Search Results (296)

Preeclampsia (PE) is the onset of hypertension in pregnancy with systemic involvement; PE poses significant risks of cerebral complications, including eclampsia and long-term cognitive impairment. This review explores the potential of neurological biomarkers—neurofilament light chain (NfL), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100 Calcium Binding Protein B (S100B), and tau—as indicators of cerebral injury in PE. A literature search identified studies comparing biomarker levels in preeclamptic and healthy pregnancies. Findings reveal elevated plasma levels of NfL, NSE, S100B, and Tau in PE, with NfL showing the strongest association with blood–brain barrier dysfunction, cognitive symptoms, and disease severity. Variations between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels suggest impaired BBB integrity rather than increased central nervous system production. Despite promising correlations, limitations include small sample sizes, lack of standardized thresholds, and limited CSF data. While NfL emerges as a particularly promising marker for risk stratification, further research is needed to validate the clinical utility of these biomarkers in routine PE management. Full article

Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare but devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the pathological misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into the pathogenic isoform-scrapie prion protein (PrP^Sc), ultimately leading to fatal outcomes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers play a pivotal role in early diagnosis, longitudinal monitoring, and prognostic assessment, thereby enhancing the clinical management of this challenging disease. This review summarizes the established CSF biomarkers, 14-3-3 protein, tau protein (total tau), phosphorylated tau isoforms, α-synuclein, neurofilament light chain (Nfl), S100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNFH), highlighting typical sensitivity ranges (14-3-3 ~70–85%; RT-QuIC > 90%) and subtype-dependent performance variation. We further dissect limitations related to assay variability, inter-laboratory cut-off inconsistencies, and reduced specificity in non-prion dementias. Looking ahead, we discuss emerging multi-omics discovery, integration of CSF with blood-based biomarkers and imaging signatures, and AI-enabled diagnostic modeling. We propose a three-tier biomarker framework combining Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) as a confirmatory assay, tau/NfL/pNFH as injury-severity indicators, and multi-omics-derived signatures for early detection and prognosis stratification. Full article

Streptococcus suis is an important zoonotic pathogen responsible for severe infections in pigs and humans. Its capacity to survive within phagocytic cells is considered a key virulence mechanism that contributes to dissemination and persistence in host tissues. This study employed comparative proteomic profiling to investigate intracellular adaptation of S. suis serotypes 2 (SS2) and 14 (SS14) during infection of human U937 macrophages. Five isolates originating from humans and pigs were analyzed using gel electrophoresis with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GeLC–MS/MS), revealing 118 differentially expressed proteins grouped into 11 functional categories. Translation-related proteins represented the largest group (48%), including upregulated ribosomal subunits (30S: S2, S5, S7, S8, S12, S15; 50S: L1, L5, L18, L22, L24, L33, L35) and translation factors such as GidA/TrmFO and RimP. Enrichment of carbohydrate metabolism and DNA replication proteins, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP), UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (GlmU), and ATP-dependent DNA helicase RuvB, indicated metabolic reprogramming and stress adaptation under intracellular conditions. Stress-response proteins such as molecular chaperone DnaK were also induced, supporting their multifunctional, “moonlighting” roles in virulence and host interaction. Comparative analysis showed that SS2 expressed a broader range of adaptive proteins than SS14, consistent with its higher virulence potential. These findings reveal conserved intracellular responses centered on translation, energy metabolism, and stress tolerance, which enable S. suis to survive within human macrophages. Integration of these intracellular proteomic signatures with previous exoproteomic, peptidomic, and network-based studies highlights translational and metabolic proteins—particularly DnaK, enolase, elongation factor EF-Tu, and GlmU—as multifunctional candidates linking survival and immunogenicity. This work establishes a comparative proteomic foundation for understanding S. suis intracellular adaptation and highlights potential targets for future vaccine or therapeutic development against this zoonotic pathogen. Full article

In this study, the neurorehabilitation potential of combined and isolated intermittent hypercapnia and hypoxia exposure was evaluated following photochemically induced cerebral thrombosis in rats. Particular attention was given to the roles of possible neuroplasticity mechanisms mediated by VEGF and BDNF, as well as the potential of hypercapnic–hypoxic interventions to synergistically amplify the therapeutic effects of pharmacological neuroprotectants during recovery. A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five equal groups (n = 10 per group), each undergoing a course of respiratory interventions lasting 30 min per day for 15 sessions. The groups included (1) a normobaric hypoxia (PO₂ ≈ 90 mmHg) group, (2) a permissive hypercapnia (PCO₂ ≈ 50 mmHg) group, (3) a combined hypercapnic hypoxia (PO₂ ≈ 90 mmHg, PCO₂ ≈ 50 mmHg) group, (4) a control group, and (5) a sham-operated group. Following the rehabilitation protocol, animals exposed to hypercapnic hypoxia exhibited a two-fold reduction in stroke volume compared with controls, significant improvement in motor coordination (as assessed via the rotarod test), and marked upregulation of VEGF and BDNF expression within the ischemic brain region. Notably, only the HH group showed a decrease in serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels. These findings indicate that hypercapnic hypoxia exerts a possible neurorehabilitative effect after focal ischemic injury, superior to that of isolated hypoxia or hypercapnia. Possible mechanisms underlying this outcome may involve activation of neurotrophic (BDNF) and angiogenic (VEGF) signaling pathways. Full article

Background/Objectives: The efficacy of ST909, an innate immune cGAS/STING/IRF3 pathway regulator, against ischemic brain injury was investigated, and its pharmacological mechanism was elucidated. Methods: The efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of ST909 in ischemic brain injury were evaluated using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model, with brain tissue staining, MRI, behavioral tests (balance beam, screen), and ELISA detection of brain injury markers (neuron-specific enolase [NSE], homocysteine [Hcy], and S100β). Results: ST909 significantly reduces cerebral ischemic area, restores blood–brain barrier integrity, and improves neuronal function, outperforming clinical drugs (3-n-butylphthalide and edaravone) in preclinical models. ST909 markedly reduces neuroinflammation while upregulating neurotrophic factors (e.g., BDNF, NGF) in brain tissue. Through PI3K/Akt pathway activation in microglia, ST909 induces M1-to-M2 phenotype polarization, rebalances the M1/M2 ratio, and enhances secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors, thereby reducing chronic inflammation and promoting neurological recovery. These findings elucidate ST909’s potential pharmacological mechanism against ischemic brain injury, involving microglial polarization via STING/IRF3 and PI3K/Akt pathway. Conclusions: ST909 has a significant pharmacological effect on improving the ischemic area of the brain and repairing the function of the brain neuronal tissues. Targeting the STING/IRF3 pathway, ST909 exhibits neurorestorative potential in post-ischemic brain injury recovery. Full article

Sugar content critically determines mango fruit quality and varies significantly among varieties. Preliminary studies indicate that fructokinases (MiFRKs) MiFRK1 and MiFRK2 likely regulate intervarietal sugar variation. We characterized these MiFRKs using heterologous expression in tomato. Both isoforms phosphorylate fructose, promoting downstream catabolism, with R-MiFRK2 (from low-sugar ‘Renong No. 1’) exhibiting higher activity than T-MiFRK2 (high-sugar ‘Tainong No. 1’) and MiFRK1. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses reveal that MiFRK overexpression inhibits sugar accumulation by altering the expression of key metabolic genes, including sucrose degradation enzymes (invertases), starch breakdown genes (β-amylases), and glycolytic genes (enolases). Intriguingly, MiFRK1 and MiFRK2 exhibit distinct regulatory effects on these pathways, suggesting functional specialization between the two isoforms. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms through which MiFRKs govern sugar metabolism in mango, highlighting their potential as key targets for metabolic engineering to enhance fruit quality. Full article

Several factors, including semen quality, can influence fertilisation success. Poor semen parameters may necessitate more frequent inseminations or the removal of males with consistently low fertility. This study evaluated turkey ejaculates (n = 37) with good fertility (GF) and impaired fertility (IF). The analyses included sperm motility parameters (total motility—TMOT, progressive motility—PMOT, curvilinear velocity—VCL, straight-line velocity—VSL, average path velocity—VAP, linearity—LIN, straightness—STR, amplitude of lateral head displacement—ALH, and beat cross frequency—BCF), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as enzymatic and biochemical assays of semen, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) activities, glutathione (GSH) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and zinc (Zn²⁺) concentration. In parallel, the proteomes of seminal plasma and spermatozoa were separated using SDS- and Tricine-PAGE, and selected proteins were identified by nano LC-MS/MS. Spermatozoa derived from IF ejaculates exhibited significantly reduced TMOT (p = 0.002), VCL (p = 0.028), and PMI (p = 0.000), accompanied by elevated STR (p = 0.000) and NO production (p = 0.044). In the seminal plasma of IF males, a significant decrease was noted in SOD (p = 0.000) and GPx (p = 0.001) activities, whereas CAT activity was markedly higher (p = 0.014). Seminal fluid from IF ejaculates was also characterised by increased GSH (p = 0.014) and MDA (p = 0.014) concentrations, accompanied by reduced Zn²⁺ content (p = 0.014). In contrast, IF spermatozoa exhibited elevated SOD activity (p = 0.001), but reduced GPx (p = 0.000) and CAT (p = 0.012) activities. Sperm cells from IF ejaculates also had lower GSH levels (p = 0.000), higher MDA concentrations (p = 0.000), and increased Zn²⁺ content (p = 0.018) compared with those from GF ejaculates. A proteomic analysis revealed differences in fertility-associated proteins: peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) was detected exclusively in GF semen, whereas alpha-enolase (ENO1), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP7), cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase (GOT1), and L-lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) were detected only in IF semen. Overall, the results demonstrate that both semen parameters and proteome composition may potentially affect the fertilisation outcomes in turkeys. Full article

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.; Cannabaceae), traditionally cultivated for fiber, also represents a valuable source of nutrient-rich seed oil. In this study, cold-pressed hemp seed oils from three Romanian varieties (Teodora, Silvana, and Armanca) were evaluated for their fatty acid composition, minor bioactive constituents, antioxidant activity, growth-promoting property toward probiotic strains in vitro, and molecular docking interactions with probiotic targets. Gas chromatography revealed a fatty acid profile dominated by linoleic (49.4–51.9%), oleic (16.3–22.8%), and α-linolenic acids (9.8–14.4%), resulting in favorable PUFA/SFA ratios (5.17–6.39) and ω-6/ω-3 ratios (3.93–5.53). The oils also contained phenolics (118–160 mg GAE/kg), chlorophylls (6.18–8.31 mg/kg), and carotenoids (2.58–3.37 mg/kg), which contributed to their antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition 35.92 µM TE/100 g–43.37 µM TE/100 g). Broth microdilution assays against Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, L. paracasei ATCC BAA-52, and L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 demonstrated strain- and dose-dependent potential to promote probiotic growth under in vitro conditions. While L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei were inhibited at low concentrations and only mildly stimulated at higher levels, L. acidophilus showed robust growth promotion, reaching +54.7% effect and CP = 1.55 with Teodora oil at 16 mg/mL. Molecular docking highlighted strong binding affinities of γ-linolenic and linoleic acids with key metabolic enzymes involved in probiotic metabolism (hydratase, enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, ribonucleoside hydrolase), forming stable hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions which are explored in defining the stability of the ligand-protein complexes. These results indicate that both major fatty acids and minor bioactive constituents contribute to the nutritional and antioxidant value of Romanian hemp seed oils and reveal a potential to promote probiotic growth under in vitro conditions, as supported by complementary in silico evidence. Full article

Scale adhesion strength is a key trait in aquaculture, directly influencing disease resistance, survival, and commercial value. The Dongting crucian carp (Carassius auratus indigentiaus, hereafter CaDT) is valued for its rapid growth and superior flesh quality but is characterized by loosely attached scales. In this study, we investigated the morphological and molecular basis underlying scale adhesion by comparing CaDT with the tight-scaled allogynogenetic gibel carp, Zhongke No. 3 (Carassius auratus gibelio, hereafter CaGB). Morphological analysis revealed a significantly lower scale-embedding ratio in CaDT compared to CaGB. To unravel the molecular mechanisms underpinning these phenotypic differences, a comparative transcriptomic analysis was conducted on scale sac, skin, and muscle tissues in CaDT and CaGB. In CaGB, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the critical scale sac tissue showed a significant upregulation of genes involved in ribosomal pathways. Specifically, key epithelial differentiation markers, including keratin 13 (krt13), keratin 15 (krt15), and metabolic genes, enolase 3-like (eno3l), and phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (pgam2) were significantly down-regulated in CaDT, which suggests a compromised epithelial cell differentiation capacity and reduced energetic and biosynthetic activity. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation across three tissues showed high concordance with the RNA-seq results, thereby confirming the reliability of the transcriptomic data. The results offer insight into the molecular basis for understanding scale adhesion traits, and provide valuable insights for selective breeding strategies to improve scale retention in aquaculture species. Full article

Ovarian cancer (OC) is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, contributing to its high mortality rate. The presence of concurrent bacterial infections in these patients is a common clinical observation, and the mechanisms by which this coinfection influences tumor progression are still not fully understood. This study investigates the role of polydisperse extracellular vesicles (PEVs) secreted by OC cells in response to bacterial components, aiming to elucidate a potential communication pathway between OC and the bacterial microenvironment. We stimulated a human OC cell line in vitro with a fraction of E. coli. Our results show that this bacterial stimulation significantly increases the secretion of PEVs by cancer cells. A subsequent proteomic analysis of these PEVs revealed an enrichment of proteins, including filamin A, filamin B, alpha-enolase, and heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein. In addition, the PEVs displayed protease activity (on fibronectin and gelatin) and phosphatase activity against para-nitrophenyl phosphate, indicating their capacity to alter cellular signaling. This represents a novel mechanism through which bacterial coinfection may influence the biological behavior of OC if bacteria interact with tumor cells, potentially contributing to their aggressiveness and the challenges associated with their treatment. Our work highlights the importance of studying the interplay between the tumor and its associated microbiota to better understand ovarian cancer progression and identify new therapeutic targets. Full article

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, which highlights the urgent need for new diagnostic tools to detect reliable biomarkers. To enable scalable and cost-effective production, we developed reusable PDMS stamps patterned with electrodes to print flexible electrodes on PET substrates using a microcontact printing (µCP) approach. PET was chosen not only for its flexibility but also as a more sustainable alternative to conventional rigid materials. On these electrodes, three sensing platforms were tested for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) detection: APTES-based monolayers, electrospun PVA/alginate nanofibers, and electropolymerized polypyrrole (PPy) films. Voltammetric and fluorescence/AFM analyses confirmed that all three platforms could recognize the target analyte, with the PPy-CdTe configuration showing the strongest signal variation. Impedance spectroscopy further supported this finding, revealing a clear linear correlation between charge transfer resistance (RCT) and NSE concentration. The PPy-CdTe sensor demonstrated high sensitivity and consistent performance for NSE detection, achieving a detection limit (LOD) of 8.05 pg·µL⁻¹ and a quantification limit (LOQ) of 26.84 pg·µL⁻¹. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that significantly increases the risk of stroke, with prediabetes serving as an intermediate stage marked by similar pathophysiological mechanisms such as inflammation and vascular dysfunction. This study investigated the relationship between prediabetes and stroke-related biomarkers in individuals aged 25–45 years in Durban, South Africa. After obtaining ethical approval, a retrospective analysis was performed on blood samples from 100 participants recruited from King Edward Hospital and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. Participants were classified as non-prediabetic (n = 30), prediabetic (n = 35), or type 2 diabetic (n = 35) according to ADA criteria. Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), fibrinogen, D-dimer, calcium binding protein (S100B), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It is important to note that none of the participants had confirmed stroke events; these biomarkers were assessed as surrogate indicators of stroke risk. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA with Tukey–Kramer tests and Pearson’s correlations. Biomarker concentrations were significantly elevated in prediabetic individuals compared to non-prediabetic controls, with levels further increasing in T2DM. Strong positive correlations were observed between S100B and both HbA1c (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001) and fasting glucose (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that inflammatory, coagulation, and neurovascular biomarkers, particularly S100B, may indicate early stroke risk in prediabetes. Further investigation into these biomarkers could improve early detection strategies and stroke prevention efforts in at-risk populations. Full article

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder influenced by genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors, with increasing evidence implicating immune dysregulation. This study examined potential molecular mimicry between autoantigens associated with schizophrenia and proteins from Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite previously linked to the disorder. Amino acid sequences of schizophrenia-related autoantigens were retrieved from databases (AAgAtlas, PubMed), and homologous sequences were searched within the T. gondii proteome. Sequence identity was evaluated, and conserved B-cell epitopes were predicted using three-dimensional structures from the Protein Data Bank or models generated in Swiss-Model, followed by epitope mapping with ElliPro. Five autoantigens—gamma-enolase (ENO2), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 kDa isoform (GAD65), serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (VRK2), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase [NADP(+)] (DPYD)—showed similarities with T. gondii proteins. Among them, enolase exhibited the highest homology, with identities up to 65%. These findings provide preliminary evidence of shared antigenic features between the parasite and schizophrenia-related autoantigens. Such mimicry could contribute to disease mechanisms by triggering autoimmune responses in genetically susceptible individuals, supporting the hypothesis that T. gondii infection may influence schizophrenia pathogenesis. Nonetheless, the results are based exclusively on in silico analyses, and experimental validation will be required to confirm potential cross-reactivity. Full article

Background and Objectives: Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is an isoenzyme of enolase, of which the γ isoform is expressed in nerve cells. The activity of NSE occurs during late neuronal differentiation, which determines the specificity of the enzyme for neurodevelopmental cells. The activity of NSE is also observed in processes associated with neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to present the state of the art related to the knowledge, advances, and possible developmental directions in terms of the use of NSE as a biomarker in the diagnosis of selected neurological and mental disorders (NDs, MDs), with particular emphasis on ischemic stroke (IS) and psychotic disorders (PSDs). Materials and Methods: A literature review was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Keywords such as “neuron-specific enolase”, “neuron-specific enolase in schizophrenia”, “neuron-specific enolase in ischemic stroke”, “neuron-specific enolase in psychiatric disorders”, and “neuron-specific enolase in neurological diseases” were used during the literature search. A total of 11,350 items were found. However, 188 papers were finally selected after applying the filters (“clinical trial”, “meta-analysis”, “randomized control trial”, and “systematic review”). Results: The literature was analyzed and 67 items relevant to the subject of this study were selected. This article points out the differences in NSE levels in different clinical groups, such as patients after an incident of hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), neuroinfection, or particular inflammatory processes in the nervous system region, as well as central nervous system (CNS) injury, selected MD, neurodegenerative disorders (NGDs), headaches, or epilepsy (EP). Conclusions: In the future, they may serve to support further work on the use of enolase as a potential biomarker of the described diseases. Full article

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a prevalent complication in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, often resulting in increased morbidity and prolonged rehabilitation. Biomarkers such as Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE) and S100B protein have shown potential in detecting cerebral injury, yet their role in predicting long-term cognitive decline remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between biomarkers serum levels and the incidence of POCD in elderly patients undergoing proximal femur fracture surgery. Methods: A multicentric prospective observational study was conducted from January 2023 to February 2024, including 146 elderly patients with hip fractures treated surgically at ASL Bari and the University Orthopedic Department of Foggia. Biomarker levels of NSE and S100B were measured preoperatively (T0), at three days post-surgery (T1), and at one-year follow-up (T2). Cognitive function was assessed using the Pfeiffer Scale (PS) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Statistical analysis was performed using U Mann–Whitney tests and logistic regression to identify risk factors. Results: At three days post-surgery, 20.5% of patients exhibited POCD, with no significant differences in NSE and S100B levels compared to baseline. However, at one year, of the 96 patients investigated 37.9% of patients showed cognitive decline, with significantly elevated NSE (19.88 ± 4.03 μg/L) and S100B (1.86 ± 0.9 μg/L) compared to non-POCD patients (p = 0.01). Risk factors for long-term POCD included older age (OR: 1.24), diabetes mellitus (OR: 4.41), and lower baseline cognitive function (MMSE and PS scores, OR: 0.25 and 9.81, respectively). Conclusions: The study demonstrates that while early POCD is not associated with significant changes in NSE and S100B levels, their elevation at one-year follow-up suggests a possible correlation with chronic neuroinflammation and persistent neuronal damage. Preoperative cognitive impairment, advanced age, and diabetes mellitus are significant predictors of long-term cognitive decline. Incorporating biomarker evaluation and cognitive screening into perioperative management may enhance patient outcomes following hip fracture surgery. Full article