Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) molecules derived from tRNA, including tRNA derived fragments (tRFs) and tRNA halfs (tiRNAs). tsRNAs can affect cell functions by participating in gene expression regulation, translation regulation, intercellular signal transduction, and immune response. They have been shown to play an important role in various human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Targeted regulation of tsRNAs expression can affect the progression of CVDs. The tsRNAs induced by pathological conditions can be detected when released into the extracellular, giving them enormous potential as disease biomarkers. Here, we review the biogenesis, degradation process and related functional mechanisms of tsRNAs, and discuss the research progress and application prospects of tsRNAs in different CVDs, to provide a new perspective on the treatment of CVDs.

The incidence of tumors in the human digestive system is relatively high, including esophageal cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. These malignancies arise from a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Among them, long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which cannot be translated into proteins, serve an important role in the development, progression, migration and prognosis of tumors. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) is a typical lncRNA, and its relationship with digestive system tumors has been widely explored. The prevailing hypothesis suggests that the principal molecular mechanism of SNHG16 in digestive system tumors involves it functioning as a competitive endogenous RNA that interacts with other proteins, regulates various genes and influences a downstream target molecule. The present review summarizes recent research on the relationship between SNHG16 and numerous types of digestive system cancer, encompassing its biological functions, underlying mechanisms and potential clinical implications. Furthermore, it outlines the association between SNHG16 expression and pertinent risk factors, such as smoking, infection and diet. The present review indicated the promise of SNHG16 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in human digestive system cancer.

BACKGROUND: The understanding of neuropathic pain remains incomplete, highlighting the need for research on biomarkers for improved diagnosis and treatment. This review focuses on identifying potential biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid for neuropathic pain in different neuropathies.
METHODS: Searches were performed in six databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Included were observational studies, namely cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control, that evaluated quantitative biomarkers in blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Data were qualitatively synthesized, and meta-analyses were conducted using R. The study is registered with PROSPERO under the ID CRD42022323769.
RESULTS: The literature search resulted in 16 studies for qualitative and 12 for quantitative analysis, covering patients over 18 years of age with painful neuropathies. A total of 1403 subjects were analyzed, identifying no significant differences in levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) between patients with and without pain. Despite the high inter-rater reliability and adequate bias assessment, the results suggest negligible differences in inflammatory biomarkers, with noted publication bias and heterogeneity among studies, indicating the need for further research.
CONCLUSIONS: Our review underscores the complex nature of neuropathic pain and the challenges in identifying biomarkers, with no significant differences found in CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels between patients with and without pain. Despite methodological robustness, the results are limited by publication bias and heterogeneity. This emphasizes the need for further research to discover definitive biomarkers for improved diagnosis and personalized treatment of neuropathic pain.

Parkinsonian disorders, including Parkinson\'s disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are often misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms and the absence of precise biomarkers. Furthermore, there are no current methods to ascertain the progression and conversion of prodromal conditions such as REM behaviour disorder (RBD). Extracellular vesicles (EVs), containing a mixture of biomolecules, have emerged as potential sources for parkinsonian diagnostics. However, inconsistencies in previous studies have left their diagnostic potential unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis, following PRISMA guidelines, to assess the diagnostic accuracy of general EVs isolated from various bodily fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma, serum, urine or saliva, in differentiating patients with parkinsonian disorders from healthy controls (HCs). The meta-analysis included 21 studies encompassing 1285 patients with PD, 24 with MSA, 105 with DLB, 99 with PSP, 101 with RBD and 783 HCs. Further analyses were conducted only for patients with PD versus HCs, given the limited number for other comparisons. Using bivariate and hierarchal receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) models, the meta-analysis revealed moderate diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing patients with PD from HCs, with substantial heterogeneity and publication bias. The trim-and-fill method revealed at least two missing studies with null or low diagnostic accuracy. CSF-EVs showed better overall diagnostic accuracy, while plasma-EVs had the lowest performance. General EVs demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy compared to CNS-originating EVs, which are more time-consuming, labour- and cost-intensive to isolate. In conclusion, while holding promise, utilizing biomarkers in general EVs for PD diagnosis remains unfeasible due to existing challenges. The focus should shift toward harmonizing the field through standardization, collaboration, and rigorous validation. Current efforts by the International Society For Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) aim to enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of EV-related research through rigor and standardization, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practical clinical application.

Depression is the most common mental disorder worldwide. Both antidepressants and psychotherapy are effective in treating depression, but the response to these treatments is often incomplete. Yoga-based interventions (YBIs) have been advocated by some researchers as a promising form of alternative treatment for depression. Recent research has attempted to identify the biological mechanisms associated with the antidepressant actions of YBIs. In this scoping review, conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched to retrieve research on biomarkers of response to YBIs in patients with depression. These studies were also critically reviewed to evaluate their methodological quality and any sources of bias. Nineteen studies were included in the review. Based on these studies, there is preliminary evidence that YBIs may be associated with increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced serum cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with depression. However, many of these changes were also observed in the control arms, and the overall quality of the research was low. At present, it cannot be concluded that there are reliable biomarkers of response to YBIs in depression, though there are some potential biological correlates. Further advances in this field will depend critically on improvements in study design, particularly the minimization of sources of bias and the selection of more specific and sensitive biomarkers based on existing evidence from other treatment modalities.

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) are a group of enzymes that convert adenosine-5\'-triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic adenosine 3\',5\' monophosphate (cAMP), a vital and ubiquitous signalling molecule in cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters. There are nine transmembrane (tmAC) forms, which have been widely studied; however, the tenth, soluble AC (sAC) is less extensively characterised. The eye is one of the most metabolically active sites in the body, where sAC has been found in abundance, making it a target for novel therapeutics and biomarking. In the cornea, AC plays a role in endothelial cell function, which is vital in maintaining stromal dehydration, and therefore, clarity. In the retina, AC has been implicated in axon cell growth and survival. As these cells are irreversibly damaged in glaucoma and injury, this molecule may provide focus for future therapies. Another potential area for glaucoma management is the source of aqueous humour production, the ciliary body, where AC has also been identified. Furthering the understanding of lacrimal gland function is vital in managing dry eye disease, a common and debilitating condition. sAC has been linked to tear production and could serve as a therapeutic target. Overall, ACs are an exciting area of study in ocular health, offering multiple avenues for future medical therapies and diagnostics. This review paper explores the diverse roles of ACs in the eye and their potential as targets for innovative treatments.

OBJECTIVE: Biomarkers are paramount for managing heart failure (HF) patients as prognostic and therapeutic efficacy index tools. Systemic levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can add to the HF biomarker scenario, allowing for potentiated efficacy in diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and prediction of patient response to a given therapeutic intervention because BDNF is one of the primary rulers of myocardial function. Yet, whether BDNF is a reliable clinical biomarker awaits clinical validation. Hence, we aimed to answer this relevant question via a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies.
RESULTS: International databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Web of Science, were comprehensively searched for studies assessing BDNF levels in patients with HF versus non-HF controls or as a prognostic factor for HF complications. Data were extracted and analysed by random-effect meta-analysis. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to pool the results of studies. We included 11 studies in the final review, among which six underwent meta-analysis. These studies analysed 1420 HF patients, with a mean age of 65.4 ± 11.2 years. Meta-analysis revealed that patients with HF had significantly lower circulating BDNF levels than healthy controls (SMD -2.47, 95% CI -4.39 to -0.54, P-value = 0.01). Moreover, patients with higher New York Heart Association functional classification had lower levels of BDNF. Adverse clinical outcomes such as all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization were also associated with lower levels of BDNF in individual studies.
CONCLUSIONS: BDNF levels are decreased in patients with HF. Most importantly, we observed an association between lower BDNF levels and poor prognosis in patients with HF. Our study supports BDNF as an easy-to-dose diagnostic and prognostic biomarker to be implemented in clinical practice for HF. Further studies are warranted to address this ability specifically.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of zinc status is difficult but essential for the identification of zinc deficiency and evaluation of interventions to improve zinc status.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis was to update the previously published SR of biomarkers of zinc status, conducted by the European Micronutrient Recommendations Aligned (EURRECA) network in 2009, to answer the question: Which putative measures (biomarkers) of zinc status appropriately reflect a change in zinc intake of at least 2 weeks?
METHODS: A structured search strategy was used to identify articles published between January 2007 and September 2022 from MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Relevant articles were identified using previously defined eligibility criteria.
METHODS: Data were extracted and combined with data from the previous SR.
METHODS: A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled mean differences using STATA (StataCorp). The risk of bias and the certainty of evidence for all outcomes were assessed. Additional data on 7 of the 32 previously reported biomarkers were identified, along with data on an additional 40 putative biomarkers from studies published since 2007. Pooled data analysis confirmed that, in healthy participants, both plasma/serum zinc concentration and urinary zinc excretion responded to changes in zinc intake (plasma/serum: mean effect [95% CI], controlled studies: 2.17 µmol/L [1.73, 2.61]; P < .005, I2 = 97.8; before-and-after studies: 2.87 µmol/L [2.45, 3.30]; P < .005, I2 = 98.1%; urine zinc: 0.39 mmol/mol creatinine [0.17, 0.62]; P < .005, I2 = 81.2; 3.09 µmol/day [0.16, 6.02]; P = .039, I2 = 94.3).
CONCLUSIONS: The updated analyses support the conclusion that plasma/serum and urinary zinc respond to changes in zinc intake in studies of healthy participants. Several additional putative biomarkers were identified, but more studies are needed to assess the sensitivity and reliability.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO no. CRD42020219843.

There is a high prevalence of heart failure (HF) worldwide, which has significant consequences for healthcare costs, patient death and quality of life. Therefore, there has been much focus on finding and using biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostication and therapy of HF. This overview of the research presents a thorough examination of the current state of HF biomarkers and their many uses. Their function in diagnosing HF, gauging its severity and monitoring its response to therapy are all discussed. Particularly promising in HF diagnosis and risk stratification are the cardiac-specific biomarkers, B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Markers of oxidative stress, extracellular matrix, renal function, inflammation and cardiac peptides have shown promise in evaluating HF severity and prognosis. MicroRNAs and insulin-like growth factor are two emerging biomarkers that have shown potential in helping with HF diagnosis and prognosis.

Preeclampsia is a multisystem progressive condition and is one of the most serious complications of pregnancy. Owing to its unclear pathogenesis, there are no precise and effective therapeutic targets for preeclampsia, and the only available treatment strategy is to terminate the pregnancy and eliminate the clinical symptoms. In recent years, non-coding RNAs have become a hotspot in preeclampsia research and have shown promise as effective biomarkers for the early diagnosis of preeclampsia over conventional biochemical markers. PIWI-interacting RNAs, novel small non-coding RNA that interact with PIWI proteins, are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of PIWI-interacting RNAs in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia remain unclear. In this review, we discuss the findings of existing studies on PIWI-interacting RNA biogenesis, functions, and their possible roles in preeclampsia, providing novel insights into the potential application of PIWI-interacting RNAs in the early diagnosis and clinical treatment of preeclampsia.