Velocity of Ultrasonic Waves in Solutions of Electrolytes

List of the genes involved in CVDs according to DisGeNET database. For each gene all the related diseases and the putative EV-MiRNAs targeting it are indicated both as list and as number of occurrences. (PDF 1206 kb

Titanium and Zirconium Levels Are Associated with Changes in MicroRNAs Expression: Results from a Human Cross-Sectional Study on Obese Population

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>In this study on 90 individuals we aimed at evaluating the microRNAs (miRNAs) expression profile associated with personal levels of Titanium (Ti) and Zirconium (Zr) traced in hair samples. Ti and Zr materials are broadly used for dental implants but the biological reactions triggered by a long term presence of these materials in the oral cavity still need to be assessed. MiRNAs are mechanisms that need to be investigated as they play a fundamental role in the control of gene expression following external stimuli and contribute to a wide range of pathophysiological processes.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Using the TaqMan^® Low-Density Array, we assessed the expression levels of 377 human miRNAs in peripheral blood of 90 subjects. Hair samples were analyzed for Ti and Zr content using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. We performed multivariable regression analysis to investigate the effects of Ti and Zr exposure on miRNA expression levels. We used the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software to explore the functional role of the investigated miRNAs and the related target genes.</p><p>Results</p><p>Seven miRNAs (miR-99b, miR-142-5p, miR-152, miR-193a-5p, miR-323-3p, miR-335, miR-494) resulted specifically associated with Zr levels. The functional target analysis showed that miRNAs are involved in mechanisms such as inflammation, skeletal and connective tissue disorders.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our data suggest that Zr is more bioactive than Ti and show that miRNAs are relevant molecular mechanisms sensitive to Zr exposure.</p></div

Cellular location of targets shared by miR-152, miR-335 and miR-494.

<p>Cellular location of targets shared by miR-152, miR-335 and miR-494.</p

Disease and biological function associated with target genes selected with IPA for 7 miRNAs.

<p>Disease and biological function associated with target genes selected with IPA for 7 miRNAs.</p

Characteristics of the study participants and exposure levels (n = 90).

<p>Characteristics of the study participants and exposure levels (n = 90).</p

List of miRNAs associated with Zirconium levels.

<p>List of miRNAs associated with Zirconium levels.</p

Plasmatic extracellular vesicle microRNAs in malignant pleural mesothelioma and asbestos-exposed subjects suggest a 2-miRNA signature as potential biomarker of disease

<div><p>Background</p><p>Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer mainly caused by asbestos exposure and refractory to current therapies. Specific diagnostic markers for early MPM diagnosis are needed. Changes in miRNA expression have been implicated in several diseases and cancers, including MPM. We examined if a specific miRNA signature in plasmatic extracellular vesicles (EV) may help to discriminate between malignant pleural mesothelioma patients (MPM) and subjects with Past Asbestos Exposure (PAE).</p><p>Methodology/Principal findings</p><p>We investigated 23 MPM patients and 19 cancer-free subjects with past asbestos exposure (PAE). We screened 754 miRNAs in plasmatic EVs by OpenArray and found 55 differential miRNAs using logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and smoking. Among the top-20 differential miRNAs chosen for validation by Real time PCR, 16 were confirmed. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the most discriminating miRNA combination was given by miR-103a-3p + miR-30e-3p, which generated an AUC of 0.942 (95% CI 0.87–1.00), with a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 80.0%. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis including gender, age, BMI and smoking we found a Hazard Ratio for miR-103a-3p above the median of 0.37 (95%CI 0.13–1.13) and of 0.51 (95%CI 0.17–1.52) for miR-30e-3p.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>This study suggests EV-associated miR-103a-3p and miR-30e-3p are able to discriminate MPM from PAE subjects. Larger and prospective studies are needed to confirm these two-miRNA signature alone or in combination with other biomarkers as diagnostic tools for MPM.</p></div

ROC curve of the combination of miR-103a-3p and miR-30e-3p.

<p>ROC curve of the combination of miR-103a-3p and miR-30e-3p.</p

Scatter plot of the 5 best miRNAs in MPM and PAE.

<p>Expression values were normalized to RNU48 and expressed as 2 ^-Δcrt.</p

Volcano plot showing differential expressed mi-RNAs between MPM and PAE subjects.

<p>Volcano plot showing differential expressed mi-RNAs between MPM and PAE subjects.</p