scholarly journals Molecular biomarkers of endometriosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-123
Author(s):  
E. F. Kira ◽  
A. K. Politova ◽  
Yu. A. Vershinina ◽  
A. D. Alexandrova

Albeit endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, its diagnosis and treatment remain controversial. The reasons behind this include: 1) multifactorial pathogenesis and insufficiently studied mechanisms of endometriosis; 2) relatively low diagnostic value of minimally invasive examination in relation to this disease; 3) inefficiency of current therapeutic approaches in many patient settings. In our opinion, uncovering the causes of endometriosis and factors promoting its progression is the cornerstone of its successful management. Here we review the lessons from genome-wide and candidate gene association studies, discuss the expression of regulatory miRNAs and describe the role of heat shock protein 90, annexin A2, and peroxiredoxin 2 in controlling DNA integrity in the eutopic endometrium. Further, we highlight the role of cytokeratin-19 in urine as a feasible diagnostic marker of endometriosis. Clinicians and basic researchers concur that the molecular basis of endometriosis is still in its infancy and current understanding of its pathophysiology remains poor. Recent progress in -omics approaches and bioinformatics paved the way for complex investigations of regulated cell death, proliferation, cell invasion and angiogenesis, opening the avenue for the novel approaches to treat endometriosis. Yet, the diversity of symptoms and an absence of sensitive and specific biomarkers frequently delay and complicate the diagnosis. In addition, surgery represents the only appropriate option to reliably confirm the diagnosis and to establish the disease extent, reducing patient adherence and postponing the start of the treatment. In this review, we discuss challenges in the diagnosis of endometriosis as well as relevant and potentially informative biomarkers. 

2013 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRISTEN DIANE DEPPE ◽  
SCOTT F. STOLTENBERG ◽  
KEVIN B. SMITH ◽  
JOHN R. HIBBING

Recently in this journal, Charney and English (2012) presented an extensive critique of candidate gene association studies using the widely noted Fowler and Dawes (2008) article on the relationship between self-reported voter turnout and both 5-HTT (serotonin transporter) and MAOA (monoamine oxidase A) as the driving example of their evaluation. Reanalysis of the Fowler and Dawes data by Charney and English, based on four critiques of candidate gene studies, led to the conclusion that neither polymorphism is related to variations in turnout. We add to this empirical debate by conducting an independent test using an original dataset containing 5-HTT data and two separate participation variables: self-reported participation and actual voting records. Our results confirm the original conclusions by Fowler and Dawes on 5-HTT, but also support several of the critiques suggested by Charney and English. We conclude by offering suggestions for the way candidate gene association studies should be interpreted by the discipline and processed by journal editors.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1286-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Payne ◽  
H. Montgomery

Many of us recognize that some individuals seem ‘gifted’ in sporting ability. We may also have noted the association of such elite performance with past parental success, recognizing intuitively the role of inherited traits. With the expansion of molecular biology and associated technologies, we now find ourselves better able to explore these genetic influences. This article examines the role of the renin–angiotensin system in regulating physical performance, based on data arising from candidate gene-association studies. In particular, the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype with performance-related phenotypes will be addressed. Finally, we will briefly discuss the applicability of this data to disease states such as heart failure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 1597-1610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taru Aggarwal ◽  
Ridhima Wadhwa ◽  
Riya Gupta ◽  
Keshav Raj Paudel ◽  
Trudi Collet ◽  
...  

Regardless of advances in detection and treatment, breast cancer affects about 1.5 million women all over the world. Since the last decade, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been extensively conducted for breast cancer to define the role of miRNA as a tool for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that are associated with the regulation of key cellular processes such as cell multiplication, differentiation, and death. They cause a disturbance in the cell physiology by interfering directly with the translation and stability of a targeted gene transcript. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a large family of non-coding RNAs, which regulate target gene expression and protein levels that affect several human diseases and are suggested as the novel markers or therapeutic targets, including breast cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA) alterations are not only associated with metastasis, tumor genesis but also used as biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis or prognosis. These are explained in detail in the following review. This review will also provide an impetus to study the role of microRNAs in breast cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guojun Wu ◽  
Naisi Zhao ◽  
Chenhong Zhang ◽  
Yan Y. Lam ◽  
Liping Zhao

AbstractTo demonstrate the causative role of gut microbiome in human health and diseases, we first need to identify, via next-generation sequencing, potentially important functional members associated with specific health outcomes and disease phenotypes. However, due to the strain-level genetic complexity of the gut microbiota, microbiome datasets are highly dimensional and highly sparse in nature, making it challenging to identify putative causative agents of a particular disease phenotype. Members of an ecosystem seldomly live independently from each other. Instead, they develop local interactions and form inter-member organizations to influence the ecosystem’s higher-level patterns and functions. In the ecological study of macro-organisms, members are defined as belonging to the same “guild” if they exploit the same class of resources in a similar way or work together as a coherent functional group. Translating the concept of “guild” to the study of gut microbiota, we redefine guild as a group of bacteria that show consistent co-abundant behavior and likely to work together to contribute to the same ecological function. In this opinion article, we discuss how to use guilds as the aggregation unit to reduce dimensionality and sparsity in microbiome-wide association studies for identifying candidate gut bacteria that may causatively contribute to human health and diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 977.1-977
Author(s):  
A. Potapova ◽  
O. Egorova ◽  
O. Alekseeva ◽  
A. Volkov ◽  
S. Radenska-Lopovok

Background:Ultrasound (US) is a non-invasive and safe imaging method that allows in vivo differentiation of the morphological structures of subcutaneous fat (SCF) tissue in in normal and pathology.Objectives:Reveal features of ultrasound changes in SCF in panniculitis (Pn).Methods:57 patients (f – 45, m - 12) aged 18 - 67 years with an initial diagnosis of erythema nodosum and a disease duration of 3.6 ± 1.4 years were examined. In addition to the general clinical examination, a computed tomography of the chest organs and a pathomorphological examination of a skin biopsy from the site of the node were performed. Ultrasound was performed on a MyLabTwice apparatus (ESAOTE, Italy) using a multi-frequency linear transducer (10-18 MHz) with the PD technique, the parameters of which were adapted for recording low-speed flows (PRF 300-600 Hz, low filter, dynamic range - 20-40 dB), the presence of vascularization was assessed not only in the affected area, but also on the contralateral side using high-energy Doppler.Results:33 patients were diagnosed with septal Pn (SPn), 24 - lobular Pn (LPn). In all cases, the diagnosis was verified by histological examination. Ultrasound made it possible to assess the thickness, echoicity and vascularization of the SCF. In 35 patients, significant thickening of the SCF was revealed (as compared to the contralateral side), of which in 14 cases with SPn, in 21 - with LPn. Significant diffuse thickening of the SCF with the contralateral side was observed in 18 patients, incl. in 12 (66%) patients with LPn. Limited thickening was more typical for SPn (73%). A significant increase in the echoicity of the SCF was noted in all forms of Pn. A “lobular” echo pattern with an anechogenic environment was observed in 25 patients, of which 18 (72%) had LPn. An increase in vascularization compared to the contralateral side was recorded in 30 cases (SPn-17, LPn-13).Conclusion:The obtained preliminary results indicate the important role of ultrasound in assessing the depth and prevalence of the inflammatory process at Pn. To clarify the diagnostic value of this method, further studies are needed on a larger sample of patients.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Author(s):  
Navnit S. Makaram ◽  
Stuart H. Ralston

Abstract Purpose of Review To provide an overview of the role of genes and loci that predispose to Paget’s disease of bone and related disorders. Recent Findings Studies over the past ten years have seen major advances in knowledge on the role of genetic factors in Paget’s disease of bone (PDB). Genome wide association studies have identified six loci that predispose to the disease whereas family based studies have identified a further eight genes that cause PDB. This brings the total number of genes and loci implicated in PDB to fourteen. Emerging evidence has shown that a number of these genes also predispose to multisystem proteinopathy syndromes where PDB is accompanied by neurodegeneration and myopathy due to the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates, emphasising the importance of defects in autophagy in the pathogenesis of PDB. Summary Genetic factors play a key role in the pathogenesis of PDB and the studies in this area have identified several genes previously not suspected to play a role in bone metabolism. Genetic testing coupled to targeted therapeutic intervention is being explored as a way of halting disease progression and improving outcome before irreversible skeletal damage has occurred.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 829
Author(s):  
Yana Kogan ◽  
Edmond Sabo ◽  
Majed Odeh

Objectives: The role of serum C-reactive protein (CRPs) and pleural fluid CRP (CRPpf) in discriminating uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UCPPE) from complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE) is yet to be validated since most of the previous studies were on small cohorts and with variable results. The role of CRPs and CRPpf gradient (CRPg) and of their ratio (CRPr) in this discrimination has not been previously reported. The study aims to assess the diagnostic efficacy of CRPs, CRPpf, CRPr, and CRPg in discriminating UCPPE from CPPE in a relatively large cohort. Methods: The study population included 146 patients with PPE, 86 with UCPPE and 60 with CPPE. Levels of CRPs and CRPpf were measured, and the CRPg and CRPr were calculated. The values are presented as mean ± SD. Results: Mean levels of CRPs, CRPpf, CRPg, and CRPr of the UCPPE group were 145.3 ± 67.6 mg/L, 58.5 ± 38.5 mg/L, 86.8 ± 37.3 mg/L, and 0.39 ± 0.11, respectively, and for the CPPE group were 302.2 ± 75.6 mg/L, 112 ± 65 mg/L, 188.3 ± 62.3 mg/L, and 0.36 ± 0.19, respectively. Levels of CRPs, CRPpf, and CRPg were significantly higher in the CPPE than in the UCPPE group (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between the two groups for levels of CRPr (p = 0.26). The best cut-off value calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for discriminating UCPPE from CPPE was for CRPs, 211.5 mg/L with area under the curve (AUC) = 94% and p < 0.0001, for CRPpf, 90.5 mg/L with AUC = 76.3% and p < 0.0001, and for CRPg, 142 mg/L with AUC = 91% and p < 0.0001. Conclusions: CRPs, CRPpf, and CRPg are strong markers for discrimination between UCPPE and CPPE, while CRPr has no role in this discrimination.


2001 ◽  
Vol 178 (S41) ◽  
pp. s128-s133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Craddock ◽  
Ian Jones

BackgroundA robust body of evidence from family, twin and adoption studies demonstrates the importance of genes in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder. Recent advances in molecular genetics have made it possible to identify these susceptibility genes.AimsTo present an overview for clinical psychiatrists.MethodReview of current molecular genetics approaches and emerging findings.ResultsOccasional families may exist in which a single gene plays a major role in determining susceptibility, but the majority of bipolar disorder involves more complex genetic mechanisms such as the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Molecular genetic positional and candidate gene approaches are being used for the genetic dissection of bipolar disorder. No gene has yet been identified but promising findings are emerging. Regions of interest include chromosomes 4p16, 12q23–q24, 16p13, 21q22, and Xq24–q26. Candidate gene association studies are in progress but no robust positive findings have yet emerged.ConclusionIt is almost certain that over the next few years the identification of bipolar susceptiblity genes will have a major impact on our understanding of disease pathophysiology. This is likely to lead to major improvements and treatment in patient care, but will also raise important ethical issues.


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