Showing papers in "British Journal of Biomedical Science in 2018"
TL;DR: Chitosan coated Fe3O4 NPs are effective antimicrobial agents and so may be developed as a microbial resistant coating for biomedical devices.
Abstract: Background and aim: The emergence of resistance against antimicrobial agents has led to the development of more efficient agents and new techniques for treatment of various microbial infect...
133 citations
TL;DR: This study isolated 73 consecutive, non-repetitive A.baumannii strains from patients with severe urinary tract infections and mapped their genetic relatedness of resistance associated with plasmid-encoded blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M genes to contribute to mapping the ESBL molecular signature of A. baumannii.
Abstract: Acinetobacter baumannii associated with nosocomial infections are among the top six drug resistant microbes. Extensive use of the β-lactam group of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of drug...
63 citations
TL;DR: Levels of miR-126 and mi-210 levels may be biomarkers for diabetes with or without CAD, and the miRNAs significantly discriminated between diabetes with and without CAD at cut-off values.
Abstract: Background: Macrovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality among the diabetic patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small non-coding RNAs, play vital roles in the regulation of blood glucose level and the concurrent cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that plasma miR-126 and miR-210 are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) in these diabetes patients.Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers and 100 patients with diabetes (54 patients without CAD and 46 patients with CAD). Plasma miR-126 and miR-210 expressions were assessed by quantitative real time PCR. Specificity and sensitivity of miR-126 and miR-210 to discriminate CAD with diabetes was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Correlations between miR-126 and miR-210 and studied characteristics in diabetes patients with and without CAD were compared.Results: Plasma relative expressions of miR-126 and miR-210 were 0.38 ± 0.03 an...
51 citations
TL;DR: The data indicate that miR -146a and miR-27a variants contribute to breast cancer and further studies in larger populations including other genetic and environmental factors are required to achieve a definitive conclusion.
Abstract: Background microRNAs (miRNAs) are potentially involved in many physiopathological processes, including regulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and cancer. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the genes encoding miRNAs can alter their expression and may influence cancer risks. This case-control study explored the relationship between three microRNA polymorphisms (miR-27a, miR-196a2 and miR -146a) and breast cancer (BC).Methods A total of 353 breast cancer cases and 353 controls were genotyped for miR-27a (rs895819), miR-196a2 (rs11614913) and miR -146a (rs2910164). The miR-27a and miR-146a variants were discriminated using a PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism method, while miR-196a2 were analysed by tetra-primers amplification refractory mutation system PCR. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to estimate associations.Results The CC homozygous genotype of miR-146a (rs2910164) was seen in 45(12.7%) patients with breast cancer and 18(5.1%) controls...
28 citations
TL;DR: The C allele is protective of HCV in TLR3, TLR7, and TLR8, while risk of infection is linked to the T allele inTLR7 (rs179008) in females only and the A allele in TLr8 (rs3764880) in both sexes.
Abstract: Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are linked with functional modification of cytokine responses. In chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, studies...
28 citations
TL;DR: Findings demonstrate altered miRNA species in uterine sarcoma that are linked to disease stage, and a new molecular mechanism, by which miR-152 andMiR-24 promote autophagy by activating SIRT1 and deacetylating LC3.
Abstract: Background: MiRNAs may be associated with the risk of uterine sarcoma and related molecular mechanism remains unclear.Methods: A total of 101 patients with uterine sarcoma (cases) and 54 he...
24 citations
TL;DR: Pregnant women with NAFLD have increased risk for GDM, pre-eclampsia, hypertension, hyperuricemia, increasing total cholesterol and triglycerides and should be carefully monitored during antenatal care.
Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major element of the metabolic syndrome, with a prevalence of about 20–30% of all liver diseases [1,2]. This figure depends on certain factors, includ...
24 citations
TL;DR: A colon score derived from serum CEA, CA19-9, CK1 and MUC1 is a potential valuable non-invasive index that could be used for detection and screening early stage colon cancer patients.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Although established markers such as CEA and CA19-9 are important for diagnosing early stages of colon cancer, they are not ideal. Developing promising markers include cytokeratin 1 (CK1) and mucin-1 (MUC1), but the combined value of each of these markers is unclear. We therefore evaluated the value of a combined laboratory-based score of these four markers in the diagnosis of colon cancer. METHODS Two hundred patients who had undergone colonoscopic examination (150 colon cancer, 50 benign growths) were recruited. The study was controlled by 35 healthy subjects. CEA, CA19-9, CK1 and MUC1 were measured by ELISA and evaluated for cancer diagnosis using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Serum levels of all four markers were increased in the order colon cancer > benign disease > healthy controls (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, CA19.9 (p = 0.025), CK1 (p < 0.001) and MUC1 (p = 0.009) were significant independent predictors of colon cancer. A score that gave the greatest power of discrimination for colon cancer was defined as 1.06 + [0.001 × CA19.9 result] + [0.003 × CEA result] + [0.03 × CK1 result] + [0.05 × MUC1 result]. The colon score provided superior discrimination, AUC, and sensitivity and specificity for colon cancer versus benign growth than each of the individual markers. Similarly, the colon score provided superior AUC, and sensitivity and specificity that each individual marker for tumour stage, lymph node invasion and distant organ metastases than each individual marker. CONCLUSION A colon score derived from serum CEA, CA19-9, CK1 and MUC1 is a potential valuable non-invasive index that could be used for detection and screening early stage colon cancer patients.
23 citations
TL;DR: Combined NLR and CRP could be used as a novel, simple, low-cost, non-invasive test for SBP diagnosis.
Abstract: Background and objective: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is diagnosed by the presence of ≥250 polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN)/mm3 in the ascites and the absence of surgically t...
23 citations
TL;DR: FIB-4 and GPR may be useful blood markers for evaluating the severity of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients and further prospective study is required to validate these noninvasive blood markers in a clinical practice.
Abstract: ObjectiveNoninvasive liver fibrosis evaluation is an important issue in chronic hepatitis B infection, and may be assessed using transient elastography (Fibroscan) or with blood markers. We compared the value of Fibroscan with that of a panel of routine serum markers.Materials and methodsWe recruited 278 chronic hepatitis B patients who underwent Fibroscan and HBV DNA testing. Fibroscan assessments were made, and blood taken for the measurement of the gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to platelet ratio (GPR), platelet count, aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), international normalised ratio (INR), total cholesterol, trigylcerides, bilirubin, mean platelet volume (MPV), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio.ResultsA fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) and GPR were higher and platelets were lower in mild liver fibrosis than in non-liver fibrosis. GGT, AST, ALT, INR, MPV, APRI, FIB-4, GPR, and NLR were higher, and platelet and ch...
20 citations
TL;DR: High MGLR and MELD scores are linked to increasing frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after TACE and could be used as novel, simple, non-invasive prognostic tests.
Abstract: BACKGROUND The first-line treatment option for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma is trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Blood indices, such as lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), lymphocyte count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MGLR) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), are prognostic biomarkers in certain diseases. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores have been designed for patients with cirrhosis waiting for liver transplantation and in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. We hypothesized possible roles for these blood indices, and the MELD and CTP scores as predictors for early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE. METHODS Routine laboratory indices determined the NLR, LMR, MGLR, RDW, PLR, as well as MELD and CTP scores in 147 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of the indices for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence 36 months after TACE were estimated by receiver operator characteristic curve. RESULTS In multivariate regression analysis, only male sex, the lymphocyte count, CTP, the MGLR and the MELD score significantly (P < 0.01) predicted recurrence. The area under curve (AUC) for detection of recurrence for MGLR at a cut-off value 2.75 was 0.63 (95% CI 0.54-0.72) with sensitivity 70.7%, specificity 59.2% and accuracy 63%. The MELD score at cut-off value 9.5 had diagnostic performance with AUC 0.71 (0.63-0.79), sensitivity 80% and specificity 55.8% and accuracy 71.3%. CONCLUSIONS High MGLR and MELD scores are linked to increasing frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after TACE and could be used as novel, simple, non-invasive prognostic tests.
TL;DR: Resistance rate to clarithromycin was high and the highest percentage of mutation was of A2143G, while PCR-RFLP was used directly with formalin-fixed gastric biopsies, thus, avoiding the requirement for time-consuming culture-based methods.
Abstract: Background: Clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance of Helicobacter pylori is increasing worldwide and has resulted in a loss in the effectiveness of therapeutic regimens. We aimed to evaluate common mutations of resistance genes to clarithromycin (A2143G, A2142G and A2142C) and metronidazole (rdxA and frxA) in H. pylori strains in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric biopsies.Methods: A total of 110 tissue blocks from children suspected of H. pylori infection were included. After DNA extraction, UreC PCR was performed. Specific primers and restriction enzymes by PCR-RFLP were used for analysis of A2143G and A2142G mutations. To detect A2142C and assess frequent mutations of metronidazole resistance, specific primers and PCR method were used.Results: One hundred cases of H. pylori (91%) were by PCR. Of 34 (34%) clarithromycin-resistant isolates 17 (50%), 10 (29%) and 7 (21%) had A2143G, A2142G, A2142C, respectively. Resistance rate to metronidazole was 60% (N = 60). In sequencing rdxA and...
TL;DR: This study aims to establish a causative mechanism behind breast cancer onset and progression that has been linked to oxidative stress by exploring the role of EMT in the development of cancer.
Abstract: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among women worldwide, (second most common cancer overall) [1]. Cancer onset and progression have been linked to oxidative stress by incr...
TL;DR: LAMP is a useful, quick and accurate method for the clinical diagnosis of HPV subtypes and is superior to the Luminex method in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
Abstract: Objective Condyloma acuminatum (CA) is a common, viral, sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping has important clinical implications for the treatment of CA. We developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the detection of HPV. Methods We collected 294 cervical scrape samples, including 30 HPV-6-positive, 30 HPV-11-positive, 22 HPV-16-positive, 20 HPV-42-positve, 30 HPV-43-positive, 20 HPV-44-positive and 142 HPV-negative samples. Tissues from 40 patients with a pathological diagnosis of CA were paraffin-embedded and analyzed by LAMP and Luminex. Hydroxynaphthol blue (HNB) and electrophoresis were used to detect the results of LAMP. Results LAMP and Luminex systems were compared in detecting six subtypes of HPV. LAMP reactions were specific for each subtype. The sensitivity of LAMP for HPV-6, as determined by the HNB indicator assay, was 1000 copies/tube. The kappa value between the two methods was 0.98 (HPV-6), 0.94 (HPV-11), 0.89 (HPV-43), 0.87 (HPV-42) 0.79 (HPV-16) and 0.68 (HPV-44). Among the 142 HPV-negative samples determined by the Luminex assay, HPV-6 was detected in eight and HPV-11 in one by LAMP. Among the 40 CA samples, the results of LAMP and Luminex were in agreement in 38 (95%). Conclusion The results of this study indicated that the LAMP assay with HNB is superior to the Luminex method in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The specificity of LAMP was 100% and the sensitivity of LAMP was 1000 copies/tube using HNB. LAMP is therefore a useful, quick and accurate method for the clinical diagnosis of HPV subtypes.
TL;DR: A case-control and follow-up study to determine the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of serum S100A4 in ovarian cancer and its relation to clinical significance is still unknown.
Abstract: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynaecologic cancer death in developed countries and often presents at an advanced stage. The absence of specific symptoms and lack of reliable early diagnost...
TL;DR: In this population, diarrhoea is linked to infection with Blastocystis sp, E. histolytica and E moshkoviskii and these associations may be linked pathogenically.
Abstract: An association of Helicobacter pylori and common protozoal parasites in patients with abdominal discomfort and chronic diarrhoea is unclear and may be pathological.One hundred and sixty-one patient...
TL;DR: IL-28B rs12979860 TT genotype is more prevalent in patients with advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC stages and seems to be associated with poor outcomes in chronic HCV patients and to augment the risk of developing HCC.
Abstract: Background: A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene may alter the trajectory of hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection. Several studies have sought to determine a link between IL28B rs12979860 SNP and the development of HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but with variable results, and consensus is awaited. We hypothesised that IL28B rs12979860 SNP is linked to HCC in patients with HCV type 4.Methods: IL28B genotyping of 300 patients with HCV-related fibrosis (n = 100), cirrhosis (n = 100) and HCC (n = 100) was carried out and the results were analysed to determine the association between the IL28B genotype and clinical outcome.Results: In IL28B TT genotype carriers, the proportions of moderate/severe fibrosis, advanced cirrhosis (Child B-C) and HCC (50%, 84% and 60.2%, respectively) were higher (p < 0.05) than in CC/CT (4.3%, 46% and 23%, respectively). IL-28B SNP was linked significantly (p < 0.05) with cirrhosis progression and HCC advanced stages. ...
TL;DR: Both dominant and additive models in both KCNJ11 (E23K, rs5219) and SDF-1β (G801A, rs1801157) genetic polymorphisms are significantly associated with type 2 diabetes.
Abstract: Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global major health problem resulting from interaction of environmental and genetic factors, examples of the latter being KCNJ11 (coding for part of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel) and SDF-1β (coding for chemokine CXCL12). Our case-control study was conducted to assess whether recessive, dominant or additive genotype model associations of KCNJ11 (E23K, rs5219) and SDF-1β (G801A, rs1801157) were more strongly linked to type 2 diabetes. Subjects & Methods Genetic polymorphism analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Alleles and genotype frequencies between 200 cases and 200 controls were determined and compared. Results The dominant (EE v EK + KK, p = 0.022) and additive (EK v EE + KK, p = 0.021) models, but not the recessive model (KK v EE + EK, p = 0.727) of KCNJ11 were linked to diabetes. Similarly, the dominant (GG v GA + AA, p < 0.001) and additive (AG v GG + AA, p=<0.001) models, but not the recessive model (AA v AG + GG, p = 0.430) of SDF-1β were linked to diabetes. The A allele (p = 0.006) of SDF-1β was protective against the risk of T2DM. Conclusion Both dominant and additive models in both KCNJ11 (E23K, rs5219) and SDF-1β (G801A, rs1801157) genetic polymorphisms are significantly associated with type 2 diabetes.
TL;DR: Although no significant links were found between GST polymorphism and treatment response, null genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1 and ‘G’ allele of GSTP1 bring a higher risk of severe gastrointestinal toxicity due to chemoradiation therapy in cervical cancer.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Certain forms of chemoradiotherapy generate toxic reactive oxygen species, which may be ameliorated by antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST). Genetic polymorphisms of GST may predict treatment outcomes and can be used as genetic marker to screen patients before treatment. We hypothesised an effect of GST polymorphisms on the response and toxicities produced by chemoradiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS GST polymorphisms were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 227 women with cervical cancer receiving cisplatin based chemoradiotherapy. Treatment response and toxicities were evaluated by standard internationally recognised criteria (RECIST and RTOG). RESULTS Severe (grade 3-4) gastrointestinal and haematological toxicities were present in 22 (9.4%) and 16 (7.0%) patients, respectively. GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null and GSTP1 AG genotypes brought marginally better non-significant associations. In single locus analysis GSTP1 AG and GG was linked to greatest risk of severe (grade 3-4) gastrointestinal toxicity (OR = 3.12, P = 0.035 and OR = 6.99, P = 0.01, respectively). In gene-gene interaction analysis, GSTM1 null-GSTP1 GG showed 4.2-fold higher risk of severe gastrointestinal toxicity (P = 0.014). GSTT1 null-GSTP1 AG reached statistical significance with a 3.9-fold higher risk of high grade gastrointestinal toxicity (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS Although no significant links were found between GST polymorphism and treatment response, null genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1 and 'G' allele of GSTP1 bring a higher risk of severe gastrointestinal toxicity due to chemoradiation therapy in cervical cancer.
TL;DR: The phylogenetic distribution of UPEC isolates and the association of several virulence determinants including adhesions, iron uptake mediators, toxin and pathogenicity island, as well as antibiotic resistance profile to the genetic background of the isolates are investigated.
Abstract: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the pre-dominant bacterial pathogen causing Urinary Tract infections (UTIs). Pathogenicity of UPEC results from presence and expression of several virulence...
TL;DR: Comparing CLSI, EUCAST and Stokes AST methods for determining susceptibility of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, trimethoprim, cephradine/cephalexin, ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin indicates discrepancies generated through using different AST methods may result in confusion and inaccuracy when prescribing treatment for urinary tract infection.
Abstract: Background: As many clinical laboratories convert between Stokes, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)...
TL;DR: Serum leptin may be related to the rate of fibrosis progression in nondiabetic patients with chronic HBV infection and follow-up by serial measurement of serum leptin and HOMA-IR in non diabetic HBV-infected patients may be used as a non-invasive marker of early liver fibrosis.
Abstract: BACKGROUND The relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, leptin and insulin resistance remains unclear. We hypothesised links between serum leptin and insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients with chronic viral hepatitis B infection and their relation to liver fibrosis. METHODS We recruited 190 untreated patients with chronic HBV infection and 72 healthy controls. Serum leptin, fasting glucose, insulin, liver function tests (LFTs), C-peptide and Homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) were measured/calculated by ELISA and standard techniques. RESULTS Serum leptin, C-peptide (both P < 0.001), HOMA-IR (P = 0.021) and several LFTs were increased in patients with chronic HBV-infection. In multivariate regression analysis, both HOMA-IR (P = 0.003) and leptin (P = 0.002) were significant independent predictors of HBV infection. There were significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) between leptin and HOMA-IR (r = 0.81), between serum leptin and METAVIR activity (r = 0.95), and between HOMA-IR and BMI (r = 0.75), fasting glucose (r = 0.005), and fasting insulin (r = 0.81). Several LFTs, glucose and insulin correlated modestly (r = 0.61-0.69, P < 0.05) with leptin. CONCLUSION Serum leptin may be related to the rate of fibrosis progression in nondiabetic patients with chronic HBV infection. Follow-up by serial measurement of serum leptin and HOMA-IR in non diabetic HBV-infected patients may be used as a non-invasive marker of early liver fibrosis.
TL;DR: Ferritin discriminates between HCs and EOC patients, especially in early stage disease, and the combination of serum ferritin and CA125 provides the higher diagnostic accuracy to screen for EOC.
Abstract: Introduction: CA125 has poor sensitivity and low specificity for detecting early ovarian cancer. Serum ferritin is elevated in many malignancies. We evaluated the performance of ferritin alone and ...
TL;DR: The Fibro-Mark score provides better discrimination in hepatic-fibrosis staging in chronic hepatitis C patients than existing scores.
Abstract: Background: Fibrosis markers are useful for the prediction of cirrhosis but clinical scores such as King’s score, AST-Platelet ratio index (APRI), Biotechnology research center (BRC), Fibrosis routine test (FRT), Fibro-α score and Fibro-quotient (FibroQ) have limited accuracy for diagnosing significant fibrosis. We hypothesised that new markers (reflecting the balance between hepatic fibrogenesis and fibrolysis) together with other indirect fibrosis markers would together construct a more sensitive and specific score capable of identifying fibrosis than existing scores.Methods: Collagen IV, hyaluronic acid, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were measured by ELISA, and AST, ALT, platelet count, albumin, total bilirubin, INR and AFP by routine methods in 148 patients with hepatitis C induced liver disease. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis and area under receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were used to create a predictive score...
TL;DR: There is a strong link between pri-miR-124-1 rs531564 and STAT3 rs1053023 and gastric cancer that may be pathogenic, and so worthy of further investigation.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ribonucleic acids that modulate the expression of downstream target genes. There is considerable evidence of their involvement in many malignancies, such as oesophageal and gastric. We hypothesised altered expressions of pri-miR-124-1 rs531564 and STAT3 rs1053023 polymorphisms in gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 250 patients with gastric cancer and 310 healthy individuals. The RFLP method was applied for determination of pri-miR-124 polymorphism and the AS-PCR method for STAT3 polymorphism. RESULTS The distribution of rs531564 genotypes in cases and controls was different: the G allele carriers had a reduced gastric cancer risk (OR = 0.62; 95%CI = 0.49-0.80, P = 0.0002). Presence of the minor allele of STAT3 (rs1053023) was linked with higher risk of gastric cancer (OR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.79-2.93, P < 0.0001). Compared with the most frequent haplotype C-G [the SNP order was pri-miR-124-1 (rs531564) and STAT3 (rs1053023)] in controls, C-A haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (OR = 2.28; 95%CI = 1.64-3.09, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION There is a strong link between pri-miR-124-1 rs531564 and STAT3 rs1053023 and gastric cancer that may be pathogenic, and so worthy of further investigation.
TL;DR: TLR4 polymorphismsrs5030717 and rs5030718 may be useful in predicting those type 2 diabetics who are at risk of hypertension, nephropathy and/or dyslipidaemia.
Abstract: Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus describes a metabolic disorder characterised by prolonged elevated blood glucose that brings a risk of developing microvascular and macrovascular diseas...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors modified the standard non-invasive prenatal screening (s-NIPS) protocol with an additional cfDNA size selecting step in agarose-electrophoresis.
Abstract: Background Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) using cell-free foetal DNA (cfDNA) has been widely used for identifying common foetal aneuploidies (e.g. trisomy 21 (T21), trisomy (T18) and trisomy 13 (T13)) in clinical practice. The sensitivity and specificity of NIPS exceeds 99%, but the positive prediction value (PPV) is approximately 70% (combined T21, T18 and T13). Thus, some 30% of pregnant women who have positive NIPS results are eventually identified as normal by amniocentesis. These women therefore must undertake needless invasive tests and risk miscarrying healthy babies because of false positive NIPS results. Methods In order to achieve higher accuracy, we amended the standard NIPS (s-NIPS) protocol with an additional cfDNA size selecting step in agarose-electrophoresis. The advantage of the new method (named e-NIPS) was validated by comparing the results of e-NIPS and s-NIPS using 114 retrospective cases selected from 15,930 cases. Results Our results showed that the foetal cfDNA fraction can be enriched significantly by a size selection step. With this modification, all 98 negative cases and 9 of 11 false positive cases of s-NIPS were correctly identified by e-NIPS, resulting in an increased PPV from 71% to 77%. Additionally, a simulation test showed that e-NIPS is more reliable than s-NIPS, especially when the foetal cfDNA concentration and sequencing coverage are low. Conclusion cfDNA size selection is an important step in improving the accuracy of non-invasive prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities.
TL;DR: Serum soluble major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (sMICA) is a promising marker for determining the presence, clinical severity, and survival outcome in gastric cancer.
Abstract: The major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain genes A and B (MICA and MICB, present at 6p21.33) encode cell surface transmembrane glycoproteins related to those of the HLA system, and ...
TL;DR: It is hypothesised that miR-146b in FNA can distinguish PTC from benign thyroid masses, and possible implications of miR -146b identification on the initial surgical treatment of thyroid nodules with PTC cytology are explored.
Abstract: Thyroid nodules are present in 5–10% of adults on physical palpation of the thyroid gland; it is much higher on thyroid ultrasonography-up to 50–70% in people older than 60 years [1] One of the ma
TL;DR: The P53 Arg72Pro and miR34b/c rs4938723 (T > C) polymorphisms were selected to test the hypothesis that these SNPs are associated with the risk of UC.
Abstract: Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is characterized by repeated flare-ups of inflammation that can contribute to the development of colorectal cancer [1]. The path...