Browsing by Subject "Biomarkers"

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    Alterations in haemolymph proteome of Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel after an induced injury
    (Elsevier, 2018-01-31) Franco-Martínez, Lorena; Martínez-Subiela, Silvia; Escribano, Damián; Schlosser, Sarah; Nöbauer, Katharina; Razzazi-Fazeli, Ebrahím; Romero, Diego; Cerón, José Joaquín Cerón; Tvarijonaviciute, Asta; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    A proteomic and biochemical approach was performed to assess the effects of an induced muscle injury on the haemolymph of bivalve molluscs. For this purpose, Mytilus galloprovincialis were exposed to puncture of adductor muscle for three consecutive days, and their haemolymph proteome was then compared to healthy animals using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) to identify proteins that differed significantly in abundance. Those proteins were then subjected to tandem mass spectrometry and 6 proteins, namely myosin, tropomyosin, CuZn super-oxide dismutase (SOD), triosephosphate isomerase, EP protein and small heat shock protein were identified. SOD and tropomyosin changes were verified by spectrophotometric measurements and western blotting, respectively. As some of the proteins identified are related to muscular damage and oxidative stress, other biomarkers associated with these processes that can be evaluated by automatic biochemical assays were measured including troponin, creatine kinase (CK), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) for muscle damage, and SOD, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and esterase activity (EA) for oxidative stress. Significantly higher concentrations of troponin, CK, AST, and TEAC were observed in mussels after puncture, being also possible biomarkers of non-specific induced damage.
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    Análisis del rendimiento físico durante un torneo corto en jugadores de baloncesto semiprofesionales
    (Universidad de Murcia, Servicio de Publicaciones, 2023) Izquierdo Velasco, José María; Delgado Márquez, Elvira; Verde Rello, Zoraida; Redondo Castán, Juan Carlos
    El objetivo fue determinar los predictores del rendimiento físico evaluando la capacidad de aceleración (sprint de 10 m y 20 m) y la habilidad de salto (CMJ) durante tres días consecutivos en un torneo de baloncesto semiprofesional. Para ello, 24 jugadores (24,3 ± 3,4 años) fueron monitoreados para cuantificar el porcentaje de acciones máximas (PMA) y las concentraciones de testosterona (T) y cortisol (C). Las pruebas se efectuaron 24 h antes del primer partido, después de cada uno de los 3 partidos y 24 h después de finalizar el torneo. Los resultados mostraron que la esperada disminución en el rendimiento de las variables físicas a lo largo del torneo se puede predecir mediante modelos de datos que incluyen tanto por la carga de esfuerzo percibida como C, siendo para ambos el CMJ el más significativo (Dentro-R2= 0,60 y Entre-R2= 0,54 respectivamente). Por tanto, se recomienda la monitorización del cortisol en la evaluación de las demandas del ejercicio para este tipo de torneos. Además, los resultados nos permiten ampliar el conocimiento de las demandas internas y externas en los partidos de baloncesto.
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    Analytical validation of an automated assay for the measurement of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and its isoenzymes in saliva and a pilot evaluation of their changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
    (2021-04-28) Franco Martínez, Lorena; Tecles, Fernando; Torres Cantero, Alberto; Bernal, Enrique; San Lázaro, Indra; Alcaraz, María José; Vicente Romero, Rosario; Lamy, Elsa; Sánchez Resalt, Cristina; Rubio, Camila P.; Tvarijonaviciute, Asta; Martínez Subiela, Silvia; Cerón, José J.; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Objectives: The aim of the present study was to validate a commercially available automated assay for the measurement of total adenosine deaminase (tADA) and its isoenzymes (ADA1 and ADA2) in saliva in a fast and accurate way, and evaluate the possible changes of these analytes in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: The validation, in addition to the evaluation of precision and accuracy, included the analysis of the effects of the main procedures that are currently being used for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation in saliva and a pilot study to evaluate the possible changes in salivary tADA and isoenzymes in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Results: The automated assay proved to be accurate and precise, with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation below 8.2%, linearity under dilution linear regression with R2 close to 1, and recovery percentage between 80 and 120% in all cases. This assay was affected when the sample is treated with heat or SDS for virus inactivation but tolerated Triton X-100 and NP-40. Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=71) and who recovered from infection (n=11) had higher mean values of activity of tADA and its isoenzymes than healthy individuals (n=35). Conclusions: tADA and its isoenzymes ADA1 and ADA2 can be measured accurately and precisely in saliva samples in a rapid, economical, and reproducible way and can be analyzed after chemical inactivation with Triton X-100 and NP-40. Besides, the changes observed in tADA and isoenzymes in individuals with COVID-19 open the possibility of their potential use as non-invasive biomarkers in this disease.
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    Application of a score for evaluation of pain, distress and discomfort in pigs with lameness and prolapses: correlation with saliva biomarkers and severity of the disease
    (2019-10) Contreras Aguilar, María Dolores; Escribano Tortosa, Damián; Martínez Miró, Silvia; López Arjona, Marina; Peres Rubio, Camila; Martínez Subiela, Silvia; Cerón Madrigal, José Joaquín; Tecles Vicente, Fernando; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    A score system was used to evaluate pain, distress and discomfort in healthy pigs and pigs with two different diseases: lameness and rectal prolapse. In addition, correlations between the results of this score and a panel of salivary biomarkers and severity of disease were studied. This panel included biomarkers of stress (cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total esterase activity (TEA), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and lipase (Lip)), im- munity (adenosine deaminase isozymes 1 (ADA1) and 2 (ADA2)) and oxidative status (uric acid (UA), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing ability of saliva (FRAS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)). Based on their score, diseased animals were subdivided in those without and with evident pain. Lame pigs and prolapsed pigs with pain showed higher salivary levels of cortisol, sAA, TEA, BChE, ADA1 and ADA2 compared with the healthy pigs. In addition, the prolapsed pigs with pain showed higher levels of FRAS, AOPP and H2O2 compared with the healthy animals. Salivary cortisol, TEA, BChE, ADA isozymes 1 and 2, FRAS and AOPP correlated with the pain score. This five-point pain score system can be easily applied to lame and prolapsed pigs, and salivary bio- markers could be used as an additional tool for pain assessment in those pigs.
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    Assessment of estrogen receptor low positive status in breast cancer: Implications for pathologists and oncologists
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2021) Fusco, Nicola; Ragazzi, Moira; Sajjadi, Elham; Venetis, Konstantinos; Piciotti, Roberto; Morganti, Stefania; Santandrea, Giacomo; Fanelli, Giuseppe Nicolò; Despini, Luca; Invernizzi, Marco; Cerbelli, Bruna; Scatena, Cristian; Criscitiello, Carmen
    Estrogen receptor (ER) status assessment by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the gold standard test for the identification of patients with breast cancer who may benefit from endocrine therapy (ET). Whilst most ER+ breast cancers have a high IHC score, about 3% of cases display a low positivity, with 1% to 10% of cells being weakly stained. These tumors are generally classified within the luminal-like category; however, their risk profile seems to be more similar to that of ERnegative breast cancers. The decision on ET for patients with a diagnosis of ER-low breast cancer should be carefully considered in light of the risks and possible benefits of the treatment. Potential pitfalls hinder pathologists and oncologists from establishing an appropriate threshold for "low positivity". Furthermore, several pre-analytical and analytical variables might trouble the pathological identification of these clinically challenging cases. In this review, we sought to discuss the adversities that can be accounted for the pathological identification of ER-low breast cancers in real-world clinical practice, and to provide practical suggestions for the perfect ER testing in light of the most updated recommendations and guidelines.
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    Beyond p16 immunostaining: an overview of biomarkers in anal squamous intraepithelial lesions
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2019) Albuquerque, Andreia; Rios, Elisabete; Medeiros, Rui
    Histological grading of squamous intraepithelial lesions or intraepithelial neoplasia is fundamental for clinical management and for assessment of the risk of progression. Biomarkers are important for assisting correct grading of these lesions, reducing inter and intraobserver variability and most promising, for prognosis. Although p16 is the most studied biomarker in this setting, there are several other biomarkers that have been studied, reflecting also the need to find a better single or association option that can be more suitable, especially for classification purposes. A PubMed and Embase search was conducted from their inception until April 2018, aiming to identify biomarkers evaluated in histological samples of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions, other than p16. Information on “Ki-67”, “ProEx™ C”, “p53”, “human papillomavirus L1 capsid protein”, “stathmin-1”, “minichromosome maintenance protein”, “p21”, “proliferating cell nuclear antigen”, “histones”, “human papillomavirus E4”, “chromosomal abnormalities” and “methylation” was collected and reviewed. From these, the most studied biomarker was by far Ki-67. In many cases there were few studies performed for each biomarker, with no clear standardized interpretation of the immunostaining. An increased positive rate with more severe grades of lesions was shown in many cases. Prognostic data are limited and need to be further validated.
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    Biomarker-based assessment of somatostatin-6 immunomodulation in gilthead Seabream: From serum proteins to skin mucus enzymes
    (2022-10-20) Jose Carlos Campos Sánchez; Cristóbal Espinosa-Ruiz; Francisco A. Guardiola; Esteban Abad, María de los Ángeles; Guardiola Abellán, Francisco Antonio; Marín Parra, Claudia; Biología Celular e Histología
    This study evaluated the immunomodulatory role of somatostatin-6 (SST6) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) using a validated inflammation model induced by λ-carrageenan and a comprehensive panel of serum and skin mucus biomarkers. SST6 was administered at 1 nM and 2 nM, and its effects were assessed in these matrices. The λ-carrageenan model triggered a local inflammatory response with reduced peroxidase, esterase, and protease activities in skin mucus, consistent with the resolution phase of innate immunity. SST6 at 1 nM enhanced serum complement activity without affecting acute-phase proteins, suggesting reinforcement of basal immune surveillance in the host. When combined with λ-carrageenan, SST6 promoted an increase in serum immunoglobulin levels and a selective shift in proteinogram fractions (α2-globulin), while further decreasing the oxidative and proteolytic activities in skin mucus. Correlation analysis revealed the coordinated regulation of key mucosal enzymes, reinforcing the functional integration of local immune responses. These results indicate that SST6 facilitates an early transition from innate to adaptive immunity while preserving the integrity of the mucosal barrier. Furthermore, this study provides the first evidence of complement activation by SST6 in fish and highlights the value of integrating biomarker-based tools to monitor immunophysiological responses and test bioactive compounds in aquaculture research.
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    Biomarkers of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1997) Kim, J.B.; Shin, D.M.
    Despite the remarkable advances in cancer treatment, the 5-year survival rate for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has improved only marginally over the past 20 years. Investigators have attempted to develop new therapeutic methods to improve the survival rate from these tumors. Another approach, chemoprevention, has recently been tried to reduce cancer incidence. Biological understanding of tumorigenesis is critically important to provide risk assessment and intermediate end points during chemoprevention trials. Based on the fact that HNSCC develops through a multistep process by the accumulation of genetic and phenotypic changes in the field exposed to carcinogens, the investigation of specific biomarkers that represent each step must be valuable, since these biomarkers could be used to inhibit andlor to reverse the pathway of carcinogenesis. The potential biomarkers are classified as nonspecific and specific genetic biomarkers, proliferation markers, and differentiation markers in this review. Their usefulness in predicting tumors' biological behavior and responses to treatment and in monitoring the preventive effects of chemoprevention trials is also discussed.
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    Caracterización de la mortalidad a corto y largo plazo en pacientes con sepsis
    (Universidad de Murcia, 2025-06-26) Martínez Martínez, Mónica; Bernal Morell, Enrique; Escuela Internacional de Doctorado; Escuela Internacional de Doctorado
    INTRODUCCIÓN: La sepsis es una patología infecciosa de incidencia creciente y un problema importante de salud pública, con una elevada mortalidad que tiende a disminuir, lo que ha aumentado el número de pacientes sépticos que sobreviven. Estos supervivientes se enfrentan a secuelas propias de enfermedades críticas con una menor calidad de vida en un futuro inmediato. Además, cada vez hay más conciencia de que existen consecuencias a largo plazo que aumentan la morbimortalidad. La identificación de factores clínicos y biomarcadores que permitan la implementación de modelos predictivos es clave para mejorar la estratificación del riesgo y el desarrollo de estrategias dirigidas a los supervivientes a la sepsis con la intención de mejorar los resultados clínicos en esta población vulnerable. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la mortalidad a corto (30 días) y largo plazo (2 y 5 años) en pacientes con sepsis y sus factores asociados. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional prospectivo en el que se incluyeron consecutivamente a todos los pacientes procedentes del Servicio de urgencias del Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofía de Murcia con sepsis, según los criterios de la campaña para sobrevivir a la sepsis de 2012, durante un periodo de 6 meses. Se recogieron marcadores inflamatorios, datos clínicos de comorbilidad, gravedad y mortalidad y se realizó un seguimiento vía informática a cinco años desde el ingreso. Para el análisis de los datos se ha utilizado el IBM SPSS Statistics ® versión 22.0 para Windows® y para la realización del árbol de decisión se ha utilizado el lenguaje de programación mediante Python a través de Google Colab. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 290 pacientes con comorbilidad (87,2%) y factores predisponentes (66,9%). Ciento noventa y siete tenían una puntuación SOFA ≥ 2. El 10% falleció en los 30 días desde el ingreso y el 55% en los primeros 5 años. El 46,9% de los supervivientes sufrió infecciones recurrentes en los próximos dos años y reingresaron el 51,8%. La sepsis se asoció de forma significativa e independiente con la mortalidad tanto aguda como tardía a los dos años aún ajustando el análisis con las comorbilidades. No se relacionó de forma independiente con la mortalidad a los cinco años. La demencia y el tener una neoplasia o un ulcus péptico se asociaron a mayor mortalidad aguda junto al desarrollo de shock o disfunción respiratoria durante el evento. En los pacientes que sobreviven a la sepsis, la demencia y el antecedente de insuficiencia cardíaca crónica se asocian a mayor mortalidad a los dos años, al igual que el uso de corticoides durante el evento, tratamiento que se asoció también a una mayor mortalidad aguda. En cuanto a los biomarcadores analizados, el proBNP fue el único predictor de mortalidad tanto precoz como tardía en pacientes con sepsis con una precisión que aumenta al hacer el análisis combinado con otros factores relacionados con una mayor mortalidad como la demencia o el uso de corticoides, entre otros. El Árbol de Decisión basado en inteligencia artificial implementado proporcionó una precisión global de 0,71, con un mejor desempeño en la identificación de casos de mortalidad. La sepsis por sí misma no se relacionó con un aumento del riesgo de reinfecciones ni reingresos durante los dos años siguientes al evento, siendo las comorbilidades las que alcanzaron significación estadística, sobre todo, el padecer diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con sepsis presentan un riesgo elevado de mortalidad a corto y largo plazo, independientemente de sus comorbilidades, así como una alta tasa de reingresos y reinfecciones. El uso de corticoides durante el ingreso se asocia con mayor mortalidad, mientras que el proBNP es un marcador predictivo útil, especialmente en combinación con otros factores de riesgo.
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    Changes in alpha-amylase activity, concentration and isoforms in pigs after an experimental acute stress model: an exploratory study
    (2018-08-29) Contreras Aguilar, María Dolores; Martínez Subiela, Silvia; Martínez Miró, Silvia; Cerón Madrigal, José Joaquín; Tecles Vicente, Fernando; Medicina y Cirugía Animal; Department of Food and Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    Background: Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) is considered a non-invasive biomarker of acute stress that can be evaluated by changes in activity and concentration, and also by changes in its isoforms, although this last way of evaluation has never been used in veterinary medicine. This research evaluated the changes of sAA by three different ways in which sAA can be evaluated in an experimental acute stress model in six pigs based in a technique of temporarily restraining. These ways of evaluation were 1) activity by a spectrophotometric assay, 2) concentration by a fluorometric assay, and 3) isoforms of the enzyme by a Western blot. Results: Although salivary cortisol significantly increased due to the stimulus of stress and all the pigs manifested signs of stress by high-pitched vocalization, sAA activity showed an increase of different degree in the six pigs after the stress stimulus, while sAA concentration showed decreases in four of the six pigs. sAA activity did not correlate with sAA concentration or salivary cortisol, and a low correlation was observed between sAA concentration and salivary cortisol (r= 0.48, p = 0.003). The inter-individual variability was higher in sAA activity than in sAA concentration and salivary cortisol. Finally, three possible isoforms of sAA at 154-160 kDa, 65-66 kDa and 59-60 kDa were observed that showed different dynamics after the stress induction. Conclusions: Although this pilot study's results should be taken with caution due to the low sample size, it reveals a different behavior between sAA activity and concentration in pig after an acute stressful stimulus leading to evident external signs of stress by high-pitched vocalization, and opens a new field for the evaluation of possible selected isoforms of sAA as potential biomarkers of stress.
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    Changes in Calprotectin (S100A8-A9) and Aldolase in the Saliva of Horses with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
    (MDPI, ) Muñoz-Prieto, Alberto; Contreras-Aguilar, María Dolores; Cerón, José Joaquín; Ayala de la Peña, Ignacio; Martín-Cuervo, María; David Eckersall, Peter; Holm Henriksen, Ida-Marie; Tecles, Fernando; Hansen, Sanni; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a highly prevalent disease that affects horses worldwide. Within EGUS, two different forms have been described: equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD). The associated clinical signs cause detrimental activity performance, reducing the quality of life of animals. Saliva can contain biomarkers for EGUS that could be potentially used as a complementary tool for diagnosis. The objective of this work was to evaluate the measurements of calprotectin (CALP) and aldolase in the saliva of horses as potential biomarkers of EGUS. For this purpose, automated assays for the quantification of these two proteins were analytically validated and applied for detecting EGUS in a total of 131 horses divided into 5 groups: healthy horses, ESGD, EGGD, combined ESGD and EGGD, and horses with other intestinal pathologies. The assays showed good precision and accuracy in analytical validation, and they were able to discriminate between horses with EGUS and healthy horses, especially in the case of CALP, although they did not show significant differences between horses with EGUS and horses with other diseases. In conclusion, salivary CALP and aldolase can be determined in the saliva of horses and further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential of these analytes as biomarkers in EGUS.
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    Changes in Saliva Analytes Correlate with Horses’ Behavioural Reactions to An Acute Stressor: A Pilot Study
    (2019-11-18) Contreras Aguilar, María Dolores; Henry, Séverine; Coste, Caroline; Tecles Vicente, Fernando; Escribano Tortosa, Damián; Cerón Madrigal, José Joaquín; Hausberger, Martine; Medicina y Cirugía Animal; Université de Rennes, Université de Normandie, CNRS, Laboratoire Ethologie et humaine - UMR CNRS 6552, Station Biologique
    Acute stress induces an array of behavioural reactions in horses that vary between individuals. Attempts to relate behavioural patterns and physiological responses have not always given clear-cut results. Here, we measured the changes in a panel of salivary components: salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), lipase, total esterase (TEA), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and cortisol, and their potential link with horses’ behaviours after acute stress. Saliva samples were collected in nine riding horses subjected to a test consisting of opening an umbrella. Saliva sampling was obtained at a basal time point in the stall (T1), in the test indoor arena (T2), at a time of stress (T3), and 30 min (T4) and 60 min (T5) later. The horses’ behaviour was recorded at T3 for 1 min. sAA, lipase, TEA, and BChE showed significant changes along time, increasing at T3 for BChE, and decreasing at T4 for sAA and BChE. Butyrylcholinesterase appeared to be the most reliable predictor of behavioural responses, as it correlated with the index of emotionality, of laterality, and the occurrence of alarm signals, while sAA decreased when horses expressed quieter behaviours. These first results bring promising lines for novel, more precise physiological markers of acute stress in horses that can bridge the gap between behaviour and physiology.
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    Changes in saliva analytes in equine acute abdominal disease: a sialochemistry approach
    (2019-06-06) Contreras Aguilar, María Dolores; Escribano Tortosa, Damián; Martínez Subiela, Silvia; Martín Cuervo, María; Lamy, Elsa; Tecles Vicente, Fernando; Cerón Madrigal, José Joaquín; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Background: The biochemical components of saliva can change in certain pathologies in horses, for example in acute abdominal disease. The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate if a panel of biochemical analytes usually used in serum can be measured in saliva of horses and (2) to study the possible changes of these biochemical analytes in saliva of horses affected by acute abdominal disease. A panel of 23 analytes was analytically validated in saliva of horses and possible changes in these analytes in a pilot study with six healthy horses and six horses with acute abdominal disease were evaluated. The analytes with significant changes were then evaluated in a larger population of 20 healthy and 37 diseased horses. Results: Seven analytes showed significant increases in the pilot study which were confirmed in the larger population. The analytes which showed significant changes, and their median fold increase and significance shown in the larger population were salivary γ-glutamyl transferase (gGT, 2.3 fold, P = 0.001), creatine kinase (CK, 6.2 fold, P < 0.001), urea (2.3 fold, P = 0.001), total bilirubin (2.6 fold, P < 0.001), total proteins (3.2 fold, P < 0.001), phosphorus (P, 4.5 fold, P < 0.001) and alpha-amylase (sAA, 8.5 fold, P < 0.001). Total proteins, P and sAA showed sensitivities higher than 70% at their optimal cut-off points and a specificity of 100% in differentiating between healthy horses and those with acute abdominal disease. Conclusions: A panel of 23 biochemical analytes can be measured in saliva of horses, where gGT, CK, urea, total bilirubin, total protein, P and sAA levels are raised in horses with acute abdominal disease.
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    Changes in the saliva proteome analysed by gel-proteomics in horses diagnosed with Equine gastric ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) at diagnosis and after successful treatment
    (Elsevier, 2024-02) Lamy, Elsa; López-Martínez, Maria José; Ceron, Jose Joaquín; Ayala de la Peña, Ignacio; Contreras-Aguilar, María Dolores; Henriksen, Ida-Marie; Muñoz-Prieto, Alberto; Hansen, Sanni; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) has a high prevalence, being currently one of the more frequent diseases in horses. Saliva is a source of biomarkers that change in EGUS and can potentially be used for treatment monitoring. We aimed to identify changes in the salivary proteome by using gel proteomics in horses with EGUS and also the possible changes that could occur after successful treatment for this disease. Saliva samples were collected from 9 horses with EGUS before and after treatment and 9 matched healthy con-trols. SDS-PAGE (1DE) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) were performed in these samples, and significantly different protein bands and spots were identified by mass spectrometry. In 1DE, increases in bands containing containing family A member 2 and immunoglobulin-heavy constant mu) and decreased in bands containing prolac-tin-inducible protein and Ribosomal proteinS9 were observed in EGUS horses compared to healthy ones. In addition decreases in bands containing Major allergen Equ c 1, Gluta-thione transferase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, decarboxylating decreased in EGUS after successful treatment compared to pre-treatment were observed in EGUS horses after treatment. For the 2DE analysis, sets of saliva samples were organized into (a) three pools from a cohort of nine horses afflicted with EGUS before undergoing treatment, (b) another three pools were constituted from the same horses with EGUS after the treatment and (c) three pools from 9 healthy horses. Thioredoxin (TRX), a protein showing signifi-cant changes at 2DE before and after EGUS treatment, was validated by an ELISA kit in 12 horses with EGUS before and after treatment. Results of 2DE showed the hoses with EGUS have changes in saliva proteins compared to healthy horses, with increases in ADA, tri-osephosphate isomerase, keratins and immunoglobulin heavy constant mu and decreases in CA and albumin. These changes would indicate various physiopathological mecha-nisms such as the activation of the immune system, decrease in the stomach defence mechanisms and inflammation involved in this disease. In addition, the successfully treated horses presented lower expression levels of TRX after a successful treatment in proteomics and also measured with a commercially available ELISA kit. Overall, horses with EGUS have protein changes in their saliva when measured with gel proteomics compared with healthy horses, and they also showed changes after successful treatment. These proteins could be potential biomarkers for detection and monitoring treatment re-sponse in EGUS.
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    Changes of the salivary and serum proteome in canine hypothyroidism
    (Elsevier, 2024-01) González Arostegui, L. G.; Muñoz Prieto, Alberto; Rubio, C. P.; Cerón, J. J.; Bernal, L.; Rubić, I.; Mrljak, V.; González Sánchez, J. C.; Tvarijonaviciute, Asta; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    In this study, changes in salivary and serum proteome of dogs with hypothyroidism were studied using tandem mass tags (TMT) labelling and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Saliva and serum proteome from 10 dogs with hypothyroidism were compared with 10 healthy dogs. In saliva, a total of seven proteins showed significant changes between the two groups, being six downregulated and one upregulated, meanwhile, in serum, a total of six proteins showed significant changes, being five downregulated and one upregulated. The altered proteins reflected metabolic and immunologic changes, as well as, skin and coagulation alterations, and these proteins were not affected by gender. One of the proteins that were downregulated in saliva, lactate dehydrognease (LDH), was measured by a spectrophotometric assay in saliva samples from 42 dogs with hypothyroidism, 42 dogs with non-thyroid diseases and 46 healthy dogs. The activity of LDH was lower in the saliva of hypothyroid dogs when compared to non-thyroid diseased dogs and healthy controls. This study indicates that canine hypothyroidism can produce changes in the proteome of saliva and serum. These two sample types showed different variations in their proteins reflecting physiopathological changes that occur in this disease, mainly related to the immune system, metabolism, skin and coagulation. In addition, some of the proteins identified in this study, specially LDH in saliva, should be further explored as potential biomarkers of canine hypothyroidism.
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    Child head circumference and placental MFSD2a expression are associated to the level of MFSD2a in maternal blood during pregnancy
    (Frontiers Media, 2020-02-05) Sánchez-Campillo, María; Ruiz-Palacios, María; Ruiz Alcaraz, Antonio José; Blanco Carnero, José Eliseo; Prieto Sánchez, María Teresa; Zornoza, Matilde; Ruiz-Pastor, María José; Demmelmair, Hans; Sánchez-Solís de Querol, Manuel; Koletzko, Berthold; Larqué Daza, Elvira; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología; Facultad de Biología
    Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a world-wide health challenge, which prevalence is expected to increase in parallel to the epidemic of obesity. Children born from GDM mothers have lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cord blood, which might influence their neurodevelopment. Recently, the membrane transporter Major Family Super Domain 2a (MFSD2a) was associated with the selective transportation of DHA as lysophospholipids. The expression of the DHA membrane transporter MFSD2a is lower in GDM placentas, which could affect materno-fetal DHA transport. Humans with homozygous inactivating mutations in the MFSD2a gene present severe microcephalyand intellectual impairments. Herein, we intended to identify early blood biomarkers that maybeofuse during pregnancy to monitor the offspring development and the adequate nutritional interventions, such as nutritional supplementation, that may be selected to improve it. We evaluated MFSD2a expression in maternal blood at the third trimester of pregnancy, and its potential relationship with the expression of placental MFSD2a at delivery and child outcomes. Three groups of pregnant women were recruited: 25 controls, 23 GDM with dietary treatment, and 20 GDM with insulin treatment. Maternal and neonatal anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated. MFSD2a was analyzed in placenta, blood and serum. MFSD2a protein expression in maternal blood was significantly lower in GDM groups and correlated with placental MFSD2a and Z-score neonatal head circumference during the first 6 months of life. The cord/maternal serum ratio of DHA, a solid indicator of materno-fetal DHA transport, was reduced in GDMgroups and correlated with MFSD2a in maternal blood at the third trimester and in placenta at delivery. This indicates that altered MFSD2a levels in maternal blood during pregnancy might influence placental nutrient transport and fetal neurodevelopment. Furthermore, MFSD2a levels in maternal blood on the third trimester were inversely correlated to DHA in maternal serum lyso-PL. Thus, the level of MFSD2a in maternal blood could be used as a potential biomarker for the early detection of disturbances of MFSD2a expression during pregnancy and the subsequent consequences for the neurodevelopment of the child, as well as it may help to choose the optimal treatment approach for the affected subjects.
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    Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1, Serum Amyloid A1, C-Reactive Protein, and Procalcitonin are promising biomarkers for intracranial severity assessment of traumatic brain injury: relationship with Glasgow Coma Scale and computed tomography volumetry
    (Elsevier, 2020-02-11) Sánchez Carabias, Cristina; Gómez, Pedro A.; Panero, Irene; Castaño León, Ana María; Eiriz, Carla; Egéa, Javier; Lagares, Alfonso; i+12 Neurotraumatology Group Collaborators; Paredes, Igor; Fernández Alén, José Antonio; Moreno Gómez, Luis Miguel; García Pérez, Daniel; Chico Fernández, Mario; Barea Mendoza, Jesús Abelardo; Farmacología; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Medicina
    Objective The volume and location of intracranial hematomas are well-known prognostic factors for traumatic brain injury. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of serum biomarkers S100β, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, total tau, phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain, serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), C-reactive protein, procalcitonin (PCT), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) with traumatic brain injury severity and the amount and location of hemorrhagic traumatic lesions. Methods A prospective observational cohort of 115 patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3–15 were evaluated. Intracranial lesion volume was measured from the semiautomatic segmentation of hematoma on computed tomography using Analyze software. The establishment of possible biomarker cutoff points for intracranial lesion detection was estimated using the Youden Index (J) obtained from the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results SAA1, YKL-40, PCT, and S100β showed the most robust association with level of consciousness, both with total GCS and motor score. Biomarkers significantly correlated with volumetric measurements of subdural hematoma, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and total amount of bleeding. The type of intracranial hemorrhage was associated with various release patterns of neurobiochemical markers. Conclusions YKL-40, SAA1, C-reactive protein, and PCT combined with S100β were the most promising biomarkers to determine the presence, location, and extent of traumatic intracranial lesions. Combination of biomarkers further increased the discriminatory capacity for the detection of intracranial bleeding.
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    Circadian monitoring as an aging predictor
    (Nature Research, 2018-10-09) Martinez-Nicolas, A; Madrid, J A; Garcia, F J; Campos Martínez, Manuel; Moreno Casbas, M T; Almaida Pagán, Pedro Francisco; Lucas-Sanchez, A; Rol, M A; Fisiología; Ciber Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain.; Geriatrics Section, Hospital Virgen del Valle, Toledo, Spain; Department of Computer Science and Systems, University of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; Nursing and Healthcare Research Unit (Investén-isciii), Madrid, Spain
    The ageing process is associated with sleep and circadian rhythm (SCR) frailty, as well as greater sensitivity to chronodisruption. This is essentially due to reduced day/night contrast, decreased sensitivity to light, napping and a more sedentary lifestyle. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop an algorithm to identify a SCR phenotype as belonging to young or aged subjects. To do this, 44 young and 44 aged subjects were recruited, and their distal skin temperature (DST), activity, body position, light, environmental temperature and the integrated variable TAP rhythms were recorded under free-living conditions for five consecutive workdays. Each variable yielded an individual decision tree to differentiate between young and elderly subjects (DST, activity, position, light, environmental temperature and TAP), with agreement rates of between 76.1% (light) and 92% (TAP). These decision trees were combined into a unique decision tree that reached an agreement rate of 95.3% (4 errors out of 88, all of them around the cut-off point). Age-related SCR changes were very significant, thus allowing to discriminate accurately between young and aged people when implemented in decision trees. This is useful to identify chronodisrupted populations that could benefit from chronoenhancement strategies.
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    Clinical relevance of sST2 in cardiac diseases
    (2015-05-09) Pascual Figal, Domingo A.; Lax, Antonio; Perez Martinez, Maria T.; Asensio Lopez, Maria del Carmen; Sanchez Mas, Jesus; Lax Pérez, Antonio Manuel; Medicina
    ST2 has two main isoforms, ST2L and soluble isoform of ST2 (sST2), by alternative splicing. The interaction between interleukin (IL)-33 and the transmembrane isoform ST2L is up-regulated in response to myocardial stress and exerts cardio-protective actions in the myocardium by reducing fibrosis, hypertrophy and enhancing survival. The circulating isoform sST2, by sequestering IL-33, abrogates these favorable actions and will be elevated as a maladaptive response to cardiac diseases. Indeed, circulating sST2 concentrations correlate with a worse phenotype of disease including adverse remodeling and fibrosis, cardiac dysfunction, impaired hemodynamics and higher risk of progression. In patients with acute and chronic heart failure, sST2 concentrations are strongly predictive of death, regardless of the cause and left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction, and contribute relevant information in addition to other prognosticators and biomarkers, as natriuretic peptides or troponins. sST2 also retains prognostic information in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and predicts cardiovascular death and risk of heart failure (HF) development in these patients. sST2 could also be a promising tool to stratify the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with depressed LV ejection fraction. Therefore, sST2 represents a clinically relevant biomarker reflecting pathophysiological processes and contributing predictive information in the setting of several cardiovascular diseases, and especially in patients with HF.
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    Comparative study of immunological biomarkers in the carpet shell clams (Ruditapes decussatus) from metal‑contaminated sites in the South Lagoon of Tunis (Tunisia)
    (Springer, 2022-09-14) Mansour, Chalbia; Esteban Abad, María de los Ángeles; Rouane Hacene, Omar; Saidane Mosbahi, Dalila; Guardiola Abellán, Francisco Antonio; Biología Celular e Histología; Facultad de Biología
    The South Lagoon of Tunis (Tunisia) is a Mediterranean lagoon adversely affected by industrial contaminants, harbour activity and untreated urban sewage. In this lagoon, the clam Ruditapes decussatus has been widely used as a biomonitor of seawater pollution through measurements of parameters related to oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. However, few studies have considered parameters of the immune system of this species in the South Lagoon of Tunis. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate several immune-related parameters in the cell-free haemolymph of carpet shell clams sampled during August and February from three polluted sites in the South Lagoon of Tunis (S1, S2 and S3) and one less polluted site as a reference site (RS) in order to identify suitable biomarkers for environmental quality assessments of this ecosystem. Concerning the immune-related parameters, seasonal factors modulated phenoloxidase, lysozyme, protease and esterase activity, with lower values measured for samples collected in August than for samples collected in February. In fact, bactericidal activity against two of the pathogenic bacteria tested and the activity of most immune-related enzymes were reduced in the cell-free haemolymph of clams collected from the most sampling sites in August compared to February one. In addition, values of abiotic parameters (temperature, salinity and pH) and metal (cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc) concentrations in the clams’ soft tissues, previously obtained and published by the authors, as well as the values of immune-related parameters were integrated using principal component analyses. Results indicated that the values of all measured immune-related parameters were negatively correlated with the temperature values and the variations most of these parameters highlighted that the chemical industrial area (S3) was the most impacted location within the South Lagoon of Tunis. The present study illustrates that the immune-related parameters measured in carpet shell clam cell-free haemolymph represent suitable biomarkers for environmental quality assessments because they provide effective seasonal and spatial discrimination.