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Adv Clin Chem 2022 ;107:xiii-xiv

Adv Clin Chem 2022 5;107:79-138. Epub 2021 Oct 5.

Metabolon, Inc., Morrisville, NC, United States. Electronic address:

Metabolism is a highly regulated process that provides nutrients to cells and essential building blocks for the synthesis of protein, DNA and other macromolecules. In healthy biological systems, metabolism maintains a steady state in which the concentrations of metabolites are relatively constant yet are subject to metabolic demands and environmental stimuli. Rare genetic disorders, such as inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), cause defects in regulatory enzymes or proteins leading to metabolic pathway disruption and metabolite accumulation or deficiency. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 23;107:41-77. Epub 2021 Aug 23.

Department of Nephrology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is growing evidence that host genetics play an important role in COVID-19 severity. Based on current knowledge about the human protein machinery for SARS-CoV-2 entry, the host innate immune response, and virus-host interactions, the potential effects of human genetic polymorphisms, which may contribute to clinical differences in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, may help to determine the individual risk for COVID-19 infection and outcome. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 10;107:265-297. Epub 2021 Sep 10.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) carries a poor prognosis with a 5-year overall survival rate of 40-50%. For localized disease, radical treatment options are cystectomy or radiotherapy with or without a radiosensitiser. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy is often delivered in addition to either. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 23;107:215-263. Epub 2021 Aug 23.

Department of Human and Medical Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science; Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Sports genomics is the scientific discipline that focuses on the organization and function of the genome in elite athletes, and aims to develop molecular methods for talent identification, personalized exercise training, nutritional need and prevention of exercise-related diseases. It postulates that both genetic and environmental factors play a key role in athletic performance and related phenotypes. This update on the panel of genetic markers (DNA polymorphisms) associated with athlete status and soft-tissue injuries covers advances in research reported in recent years, including one whole genome sequencing (WGS) and four genome-wide association (GWAS) studies, as well as findings from collaborative projects and meta-analyses. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 27;107:139-213. Epub 2021 Sep 27.

Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia. Electronic address:

Amino acids are crucial building blocks of living organisms. Together with their derivatives, they participate in many intracellular processes to act as hormones, neuromodulators, and neurotransmitters. For several decades amino acids have been studied for their potential as markers of various diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 27;107:1-40. Epub 2021 Aug 27.

Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain. Electronic address:

Quantum dots (QDs) are crystalline inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles a few nanometers in size that possess unique optical electronic properties vs those of larger materials. For example, QDs usually exhibit a strong and long-lived photoluminescence emission, a feature dependent on size, shape and composition. These special optoelectronic properties make them a promising alternative to conventional luminescent dyes as optical labels in biomedical applications including biomarker quantification, biomolecule targeting and molecular imaging. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022;106:ix-x

Adv Clin Chem 2022 6;106:91-179. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

Clinical and Translational Science Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as noncoding RNA transcripts with a length greater than 200 nucleotides. Research over the last decade has made great strides in our understanding of lncRNAs, especially in the biology of their role in cancer. In this article, we will briefly discuss the biogenesis and characteristics of lncRNAs, then review their molecular and cellular functions in cancer by using prostate and breast cancer as examples. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 30;106:67-89. Epub 2021 Oct 30.

Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States. Electronic address:

The science of metabolomics has emerged as a novel tool for studying changes in metabolism that accompany different disease states. Several studies have applied this evolving field to the study of various cardiovascular disease states, which has led to improved understanding of metabolic changes that underlie heart failure and ischemic heart disease. A significant amount of progress has also been made in the identification of novel biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 27;106:33-65. Epub 2021 Oct 27.

Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Monza, Italy; School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a quarter of the adult world population and the degree of liver fibrosis represents the best predictor of the development of liver-related outcomes. Easily applicable and well performing non-invasive fibrosis tests can overcome the limitations of liver biopsy and are of paramount importance to identify at-risk subjects in clinical practice. While tests with optimal performance and ease of use do not exist at this stage, available markers can be divided in three broad groups: simple serum tests, complex serum tests and elastographic methods. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 17;106:235-280. Epub 2021 Nov 17.

Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

Metadherin (AEG-1/MTDH/LYRIC) is a 582-amino acid transmembrane protein, encoded by a gene located at chromosome 8q22, and distributed throughout the cytoplasm, peri-nuclear region, nucleus, and nucleolus as well as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It contains several structural and interacting domains through which it interacts with transcription factors such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), staphylococcal nuclease domain containing 1 (SND1) and lung homing domain (LHD). It is regulated by miRNAs and mediates its oncogenic function via activation of cell proliferation, survival, migration and metastasis, as well as, angiogenesis and chemoresistance via phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT (PI3K/AKT), NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Wnt signaling pathways. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 17;106:181-234. Epub 2021 Nov 17.

Clinica Nefrologica, Dialisi, Trapianto, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.

Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily. It is expressed by animal and human skeletal muscle cells where it limits muscle growth and promotes protein breakdown. Its effects are influenced by complex mechanisms including transcriptional and epigenetic regulation and modulation by extracellular binding proteins. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2022 27;106:1-32. Epub 2021 Nov 27.

Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address:

A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) are major mediators in extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and have gained increasing interest over the last years as major players in ECM remodeling during tissue homeostasis and the development of diseases. Although, ADAMTSs are recognized in playing important roles during tissue remodeling, and loss of function in various member of the ADAMTS family could be associated with the development of numerous diseases, limited knowledge is available about their specific substrates and mechanism of action. In this chapter, we will review current knowledge about ADAMTSs and their use as disease biomarkers. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 ;105:ix-x

Adv Clin Chem 2021 10;105:49-100. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Department of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Chongqing Institute of Cardiology and Chongqing Key Laboratory for Hypertension Research, Chongqing, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Heart Center of Fujian Province, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China. Electronic address:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have received considerable attention in biological and clinical research due to their ability to mediate cell-to-cell communication. Based on their size and secretory origin, EVs are categorized as exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Increasing number of studies highlight the contribution of EVs in the regulation of a wide range of normal cellular physiological processes, including waste scavenging, cellular stress reduction, intercellular communication, immune regulation, and cellular homeostasis modulation. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 18;105:243-319. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address:

Firefighters are the professional force at high risk of suffering potential health consequences due to their chronic exposure to numerous hazardous pollutants during firefighting activities. Unfortunately, determination of fire emission exposure is very challenging. As such, the identification and development of appropriate biomarkers is critical in meeting this need. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 19;105:213-242. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Unidad de Investigación Biomédica 02, UMAE, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Programa Internacional Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; Servicio de Inmunología y Reumatología, División de Medicina Interna, Hospital General de Occidente, Secretaria de Salud Jalisco, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Electronic address:

Neoplasms result from changes in the mechanisms of growth, differentiation, and cellular death. Cancers are of high clinical relevance due to their prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality. The clinical and biological diversity of cancer depends mainly on cellular origin and degree of differentiation. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 9;105:141-212. Epub 2021 Mar 9.

Department of Nephrology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc and calcium endopeptidases which cleave extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. They are also involved in the degradation of cell surface components and regulate multiple cellular processes, cell to cell interactions, cell proliferation, and cell signaling pathways. MMPs function in close interaction with the endogenous tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), both of which regulate cell turnover, modulate various growth factors, and participate in the progression of tissue fibrosis and apoptosis. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 15;105:101-140. Epub 2021 Sep 15.

Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Bone fragility fractures remain an important worldwide health and economic problem due to increased morbidity and mortality. The current methods for predicting fractures are largely based on the measurement of bone mineral density and the utilization of mathematical risk calculators based on clinical risk factors for bone fragility. Despite these approaches, many bone fractures remain undiagnosed. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 18;105:1-47. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address:

Glycosylation, one of the most common post-translational modifications in mammalian cells, impacts many biological processes such as cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. As the most abundant glycoprotein in human serum, immunoglobulin G (IgG) plays a vital role in immune response and protection. There is a growing body of evidence suggests that IgG structure and function are modulated by attached glycans, especially N-glycans, and aberrant glycosylation is associated with disease states. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021;104:ix

Adv Clin Chem 2021 23;104:71-106. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

Education and Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address:

High salt intake is associated with hypertension, which is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). International Guidelines recommend a large reduction in the consumption of sodium to reduce blood pressure, organ damage, and mortality. In its early stages, the symptoms of CKD are generally not apparent. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 31;104:299-340. Epub 2020 Oct 31.

Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" I.R.C.C.S., Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Cryoglobulins consist of serum immunoglobulins that precipitate below 37°C and resolubilize upon warming. The clinical triad of cryoglobulinemia usually includes purpura, weakness, and arthralgia. Cryoglobulinemic syndrome, clinically defined as a systemic vasculitis, is associated with chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and autoimmune disorders and can evolve into B-cell malignancies. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 21;104:233-297. Epub 2020 Oct 21.

Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States. Electronic address:

Epigenetics examines heritable changes in DNA and its associated proteins except mutations in gene sequence. Epigenetic regulation plays fundamental roles in kidney cell biology through the action of DNA methylation, chromatin modification via epigenetic regulators and non-coding RNA species. Kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease and renal fibrosis are multistep processes associated with numerous molecular alterations even in individual kidney cells. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 2;104:151-231. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Delhi, India. Electronic address:

Neuroepigenetics, a new branch of epigenetics, plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Neuroepigenetics is associated with holistic neuronal function and helps in formation and maintenance of memory and learning processes. This includes neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative defects in which histone modification enzymes appear to play a crucial role. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 21;104:107-149. Epub 2020 Oct 21.

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder in which environmental (lifestyle, dietary, infectious disease) factors as well as genetic make-up play a role. Metabolomics, an evolving research field combining biomarker discovery and pathogenetics, is particularly useful in studying complex pathophysiology in general and Parkinson's disease (PD) specifically. PD, the second most frequent neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the presence of intraneural inclusions of α-synuclein aggregates. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021 5;104:1-70. Epub 2020 Nov 5.

School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a specific format of diagnostic testing that is conducted without accompanying infrastructure or sophisticated instrumentation. Traditionally, such rapid sample-to-answer assays provide inferior analytical performances to their laboratory counterparts when measuring cardiac biomarkers. Hence, their potentially broad applicability is somewhat bound by their inability to detect clinically relevant concentrations of cardiac troponin (cTn) in the early stages of myocardial injury. Read More

Adv Clin Chem 2021;103:ix-x

Adv Clin Chem 2021 20;103:97-134. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

Neurochemistry Laboratory, 1st Department of Neurology and Movement Disorders, Medical School, Aeginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Neuroscience Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address:

Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by gradual progressive neuronal loss in the central nervous system. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of many of these diseases remains unknown. Synucleins are a family of small, highly charged proteins expressed predominantly in neurons. Read More