Article
Biophysics
Kai Lian, Hongyu Feng, Shixian Liu, Kaiji Wang, Qiong Liu, Liping Deng, Guanyu Wang, Yuhuan Chen, Guozhen Liu
Summary: Insulin plays a crucial role in controlling blood glucose levels and protein synthesis, but abnormal levels can lead to diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Accurate measurement of insulin levels is essential for early diagnosis and treatment. Current detection methods are time-consuming and expensive, but biosensing technologies offer potential solutions.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ilona Juchnicka, Mariusz Kuzmicki, Magdalena Niemira, Agnieszka Bielska, Iwona Sidorkiewicz, Monika Zbucka-Kretowska, Adam Jacek Kretowski, Jacek Szamatowicz
Summary: This study investigates the changes in miRNA profile in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients before the onset of hyperglycemia. Circulating miRNAs were measured using the NanoString quantitative assay platform and validated with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results demonstrate the significance of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of GDM and their potential as predictive factors for early diagnosis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kerstin Brismar, Agneta Hilding, Ishrath Ansurudeen, Allan Flyvbjerg, Jan Frystyk, Claes-Goran Ostenson
Summary: Adiponectin, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-2 are biomarkers of insulin sensitivity. Low levels of adiponectin, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-2 are independently associated with future abnormal glucose tolerance in both genders. In women, IGFBP-2 is the strongest predictor for prediabetes, while adiponectin is the strongest predictor for type 2 diabetes. In men, IGFBP-1 is the strongest predictor for both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui, Leigh Perreault, Linong Ji, Sam Dagogo-Jack
Summary: Prediabetes, an intermediate stage between normal glucose regulation and diabetes, affects 1 in 3 adults in the US and approximately 720 million individuals worldwide. Lifestyle modification, including weight loss and exercise, is the first-line therapy for prediabetes and has a larger benefit than metformin.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zodwa Dlamini, Mzwandile Mbele, Tshepiso J. Makhafola, Rodney Hull, Rahaba Marima
Summary: Globally, HIV/AIDS and cancer are significant public health problems, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the largest burden. While AIDS-defining cancers are decreasing, non-AIDS defining cancers are on the rise in HIV-positive individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Qiuhui Xuan, Chunxiu Hu, Yinan Zhang, Qingqing Wang, Xinjie Zhao, Xinyu Liu, Congrong Wang, Weiping Jia, Guowang Xu
Summary: Using a pseudotargeted lipidomics approach, this study evaluated complex lipid changes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) before the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and identified novel lipid markers for screening prediabetes mellitus (PreDM) and T2DM.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yareth Gopar-Cuevas, Ana P. Duarte-Jurado, Rosa N. Diaz-Perez, Odila Saucedo-Cardenas, Maria J. Loera-Arias, Roberto Montes-de-Oca-Luna, Humberto Rodriguez-Rocha, Aracely Garcia-Garcia
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a leading neurodegenerative movement disorder worldwide, often occurring in idiopathic form. The diagnostic accuracy is relatively low, highlighting the urgent need to establish a panel of biomarkers for early and accurate diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis may lead to unraveling the pathogenesis and ultimately finding a cure.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lorico D. S. Lapitan Jr, Mariusz Pietrzak, Marek Krawczyk, Elzbieta Malinowska
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death globally in 2020. The complexity of the disease and the low survival rate are due to late-stage diagnosis. Therefore, developing simple, sensitive, and rapid screening methods for early detection is necessary. Recent studies have shown promising HCC biomarkers and ultrasensitive biosensor technologies that could significantly improve diagnosis.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Chiara Villa, Andrea Stoccoro
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to cognitive impairment and dementia in older individuals. Detection of altered epigenetic signatures in blood may assist in the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Leena Mamilly, Lucy D. Mastrandrea, Claudia Mosquera Vasquez, Brett Klamer, Mahmoud Kallash, Ahmad Aldughiem
Summary: Diabetic nephropathy is a common microvascular complication in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Urinary markers of renal damage or oxidative stress may signal early stages of DN, but their association with blood pressure patterns and glycemic variability in children is not yet well understood. This study found that while microalbuminuria was negative, urinary NGAL/Cr and pentosidine/Cr ratios were significantly elevated in diabetic patients. Additionally, poor nocturnal systolic blood pressure dipping was found in nearly half of the cases, and urinary NGAL/Cr negatively correlated with this dipping pattern. Both NGAL/Cr and pentosidine/Cr ratios were also higher in the high glycemic variability group. Overall, this pilot study highlights the potential role of ABPM and urinary markers in the early detection of diabetic nephropathy, with glycemic variability possibly playing a role in the disease process.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Andrea Bonini, Angela Gilda Carota, Noemi Poma, Federico Maria Vivaldi, Denise Biagini, Daria Bottai, Alessio Lenzi, Arianna Tavanti, Fabio Di Francesco, Tommaso Lomonaco
Summary: Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory dysfunction associated with infectious diseases, is a significant health issue with increasing incidence globally. Traditional diagnostic techniques for sepsis management present challenges, making biosensing technologies a valuable alternative.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Anushree Gade, Ankita Sharma, Nidhi Srivastava, S. J. S. Flora
Summary: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, mostly due to delayed detection. Utilizing biomarker-based detection tools can help in early recognition of cancer. This review examines the use of SPR-based sensors in cancer diagnosis.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hebatalla Said Ali, Marwa Mostafa Kamel, Sara H. A. Agwa, Mohamed S. Abdel Hakeem, Mahmoud Shawky El Meteini, Marwa Matboli
Summary: This study identified seven candidate genes associated with insulin resistance and pre-diabetes mellitus and validated them in patients' serum samples. The results showed significant differences in the expression levels of these genes between healthy controls, pre-diabetic individuals, and individuals with type 2 diabetes. These genes can be used to distinguish insulin resistant from insulin sensitive groups and differentiate between good and poor glycemic control.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yue Zhang, Yin Wang, Bingqiang Zhang, Peifeng Li, Yi Zhao
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become one of the top three cancers in terms of incidence and mortality worldwide. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial for CRC prevention, as the primary cause lies in the inability to diagnose it at an early stage. Despite various methods available for CRC early detection and recent developments in surgical and multimodal therapy, late detection and poor prognosis of CRC remain significant. Hence, there is a need to explore novel technologies and biomarkers to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of CRC diagnosis.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yun-Ui Bae, Ji Hong You, Nan Hee Cho, Leah Eunjung Kim, Hye Min Shim, Jae-Hyung Park, Ho Chan Cho
Summary: The study identified protein Z (PROZ) as a potential biomarker for prediabetes and T2DM, with significantly decreased plasma levels in patients with these conditions and negative correlations with fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c. Further large-scale studies are needed to explore the relationship and mechanism between PROZ and prediabetes and T2DM.
ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Carla Luis, Raquel Soares, Ruben Fernandes, Monica Botelho
Summary: Cancer, particularly breast cancer, is a significant global health issue associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. This review focuses on the mechanisms of cell adhesion molecules in tumor invasion, specifically in breast cancer, by conducting an updated literature review on the expression of these molecules associated with metastasis.
CURRENT MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Carla Fonte, Carla Barros, Pilar Baylina, Sonia Alves, Paulo Moreira
Summary: This study investigates the prevalence of work life balance problems and psychosocial work factors in the Portuguese healthcare sector, and their impact on health complaints. The data reveals a high prevalence of work life balance problems among healthcare professionals and their exposure to various psychosocial risk factors, which are related to health issues.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Carla Luis, Joao Dias, Joao Firmino-Machado, Rute Fernandes, Deolinda Pereira, Pilar Baylina, Ruben Fernandes, Raquel Soares
Summary: The aim of this study is to analyze tumor characteristics and clinical outcomes of overweight and obese women in order to reveal potential associations and better understand the impact of obesity in breast cancer. The results indicate that overweight and obesity are predominantly associated with worse outcomes in breast cancer patients.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ana T. Maduro, Anabela Pinto, Joana Ferreira-Gomesb, Raquel Costa, Raquel Soares, Carla Luis
Summary: The study aimed to understand the relationship between diabetes and pancreatic senescence, particularly at the beginning of the disease. The results showed that the induction of pancreatic beta-cell premature senescence is implicated in the onset of diabetes, possibly due to insulin resistance and accumulated pyruvate in beta-cells.
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & DIABETES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Soares, Isabel Faria, Fatima Aires, Armanda Monteiro, Gabriela Pinto, Maria Goreti Sales, Miguel A. Correa-Duarte, Susana G. Guerreiro, Ruben Fernandes
Summary: More than 50% of prostate cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could be used as potential radiosensitizers to overcome the limitations of radiotherapy. This study assessed the biological interaction of different morphologies of AuNPs with ionizing radiation (IR) in prostate cancer cells. The results showed that AuNPs combined with IR decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis, suggesting that AuNPs could improve the efficacy of radiotherapy in prostate cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Andre Sousa, Pedro Coelho, Fernanda Leite, Catarina Teixeira, Ana Catarina Rocha, Ines Santos, Pilar Baylina, Ruben Fernandes, Raquel Soares, Raquel Costa, Andreia Gomes
Summary: Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men and has a high mortality rate. This study found that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) and cord blood serum (CBS) contain various growth and anti-inflammatory factors that can regulate tumor cell proliferation, survival, and immune response. When exposed to UC-MSC-conditioned medium or CBS, prostate cancer cells showed reduced viability, proliferation, and motility, while non-malignant prostate cells were unaffected. Additionally, UC-MSC and CBS altered the expression of genes related to the AKT/PI3K pathway, p53, and interleukins, leading to a more anti-inflammatory expression profile in the malignant prostate cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marco Oliveira, Silvia Soares, Sara Sa, Alvaro Gestoso, Miguel Correa-Duarte, Pilar Baylina, Ruben Fernandes, Carla F. Pereira
Summary: In this study, biosynthetic gold nanoparticles were successfully produced using Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The synthesis was confirmed through various methods, and the nanoparticles were evaluated for their antibacterial properties when combined with low concentrations of ampicillin.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carla Luis, Andre P. Sousa, Raquel Costa, Ana T. Maduro, Patrick J. Pais, Sara Sa, Alvaro Gestoso, Flavia Fernandes, Eliana Jeronimo, Raquel Soares, Ruben Fernandes, Pilar Baylina, Maria F. Duarte
Summary: The objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of pomegranate peel extract on the behavior of breast cell lines and related oxidative metabolism. The results showed that pomegranate peel extract has anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects on tumor cells, with minor effects on normal epithelial cells. Additionally, pomegranate peel extract affects the activity of antioxidant enzymes in tumor cells.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sara Sa, Carina Silva, Maria Clara Dias, Marlene Veiga, Sofia Lopes, Ruben Fernandes, Ana Catarina Rocha, Patrick J. Pais, Marco Oliveira, Joao Mendes, Goncalo Novais, Carla Luis, Alvaro Gestoso, Jose Mario Macedo, Daniela Martins-Mendes, Ana Claudia Pereira, Pilar Baylina
Summary: This study investigated the effects of gene mutations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) on its virulence traits, susceptibility to antibiotics and phage infection. The results showed that the mutations decreased the expression of certain genes and increased biofilm production. The mutant strains also exhibited increased protease production but decreased production of rhamnolipids and pyocyanins. Furthermore, the growth of mutant strains was inhibited in the presence of phages. These findings highlight the importance of the studied genes in the proliferation and treatment of PAO1 infections, and suggest potential strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andre P. Sousa, Ana C. Rocha, Catia Almeida, Mariana C. C. G. Carneiro, Patrick P. Pais, Rejane Viana, Ruben Fernandes, Pedro Barata, Alvaro Gestoso, Susana Ramalho, Daniela Martins-Mendes, Pilar Baylina, Ana Claudia Pereira
Summary: Aptamers are short, single-stranded oligonucleotides that can bind to biological targets with high specificity and affinity. They have potential applications in research, diagnosis, and therapy, particularly in late-stage tumor identification and poor prognosis cases like pancreatic cancer. Additionally, aptamers show promise in regulating immune response and modulating critical signaling cascades. In the context of microbiota and infection, aptamers have the potential to improve detection and management of infectious diseases and provide insights into health risks and treatment outcomes by tracking changes in the microbiota.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Carla Luis, Rute Fernandes, Joao Dias, Deolinda Pereira, Firmino Machado, Pilar Baylina, Ruben Fernandes, Raquel Soares
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of overweight and obesity on surgical outcomes in breast cancer patients. The results showed that overweight and obese women were more likely to undergo conservative surgery and less likely to undergo total mastectomy. However, surgical options did not significantly affect overall survival.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
