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Neurological disorders are a point of attraction these days due to their physical, mental, and genetic threat to human beings. The researchers are refining the therapeutics and striving to eradicate the life‐threatening burden of chronic diseases by upsurging and proposing advanced instrumentation. There are a number of neurological diseases that cause alterations in the genetic sequences due to pathogenic or self‐negligence. According to the WHO, stroke, septicemia, PD, epilepsy, and MS are found to be the deadliest and most invading among millions of people. Various diagnostic methods are employed for monitoring these disorders in the human body at an early stage, in process of cure. The current review highlights the strengths of several advanced detection devices, such as biosensors to identify and quantify biomarkers, some sensing gadgets, and other genetic tactics or innovations to ameliorate traditional protocols. Furthermore, the meticulous description of ongoing experiments with the help of relevant case studies of neurodegenerative disorders supports the impact and vitality of advanced equipment. Further, the necessity of biosensors in distinct disorders to aid in an early diagnosis, and the influence of nano‐based materials in preparation is emphasized. Finally, several issues that should be addressed in upcoming decades with the steep rise in analytical technology have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiosyncratic drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is a challenging liver disorder because it can present with a range of phenotypes, mimicking almost every other hepatic disease, and lacks specific biomarkers for its diagnosis. Hence, a confident DILI diagnosis is seldom possible as it relies on the precise establishment of a temporal sequence between the exposure to a given prescription drug or sometimes hidden herbal product/over the counter medication as well as the exclusion of other aetiologies of liver disease. However, an accurate diagnosis is of most importance, as prompt withdrawal of the causative agent is essential in DILI management. Indeed, DILI can be severe and even fatal or in a fraction of cases evolve to chronic damage, but specific biomarkers for predicting mortality/liver transplantation or a chronic outcome in the very early phases of DILI are not yet available. In this article, we discuss the best diagnostic and prognostic approach of a DILI suspicion by judiciously choosing and interpreting the standard tests currently used in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are incapacitating disorders that result in progressive motor and cognitive impairment. These diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Friedreich’s ataxia, and prion disease. Dementia causing NDDs impose a high social and economic burden on communities around the world. Rapid growth in knowledge regarding the pathogenic mechanisms and disease-associated biomarkers of these diseases in the past few decades have accelerated the development of new diagnostic methods and therapeutic opportunities. Continuous effort is being applied to the development of more advanced, easy-to-apply and reliable methods of diagnosis, that are able to identify disease manifestation at its earliest stages and before clinical symptoms become apparent. Development of these diagnostic tools are essential in aiding effective disease management through accurate monitoring of disease progression, timely application of therapeutics and evaluation of treatment efficacy. Recently, several studies have identified novel biomarkers based on compounds in exhaled breath associated with specific NDDs. The use of breath testing, as a means of monitoring neurodegenerative disease onset and progression, has the potential to have a significant impact on augmenting the diagnosis of NDDs as the approach is non-invasive, relatively cost effective and straight forward to implement. This review highlights key features of current diagnostic methods utilised to identify NDDs, and describes the potential application and limitations associated with the use of breath analysis for disease diagnosis and progression monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural and food sectors are currently focused on developing and implementing control technologies but have not been able to detect postharvest fungi and food-borne bacteria in a fast and reliable manner; thus, necessary measures must be taken as soon as possible. To facilitate this process, a device such as a biosensor could be a potential alternative for the timely detection of various postharvest pathogenic microorganisms. Biosensors are composed of a recognition element, a transductor, a compartment for data analysis, and an indicator to visualize the signal. The biological recognition element can include enzymes and aptamers. To date, a great number of nanomaterials have been produced with the potential to be transducing elements due to their enhanced electrical conductivity, thermal, and optical properties. These include nanocarbons, nanometals, nanomagnetics, and nanosemiconductors. Furthermore, new approaches to lessen the use of toxic materials during the synthesis of nanoparticles have been considered, including biological resources such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and plants. However, the portable device must still overcome several hurdles, such as sample preparation, energy needs, and training. • Biosensor detects postharvest fungi and food-borne bacteria in a fast manner. • The sensitivity of a biosensor is increased with the use of nanomaterials. • Nanomaterials are structures with a nominal diameter smaller than 100 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has gained much attention over the last decades, as it offers unique opportunities for the advancement of the next generation of sensing tools. Point-of-care (POC) devices for the selective detection of biomolecules using engineered nanoparticles have become a main research thrust in the diagnostic field. This review presents an overview on how the POC-associated nanotechnology, currently applied for the identification of nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies, might be further exploited for the detection of infectious pathogens: although still premature, future integrations of nanoparticles with biological markers that target specific microorganisms will enable timely therapeutic intervention against life-threatening infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Detection of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is routinely based on the presence of dysglycemia. Although disturbed lipid metabolism is a hallmark of T2D, the potential of plasma lipidomics as a biomarker of future T2D is unknown. Our objective was to develop and validate a plasma lipidomic risk score (LRS) as a biomarker of future type 2 diabetes and to evaluate its cost-effectiveness for T2D screening. Methods: Plasma LRS, based on significantly associated lipid species from an array of 319 lipid species, was developed in a cohort of initially T2D-free individuals from the San Antonio Family Heart Study (SAFHS). The LRS derived from SAFHS as well as its recalibrated version were validated in an independent cohort from Australia - the AusDiab cohort. The participants were T2D-free at baseline and followed for 9197 person-years in the SAFHS cohort (n = 771) and 5930 person-years in the AusDiab cohort (n = 644). Statistically and clinically improved T2D prediction was evaluated with established statistical parameters in both cohorts. Modeling studies were conducted to determine whether the use of LRS would be cost-effective for T2D screening. The main outcome measures included accuracy and incremental value of the LRS over routinely used clinical predictors of T2D risk; validation of these results in an independent cohort and cost-effectiveness of including LRS in screening/intervention programs for T2D. Results: The LRS was based on plasma concentration of dihydroceramide 18:0, lysoalkylphosphatidylcholine 22:1 and triacyglycerol 16:0/18:0/18:1. The score predicted future T2D independently of prediabetes with an accuracy of 76 %. Even in the subset of initially euglycemic individuals, the LRS improved T2D prediction. In the AusDiab cohort, the LRS continued to predict T2D significantly and independently. When combined with risk-stratification methods currently used in clinical practice, the LRS significantly improved the model fit (p < 0.001), information content (p < 0.001), discrimination (p < 0.001) and reclassification (p < 0.001) in both cohorts. Modeling studies demonstrated that LRS-based risk-stratification combined with metformin supplementation for high-risk individuals was the most cost-effective strategy for T2D prevention. Conclusions: Considering the novelty, incremental value and cost-effectiveness of LRS it should be used for risk-stratification of future T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing awareness of the impact of chronic back pain and axial spondyloarthritis and recent breakthroughs in genetics and the development of novel treatments which may impact best on early disease, the need for markers that can facilitate early diagnosis and profiling those individuals at the highest risk for a bad outcome has never been greater. The genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis has been considerably advanced, and HLA-B27 testing has a role in the diagnosis. Knowledge is still incomplete of the rest of the genetic contribution to disease susceptibility, and it is likely premature to use extensive genetic testing (other than HLA-B27) for diagnosis. Serum and plasma biomarkers have been examined extensively in assessing disease activity, treatment response, and as predictors or radiographic severity. For assessing disease activity, other than C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the most work has been in examining cytokines (particularly interleukin 17 and 23), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) markers (particularly MMP3). For assessing those at the highest risk for radiographic progression, biomarkers of bony metabolism, cartilage and connective tissue degradation products, and adipokines have been most extensively assessed. The problem is that no individual biomarkers has been reproducibly shown to assess disease activity or predict outcome, and this area still remains an unmet need, of relevance to industry stakeholders, to regulatory bodies, to the healthcare system, to academic investigators, and finally to patients and providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of three fluorogenic chitobiosyl derivatives, modified at the non-reducing 4′-OH with, either a methyl, an isopropyl or a cyclohexylmethyl substituent, is described. The 4′-capped 4-methylumbelliferyl chitobiosides are hydrolysed by the human chitinase CHIT1 following Michaelis–Menten kinetics and in contrast to unmodified chitobiosyl-4-methylumbelliferone do not undergo transglycosylation. The compounds are also relatively poor hexosaminidase substrates and thus provide useful alternatives to 4′-deoxychitobiosyl-4-methylumbelliferone, previously reported by us as fluorogenic substrate to monitor CHIT1 activity as a marker for Gaucher disease state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Neurotrophic factors are known to play an important role in the survival and differentiation of many types of neurons during development. Both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) may act cooperatively in modulating the development and functioning of synapses. Both these neurotrophic factors were intensely investigated with regard to depression without conclusive results. Methods: We have investigated the possible use of both CNTF null-mutation and BDNF polymorphism C270T as biomarkers for depression in the Vienna Transdanube Aging (VITA) study. The VITA is a prospective community-based cohort study of all 75 years old inhabitants of a geographical region of Vienna. Results: We found no association between CNTF null-mutation and BDNF C270T polymorphism to any depressive symptoms after exclusion of demented subjects. Conclusion: These results call in question the hypothesis that either BDNF or CNTF can be used as molecular markers for depression or late onset depression in the elderly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]