Storage time affects the level and diagnostic efficacy of plasma biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases

Several promising plasma biomarker proteins,such as amyloid-β(Aβ),tau,neurofilament light chain,and glial fibrillary acidic protein,are widely used for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.However,little is known about the long-term stability of these biomarker proteins in plasma samples stored at-80°C.We aimed to explore how storage time would affect the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers using a large cohort.Plasma samples from 229 cognitively unimpaired individuals,encompassing healthy controls and those experiencing subjective cognitive decline,as well as 99 patients with cognitive impairment,comprising those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia,were acquired from the Sino Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Decline project.These samples were stored at-80°C for up to 6 years before being used in this study.Our results showed that plasma levels of Aβ42,Aβ40,neurofilament light chain,and glial fibrillary acidic protein were not significantly correlated with sample storage time.However,the level of total tau showed a negative correlation with sample storage time.Notably,in individuals without cognitive impairment,plasma levels of total protein and tau phosphorylated protein threonine 181(p-tau181)also showed a negative correlation with sample storage time.This was not observed in individuals with cognitive impairment.Consequently,we speculate that the diagnostic accuracy of plasma p-tau181 and the p-tau181 to total tau ratio may be influenced by sample storage time.Therefore,caution is advised when using these plasma biomarkers for the identification of neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer's disease.Furthermore,in cohort studies,it is important to consider the impact of storage time on the overall results.

A comparison of the effect of alendronate and You-Gui-Wan on osteoporosis in female rats with kidney-yang deficiency

Background:In traditional Chinese medicine,You-Gui-Wan(YGW)is typically used to treat osteoporosis associated with kidney-yang deficiency.However,there have been few mechanistic studies on the effectiveness of kidney-yang deficiency-type osteoporosis with YGW.To further clarify the role of YGW in the effect of osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency,the study analyzed the therapeutic advantages of YGW by comparing the therapeutic effects of YGW and alendronate(ALN)on osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency.Methods:SPF female SD rats were randomly divided into control,osteoporosis,osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency,osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency+YGW and osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency+ALN groups.Except for the control group,osteoporosis was induced by the removal of bilateral ovaries.After 12 weeks,rats with osteoporosis in the kidney-yang deficiency group had kidney-yang deficiency syndrome triggered by hydrocortisone for 14 days.Rats were treated with YGW or ALN for 12 weeks.The weights of rats were recorded.Hematoxylin-eosin staining staining was used to observe pathological changes in bone trabeculae,liver,spleen,and kidneys of rats.Depletion of the growth plate cartilage of rats in different groups was observed by safranine-O staining.The expression of osteoclast key indices(ACP)and osteoblast key indices(ALP)in the bone tissue of rats in the different groups was observed by immunohistochemical staining.The expression of bone resorption-related indicators(TRAP and NXT-1),bone formation-related indicators(BALP,BGP,and P1NP),and major indicators of kidney-yang deficiency(ACTH,T3,T4,cAMP,and cGMP)were observed using an ELISA detection kit.The expression levels of the main indices of liver function(ALT and AST)were detected in different groups.Results:The differences between the osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency group and osteoporosis group were that the weight of rats and the expression of ACTH,T3,T4,and cAMP decreased significantly,and the expression of cGMP increased in the osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency group.Moreover,both YGW and ALN effectively improved the symptoms of osteoporosis,including the injury of bone trabeculae and growth plates,as well as the expression of bone metabolism-related indicators.However,unlike ALN,YGW simultaneously ameliorated the expression of key indicators of kidney-yang deficiency and prevented weight loss in rats.In addition,YGW caused no obvious damage to the liver,spleen,or kidney,whereas ALN led to liver cirrhosis.Conclusion:The results reveal that YGW plays a crucial part in osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency,increases bone mineral density,and improves bone metabolism indicators,and is safe and efficient for the efficacy of osteoporosis with kidney-yang deficiency.YGW might have a better therapeutic effect on osteoporosis in patients with kidney-yang deficiency.Therefore,alendronate should be used cautiously in patients with osteoporosis and poor liver function.

Profiles of immune status and related pathways in sepsis: evidencebased on GEO and bioinformatics

Sepsis,characterized as life-threatening sequential organ failure,is caused by a dysregulated host immune response to a pathogen.Conventional practice for sepsis is to control the inflammation source and administer highgrade antibiotics.However,the mortality rate of sepsis varies from 25–30%and can reach 50%if a septic shock occurs.In our current study,we used bioinformatics technology to detect immune status profiles in sepsis at the genomic level.We downloaded and analyzed gene expression profiles of GSE28750 from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database to determine differential gene expression and immune status between sepsis and normal samples.Next,we used the CIBERSORT method to quantify the proportions of immune cells in the sepsis samples.Then we explored the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)related to sepsis.Furthermore,gene ontology(GO)function and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were used to present potential signaling pathways in sepsis.We found that in the sepsis samples,the CD8+T cell fraction was consistently lower,based on the CIBERSORT method,whereas the neutrophil fraction was significantly higher in the sepsis samples.The GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified 1573 DEGs that were significantly associated with neutrophil activation,neutrophil degranulation,neutrophil activation involved in the immune response,neutrophil-mediated immunity,and T cell activation in the biological processes group.In our study,we provided a first glance of associations between immune status and sepsis.Furthermore,our data regarding the reciprocal interaction between immune cells(neutrophils and CD8+T cells)could improve our understanding of immune status profiles in sepsis.However,additional investigations should be performed to verify their clinical value.

KIAA1199 induces advanced biological behavior and development of ovarian cancer through activation of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway

Recently,abnormal expression of KIAA1199 has been detected in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer(EOC).However,the underlined anti-ovarian cancer mechanism of KIAA1199 remains to be enlightened.In our study,we performed to elucidate the effects of KIAA1199 on the advanced biological behavior of EOC cells through activation of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway.Confirmed by immunohistochemistry,KIAA1199 was highly expressed in ovarian borderline and malignant epithelial tumors.A retrospective analysis found that EOC patients with low expression of KIAA1199 had a significantly higher 5-year survival rate than those with high expression.Mechanistically,IL-6 was used to stimulate EOC cells,and the expression of KIAA1199,STAT3 and p-STAT3 increased after IL-6 stimulation.These results could show that KIAA1199 is transcriptionally activated by IL6/STAT3 pathway,thereby accelerating the deterioration of EOC.KIAA1199 could also be used as a poor prognosis factor and potential target in treatment.

Plasma circulating cell–free DNA integrity and relative telomere length as diagnostic biomarkers for Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy:a cross-sectional study

In clinical specialties focusing on neurological disorders,there is a need for comprehensive and integrated non-invasive,sensitive,and specific testing methods.Both Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy are classified asα-synucleinopathies,characterized by abnormal accumulation ofα-synuclein protein,which provides a shared pathological background for their comparative study.In addition,both Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy involve neuronal death,a process that may release circulating cell–free DNA(cfDNA)into the bloodstream,leading to specific alterations.This premise formed the basis for investigating cell–free DNA as a potential biomarker.Cellfree DNA has garnered attention for its potential pathological significance,yet its characteristics in the context of Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy are not fully understood.This study investigated the total concentration,nonapoptotic level,integrity,and cellfree DNA relative telomere length of cell-free DNA in the peripheral blood of 171 participants,comprising 76 normal controls,62 patients with Parkinson's disease,and 33 patients with multiple system atrophy.In our cohort,75.8%of patients with Parkinson's disease(stage 1–2 of Hoehn&Yahr)and 60.6%of patients with multiple system atrophy(disease duration less than 3 years)were in the early stages.The diagnostic potential of the cell-free DNA parameters was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis,and their association with disease prevalence was examined through logistic regression models,adjusting for confounders such as age,sex,body mass index,and education level.The results showed that cell-free DNA integrity was significantly elevated in both Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy patients compared with normal controls(P<0.001 for both groups),whereas cell-free DNA relative telomere length was markedly shorter(P=0.003 for Parkinson's disease and P=0.010 for multiple system atrophy).Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that both cell-free DNA integrity and cell-free DNA relative telomere length possessed good diagnostic accuracy for differentiating Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy from normal controls.Specifically,higher cell-free DNA integrity was associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease(odds ratio[OR]:5.72;95%confidence interval[CI]:1.54–24.19)and multiple system atrophy(OR:10.10;95%CI:1.55–122.98).Conversely,longer cell-free DNA relative telomere length was linked to reduced risk of Parkinson's disease(OR:0.16;95%CI:0.04–0.54)and multiple system atrophy(OR:0.10;95%CI:0.01–0.57).These findings suggest that cell-free DNA integrity and cellfree DNA relative telomere length may serve as promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy,potentially reflecting specific underlying pathophysiological processes of these neurodegenerative disorders.

Exploration of pathogenic microorganism within the small intestine of necrotizing enterocolitis

Background Necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)is the most common severe gastrointestinal emergency in neonates.We designed this study to identify the pathogenic microorganisms of NEC in the microbiota of the small intestine of neonates.Methods Using the 16S ribosomal DNA(rDNA)sequencing method,we compared and analyzed the structure and diversity of microbiotas in the intestinal feces of different groups of neonates:patients undergoing jejunostomy to treat NEC(NP group),neonates undergoing jejunostomy to treat other conditions(NN group),and neonates with NEC undergoing conservative treatment(NC group).We took intestinal feces and saliva samples from patients at different time points.Results The beta diversities of the NP,NN,and NC groups were all similar.When comparing the beta diversities between different time points in the NP group,we found similar beta diversities at time points El to E3 but significant differences between the E2-E3 and E4 time points:the abundances of Klebsiella and Enterococcus(Proteobacteria)were higher at the E1-E3 time points;the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella(Proteobacteria)increased at the E2 time point,and the abundance of Klebsiella decreased significantly,whereas that of Streptococcus increased significantly at the E4 time point.Conclusions Our results suggest that the pathological changes of intestinal necrosis in the small intestine of infants with NEC are not directly caused by excessive proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the small intestine.The sources of microbiota in the small intestine of neonates,especially in premature infants,may be affected by multiple factors.

GOLM1 suppresses autophagy-mediated anti-tumor immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma

Dear Editor,Immune-mediated tumor elimination depends on the production of cytokines and the recruitment of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.Cell death-related signals such as ATP release from tumor cells are crucial for the activation of downstream immune responses.^(1)GOLM1,also known as GOLPH2 and GP73 as a Golgi transmembrane protein involved in the transport of protein cargo through the Golgi apparatus has been extensively studied in various cancers for its multifunctional roles in promoting cancer proliferation and metastasis through the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Circular RNAs: Biomarkers of cancer

Circular RNAs(circRNAs)are a class of single‐stranded closed RNAs that are produced by the back splicing of precursor mRNAs.The formation of circRNAs mainly involves intron‐pairing‐driven circularization,RNA‐binding protein(RBP)‐driven circularization,and lariat‐driven circularization.The vast majority of circRNAs are found in the cytoplasm,and some intron‐containing circRNAs are localized in the nucleus.CircRNAs have been found to function as microRNA(miRNA)sponges,interact with RBPs and translate proteins,and play an important regulatory role in the development and progression of cancer.CircRNAs exhibit tissue‐and developmental stage–specific expression and are stable,with longer half‐lives than linear RNAs.CircRNAs have great potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis,which is highlighted by their detectability in tissues,especially in fluid biopsy samples such as plasma,saliva,and urine.Here,we review the current studies on the properties and functions of circRNAs and their clinical application value.