Biosensors for Cancer Biomarkers Based on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) exhibit highly beneficial characteristics for devising efficient biosensors for different analytes. Their unique properties, such as capabilities for stable covalent binding to recognition groups (e.g., antibodies or aptamers) and sensing surfaces, open a plethora of opportunities for biosensor construction. In addition, their structured porosity offers capabilities for entrapping signaling molecules (dyes or electroactive species), which could be released efficiently in response to a desired analyte for effective optical or electrochemical detection. This work offers an overview of recent research studies (in the last five years) that contain MSNs in their optical and electrochemical sensing platforms for the detection of cancer biomarkers, classified by cancer type. In addition, this study provides an overview of cancer biomarkers, as well as electrochemical and optical detection methods in general.

Quantitative determination of selected elements in infant baby formulae and baby food cereals commercially available in Serbia using the ICP OES method.

The aim of this paper was the quantitative determination of some macro and trace elements, especially potentially toxic elements in the samples of infant baby formulae and baby food cereals commercially available in Serbia using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) method. Among the macro elements, K is the most abundant in all infant formulae samples, followed by Ca, P, Na and Mg. On the other hand, the analysis of food cereals showed that P is presents in the highest contents, followed by K, Ca, Na, and Mg. Potentially toxic elements As, Pb, Hg, and Cd were not detected in any sample of infant formulae, while Cd was detected and quantified in cereal foods. Also, the calculated values of Estimated Tolerable Weekly Intake (ETWI) as well as the Estimated Tolerable Monthly Intake (ETMI) were lower than recommended values for a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) and provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI).

Serum Biomarker Analysis in Pediatric ADHD: Implications of Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Ferritin, and Iron Levels.

The current diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on history, clinical observation, and behavioral tests. There is a high demand to find biomarkers for the diagnosis of ADHD. The aim of this study is to analyze the serum profiles of several biomarkers, including homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12, vitamin D, ferritin, and iron, in a cohort of 133 male subjects (6.5-12.5 years), including 67 individuals with an ADHD diagnosis based on DSM-V criteria and 66 age-matched healthy boys (healthy controls, HC). Assessments for ADHD included the Iowa Conners' Teacher Rating Scale (CPRS) and the ADHDT test, as well as cognitive assessments using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the TROG-2 language comprehension test. Hcy and iron were quantified using spectrophotometry, while vitamin B12 and total 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were determined using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and ferritin was measured using a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. The results showed significantly increased Hcy levels and decreased vitamin B12 levels in ADHD patients compared to HCs. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that Hcy is a potential prognostic indicator for ADHD. These results suggest that elevated homocysteine and decreased vitamin B12 may serve as markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of ADHD.

Transcranial brain parenchyma sonographic findings in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 2.

Introduction: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2) are genetically determined progressive muscular disorders with multisystemic affection, including brain involvement. Transcranial sonography (TCS) is a reliable diagnostic tool for the investigation of deep brain structures. We sought to evaluate TCS findings in genetically confirmed DM1 and DM2 patients, and further correlate these results with patients' clinical features. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 163 patients (102 DM1, 61 DM2). Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe (BR) and substantia nigra (SN) as well as the diameter of the third ventricle (DTV) were assessed by TCS. Patients were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and Daytime Sleepiness Scale. Results: SN hyperechogenicity was observed in 40% of DM1 and 34% of DM2 patients. SN hypoechogenicity was detected in 17% of DM1 and 7% of DM2 patients. BR hypoechogenicity was found in 36% of DM1 and 47% of DM2 subjects. Enlarged DTV was noted in 19% of DM1 and 15% of DM2 patients. Older, weaker, depressive, and fatigued DM1 patients were more likely to have BR hypoechogenicity (p < 0.05). DTV correlated with age and disease duration in DM1 (p < 0.01). In DM2 patients SN hyperechogenicity correlated with fatigue. Excessive daytime sleepiness was associated with hypoechogenic BR (p < 0.05) and enlarged DVT (p < 0.01) in DM2 patients. Conclusions: TCS is an easy applicable and sensitive neuroimaging technique that could offer new information regarding several brainstem structures in DM1 and DM2. This may lead to better understanding of the pathogenesis of the brain involvement in DM with possible clinical implications.

European stroke organisation (ESO) guideline on cerebral small vessel disease, part 2, lacunar ischaemic stroke.

A quarter of ischaemic strokes are lacunar subtype, typically neurologically mild, usually resulting from intrinsic cerebral small vessel pathology, with risk factor profiles and outcome rates differing from other stroke subtypes. This European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to assist with clinical decisions about management of lacunar ischaemic stroke to prevent adverse clinical outcomes. The guideline was developed according to ESO standard operating procedures and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. We addressed acute treatment (including progressive lacunar stroke) and secondary prevention in lacunar ischaemic stroke, and prioritised the interventions of thrombolysis, antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure lowering, lipid lowering, lifestyle, and other interventions and their potential effects on the clinical outcomes recurrent stroke, dependency, major adverse cardiovascular events, death, cognitive decline, mobility, gait, or mood disorders. We systematically reviewed the literature, assessed the evidence and where feasible formulated evidence-based recommendations, and expert concensus statements. We found little direct evidence, mostly of low quality. We recommend that patients with suspected acute lacunar ischaemic stroke receive intravenous alteplase, antiplatelet drugs and avoid blood pressure lowering according to current acute ischaemic stroke guidelines. For secondary prevention, we recommend single antiplatelet treatment long-term, blood pressure control, and lipid lowering according to current guidelines. We recommend smoking cessation, regular exercise, other healthy lifestyle modifications, and avoid obesity for general health benefits. We cannot make any recommendation concerning progressive stroke or other drugs. Large randomised controlled trials with clinically important endpoints, including cognitive endpoints, are a priority for lacunar ischaemic stroke.

Serum levels of glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and free thyroxine in boys diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a cross-sectional pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, its aetiology remains unclear. We aimed to establish a relationship between ADHD diagnosis and serum levels of glucose, free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in primary school aged boys. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled 133 participants aged 6.5-12.5 years, 67 of whom met DSM-5 criteria for ADHD and 66 healthy age-matched boys. The ADHDT test (ADHDT) was used to assess ADHD symptoms and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised was used to exclude participants with cognitive deficits. The ADHD participants were tested using the Iowa Conners' Teacher Rating Scale. RESULTS: The ADHD participants had lower glucose levels, higher TSH values, and significantly lower FT4 values than the control group. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that TSH is a parameter that is 2.7% more likely to occur in the ADHD group. We found a significant correlation between the TSH level and the symptoms of hyperactivity (r = 0.318, p = 0.009) and impulsivity (r = 0.275, p = 0.024) as well as between the glucose level and the symptoms of hyperactivity (r = 0.312, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Certain ADHD symptoms may correlate with certain hormonal patterns. Our results suggest that the likelihood of suffering from ADHD was lower when FT4 levels were elevated. One biochemical parameter that was significantly and independently associated with the diagnosis of ADHD was the serum TSH level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: On June 26, 2018, at its VI session in 2018, the Ethics Committee of the Institute for Mental Health in Belgrade, Serbia, has considered and unanimously approved the conduct of the research, under the number 1704/1.