Biomarkers 2018 Jun 18:1-26. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

a National Institute of Occupational Health , Oslo , Norway.

Purpose: To investigate if blood biomarkers could indicate early signs of lung damage or cardiovascular risk due to exposure to grain dust.

Materials And Methods: Pneumoproteins and markers of inflammation and platelet activation were analyzed in blood samples of 102 grain elevator and compound feed mill workers. Differences between exposed (n = 67) and controls (n = 35), and associations with exposure measurements and respiratory health were investigated by multiple linear regression analyses. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jun 18:1-33. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

b Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical Sciences , Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran , Iran.

Context: The prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic value of microRNA (miRNA) expression aberrations in renal fibrosis has been studied in recent years. However, the miRNA expression profiling efforts have led to inconsistent results between the studies.

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis on the renal fibrosis miRNA expression profiling studies to identify candidate diagnostic biomarkers. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jun 6:1-23. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

b Department of Public Health Sciences , Queen's University , Kingston , Ontario , Canada.

Purpose: Examine the association between bulky DNA adduct levels in colon mucosa and colorectal adenoma prevalence, and explore the correlation between adduct levels in leukocytes and colon tissue.

Methods: Bulky DNA adduct levels were measured using P-postlabelling in biopsies of normal-appearing colon tissue and blood donated by 202 patients. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between DNA adducts, and interactions of DNA adduct-DNA repair polymorphisms, with the prevalence of colorectal adenomas. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jun 6:1-18. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

g Cardiovascular Division , Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , MO , USA.

Context: Improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following administration of recombinant human Neuregulin-1β (NRG), epidermal growth factor (EGF) involved in cardiomyocyte repair/survival, has been observed in patients with systolic heart failure (HF).

Methods: Serum NRG was measured by ELISA in 248 patients with NYHA class I-IV HF.

Results: NRG exhibited a marginally significant effect on LVEF trajectory over 11 months (p = 0. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jun 4:1-18. Epub 2018 Jun 4.

a Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism , Ankara University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.

Background: Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased metabolic activity and thermogenesis. Irisin is a key molecule in thermogenesis and energy expenditure via adipose tissue browning. Epicardial fat was previously defined as brown-like fat. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jun 19:1-15. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

a Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research , National Cancer Institute , Bethesda , MD , USA.

Context: Accidental exposure to life-threatening radiation in a nuclear event is a major concern; there is an enormous need for identifying biomarkers for radiation biodosimetry to triage populations and treat critically exposed individuals.

Objective: To identify dose-differentiating miRNA signatures from whole blood samples of whole body irradiated mice.

Methods: Mice were whole body irradiated with X-rays (2 Gy-15 Gy); blood was collected at various time-points post-exposure; total RNA was isolated; miRNA microarrays were performed; miRNAs differentially expressed in irradiated vs. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jun 20:1-6. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

d Department of Education and Obesity Treatment and Metabolic Disorders , Poznan University of Medical Sciences , Poznan , Poland.

Purpose: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has recently been identified as an adipokine possibly involved in the development of impaired glucose metabolism. We aimed to test serum RBP4 in healthy non-obese individuals and in patients with well-characterized phenotype: obesity without confounding effects of diabetes, metabolic syndrome or dyslipidaemia. Additionally, we examined whether serum RBP4 is associated with anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance and blood lipid parameters. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jun 19:1-3. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

a Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health and Medicine , University of Tasmania , Launceston , Launceston, TAS , Australia.

Biomarkers 2018 May 17:1-51. Epub 2018 May 17.

b RAI Services Company , 401 North Main Street , Winston-Salem NC 27101 , USA.

Purpose: Alternations in gene methylation and other epigenetic changes regulate normal development as well as drive disease progression. The aim of this study is to investigate global methylation changes in the buccal cells of smokers and smokeless tobacco users.

Materials And Methods: Generally healthy adult male subjects were recruited into Smoker (SMK), Moist Snuff Consumer (MSC) and Non-Tobacco Consumer (NTC) cohorts (40 subjects/cohort) (ClinicalTrials. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 23:1-6. Epub 2018 May 23.

d Fondazione Golgi-Cenci Abbiategrasso (MI) , Milano , Italy.

Background: Several studies performed in the last years on the brain, showed that beta2-microglobulin (β2m) and MHC can act independently of their canonical immune function to regulate normal brain development, synaptic plasticity and behaviour. Increased systemic levels of soluble β2m have been implicated in cognitive impairments like that associated with chronic haemodialysis, or aortic valve replacement. Increased soluble β2m has also been detected in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of patients with HIV-associated dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 8:1-19. Epub 2018 May 8.

d Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine , Cumhuriyet University , Sivas , Turkey.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arterial wall with predilection to some sites on others. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of the non-coding RNAs regulating the target gene expression at post-transcriptional level. Different miRNAs were found at distinct stages of plaque development and expression of miRNAs' might play an important role in the local behaviour of atherosclerotic plaques. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 23:1-13. Epub 2018 May 23.

a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy , The University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan.

Context: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a common hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that substantially affects maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aetiology of the disease remains poorly understood with lack of reliable diagnostic tests. PE is a multisystem disorder so it is very unlikely that a single or a small group of biomarkers will accurately predict the disease. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 23:1-7. Epub 2018 May 23.

a Department of Cardiomyopathy , Institute of Cardiology , Warsaw , Poland.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The availability of circulating biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy would be helpful in clinical practice.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of various biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy in HCM. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 7:1-31. Epub 2018 May 7.

a Division of Medicine , Akershus University Hospital , Lørenskog , Norway and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic and prognostic value of mid-regional pro-ANP (MR-proANP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods: MR-proANP and NT-proBNP were measured with commercial immunoassays at hospital admission (n = 313), on day 2 (n = 234), and before discharge (n = 91) and compared for diagnosing acute heart failure (HF; n = 143) and to predict mortality among patients with acute HF and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD; n = 84) separately.

Results: The correlation coefficient between MR-proANP and NT-proBNP was 0. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 18:1-6. Epub 2018 May 18.

a Metabolic Bone Disease and Genetic Research Unit, Department of Osteoporosis and Bone Diseases , Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital , Shanghai , China.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to explore the association between the vitamin D pathway gene variations and the bone biomarkers response to calcium and low dose calcitriol supplementation in postmenopausal Chinese women.

Methods: A total of 110 healthy postmenopausal Chinese women (61.51 ± 6. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 21:1-7. Epub 2018 May 21.

a Division of Dyslipidemia , State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , PR China.

Background And Aims: Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is causal risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) and LDL-associated variables including LDL-C, apolipoprotein B (apoB), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), lipoprotein a [Lp(a)], small dense LDL (sd-LDL), and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) have been widely used for predicting the risk of CAD. This study was aimed to compare the values of six LDL-related variables for predicting the severity of CAD using untreated patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG).

Methods: A group of 1977 individuals were consecutively enrolled and divided into CAD (n = 1151) and non-CAD groups (n = 826) according to the results of CAG. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 1:1-7. Epub 2018 May 1.

b The Global REsearch on Acute conditions Team (GREAT) network.

Objective: To investigate how many patients with acute heart failure (AHF) hypersecrete relaxin-2 concentrations similar to those of pregnant women and determine their long-term outcome.

Methods: In consecutive AHF patients relaxin-2 was quantified by ELISA sandwich method. Patients were divided into pregnancy-like group (PLG, relaxin-2 ≥ 500 pg/mL) and control group (CG, relaxin-2 < 500 pg/mL). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 15:1-7. Epub 2018 May 15.

a Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases, Osmania University , Hyderabad , India.

Objective: Previous studies have not used family-based methods to evaluate maternal-paternal genetic effects of the folate metabolizing enzyme, dihydro folate reductase (DHFR) essential during embryogenesis. Present study focuses on evaluating the association and influence of parental genetic effects of DHFR 19 bp deletion in the development of foetal neural tube defects (NTDs) using family-based triad approach.

Materials And Methods: The study population (n = 924) including 124 NTD case-parent trios (n = 124 × 3 = 372) and 184 healthy control-parent trios (n = 184 × 3 = 552) from Telangana, India, was genotyped for DHFR 19 bp deletion. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 26. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 26:1-19. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

a Department of Obstetrics , Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University , Jinan 250012 , Shandong , China.

Purpose Nestin is expressed in various tissues of the embryo in patients with placenta previa, while the regulatory mechanism still unknown. Materials and methods All participants terminated pregnancy. Among them, 75 patients with placenta previa were assigned to the case group and 80 healthy pregnant women with normal placenta were assigned to the control group. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 4:1-8. Epub 2018 May 4.

f Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.

Context: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after kidney transplantation (KT), especially in recipients from deceased donors. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL) is an early and sensitive marker of AKI after transplantation.

Objectives: We assessed the renoprotective effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on u-NGAL levels as an early prognostic marker of graft function immediately after transplantation. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 23:1-9. Epub 2018 Apr 23.

a Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism , State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China.

Context: Lung cancer still remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Bone is one of preferred metastatic sites for lung cancer cells. So far, both accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of lung cancer bone metastases are difficult. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 19:1-9. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

a Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte , Laboratoire de Biosurveillance de l'Environnement (LBE), Unité d'Ecotoxicologie et d'Ecologie Côtière (GREEC) , Zarzouna-Bizerte , Tunisia.

Context: Nanoparticles may cause adverse environmental effects but there is limited information on their interactions with marine organisms.

Objective: Our aim was to examine the effects of triangular gold nanoparticles (Tr-Au NPs) on the clam, Ruditapes decussatus.

Materials And Methods: Clams were exposed to Tr-Au1 = 5 µg/L and Tr-Au2 = 10 µg/L for 2 and 7 days. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May 4:1-6. Epub 2018 May 4.

b Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK.

Objective: To explore the association between the levels of troponin (Tn) and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence, AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and the risk trend of AF related prognosis (stroke, major bleeding and mortality).

Methods: Twenty-seven studies were included after a systematic search in PubMed from 2005 to 2017, including 13 associated with incident AF occurrence, 8 associated with AF recurrence after RFA and 6 studies evaluating the risk trend of AF-related prognosis with increased Tn levels.

Results: Compared with 'no incident AF occurrence' patients, the incident AF occurrence group had similar baseline troponin I (TnI) levels (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 0. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 23:1-10. Epub 2018 Apr 23.

b Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine , Bond University and Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service , Southport , Australia.

Purpose: Identification of biomarkers in major depressive disorder (MDD) has proceeded in an extemporised manner. No single biomarker has been identified with utility in screening, diagnosis, prognosis, or monitoring, and screening tests have different characteristics than the other functions. Using chaos, bifurcation, and perturbation (CBP) theories, the aim is to identify biomarkers to aid clinicians in screening for MDD. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 5:1-19. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

a Department of Cardiology , Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center; Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel.

Purpose: To demonstrate the possible association of statin therapy with C reactive protein (CRP) serial measurements in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Materials And Methods: STEMI patients between 2008 and 2016 with available CRP data from admission were divided into two groups according to pre-admission statin therapy. A second CRP measurement was noted following primary coronary intervention (within 24 hours from admission). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 10:1-7. Epub 2018 Apr 10.

a Department of Occupational and Environmental Health , Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine , Nagoya , Japan.

Purpose: Elevated hearing thresholds from high frequencies are known to be one of the hallmarks of age-related hearing loss. Our recent study showed accumulation of manganese (Mn) in inner ears resulting in acceleration of age-related hearing loss in mice orally exposed to Mn. However, there is no evidence showing an association between Mn in non-invasive biological samples and hearing loss in humans evaluated by pure tone audiometry (PTA). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 18:1-7. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

a Division of Emergency and Acute Medicine (Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte) , Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Berlin , Germany.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of age on the diagnostic performance of high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) under routine conditions.

Materials And Methods: Data of 4118 consecutive emergency department (ED) patients who underwent a routine TnT measurement between 11 October 2012 and 30 November 2013 were analysed. Diagnostic accuracy of hsTnT was compared in four age categories (<50, 50-64, 65-74, ≥75 years of age) for different cut-off values. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 12:1-11. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

a Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine , Technische Universität München , Munich , Germany.

Objective: Elevated levels of arginine derivatives in the NO pathway, such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), are related to disease severity and reduced exercise capacity in heart failure (HF). We investigated the influence of exercise intervention on these parameters and on L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-homoarginine (L-hArg) in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients.

Material And Methods: Sixty-two patients (65 ± 6 years) were included in this analysis and randomized to supervised endurance/resistance training (ET) or to usual care (UC). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 16:1-5. Epub 2018 Apr 16.

b Department of Pediatric Nephrology , Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine , Kayseri , Turkey.

Objective: Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are considered as markers of endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to examine whether there is endothelial dysfunction in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), hypothesizing that endothelial dysfunction would be present especially with acute-phase response in the active period of the disease.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 65 FMF patients (41 attack free, 24 attack period) and 35 healthy controls. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 26:1-6. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

a National Medical Research Center for Cardiology of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation , Moscow , Russia.

Purpose: Recent studies indicate that the effects of interleukin 6 (IL-6) realized via soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) facilitate the development of various pathological processes. Soluble gp130 (sgp130) is a naturally occurring inhibitor of signal transduction via this pathway. In this study, we assessed the relationship between circulating levels of IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Apr 5:1-3. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

a Cardiac-Biomarkers.com , Dallgow-Döberitz , Germany.

Biomarkers 2018 Mar 26:1-9. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

i Division of Neonatology , Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , Nanning , 530003 , China.

Background: Supplementation of folic acid by pregnant mothers is thought to lower the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in the offspring. Folic acid is taken up by cells via receptors with high affinity for folate and reduced folic acid derivatives. However, this is blocked by the presence of folate receptor autoantibodies (FRAA). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 23;23(5):487-494. Epub 2018 Mar 23.

a Department of Emergency Medicine , Chonnam National University Hospital , Donggu Gwangju , Republic of Korea.

Purpose: The optimal timing for measurement of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) level to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) and prognosis in cardiac arrest (CA) survivors has not been elucidated. We aimed to compare the diagnostic and prognostic performance of NGAL levels after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and at 48 h after CA.

Methods: We included 231 adult cardiac arrest survivors who underwent targeted temperature management between May 2013 and December 2016. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 23;23(5):495-501. Epub 2018 Mar 23.

a Department of Physical Therapy , Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre , Brazil.

Background: Chronic kidney failure (CKF) patients on renal replacement therapies exhibit elevated levels of DNA lesions and this is directly related to high mortality.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on genomic damage in CKF patients on conventional haemodialysis (HD).

Methods: Twenty-one patients with CKF on HD were randomized into control (CG =10) or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMESG = 11) groups. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 12;23(5):446-452. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

b Institute of Allergy , Yonsei University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.

Background: CD93 is a membrane-associated glycoprotein, which can be released in a soluble form (sCD93) into the serum. CD93 has received renewed attention as a candidate biomarker of inflammation in various inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including asthma.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of airway inflammation on CD93 levels in murine models. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 2;23(5):462-473. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

a Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section "B. Ramazzini" , University Hospital "Policlinico", Unit of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari , Bari , Italy.

Purpose: To assess the predictive power of the comet assay in the context of occupational exposure to pesticides.

Materials And Methods: The recruited subjects completed a structured questionnaire and gave a blood sample. Exposure to pesticides was measured by means of an algorithm based on Dosemeci's work (Agricultural Health Study). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 8;23(5):474-482. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

a Department of Internal Medicine , University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , Netherlands.

Background: Proenkephalin (pro-ENK) was recently found to be associated with low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The association of pro-ENK with urinary albumin excretion (UAE), another marker for chronic kidney disease (CKD), has not been investigated. We examined the association of pro-ENK with eGFR and UAE as markers of CKD. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 12;23(5):407-413. Epub 2018 Mar 12.

a Department of Cardiology , Avicenne Hospital, Hopitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, APHP, Paris XIII University , France.

Purpose: The diagnostic and prognostic significance of procalcitonin remains uncertain in HF patients. We reviewed and performed a meta-analysis of studies that measured PCT in HF patients, with or without infection.

Materials And Methods: We identified seven studies (9514 patients, 5810 with diagnoses of HF) eligible for our analysis, out of 247 examined. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 2;23(5):502-507. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

a Independent Researcher , Dacula , GA , USA.

Purpose: To revise and extend the previously published serum cotinine cut offs to classify smokers and non-smokers for US adolescents and adults.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional data (N = 10171) from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2011-2014 were used to compute serum cotinine cut-offs to classify smokers and non-smokers for US adults aged ≥20 years and 2007-2014 (N = 4583) data were used to compute serum cotinine cut-offs for US adolescents aged 12-19 years.

Results: Specificities and sensitivities for the cut-offs among adults were ≥95% and ≥75% among adolescents. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 21;23(5):435-445. Epub 2018 Mar 21.

b The First Department of Urinary Surgery , The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University , Weihui , Henan , China.

Context: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men in the western world.

Objective: We aim to investigate the biological role of long non-coding RNA FENDRR and its mechanism in PCa.

Materials And Methods: We determined the expression of FENDRR and miR-18a-5p in PCa tissues and examined the regulatory mechanism in PCa cell lines. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 2;23(5):483-486. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

a Department of Internal Medicine F-Recanati , Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital , Petah Tikva , Israel.

Purpose: In a recent small sample study, red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was suggested as a predictor of homocysteine levels. The current study was aimed to reexamine this association in a large scale sample.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of healthy adults, conducted at Rabin Medical Center, during 2000-2014. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 2;23(5):453-461. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

c NZGL , University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand.

Context: Human health is complex and multifaceted; there is a need for biomarkers that reflect the multidimensional nature of health.

Objective: To identify potential epigenomic biomarkers of health in women aged 18-40 participating in a six-month lifestyle intervention, next level health.

Materials And Methods: Methylation data were obtained by reduced representation bisulphite sequencing of 21 female intervention participants as well as three non-participants. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 1;23(5):425-434. Epub 2018 Mar 1.

a Toxicology Unit, Pharmacology and Toxicology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.

Context: Magnetic nanomaterials (FeO NMs) have become novel tools with multiple biological and medical applications because of their biocompatibility. However, adverse health effects of these NMs are of great interest to learn.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the size and dose-dependent effects of FeO NMs and its bulk on oxidative stress biomarkers after post-subacute treatment in female Wistar rats. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 19;23(5):422-424. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

a Faculty of Sport and Physical Education , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia.

Purpose: Elevated serum creatine and higher handgrip strength are individually associated with better health profiles yet the link between two variables remains unknown. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated serum creatine levels in relation to handgrip strength in a cohort of 130 young healthy adults (61 women and 69 men; age 23.3 ± 2. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May - Jun;23(4):392-405. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

i Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Victoria , Victoria , BC , Canada.

Objective: To derive a plasma biomarker protein panel from a list of 141 candidate proteins which can differentiate transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/minor stroke from non-cerebrovascular (mimic) conditions in emergency department (ED) settings.

Design: Prospective clinical study (#NCT03050099) with up to three timed blood draws no more than 36 h following symptom onset. Plasma samples analysed by multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (MRM-MS). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May - Jun;23(4):339-346. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

a Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology , Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville , TN , USA.

Background: Circulating miRNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for disease risk assessment and cancer early diagnosis have attracted increasing interest. Little information, however, is available regarding the intra-individual variation of circulating miRNA levels.

Methods: We measured expression levels of a panel of 800 miRNAs in repeated plasma samples from 51 healthy individuals that were collected 6 to 12 months apart and evaluated the intra-individual variation by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 Jul 12;23(5):414-421. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

a Department of Medicin e, D ivision of Pulmonary Medicine , Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airway inflammation with endothelial dysfunction. Cadherins are adhesion molecules on epithelial (E-) and vascular endothelial (VE-) cells. Soluble (s) cadherin is released from the cell surface by the effects of proteases including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May - Jun;23(4):386-391. Epub 2018 Feb 6.

e Department of Internal Medicine , University of Pretoria , Arcadia , South Africa.

Background: We investigated the association between markers of insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and adipokines and GDM.

Methods: In our case-cohort study in Johannesburg we included women with GDM and controls. We tested the ability of biomarkers to identify women at high risk of GDM. Read More

Biomarkers 2018 May - Jun;23(4):380-385. Epub 2018 Feb 7.

a Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research , Medical University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland.

Introduction: Increased plasma level of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a bacterial metabolite of choline, is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Indoxyl sulfate, a bacterial metabolite of tryptophan, is thought to be associated with higher mortality in cardiorenal syndrome. We hypothesized that enalapril, a well-established drug reducing cardiovascular mortality, may affect the plasma level of gut bacteria-derived metabolites and gut bacteria composition. Read More