Tick-borne diseases in roe deer - seroprevalence, possible cut-off and effects on health

Understanding the interaction between roe deer and pathogens could potentially help us improve the health in both roe deer and humans. Here, I focused on broadening our basic understanding about three specific tick-borne pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and their relationship with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). In this study, for all three pathogens, I aimed to determine roe deer´s capability to function as an indicator species, to establish a seroprevalence, identify factors affecting the seroprevalence in roe deer and, lastly, examine if these pathogens have a negative effect of roe deer’s health. Serological data for above mentioned pathogens, haematological parameters and body weight were collected from 51 adult and 49 neonate fawns. Additionally, for neonate fawns also number of ticks, lifespan, and body temperature were examined. Multiple statistical analyses were performed. The sero-prevalence in Sweden was determined to be 82%, 43% and 53% respectively for A. phagocyto-philum, B. burgdorferi s.l and TBEV. Antibodies were found for all pathogens in both age groups indicating roe deer as a functional sentinel species for all pathogens in this study. A statistical difference between areas regarding the seroprevalence for A. phagocytophilum and TBEV were found with a higher mean in Bogesund. This is discussed in relation to difference in the abundance of roe deer and size of tick population. A correlation between serological data of B. burgdorferi s.l and sex were found with findings pointing towards internal factors. Multiple correlations were found between serological data and health parameters. Continued research around these results is needed to make further inference about cause and effect

Label-free proteomics reveals serum proteins whose levels differ between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients with short or long survival

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Plasma protein expression differs between colorectal cancer patients depending on primary tumor location

Colorectal cancer (CRC) includes tumors in the right colon, left colon, and rectum, although they differ significantly from each other in aspects such as prognosis and treatment. Few previous mass spectrometry-based studies have analyzed differences in protein expression depending on the tumor location. In this study, we have used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to analyze plasma samples from 83 CRC patients to study if differences in plasma protein expression can be seen depending on primary tumor location (right colon, left colon, or rectum). Differences were studied between the groups both regardless of and according to tumor stage (II or III). Large differences in plasma protein expression were seen, and we found that plasma samples from patients with rectal cancer separated from samples from patients with colon cancer when analyzed by principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering. Samples from patients with cancer in the right and left colon also tended to separate from each other. Pathway analysis discovered canonical pathways involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation to be enriched. This study will help to further define CRC as distinct entities depending on tumor location, as shown by the widespread differences in plasma protein profile and dysregulated pathways.Peer reviewe

Preoperative Radiotherapy Leads to Significant Differences in the Plasma Protein Profile of Rectal Cancer Patients

Introduction:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 10% of the global cancer burden. Rectal cancer accounts for around 30% of CRC cases, and patients with resectable rectal cancer are often given preoperative radiotherapy (PRT) to reduce the rate of local recurrence. The human plasma proteome is an exceptionally complex proteome and ideal to study due to its ability to reflect the presence of diseases such as cancer and the ease of obtaining blood samples. Previous proteomic studies involving rectal cancer patients have mostly focused on the identification of proteins involved in resistance to radiotherapy.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the overall effects of PRT on plasma protein expression in rectal cancer patients, as there is a lack of such studies.Methods:Here, we have used mass spectrometry and subsequent statistical analyses to analyze the plasma samples of 30 rectal cancer patients according to PRT status (positive or negative) and tumor stage (II or III).Results and Conclusions:We discovered 42 proteins whose levels differed significantly between stage II and III rectal cancer patients who did or did not receive PRT. This study shows that PRT, although localized to the pelvis, leads to measurable, tumor stage-specific changes in plasma protein expression. Future studies of plasma proteins should, when relevant, take this into account and be aware of the widespread effects that PRT has on the plasma proteome.Peer reviewe

N-glycomic profiling of colorectal cancer according to tumor stage and location

Alterations in glycosylation are seen in many types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Glycans, the sugar moieties of glycoconjugates, are involved in many important functions relevant to cancer and can be of value as biomarkers. In this study, we have used mass spectrometry to analyze the N-glycan profiles of 35 CRC tissue samples and 10 healthy tissue samples from non-CRC patients who underwent operations for other reasons. The tumor samples were divided into groups depending on tumor location (right or left colon) and stage (II or III), while the healthy samples were divided into right or left colon. The levels of neutral and acidic N-glycan compositions and glycan classes were analyzed in a total of ten different groups. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences in glycan levels when all right- and left-sided CRC samples were compared, and few differences (such as in the abundance of the neutral N-glycan H3N5) were seen when the samples were divided according to both location and stage. Multiple significant differences were found in the levels of glycans and glycan classes when stage II and III samples were compared, and these glycans could be of value as candidates for new markers of cancer progression. In order to validate our findings, we analyzed healthy tissue samples from the right and left colon and found no significant differences in the levels of any of the glycans analyzed, confirming that our findings when comparing CRC samples from the right and left colon are not due to normal variations in the levels of glycans between the healthy right and left colon. Additionally, the levels of the acidic glycans H4N3F1P1, H5N4F1P1, and S1H5N4F1 were found to change in a cancer-specific but colon location-nonspecific manner, indicating that CRC affects glycan levels in similar ways regardless of tumor location.Peer reviewe

Identification of several plasma proteins whose levels in colorectal cancer patients differ depending on outcome

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands for 10% of the worldwide cancer burden and has recently become the second most common cause of cancer death. The 5-year survival rate depends mainly on stage at diagnosis. Mass spectrometric proteomic analysis is widely used to study the plasma proteome, which is complex and contains multitudes of proteins. In this study, we have used Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultra Definition Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-UDMSE)-based proteomics to analyze plasma samples from 76 CRC patients. We identified several plasma proteins, such as CP, TVP23C, FETUB, and IGFBP3, of which altered levels led to significant differences in survival, as seen by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Additionally, during Cox regression analysis, samples were adjusted for age and/or tumor stage, enabling stringent analysis. These proteins, although in need of further validation, could be of use during patient follow-up, as their levels can non-invasively be measured from blood samples, and could be of use in predicting patient outcome. Several of these proteins additionally have roles in metabolism and inflammation, two processes central to the development and progression of cancer, further indicating their importance in cancer.Peer reviewe

Quantitative bile and serum proteomics for the screening and differential diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis

BackgroundPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disease characterized by biliary strictures, cholestasis, and a markedly increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma. New markers for the screening and differential diagnosis of PSC are needed. In this pilot study, we have analyzed both the bile and serum proteomic profiles of 80 PSC patients and non-PSC controls (n = 6 for bile and n = 18 for serum).AimThe aim of this study was to discover candidates for new biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of PSC.MethodsBile and serum samples were processed and subsequently analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography-ultra definition mass spectrometry (UPLC-UDMSE). Further analysis included statistical analyses such as receiver operating characteristic curve analysis as well as pathway analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis.Results and conclusionsIn bile, we discovered 64 proteins with significantly different levels between the groups, with fold changes of up to 129. In serum, we discovered 112 proteins with significantly different levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis found multiple proteins with high area under the curve values, up to 0.942, indicating that these serum proteins are of value as new non-invasive classifiers of PSC. Pathway analysis revealed multiple canonical pathways that were enriched in the dataset, which have roles in bile homeostasis and metabolism. We present several serum proteins that could serve as new blood-based markers for the diagnosis of PSC after further validation. The measurement of serum levels of these proteins could be of use in the screening of patients with suspected PSC.Peer reviewe

Quantitative glycoproteomics of human milk and association with atopic disease

The prevalence of allergic diseases and asthma is increasing rapidly worldwide, with environmental and lifestyle behaviors implicated as a reason. Epidemiological studies have shown that children who grow up on farms are at lower risk of developing childhood atopic disease, indicating the presence of a protective "farm effect". The Old Order Mennonite (OOM) community in Upstate New York have traditional, agrarian lifestyles, a low rate of atopic disease, and long periods of exclusive breastfeeding. Human milk proteins are heavily glycosylated, although there is a paucity of studies investigating the milk glycoproteome. In this study, we have used quantitative glycoproteomics to compare the N-glycoprotein profiles of 54 milk samples from Rochester urban/suburban and OOM mothers, two populations with different lifestyles, exposures, and risk of atopic disease. We also compared N-glycoprotein profiles according to the presence or absence of atopic disease in the mothers and, separately, the children. We identified 79 N-glycopeptides from 15 different proteins and found that proteins including immunoglobulin A1, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, and lactotransferrin displayed significant glycan heterogeneity. We found that the abundances of 38 glycopeptides differed significantly between Rochester and OOM mothers and also identified four glycopeptides with significantly different abundances between all comparisons. These four glycopeptides may be associated with the development of atopic disease. The findings of this study suggest that the differential glycosylation of milk proteins could be linked to atopic disease.Peer reviewe

Colorectal cancer patients with different C reactive protein levels and 5-year survival times can be differentiated with quantitative serum proteomics

Over 1.4 million people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) each year, making it the third most common cancer in the world. Increased screening and therapeutic modalities including improved combination treatments have reduced CRC mortality, although incidence and mortality rates are still increasing in some areas. Serum-based biomarkers are mainly used for follow-up of cancer, and are ideal due to the ease and minimally invasive nature of sample collection. Unfortunately, CEA and other serum markers have too low sensitivity for screening and preoperative diagnostic purposes. Increasing interest is focused on the possible use of biomarkers for predicting treatment response and prognosis in cancer. In this study, we have performed mass spectrometry analysis (UPLC-UDMSE) of serum samples from 19 CRC patients. Increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which occur during local inflammation and the presence of a systemic inflammatory response, have been linked to poor prognosis in CRC patients. We chose to analyze samples according to CRP values by dividing them into the categories CRP 30, and, separately, according to short and long 5-year survival. The aim was to discover differentially expressed proteins associated with poor prognosis and shorter survival. We quantified 256 proteins and performed detailed statistical analyses and pathway analysis. We discovered multiple proteins that are up- or downregulated in patients with CRP >30 as compared to CRPPeer reviewe

Differences and overlap in plasma protein expression during colorectal cancer progression

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and its incidence is expected to increase to over 2.2 million new cases in 2030. Stage II CRC is classified as localized disease, while stage III CRC has spread to regional lymph nodes. The 5-year survival rate is over 80% for patients with stage II CRC, but less than 60% for patients with stage III CRC. Proteins, especially plasma proteins that are detectable in easily obtained blood samples, that differ between stage II and III CRC could be useful for predicting and monitoring disease progression. CRC displays differences depending on primary tumor location (right colon, left colon, or rectum), and how plasma protein expression changes during CRC progression from stage II to III depending on primary tumor location is not well-characterized.Peer reviewe