Biomarker
Comparative proteomic analysis of ductal and lobular invasive breast carcinoma
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the first among women. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) are the two major histological subtypes, and the clinical and molecular differences between them justify the search for new markers to distinguish them. As proteomic analysis allows for a powerful and analytical approach to identify potential biomarkers, we performed a comparative analysis of IDC and ILC samples by using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.
Development of novel DNA markers for genetic analysis of grey hamsters by cross-species amplification of microsatellites
The grey hamster has been used in biomedical research for decades. However, effective molecular methods for evaluating the genetic structure of this species are lacking, which hinders its wider usage. In this study, we employed cross-amplification of microsatellite loci of species within the same genus by polymerase chain reaction. Loci screened included 107 from the Mongolian gerbil (MG) and 60 from the Chinese hamster (CH); of these, 15 polymorphic loci were identified for the grey hamster.
Weak cation magnetic separation technology and MALDI-TOF-MS in screening serum protein markers in primary type I osteoporosis
We investigated weak cation magnetic separation technology and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in screening serum protein markers of primary type I osteoporosis. We selected 16 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and nine postmenopausal women as controls to find a new method for screening biomarkers and establishing a diagnostic model for primary type I osteoporosis. Serum samples were obtained from controls and patients.
Prognostic role of microRNA-100 in patients with bladder cancer
We investigated the clinical significance and prognostic value of microRNA-100 (miR-100) in bladder cancer. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the expression of miR-100 in 92 pairs of human bladder cancer and adjacent normal tissue samples. Overall survival (OS) curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and were evaluated for statistical significance using a log-rank test. The significance of different variables with respect to survival was analyzed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model.
Expression of microRNA-106b and its clinical significance in cutaneous melanoma
MicroRNA-106b (miR-106b) is overexpressed in various types of cancers and is associated with the regulation of carcinogenic processes. However, its clinical significance in cutaneous melanoma has not been reported. qRT-PCR was performed to examine the expression of miR-106b in 15 cases of dysplastic nevi, 17 cases of melanoma metastases, and 97 cases of primary cutaneous melanoma tissue samples. Survival rate was determined with Kaplan-Meier and statistically analyzed with the log-rank method between groups. Survival data were evaluated through multivariate Cox regression analysis.
Clinical significance of serum miR-196a in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer
Previous studies have reported that miR-196a is upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. However, whether serum miR-196a is increased in patients with cervical cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and its potential clinical value remained unknown. In total, 105 cervical cancer patients, 86 CIN patients, and 50 healthy volunteers were recruited. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to compare the serum levels miR-196a in all participants.
Serum Dickkopf-1 levels as a clinical and prognostic factor in patients with bladder cancer
Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is a secreted protein that inhibits Wnt signaling. However, the clinical significance and prognostic value of serum DKK-1 levels have not been previously investigated in bladder cancer in Chinese patients. Blood samples were taken from 94 consecutive patients diagnosed with bladder cancer and 60 healthy control subjects. Serum DKK-1 expression levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Diagnostic performance of microRNA-29a for colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis
Previous studies have revealed that the expression level of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) was remarkably different in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and healthy controls, indicating that miR-29a can be used as a diagnostic marker of CRC, but the results have been inconsistent. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic performance of blood-based miR-29a for CRC. We performed a systematic review of studies published over the past two decades to investigate the diagnostic performance of serum miR-29a for the diagnosis of CRC.
Circulating miR-125b as a biomarker of Ewing's sarcoma in Chinese children
Previous studies indicated that microRNA-125b (miR-125b) has an important role in the progression of Ewing’s sarcoma (ES). The purpose of the current study was to examine expression changes of miR-125b in the serum of ES patients and evaluate if the expression level of miR-125b could serve as a new biomarker for ES. This study was performed on patients who underwent surgical resection at our hospital between 2005 and 2013 after an initial diagnosis of ES.