Use Of Biological Markers Research Articles

Medical management of acute responses to radiation.

Medical management of acute responses to radiation.

Use of respiratory rates and heart rate variability in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with functional somatic symptoms.

Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) emerge when the stress system is activated in response to physical or emotional stress that is either chronic or especially intense. In such cases, the heightened state of physiological arousal and motor activation can be measured through biological markers. Our team have integrated the use of biological markers of body state - respiratory rate, heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements - as a way of helping families to understand how physical symptoms can signal activation of the body's stress systems. This study measured respiratory rates, HR and HRV in children and adolescents with FSS (and healthy controls) during baseline assessment to determine whether these biological markers were effective at differentiating patients with FSS. The study also implemented a biofeedback intervention during the assessment to determine whether patients with FSS were able to slow their respiratory rates and increase HRV. Patients with FSS had faster respiratory rates, faster HR, and lower HRV, suggesting activation of the autonomic nervous system coupled with activation of the respiratory motor system. Like controls, patients were able to slow their respiratory rates, but in contrast to controls, they were unable to increase their HRV. Our findings suggest that patients with FSS present in a state of physiological activation and struggle to regulate their body state. Patients with FSS are likely to need ongoing training and practice to regulate body state coupled with interventions that target regulatory capacity across multiple systems.

THE DIAGNOSTIC MARKERS’ APPLICATION OF THE ORAL LIQUID IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSTICS OF THE DENTAL MOBIDITY IN THE STAFF OF THE STEEL-MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES’ EMPLOYEES

The dental health of the industrial enterprises’ workers has specific differences from the average indicators of the epidemiological examinations, which is associated with a negative effect on the tissue and oral cavity of the working zone’s atmosphere. Under prolonged exposure of the low concentrations of harmful substances, i.e, due to the chronic intoxication in the oral cavity can occur as a disease of the mucous membrane, as well as the disease of hard tissues of the teeth. Despite the presence of measures on the occupational safety and accident prevention protection, the industrial environment of the enterprises is an extreme condition for workers, which requires the further development of effective comprehensive methods of the prevention and the treatment of the major dental diseases.
 The aim of the work is to carry out the analysis of the specialized scientific literature for the data generalization about modern looks to the use of biological markers for early diagnostics of dental diseases in workers with harmful working conditions.
 Materials and methods. We have analyzed and studied the available scientific literature in the last years, which is devoted to the peculiarities of the dental diseases’ spread among the workers of the enterprises with harmful working conditions and the biological markers’ use for their early diagnostics.
 Up until recently the use of mouthwash in diagnostic aims was complicated, that is explained by the following: a barrier of hematosalivation, low level of determination, complication of exposure, it is studied not enough, the indexes got not always correlate with such in plasma of blood, and also absence of attention to methodology of collection and storage of tests of this material to realization of analysis. These problems were largely removed as a result of careful study of physiology of salivary glands, development of sensible methods of amplification, methodology of separation and treatment of standards. The last achievements in diagnostics were conditioned by new molecular approaches.
 The development of new therapeutic methods is impossible without the establishment of the diagnostic monitoring system to determine the predictors of the disease, its biological markers, criteria for assessing its course, prediction of the possible outcomes and the effectiveness of the therapeutic measures.
 Researches are actively conducted the last decades in relation to character of content of markers of bone fabric, oxidative and nitrosative stresses, proteins of endogenous cytoprotection cytoprotection (HSP -, HIF, squirrel Klotho), markers of inflammation in a mouthwash at various stomatological diseases. It is known that 99% of organic molecules, that circulate in plasma, identified in saliva and represent the "regional orientation" of pathobiochemical processes.
 Conclusions. Thus, the analysis of literary data showed possibility of biological markers, using in Dentistry as minimum aggressive, informing diagnostic method and screening of dental efficiency of treatment.
 Improving the list of saliva biomarkers depends on their stability and accuracy of detection, including the sensitivity and reproducibility of the analyzes, their simplicity of the execution, high sensitivity and specificity.

Importance of p16 and Ki67. Immunohistochemical Expression and in a Typical Immature Metaplasia (AIM)

Introduction: The term AIM was coined in 1983 to describe a squamous proliferation of the cervical transformation zone and glands associated with abnormal cytology and colposcopic findings. This condition may be a precursor of HPV integration. This subject is controversial because its biological and clinical significance are not well defined. Colposcopy suffers from the same diagnostic difficulties than Cytology and Pathology. The effect of gene inactivation in the cervical epithelium was investigated for the overexpression of p16 protein by Immunohistochemistry (IHC), which results in the loss of activation of Rb by the E7 protein of high-risk HPV. Objective: Investigate the use of biological markers, such as p16 and Ki67, which can be useful when diagnosing lesions with AIM. Material and Methods: A descriptive study of the IHC expression of p16 and Ki67 in 60 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cervical biopsies obtained from the private archive of a Pathology Laboratory, was conducted. Results: Negative cases for both p16 and Ki67 represented 69% of HPV lesions without dysplasia, whereas high-grade lesions (CIN III) were 100% positive for both p16 as Ki67. CIN I lesions were positive in 64% of the cases for both markers, and the rest were negative. CIN II lesions scored higher for p16 positivity, yielding positive results in 54% of the cases and 14% for Ki67. Conclusion: AIM is a complex entity can be associated with HSIL. The similarities between the AIM and LSIL can be consider a form of LSIL. p16 is a marker for HPV-induced dysplasia. We suggest cautious behavior, for the sake of diagnostic accuracy. Considering the increased incidence of cervical carcinoma and its relationship to HPV, we deem useful to use biological markers such as p16 and Ki67, that may allow to determine the possible progression of SIL to invasive carcinoma as more economical tool that may be more in tune with the socio-economic reality of Latin America and cost-effective, when compared to other more expensive techniques.

Application оf alkane biological markers in the assessment of the origin of oil pollutants in the soil and recent river sediments (River Vrbas, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

In this paper, an attempt was made to contribute to the use of biological markers, n-alkanes, and polycyclic alkanes of the sterane and terpane type, in the assessment of the source of oil pollutants in the environment using the example of the correlation between recent river and coastal sediments,. Four samples of recent river sediments of the Vrbas River and four samples of adjacent bank sediments (soils), in the part of the River that belongs to the city of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) were analyzed. In the alkane fractions of isolated extracts, a bimodal distribution of the n-alkanes was observed. Lower homologues dominated in the recent river sediments with maximum at C15, but higher n-alkanes dominated in the soil samples, with a maximum at n-C29 or at n-C31. The higher concentration of steranes and terpanes with oil type distributions in the recent/fresh river sediments (compared to the bank sediments) represents evidence that lower n-alkanes originate from oil sources. The higher content of total hydrocarbons in the recent river sediments than in the bank sediments further confirms this conclusion. At the same time, these fundamental considerations provide evidence that oil pollution primarily occurred in the water flow and then the oil pollutants propagated towards the riverbank.

Inflammatory markers in diagnosis and prognosis of abdominal sepsis

For today, it is necessary to recognize, that treatment of patients with abdominal sepsis remains the basic problem in urgent surgery due to the invariably high mortality. Early diagnostics and targeted therapy are the key points for improving of sepsis outcome. At present, researchers around the world have proposed a large number of biological markers for diagnosing sepsis and predicting mortality. Ideally, doctors can use biomarkers for risk stratification, diagnosing, monitoring of treatment effectiveness and outcome prediction. The biomarker is a laboratory parameter that can be objectively measured and characterized as an indicator of normal and pathological biological processes. The article presents the modern concept of the sepsis pathogenesis for understanding the role of various biomarkers and inflammatory indicators in its development. We have analyzed literature data and summarized information on the possible use of biological markers and their combinations in the early detection of sepsis, for monitoring sepsis and predicting its outcome.

A pilot study with early adolescents: dealing with diet, tobacco and air pollution using practical experiences and biological markers

BackgroundTobacco use and the Western diet are two of the most important and investigated topics in relation to adolescents’ health. In addition, air pollution is a crucial subject for future generations. School is a key social environment that should promote healthy behaviors in children and adolescents. In this field many different programs have been conducted, with mixed results and effectiveness. Research data suggest that comprehensive and multicomponent approaches may have a greater effect on tobacco use and diet, especially when integrated into a community-wide approach.MethodsThe present work describes a multi-area pilot study called “La Scuola della Salute” (the School of Health) with a focus on the methodological aspects of the intervention. In our study we assessed different web-based and practical experiences related to adolescents’ smoking and dietary behaviors and awareness of smoke-related air pollution. Furthermore, to make adolescents more conscious of smoking and dietary behaviors, we conducted experiential workshops that addressed smoking and environmental pollution, food education, and lifestyle. Teachers and school administrators were involved in the project.ResultsAt baseline we investigated dietary habits, tobacco use, and individual and social characteristics by means of lifestyle questionnaires. In addition, we collected anthropometric parameters and performance indicators such as exhaled carbon monoxide and urinary fructose to assess smoking and nutrition habits. At the end of the intervention lifestyle questionnaire and biological markers were collected again: knowledge about these topics was significantly improved, and the urinary fructose was able to estimate the levels of obesity in the classes.ConclusionsThe integrated approach, combined with the use of biological markers, could be an innovative approach to the promotion of healthy lifestyles among adolescents, but further research is needed.

A pilot study with early adolescents: dealing with diet, tobacco and air pollution using practical experiences and biological markers

Background: Tobacco use and the Western diet are two of the most important and investigated topics in relation to adolescents’ health. In addition, air pollution is a crucial subject for future generations. School is a key social environment that should promote healthy behaviors in children and adolescents. In this field many different programs have been conducted, with mixed results and effectiveness. Research data suggest that comprehensive and multicomponent approaches may have a greater effect on tobacco use and diet, especially when integrated into a community-wide approach. Methods: The present work describes a multi-area pilot study called “La Scuola della Salute” (the School of Health) with a focus on the methodological aspects of the intervention. In our study we assessed different web-based and practical experiences related to adolescents’ smoking and dietary behaviors and awareness of smoke-related air pollution. Furthermore, to make adolescents more conscious of smoking and dietary behaviors, we conducted experiential workshops that addressed smoking and environmental pollution, food education, and lifestyle. Teachers and school administrators were involved in the project. Results: At baseline we investigated dietary habits, tobacco use, and individual and social characteristics by means of lifestyle questionnaires. In addition, we collected anthropometric parameters and performance indicators such as exhaled carbon monoxide and urinary fructose to assess smoking and nutrition habits. At the end of the intervention lifestyle questionnaire and biological markers were collected again: knowledge about these topics was significantly improved, and the urinary fructose was able to estimate the levels of obesity in the classes. Conclusions: The integrated approach, combined with the use of biological markers, could be an innovative approach to the promotion of healthy lifestyles among adolescents, but further research is needed.

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacological and dietary supplement interventions in paediatric autism: moderators of treatment response and recommendations for future research.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are pervasive and multifactorial neurodevelopmental conditions, characterized by impairments in social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. Treatment options to ameliorate symptoms of ASDs are limited. Heterogeneity complicates the quest for personalized medicine in this population. Our aim was to investigate if there are baseline characteristics of patients that moderate response or trial design features that impede the identification of efficacious interventions for ASDs. Literature searches of EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO identified 43 studies for qualitative assessment of baseline characterization of participants and 37 studies for quantitative analysis of moderators of treatment response. Criteria included blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in paediatric ASD, with at least 10 participants per arm or 20 overall, of oral treatments, including pharmacological interventions and dietary supplements. Random-effects meta-analysis of 1997 participants (81% male) identified three moderators associated with an increase in treatment response: trials located in Europe and the Middle-East; outcome measures designated primary status; and the type of outcome measure. Inconsistent reporting of baseline symptom severity and intellectual functioning prevented analysis of these variables. Qualitative synthesis of baseline characteristics identified at least 31 variables, with only age and gender reported in all trials. Biological markers were included in six RCTs. Few trials reported adequate baseline characteristics to permit detailed analysis of response to treatment. Consideration of geographical location, baseline severity and intellectual function is required to ensure generalizability of results. The use of biological markers and correlates in ASD trials remains in its infancy. There is great need to improve the application of baseline characterization and incorporation of biological markers and correlates to permit selection of participants into homogeneous subgroups and to inform response to treatment in ASD.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: NEW DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA AND THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS DEPENDING ON THE STAGE OF THE DISEASE

The new criteria for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) proposed by the United States National Aging Institute and the Alzheimer Association are being discussed. The definition of the preclinical and pre-dementing stages of AD has been introduced. The current issues of diagnostics of the pathophysiological process in AD with the use of biological markers and modern neurovisualization methods, approaches to treatment of AD depending on the stage of the disease are considered. The effectiveness of Memantine (akatynol memantine) and its usefulness at the various stages of disease in patients with AD is noted. Nonpharmacological methods of AD therapy, including cognitive training, behavioural and psychosocial methods, are considered.

Aortic Stenosis: Predictive Value of Cardiac Biomarkers in Older Patients

Aortic stenosis is one of the most common forms of acquired valvular heart disease in older patient population. Clinical implementation of cardiac biomarker measurement for risk stratification in patients with aortic stenosis has been shown to be promising to predict disease progression and outcomes. The aim of the short communication is summary knowledge regarding clinical perspectives in use of biological markers for risk stratification in the patients with aortic stenosis. The review is confirmed that two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographies remains to be key tool for the evaluation and monitoring of aortic stenosis in older patients. Although there is no consensus on the prognostic value of biomarkers to stratify older patients with aortic stenosis at risk, BNP / NT-proBNP, galectin-3, sST2 appear to be promising predictors of C death and clinical outcomes in this population. Whether combined biomarker approach might have an impact on clinical decision-making for risk stratification in aortic stenosis patients is still not understood and requires further investigations.

Alcohol Abuse Mediates the Association between Baseline T/C Ratio and Anger Expression in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators.

The imbalance between testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) levels has been proposed as a possible marker of risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). Moreover, it could be related to a high probability of adopting risky behaviors such as alcohol abuse which, in turn, promotes the onset of IPV. This study tested the potential mediating effect of alcohol consumption on the relationship between baseline T/C ratio and anger expression in IPV perpetrators and non-violent controls. Alcohol consumption was higher in the former than controls. A high baseline T/C ratio was only associated with high anger expression in IPV perpetrators, and this association was mediated by high alcohol consumption. Thus, alcohol abuse may act as a catalytic factor in this relationship, high consumption promoting the onset of IPV. These findings contribute to the development of effective treatment and prevention programs, which could introduce the use of biological markers for preventing the onset, development and recidivism of IPV.

Protocolo diagnóstico y terapéutico de los síndromes parkinsonianos

In this protocol diagnostic-therapeutic diagnostic triage of a patient with rigid-akinetic syndromes in general and Parkinson's disease in particular (most frequent cause syndromes rigid-akinetic) is summarized, both as regards clinical diagnosis as complementary tests and use of biological markers in the differential diagnosis. Treatments used in these syndromes, which has been more effective in Parkinson's disease are also discussed.

Strategies for appropriate antibiotic use in intensive care unit.

The comsumption of antibiotics is high, mainly in intensive care units. Unfortunately, most are inappropriately used leading to increased multi-resistant bacteria. It is well known that initial empirical therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics reduce mortality rates. However the prolonged and irrational use of antimicrobials may also increase the risk of toxicity, drug interactions and diarrhea due to Clostridium difficile. Some strategies to rational use of antimicrobial agents include avoiding colonization treatment, de-escalation, monitoring serum levels of the agents, appropriate duration of therapy and use of biological markers. This review discusses the effectiveness of these strategies, the importance of microbiology knowledge, considering there are agents resistant to Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and reducing antibiotic use and bacterial resistance, with no impact on mortality.

Utilidad de los marcadores biológicos en la detección precoz y prevención del síndrome de burnout [Usefulness of biological markers in early detection and prevention of burnout syndrome

Usefulness of biological markers in early detection and prevention of burnout syndrome Abstract: Burnout is associated with a worse health self-perception and greater physical and psychiatric comorbidity. The objective of this review is to summarize in a systematic way the main biomarkers associated with the burnout syndrome: cardiovascular (blood pressure, heart rate and variability of heart rate); sleep-related (quality, fragmentation, and sleep latency); associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis (cortisol, sa- livary IgA, lysozime, α-amylase and chromogranin-A); related to the immune system (natural killer cells and mononuclear antibodies CD57 and CD16), and related to inflammation (TNF-α, IL-4 interleukins, fibrinogen, reactive C protein). In the next years, some of these biomarkers, mainly those related to the immune system and inflammation could become useful keys for the early de- tection and monitorization of this disorder.

Mechanisms of Allergen-Specific Sublingual Immunotherapy and the Use of Biological Markers in Allergic Rhinitis

Clinical and immunologic tolerance are hallmarks of successful allergen sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in carefully selected patients. Clinical benefit such as reduced symptoms, pharmacotherapy intake, and improvement of quality of life persists following discontinuation of treatment. Successful SLIT is associated with suppression of allergic inflammatory cells such as mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils. Furthermore, SLIT immunomodulates allergen-specific Th2 responses in the tissue (target organ) and the periphery. The immunologic tolerant state induced following SLIT is associated with induction of allergen-specific IL-10+, TGF-β+, and FoxP3+ regulatory memory T cells. B cell responses, in particular IgG4-associated blocking antibodies and IL-10+ regulatory B cells, are also induced following allergen immunotherapy (AIT). These events are followed by suppression of allergen-specific proliferation Th2 responses and result in immune deviation from a T helper 2-type to T helper 1-type response. Despite insight gained with regard to the mechanisms of SLIT, to date there are no validated biomarkers that are predictive of the clinical response to treatment. This review reports recent advances in understanding mechanisms of SLIT and outlines relevant potential biomarkers for monitoring allergen-specific immunotherapy.

The use of biological markers in determination of origin and type of organic matter in the Tisza river sediments

The objective of the study was to determine the origin and type of organic matter (OM) of the Tisza recent sediments along the distance of 153 km through the territory of Serbia. For this purpose group organic-geochemical parameters and biomarker compositions were used. All samples contain approximately same amount of OM, which was deposited under uniform, slightly reducing conditions. Based on the distribution of n-alkanes, the origin and type of OM could not be precisely estimated. However, n-alkane patterns suggest the presence of immature singenetic organic matter of terrestrial origin. Distributions of terpanes and steranes and values of corresponding maturity parameters indicate that Tisza River sediments, apart from immature singenetic organic matter, contain oil pollutant of anthropogenic origin. Identical composition of these biomarkers in all samples confirms that the recent sediments of the Tisza River, from Kanjiza town to the confluence into the Danube River, contain the same type of oil pollutant. Based on the compositions of terpanes and steranes and values of biomarker parameters in Tisza sediments, it is supposed that oil pollution generally could be related to heavy fuel oil from tankers due to intense river transport and, in lower extent, to crude oils from the Elemir and Rusanda oil fields.

Role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 for diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia after cardiac surgery: an observational study

BackgroundThe diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a challenge, particularly after cardiac surgery. The use of biological markers of infection has been suggested to improve the accuracy of VAP diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM)-1 in the diagnosis of VAP following cardiac surgery.MethodsThis was a prospective observational cohort study of children with congenital heart disease admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after surgery and who remained intubated and mechanically ventilated for at least 24 hours postoperatively. VAP was defined by the 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Blood, modified bronchoalveolar lavage (mBAL) fluid and exhaled ventilator condensate (EVC) were collected daily, starting immediately after surgery until the fifth postoperative day or until extubation for measurement of sTREM-1.ResultsThirty patients were included, 16 with VAP. Demographic variables, Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) and Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS)-1 scores, duration of surgery and length of cardiopulmonary bypass were not significantly diferent in patients with and without VAP. However, time on mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the PICU and in the hospital were significantly longer in the VAP group. Serum and mBAL fluid sTREM-1 concentrations were similar in both groups. In the VAP group, 12 of 16 patients had sTREM-1 detected in EVC, whereas it was undetectable in all but two patients in the non-VAP group over the study period (p = 0.0013) (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 0.86, positive predictive value 0.86, negative predictive value 0.75, positive likelihood ratio (LR) 5.25, negative LR 0.29).ConclusionMeasurement of sTREM-1 in EVC may be useful for the diagnosis of VAP after cardiac surgery.

Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes: Biological Markers and Personalized Medicine

Antithrombin and antiplatelet therapies have been in the focus of pharmacological developments over recent years with an increasing number of anticoagulants and antiplatelets becoming available. While these drugs share common pharmacological characteristics (i.e., antiplatelet drugs binding to the P2Y12 receptor), they also differ substantially regarding metabolism, type of receptor binding, clinical end points that have been reduced as compared to the current gold standard, and, consequently, the spectrum of indication. These differences pose the need and, above that, great chances for therapy personalization. Understanding the challenges and opportunities that arise from the use of biological markers in guiding antiplatelet therapy is mandatory to provide best medical practice for patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Ki-67 and CD100 immunohistochemical expression is associated with local recurrence and poor prognosis in soft tissue sarcomas, respectively.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumors of >50 subtypes. However, STSs represent <1% of types of cancer. Despite this low frequency, the disease is aggressive and treatment, when possible, is based on traditional chemotherapies. A number of cases of resistance to adjuvant therapies have been reported. Metastases are commonly identified in STS patients during diagnosis and the development of effective clinical parameters is crucial for correct management of the disease. The use of biological markers in cancer is a useful tool to determine patient prognosis. Ki-67 is a protein marker for proliferation of somatic cells and is widely used in prognostic studies of various types of tumor, including STSs. Cluster of differentiation 100 (CD100) is a member of the semaphorin family. The family was initially described as axon guidance molecules important for angiogenesis, organogenesis, apoptosis and neoplasia. CD100 was previously utilized as a prognostic factor in tumors and also in STSs. In the present study, protein expression of Ki-67 and CD100 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in samples of STS patients of the Barretos Cancer Hospital (Barretos, Brazil) to establish prognostic criteria of the disease. Results demonstrate a correlation between CD100 expression and poor prognosis, consistent with a previous study. Moreover, the expression of Ki-67 was identified to correlate with presence of local or locoregional recurrence. To the best of our knowledge, no large casuistic study has revealed this correlation between Ki-67 and local recurrence in STSs. The use of Ki-67 and CD100 as markers in clinical pathological analysis may be suitable as a prognostic criterion in disease progression.