Specific Biomarkers of Prostate Cancer-Associated Ischemic Stroke: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND Ischemic stroke in cancer patients is associated with poor prognosis. However, the specific biomarkers of cancer-associated ischemic stroke (CaIS) have not been well defined. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on PCaIS patients. Clinical data and laboratory and imaging findings were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for PCaIS. A multiple model combining the independent risk factors of PCaIS was developed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the ROC curve (AUC). RESULTS A total of 83 PCaIS patients and 83 prostate cancer (PCa) patients were included. PCaIS patients had higher levels of D-dimer, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and total prostate-specific antigen (T-PSA). In the multivariate analysis, D-dimer [OR=1.001, 95% CI: 1.00,1.00, P=0.002], NLR [OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.04,1.22, P=0.005], and T-PSA [OR=6.275, 95% CI: 2.57,15.31, P<0.001] were independent risk factors of PCaIS. Additionally, the AUC of the multiple model of PCaIS was 0.815 (95% CI, 0.750-0.869), with sensitivity of 81.71% and specificity of 70.21%. CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of D-dimer and T-PSA and increased NLR are independent risk factors of PCaIS. The multiple model of PCaIS can be a specific biomarker and is a reliable predictor of development of PCaIS.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate is a biomarker of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Backgrounds: The relationship between kidney function and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly understood and underexplored. This study aims to explore whether renal indices can serve as indicators to monitor the cognitive impairment of PD. Methods: A total of 508 PD patients and 168 healthy controls from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) were recruited, and 486 (95.7%) PD patients underwent longitudinal measurements. The renal indicators including serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA), and urea nitrogen, as well as UA/Scr ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were measured. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between kidney function and cognitive impairment were evaluated using multivariable-adjusted models. Results: eGFR was associated with lower levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aß1-42 (p = 0.0156) and α-synuclein (p = 0.0151) and higher serum NfL (p = 0.0215) in PD patients at baseline. Longitudinal results showed that decreased eGFR predicted a higher risk of cognitive impairment (HR = 0.7382, 95% CI = 0.6329-0.8610). Additionally, eGFR decline was significantly associated with higher rates of increase in CSF T-tau (p = 0.0096), P-tau (p = 0.0250), and serum NfL (p = 0.0189), as well as global cognition and various cognitive domains (p < 0.0500). The reduced UA/Scr ratio was also linked to higher NfL levels (p = 0.0282) and greater accumulation of T-tau (p = 0.0282) and P-tau (p = 0.0317). However, no significant associations were found between other renal indices and cognition. Conclusion: eGFR is altered in PD subjects with cognitive impairment, and predict larger progression of cognitive decline. It may assist identifying patients with PD at risk of rapid cognitive decline and have the potential to monitoring responses to therapy in future clinical practice.

A nomogram based on iron metabolism can help identify apathy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Backgrounds: Apathy is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) but difficult to identify. Growing evidence suggests that abnormal iron metabolism is associated with apathy in PD. We aimed to investigate the clinical features and iron metabolism of apathetic patients with PD, and construct a nomogram for predicting apathy in PD. Methods: Data of 201 patients with PD were analyzed. Demographic data, Apathy Scale (AS) assessments, and serum iron metabolism parameters were obtained. Spearman correlations were used to assess relationships between AS scores and iron metabolism parameters, separately for male and female patients. Additionally, a nomograph for detecting apathetic patients with PD was built based on the results of logistic regression analysis. Results: The serum transferrin (TRF, p < 0.0024) concentration and total iron binding capacity (TIBC, p < 0.0024) were lower in the apathetic group after Bonferroni correction, and they were negatively associated with AS scores in male participants with PD (TRF, r = -0.27, p = 0.010; TIBC, r = -0.259, p = 0.014). The nomogram was developed by incorporating the following five parameters: age, sex, serum iron concentration, TIBC and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores, which showed good discrimination and calibration, with a consistency index of 0.799 (95% confidence interval = 0.732-0.865). Conclusion: Abnormal iron metabolism may contribute to apathy in PD, especially among men. TIBC levels in combination with HAMD scores can be effectively used for the prediction of apathetic patients with PD.

Biomarkers and potential pathogenesis of colorectal cancer-related ischemic stroke.

AIM: To investigate the specific biomarkers and potential pathogenesis of colorectal cancer-related ischemic stroke (CRCIS). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on CRCIS patients (colorectal cancer patients with ischemic stroke without conventional stroke risk factors) registered at seven centers between January 2007 and December 2017. Clinical data and laboratory and imaging findings were compared with age- and sex- matched patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) without ischemic stroke that were admitted to the same hospital during the same period. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the independent risk factors for CRCIS. A receiver operator characteristic curve was configured to calculate the optimal cut-off value of the products of the independent risk factors for CRCIS. RESULTS: A total of 114 CRCIS patients and 114 CRC patients were included. Multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories were common in CRCIS patients (71, 62.28%). The levels of plasma D-dimer, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125, and neutrophil count were significantly higher in CRCIS patients than in CRC patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma D-dimer levels [odds ratio (OR) = 1.002, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001-1.003, P < 0.001], CEA levels (OR = 1.011, 95%CI: 1.006-1.015, P < 0.001), and neutrophil count levels (OR = 1.626, 95%CI: 1.268-2.087, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for CRCIS. In addition, receiver operator characteristic curve revealed that the area under curve for the products of plasma D-dimer, CEA, and neutrophil count was 0.889 ± 0.022 (95%CI: 0.847-0.932, P < 0.001), and the optimal cut-off value for the product was 252.06, which was called the CRCIS Index, with a sensitivity of 86.0% and specificity of 79.8%. CONCLUSION: Hypercoagulability induced by elevated CEA and neutrophils may be an important cause of CRCIS. The CRCIS index, which serves as a biomarker of CRCIS, needs further study.