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Abstract
Gastrin-17 (G-17), pepsinogen-1 (Pg1) and pepsinogen-2 (Pg2) reflect the functional state of gastric mucosa and are used for non-invasive diagnosis and screening of atrophic gastritis. The aim of the study was to clarify if erosive reflux disease (ERD) or non-ERD (NERD) can be distinguished from other dyspeptic conditions in patients, in a non-invasive manner using specific biomarkers. Levels of G-17, Pg1, and Pg2 were measured in 141 ERD patients (median age 48 years, males — 68), 122 NERD patients (median age 45 years, males — 32) and 410 control patients (median age 50 years, males — 97). Levels of biomarkers in ERD and NERD groups were compared to controls. Median levels of G-17 (1.94 vs 2.92 pmol/L, p = 0.036) and Pg2 (6.70 vs 7.79 µg/l, p = 0.046) were lower in the ERD group compared to control patients; no difference with respect to the control was found for the NERD group. After exclusion of the patients having at least one potential condition that might modify the levels of the biomarkers (gastric mucosa atrophy, Helicobacter pylori colonisation), no difference in levels of biomarkers was observed with respect to the control for both the ERD and NERD groups. G-17, Pg1, and Pg2 based tests cannot be used to distinguish ERD or NERD from other dyspeptic conditions in patients.

Zhuo Li,1– 3,* La-Xiu Li,3,4,* Yan-Jun Diao,3 Juan Wang,3 Yun Ye,1,3 Xiao-Ke Hao2,3,5 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, People's Republic of China; 2The National Engineering Research Center for Miniaturized Detection Systems, College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, People's Republic of China; 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China; 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xi'an Fourth Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, People's Republic of China; 5School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, People's Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiao-Ke HaoSchool of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, People's Republic of ChinaEmail haoxkg@126.comBackground: Novel and non-invasive biomarkers with higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is urgently needed. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to characterize the genome-wide exosomal miRNA expression profiling in urine specimens and explored the diagnostic potential of urinary exosomal miRNAs for PCa.Methods: Urinary exosomal microRNA expression profiling was performed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and then validated by quantitative real-time PCR.Results: Significant downregulation of urinary exosomal miR-375 was observed in PCa patients compared with healthy controls, while the expression levels of urinary exosomal miR-451a, miR-486-3p and miR-486-5p were found to be significantly up-regulated in the PCa patients. Furthermore, the expression level of urinary exosomal miR-375 showed a significant correlation with the clinical T-stage and bone metastasis of patients with PCa (P< 0.05). Receiver operator characteristic curve demonstrated that the urinary exosomal miR-375, miR-451a, miR-486-3p and miR-486-5p levels can be used to differentiate PCa patients from healthy controls, with area under the curves (AUCs) of 0.788, 0.757, 0.704 and 0.796, respectively. The urinary exosomal miR-375 was found to be superior in discriminating between localized and metastatic PCa with an AUC of 0.806. Moreover, PCa patients can be distinguished from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia by using a panel combining urinary exosomal miR-375 and miR-451a with an AUC of 0.726.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the urinary exosomal miRNAs can serve as novel and non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the progression of PCa.Keywords: prostate cancer, next-generation sequencing, urinary, exosomal miRNAs

Abstract Background Active surveillance of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) should ease prevention and control of this disease widely present across Africa, Middle East, central and southern Asia. PPR is now present in Turkey at the gateway to the European Union. In Bangladesh, the diagnosis and genotyping of PPR virus (PPRV) may be hampered by inadequate infrastructures and by lack of proper clinical material, which is often not preserved under cold chain up to laboratories. It has been shown previously that Whatman® 3MM filter paper (GE Healthcare, France) preserves the nucleic acid of PPRV for at least 3 months at 32°C. Results In this study, we demonstrate the performances of filter papers for archiving RNA from local PPRV field isolates for further molecular detection and genotyping of PPRV, at −70°C combined with ambient temperature, for periods up to 16 months. PPR-suspected live animals were sampled and their blood and nasal swabs were applied on filter papers then air dried. Immediately after field sampling, RT-PCR amplifying a 448-bp fragment of the F gene appeared positive for both blood and nasal swabs when animals were in febrile stage and only nasal swabs were detected positive in non-febrile stage. Those tested positive were monitored by RT-PCR up to 10 months by storage at −70°C. At 16 months, using real time RT-PCR adapted to amplify the N gene from filter paper, high viral loads could still be detected (~2 x 10 7 copy numbers), essentially from nasal samples. The material was successfully sequenced and a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction achieved adequate resolution to establish temporal relationships within or between the geographical clusters of the PPRV strains. Conclusions This clearly reveals the excellent capacity of filter papers to store genetic material that can be sampled using a non-invasive approach.

International audience ; Background: Active surveillance of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) should ease prevention and control of this disease widely present across Africa, Middle East, central and southern Asia. PPR is now present in Turkey at the gateway to the European Union. In Bangladesh, the diagnosis and genotyping of PPR virus (PPRV) may be hampered by inadequate infrastructures and by lack of proper clinical material, which is often not preserved under cold chain up to laboratories. It has been shown previously that Whatman (R) 3MM filter paper (GE Healthcare, France) preserves the nucleic acid of PPRV for at least 3 months at 32 degrees C. Results: In this study, we demonstrate the performances of filter papers for archiving RNA from local PPRV field isolates for further molecular detection and genotyping of PPRV, at -70 degrees C combined with ambient temperature, for periods up to 16 months. PPR-suspected live animals were sampled and their blood and nasal swabs were applied on filter papers then air dried. Immediately after field sampling, RT-PCR amplifying a 448-bp fragment of the F gene appeared positive for both blood and nasal swabs when animals were in febrile stage and only nasal swabs were detected positive in non-febrile stage. Those tested positive were monitored by RT-PCR up to 10 months by storage at -70 degrees C. At 16 months, using real time RT-PCR adapted to amplify the N gene from filter paper, high viral loads could still be detected (similar to 2 x 10(7) copy numbers), essentially from nasal samples. The material was successfully sequenced and a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction achieved adequate resolution to establish temporal relationships within or between the geographical clusters of the PPRV strains. Conclusions: This clearly reveals the excellent capacity of filter papers to store genetic material that can be sampled using a non-invasive approach.

International audience ; Background: Active surveillance of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) should ease prevention and control of this disease widely present across Africa, Middle East, central and southern Asia. PPR is now present in Turkey at the gateway to the European Union. In Bangladesh, the diagnosis and genotyping of PPR virus (PPRV) may be hampered by inadequate infrastructures and by lack of proper clinical material, which is often not preserved under cold chain up to laboratories. It has been shown previously that Whatman (R) 3MM filter paper (GE Healthcare, France) preserves the nucleic acid of PPRV for at least 3 months at 32 degrees C. Results: In this study, we demonstrate the performances of filter papers for archiving RNA from local PPRV field isolates for further molecular detection and genotyping of PPRV, at -70 degrees C combined with ambient temperature, for periods up to 16 months. PPR-suspected live animals were sampled and their blood and nasal swabs were applied on filter papers then air dried. Immediately after field sampling, RT-PCR amplifying a 448-bp fragment of the F gene appeared positive for both blood and nasal swabs when animals were in febrile stage and only nasal swabs were detected positive in non-febrile stage. Those tested positive were monitored by RT-PCR up to 10 months by storage at -70 degrees C. At 16 months, using real time RT-PCR adapted to amplify the N gene from filter paper, high viral loads could still be detected (similar to 2 x 10(7) copy numbers), essentially from nasal samples. The material was successfully sequenced and a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction achieved adequate resolution to establish temporal relationships within or between the geographical clusters of the PPRV strains. Conclusions: This clearly reveals the excellent capacity of filter papers to store genetic material that can be sampled using a non-invasive approach.

Background: Active surveillance of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) should ease prevention and control of this disease widely present across Africa, Middle East, central and southern Asia. PPR is now present in Turkey at the gateway to the European Union. In Bangladesh, the diagnosis and genotyping of PPR virus (PPRV) may be hampered by inadequate infrastructures and by lack of proper clinical material, which is often not preserved under cold chain up to laboratories. It has been shown previously that Whatman (R) 3MM filter paper (GE Healthcare, France) preserves the nucleic acid of PPRV for at least 3 months at 32 degrees C. Results: In this study, we demonstrate the performances of filter papers for archiving RNA from local PPRV field isolates for further molecular detection and genotyping of PPRV, at -70 degrees C combined with ambient temperature, for periods up to 16 months. PPR-suspected live animals were sampled and their blood and nasal swabs were applied on filter papers then air dried. Immediately after field sampling, RT-PCR amplifying a 448-bp fragment of the F gene appeared positive for both blood and nasal swabs when animals were in febrile stage and only nasal swabs were detected positive in non-febrile stage. Those tested positive were monitored by RT-PCR up to 10 months by storage at -70 degrees C. At 16 months, using real time RT-PCR adapted to amplify the N gene from filter paper, high viral loads could still be detected (similar to 2 x 10(7) copy numbers), essentially from nasal samples. The material was successfully sequenced and a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction achieved adequate resolution to establish temporal relationships within or between the geographical clusters of the PPRV strains. Conclusions: This clearly reveals the excellent capacity of filter papers to store genetic material that can be sampled using a non-invasive approach.

Cell-free fetal DNA and RNA circulating in maternal blood can be used for the early non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) of an increasing number of genetic conditions, both for pregnancy management and to aid reproductive decision-making. Here we present a brief review of the scientific and clinical status of the technology, and an overview of key ethical, legal and social issues raised by the analysis of cell-free fetal DNA for NIPD. We suggest that the less invasive nature of the technology brings some distinctive issues into focus, such as the possibility of broader uptake of prenatal diagnosis and access to the technology directly by the consumer via the internet, which have not been emphasised in previous work in this area. We also revisit significant issues that are familiar from previous debates about prenatal testing. Since the technology seems to transect existing distinctions between screening and diagnostic tests, there are important implications for the form and process involved in obtaining informed consent or choice. This analysis forms part of the work undertaken by a multidisciplinary group of experts which made recommendations about the implementation of this technology within the UK National Health Service.

This research was funded by IMI2-JU project GA#831434 (3TR) and IMI-JU project GA#115565 [118]. The JU receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme and EFPIA. The authors also acknowledge funding from Consejeria de la Salud y Familias de la Junta de Andalucia (PIER-0118-2019 and C2-0002-1019) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI18/00082), partly supported by European FEDER funds. ; The kidney is one of the main organs affected by the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus nephritis (LN) concerns 30–60% of adult SLE patients and it is significantly associated with an increase in the morbidity and mortality. The definitive diagnosis of LN can only be achieved by histological analysis of renal biopsies, but the invasiveness of this technique is an obstacle for early diagnosis of renal involvement and a proper follow-up of LN patients under treatment. The use of urine for the discovery of non-invasive biomarkers for renal disease in SLE patients is an attractive alternative to repeated renal biopsies, as several studies have described surrogate urinary cells or analytes reflecting the inflammatory state of the kidney, and/or the severity of the disease. Herein, we review the main findings in the field of urine immune-related biomarkers for LN patients, and discuss their prognostic and diagnostic value. This manuscript is focused on the complement system, antibodies and autoantibodies, chemokines, cytokines, and leukocytes, as they are the main effectors of LN pathogenesis. ; IMI2-JU project 831434 ; IMI-JU project 115565 ; European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme ; EFPIA ; Junta de Andalucia PIER-0118-2019 C2-0002-1019 ; Instituto de Salud Carlos III European Commission PI18/00082 ; European Commission

An increasing percentage of people have or are at risk to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide. NAFLD comprises different stadia going from isolated steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a chronic state of liver inflammation that leads to the transformation of hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblasts. These cells produce extra-cellular matrix that results in liver fibrosis. In a normal situation, fibrogenesis is a wound healing process that preserves tissue integrity. However, sustained and progressive fibrosis can become pathogenic. This process takes many years and is often asymptomatic. Therefore, patients usually present themselves with end-stage liver disease e.g., liver cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease or even hepatocellular carcinoma. Fibrosis has also been identified as the most important predictor of prognosis in patients with NAFLD. Currently, only a minority of patients with liver fibrosis are identified to be at risk and hence referred for treatment. This is not only because the disease is largely asymptomatic, but also due to the fact that currently liver biopsy is still the golden standard for accurate detection of liver fibrosis. However, performing a liver biopsy harbors some risks and requires resources and expertise, hence is not applicable in every clinical setting and is unsuitable for screening. Consequently, different non-invasive diagnostic tools, mainly based on analysis of blood or other specimens or based on imaging have been developed or are in development. In this review, we will first give an overview of the pathogenic mechanisms of the evolution from isolated steatosis to fibrosis. This serves as the basis for the subsequent discussion of the current and future diagnostic biomarkers and anti-fibrotic drugs. ; The Ph.D. authors of this paper are part of the Limburg Clinical Research Center (LCRC), supported by the foundation Limburg Sterk Merk, province of Limburg, Flemish government, Hasselt University, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, and Jessa Hospital. ; Francque, S (corresponding author), Antwerp Univ Hosp, Dept Gastroenterol & Hepatol, Antwerp, Belgium ; Univ Antwerp, Fac Med & Hlth Sci, Lab Expt Med & Paediat, Antwerp, Belgium. sven.francque@uza.be

Article ; Cet article analyse une distinction faite fréquemment dans les situations de communication en neurosciences : l'emploi des termes "invasif" ou "non-invasif" pour qualifier les techniques d'observation du cerveau. Un jugement de valeur implicite ou explicite accompagnant ces termes, l'adjectif de "non-invasif" a pu être utilisé à des fins de promotion du progrès technique, en particulier à propos des nouvelles techniques d'imagerie apparues ces dernières décennies. Nous étudions ici les interactions entre experts scientifiques et la sphère politique. L'analyse porte sur plusieurs rapports d'expertise concernant les neurosciences, issus de différents comités en France. Nous montrons que la signification des termes "invasif" et "non-invasif" varie selon le contexte, c'est-à-dire en fonction de la nature du discours, des techniques en comparaison ou des parties engagées dans la discussion. La définition de ce qui est à concevoir comme invasif ou non-invasif devient un enjeu stratégique et peut ainsi changer selon les méthodes privilégiées par les experts participants à ces comités ou conseils. ; This paper analyzes a common distinction in neuroscience communication: the labels "invasive" and "non-invasive" attributed to brain-observation technologies. Because an implicit or explicit value judgment accompanies the term "non-invasive," it has been used to promote technological progress, especially new brain-imaging techniques that have appeared in recent decades. This study's material comes from interactions between some expert scientists and the political sphere. Expert reports on neuroscience from different advisory bodies in the French public sector have been collected and analyzed for use of the distinction between invasive and non-invasive. The paper shows that the meaning of these widely used labels varies according to the context, e.g., status of discourse, technologies compared, or stakeholders engaged in the discussion. The definition of what is understood as invasive or non-invasive becomes a strategic issue and can thus vary according to the methodologies favoured by experts participating in national advisory boards or councils.