Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Van Long Nguyen, Phillip Tuckwell, Andrea Ireland, Michael Fitzpatrick
Summary: Glucagon is involved in regulating blood glucose levels, and most quantitation methods suffer from cross-reactivity with other peptides. A LC-MSMS method was developed for accurate analysis, using ethanol precipitation and mixed anion exchange solid phase extraction for glucagon extraction from plasma samples. The method showed linearity above 0.99 (r2) up to a concentration of 771 ng/L, with a lower limit of quantification at 19 ng/L. The method had a precision below 9% (coefficient of variation) and a recovery rate of 93%. There was a significant negative bias compared to existing immunoassay correlations.
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niv Vigder, Cacang Suarna, Leo Corcilius, James Nadel, Weiyu Chen, Richard Payne, Sergey Tumanov, Roland Stocker
Summary: Conversion of hydroethidine (HE) to 2-chloroethidium (2-Cl-E+) by myeloperoxidase (MPO)-derived hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a sensitive and specific method for measuring MPO chlorinating activity. However, the complex mixture of HE reaction products with HOCl poses challenges in purification. This study presents an improved method using a different chlorinating agent, N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS), and quantification of both 2-Cl-E+ and the major product 2-chlorohydroethidine (2-Cl-HE) for enhanced sensitivity.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yonghwan Jung, Jin Sook Song, Sunjoo Ahn
Summary: This study provides the first pharmacokinetic evaluation of succinic acid after a single dose in mice, demonstrating its clearance, volume of distribution, terminal half-life, as well as tissue distribution in different organs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongyang Cui, Hong Chang, Hongjin Zheng, Yi Wan
Summary: This study presents an analytical method for the simultaneous analysis of SAs and their transformation products in water samples, and detected all target compounds in three urban rivers in Beijing. Predominant acetyl SAs in the aquatic environment were identified as N-acetylsulfamethoxazole, N-acetylsulfapyridine, and N-acetylsulfamethazine, with high frequencies of hydroxylated SAs and glucuronide-conjugated SAs also being detected.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
N. W. Shappell, M. J. Shipitalo, L. O. Billey
Summary: The study found that applying animal wastes as fertilizer under appropriate conditions does not lead to environmental estrogen levels exceeding observable effect concentrations, and calcium concentrations in runoff cannot be used as a marker for estrogenic activity. Specific estrogens in runoff depend on the source and timing of rainfall, while concentrations of total coliforms and E. coli may increase with the application of certain types of animal waste.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Maria Joao Nunes, Cristina M. Cordas, Jose J. G. Moura, Joao Paulo Noronha, Luis Cobra Branco
Summary: Intensive and continuous physical training in sports can lead to psychological and physiological stress, impacting the health and well-being of athletes. This study aimed to identify potential stress biomarkers in sweat samples, focusing on neurotransmitters and other related molecules. The developed methodology could contribute to the assessment and study of stress biomarkers in intense sports using non-invasive methods.
SPORTS MEDICINE-OPEN
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jordan E. Hamden, Melody Salehzadeh, Katherine M. Gray, Brandon J. Forys, Kiran K. Soma
Summary: The study found that the levels of GCs in blood and lymphoid organs in neonatal mice at different stages respond differently to stressors. During stress, the levels of GCs in lymphoid organs significantly increase, differing from the levels in the blood; these data demonstrate the remarkable plasticity of GC physiology during the postnatal period.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Craig Livie, Louisa C. Y. Lee, Malika Alimussina, Carina Conceicao, Chui Ha Leung, Jane McNeilly, Syed Faisal Ahmed, Charlotte Syme, Karen Smith, Susan Johnston
Summary: The measurement of DHEAs is essential in diagnosing certain conditions and identifying the source of elevated androgens. Previous immunoassay methods had poor sensitivity and specificity, thus an LC-MSMS method was developed and compared to the Abbott Alinity DHEAs immunoassay method. The LC-MSMS method demonstrated superior specificity and accuracy.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Gallocchio, Alessandra Moressa, Gloria Zonta, Roberto Angeletti, Francesca Lega
Summary: This study developed and validated a fast and sensitive method for detecting PFASs in food of animal origin. The method showed good linearity, low limits of detection, and appropriate limits of quantification. The accuracy and precision of the method met the acceptable criteria, regardless of the analyzed matrix. The measurement uncertainty was <50% for all compound/matrix combinations. These results demonstrate the selectivity and sensitivity of the method for detecting PFASs in foods of animal origin.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Kyle Cromer, Joab Camarena, Renata M. Martin, Benjamin J. Lesch, Christopher A. Vakulskas, Nicole M. Bode, Gavin Kurgan, Michael A. Collingwood, Garrett R. Rettig, Mark A. Behlke, Viktor T. Lemgart, Yankai Zhang, Ankush Goyal, Feifei Zhao, Ezequiel Ponce, Waracharee Srifa, Rasmus O. Bak, Naoya Uchida, Ravindra Majeti, Vivien A. Sheehan, John F. Tisdale, Daniel P. Dever, Matthew H. Porteus
Summary: The study presents a novel genome editing strategy that can restore the balance of beta-globin:alpha-globin in human hematopoietic stem cells from patients with beta-thalassemia, leading to the functional restoration of adult hemoglobin tetramers in patient-derived red blood cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panicker Devyani Ramachandran, Mahesh Doddadasarahalli Muniyappa, Sreelekha Kanapadinchareveetil, Suresh Narayanan Nair, Karapparambu Gopalan Ajithkumar, Sujith Samraj, Anoopraj Rajappan, Anju Varghese, Deepa Chundayil Kalarickal, Reghu Ravindran, Srikanta Ghosh, Sanis Juliet
Summary: The study investigated the modulation of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) pathway in the ovaries of ticks by flumethrin and terpenoid subfraction, identifying PGE(2) as a crucial mediator for the signaling pathway of ovarian maturation and oviposition in ticks. The research suggests that prostaglandin biosynthesis enzyme PGES and PGE(2) receptors could be potential drug targets for tick control, with valuable tools for screening newer compounds for their acaricidal effects.
Article
Physiology
Yihang Li, Ian Miller, Princy Prasad, Nisha Ajit George, Nermi L. Parrow, Robert E. Fleming
Summary: This study investigates the role of transferrin in the erythropoietic response to iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. The results demonstrate that transferrin not only plays a role in iron delivery but also affects iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis. Administration of exogenous iron-loaded transferrin restores iron levels and influences the expression of regulatory proteins involved in erythropoiesis. In iron deficiency anemia, transferrin treatment increases erythropoietin sensitivity, highlighting its importance in the recovery from iron deficiency anemia.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kateryna Breusova, Kristian Goldeman Ernstsen, Mikael Palner, Kristian Linnet, Jesper Langgaard Kristensen, Andreas Christopher Kretschmann
Summary: An LC-MSMS based analytical method was developed and validated for quantifying the novel selective 5-HT2A agonist 25CN-NBOH in rat plasma and brain, showing potential for further preclinical and clinical investigations. The in vitro metabolism data and in vivo pharmacokinetic data both suggest that 25CN-NBOH is metabolized but is more stable compared to other NBOMe compounds. The study may facilitate the inclusion of additional 25CN-NBOH metabolites in future research.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Eva M. Gomez, Angela S. Prudencio, Encarnacion Ortega
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms of the almond gametophytic self-incompatibility system using protein analysis and gene expression analysis. It reveals different expression patterns of related proteins and identifies potential molecular components associated with the system.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Kelcee A. Everette, Gregory A. Newby, Rachel M. Levine, Kalin Mayberry, Yoonjeong Jang, Thiyagaraj Mayuranathan, Nikitha Nimmagadda, Erin Dempsey, Yichao Li, Senthil Velan Bhoopalan, Xiong Liu, Jessie R. Davis, Andrew T. Nelson, Peter J. Chen, Alexander A. Sousa, Yong Cheng, John F. Tisdale, Mitchell J. Weiss, Jonathan S. Yen, David R. Liu
Summary: Prime editing efficiently corrects the sickle-cell allele in patient haematopoietic stem cells, resulting in erythrocytes resistant to hypoxia-induced sickling. This correction was achieved at frequencies of 15%-41% in patients with sickle-cell disease. After transplantation into mice, the prime-edited cells maintained normal gene expression and displayed similar differentiation and maturation as unedited stem cells from healthy donors.
NATURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Florence Vallelian, Raphael M. Buzzi, Marc Pfefferle, Ayla Yalamanoglu, Irina L. Dubach, Andreas Wassmer, Thomas Gentinetta, Kerstin Hansen, Rok Humar, Nadja Schulthess, Christian A. Schaer, Dominik J. Schaer
Summary: Hemolytic stress progressively shifts the differentiation trajectories of bone marrow cells, leading to an increase in macrophages and a decrease in dendritic cells. This may contribute to secondary immunodeficiency caused by hemolysis.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raphael M. Buzzi, Kevin Akeret, Nina Schwendinger, Jan Klohs, Florence Vallelian, Michael Hugelshofer, Dominik J. Schaer
Summary: This study investigated the gene expression changes in the brain exposed to heme and the therapeutic potential of hemopexin. The results showed that heme had a proinflammatory effect on the brain, while co-administration of hemopexin attenuated the heme-induced changes and preserved the homeostatic state of the brain.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kevin Akeret, Michael Hugelshofer, Dominik J. Schaer, Raphael M. Buzzi
Summary: Hemorrhagic stroke is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study investigates the toxicity mechanisms of free heme in the brain and evaluates the therapeutic potential of heme binding and biochemical neutralization by hemopexin using a mouse model. The findings provide insights into the secondary brain injury caused by intracranial hemorrhage and suggest potential therapeutic strategies for neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Hematology
Naja Nyffenegger, Rahima Zennadi, Natarajaswamy Kalleda, Anna Flace, Giada Ingoglia, Raphael M. Buzzi, Cedric Doucerain, Paul W. Buehler, Dominik J. Schaer, Franz Durrenberger, Vania Manolova
Summary: Sickle cell disease is a genetic anemia caused by a mutation in the beta-globin gene, leading to blood circulation problems and organ damage. Vamifeport, an oral medication, restricts iron transport protein to lower abnormal hemoglobin concentration in red blood cells, reducing hemolysis, improving blood flow, and preventing vaso-occlusive events.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Caroline de Godoi Rezende Costa Molino, Laurence Woll, Maud Wieczorek, Lauren A. Abderhalden, Patricia Lanz, Dominik J. Schaer, Donat R. Spahn, E. John Orav, Andreas Egli, Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari
Summary: This study found that iron deficiency is associated with an increased number of hospitalizations in older adults, but not with the length of hospital stay. Iron deficiency is a factor in the health of older adults and efforts should be made to reduce iron deficiency to improve overall health outcomes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Marc Pfefferle, Irina L. Dubach, Raphael M. Buzzi, Elena Duerst, Nadja Schulthess-Lutz, Livio Baselgia, Kerstin Hansen, Larissa Imhof, Sandra Koernig, Didier Le Roy, Thierry Roger, Rok Humar, Dominik J. Schaer, Florence Vallelian
Summary: The study revealed that CD40 signaling in Clec4f(+) Kupffer cells triggers anti-CD40 antibody-induced liver toxicity. However, controlled erythrophagocytosis and the linked anti-inflammatory signaling by the endogenous metabolite heme can be exploited to reprogram liver macrophages and prevent necroinflammatory liver disease caused by high-dose administration of anti-CD40 antibodies.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marc Emmenegger, Elena De Cecco, David Lamparter, Raphael P. B. Jacquat, Julien Riou, Dominik Menges, Tala Ballouz, Daniel Ebner, Matthias M. Schneider, Itzel Condado Morales, Berre Dogancay, Jingjing Guo, Anne Wiedmer, Julie Domange, Marigona Imeri, Rita Moos, Chryssa Zografou, Leyla Batkitar, Lidia Madrigal, Dezirae Schneider, Chiara Trevisan, Andres Gonzalez-Guerra, Alessandra Carrella, Irina L. Dubach, Catherine K. Xu, Georg Meisl, Vasilis Kosmoliaptsis, Tomas Malinauskas, Nicola Burgess-Brown, Ray Owens, Stephanie Hatch, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Gavin R. Screaton, Katharina Schubert, John D. Huck, Feimei Liu, Florence Pojer, Kelvin Lau, David Hacker, Elsbeth Probst-Mueller, Carlo Cervia, Jakob Nilsson, Onur Boyman, Lanja Saleh, Katharina Spanaus, Arnold von Eckardstein, Dominik J. Schaer, Nenad Ban, Ching-Ju Tsai, Jacopo Marino, Gebhard F. X. Schertler, Nadine Ebert, Volker Thiel, Jochen Gottschalk, Beat M. Frey, Regina R. Reimann, Simone Hornemann, Aaron M. Ring, Tuomas P. J. Knowles, Milo A. Puhan, Christian L. Althaus, Ioannis Xenarios, David I. Stuart, Adriano Aguzzi
Summary: Effective public health measures against SARS-CoV-2 require understanding population-level immune responses. Researchers developed a blood immunoassay called TRABI to assess IgG response against SARS-CoV-2 proteins. They used TRABI for continuous seromonitoring of hospital patients and blood donors in Zurich from December 2019 to December 2020. Their findings revealed a decline in antibodies, an increase in cumulative incidence, and no difference in long-term complications between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections.
Article
Neurosciences
Bart R. Thomson, Henning Richter, Kevin Akeret, Raphael M. Buzzi, Vania Anagnostakou, Christiaan H. B. van Niftrik, Nina Schwendinger, Zsolt Kulcsar, Peter W. Kronen, Luca Regli, Jorn Fierstra, Dominik J. Schaer, Michael Hugelshofer
Summary: The objective of the study was to assess the acute toxic effect of cell-free hemoglobin on cerebral blood flow and autor-egulation, and to test the protective effects of haptoglobin. The results showed that cell-free hemoglobin did not affect cerebral blood flow, but significantly impaired cerebrovascular reactivity. However, co-infusion of haptoglobin mitigated the toxic effects.
JOURNAL OF STROKE & CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Ian Galea, Soham Bandyopadhyay, Diederik Bulters, Rok Humar, Michael J. Hugelshofer, Dominik Schaer, SAH Delphi Grp
Summary: This special report focuses on the development of intrathecal haptoglobin supplementation for the treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Haptoglobin plays an important role in binding cell-free hemoglobin and preventing hemoglobin-induced brain injury. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, and the field is ready for early phase trials to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of intracranial haptoglobin.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Stefan Malesevic, Noriane A. Sievi, Dorthe Schmidt, Florence Vallelian, Ilijas Jelcic, Malcolm Kohler, Christian F. Clarenbach
Summary: This study followed up with post-COVID-19 patients who initially had mild or moderate acute COVID-19 without hospitalization. After 6 months, there were significant improvements in physical aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for these patients, but no significant change in mental health. Further research is needed to identify potential predictors for individualized care and early interventions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Stefan Malesevic, Noriane A. Sievi, Jonas Herth, Felix Schmidt, Dorthe Schmidt, Florence Vallelian, Ilijas Jelcic, Lisa Jungblut, Thomas Frauenfelder, Malcolm Kohler, Katharina Martini, Christian F. Clarenbach
Summary: It was discovered that more than half of the patients with initially mild or moderate infection showed abnormal findings on chest CT at follow-up. However, it was found that respiratory symptoms of these patients were not related to any chest CT findings. Therefore, routine chest CT follow-up is not recommended for this patient group unless there are other indications.
Article
Hematology
Florence Vallelian, Paul W. Buehler, Dominik J. Schaer
Summary: During hemolysis, damaged red blood cells are disposed by erythrophagocytes to prevent the release of hemoglobin, detoxify heme, and recycle iron. Haptoglobin and hemopexin scavenge and shuttle red blood cell toxins for cellular clearance. Imbalance in hemolysis can lead to disease progression. Scavenger protein-based therapeutics are being developed to address this treatment gap.