Immunoproteasome in the blood plasma of children with acute appendicitis, and its correlation with proteasome and UCHL1 measured by SPR imaging biosensors

Recent advances in surface plasmon resonance imaging and biological applications

Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRI) is a robust technique for visualizing refractive index changes, which enables researchers to observe interactions between nanoscale objects in an imaging manner. In the past period, scholars have been attracted by the Prism-Coupled and Non-prism Coupled configurations of SPRI and have published numerous experimental results. This review describes the principle of SPRI and discusses recent developments in Prism-Coupled and Non-prism Coupled SPRI techniques in detail, respectively. And then, major advances in biological applications of SPRI are reviewed, including four sub-fields (cells, viruses, bacteria, exosomes, and biomolecules). The purpose is to briefly summarize the recent advances of SPRI and provide an outlook on the development of SPRI in various fields.

A Comparison of Various Chips Used for the Manufacture of Biosensors Applied in Non-Fluidic Array SPRi, Based on the Example of Determination of Cathepsin D

Non-fluidic array SPR imaging (SPRi) with appropriate biosensors is a new tool for the determination of various biomarkers in body fluids. Numerous biomarkers can be determined without signal enhancement or preliminarily preconcentration. The introduction of a new material solution of the chip may increase the scope of the application of this technique. Solutions with adhesive separating foil and an Ag/Au chip were compared with the previously used two-paint separating polymer and pure gold chip. These solutions were tested using the example of a biosensor for cathepsin D (Cath D), which consisted of pepstatin A (a Cath D inhibitor) immobilized via a cysteamine linker using the NHS/EDC protocol. Four material versions of the Cath D biosensor proved adequate in terms of range of linearity, LOQ, precision and recovery. All four versions of the biosensor were used for the determination of Cath D in the blood serum patients with glioblastoma and control samples, producing very similar results and showing an elevated biomarker concentration in the case of cancer. Therefore, the problem of determining the correct level of Cath D in the serum of healthy individuals has been resolved, correcting literature data which ranged over three orders of magnitude.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of the perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery concept on the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis in children

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), as a new concept in surgery, has dramatically changed the mode of perioperative treatment for children with acute appendicitis.

METHODS

The retrieval strategy developed by the Cochrane Collaboration was conducted using the CNKI database, Wanfang Medical Network, PubMed, EBSCO, Medline, and Cochrane database by combining subject headings and free words. A review of the randomized controlled trials on the use of the ERAS concept in the perioperative treatment of acute appendicitis in children was conducted between the establishment of the database and May 15, 2021. Keywords included enhanced recovery after surgery, fast track surgery, ERAS, FTS, child, infant, and appendicitis. The quality of the literature was evaluated according to the RevMan 5.3 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials on ERAS in children with acute appendicitis were finally included. The heterogeneity of postoperative stay time was tested in 4 studies using continuous variables, with Chi-squared test (Chi²) =221.52, degree of freedom (df) =3, I²=99%>50%. An overall analysis using a random effects model showed that the ERAS group was significantly different compared to the control group [Z=5.26; mean difference (MD) =-1.65; 95% CI: -2.27 to -1.03; P<0.00001]. The heterogeneity of the readmission rate was tested in 5 studies using dichotomous variables, with Chi²=5.11, df =3, I²=41%<50%, P=0.91. Overall analysis using a fixed effects model showed no statistically significant difference between the ERAS group and the control group [Z=0.80; odds ratio (OR) =1.16; 95% CI: 0.81 to 1.66; P=0.42]. The heterogeneity of the recurrence rate was tested in 4 studies using dichotomous variables, with Chi²=3.73, df =3, I²=20%<50%, P=0.29. Overall analysis using a fixed effects model showed no statistically significant difference between the ERAS group and the control group (Z=1.14; OR =0.76; 95% CI: 0.47 to 1.22; P=0.26).

DISCUSSION

The results of the meta-analysis confirmed that perioperative application of the ERAS concept in children with acute appendicitis can promote the rehabilitation of children, reduce the postoperative stay time, and reduce the readmission rate and reoperation rate.

Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 - physiology and pathology

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) is an enzyme unique for its multiple activity - both ligase and hydrolase. UCHL1 was first identified as an abundant protein found in the brain and testes, however its expression is not limited to the neuronal compartment. UCHL1 is also highly expressed in carcinomas of various tissue origins, including those from brain, lung, breast, kidney, colon, prostate, pancreas and mesenchymal tissues. Loss-of-function studies and an inhibitor for UCHL1 confirmed the importance of UCHL1 for cancer therapy. So far biological significance of UCHL1 was described in the following processes: spermatogenesis, oncogenesis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and differentiation in skeletal muscle, inflammation, tissue injury, neuronal injury and neurodegeneration.

Plasma level of laminin 5 and collagen IV in cryptorchidism

PURPOSE

Laminin 5 and collagen IV are the main compounds of the extracellular matrix of the germinal epithelium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentration of these two markers of fibrosis in the plasma of boys with congenital unilateral cryptorchidism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group comprised 43 boys aged 1-3 years with congenital unilateral cryptorchidism. The control group included 54 healthy, age matched boys, admitted for planned hernioplasty. To assess laminin 5 and collagen IV in the plasma of boys with unilateral cryptorchidism, we used a new biosensor with Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging technique detection.

RESULTS

The median concentration of laminin 5 and collagen IV in the serum of boys with congenital, unilateral cryptorchidism was higher than in boys with normal scrotal testis. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). We did not notice a correlation between a higher position of the testicles in the inguinal and/or their condition and levels of laminin 5 and collagen IV in the plasma.

CONCLUSION

Laminin 5 and collagen IV concentrations in the plasma were higher in patients with congenital unilateral cryptorchidism. We believe that in the future, our results could be compared with fertility level in adulthood.

Recent Progress in Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors (2016 to Mid-2018)

More than 50 papers on surface plasmon resonance biosensors, published between 2016 and mid-2018, are reviewed. Papers concerning the determination of large particles such as vesicles, exosomes, cancer cells, living cells, stem cells, and microRNA are excluded, as these are covered by a very recent review. The reviewed papers are categorized into five groups, depending on the degree of maturity of the reported solution; ranging from simple marker detection to clinical application of a previously developed biosensor. Instrumental solutions and details of biosensor construction are analyzed, including the chips, receptors, and linkers used, as well as calibration strategies. Biosensors with a sandwich structure containing different nanoparticles are considered separately, as are SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) applications for investigating the interactions of biomolecules. An analysis is also made of the markers determined using the biosensors. In conclusion, there is shown to be a growing number of SPR applications in the solution of real clinical problems.