Diagnostic value and clinical significance of circulating miR-650 and CA211 in detecting of gastric carcinoma.

The present study determined the levels of plasma biomarkers in patients with gastric carcinoma (GC) and investigated their clinical significance and diagnostic value. Between April 2014 and December 2018, 90 patients with GC, 90 patients with precancerous lesions (Pre) and 45 healthy controls (NC) were recruited from the Affiliated Liutie Central Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. Five markers were measured: microRNA-650 (miRNA-650; using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA)125, CA211 and CA50 using electrochemiluminescence. Circulating markers were all upregulated in patients with GC (P<0.05), and CA211 and CA50 were significantly increased in patients with Pre. The miRNA-650 and CA211 had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.700 (moderate) and 0.866 (high), respectively, in the diagnosis of GC. Differentiation of GC from Pre yielded an AUC of 0.665 (low) and 0.708 (moderate), respectively. The combination model of miRNA-650 and CA211 showed an appropriate value of AUC (0.887) to discriminate the GC patients from the healthy subjects with a sensitivity and specificity of 82.5 and 97.7%. Additionally, differentiating GC from Pre yielded an AUC of 0.767 with a sensitivity of 57.1% and a specificity of 95%, respectively. In terms of clinicopathological features, the expression of miRNA-650 and CA211 in plasma was not associated with the patients' age, sex, Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage, or histological type. In conclusion, plasma miRNA-650 and CA211 is a promising and powerful non-invasive marker for the detection of GC.

Serum Amyloid A is a Novel Inflammatory Biomarker in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is considered a biomarker of inflammation; however, the SAA levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are still uncertain. METHODS: In this study, SAA, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and total testosterone concentrations were measured in 82 women with PCOS and 60 healthy controls. RESULTS: The median concentration of SAA was 5.000 mg/L (IQR: 2.825 - 5.400) in women with PCOS, which was significantly higher than that of controls (3.700 mg/L, IQR: 2.825 - 5.400, p = 0.025). SAA was only positively associated with the CRP (r = 0.303, p = 0.006). No significant association was observed between SAA and body mass index (BMI), total testosterone, or insulin resistance (IR). CONCLUSIONS: SAA levels were increased in women with PCOS, and SAA may be a potential inflammatory biomarker for PCOS.

Decreased Serum Kruppel-Like Factor 7 Level is Positively Associated with Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Kruppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) is associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity; however, at present the KLF7 level in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains unreported. METHODS: In this study, serum KLF7, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and total testosterone concentrations were measured in 65 women with PCOS and 61 healthy controls. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) in PCOS and the control group were all < 25 kg/m2. The median concentration of KLF7 was 3.630 ng/mL [interquartile range (IQR): 1.547 - 7.172] in women with PCOS, which was significantly lower than that of controls (5.282 ng/mL, IQR: 3.128 - 11.263, p = 0.003). The KLF7 level was positively correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = 0.261, p = 0.018). No significant association was observed between KLF7 and the BMI, total testosterone, and insulin resistance (IR). CONCLUSIONS: The KLF7 level decreased in women with PCOS. KLF7 may represent a new therapeutic target in the treatment of PCOS.