Diagnostic Value of MicroRNA 21 in Endometrial Cancer and Benign Lesions and its Differential Expression in Relation to Clinicopathological Parameters

Background: Endometrial cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide. Although this cancer is often diagnosed at early stages, the need for biomarkers of diagnosis remains a necessity to overcome conventional invasive procedures of diagnosis. Objective: In our study, we aim to investigate the diagnostic value of microRNA-21 in endometrial cancer and its relation to clinicopathological features. Methods: We used RT-qPCR to measure the expression of microRNA-21 in 71 tumor tissues, 53 adjacent tissues, and 54 benign lesions. Results: Our results show that microRNA-21 is a potential biomarker for endometrial cancer with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.925 (95% CI = 0.863 - 0.964, P<0.0001). The sensitivity was 84.51% (95% CI = 74.0 - 92.0) and specificity was 86.79% (95% CI = 74.7 - 94.5). For discrimination between benign lesions and controls the AUC was 0,881 with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI = 93.4 - 100.0) and specificity of 66.04 % (95% CI = 51.7 - 78.5), and for discriminating benign lesions from tumors the AUC was 0,750 with a sensitivity of 54.93% (95% CI = 42.7 - 66.8) and specificity of 90.74% (95% CI = 79.7 - 96.9). We also found that tumors with elevated microRNA-21 expression are of advanced FIGO stage, high histological grades, and have cervical invasion, myometrial invasion and distant metastasis. Conclusion: Our findings support the important role of miR-21 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Further studies on minimally invasive/noninvasive samples such as serum, blood, and urine are necessary to provide a better alternative to current diagnosis methods.

Using Regurgitated Pellets From White-Tailed Sea-Eagles as Noninvasive Samples to Assess Lead Exposure Caused by Hunting in Germany

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic lead intoxication is the most frequent cause of death of White-tailed Sea-Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Germany. Most lead fragments are ingested by eagles feeding on carcasses and viscera of game animals shot with lead-based ammunition left in the wild by hunters. We investigated how many regurgitated pellets contained metal fragments and hypothesized a correlation between the presence of metal fragments and (1) the hunting season, (2) the ban of lead in rifle ammunition, and (3) the frequency of specific prey animals in the pellets. We collected 273 regurgitated pellets, radiographed them for metal fragments, and analyzed the prey composition. The metal elements were identified using micro x-ray fluorescence. Metal particles were found in 9.2% of pellets; 24 fragments consisted of lead and one fragment was mostly copper. A higher proportion (14.3%) of contaminated pellets was detected during the hunting season from September through February. During the non-hunting season from March through August, 7.6% of the regurgitated pellets were contaminated. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the presence of mammalian remains in the pellets and metal contamination (general linear model, z = 2.16, P = 0.03). Our results indicate a correlation between the increased activity of hunters in winter and the occurrence of metal in regurgitated pellets of White-tailed Sea-Eagles.

Biomarkers and Spectroscopic Methods: The Strategies for Diagnostics of Selected Diseases

Background: There are many different tools for diagnostics of various diseases. One of the simplest approach for the early, rapid and accurate diagnosis represents determination of biomarkers. </P><P> Focus: In the following text, we describe review of the latest discoveries in the field of biomarkers of selected diseases: intestinal ischemia and atherosclerosis. The aim of this review article is to show the problems which the researchers have been dealing with in the process of discovering and establishing novel biomarkers. This work describes the possibilities of monitoring biomarkers from noninvasive samples such as tears. Additionally, the actual possibilities of the spectroscopy techniques in monitoring and diagnostics of selected diseases are mentioned which might replace the need of biomarkers of several diseases. </P><P> Prospect: For the most diagnostic purposes, biomarkers should be analyzed in body fluid samples. For the biofluids, metabolic signatures could be determined, although there is no consensus on possible biomarkers yet. Metabolomics, the comprehensive, qualitative, and quantitative study of secondary metabolites and signaling molecules reveal a wide range of dysregulated molecules in various diseases. However, using spectroscopic methods could contribute to the traditional view on biomarkers by monitoring the relevant tissues and body fluid samples.

MiR-148b, MiR-152/ALCAM Axis Regulates the Proliferation and Invasion of Pituitary Adenomas Cells

Background/Aims: Aberrant expression of miRNA has been found in many tumor tissues to regulate the tumorigenesis by binding to the 3`- untranslated region (3`-UTR) of the target genes. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of miR-148b, miR-152/ALCAM axis in human pituitary adenomas (PAs). Methods: First, we detected the expression level of miR-148b-3p and miR-152 in human PAs samples by using qRT-PCR. Then we studied the role of miR-148b-3p, miR-152 on human PAs cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis by using MTS assay, Transwell invasion assay and Annexin V/PI Staining Test. To study the relationship between miR-148b-3p, miR-152 and activated leukocyte antigen molecule (ALCAM), we overexpressed miR-148-3p or miR-152 by transfecting specific mimics. Lucifearase reporter assay was then performed to confirm the target. Next, we studied the biological functions of ALCAM in human PAs cells. Finally, the role of miR-148b-3p, miR-152/ALCAM axis in PAs cells was studied. Results: The expression level of miR-148-3p and miR-152 in invasive PAs samples was lower than those in noninvasive samples. Overexpression of miR-148b-3p, miR-152 could repress proliferation and invasion, and promote apoptosis. Moreover, miR-148b-3p and miR-152 could repress activated leukocyte antigen molecule (ALCAM) expression. Knockdown of ALCAM could repress proliferation and invasion and promote apoptosis. By contrary, overexpression of ALCAM promoted proliferation and invasion. Further, the rescue experiments indicated that overexpression of ALCAM significantly restored the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion influenced by miR-148b-3p and miR-152. Conclusions: Our study suggests that miR-148b-3p, miR-152 may serve as suppressors in PAs through downregulating ALCAM expression. miR-148b, miR-152/ ALCAM axis may be a new therapeutic target in the future.