• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2018

This study compared serum concentrations of suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) between healthy and heartworm- infected dogs. Eighteen heartworm-infected dogs and five healthy dogs were included in the study. Dogs were diagnosed and categorized by history, clinical signs, and blood assay, thoracic radiography, echocardiography, and commercial ELISA kit results. Serum samples were sent to the IDEXX reference laboratory for NT-proBNP measurement. ST2 was examined by using a canine interleukin 33 receptor ELISA kit with the quantitative sandwich ELISA method. The severely infected group showed significant elevation of NT-proBNP concentration over those of the control (P=0.03) and mildly infected (P=0.04) group. There were no significant difference in ST2 concentrations among the three groups. The usefulness of NT-proBNP as a cardiac biomarker in dogs with severe heartworm disease was confirmed by the results of this study. Further investigations to assess ST2 as a cardiac biomarker are warranted.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.7
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• pp.324-329
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• 2024

The aim of the present study is to provide a rational background for silencing the V-set and transmembrane domain containing 2 like (VSTM2L) in consort with recognising soluble VSTM2L against cholangiocarcinoma. A therapeutic target against cholangiocarcinoma was selected using iterative patient partitioning (IPP) calculation, and it was verified by in vitro and in silico analyses. VSTM2L was selected as a potential therapeutic target against cholangiocarcinoma. Silencing the VSTM2L expression significantly attenuated the viability and survival of cholangiocarcinoma cells through blockade of the intracellular signalling pathway. In silico analysis showed that VSTM2L affected the positive regulation of cell growth in cholangiocarcinoma. Liptak's z value revealed that the expression of VSTM2L worsened the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma patients. In addition, soluble VSTM2L was significantly detected in the whole blood of cholangiocarcinoma patients compared with that of healthy donors. Our report reveals that VSTM2L might be the potential therapeutic target and a soluble prognostic biomarker against cholangiocarcinoma.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2024

Patients with kidney disease require frequent blood tests to monitor their kidney function, which is particularly difficult for young children and the elderly. For these people, the standard method is to evaluate serum creatinine or cystatin C or drug levels through venous sampling, but more recently, evaluation using dried blood spots has been used. This narrative review reports information from the literature on the use of dried blood spots to quantify the main markers used to detect kidney diseases. The ScienceDirect and PubMed databases were searched using the keywords: "dried blood on filter paper," "markers of renal function," "renal function," "creatinine," "cystatin C," "urea," "iohexol," and "iotalamate." Studies using animal samples were excluded, and only relevant articles in English or Spanish were considered. Creatinine was the most assessed biomarker in studies using dried blood spots to monitor kidney function, showing good performance in samples whose hematocrit levels were within normal reference values. According to the included studies, dried blood spots are a practical monitoring alternative for kidney disease. Validation parameters, such as sample and card type, volume, storage, internal patterns, and the effects of hematocrit are crucial to improving the reliability of these results.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2022

Metabolomics makes it possible to analyze the interrelationships between various signaling molecules based on the metabolic pathways involved by using high-resolution devices. This approach can also be used to obtain large-scale metabolic information to identify the relevant pathways for disease diagnosis and prognosis and search for potential biomarkers. In the fields of medicine and forensics, hair analysis is used to detect various metabolites in the body. Hair can be harvested readily in a noninvasive manner and is easier to transport and store than blood and urine. Another advantage from a forensic viewpoint is that hair reflects all the components of body fluids. In addition, because of the unique coating structure of hair, it can be used for measurements without changing or destroying its adsorbed components. In this review, the pretreatments for hair analysis, instrumental conditions and clinical applications are discussed. Especially, the clinical use of hair metabolomics in the diagnosis of various diseases and the limitations of the technique are described.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7315-7319
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• 2013

Background: The metastasis gene osteopontin (OPN) is subject to alternative splicing, which yields three messages, osteopontin-a, osteopontin-b and osteopontin-c. Osteopontin-c is selectively expressed in invasive, but not in noninvasive tumors. In the present study, we examined the expression of OPN-c in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and assessed its value as a diagnostic biomarker. Methods: OPN-c expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 63 ESCC samples and correlated with clinicopathologic factors. Expression was also examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 120 ESCC patients and 30 healthy subjects. The role of OPN-c mRNA as a tumor marker was investigated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that OPN-c was expressed in 30 of 63 cancer lesions (48%)and significantly associated with pathological T stage (P=0.038) and overall stage (P=0.023). Real time PCR showed that OPN-c mRNA was expressed at higher levels in the PBMCs of ESCC patients than in those of healthy subjects (P<0.0001) with a sensitivity as an ESCC biomarker of 86.7%. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that expression of OPN-c is significantly elevated in ESCCs and this upregulation could be a potential diagnostic marker.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate the appropriate metabolite as biomarker for the biomonitoring of 1,3-butadiene(BD) inhalation exposure. We measured the hemoglobin adducts which were extracted from the blood of the ICR mice inhalation exposure with 100ppm and 500ppm 1,3-butadiene for 2 weeks(5 hr/day ${\times}$ 5 days/week). Hemoglobin adducts were the (N-2-hydroxy-3 -butenyl) valine (HB Val) and (N-2,3,4-trihydroxy-butyl)valine (THB Val). Body weights of the exposure groups were significantly lower from 11 exposure post-day in 100ppm BD inhalation mice and from 7 exposure post-day in 500ppm BD inhalation mice than in control. The levels of HB Val are 0.8~1.7pmol/mg globin for 100ppm BD inhalation exposure, and 2.1~4.4 pmol/mg globin for 500ppm BD inhalation exposure. The levels of THB Val are 15.0~22.0 pmol/mg globin in 100ppm BD inhalation exposure, and 34.8~45.7 pmol/mg globin for 500ppm BD inhalation exposure. So the levels of THB Val and HB Val are proportional relationship with BD exposure level. THB Val is 12.9~18.8 times higher level that HB Val in 100ppm BD exposure group and 10.4~16.6 times higher level than HB Val in 500ppm BD exposure group. We concluded that THB Val is an appropriate metabolite as biomarker for the biomonitoring for BD inhalation exposure.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1667-1670
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• 2014

Background: Calprotectin in feces seems to be a more sensitive marker for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers than fecal occult blood, but its specificity may be too low for screening average risk populations. This study aims at evaluating the diagnostic value of fecal calprotectin as a screening biomarker for GI malignancies. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, 100 patients with GI malignancies (50 patients with colorectal cancer and 50 patients with gastric cancer) and 50 controls were recruited in Tabriz Imam Reza and Sina hospitals during a 24-month period. One to two weeks after the last endoscopy/colonoscopy, fecal specimens were collected by the patients and examined by ELISA method for quantitative measurement of calprotectin content. The results were compared between the three groups. Results: The mean fecal calprotectin level was $109.1{\pm}105.3$ (2.3-454.3, median:74), $241.1{\pm}205.2$ (3.4-610.0, median:19.3) and $45.9{\pm}55.1{\mu}g/g$ (1.3-257.1, median:19.3) in gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and control group, respectively, the differences being significant (p<0.001) and remaining after adjustment for age. The optimal cut-off point for fecal calprotectin was ${\geq}75.8{\mu}g/g$ for distinguishing colorectal cancer from normal cases (sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 84%, respectively). This value was ${\geq}41.9{\mu}g/g$ for distinguishing gastric cancer from normal cases (sensitivity and specificity of 62%). Conclusions: Our results revealed that fecal calprotectin might be a useful and non-invasive biomarker for distinguishing colorectal cancer from non-malignant GI conditions. However, due to low sensitivity and specificity, this biomarker may not help physicians distinguishing gastric cancer cases from healthy subjects.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.792-799
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• 2022

Dopamine (DA) is known to be a key modulator of animal behaviors. Thus, the plasma concentration of DA might be used as a biomarker for the behavioral characteristics of horses. The behavioral characteristics of horses vary depending on the breed, age, and sex. Moreover, the DA receptor genotypes are also related to horse behaviors. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the DA concentration variations of horse plasma by breed, age, sex, or genotype of its receptor. The horses were divided by breed into Thoroughbred (n = 13), Pony (n = 9), Warmblood (n = 4), and Haflinger (n = 5). The age variable was divided into three different groups: post-pubertal (2-5 years, n = 6), adult (6-13 years, n = 19), and aged horses (15-24 years, n = 6). The sex variable was divided into geldings (n = 8) and mares (n = 23). Approximately 10 mL of blood was collected, and an ELISA kit was used to measure the plasma concentration of DA. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to identify the genetic variation in the DA D4 receptor gene (DRD4). SPSS statistical software was used for statistical analysis. The DA concentrations in geldings were significantly lower than those in mares. There was no significant difference in DA concentrations among breed and age groups. Horses with the GG and GA genotypes had significantly higher plasma concentrations of DA compared to horses with the AA genotype for the G292A gene. Briefly, the plasma concentration of DA varied depending on the sex and genotype of G292A. These factors should be considered when the concentration of DA is used as a biomarker for the behavioral characteristics of horses. In conclusion, the DA concentration or DRD4 genotype of horse plasma has the potential to be used as a biomarker that can predict the behavioral characteristics of horses.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Gastric cancer (GC) has high mortality owing to its aggressive nature. Tumor angiogenesis plays an essential role in the growth, invasion, and metastatic spread of GC. The aim of this work was to review the angiogenic biomarkers related to the behavior of GC, documented in the literature. A search of the PubMed database was conducted with the MeSH terms: "Stomach neoplasms/blood [MeSH] or stomach neoplasms/blood supply [MeSH] and angiogenic proteins/blood [Major]". A total of 30 articles were initially collected, and 4 were subsequently excluded. Among the 26 articles collected, 16 examined the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), 4 studied endostatin, 3 investigated angiopoietin (Ang)-2, 2 studied the Ang-like protein 2 (ANGTPL2), and 1 each examined interleukin (IL)-12, IL-8, and hypoxia inducible factor. Regarding VEGF, 6 articles concluded that the protein was related to lymph node metastasis or distant metastases. Five articles concluded that VEGF levels were elevated in the presence of GC and decreased following tumor regression, suggesting that VEGF levels could be a predictor of recurrence. Four articles concluded that high VEGF levels were correlated with poor prognosis and lower survival rates. Ang-2 and ANGTPL2 were elevated in GC and associated with more aggressive disease. Endostatin was associated with intestinal GC. VEGF is the most extensively studied angiogenic factor. It is associated with the presence of neoplastic disease and lymph node metastasis. It appears to be a good biomarker for disease progression and remission, but not for diagnosis. The data regarding other biomarkers are inconclusive.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.344-352
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• 2012

Mercury is a toxic and non-essential metal in the human body. Mercury is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, present in natural products, and exists extensively in items encountered in daily life. There are three forms of mercury, i.e., elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. This review examines the toxicity of elemental mercury and inorganic mercury compounds. Inorganic mercury compounds are water soluble with a bioavailability of 7% to 15% after ingestion; they are also irritants and cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Upon entering the body, inorganic mercury compounds are accumulated mainly in the kidneys and produce kidney damage. In contrast, human exposure to elemental mercury is mainly by inhalation, followed by rapid absorption and distribution in all major organs. Elemental mercury from ingestion is poorly absorbed with a bioavailability of less than 0.01%. The primary target organs of elemental mercury are the brain and kidney. Elemental mercury is lipid soluble and can cross the blood-brain barrier, while inorganic mercury compounds are not lipid soluble, rendering them unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. Elemental mercury may also enter the brain from the nasal cavity through the olfactory pathway. The blood mercury is a useful biomarker after short-term and high-level exposure, whereas the urine mercury is the ideal biomarker for long-term exposure to both elemental and inorganic mercury, and also as a good indicator of body burden. This review discusses the common sources of mercury exposure, skin lightening products containing mercury and mercury release from dental amalgam filling, two issues that happen in daily life, bear significant public health importance, and yet undergo extensive debate on their safety.