Neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhages: the potential of quantitative brainstem MRI

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective study aimed to identify quantitative magnetic resonance imaging markers in the brainstem of preterm neonates with intraventricular hemorrhages. It delves into the intricate associations between quantitative brainstem magnetic resonance imaging metrics and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage, aiming to elucidate potential relationships and their clinical implications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Neuroimaging was performed on preterm neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage using a multi-dynamic multi-echo sequence to determine T1 relaxation time, T2 relaxation time, and proton density in specific brainstem regions. Neonatal outcome scores were collected using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Statistical analysis aimed to explore potential correlations between magnetic resonance imaging metrics and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty preterm neonates (mean gestational age at birth 26.26 ± 2.69 wk; n = 24 [40%] females) were included. The T2 relaxation time of the midbrain exhibited significant positive correlations with cognitive (r = 0.538, P < 0.0001, Pearson's correlation), motor (r = 0.530, P < 0.0001), and language (r = 0.449, P = 0.0008) composite scores at 1 yr of age.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging can provide valuable insights into neurodevelopmental outcomes after intraventricular hemorrhage, potentially aiding in identifying at-risk neonates. Multi-dynamic multi-echo sequence sequences hold promise as an adjunct to conventional sequences, enhancing the sensitivity of neonatal magnetic resonance neuroimaging and supporting clinical decision-making for these vulnerable patients.

ImmUniverse Consortium: Multi-omics integrative approach in personalized medicine for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases

Immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are a heterogeneous group of debilitating, multifactorial and unrelated conditions featured by a dysregulated immune response leading to destructive chronic inflammation. The immune dysregulation can affect various organ systems: gut (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease), joints (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), skin (e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), resulting in significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, increased risk for comorbidities, and premature death. As there are no reliable disease progression and therapy response biomarkers currently available, it is very hard to predict how the disease will develop and which treatments will be effective in a given patient. In addition, a considerable proportion of patients do not respond sufficiently to the treatment. ImmUniverse is a large collaborative consortium of 27 partners funded by the Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI), which is sponsored by the European Union (Horizon 2020) and in-kind contributions of participating pharmaceutical companies within the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). ImmUniverse aims to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying two immune-mediated diseases, ulcerative colitis (UC) and atopic dermatitis (AD), by pursuing an integrative multi-omics approach. As a consequence of the heterogeneity among IMIDs patients, a comprehensive, evidence-based identification of novel biomarkers is necessary to enable appropriate patient stratification that would account for the inter-individual differences in disease severity, drug efficacy, side effects or prognosis. This would guide clinicians in the management of patients and represent a major step towards personalized medicine. ImmUniverse will combine the existing and novel advanced technologies, including multi-omics, to characterize both the tissue microenvironment and blood. This comprehensive, systems biology-oriented approach will allow for identification and validation of tissue and circulating biomarker signatures as well as mechanistic principles, which will provide information about disease severity and future disease progression. This truly makes the ImmUniverse Consortium an unparalleled approach.

Implications and pitfalls for cancer diagnostics exploiting extracellular vesicles

Early detection of cancer in order to facilitate timely therapeutic interventions is an unsolved problem in today's clinical diagnostics. Tumors are detected so far mostly after pathological symptoms have emerged (usually already in progressed disease states), within preventive screenings, or occasionally as incidental finding. The emergence of extracellular vesicle (EV) analytics in combination with liquid biopsy sampling opened a plethora of new possibilities for the detection of tumors (and other diseases). This review gives an overview of the diversity of currently known EV species and the relevant cargo molecules representing potential biomarkers to detect, identify and characterize tumor cells. A number of molecules reported in recent years to be valuable targets for different aspects of cancer diagnostics, are presented. Furthermore, we discuss (technical) challenges and pitfalls related to the various potential applications (screening, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring) of liquid biopsy based EV analytics, and give an outlook to possible future directions of this emerging field in oncology.

Salivary biomarkers in cardiovascular disease: An insight into the current evidence

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of mortality worldwide. In acute cardiovascular conditions, time is a crucial player in the outcomes of disease management. Given the ease and noninvasiveness of obtaining saliva, salivary biomarkers may provide a rapid and efficient diagnosis of CVD. Here, we reviewed the published data on the value of salivary molecules for diagnosis of CVD, especially in acute care settings. In this review, we show that some biomarkers such as salivary creatinine kinase myocardial band, C-reactive protein, troponin-1, and myoglobin exhibited promising diagnostic values that were comparable to their serum counterparts. Other molecules were also investigated and showed controversial results, including myeloperoxidase, brain natriuretic peptide, and some oxidative stress markers. Based on our review, we concluded that the clinical use of salivary biomarkers to diagnose CVD is promising; however, it is still in the early stage of development. Further studies are needed to validate these findings, determine cutoff values for diagnosis, and compare them to other established biomarkers currently in clinical use.

Plasmonic Hepatitis B Biosensor for the Analysis of Clinical Saliva

A biosensor for the detection of hepatitis B antibodies in clinical saliva was developed. Compared to conventional analysis of blood serum, it offers the advantage of noninvasive collection of samples. Detection of biomarkers in saliva imposes two major challenges associated with the low analyte concentration and increased surface fouling. The detection of minute amounts of hepatitis B antibodies was performed by plasmonically amplified fluorescence sandwich immunoassay. To have access to specific detection, we prevented the nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules present in saliva by brushes of poly[(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide)-co-(carboxybetaine methacrylamide)] grafted from the gold sensor surface and post modified with hepatitis B surface antigen. Obtained results were validated against the response measured with ELISA at a certified laboratory using serum from the same patients.

High-k Dielectric Passivation: Novel Considerations Enabling Cell Specific Lysis Induced by Electric Fields

A better understanding of the electrodynamic behavior of cells interacting with electric fields would allow for novel scientific insights and would lead to the next generation of cell manipulation, diagnostics, and treatment. Here, we introduce a promising electrode design by using metal oxide high-k dielectric passivation. The thermally generated dielectric passivation layer enables efficient electric field coupling to the fluid sample comprising cells while simultaneously decoupling the electrode ohmically from the electrolyte, allowing for better control and adjustability of electric field effects due to reduced electrochemical reactions at the electrode surface. This approach demonstrates cell-size specific lysis with electric fields in a microfluidic flow-through design resulting in 99.8% blood cell lysis at 6 s exposure without affecting the viability of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial spike-ins. The advantages of this new approach can support next-generation investigations of electrodynamics in biological systems and their exploitation for cell manipulation in multiple fields of medicine, life science, and industry.

Multiplex characterization of human pathogens including species and antibiotic-resistance gene identification

The efficient medical treatment of infections requires detailed information about the pathogens involved and potential antibiotic-resistance mechanisms. The dramatically increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria especially highlights the importance of sophisticated diagnostic tests enabling a fast patient-customized therapy. However, the current molecular detection methods are limited to either the detection of species or only a few antibiotic-resistance genes.In this work, we present a human pathogen characterization assay using a rRNA gene microarray identifying 75 species comprising bacteria and fungi. A statistical classifier was developed to facilitate the automated species identification. Additionally, the clinically most important β-lactamases were identified simultaneously in a 100-plex reaction using padlock probes and the same microarray. The specificity and sensitivity of the combined assay was determined using clinical isolates. The detection limit was 10(5) c.f.u. ml(-1), recovering 89 % of the detectable β-lactamase-encoding genes specifically. The total assay time was less than 7 hand the modular character of the antibiotic-resistance detection allows the easy integration of further genetic targets. In summary, we present a fast, highly specific and sensitive multiplex pathogen characterization assay.

EPMA-World Congress 2015

A1 Predictive and prognostic biomarker panel for targeted application of radioembolisation improving individual outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Jella-Andrea Abraham, Olga Golubnitschaja

A2 Integrated market access approach amplifying value of “Rx-CDx”

Ildar Akhmetov

A3 Disaster response: an opportunity to improve global healthcare

Russell J. Andrews, Leonidas Quintana

A4 USA PPPM: proscriptive, profligate, profiteering medicine-good for 1 % wealthy, not for 99 % unhealthy

Russell J. Andrews

A5 The role of IDO in a murine model of gingivitis: predictive and therapeutic potentials

Babak Baban, Jun Yao Liu, Xu Qin, Tailing Wang, Mahmood S. Mozaffari

A6 Specific diets for personalised treatment of diabetes type 2

Viktoriia V. Bati, Tamara V. Meleshko, Olga B. Levchuk, Nadiya V. Boyko

A7 Towards personalized physiotherapeutic approach

Joanna Bauer, Ewa Boerner, Halina Podbielska

A8 Cells, animal, SHIME and in silico models for detection and verification of specific biomarkers of non-communicable chronic diseases

Alojz Bomba, Viktor O. Petrov, Volodymyr G. Drobnych, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Oksana M. Bykova, Nadiya V. Boyko

A9 INTERACT-chronic care model: Self-treatment by patients with decision support e-Health solution

Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca, Lutz Fleischhacker, Olga Golubnitschaja, Frank Heemskerk, Thomas Helms, Tiny Jaarsma, Judita Kinkorova, Jan Ramaekers, Peter Ruff, Ivana Schnur, Emilio Vanoli, Jose Verdu

A10 PPPM in cardiovascular medicine in 2015

Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca

A11 Magnetic resonance imaging of nanoparticles in mice, potential for theranostic and contrast media development – pilot results

Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Sergiy A. Grabovetskyi, Olena M. Mykhalchenko, Natalia O. Tymoshok, Oleksandr B. Shcherbakov, Igor P. Semeniv, Mykola Y. Spivak

A12 Ultrasound diagnosis for diabetic neuropathy - comparative study

Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Tetyana V. Ostapenko

A13 Ultrasound for stratification patients with diabetic foot ulcers for prevention and personalized treatment - pilot results

Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Nazarii M. Kobyliak, Nadiya M. Zholobak, Mykola Ya. Spivak

A14 Project ImaGenX – designing and executing a questionnaire on environment and lifestyle risk of breast cancer

John Paul Cauchi

A15 Genomics – a new structural brand of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine or the new driver as well?

Dmitrii Cherepakhin, Marina Bakay, Artem Borovikov, Sergey Suchkov

A16 Survey of questionnaires for evaluation of the quality of life in various medical fields

Barbara Cieślik, Agnieszka Migasiewicz, Maria-Luiza Podbielska, Markus Pelleter, Agnieszka Giemza, Halina Podbielska

A17 Personalized molecular treatment for muscular dystrophies

Sebahattin Cirak

A18 Secondary mutations in circulating tumour DNA for acquired drug resistance in patients with advanced ALK + NSCLC

Marzia Del Re, Paola Bordi, Valentina Citi, Marta Palombi, Carmine Pinto, Marcello Tiseo, Romano Danesi

A19 Recombinant species-specific FcεRI alpha proteins for diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergies in dogs, cats and horses

Lukas Einhorn, Judit Fazekas, Martina Muhr, Alexandra Schoos, Lucia Panakova, Ina Herrmann, Krisztina Manzano-Szalai, Kumiko Oida, Edda Fiebiger, Josef Singer, Erika Jensen-Jarolim

A20 Global methodology for developmental neurotoxicity testing in humans and animals early and chronically exposed to chemical contaminants

Arpiné A. Elnar, Nadia Ouamara, Nadiya Boyko, Xavier Coumoul, Jean-Philippe Antignac, Bruno Le Bizec, Gauthier Eppe, Jenny Renaut, Torsten Bonn, Cédric Guignard, Margherita Ferrante, Maria Liusa Chiusano, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Gerard O'Keeffe, John Cryan, Michelle Bisson, Amina Barakat, Ihsane Hmamouchi, Nasser Zawia, Anumantha Kanthasamy, Glen E. Kisby, Rui Alves, Oscar Villacañas Pérez, Kim Burgard, Peter Spencer, Norbert Bomba, Martin Haranta, Nina Zaitseva, Irina May, Stéphanie Grojean, Mathilde Body-Malapel, Florencia Harari, Raul Harari, Kristina Yeghiazaryan, Olga Golubnitschaja, Vittorio Calabrese, Christophe Nemos, Rachid Soulimani

A21 Mental indicators at young people with attributes hypertension and pre-hypertension

Maria E. Evsevyeva, Elena A. Mishenko, Zurida V. Kumukova, Evgeniy V. Chudnovsky, Tatyana A. Smirnova

A22 On the approaches to the early diagnosis of stress-induced hypertension in young employees of State law enforcement agencies

Maria E. Evsevyeva, Ludmila V. Ivanova, Michail V. Eremin, Maria V. Rostovtseva

A23 Сentral aortic pressure and indexes of augmentation in young persons in view of risk factors

Maria E. Evsevyeva, Michail V. Eremin, Vladimir I. Koshel, Oksana V. Sergeeva, Nadesgda M. Konovalova

A24 Breast cancer prediction and prevention: Are reliable biomarkers in horizon?

Shantanu Girotra, Olga Golubnitschaja

A25 Flammer Syndrome and potential formation of pre-metastatic niches: A multi-centred study on phenotyping, patient stratification, prediction and potential prevention of aggressive breast cancer and metastatic disease

Olga Golubnitschaja, Manuel Debald, Walther Kuhn, Kristina Yeghiazaryan, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Vadym M. Goncharenko, Ulyana Lushchyk, Godfrey Grech, Katarzyna Konieczka

A26 Innovative tools for prenatal diagnostics and monitoring: improving individual pregnancy outcomes and health-economy in EU

Olga Golubnitschaja, Jan Jaap Erwich, Vincenzo Costigliola, Kristina Yeghiazaryan, Ulrich Gembruch

A27 Immunohistochemical assessment of APUD cells in endometriosis

Vadym M. Goncharenko, Vasyl O. Beniuk, Olga V. Kalenska, Rostyslav V. Bubnov

A28 Updating personalized management algorithm of endometrial hyperplasia in pre-menopause women

Vadym M. Goncharenko, Vasyl O. Beniuk, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Olga Melnychuk

A29 The personified treatment approach of polimorbid patients with periodontal inflammatory diseases

Irina A. Gorbacheva, Lyudmila Y. Orekhova, Vadim V. Tachalov

A30 Ukrainian experience in hybrid war – the challenge to update algorithms for personalized care and early prevention of different military injuries

Olena I. Grechanyk, Rizvan Ya. Abdullaiev, Rostyslav V. Bubnov

A31 Tear fluid biomarkers: a comparison of tear fluid sampling and storage protocols

Suzanne Hagan, Eilidh Martin, Ian Pearce, Katherine Oliver

A32 The correlation of dietary habits with gingival problems during menstruation

Cenk Haytac, Fariz Salimov, Servin Yoksul, Anatoly A. Kunin, Natalia S. Moiseeva

A33 Genomic medicine in a contemporary Spanish population of prostate cancer: our experience

Bernardo Herrera-Imbroda, Sergio del Río-González, Maria Fernanda Lara, Antonia Angulo, Francisco Javier Machuca Santa-Cruz

A34 Challenges, opportunities and collaborations for personalized medicine applicability in uro-oncological disease

Bernardo Herrera-Imbroda, Sergio del Río-González, Maria Fernanda Lara

A35 Metabolic hallmarks of cancer as targets for a personalized therapy

John Ionescu

A36 Influence of genetic polymorphism as a predictor of the development of periodontal disease in patients with gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer

Alfiya Z. Isamulaeva, Anatoly A. Kunin, Shamil Sh. Magomedov, Aida I. Isamulaeva

A37 Challenges in diabetic macular edema

Tatjana Josifova

A38 Overview of the EPMA strategies in laboratory medicine relevant for PPPM

Marko Kapalla, Juraj Kubáň, Olga Golubnitschaja, Vincenzo Costigliola

A39 EPMA initiative for effective organization of medical travel: European concepts and criteria

Vincenzo Costigliola, Marko Kapalla, Juraj Kubáň, Olga Golubnitschaja

A40 Design and innovation in e-textiles: implications for PPPM

Anthony Kent, Tom Fisher, Tilak Dias

A41 Biobank in Pilsen as a member of national node BBMRI_CZ

Judita Kinkorová, Ondřej Topolčan

A42 Big data in personalized medicine: hype and hope

Matthias Kohl

A43 The 3P approach as the platform of the European Dentistry Department (DPPPD)

Anatoly A. Kunin, Natalia S. Moiseeva

A44 The endometrium cytokine patterns for predictive diagnosis of proliferation severity and cancer prevention

Andrii I. Kurchenko, Vasyl A. Beniuk, Vadym M. Goncharenko, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Nadiya V. Boyko, Andriy M. Strokan

A45 A monocyte-based in-vitro system for testing individual responses to the implanted material: future for personalized implant construction

Julia Kzhyshkowska, Alexandru Gudima, Ksenia S. Stankevich, Victor D. Filimonov⁴, Harald Klüter, Evgeniya M. Mamontova, Sergei I. Tverdokhlebov

A46 Prediction and prevention of adverse health effects by meteorological factors: Biomarker patterns and creation of a device for self-monitoring and integrated care

Ulyana B. Lushchyk, Viktor V. Novytskyy, Igor P. Babii, Nadiya G. Lushchyk, Lyudmyla S. Riabets, Ivanna I. Legka

A47 Targeting "disease signatures" towards personalized healthcare

Mira Marcus-Kalish, Alexis Mitelpunkt, Tal Galili, Neta Shachar, Yoav Benjamini

A48 Influence of the skin imperfection on the personal quality of life and possible tools for objective diagnosis

Agnieszka Migasiewicz, Markus Pelleter, Joanna Bauer, Ewelina Dereń, Halina Podbielska

A49 The new direction in caries prevention based on the ultrastructure of dental hard tissues and filling materials

Natalia S. Moiseeva, Anatoly A. Kunin, Dmitry A. Kunin

A50 The use of LED radiation in prevention of dental diseases

Natalia S. Moiseeva, Yury A. Ippolitov, Dmitry A. Kunin, Alexei N. Morozov, Natalia V. Chirkova, Nakhid T. Aliev

A51 Status of endothelial progenitor cells in diabetic nephropathy: predictive and preventive potentials

Mahmood S. Mozaffari, Jun Yao Liu, Babak Baban

A52 The status of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper protein in salivary gland in Sjögren’s syndrome: predictive and personalized treatment potentials

Mahmood S. Mozaffari, Jun Yao Liu, Rafik Abdelsayed, Xing-Ming Shi, Babak Baban

A53 Maximal aerobic capacity - important quality marker of health

Jaroslav Novák, Milan Štork, Václav Zeman

A54 The EMPOWER project: laboratory medicine and Horizon 2020

Wytze P. Oosterhuis, Elvar Theodorsson

A55 Personality profile manifestations in patient’s attitude to oral care and adherence to doctor’s prescriptions

Lyudmila Y. Orekhova, Tatyana V. Kudryavtseva, Elena R. Isaeva, Vadim V. Tachalov, Ekaterina S. Loboda

A56 Results of an European survey on personalized medicine addressed to directions of laboratory medicine

Mario Pazzagli, Francesca Malentacchi, Irene Mancini, Ivan Brandslund, Pieter Vermeersch, Matthias Schwab, Janja Marc, Ron H.N. van Schaik, Gerard Siest, Elvar Theodorsson, Chiara Di Resta

A57 MCI or early dementia predictive speech based diagnosis techniques

Matus Pleva, Jozef Juhar

A58 Personalized speech based mobile application for eHealth

Matus Pleva, Jozef Juhar

A59 Circulating tumor cell-free DNA as the biomarker in the management of cancer patients

Jiří Polívka jr., Filip Janků, Martin Pešta, Jan Doležal, Milena Králíčková, Jiří Polívka

A60 Complex stroke care – educational programme in Stroke Centre University Hospital Plzen

Jiří Polívka, Alena Lukešová, Nina Müllerová, Petr Ševčík, Vladimír Rohan

A61 Sleep apnea and sleep fragmentation contribute to brain aging

Kneginja Richter, Lence Miloseva, Günter Niklewski

A62 Personalised approach for sleep disturbances in shift workers

Kneginja Richter, Jens Acker, Guenter Niklewski

A63 Medical travel and innovative PPPM clusters: new concept of integration

Olga Safonicheva, Vincenzo Costigliola

A64 Medical travel and women health

Olga Safonicheva

A65 Continuity of generations in the training of specialists in the field of reconstructive microsurgery

Maxim Sautin, Janna Sinelnikova, Sergey Suchkov

A66 Telemonitoring of stroke patients – empirical evidence of individual risk management results from an observational study in Germany

Songül Secer, Stephan von Bandemer

A67 Women’s increasing breast cancer risk with n-6 fatty acid intake explained by estrogen-fatty acid interactive effect on DNA damage: implications for gender-specific nutrition within personalized medicine

Niva Shapira

A68 Cytobacterioscopy of the gingival crevicular fluid as a method for preventive diagnosis of periodontal diseases

Aleksandr Shcherbakov, Anatoly A. Kunin, Natalia S. Moiseeva

A69 Use of specially treated composites in dentistry to avoid violations of aesthetics

Bogdan R. Shumilovich, Zhanna Lipkind, Yulia Vorobieva, Dmitry A. Kunin, Anastasiia V. Sudareva

A70 National eHealth system – platform for preventive, predictive and personalized diabetes care

Ivica Smokovski, Tatjana Milenkovic

A72 The common energy levels of Prof. Szent-Györgyi, the intrinsic chemistry of melanin, and the muscle physiopathology. Implications in the context of Preventive, Predictive, and Personalized Medicine

Arturo Solís-Herrera, María del Carmen Arias-Esparza, Sergey Suchkov

A73 Plurality and individuality of hepatocellular carcinoma: PPPM perspectives

Krishna Chander Sridhar, Olga Golubnitschaja

A74 Strategic aspects of higher medical education reforms to secure newer educational platforms for getting biopharma professionals matures

Maria Studneva, Sihong Song, James Creeden, Мark Мandrik, Sergey Suchkov

A75 Overview of the strategies and activities of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, (EFLM)

Elvar Theodorsson, EFLM

A76 New spectroscopic techniques for point of care label free diagnostics

Syed A. M. Tofail

A77 Tumor markers for personalized medicine and oncology - the role of Laboratory Medicine

Ondřej Topolčan, Judita Kinkorová, Ondřej Fiala, Marie Karlíková, Šárka Svobodová, Radek Kučera, Radka Fuchsová, Vladislav Třeška, Václav Šimánek, Ladislav Pecen, Jan Šoupal, Štěpán Svačina²

A78 Modern medical terminology (MMT) as a driver of the global educational reforms

Evgeniya Tretyak, Maria Studneva, Sergey Suchkov

A79 Juvenile hypertension; the relevance of novel predictive, preventive and personalized assessment of its determinants

Francesca M. Trovato, G. Fabio Martines, Daniela Brischetto, Daniela Catalano, Giuseppe Musumeci, Guglielmo M. Trovato

A80 Proteomarkers Biotech

George Th. Tsangaris, Athanasios K. Anagnostopoulos

A81 Proteomics and mass spectrometry based non-invasive prenatal testing of fetal health and pregnancy complications

George Th. Tsangaris, Athanasios K. Anagnostopoulos

A82 Integrated Ecosystem for an Integrated Care model for Heart Failure (HF) patients including related comorbidities (ZENITH)

José Verdú, German Gutiérrez, Jordi Rovira, Marta Martinez, Lutz Fleischhacker, Donna Green, Arthur Garson, Elena Tamburini, Stefano Cuomo, Juan Martinez-Leon, Teresa Abrisqueta, Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca, Tiny Jaarsma, Teresa Arredondo, Cecilia Vera, Giuseppe Fico, Olga Golubnitschaja, Fernando Arribas, Martina Onderco, Isabel Vara, on behalf of ZENITH consortium

A83 Predictive, preventive and personalized medicine in diabetes onset and complication (MOSAIC project)

José Verdú, Francesco Sambo, Barbara Di Camillo, Claudio Cobelli, Andrea Facchinetti, Giuseppe Fico, Riccardo Bellazzi, Lucia Sacchi, Arianna Dagliati, Daniele Segnani, Valentina Tibollo, Manuel Ottaviano, Rafael Gabriel, Leif Groop, Jacqueline Postma, Antonio Martinez, Liisa Hakaste, Tiinamaija Tuomi, Konstantia Zarkogianni, on behalf of MOSAIC consortium

A84 Possibilities for personalized therapy of diabetes using in vitro screening of insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents

Igor Volchek, Nina Pototskaya, Andrey Petrov

A85 The innovative technology for personalized therapy of human diseases based on in vitro drug screening

Igor Volchek, Nadezhda Pototskaya, Andrey Petrov

A86 Bone destruction and temporomandibular joint: predictive markers, pathogenetic aspects and quality of life

Ülle Voog-Oras, Oksana Jagur, Edvitar Leibur, Priit Niibo, Triin Jagomägi, Minh Son Nguyen, Chris Pruunsild, Dagmar Piikov, Mare Saag

A87 Sub-optimal health management – global vision for concepts in medical travel

Wei Wang

A88 Sub-optimal health management: synergic PPPM-TCAM approach

Wei Wang

A89 Innovative technologies for minimal invasive diagnostics

Andreas Weinhäusel, Walter Pulverer, Matthias Wielscher, Manuela Hofner, Christa Noehammer, Regina Soldo, Peter Hettegger, Istvan Gyurjan, Ronald Kulovics, Silvia Schönthaler, Gabriel Beikircher, Albert Kriegner, Stephan Pabinger, Klemens Vierlinger

A90 Rare disease diobanks for personalized medicine

Ayşe Yüzbaşıoğlu, Meral Özgüç, Member of EuroBioBank - European Network of DNA, Cell and Tissue Banks for Rare Diseases

Strategies for validation and testing of DNA methylation biomarkers

DNA methylation is a stable covalent epigenetic modification of primarily CpG dinucleotides that has recently gained considerable attention for its use as a biomarker in different clinical settings, including disease diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic response prediction. Although the advent of genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in primary disease tissue has provided a manifold resource for biomarker development, only a tiny fraction of DNA methylation-based assays have reached clinical testing. Here, we provide a critical overview of different analytical methods that are suitable for biomarker validation, including general study design considerations, which might help to streamline epigenetic marker development. Furthermore, we highlight some of the recent marker validation studies and established markers that are currently commercially available for assisting in clinical management of different cancers.

High diversity of beta-lactamases in the General Hospital Vienna verified by whole genome sequencing and statistical analysis

The detailed analysis of antibiotic resistance mechanisms is essential for understanding the underlying evolutionary processes, the implementation of appropriate intervention strategies and to guarantee efficient treatment options. In the present study, 110 β-lactam-resistant, clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae sampled in 2011 in one of Europe's largest hospitals, the General Hospital Vienna, were screened for the presence of 31 β-lactamase genes. Twenty of those isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS). In addition, the number of β-lactamase genes was estimated using biostatistical models. The carbapenemase genes blaKPC-2, blaKPC-3, and blaVIM-4 were identified in carbapenem-resistant and intermediate susceptible isolates, blaOXA-72 in an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive one. Furthermore, the observed high prevalence of the acquired blaDHA-1 and blaCMY AmpC β-lactamase genes (70%) in phenotypically AmpC-positive isolates is alarming due to their capability to become carbapenem-resistant upon changes in membrane permeability. The statistical analyses revealed that approximately 55% of all β-lactamase genes present in the General Hospital Vienna were detected by this study. In summary, this work gives a very detailed picture on the disseminated β-lactamases and other resistance genes in one of Europe's largest hospitals.

Multiplex detection of antibiotic resistance genes using padlock probes

The elucidation of resistance mechanisms is of central importance to providing and maintaining efficient medical treatment. However, molecular detection methods covering the complete set of resistance genes with a single test are still missing. Here, we present a novel 100-plex assay based on padlock probes in combination with a microarray that allows the simultaneous large-scale identification of highly diverse β-lactamases. The specificity of the assay was performed using 70 clinical bacterial isolates, recovering 98% of the β-lactamase nucleotide sequences present. Additionally, the sensitivity was evaluated with PCR products and genomic bacterial DNA, revealing a detection limit of 10(4) DNA copies per reaction when using PCR products as the template. Pre-amplification of genomic DNA in a 25-multiplex PCR further facilitated the detection of β-lactamase genes in dilutions of 10(7) cells/mL. In summary, we present an efficient, highly specific, and highly sensitive multiplex detection method for any gene.

Soluble ST2 is regulated by p75 neurotrophin receptor and predicts mortality in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia

OBJECTIVE

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) contributes to diabetes mellitus-induced defective postischemic neovascularization. The interleukin-33 receptor ST2 is expressed as transmembrane (ST2L) and soluble (sST2) isoforms. Here, we studied the following: (1) the impact of p75(NTR) in the healing of ischemic and diabetic calf wounds; (2) the link between p75(NTR) and ST2; and (3) circulating sST2 levels in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Diabetes mellitus was induced in p75(NTR) knockout (p75KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates by streptozotocin. Diabetic and nondiabetic p75KO and WT mice received left limb ischemia induction and a full-thickness wound on the ipsilateral calf. Diabetes mellitus impaired wound closure and angiogenesis and increased ST2 expression in WT, but not in p75KO wounds. In cultured endothelial cells, p75(NTR) promoted ST2 (both isoforms) expression through p38(MAPK)/activating transcription factor 2 pathway activation. Next, sST2 was measured in the serum of patients with CLI undergoing either revascularization or limb amputation and in the 2 nondiabetic groups (with CLI or nonischemic individuals). Serum sST2 increased in diabetic patients with CLI and was directly associated with higher mortality at 1 year from revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

p75(NTR) inhibits the healing of ischemic lower limb wounds in diabetes mellitus and promotes ST2 expression. Circulating sST2 predicts mortality in diabetic CLI patients.

Establishment of a semi-automated pathogen DNA isolation from whole blood and comparison with commercially available kits

Molecular methods for bacterial pathogen identification are gaining increased importance in routine clinical diagnostic laboratories. Achieving reliable results using DNA based technologies is strongly dependent on pre-analytical processes including isolation of target cells and their DNA of high quality and purity. In this study a fast and semi-automated method was established for bacterial DNA isolation from whole blood samples and compared to different commercially available kits: Looxster, MolYsis kit, SeptiFast DNA isolation method and standard EasyMAG protocol. The newly established, semi-automated method utilises the EasyMAG device combined with pre-processing steps comprising human cell lysis, centrifugation and bacterial pellet resuspension. Quality of DNA was assessed by a universal PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene and subsequent microarray hybridisation. The DNA extractions were amplified using two different PCR-mastermixes, to allow comparison of a commercial mastermix with a guaranteed bacterial DNA free PCR mastermix. The modified semi-automated EasyMAG protocol and the Looxster kit gave the most sensitive results. After hybridisation a detection limit of 10(1) to 10(2) bacterial cells per mL whole blood was achieved depending on the isolation method and microbial species lysed. Human DNA present in the isolated DNA suspension did not interfere with PCR and did not lead to non-specific hybridisation events.

DNA microarrays provide new options for allergen testing

Microarray studies are increasingly used for toxicological research and even for the development of new toxicological test methods. Since gene-expression changes in cultured cells can be conveniently measured with microarrays, this method might be of use for in vitro toxicity testing, for example, in the field of contact sensitization. Allergic contact dermatitis, the clinical manifestation of contact sensitization, may occur when sensitizing chemicals enter the skin and get in contact with epidermal and dermal antigen-presenting cells. The resulting maturation process in these cells can be measured by employing gene-expression analysis. Biomarkers currently known seem to be insufficient to identify all kinds of contact sensitizers, which may partly activate different signaling pathways (e.g., metal or organic sensitizers). Therefore, genome-wide screenings using whole-genome DNA microarrays and extensive data analysis can be performed in order to identify additional genes. Ultimately, marker genes detected in whole-genome experiments can be included in small-scale-targeted microarrays in order to establish the final test method.

RGG: a general GUI Framework for R scripts

Background

R is the leading open source statistics software with a vast number of biostatistical and bioinformatical analysis packages. To exploit the advantages of R, extensive scripting/programming skills are required.

Results

We have developed a software tool called R GUI Generator (RGG) which enables the easy generation of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for the programming language R by adding a few Extensible Markup Language (XML) – tags. RGG consists of an XML-based GUI definition language and a Java-based GUI engine. GUIs are generated in runtime from defined GUI tags that are embedded into the R script. User-GUI input is returned to the R code and replaces the XML-tags. RGG files can be developed using any text editor. The current version of RGG is available as a stand-alone software (RGGRunner) and as a plug-in for JGR.

Conclusion

RGG is a general GUI framework for R that has the potential to introduce R statistics (R packages, built-in functions and scripts) to users with limited programming skills and helps to bridge the gap between R developers and GUI-dependent users. RGG aims to abstract the GUI development from individual GUI toolkits by using an XML-based GUI definition language. Thus RGG can be easily integrated in any software. The RGG project further includes the development of a web-based repository for RGG-GUIs. RGG is an open source project licensed under the Lesser General Public License (LGPL) and can be downloaded freely at

PCR-based analysis of differentially methylated regions of GNAS enables convenient diagnostic testing of pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib

BACKGROUND

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib (PHPIb) is characterized by parathyroid hormone (PTH) resistance, which can lead to hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and increased serum PTH. The disorder is caused by mutations in regulatory regions of the GNAS gene (GNAS complex locus) that lead to interferences in the methylation status of alternative GNAS promoters, such as exon A/B, NESP55, and XL alpha-s. PHPIb comprises disorders that show distinctive changes in methylation status but share the same clinical phenotype: (a) loss of methylation only at exon A/B of the GNAS gene and involving no other obvious epigenetic abnormalities [e.g., those caused by heterozygous microdeletions in the STX16 (syntaxin 16) region and found in many patients with autosomal dominant (AD) PHPIb]; (b) methylation abnormalities at several differentially methylated regions (DMRs), which are observed in most patients with sporadic PHPIb and some families with AD PHPIb.

METHODS

To permit early and reliable diagnosis of suspected PHPIb, we designed methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme-based and bisulfite deamination-based PCR tests for exon A/B and NESP55 DMRs.

RESULTS

Both PCR strategies permit proper methylation testing of GNAS and NESP55 DMRs and elucidate different disease subtypes. We have identified a novel microsatellite repeat polymorphism within GNAS exon A/B, and pedigree analyses have shown its presence to be conclusive evidence for familial disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide a simple diagnostic test for PHPIb, an imprinting disorder caused by different molecular changes within the GNAS complex locus. PHPIb, a complex and diagnostically challenging clinical phenotype, can be treated successfully by taking steps before the manifestation of symptoms to avoid clinical complications in affected patients or asymptomatic members of affected families who show positive results in genetic tests.

Microarray-Based In Vitro Test System for the Discrimination of Contact Allergens and Irritants: Identification of Potential Marker Genes

Background: Animal tests have been used to characterize the potential of chemicals to produce allergic contact dermatitis, but this approach is increasingly a matter of public and political concern. Our aim was to develop and validate an alternative in vitro test that can identify contact allergens.

Methods: We developed a targeted microarray containing oligonucleotide probes for 66 immune-relevant genes and analyzed gene expression in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs) treated with 1 irritant (SDS) and 2 prominent contact allergens, nickel and Bandrowski’s base (BB), which is the oxidation product of the most important hair dye allergen, p-phenylenediamine.

Results: Comparing RNA amounts in chemical-treated and solvent-treated cells, we identified significant changes in the expression of 21 genes and 10 genes after exposure of immature DCs (iDCs) to nickel and BB, respectively, but not after exposure to SDS. Eight genes were differentially expressed after application of both nickel and BB. Real-time PCR was used to confirm the results for selected genes.

Conclusion: We propose a microarray-based in vitro test that might allow the identification of contact allergens. Independently from donor variability, several immune-relevant genes were up- or downregulated after the application of the tested sensitizers to iDCs, therefore presenting potential marker genes. While reducing the number of laboratory animals used, this test would also enable reliable analysis of chemicals using a human system.

Characterization of the drugged human genome

Human drug targets are a part of our genome of special relevance to human disease. However, the number and nature of drug target genes has not yet been conclusively assessed. We analyzed involvement in biochemical functions, biological processes and pathways, with chromosome, cellular and tissue distribution of the 392 human drug targets collected in DrugBank. Comparison with the whole human genome reveals their scarcely diverse characteristics, largely dominated by rhodopsin-like 7 transmembrane receptors involved in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway and located in the plasma membrane. Drug target genes are frequently expressed in multiple tissues, suggesting drug application in distinct disease classes. Intersections with other clinically relevant gene sets, such as the Mendelian disorder-linked genes and various molecular cancer signatures, are discussed.

Consensus genes of the literature to predict breast cancer recurrence

BACKGROUND

Extensive efforts have been undertaken to discover genes relevant for breast cancer prognosis. Yet, in current opinion, with little overlap in findings. We aimed to reanalyze molecular prediction of breast cancer recurrence.

METHODS

From 44 published gene lists relevant for breast cancer prognosis, we extracted 374 genes, which, besides other quality criteria, are recorded at least twice. From eight published microarray datasets, a single dataset of 1,067 breast cancer patients was created, using transformation to 'probability of expression' scale. For recurrence analysis, the Cox proportional hazards model was applied.

RESULTS

The 374 genes, termed '374 Gene Set', are highly enriched in cell cycle genes. The '374 Gene Set' is significantly associated with breast cancer recurrence (p = 2 x 10(-12), log-rank test) in the meta set of 1,067 patients, showing an estimated Hazard Ratio of recurrence for the 'poor' prognosis group compared to the 'good' prognosis group of 2.03 (95% confidence interval, 1.66-2.48). Notably, the '374 Gene Set' is significantly associated with recurrence in untreated patients. In multivariate analysis, including the standard histopathological parameters, only tumor size and the '374 Gene Set' remain independent predictors of recurrence. External validation further confirmed the prognostic relevance of the gene set (253 patients, p = 0.001, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

The '374 Gene Set' comprises a molecular basis of metastatic breast cancer progression. Starting from this gene set it might be possible to construct a clinically relevant classifier, which then again needs to be validated.

Identification of human pathogens isolated from blood using microarray hybridisation and signal pattern recognition

Background

Pathogen identification in clinical routine is based on the cultivation of microbes with subsequent morphological and physiological characterisation lasting at least 24 hours. However, early and accurate identification is a crucial requisite for fast and optimally targeted antimicrobial treatment. Molecular biology based techniques allow fast identification, however discrimination of very closely related species remains still difficult.

Results

A molecular approach is presented for the rapid identification of pathogens combining PCR amplification with microarray detection. The DNA chip comprises oligonucleotide capture probes for 25 different pathogens including Gram positive cocci, the most frequently encountered genera of Enterobacteriaceae, non-fermenter and clinical relevant Candida species. The observed detection limits varied from 10 cells (e.g. E. coli) to 10⁵ cells (S. aureus) per mL artificially spiked blood. Thus the current low sensitivity for some species still represents a barrier for clinical application. Successful discrimination of closely related species was achieved by a signal pattern recognition approach based on the k-nearest-neighbour method. A prototype software providing this statistical evaluation was developed, allowing correct identification in 100 % of the cases at the genus and in 96.7 % at the species level (n = 241).

Conclusion

The newly developed molecular assay can be carried out within 6 hours in a research laboratory from pathogen isolation to species identification. From our results we conclude that DNA microarrays can be a useful tool for rapid identification of closely related pathogens particularly when the protocols are adapted to the special clinical scenarios.

mRNA expression patterns indicate CD30 mediated activation of different apoptosis pathways in anaplastic large cell lymphoma but not in Hodgkin's lymphoma

One of the main functions of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family is induction of apoptosis. CD30, a member of the TNFR superfamily is overexpressed in highly proliferating tumors such as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). CD30 stimulation leads to apoptosis and growth arrest in cultured ALCL, but not in Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells. To identify changes in the transcriptional program responsible for these opposing effects, we performed gene expression analysis in CD30-stimulated ALCL (Karpas 299) and HL (KM-H2) cell lines using cDNA microarrays. Selected genes were validated by real-time PCR. Hierarchical clustering was applied to the whole dataset and separated the cell lines clearly with respect to their origin. In HL, there were only minor CD30-specific alterations, whereas ALCL unequivocally showed a pronounced CD30-specific transcriptional response. Ninety-three genes (6.6% of total) were deregulated by more than a factor of two after CD30 stimulation in ALCL cells. The majority of genes identified are involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. mRNA expression patterns further indicate that in contrast to HL, CD30 stimulation in ALCL induces cell death via the CD95-CD95 ligand (CD95L) pathway and the TNF-R1/TNF-R2 crosstalk. These data provide a detailed view on the transcriptional changes upon CD30 stimulation and may explain the observed functional differences of HL and ALCL.

Metabolic cardiomyopathies

The energy needed by cardiac muscle to maintain proper function is supplied by adenosine Ariphosphate primarily (ATP) production through breakdown of fatty acids. Metabolic cardiomyopathies can be caused by disturbances in metabolism, for example diabetes mellitus, hypertrophy and heart failure or alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Deficiency in enzymes of the mitochondrial beta-oxidation show a varying degree of cardiac manifestation. Aberrations of mitochondrial DNA lead to a wide variety of cardiac disorders, without any obvious correlation between genotype and phenotype. A completely different pathogenetic model comprises cardiac manifestation of systemic metabolic diseases caused by deficiencies of various enzymes in a variety of metabolic pathways. Examples of these disorders are glycogen storage diseases (e.g. glycogenosis type II and III), lysosomal storage diseases (e.g. Niemann-Pick disease, Gaucher disease, I-cell disease, various types of mucopolysaccharidoses, GM1 gangliosidosis, galactosialidosis, carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndromes and Sandhoff's disease). There are some systemic diseases which can also affect the heart, for example triosephosphate isomerase deficiency, hereditary haemochromatosis, CD 36 defect or propionic acidaemia.

Muscle-specific overexpression of human lipoprotein lipase in mice causes increased intracellular free fatty acids and induction of peroxisomal enzymes

A transgenic mouse model for peroxisomal and mitochondrial induction caused by increased uptake of fatty acids in muscle was established. Transgenic mouse lines were generated using a human lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mini gene (3-20 copies) driven by the promoter of the muscle creatine kinase gene. Expression of human LPL was only observed in skeletal and cardiac muscle. In proportion to the level of LPL overexpression increased LPL activity in skeletal (up to 24-fold) and cardiac (up to three-fold) muscle, decreased plasma triglyceride levels, elevated free fatty acid (FFA) uptake by muscle tissue, weight loss (due to a reduction in muscle mass as well as adipose tissue mass) and premature death were observed. A remarkable increase in the number of mitochondria and peroxisomes was detected using oxide-electron microscopy. Proliferation of mitochondria and peroxisomes was confirmed by a dose-dependent increase of marker enzyme activity (succinate-dehydrogenase and catalase). In addition, peroxisomal acyl-CoAse enzyme protein was markedly elevated whereas mRNA was increased only up to two-fold. No changes in peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor alpha mRNA was found. This degree of proliferation and enzyme activity of mitochondria and peroxisomes suggests that FFA play an important role in the induction of these organelles. In addition, myopathy characterized by excessive glycogen storage, muscle fiber degeneration, and fiber atrophy with centralization of nuclei, mimicking several forms of human myopathies was noted. Our results imply that improper regulation of muscle LPL leading to increased fatty acid levels in muscle can cause severe pathological changes. This effect may be important in the pathogenesis of human myopathies. We conclude that these transgenic mouse lines could serve as a useful animal model for the investigation of myopathies and the effects of fatty acids on the induction of mitochondria and peroxisomes.