Frequent methylation of HOXA9 gene in tumor tissues and plasma samples from human hepatocellular carcinomas.

Background: Aberrant DNA methylation is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), suggesting that gene methylation could be a potential biomarker for detection of HCC. The aim of this study is to identify potential biomarkers in HCC.

Methods: We used the Infinium methylation array and a DNA-pooling strategy to analyze the genome-wide methylation profile in HCC.

Comparative proteomics, network analysis and post-translational modification identification reveal differential profiles of plasma Con A-bound glycoprotein biomarkers in gastric cancer.

Unlabelled: In the study, we used Con A affinity chromatography, 1-D gel electrophoresis, and nano-LC-MS/MS to screen biomarker candidates in plasma samples obtained from 30 patients with gastric cancer and 30 healthy volunteers. First, we pooled plasma samples matched by age and sex. We identified 17 differentially expressed Con A-bound glycoproteins, including 10 upregulated proteins and 7 downregulated proteins; these differences were significant (Student's t-test, p-value<0.

Calibration of glucose oxidase-based test strips for capillary blood measurement with oxygen saturated venous blood samples.

Background: Glucose oxidase biosensors are used in self-monitoring blood glucose concentrations. The capillary blood glucose quantitation requires a calibration curve. Due to the limitation in obtaining calibration curve from capillary blood, an alternate approach by using venous blood for neonatal measurement was investigated.

Comparison of an electrochemical biosensor with optical devices for hemoglobin measurement in human whole blood samples.

Background: An electrochemical based biosensor for hemoglobin measurement was developed as an alternative to the traditional optical method, and underwent testing for use in professional settings.

Methods: The affects of samples' freshness, hemolysis, bilirubin on the electrochemical method, as well as the repeatability, precision and accuracy were studied, using optical method devices as references.

Results: Samples were stored at room temperature or in a cold environment for 7 days, partially or completely hemolyzed samples, and samples containing bilirubin with a concentration of up to 150 mg/l were investigated with no effects for interfering studies.

Dipyridamole suppresses high glucose-induced osteopontin secretion and mRNA expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Background: Diabetic patients are frequently afflicted with medial artery calcification, a predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Diabetes induced the expression of osteopontin in arterial vasculature, which is an indicator of disease progression in artery calcification and vascular stiffness. Signal transduction and strategies that suppress high glucose-induced osteopontin expression in arterial vascular smooth muscle cells is investigated.

A dominant antigenic epitope on SARS-CoV spike protein identified by an avian single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-expressing phage.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emergent human disease, which requires rapid diagnosis and effective therapy. Among antibody sources, immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is the major antibody found in chicken eggs and can be used as an alternative to mammalian antibodies normally used in research and immunotherapy. In this study, phage-expressing chicken monoclonal scFv antibody was chosen and characterized with phage display antibody technology.