Article
Immunology
Martijn Zoodsma, Aline H. de Nooijer, Inge Grondman, Manoj Kumar Gupta, Agnes Bonifacius, Valerie A. C. M. Koeken, Emma Kooistra, Gizem Kilic, Ozlem Bulut, Nina Goedecke, Nico Janssen, Matthijs Kox, Jorge Dominguez-Andres, Adriaan J. van Gammeren, Anton A. M. Ermens, Andre J. A. M. van der Ven, Peter Pickkers, Rainer Blasczyk, Georg M. N. Behrens, Frank L. van de Veerdonk, Leo A. B. Joosten, Cheng-Jian Xu, Britta Eiz-Vesper, Mihai G. Netea, Yang Li
Summary: This study utilized the Olink platform to perform targeted proteomics and investigated protein concentrations in different groups of individuals, including hospitalized COVID-19 patients, post-COVID-19 individuals, and healthy individuals. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes acute inflammation and has a lasting impact on the circulating proteome. Furthermore, the circulating proteome can differentiate between different disease severities and is associated with the time after infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
K. T. Helzert, M. N. Sharifi, J. M. Spergert, Y. Shi, M. Annala, M. L. Bootsma, S. R. Reese, A. Taylor, K. R. Kaufmann, H. K. Krause, J. L. Schehr, N. Sethakorn, D. Kosoff, C. Kyriakopoulos, M. E. Burkard, N. R. Rydzewski, M. Yu, P. M. Harari, M. Bassetti, G. Blitzer, J. Floberg, M. Sjoestroem, D. A. Quigley, S. M. Dehm, A. J. Armstrong, R. R. Mckay, H. Beltran, F. Y. Feng, R. O'Regan, K. B. Wisinski, H. Emamekhoo, A. W. Wyatt, J. M. Lang, S. G. Zhao
Summary: Machine learning models were used to analyze fragmentation patterns of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and distinguish between cancer and non-cancer patients, as well as determine specific tumor types and subtypes. This study demonstrates that targeted cfDNA sequencing can be utilized to analyze fragmentation patterns, significantly expanding the capabilities of existing clinically used panels at minimal additional cost.
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vedbar S. Khadka, Masaki Nasu, Youping Deng, Mayumi Jijiwa
Summary: This study aimed to identify circulating miRNAs that can serve as detection markers for breast cancer arising from high-risk benign tumors. Four miRNAs were found to differentiate early-stage breast cancer from high-risk benign tumors, and were associated with the IGF-1 pathway. These miRNAs have the potential to be biomarkers for detecting early-stage breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Danni A. Gadd, Robert F. Hillary, Daniel L. McCartney, Shaza B. Zaghlool, Anna J. Stevenson, Yipeng Cheng, Chloe Fawns-Ritchie, Cliff Nangle, Archie Campbell, Robin Flaig, Sarah E. Harris, Rosie M. Walker, Liu Shi, Elliot M. Tucker-Drob, Christian Gieger, Annette Peters, Melanie Waldenberger, Johannes Graumann, Allan F. McRae, Ian J. Deary, David J. Porteous, Caroline Hayward, Peter M. Visscher, Simon R. Cox, Kathryn L. Evans, Andrew M. McIntosh, Karsten Suhre, Riccardo E. Marioni
Summary: This study explores the relationship between DNA methylation and incident diseases using epigenome-wide data. By training and testing epigenetic scores, the researchers identified scores that are associated with various diseases. These scores can serve as valuable resources for disease prediction and risk stratification.
Review
Pathology
Amir Hossein Aalami, Hossein Abdeahad, Ali Shoghi, Mohammad Mesgari, Amir Amirabadi, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of microRNAs in the blood for brain tumors. The results showed that microRNAs have high diagnostic accuracy in identifying brain tumors. Subgroup analyses were also performed to determine the influence of sample types, reference genes, and regions on the diagnostic power of microRNAs.
EXPERT REVIEW OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongchan Kim, Bhavya Gupta, Geoffrey Yuet Mun Wong
Summary: The liver is the most common site of metastasis in colorectal cancer. Multimodal treatment, including liver resection, is potentially curative and prolongs survival for selected patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). However, the treatment of CRLM remains challenging because recurrence is common, and prognosis varies widely between patients despite curative-intent treatment. Clinicopathological features and tissue-based molecular biomarkers, either alone or in combination, are insufficient for accurate prognostication. As most of the functional information in cells resides in the proteome, circulating proteomic biomarkers may be useful for rationalising the molecular complexities of CRLM and identifying potentially prognostic molecular subtypes. High-throughput proteomics has accelerated a range of applications including protein profiling of liquid biopsies for biomarker discovery. Moreover, these proteomic biomarkers may provide non-invasive prognostic information even before CRLM resection. This review evaluates recently discovered circulating proteomic biomarkers in CRLM. We also highlight some of the challenges and opportunities with translating these discoveries into clinical applications. (c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Research Network of Computational and Structural Biotechnology. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophia Harlid, Justin Harbs, Robin Myte, Carl Brunius, Marc J. Gunter, Richard Palmqvist, Xijia Liu, Bethany Van Guelpen
Summary: This study evaluated protein biomarkers in relation to colorectal cancer risk using prospectively collected plasma samples. The main validation analysis did not show statistically significant proteins, but exploratory subgroup analyses found associations between certain proteins and colon or rectal cancer risk. Adding protein markers to basic risk predictive models modestly improved performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yayun Wu, Dehong Hu, Duyang Gao, Chunchen Liu, Hairong Zheng, Zonghai Sheng
Summary: A miniature nanoprobe named HSA-ICG-iRGD is developed for active-targeted NIR-II phototheranostics of brain tumors. The nanoprobe is designed based on hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds between albumin and indocyanine green derivatives, showing compact size and tumor-targeting ability. It demonstrates great potential for active-targeted NIR-II fluorescence imaging and phototherapy of brain tumors.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Chaousis, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Colin J. Limpus, Amanda Nouwens, Liesbeth J. Weijs, Antonia Weltmeyer, Adrian Covaci, Jason P. van de Merwe
Summary: All seven species of sea turtle are facing increasing pressures from human activities that are impacting their health. Changes in blood proteins can indicate adverse health outcomes. This study examines the protein abundance in sea turtle plasma, compares protein expression between different populations, and investigates markers of contaminant exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yuichi J. Shimada, Yoshihiko Raita, Lusha W. Liang, Mathew S. Maurer, Kohei Hasegawa, Michael A. Fifer, Muredach P. Reilly
Summary: This study identified plasma protein biomarkers of HCM and revealed upregulated molecular pathways, such as the Ras-MAPK and TGF-beta pathways, in HCM patients. This investigation represents the largest-scale proteomics profiling in HCM, highlighting both novel and known pathways differentially regulated in the disease.
CIRCULATION-HEART FAILURE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wojciech Jelski, Barbara Mroczko
Summary: Brain tumors are often diagnosed too late for successful therapy, requiring minimally invasive methods for diagnosis and monitoring; liquid biopsies are gaining interest as substitutes for tumor tissue in diagnosing and monitoring brain tumors; current available markers have significant limitations, and conflicting reports may stem from a lack of complete understanding of these markers despite extensive research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Stefan Lars Reckelkamm, Inga Kaminska, Sebastian-Edgar Baumeister, Birte Holtfreter, Zoheir Alayash, Ewa Rodakowska, Joanna Baginska, Karol Adam Kaminski, Michael Nolde
Summary: Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that affects oral health and is associated with various systemic conditions and hematological alterations. This study aimed to investigate whether serum protein profiling could improve the assessment of periodontitis. Serum protein profiles were generated using novel Proximity Extension Assay technology for 654 participants, and logistic regression models were constructed to assess the risk of having periodontitis. The addition of protein information significantly improved the model's fit and discrimination, suggesting that proteomic technologies offer a promising approach for diagnostic applications of periodontitis.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Marcos Olvera-Rojas, Abel Plaza-Florido, Patricio Solis-Urra, Maria Rodriguez-Ayllon, Angel Toval, Irene Esteban-Cornejo, Francisco B. B. Ortega
Summary: Muscular strength is positively associated with better brain health indicators in childhood obesity. However, the mechanisms behind this positive impact are poorly understood. This study examined the association between muscular strength and neurology-related proteins in the plasma of overweight/obese children, while considering the role of cardiorespiratory fitness as a confounder.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yueting Xiong, Yongtao Zheng, Yan Yan, Jun Yao, Hebin Liu, Fenglin Shen, Siyuan Kong, Shuang Yang, Guoquan Yan, Huanhuan Zhao, Xinwen Zhou, Jia Hu, Bin Zhou, Tao Jin, Huali Shen, Bing Leng, Pengyuan Yang, Xiaohui Liu
Summary: This study aimed to discover specific, sensitive, and non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and classification of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysm (IA), to benefit the development of treatment strategies. By using a deep learning-based method, a total of 113 potential markers were identified, and two sets of biomarker combinations were built for accurate classification.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Melanie Casile, Judith Passildas, Berengere Vire, Ioana Molnar, Xavier Durando
Summary: Currently, the prognosis and survival rate of patients with high-grade glial tumors are poor and there are no biomarkers. hPG(80) (circulating progastrin), which is secreted by tumor cells into the blood, has been extensively studied in colorectal cancer and its involvement in tumorigenesis has been demonstrated. Recent studies have shown that the concentration of hPG(80) in the blood of cancer patients is significantly higher than in healthy individuals.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Irina Zarafu, Carmen Limban, Cristiana Radulescu, Ioana Daniela Dulama, Diana Camelia Nuta, Cornel Chirita, Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc, Carmellina Daniela Badiceanu, Marcela Popa, Coralia Bleotu, Laura Denisa Dragu, Raluca Maria Stirbescu, Ioan Alin Bucurica, Sorina Geanina Stanescu, Petre Ionita
Summary: Graphite was oxidized and activated for covalently linking hydrazides with graphene oxide. The obtained materials were characterized by various techniques, confirming the presence of specific functional groups. Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate the disorder degree and crystallite size. The graphene oxide-hydrazide derivatives showed inferior antimicrobial activity, indicating the need for further optimization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mihaela Chivu-Economescu, Laura G. Necula, Lilia Matei, Denisa Dragu, Coralia Bleotu, Andrei Sorop, Vlad Herlea, Simona Dima, Irinel Popescu, Carmen C. Diaconu
Summary: In this study, through bioinformatics assessment and gene analysis, we identified nine candidate biomarker genes associated with gastric cancer progression and prognosis. The high expression of these genes is correlated with poor overall survival and immune infiltrate, making them potential new therapeutic targets for gastric cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gabriela Petrisor, Denisa Ficai, Ludmila Motelica, Roxana Doina Trusca, Alexandra Catalina Birca, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Georgeta Voicu, Ovidiu Cristian Oprea, Augustin Semenescu, Anton Ficai, Mircea Ionut Popitiu, Irina Fierascu, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Elena Lacramioara Radu, Lilia Matei, Laura Denisa Dragu, Ioana Madalina Pitica, Mihaela Economescu, Coralia Bleotu
Summary: This study developed two types of support materials with a mesoporous structure and loaded them with gallic acid. The results showed that loading gallic acid significantly reduced the specific surface area and inhibited gram-negative bacterial strains. Moreover, these materials may be useful for the recovery of gut microbiota after antibiotic exposure.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Elena-Georgiana Dobre, Carolina Constantin, Monica Neagu
Summary: Skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and cutaneous melanoma, poses important challenges for the healthcare system worldwide. Recent studies have shown that ddPCR is a powerful technology for skin cancer analysis, capable of discovering and validating biomarkers for personalized treatment monitoring.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Adriana Narcisa Munteanu, Mihaela Surcel, Gheorghita Isvoranu, Carolina Constantin, Monica Neagu
Summary: The aim of this study was to establish and quantify the relationship between healthy aging and immune parameters, and to observe age-related immunological changes. The results showed that both humoral and cellular immune parameters exhibited age-related changes, indicating immune exhaustion and deregulations as factors in healthy aging and age-related diseases.
CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS IN AGING
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena-Georgiana Dobre, Mihaela Surcel, Carolina Constantin, Mihaela Adriana Ilie, Ana Caruntu, Constantin Caruntu, Monica Neagu
Summary: Early diagnosis is crucial for effectively treating skin cancer. Emerging optical imaging techniques, such as RCM, OCT, MRI, NIR bioimaging, and PET, can provide non-invasive imaging data for early detection and monitoring of cutaneous tumors. These techniques can observe dynamic processes relevant to disease evolution, including blood flow, immune cell activation, and tumor energy metabolism. This review discusses the latest advances in imaging techniques for skin cancer detection and monitoring, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for their implementation in clinical practice and their potential to complement molecular and histological approaches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aikaterini Berdiaki, Monica Neagu, Ioanna Spyridaki, Andrey Kuskov, Serge Perez, Dragana Nikitovic
Summary: Hyaluronan (HA) is a natural compound that is found on the cell surface and tissue extracellular matrix. It is synthesized by enzymes and degraded by other substances. HA has different effects on the body depending on its molecular weight, with high molecular weight HA being anti-inflammatory and low molecular weight HA being pro-inflammatory. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can degrade HA and affect vascular integrity, while HA can also play a role in wound healing. Understanding the interactions between ROS and HA is an important research topic.
Article
Polymer Science
Diana Stan, Elena Codrici, Ana-Maria Enciu, Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska, Georgiana Gavril, Lavinia Liliana Ruta, Carmen Moldovan, Oana Brincoveanu, Lorena-Andreea Bocancia-Mateescu, Andreea-Cristina Mirica, Dana Stan, Cristiana Tanase
Summary: Healthcare professionals face challenges in managing wounds, but hydrogel wound dressings offer an effective solution with their affordability, ease of use, and ability to enhance wound healing. Our study developed and evaluated hybrid hydrogel membranes enriched with bioactive components, demonstrating favorable properties with minimal concentrations of bioactive agents.
Article
Oncology
Mihaela Chivu-Economescu, Vlad Herlea, Simona Dima, Andrei Sorop, Catalin Pechianu, Alexandru Procop, Shuji Kitahara, Laura Necula, Lilia Matei, Denisa Dragu, Ana-Iulia Neagu, Coralia Bleotu, Carmen C. Diaconu, Irinel Popescu, Dan G. Duda
Summary: In this study, the researchers compared the expression of PD-L1 in primary tissue samples and sPD-L1 concentration in preoperative plasma samples from gastric cancer patients. They found that sPD-L1 levels were associated with tissue PD-L1 expression, greater inflammatory cell infiltration, disease progression, and poor overall survival. The study suggests that sPD-L1 may serve as a useful minimally invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer patients.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Carolina Constantin, Mihaela Surcel, Adriana Munteanu, Monica Neagu, Jean Christopher Chamcheu
Summary: Psoriasis, an autoimmune chronic inflammatory skin condition, is influenced by genetic factors, immune disturbances, and environmental factors, especially the Western lifestyle and overall diet. Obesity is identified as a significant risk factor for psoriasis, aggravating the disease, while weight reduction can improve clinical outcomes. The connection between obesity and psoriasis lies in the pro-inflammatory effects of white adipose tissue, which is an important endocrine organ. This paper emphasizes the importance of nutrition strategies in psoriasis management.
Article
Oncology
Petruta Gurban, Cristina Mambet, Anca Botezatu, Laura G. Necula, Ana I. Neagu, Lilia Matei, Ioana M. Pitica, Saviana Nedeianu, Mihaela Chivu-Economescu, Coralia Bleotu, Marius Ataman, Gabriela Mocanu, Carmen Saguna, Anca G. Pavel, Danae Stambouli, Elise Sepulchre, Gabriela Anton, Carmen C. Diaconu, Stefan N. Constantinescu
Summary: This study reports an unusual case of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) in a patient with hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis, who developed leukemia transformation in less than 1 year, leading to a fatal outcome. Analysis revealed that genetic events in the RAS signaling pathway may have contributed to the development of the leukemia clone.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mihaela Surcel, Carolina Constantin, Adriana Narcisa Munteanu, Diana Antonia Costea, Gheorghita Isvoranu, Elena Codrici, Ionela Daniela Popescu, Cristiana Tanase, Alef Ibram, Monica Neagu
Summary: This study investigated the effect of purified IgY treatment on psoriatic dermatitis using a murine model. The results showed that orally purified IgY treatment can improve skin lesion healing and normalize cellular and humoral immune parameters.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Antonella Caterina Boccia, Alfio Pulvirenti, Carlos A. Garcia-Gonzalez, Fabia Grisi, Monica Neagu
Summary: Aerogels, as nanostructured highly porous materials, are increasingly used in various industries with different applications. However, due to the lack of data availability, ensuring the safe development and use of aerogel-based products poses challenges. The safety regulatory Compendium aims to share knowledge and best safety practices with the international aerogels community and stakeholders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Isabelle Stoica, Gelu Onose, Ioana Madalina Pitica, Ana Iulia Neagu, Gabriela Ion, Lilia Matei, Laura Denisa Dragu, Lacramioara-Elena Radu, Mihaela Chivu-Economescu, Laura Georgiana Necula, Aurelian Anghelescu, Carmen Cristina Diaconu, Constantin Munteanu, Coralia Bleotu
Summary: This study evaluated cellular and molecular changes in chronic ethanol-consuming patients with a model mimicking spinal cord injury. The results showed that long-term ethanol exposure had a cytotoxic effect and induced apoptosis. However, under hypoxic stress, ethanol-exposed cells displayed reduced ROS levels and increased HIF-1 alpha protein levels, indicating an adaptation to stressful conditions.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Petruta Preda, Ana-Maria Enciu, Cristiana Tanase, Maria Dudau, Lucian Albulescu, Monica-Elisabeta Maxim, Raluca Nicoleta Darie-Nita, Oana Brincoveanu, Marioara Avram
Summary: This study aimed to investigate and develop amorphous and crosslinked hydrogels based on natural compounds, such as sodium alginate, aloe vera gel powder, and chitosan, for tumor spheroid formation. The results showed that adding chitosan allowed the formation of spheroids at pH 5, while low viscosity and pH 12 aloe vera gels also promoted spheroid formation. Crosslinked hydrogel variants enhanced spheroid formation efficiency.
