.

Discussion: The conjunct use of Big-ET-1 and NT-proBNP improves the risk stratification of patients with intermediate to high risk of CV death and CHF.

Conclusions: Big-ET-1improves risk stratification in patients referred for coronary angiography.     

Identification of potential ‘lifestyle-responsive’ epigenomic biomarkers in healthy women aged 18–40

Context: Human health is complex and multifaceted; there is a need for biomarkers that reflect the multidimensional nature of health.

Objective: To identify potential epigenomic biomarkers of health in women aged 18–40 participating in a six-month lifestyle intervention, next level health.

Materials and methods: Methylation data were obtained by reduced representation bisulphite sequencing of 21 female intervention participants as well as three non-participants. The Differential Methylation Analysis Package (DMAP) was used to investigate inter- and intra-individual variability and to identify potential targets of transient epigenetic control in the population studied.

Results: Eleven genes were identified as significantly differentially methylated post- intervention in all 21 participants. 1884 genomic locations were found to be differentially methylated amongst the total female population studied representing potential epigenomic biomarkers.

Conclusions: The ability to demonstrate epigenetic changes arising from a lifestyle intervention can provide key information on the relationship between gene regulation, human behaviour and health.     

Riboflavin as an independent and accurate biomarker for adherence in a randomized double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: Medication adherence is critical for success of clinical trials.

Objective: To assess oral riboflavin is an adherence marker.

Methods: Riboflavin was incorporated into active treatment and placebo pills for a clinical trial lasting for 2 years.

Results: The accuracy (area under the receiver operating curve) of urinary riboflavin was 0.91 as a binary classifier of adherence, and was similar or better than for two active study ingredients daidzein (0.92) and genistein (0.87) (all p?<?0.0001). Decreased adherence over time was similar in the two study groups.

Conclusion: Riboflavin is an accurate and useful biomarker for study pill ingestion.     

Bacterial pili,with emphasis on Mycobacterium tuberculosis curli pili: potential biomarkers for point-of care tests and therapeutics

Context: Novel biomarkers are essential for developing rapid diagnostics and therapeutic interventions

Objective: This review aimed to highlight biomarker characterisation and assessment of unique bacterial pili.

Methods: A PubMed search for bacterial pili, diagnostics, vaccine and therapeutics was performed, with emphasis on the well characterised pili.

Results: In total, 46 papers were identified and reviewed.

Conclusion: Extensive analyses of pili enabled by advanced nanotechnology and whole genome sequencing provide evidence that they are strong biomarker candidates. Mycobacterium tuberculosis curli pili are emphasised as important epitopes for the development of much needed point-of-care diagnostics and therapeutics.     

Micronuclei as a marker for medical screening of subjects continuously occupationally exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation

Context: Genotoxicity assays are widely employed in human biomonitoring studies to assess genetic damage inflicted by genotoxic agents.

Objective: Evaluation of micronuclei (MN) as a screening marker of occupational ionizing radiation (IR) exposure.

Materials and methods: Using micronucleus test, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 402 control and exposed subjects were screened for genetic damage.

Results: The mean frequencies of micronucleus test parameters were significantly higher in exposed persons. Increase of micronucleus yield with duration of exposure (DOE) by 0.303MN/year was revealed.

Discussion and conclusion: The obtained data encourage us to consider MN as valuable markers for preventive medical screening of occupationally exposed groups.     

Epidermal growth factor,growth differentiation factor-15, and survivin as novel biocompatibility markers in children on chronic dialysis

Context: Chronic dialysis results in aggravation of apoptosis and cell damage, triggered by bioincompatibility of dialysis membranes and peritoneal fluids.

Objective: The aim of study was to assess the usefulness of epidermal growth factor (EGF), growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, and survivin as novel markers of biocompatibility in dialyzed children.

Materials and methods: Parameters were assessed by ELISA in 19 patients on hemodialysis and 22 children on peritoneal dialysis.

Results: Serum concentrations of analyzed parameters in children on chronic dialysis differed significantly from controls and depended strongly on the dialysis technique.

Conclusions: EGF, GDF-15, and survivin may serve as new biocompatibility markers in children on chronic dialysis.     

Improved reliability of the urine lactate concentration under controlled hydration after maximal exercise

Context: Urine lactate may be a novel biomarker of lactate production capacity but its reliability has been unsatisfactory so far.

Objective: To compare the reliability of urine lactate between controlled hydration and no hydration after maximal exercise.

Material and methods: Athletes performed swimming exercise four times: two followed by consumption of 1?L of water and two followed by no water intake. Blood and urine lactate was measured.

Results: The reliability of urine lactate was good and similar to that in blood only after controlled hydration. Blood and urine lactate were correlated under both hydration conditions.

Discussion and conclusion: Controlled hydration after exercise provides satisfactory reliability of urine lactate.     

Epigenetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer: premises and prospects

Context: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Epigenetic alterations play an important role in the pathogenesis of the colorectal cancer.

Objective: This review has focused on the most recent investigations, which has suggested potential epigenetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer.

Methods: Evidences were achieved by searching online medical databases including Google scholar, Pubmed, Scopus and Science Direct.

Results: Extensive studies have indicated that aberrant epigenetic modifications could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of colorectal cancer.

Conclusion: Advances in aberrant epigenetic modifications can open new avenues for exploration of reliable and robust biomarkers to improve the management of CRC patients.     

Nickel exposure and plasma levels of biomarkers for assessing oxidative stress in nickel electroplating workers

Context: The mechanism of nickel-induced pathogenesis remains elusive.

Objective: To examine effects of nickel exposure on plasma oxidative and anti-oxidative biomarkers.

Materials and methods: Biomarker data were collected from 154 workers with various levels of nickel exposure and from 73 controls. Correlations between nickel exposure and oxidative and anti-oxidative biomarkers were determined using linear regression models.

Results: Workers with a exposure to high nickel levels had significantly lower levels of anti-oxidants (glutathione and catalase) than those with a lower exposure to nickel; however, only glutathione showed an independent association after multivariable adjustment.

Discussion and conclusion: Exposure to high levels of nickel may reduce serum anti-oxidative capacity.     

Validation of a protein panel for the noninvasive detection of recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Context: About 50–70% of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) experience relapse of disease.

Objective: To establish a panel of protein biomarkers incorporated in a multiplexed microarray (BCa chip) and a classifier for diagnosing recurrent NMIBC.

Materials and methods: Urine samples from 45 patients were tested. Diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results: A multi biomarker panel (ECadh, IL8, MMP9, EN2, VEGF, past recurrences, BCG therapies and stage at diagnosis) was identified yielding an area under the curve of 0.96.

Discussion and conclusion: This biomarker panel represents a potential diagnostic tool for noninvasive diagnosis of recurrent NMIBC.     

Effect of shoulder stability exercises on hand grip strength in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the second most common musculoskeletal condition that causes shoulder pain in the general population. Shoulder girdle muscle imbalance and posterior capsule tightness have been implicated as contributing factors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shoulder stability exercises (SSEs) on hand grip strength in patients with unilateral SIS.

Methods: A total of 16 patients with a mean age of 32?±?9.3?years diagnosed with stage II unilateral SIS participated in this study. A standardized SSE programme was conducted in the clinic under the direct 1-to-1 supervision of a physical therapist thrice weekly for 4?weeks for a total of 12 sessions on the affected and non-affected shoulders. The effect of the SSE programme on isometric hand grip strength was analysed.

Results: A significant difference (p?=?.016) was observed in the hand grip strength of the affected shoulder side before and after the intervention, but no significant difference (p?=?1.0) was found in the hand grip strength of the non-affected shoulder side post-intervention.

Conclusion: The reduction in isometric hand grip strength of the affected shoulder side compared to that of the non-affected shoulder side in the same subject before the intervention shows that SIS significantly affects the hand grip strength of the affected side. SSEs significantly affect the isometric hand grip strength of SIS patients.     

The effect of harsh abiotic conditions on the diversity of serpentine plant communities on Lesbos,an eastern Mediterranean island

Background: Diversity patterns of plant communities are related to the environment, including productivity and patchiness of habitat.

Aims: To determine differences in diversity patterns between serpentine and non-serpentine communities.

Methods: A two-year study was conducted in native eastern Mediterranean grasslands. For each year 40 0.25 m² plots were sampled across four pairs of sites, each of which contained a serpentine and an adjacent non-serpentine plant community. Alpha and beta diversity (variation in species composition among plots within localities), species composition and biomass production were determined. Total soil elemental concentrations and pH were also measured.

Results: Serpentine habitats were shown to support a lower alpha diversity relative to non-serpentine habitatas on a per plot basis. Differences in alpha diversity between the two substrates were associated with variation in soil chemistry rather than above-ground biomass production. Serpentine habitats also exhibited lower beta diversity, which was unrelated to variation in biomass production. The two contrasting communities presented distinct species composition.

Conclusions: Differences in diversity patterns between serpentine and non-serpentine communities in the eastern Mediterranean are influenced by soil chemistry rather than biomass production.     

Soil depth shapes plant functional diversity in granite outcrops vegetation of Southwestern Australia

Background: The arid and nutrient-poor Southwestern Australia is one of the global biodiversity hotspots. Embedded in this landscape, granite outcrops are considered terrestrial insular habitats supporting habitat heterogeneity when compared to the more homogenous surrounds. Ecology of plant species and communities on granite outcrops has been addressed in numerous studies. However, functional diversity (FD) in context of the environmental heterogeneity remained unexplored.

Aims: We tested whether mesic deep-soil habitats on granite outcrops can sustain larger FD than dry shallow-soil habitats.

Methods: We calculated FD for dominant species for five single traits (leaf dry matter content, foliar δ¹³C, foliar C:N ratio, plant height and specific leaf area) and their combinations. We employed Generalized Additive Mixed Models to quantify the relationship between selected climate and soil depth variables, and FD.

Results: More benign (deep-soil) habitats supported larger FD for foliar C:N, plant height and for multiple traits than did shallow-soil habitats.

Conclusions: We suggest that: (1) functional diversification, likely aimed at avoiding intra- and interspecific competition for light and nutrients acquisition, might be the important factor in deep-soil habitats; (2) deep-soils patches on and around granite outcrops may serve as ecological microrefugia for biota associated with resource-rich environments.     

Thrombin generation is increased in patients with Clostridium difficile colitis – a pilot study

Background: There are only limited data in the literature on the thrombotic risk of patients with Clostridium difficile (CD) colitis, although this disease is widespread throughout the world.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore thrombin generation in these patients – the best way to evaluate their coagulation.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted during 15 months on hospitalized patients with CD colitis. Thrombin generation was performed in platelet-poor plasma using a Ceveron^® alpha analyzer and was compared with a group of volunteer control subjects.

Results: Thirty-three patients and 51 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Two biomarkers – mean velocity index and peak thrombin – were significantly higher in patient group, compared to the control subjects (p?=?0.010, respectively, p?=?0.0395). This pattern of thrombin generation suggests that patients with CD colitis without septic shock have a potential thrombotic risk. The mean velocity index significantly correlated with the estimated related risk of death according to the Charlson age-comorbidity index.

Conclusions: The higher values of thrombin generation suggest that CD colitis increases the thromboembolic risk. The pattern of thrombin generation could identify patients with particularly higher thromboembolic risk. They are potential candidates for thromboprophylaxis strategies and monitorization.     

Association between polymorphisms in IL21 gene and risk for sepsis

Context: Sepsis is now the leading cause of death in the noncardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU).

Objective: To investigate whether polymorphisms in IL21 gene contribute to sepsis susceptibility.

Materials and methods: Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms of IL21 (rs907715, rs2055979, rs12508721) were genotyped by TaqMan assay in patients with sepsis and control subjects.

Results: Polymorphisms rs2055979 and rs12508721 in IL21 were more frequent in sepsis patients compared to general population. But allele frequency of rs907715 was not significantly different between sepsis patients and control subjects.

Conclusion: Polymorphisms in IL21 may be associated with sepsis risk.     

Plasma myostatin levels are related to the extent of right ventricular dysfunction in exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To investigate the relationship between plasma myostatin levels and right ventricle (RV) dysfunction (RVD) in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods: The study recruited 84 patients with AECOPD. Plasma myostatin was analyzed and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)?<?16?mm was used as the main indicator for RVD.

Results: Plasma myostatin levels were significantly higher in 47 patients with RVD than 37 ones without (P?<?0.005). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that myostatin levels correlated significantly with TAPSE values and RV myocardial performance index (p?<?0.001) among the study patients.

Conclusion: Plasma myostatin is a potential biomarker for improving diagnosis of RVD in AECOPD.