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Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Jun 2015Genomic medicine requires the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets, which in turn, requires high-quality biospecimens. Achieving high-quality... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Genomic medicine requires the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets, which in turn, requires high-quality biospecimens. Achieving high-quality biospecimens requires implementing standard operating procedures to control the variations of preanalytic variables in biobanking. Currently, most biobanks do not control the variations of preanalytic variables when collecting, processing, and storing their biospecimens. However, those variations have been shown to affect the quality of biospecimens and gene expression profiling.
OBJECTIVE
To identify evidence-based preanalytic parameters that can be applied and those parameters that need further study.
DATA SOURCES
We searched the Biospecimen Research and PubMed databases using defined key words. We retrieved and reviewed 212 articles obtained through those searches. We included 58 articles (27%) according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria for this review.
CONCLUSION
-Preanalytic variables in biobanking can degrade the quality of biospecimens and alter gene expression profiling. Variables that require further study include the effect of surgical manipulation; the effect of warm ischemia; the allowable duration of delayed specimen processing; the optimal type, duration, and temperature of preservation and fixation; and the optimal storage duration of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded specimens in a fit-for-purpose approach.
Topics: Biological Specimen Banks; Cryopreservation; Gene Expression Profiling; Genomics; Humans; Molecular Medicine; Paraffin Embedding; Quality Control; Specimen Handling; Tissue Fixation
PubMed: 26030251
DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2014-0261-RA -
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine Jun 2018Virtually all the red blood cell and platelet antigen systems have been characterized at the molecular level. Highly reliable methods for red blood cell and platelet... (Review)
Review
Virtually all the red blood cell and platelet antigen systems have been characterized at the molecular level. Highly reliable methods for red blood cell and platelet antigen genotyping are now available. Genotyping is a useful adjunct to traditional serology and can help resolve complex serologic problems. Although red blood cell and platelet phenotypes can be inferred from genotype, knowledge of the molecular basis is essential for accurate assignment. Genotyping of blood donors is an effective method of identifying antigen-negative and/or particularly rare donors. Cell-free DNA analysis provides a promising noninvasive method of assessing fetal genotypes of blood group alloantigens.
Topics: Blood Donors; Blood Group Antigens; Erythrocytes; Humans; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Pathology, Molecular; Transfusion Medicine
PubMed: 29776631
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2018.02.001 -
Mitochondrion Jul 2017Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a multitude of diseases and pathological conditions- the organelles that are essential for life can also be major... (Review)
Review
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a multitude of diseases and pathological conditions- the organelles that are essential for life can also be major players in contributing to cell death and disease. Because mitochondria are so well established in our existence, being present in all cell types except for red blood cells and having the responsibility of providing most of our energy needs for survival, then dysfunctional mitochondria can elicit devastating cellular pathologies that can be widespread across the entire organism. As such, the field of "mitochondrial medicine" is emerging in which disease states are being targeted therapeutically at the level of the mitochondrion, including specific antioxidants, bioenergetic substrate additions, and membrane uncoupling agents. New and compelling research investigating novel techniques for mitochondrial transplantation to replace damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria with exogenous healthy mitochondria has shown promising results, including tissue sparing accompanied by increased energy production and decreased oxidative damage. Various experimental techniques have been attempted and each has been challenged to accomplish successful transplantation. The purpose of this review is to present the history of mitochondrial transplantation, the different techniques used for both in vitro and in vivo delivery, along with caveats and pitfalls that have been discovered along the way. Results from such pioneering studies are promising and could be the next big wave of "mitochondrial medicine" once technical hurdles are overcome.
Topics: Humans; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Diseases; Molecular Medicine
PubMed: 28533168
DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2017.05.007 -
Neurochemical Research Sep 2022Ischemic stroke leads to acute neuron death and forms an injured core, triggering delayed cell death at the penumbra. The impaired brain functions after ischemic stroke... (Review)
Review
Ischemic stroke leads to acute neuron death and forms an injured core, triggering delayed cell death at the penumbra. The impaired brain functions after ischemic stroke are hardly recovered because of the limited regenerative properties. However, recent rodent intervention studies manipulating the extracellular environments at the subacute phase shed new light on the regenerative potency of the injured brain. This review introduces the rational design of artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) mimics using supramolecular peptidic scaffolds, which self-assemble via non-covalent bonds and form hydrogels. The facile customizability of the peptide structures allows tuning the hydrogels' physical and biochemical properties, such as charge states, hydrophobicity, cell adhesiveness, stiffness, and stimuli responses. Supramolecular peptidic materials can create safer and more economical drugs than polymer materials and cell transplantation. We also discuss the importance of activating developmental programs for the recovery at the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. Self-assembling molecular medicine mimicking the ECMs and activating developmental programs may stand as a new drug modality of regenerative medicine in various tissues.
Topics: Extracellular Matrix; Humans; Hydrogels; Ischemic Stroke; Molecular Medicine; Peptides; Regenerative Medicine; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 35666393
DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03638-5 -
Military Medical Research Mar 2022Traditional diagnostic strategies for infectious disease detection require benchtop instruments that are inappropriate for point-of-care testing (POCT). Emerging... (Review)
Review
Traditional diagnostic strategies for infectious disease detection require benchtop instruments that are inappropriate for point-of-care testing (POCT). Emerging microfluidics, a highly miniaturized, automatic, and integrated technology, are a potential substitute for traditional methods in performing rapid, low-cost, accurate, and on-site diagnoses. Molecular diagnostics are widely used in microfluidic devices as the most effective approaches for pathogen detection. This review summarizes the latest advances in microfluidics-based molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases from academic perspectives and industrial outlooks. First, we introduce the typical on-chip nucleic acid processes, including sample preprocessing, amplification, and signal read-out. Then, four categories of microfluidic platforms are compared with respect to features, merits, and demerits. We further discuss application of the digital assay in absolute nucleic acid quantification. Both the classic and recent microfluidics-based commercial molecular diagnostic devices are summarized as proof of the current market status. Finally, we propose future directions for microfluidics-based infectious disease diagnosis.
Topics: Communicable Diseases; Humans; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Microfluidics; Pathology, Molecular
PubMed: 35300739
DOI: 10.1186/s40779-022-00374-3 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Jul 2017
Topics: Humans; Molecular Medicine; Religion and Medicine; Reperfusion Injury; Transplantation, Autologous
PubMed: 28457535
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2017.03.074 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2021Female infertility is the main reason for involuntary childlessness nowadays [...].
Female infertility is the main reason for involuntary childlessness nowadays [...].
Topics: Embryonic Development; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Molecular Medicine; Oogenesis
PubMed: 34948313
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413517 -
Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany) Mar 2024With the advancements in precision medicine, the demands on pathological diagnostics have increased, requiring standardized, quantitative, and integrated assessments of... (Review)
Review
With the advancements in precision medicine, the demands on pathological diagnostics have increased, requiring standardized, quantitative, and integrated assessments of histomorphological and molecular pathological data. Great hopes are placed in artificial intelligence (AI) methods, which have demonstrated the ability to analyze complex clinical, histological, and molecular data for disease classification, biomarker quantification, and prognosis estimation. This paper provides an overview of the latest developments in pathology AI, discusses the limitations, particularly concerning the black box character of AI, and describes solutions to make decision processes more transparent using methods of so-called explainable AI (XAI).
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Pathology, Molecular; Hope; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 38315198
DOI: 10.1007/s00292-024-01308-7 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Feb 2021The advent of SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) technology has shown the ability to evolve artificial ligands with affinity and... (Review)
Review
The advent of SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) technology has shown the ability to evolve artificial ligands with affinity and specificity able to meet growing clinical demand for probes that can, for example, distinguish between the target leukemia cells and other cancer cells within the matrix of heterogeneity, which characterizes cancer cells. Though antibodies are the conventional and ideal choice as a molecular recognition tool for many applications, aptamers complement the use of antibodies due to many unique advantages, such as small size, low cost, and facile chemical modification. This Minireview will focus on the novel applications of aptamers and SELEX, as well as opportunities to develop molecular tools able to meet future clinical needs in biomedicine.
Topics: Aptamers, Nucleotide; Humans; Nucleic Acids; Pathology, Molecular
PubMed: 32282107
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202003563 -
Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics 2016Genome-wide single-cell sequencing investigations have the potential to classify individual cells within a tumor mass. In recent years, various single-cell DNA and RNA...
Genome-wide single-cell sequencing investigations have the potential to classify individual cells within a tumor mass. In recent years, various single-cell DNA and RNA quantification techniques have facilitated significant advances in our ability to classify subpopulations of cells within a heterogeneous population. These approaches provide the possibility of unraveling the complex variability in genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional interactions that occur within identical cells in a tumor. This should enhance our knowledge of the underlying biological phenotypes and could have a huge impact in designing more precise anticancer treatments in order to improve outcomes and avoid tumor resistance. In addition, single-cell sequencing analysis has the potential to allow the development of better diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and thus aid the delivery of more personalized targeted cancer therapy. Nevertheless, further research is still required to overcome technical, biological and computational problems before clinical application.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Neoplasms; Pathology, Molecular; Single-Cell Analysis
PubMed: 26594792
DOI: 10.1586/14737159.2016.1115345