Diagnostic Accuracy of Bronchodilator Response for Asthma in a Population of South China

HSPA1A, HSPA2, and HSPA8 Are Potential Molecular Biomarkers for Prognosis among HSP70 Family in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, which leads to impairment of cognition and memory. The heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. It is known to regulate protein misfolding in a variety of diseases, including inhibition of Aβ aggregation and NFT formation in AD. As yet, the diagnostic molecular markers of AD remain unclear. Herein, we sought to investigate molecular markers of HSP70 family that can affect diagnosis and treatment in AD through computational analysis. In this study, the intersection between HSP70 family members and immune molecules was taken to screen immune-related HSP70 family genes. Based on the datasets from the NCBI-Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we found that the expression levels of HSPA1A and HSPA2 were significantly increased in AD samples, while HSPA8 significantly decreased. Surprisingly, the combination of the 3 hub genes had a good diagnosis of AD via receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Moreover, the clinical value of the 3 hub genes was further assessed by the Spearman correlation analysis with AD-related genes, β-secretase activity, and γ-secretase activity. In terms of immune cell infiltration, we showed that the distribution of seven immune cell types (macrophages M2, neutrophils, T cells CD4 memory activated, macrophages M0, NK cells activated, plasma cells, and T cells follicular helper) was associated with the occurrence of AD by CIBERSORT. Furthermore, our data suggested that EP300, MYC, TP53, JUN, CREBBP, and ESR1 might be key transcription factors (TFs) for the 3 hub genes. In general, these findings suggest that HSPA1A, HSPA2, and HSPA8 are potential molecular biomarkers for prognosis among HSP70 family in AD, and it provides a new perspective on diagnostic and therapeutic targets for AD.

Immediate bronchodilator response in FEV1 as a diagnostic criterion for adult asthma

Asthma is characterised by variable and reversible expiratory airflow limitations. Thus, it is logical to use the change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) in response to a bronchodilator (ΔFEV₁BDR) as a diagnostic tool; increases of ≥12% and ≥200 mL from the baseline FEV₁ are commonly used values. We aimed to evaluate the historical development of diagnostic cut-off levels for the ΔFEV₁BDR for adults and the evidence behind these recommendations.We searched for studies from the reference lists of all the main statements, reports and guidelines concerning the interpretation of spirometry and diagnostics for asthma and conducted a literature search.A limited amount of evidence regarding the ΔFEV₁BDR in healthy populations was found, and even fewer patient studies were found. In healthy persons, the upper 95th percentile for the absolute ΔFEV₁BDR ranges between 240 mL and 320 mL, the relative ΔFEV₁BDR calculated from the initial FEV₁ ranges from 5.9% to 13.3% and the ΔFEV₁BDR calculated from the predicted FEV₁ ranges from 8.7% to 11.6%. However, the absolute and percentage ΔFEV₁BDR values calculated from the initial FEV₁ are dependent on age, sex, height and the degree of airway obstruction. Thus, the use of the ΔFEV₁BDR calculated from the predicted FEV₁ might be more appropriate.Not enough data exist to assess the sensitivity of any of the cut-off levels for the ΔFEV₁BDR to differentiate asthma patients from healthy subjects. Further studies in newly diagnosed asthma patients are needed.