Article
Parasitology
R. P. Snyder, M. T. Guerin, B. M. Hargis, R. Imai, P. S. Kruth, G. Page, E. Rejman, J. R. Barta
Summary: This study successfully established a quantitative detection method for Eimeria species infection using modern technologies, which can reliably identify and quantify species in samples, providing valuable infection details for commercial chicken production systems.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Regina Stitz, Anna Buder, Rene Silye, Bernhard Baumgartner, Franz Puhringer, Martin Filipits, Eva Oberndorfer, Ellen Heitzer
Summary: Detection of EGFR mutations from blood plasma is a non-invasive alternative for therapy monitoring of non-small-cell lung cancer patients. The Reveal ctDNATM 28 NGS assay shows comparable sensitivity and specificity to ddPCR, but slightly lower sensitivity. A combination of NGS and ddPCR may be the ideal approach for therapy monitoring.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michela Ferraldeschi, Silvia Romano, Simona Giglio, Carmela Romano, Emanuele Morena, Rosella Mechelli, Viviana Annibali, Martina Ubaldi, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Renato Umeton, Gabriele Sani, Andrea Vecchione, Marco Salvetti, Giovanni Ristori
Summary: The study identified specific plasma miRNA markers in HD patients, suggesting their potential role in characterizing the disease and determining therapeutic targets. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses revealed an interaction between these miRNAs and the HTT protein, indicating their biological plausibility in HD pathophysiology.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Manouk K. Bos, Kazem Nasserinejad, Maurice P. H. M. Jansen, Lindsay Angus, Peggy N. Atmodimedjo, Evert de Jonge, Winand N. M. Dinjens, Ron H. N. van Schaik, Marzia Del Re, Hendrikus J. Dubbink, Stefan Sleijfer, John W. M. Martens
Summary: Recent studies have shown that quantification of tumor-specific variants (TSVs) in cancer patients is more consistent when using digital droplet PCR compared to next-generation sequencing (NGS). In cases of discordance between variant allele frequency (VAF) and number of mutant molecules per mL plasma, insufficient molecular coverage in NGS and high cell-free DNA concentration are the main contributing factors. Further optimization steps are proposed to fully realize the potential of monitoring TSVs in cell-free DNA.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Bangchuan Hu, Yue Tao, Ziqiang Shao, Yang Zheng, Run Zhang, Xuejing Yang, Jingquan Liu, Xi Li, Renhua Sun
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic utility of ddPCR and mNGS for critically ill patients with suspected BSIs. It found that ddPCR was faster and more sensitive for common isolated pathogens and AMR genes, while mNGS detected a broader range of pathogens, including viruses. Based on their respective strengths and limitations, ddPCR is more suitable for rapid detection of common isolated pathogens and AMR genes, while mNGS is more appropriate for diagnosing BSIs when causative pathogens cannot be identified by traditional methods.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Toshiaki Ando, Atsushi Kasamatsu, Kohei Kawasaki, Kazuya Hiroshima, Reo Fukushima, Manabu Iyoda, Dai Nakashima, Yosuke Endo-Sakamoto, Katsuhiro Uzawa
Summary: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed loop structures that have longer circulatory half-lives compared to linear RNAs, and can regulate miRNA and target gene expression as competing endogenous RNAs. The down-regulation of circRNA-102450 is identified as a novel tumor suppressor in oral squamous cell carcinoma, potentially serving as a marker for regional lymph node metastasis.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Joanne Soo, Michael C. Jin, Beth M. Beadle, F. Christopher Holsinger, Andrey Finegersh
Summary: This study reveals that measuring the genetic components of human papillomavirus-related throat cancer after surgery can help predict the effectiveness of treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anastasia P. Koval, Alexandra S. Khromova, Konstantin A. Blagodatskikh, Yulia V. Zhitnyuk, Yanina A. Shtykova, Aleksandr A. Alferov, Nikolay E. Kushlinskii, Dmitry S. Shcherbo
Summary: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is crucial for liquid biopsy assays, and cfDNA fragmentation features are important for non-invasive cancer detection. However, the final cfDNA fragmentation profile is influenced by both biological and technical factors. Using ddPCR, this study found shorter and more variable cfDNA fragments in accessible chromatin loci compared to pericentromeric region in colorectal cancer patients. A convenient qPCR system was also developed for screening cfDNA samples for high molecular weight DNA contamination.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Pauline Gilson, Jean-Louis Merlin, Alexandre Harle
Summary: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a molecular marker for defects in the mismatch repair system (dMMR) and is linked to higher cancer risk. MSI tumors show mutations throughout the genome, with a focus on microsatellite (MS) DNA repeat sequences. Assessment of MSI/dMMR status is commonly done with immunohistochemistry or PCR, but newer methods based on tumor tissue or plasma samples are emerging trends.
Article
Oncology
Leonor Benhaim, Olivier Bouche, Corinne Normand, Audrey Didelot, Claire Mulot, Delphine Le Corre, Sonia Garrigou, Juliette Djadi-Prat, Shu-Fang Wang-Renault, Karla Perez-Toralla, Deniz Pekin, Geoffroy Poulet, Bruno Landi, Julien Taieb, Marie Selvy, Jean-Francois Emile, Thierry Lecomte, Helene Blons, Gilles Chatellier, Darren R. Link, Valerie Taly, Pierre Laurent-Puig
Summary: This study confirms the relevance of ctDNA as a recurrence risk factor in stage II and III CRC patients, both before and after surgery. Patients with detectable ctDNA had shorter time to recurrence, and ctDNA could predict recurrence several months before imaging techniques.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Oscar Rapado-Gonzalez, Jenifer Brea-Iglesias, Aitor Rodriguez-Casanova, Aida Bao-Caamano, Jose-Luis Lopez-Cedrun, Gabriel Triana-Martinez, Roberto Diaz-Pena, Maria Arminda Santos, Rafael Lopez-Lopez, Laura Muinelo-Romay, Monica Martinez-Fernandez, Angel Diaz-Lagares, Maria Mercedes Suarez-Cunqueiro
Summary: This study examines the use of the TST170 panel for detecting somatic mutations in tumor and cfDNA of HNSCC patients. The results demonstrate the potential of a single assay for consistent detection of mutations in both tissue and plasma.
Article
Oncology
Masato Kojima, Takanori Harada, Takahiro Fukazawa, Sho Kurihara, Ryo Touge, Isamu Saeki, Shinya Takahashi, Eiso Hiyama
Summary: In this study, single-cell next-generation sequencing of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from neuroblastoma (NB) patients was performed. The findings showed that the isolation rate of CTCs was associated with disease progression, and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed upregulated genes related to angiogenesis and cell cycle in CTCs. These results indicate the utility of single-cell CTC sequencing in characterizing NB tumor biology and metastasis mechanisms.
Article
Oncology
Asmae Gassa, Jana Fassunke, Sarah Schueten, Luca Kuhlmann, Marie Scherer, Jie Qien, Yue Zhao, Max Michel, Heike Loeser, Juergen Wolf, Reinhard Buettner, Fabian Doerr, Matthias Heldwein, Lars Hagmeyer, Konrad Frank, Sabine Merkelbach-Bruse, Alexander Quaas, Christiane Bruns, Khosro Hekmat, Jonathan Weiss, Thorsten Wahlers, Hakan Alakus
Summary: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with high postsurgical recurrence rates. Current European Guidelines recommend regular CT scans within the first 2 years after surgery. However, recurrence rates remain high despite these efforts, highlighting the need to develop predictive markers for metastases and postsurgical recurrence using minimally invasive methods.
Article
Microbiology
Changwoo Park, Seung Bum Kim, Sang Ho Choi, Seil Kim
Summary: Microbial community analysis based on the 16S rRNA-gene is important for studying microorganisms, and next-generation sequencing technology has improved the accuracy and speed of analysis. However, biases can still occur in the results due to factors like sample handling and sequencing platforms. Different primer pairs and sequencing platforms can lead to varying levels of bias in microbial community analysis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Chul Seung Lee, Hoon Seok Kim, Jeoffrey Schageman, In Kyu Lee, Myungshin Kim, Yonggoo Kim
Summary: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a minimally invasive biomarker that can be analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to evaluate its clinical and analytical performance in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Postoperative ctDNA detection can serve as a valuable marker for identifying the risk of recurrence or persistent tumor lesions in patients with CRC.
Article
Cell Biology
Matteo Zurlo, Francesco Nicoli, Davide Proietto, Beatrice Dallan, Cristina Zuccato, Lucia Carmela Cosenza, Jessica Gasparello, Chiara Papi, Elisabetta d'Aversa, Monica Borgatti, Chiara Scapoli, Alessia Finotti, Roberto Gambari
Summary: Inhibitors of mTOR, such as Sirolimus, can enhance vaccine responses in the elderly. Testing Sirolimus and other geroprotective drugs might be a key strategy to improve the overall health resilience of aged populations. This study analyzed the activity of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in beta-Thalassemia patients treated with Sirolimus and found that it positively impacted the biological activity and number of memory T cells.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Nicoletta Favale, Roberto Farina, Alberto Carrieri, Anna Simonelli, Mattia Severi, Silvia Sabbioni, Leonardo Trombelli, Chiara Scapoli
Summary: There is a growing body of evidence supporting the connection between the oral microbiome and human systemic diseases, which may be due to the ability of oral microbes to influence the inflammatory microenvironment. This study focused on the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes, using high-resolution whole metagenomic shotgun analysis to explore the composition and functional profile of the subgingival microbiome in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with different periodontal conditions. The results identified dysregulated metabolic pathways related to amino acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, adipocytokine signaling pathways, ferroptosis and iron homeostasis, nucleotide metabolism, peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharides synthesis in periodontitis and/or diabetic patients.
MOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Matteo Zurlo, Jessica Gasparello, Lucia Carmela Cosenza, Giulia Breveglieri, Chiara Papi, Cristina Zuccato, Roberto Gambari, Alessia Finotti
Summary: The objective of this study was to develop an experimental model system for studying the reduction of toxic alpha-globin aggregates in beta-thalassemia. K562 cellular clones were produced that stably produced high levels of alpha-globin protein and showed increased apoptosis and autophagy. This model system can be used to screen pharmacological agents that activate autophagy and reduce alpha-globin accumulation, as well as for new therapeutic approaches targeting the reduction of alpha-globin gene expression.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chiara Tupini, Matteo Zurlo, Jessica Gasparello, Irene Lodi, Alessia Finotti, Thomas Scattolin, Fabiano Visentin, Roberto Gambari, Ilaria Lampronti
Summary: This study demonstrates that the combination therapy using PNA targeting miR-221 and a new palladium allyl complex is effective in inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. Therefore, this combination treatment could be a promising approach for cancer control.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Papi, Jessica Gasparello, Matteo Zurlo, Lucia Carmela Cosenza, Roberto Gambari, Alessia Finotti
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effects of molecules mimicking the activity of pre-miR-145-5p, pre-miR-335-5p, and pre-miR-101-3p on Calu-3 cells and discuss their potential applications in pre-clinical studies. The results show that treatment with agomiR-145-5p effectively inhibits CFTR gene expression and protein production. Therefore, agomiR pre-miR-145-5p should be considered as a therapeutic option for inhibiting CFTR gene expression in various pathological conditions.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Patrizio Giacomini, Fabio Valenti, Matteo Allegretti, Matteo Pallocca, Francesca De Nicola, Ludovica Ciuffreda, Maurizio Fanciulli, Stefano Scalera, Simonetta Buglioni, Elisa Melucci, Beatrice Casini, Mariantonia Carosi, Edoardo Pescarmona, Elena Giordani, Francesca Sperati, Nicoletta Jannitti, Martina Betti, Marcello Maugeri-Sacca, Fabiana Letizia Cecere, Veronica Villani, Andrea Pace, Marialuisa Appetecchia, Patrizia Vici, Antonella Savarese, Eriseld Krasniqi, Virginia Ferraresi, Michelangelo Russillo, Alessandra Fabi, Lorenza Landi, Gabriele Minuti, Federico Cappuzzo, Massimo Zeuli, Gennaro Ciliberto
Summary: This study provides insights into the practices of Molecular Tumor Boards (MTB) in the real-world setting, discussing topics such as actionable alteration mapping and outcome metrics. The results show that a significant percentage of patients have actionable alterations, but many of them do not have access to the corresponding treatments. Additionally, combining tDNA and ctDNA testing can improve the detection rate of actionable alterations. It is suggested that better guidance and more efficient drug access channels are needed to improve treatment outcomes for patients with actionable but unexploited alterations.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jessica Gasparello, Chiara Papi, Matteo Zurlo, Stefano Volpi, Roberto Gambari, Roberto Corradini, Alessandro Casnati, Francesco Sansone, Alessia Finotti
Summary: One of the most promising approaches for gene regulation is the microRNA therapeutic method, which focuses on controlling the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs) that are dysregulated in diseases such as cancer. This can be achieved by inhibiting overexpressed miRNAs or restoring downregulated miRNAs using miRNA-mimics. The development of efficient and targeted vectors for delivering these molecules is a crucial topic in pharmacological modulation of miRNAs.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Alberto Sinibaldi, Matteo Allegretti, Norbert Danz, Elena Giordani, Peter Munzert, Agostino Occhicone, Patrizio Giacomini, Francesco Michelotti
Summary: ERBB2 is a major cancer driver and a recognized therapeutic target in many cancers, especially breast cancer. Researchers have developed a new approach using a direct competitive ERBB2 assay and 1-D photonic crystal-based biochips. These biochips allow label-free/fluorescence mode operation for ERBB2 biosensing in lysates from breast cancer cells and provide highly specific ERBB2 detection. The assay's main advantage is its single-step detection procedure, reducing assay turnaround time to less than 20 min, making it highly efficient for rapid detection of ERBB2 in complex biological media.
IEEE SENSORS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jessica Gasparello, Chiara Papi, Matteo Zurlo, Laura Gambari, Alex Manicardi, Andrea Rozzi, Matteo Ferrarini, Roberto Corradini, Roberto Gambari, Alessia Finotti
Summary: Starting from a list of nine dysregulated miRNAs in early-stage CRC patients, the study verified the therapeutic effects of anti-miRNA PNAs targeting the most relevant up-regulated miRNAs. PNAs down-regulated these target miRNAs and induced apoptosis in CRC cellular models. Combining anti-miRNA PNAs with pro-apoptotic compounds like sulforaphane resulted in high levels of apoptosis induction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Zuccato, Lucia Carmela Cosenza, Matteo Zurlo, Giulia Breveglieri, Nicoletta Bianchi, Ilaria Lampronti, Jessica Gasparello, Chiara Scapoli, Monica Borgatti, Alessia Finotti, Roberto Gambari
Summary: The human homologue of mouse Ly-1 antibody reactive clone protein (LYAR) is a potential regulator of gamma-globin gene transcription. The LYAR rs368698783 (G > A) polymorphism is present in beta-thalassemia patients and reduces the LYAR binding efficiency to the A gamma-globin gene. This study aimed to stratify beta-thalassemia patients based on the rs368698783 (G > A) polymorphism and investigate their erythroid precursor cells' response to selected HbF inducers in vitro.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Maria Rita Gamberini, Cristina Zuccato, Matteo Zurlo, Lucia Carmela Cosenza, Alessia Finotti, Roberto Gambari
Summary: In this study, a representative clinical case showed that sirolimus monotherapy in fi-thalassemia patients induced an increase in fetal hemoglobin but did not prevent the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety and potential positive effects of sirolimus on the humoral response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in fi-thalassemia patients. This study may also be of interest to a broader population receiving sirolimus treatment for various pathologies.
HEMATOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
