Overexpression of mir-129-1, miR-146b, mir-183, and mir-197 in follicular thyroid carcinoma and adenoma tissues.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is responsible for approximately 10% of thyroid malignancies. Since this type of malignancy indicates no capsular and vascular invasions, adenoma and follicular carcinoma of thyroid are not distinguishable. It has been proved that microRNAs, which regulate approximately 30% of coding proteins, have an association with follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) and carcinoma of the thyroid. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the expression of some miRNAs for detecting the most appropriate miRNA as potential biomarker in the diagnosis of FTA and FTC patients. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to determine the expression levels of miR-129-1, miR-146b,-183 and miR-197 in 48 cases (16 FTC, 16 FTA and 16 hyperplasia/multinodular goiter (MNG) cases). The significance of miRNA differential expression levels among groups were assessed using Multivariate test by Statistical Package for Science Software (SPSS v.20) and Graph Pad Prism v.8. Results indicated that all of the miRNAs had significant overexpression in FTC and FTA versus MNG cases, and also increased expression level in FTC in comparison with FTA, however it was not significant. The results of ROC curve analysis determined the significant overexpression and prognostic value of miR-129-1 in FTA cases and miR-146b in both FTA and FTC cases compared to MNG group. Although all of the earlier mentioned microRNAs were overexpressed in FTC and FTA cases, the ROC curve results demonstrated that miR-129-1 had agreeable AUC for FTA cases. Therefore, it seems that it's cut-off point could be helpful in distinguishing between FTA and multinodular goiter cases. On the other hand, although miR-146b has excellent diagnostic value in both FTA and FTC groups, it seems that this microRNA is unable to act as a specific biomarker to discriminate between FTA and FTC cases. This data need to be confirmed in a large cohort study and other biological samples such as plasma.

CSF amino acid profiles in ICV-streptozotocin-induced sporadic Alzheimer's disease in male Wistar rat: a metabolomics and systems biology perspective.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an increasingly important public health concern due to the increasing proportion of older individuals within the general population. The impairment of processes responsible for adequate brain energy supply primarily determines the early features of the aging process. Restricting brain energy supply results in brain hypometabolism prior to clinical symptoms and is anatomically and functionally associated with cognitive impairment. The present study investigated changes in metabolic profiles induced by intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) in an AD-like animal model. To this end, male Wistar rats received a single injection of STZ (3 mg·kg-1) by ICV (2.5 µL into each ventricle for 5 min on each side). In the second week after receiving ICV-STZ, rats were tested for cognitive performance using the Morris Water Maze test and subsequently prepared for positron emission tomography (PET) to confirm AD-like symptoms. Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis was used to detect amino acid changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) samples. Our metabolomics study revealed a reduction in the concentrations of various amino acids (alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophane, tyrosine, and valine) in CSF of ICV-STZ-treated animals as compared to controls rats. The results of the current study indicate amino acid levels could potentially be considered targets of nutritional and/or pharmacological interventions to interfere with AD progression.

Tandem Mass Analysis of Amino Acids and Acylcarnitine Profiles in Neonates with Congenital Hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common neonatal endocrine disorder. This study aimed to investigate whether disturbances in amino acid metabolism and fatty acid oxidation existed in neonates with CH compared to healthy neonates. METHODS: In this case-control study, we evaluated the metabolomics of neonates with newly diagnosed CH and healthy neonates. Forty-three metabolites, including 13 amino acids and 30 acylcarnitines, were investigated. RESULTS: Two hundred neonates with CH and 209 healthy children were enrolled. The mean age of males and females was 4.8 ± 2.4 and 5.52 ± 3.2 days in the case group and 5.1 ± 2.6 and 4.7 ± 3.6 days in the control group, respectively. Of the metabolites, 34 were significantly different between the two groups. Five amino acids and four acylcarnitines did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION: These findings pave the way for a better understanding of the relationship between alterations and the clinical manifestation of CH, which has the potential for identifying novel therapeutics.

Determination of carnitine ester profile in the children with type 1 diabetes: a valuable step towards a better management.

Objective: This study is designed to investigate the levels of carnitine and acylcarnitines (ACs) in the children with diabetes type 1 compared to the healthy subjects.Methods: Forty-two type 1 diabetic children and healthy subjects were recruited in the study, respectively. In addition to FBS and Hb A1C, free carnitine and ACs in butyl-ester form in the fasting blood samples were assessed by isotope dilution mass spectrometry for all diabetics and controls using the tandem mass spectrometry system.Results: Diabetic patients had a higher level of C, C4, C6, C14, C18:2, and C18:2OH. Females had elevated C14:2 compared to the males. The C18:2 and C18:2OH levels were elevated as the Hb A1C level increased. The C18:2, C14OH were mostly increased in the prediabetic and diabetic patients, respectively.Conclusion: Increased ACs level indicates the increased acyl-CoA intermediates for the fatty acids and amino acids oxidation.

Serum DKK1 is correlated with γ peak of serum electrophoresis in multiple myeloma: a multicenter biomarker study.

Aim: DKK1 is reported to be produced at high levels by myeloma cells. Therefore, the applicability of DKK1 as a tumor marker for multiple myeloma (MM) diagnosis was examined. Methods: Serum samples were collected and analyzed by DKK1 concentration kit and capillary zone electrophoresis. Then, the obtained results were statically analyzed. Results: It has been determined that the 10 ng/ml of DKK1 is the optimal level for MM diagnosis. Moreover, there was an ascending linear correlation between the DKK1 concentration and γ peak. Discussion: The observed correlation could be rooted in the positive feedback loop between MM cells and the mesenchymal stem cells. In view of these results, DKK1 could be deemed as diagnostic marker for MM.