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Biomanufacturing enables novel sources of compounds with constant demand, such as food coloring and preservatives, as well as new compounds with peak demand, such as diagnostics and vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for alternative sources of research materials, thrusting research on diversification of biomanufacturing platforms. Here, we show initial results exploring the walnut somatic embryogenic system expressing the recombinant receptor binding domain (RBD) and ectodomain of the spike protein (Spike) from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Stably transformed walnut embryo lines were selected and propagated in vitro. Both recombinant proteins were detected at 3-14 µg/g dry weight of tissue culture material. Although higher yields of recombinant protein have been obtained using more conventional biomanufacturing platforms, we also report on the production of the red pigment betanin in somatic embryos, reaching yields of 650 mg/g, even higher than red beet Beta vulgaris. This first iteration shows the potential of biomanufacturing using somatic walnut embryos that can now be further optimized for different applications sourcing specialized proteins and metabolites.

BACKGROUND: With the availability of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimers disease (AD), it is important for clinicians to have tests to aid in AD diagnosis, especially when the presence of amyloid pathology is a criterion for receiving treatment. METHODS: High-throughput, mass spectrometry-based assays were used to measure %p-tau217 and amyloid beta (Aβ)42/40 ratio in blood samples from 583 individuals with suspected AD (53% positron emission tomography [PET] positive by Centiloid > 25). An algorithm (PrecivityAD2 test) was developed using these plasma biomarkers to identify brain amyloidosis by PET. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) for %p-tau217 (0.94) was statistically significantly higher than that for p-tau217 concentration (0.91). The AUC-ROC for the PrecivityAD2 test output, the Amyloid Probability Score 2, was 0.94, yielding 88% agreement with amyloid PET. Diagnostic performance of the APS2 was similar by ethnicity, sex, age, and apoE4 status. DISCUSSION: The PrecivityAD2 blood test showed strong clinical validity, with excellent agreement with brain amyloidosis by PET.

Direct-to-patient mobile teledermoscopy is a feasible and useful adjunct to smartphone imaging for monitoring patient-identified lesions of concern, achieving comparable diagnostic and management accuracy as in-office dermatology.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers by comparing the performance of molecular detection assays with clinical assessments of dogs oral health performed by veterinarians. METHODS: Supragingival and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 127 client-owned dogs, pre-booked for procedures under general anesthesia, visiting veterinary practices in the United States. DNA was extracted and bacterial biomarkers quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gingivitis and periodontitis were recorded by a trained clinician using the Weighted Gingivitis Periodontitis Score which involved assessing the buccal surfaces of 18 teeth while under general anesthesia. Intraoral dental radiographs of the left and right mandibular first molar teeth were also obtained. These data were then used to establish the diagnostic performance of the molecular assay to detect periodontitis. RESULTS: An initial conscious, visual oral examination performed by the veterinarian identified 67.7% of dogs as having periodontitis, but examination under general anesthesia indicated a higher proportion (86.6%). Analysis of supragingival plaque samples collected by veterinarians from conscious and unconscious dogs demonstrated the assay had an accuracy of 77.7 to 80.9%, a sensitivity of 77.6 to 81.0%, and a specificity of 80.0%. DISCUSSION: Use of this molecular screening tool in conscious dogs has the potential to improve early periodontal disease detection and support veterinary decision making, ultimately improving the oral health of dogs and consequently their quality of life.

In malaria endemic countries, non-falciparum species are often mixed with Plasmodium falciparum in patients with uncomplicated malaria, and their contribution to malaria severity and death is poorly studied. This study assesses the contribution of non-falciparum species to malaria severity in three regions of Senegal with the highest malaria incidence. We analysed 617 blood samples obtained between 2015 and 2021 from confirmed malaria patients at health facilities in Kedougou, Kolda and Tambacounda in Senegal. Plasmodium species composition was determined by PCR and their distribution were analysed according to age and disease severity, and the relative risk of developing severe malaria. Overall, 94.8% of samples contained P. falciparum either as single or mixed with other species. Non-falciparum P. ovale, P. vivax and P. malariae species were detected in 60.12, 13.61 and 1.62% of samples, respectively. Severe malaria was primarily due to P. falciparum, but co-infection with P. vivax led to a 1.63-fold significant (p = 0.05) increased risk of developing severe malaria, contrasting with the non-significant reduced risk (OR = 0.78; CI 95: 0.55–1.11; p = 0.16) associated with P. ovale infections. Children aged < 15 years old significantly suffered of SM than adults patients, whereas no significant association was found in relation to patient' sex. This study reports the first association of non-falciparum species infections with clinical malaria phenotypes in patients from the three most malaria-affected regions in Senegal. Non-falciparum P. ovale and P. vivax species in combination with P. falciparum had a protective and worsening effect, respectively. The findings suggest that interventions targeting only P. falciparum might not be sufficient to eliminate the overall malaria burden, and should take into account the neglected non-falciparum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) is associated with rapid progression to severe liver disease. Co-infection with HDV and hepatitis B virus is likely underdiagnosed due to challenges in diagnostic test availability and standardization. With new HDV antiviral options, HDV RNA quantification is essential for understanding the patient response to treatment. To this end, a quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assay utilizing synthetic RNA calibrators and a conversion factor to quantify HDV RNA in WHO international standard units (IU/mL) was developed and validated. Methods: qRT-PCR primers and probes were selected within the ribozyme region. Thermocycling conditions and reactions were optimized. Synthetic RNA transcripts were prepared as quantification standards and calibrators. Transcript dilutions (log10 8 to log10 1 copies/μL) were calibrated against the WHO standard and a conversion factor calculated to convert copies/μL to IU/mL. Assay validation and evaluation was conducted, including use of specimens from 8 HDV genotypes and comparison to a commercial assay. Results: The assay lower limit of detection was determined by probit analysis to be 11 IU/mL (8.63–15.78 95% CI). Inter- and intra-assay coefficient of variation analysis showed 96.6% precision and 90.6% accuracy. A conversion factor of 16.5 was used to convert copies/μL to IU/mL. All 8 HDV genotypes were quantified by the assay and commercial assay comparison showed good agreement. Discussion: The developed assay has clinical utility for the sensitive and specific quantitative monitoring of HDV RNA, appropriate for medium to high throughput laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report features a female patient with the chief complaint of needing to replace an anterior crown. After a comprehensive oral assessment and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographic examination, it was determined that the crown on Tooth #9 was subgingivally fractured. The procedure involved atraumatic extraction of Tooth #9, followed by immediate implant placement. Xenograft bone graft material was placed to complete the space between the buccal bone and the implant. A connective tissue graft (CTG), 1 mm thick and 5 mm wide, was harvested from the palate and placed. The final implant crown was restored using a prefabricated abutment with a titanium base and zirconia ceramic dental material. A well‐planned combined treatment, including atraumatic tooth extractions for immediate implants and ideal contouring of soft tissues, can significantly impact the outcome of aesthetic restorations. A single immediate implant‐supported crown in the aesthetic zone was able to fulfill the patient's aesthetic expectations at the 2‐year follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This manuscript describes an innovative biomarker for cancer. Cancer cells often exhibit altered metabolism, known as the Warburg effect, where they preferentially use anaerobic glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen. This leads to increased production of methylglyoxal, a side-product of glycolysis. We demonstrate here for the first time that human tumor cells can produce and release free methylglyoxal at high levels, whereas normal cells do not. Consequently, it appears that, in spite of some limitations, free methylglyoxal can be used as a metabolic new clinically useful biomarker in cancers, including cases for which there is still no available biomarker. Our findings open the way to further bio-clinical developments. Background: A fundamental property of cancer cells is their metabolic reprogramming, allowing them to increase glucose uptake and glycolysis. Using a rat colon adenocarcinoma model, we previously showed that blood levels of free methylglyoxal (MG), a side-product of glycolysis, remained normal in animals grafted with a non-growing tumor cell clone, while MG levels were significantly increased and positively correlated with tumor growth in animals grafted with a tumorigenic cell clone issued from the same tumor. Methods: We measured free MG in the blood of cancerous non-diabetic patients and compared the results to healthy subjects and non-cancerous diabetic patients. We also measured free MG in tumors and in the corresponding non-cancer tissues, and the peripheral blood. Results: We show that free MG levels in the peripheral blood of cancer patients are significantly increased in comparison with free MG levels in the peripheral blood of healthy controls (p < 0.0001), and similar to those in the peripheral blood of hyperglycemic diabetic patients (p = 0.965). In addition, we show that repeated free MG level measurement could be used for the therapeutic monitoring of cancer patients. Moreover, we confirmed that free MG is produced by tumor cells at significantly higher levels than cells from their corresponding tissues (p < 0.0001), and is subsequently released in the peripheral blood. Conclusions: Free MG measured in the blood could be a new metabolic biomarker useful for the diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up of non-diabetic patients with cancers, such as bronchus carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma and glioblastoma, for which there are presently no available useful biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knee is one of the joints most vulnerable to disease and injury, particularly in athletes and older adults. Surface temperature monitoring provides insights into the health of the analysed area, supporting early diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. This study presents an innovative approach that combines infrared thermography techniques with a Resnet 152 (DeepLabCut based) to detect and monitor temperature variations across specific knee regions during repeated sit-to-stand exercises. Thermal profiles are then analysed in relation to weight distribution data collected using a Wii Balance Board during the exercise. DeepLabCut was used to automate the selection of the region of interest (ROI) for temperature assessments, improving data accuracy compared to traditional time-consuming semi-automatic methods. This integrative approach enables precise and marker-free measurements, offering clinically relevant data that can aid in the diagnosis of knee pathologies, evaluation of the rehabilitation progress, and assessment of treatment effectiveness. The results emphasize the potential of combining thermography with DeepLabCut-driven data analysis to develop accessible, non-invasive tools for joint health monitoring or preventive diagnostics of pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We designed this study to identify potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Four gene expression profiles were downloaded from GEO and merged into a training cohort, and those genes that were differentially expressed between LUAD and normal samples were selected. We performed LASSO regression, SVM-RFE, and ROC curve analyses, and external validations were conducted using the GSE115002 dataset, TCGA + GTEx datasets, and tissue microarrays (TMAs) of 56 patients with LUAD from our hospital. Subsequent analyses included survival analyses, Cox regression, CIBERSORT, CCK-8, colony formation, and flow cytometry analyses. We observed that the expression of SH3GL2, CAV1, and GPC3 was reduced in LUAD samples in comparison to normal samples. Therefore, these genes were identified as diagnostic markers for LUAD, and validated using the GSE115002 and TCGA + GTEx datasets (AUC > 0.86 for all three). Notably, lower GPC3 expression levels were associated with worse prognoses. And GPC3 is an independent prognostic factor for LUAD; TMA analysis confirmed low GPC3 expression in tumors. Moreover, GPC3 overexpression inhibited cell viability and clonality but not cell apoptosis. In conclusion, we infer that GPC3 could serve as both a diagnostic and prognostic marker for LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Du XIXe siècle à aujourd'hui, les troubles neurologiques fonctionnels (TNF) ont connu une transformation majeure dans leur compréhension et leur prise en charge. • Les TNF se diagnostiquent désormais sur des critères cliniques spécifiques plutôt que par l'exclusion d'autres pathologies. • La prise en charge des TNF repose sur une combinaison de psychothérapie, rééducation physique et interventions pharmacologiques. • Les comorbidités psychiatriques, les facteurs de stress et les antécédents traumatiques sont fréquemment associés aux TNF. • Les TNF restent confrontés à la stigmatisation et à un manque de formation des professionnels de santé Les troubles neurologiques fonctionnels (TNF) représentent un défi clinique majeur, caractérisés par des symptômes neurologiques sans lésion organique identifiable. Depuis les premières descriptions par Jean-Martin Charcot au XIXe siècle, la compréhension et la prise en charge des TNF ont considérablement évolué. Cette mise au point vise à offrir un panorama actuel des connaissances sur le diagnostic et la gestion des TNF, intégrant les avancées récentes et les approches thérapeutiques multidisciplinaires. Le diagnostic des TNF repose sur des signes cliniques positifs spécifiques, plutôt que sur l'exclusion d'autres pathologies. Les critères diagnostiques ont été affinés, favorisant une reconnaissance plus précoce et une meilleure acceptation par les patients. Les comorbidités psychiatriques, les facteurs de stress et les antécédents traumatiques sont fréquemment associés aux TNF, soulignant l'importance d'une évaluation holistique. La prise en charge des TNF inclut une approche multimodale, combinant psychothérapie, rééducation physique et interventions pharmacologiques ciblées. L'implication de technologies émergentes comme la stimulation cérébrale non invasive et l'utilisation d'outils d'intelligence artificielle, ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives dans l'accompagnement des patients. Enfin, cette mise au point aborde les défis persistants liés à la stigmatisation et à la formation des professionnels de santé, tout en proposant des pistes pour améliorer la qualité des soins prodigués aux patients atteints de TNF. Functional neurological disorders (FND) represent a major clinical challenge, characterized by neurological symptoms without identifiable organic lesions. Since the initial descriptions by Jean-Martin Charcot in the 19th century, the understanding and management of FND have evolved considerably. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of current knowledge on the diagnosis and management of FND, integrating recent advances and multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches. The diagnosis of FND is based on specific positive clinical signs, rather than on the exclusion of other pathologies. Diagnostic criteria have been refined, promoting earlier recognition and better acceptance by patients. Psychiatric comorbidities, stress factors, and traumatic histories are frequently associated with FND, highlighting the importance of a holistic evaluation. The management of FND includes a multimodal approach, combining psychotherapy, physical rehabilitation, and targeted pharmacological interventions. The involvement of emerging technologies such as non-invasive brain stimulation and the use of artificial intelligence tools, opens up new perspectives in patient care. Finally, this review addresses the ongoing challenges related to stigma and the training of healthcare professionals, while proposing avenues for improving the quality of care provided to patients with FND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a top life-threatening disease and early and sensitive detection of CAD remains a challenge. This study aimed to assess the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) in diagnosing CAD patients and investigate the parameters of 3D-STI associated with disease severity. Methods: A total of 260 suspected CAD patients who met the study criteria underwent coronary angiography within one week after the ultrasound examination. Based on the examination results, 142 patients were confirmed to have CAD (CAD group), while 118 patients were classified as non-CAD (NCAD group). Age, gender, family history, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, electrocardiogram, BMI, heart rate, and left ventricular ejection fraction were compared between the two groups. Additionally, 3D-STI parameters including left ventricular global radial strain (GRS), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), left ventricular global area strain (GAS), and left ventricular global circumferential strain (GCS) were analyzed. Results: No significant differences were found between the CAD and NCAD groups in terms of demographics, smoking history, physiological measurements, and common comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. However, when comparing the 3D-STI parameters, all four parameters, including GLS, GRS, GCS, and GAS, were significantly different in the CAD group compared to the NCAD group. The results suggest that 3D-STI parameters have diagnostic value for CAD, and their changes are associated with CAD severity. Conclusions: Combined detection of these parameters enhances diagnostic accuracy compared to individual detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutibacterium acnes est un germe de la flore commensale de la peau, responsable d'infections associées aux prothèses surtout au niveau de l'épaule. Il est extrêmement rare dans les arthrites septiques des membres inférieurs. Ce travail rapporte un cas d'arthrite septique du genou à C. acnes. Le diagnostic a été établi à partir des cultures d'enrichissement prolongées. Le but de ce travail est de mettre en exergue l'importance d'enrichir le liquide articulaire sur les flacons d'hémoculture, et de prolonger les cultures pendant au moins deux semaines afin d'augmenter la sensibilité diagnostique pour les germes atypiques, notamment C. acnes. Cutibacterium acnes is a germ of the commensal flora of the skin, responsible for infections associated with prostheses, especially at the shoulder level. It is extremely rare in septic arthritis of the lower limbs. This work reports a case of septic arthritis of the knee caused by C. acnes. The diagnosis was established from prolonged enrichment cultures. The aim of this work is to highlight the importance of enriching the joint fluid on blood culture bottles, and of extending the cultures for at least two weeks in order to increase diagnostic sensitivity for atypical germs, particularly C. acnes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cette revue de littérature cherche à recenser le plus exhaustivement possible l'ensemble des travaux réalisés auprès du trouble du développement intellectuel léger (1) sur le plan de l'évaluation et du diagnostic, (2) au niveau du tableau clinique et (3) du point de vue interventionnel. L'objectif est de fournir des clés de compréhension sur cette pathologie aux différents professionnels de santé dans les domaines médical et paramédical. Bien que la recherche scientifique dans le champ de la déficience intellectuelle se soit développée depuis le début du xx e siècle, elle reste encore peu investie sur le trouble du développement intellectuel léger (TDIL) idiopathique. Le TDIL représente 1 à 2 % de la population en France, et près de 80 % de ceux qui en sont atteints sont dits idiopathiques (i.e., leur cause n'est pas connue [ INSERM, 2016 ]). Il existe plusieurs études interventionnelles auprès du TDIL idiopathique qui abordent autant des programmes spécifiques que des recommandations sur leurs adaptations pour accompagner ce public. Ces travaux existants relevant de différents courants peinent à synthétiser leurs conclusions du fait des variantes non équivalentes de ces programmes, du manque de précisions sur le tableau clinique du TDIL et des difficultés méthodologiques pour constituer les échantillons et évaluer la déficience ainsi que les effets des programmes. L'objectif maintenant est de synthétiser les conditions méthodologiques d'efficacité de ces études en proposant des adaptations tenant compte du profil cognitif et comportemental des individus. The present literature review aims to list as exhaustively as possible all the research studies carried out on MID (1) in terms of assessment and diagnosis, (2) in terms of clinical presentation and (3) from an interventional point of view. The objective is to provide keys to understand this pathology to the various health professionals in medical and paramedical fields. Despite its high prevalence, there are few scientific studies about mild intellectual disability (MID), which causes cognitive deficits. MID is thought to affect about 1–2% of the population in France, and in nearly 80% of cases it is called idiopathic, the cause being unknown (INSERM, 2016). Numerous studies have proposed interventional programs with specific recommendations for this population. Definite conclusions of the reviewed literature is complicated by important heterogeneity in the methodologies used and reported results, unclear clinical presentation of MID, and methodological difficulties in groups constitution and in objective evaluation of programs effects. The objective is now to summarize these methodological requirements by proposing adaptations that take into account the cognitive and behavioral profile of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mental health problems and identify potential risk and protective exposures for adolescents in Indonesia. An innovative sampling approach was applied to simultaneously recruit school- and community-based adolescents aged 16–18 years old from Jakarta (urban megacity) and South Sulawesi (remote province). We used multistage cluster sampling for in-school (N = 1,337) and respondent driven sampling for out-of-school (N = 824) adolescents. Mental health was measured using two validated scales: Kessler-10 and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised. Psychiatric interviews were conducted in a subsample (N = 196) of students from Jakarta to validate the self-report scales. The estimated population prevalence of psychological distress and depression were 24.3% (95% CI = 21.5–27.2) and 12.6% (10.5–14.4) for in-school and 23.7% (20.7–26.7) and 23.5% (20.4–26.5) for out-of-school adolescents, respectively. In participants who completed a psychiatric interview, common psychiatric morbidities were social anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Compared to in-school females, male in-school adolescents reported a lower prevalence of psychological distress (16.9% (13.1–20.7) vs. 30.4% (26.4–34.4)) and depression (10.1% (7.2–13.1) vs. 14.6 (11.4–17.8)). By contrast, for out-of-school adolescents, males reported a higher prevalence of psychological distress (25.2% (21.6–28.9) vs. 20.2% (15.1–25.3)) and depression (26.3% (22.5–30.1) vs. 16.9% (11.8–21.9)). In-school adolescents who did not seek healthcare despite a perceived need were more likely to report psychological distress and depression. Adolescent mental health problems are highly prevalent in Indonesia, with substantial variation by gender, geography, and school enrolment. This study and its approach to sampling and measurement may serve as a model to improving mental health surveillance across other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: intervertebral disc degeneration (iDD) is an important cause of low back pain. the aim of this study is to identify the potential molecular mechanism of abnormal methylation-modified DNa in the progression of iDD, hoping to contribute to the diagnosis and management of iDD. Methods: low-grade iDD (grade I-II) and high-grade iDD (grade III-V) data were downloaded from Gse70362 and Gse129789 datasets. the abnormally methylated modified differentially expressed mRNas (DemRNas) were identified by differential expression analysis (screening criteria were p < .05 and |logFc| > 1) and differential methylation analysis (screening criteria were p < .05 and |δβ| > 0.1). the classification models were constructed, and the receiver operating characteristic analysis was also carried out. in addition, functional enrichment analysis and immune correlation analysis were performed and the miRNas targeted for the abnormally methylated DemRNas were predicted. Finally, expression validation was performed using real-time PcR. Results: compared with low-grade iDD, seven abnormal methylation-modified DemRNas (aOX1, iBsP, QDPR, aBliM1, cRisPlD2, actc1 and eMiliN1) were identified in high-grade iDD, and the classification models of random forests (RF) and support vector machine (sVM) were constructed. Moreover, seven abnormal methylation-modified DemRNas and classification models have high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve [aUc] > 0.8). We also found that aUc values of single abnormal methylation-modified DemRNa were all lower than those of RF and sVM classification models. Pearson correlation analysis found that macrophages M2 and eMiliN1 had significant negative correlation, while macrophages M2 and iBsP had significant positive correlation. in addition, four targeted relationship pairs (hsa-miR-4728-5p-QDPR, hsa-miR-4533-aBliM1, hsa-miR-4728-5p-aBliM1 and hsa-miR-4534-cRisPlD2) and multiple signalling pathways (for example, Pi3K-aKt signalling pathway, osteoclast differentiation and calcium signalling pathway) were also identified that may be involved in the progression of iDD. Conclusion: the identification of abnormal methylation-modified DemRNas and the construction of classification models in this study were helpful for the diagnosis and management of iDD progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This revised consensus statement of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Society of Pathological Anatomy (SEAP) updates the recommendations for biomarkers use in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer that we first published in 2018. The expert group recommends determining in early breast cancer the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki-67, and Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2), as well as BReast CAncer (BRCA) genes in high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer, to assist prognosis and help in indicating the therapeutic options, including hormone therapy, chemotherapy, anti-HER2 therapy, and other targeted therapies. One of the four available genetic prognostic platforms (Oncotype DX®, MammaPrint®, Prosigna®, or EndoPredict®) may be used in ER-positive patients with early breast cancer to establish a prognostic category and help decide with the patient whether adjuvant treatment may be limited to hormonal therapy. In second-line advanced breast cancer, in addition, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) should be tested in hormone-sensitive cases, BRCA gene mutations in HER2-negative cancers, and in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), programmed cell death-1 ligand (PD-L1). Newer biomarkers and technologies, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing, serine/threonine kinase (AKT) pathway activation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS), are at this point investigational. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction Heterogenous clinical manifestations, overlapping phenotypes, and complex genetic backgrounds are common in patients with endocrine tumors. There are no comprehensive recommendations for genetic testing and counseling of these patients compared to other hereditary cancer syndromes. The application of multigene panel testing is common in clinical genetic laboratories, but their performance for patients with endocrine tumors has not been assessed. Methods As a national reference center, we prospectively tested the diagnostic utility and cost-efficiency of a multigene panel covering 113 genes representing genetic susceptibility for solid tumors; 1279 patients (including 96 cases with endocrine tumors) were evaluated between October 2021 and December 2022 who were suspected to have hereditary tumor syndromes. Results The analytical performance of the hereditary cancer panel was suitable for diagnostic testing. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed in 24% (23/96); incidental findings in genes not associated with the patient's phenotype were identified in 5% (5/96). A further 7% of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were detected in genes with potential genetic susceptibility roles but currently no clear clinical consequence. Cost-benefit analysis showed that the application of a more comprehensive gene panel in a diagnostic laboratory yielded a shorter turnaround time and provided additional genetic results with the same cost and workload. Discussion Using comprehensive multigene panel results in faster turnaround time and cost-efficiently identifies genetic alterations in hereditary endocrine tumor syndromes. Incidentally identified variants in patients with poor prognoses may serve as a potential therapeutic target in tumors where therapeutic possibilities are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a medium vessel vasculitis mainly affecting children below the age of 5. KD is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. Diagnosis of KD is clinical, and there are no pathognomonic laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. There is a paucity of studies that have utilized proteomic approach for biomarker discovery in KD. Identification of these biomarkers may be helpful for early and more effective diagnosis and may aid in the treatment of KD. Area covered: The present review focuses on studies that have utilized the proteomic approach in the identification of biomarkers in patients with KD. We have divided these biomarkers into three different categories: the biomarkers used for (a) assessment of risk of KD; (b) assessment of risk of coronary artery aneurysms; and (c) assessment of treatment resistance. Expert Opinion: Efforts to improve the clinical and diagnostic evaluation of KD have focused on general markers of inflammation that are not specific for KD. Identification of a proteomic-based biomarker can reliably and specifically differentiate KD from other diseases and could help in the prompt diagnosis. Comprehensive analysis of the serum proteome of patients with KD may be helpful in identifying candidate protein biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green and eco-friendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from renewable resources such as plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria has recently gained interest due to its use of sustainable feedstocks. This review presents an in-depth exploration of AuNP synthesis methods and their applications in cancer imaging and therapy. We examine the mechanisms behind various physical and chemical techniques used to synthesize AuNPs, with a special focus on the unique biomedical applications of green-synthesized AuNPs in diagnostic and therapeutic platforms, such as imaging and targeted therapy. Although promising, green synthesis of AuNPs faces challenges, including variability in particle size, limitations in morphology control, and scalability issues, which need to be addressed to fully harness their potential. This review also demonstrates that AuNPs can be loaded with anticancer agents to create targeted drug delivery vehicles for tumor treatment. As nanotechnology drives revolutionary advances in healthcare, AuNPs offer a promising toolkit for medical progress. However, a fundamental understanding of AuNPs and rigorous risk assessments in diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutic applications are essential to enable their safe and effective use in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the diagnostics of orthopedic diseases in the horse, diagnostic imaging often plays a decisive role. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging is used in both human and small animal medicine and becoming increasingly popular. To see whether CBCT imaging can be useful in the diagnosis of orthopedic diseases of the carpal region of the horse and to explore possible limitations we compared CBCT images with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images of the carpal region of equine cadaveric specimens. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight forelimbs from fifteen horses, slaughtered for reasons unrelated to this study, were examined. Native and contrast enhanced CBCT and MDCT scans were performed. Anatomical structures were blindly evaluated by three independent experienced observers using a visual scoring system previously reported and adapted to the equine carpal region. A descriptive evaluation was carried out as well as Spearman's rank correlation and interobserver agreement was shown by percent agreement (PA). Results: Visualization of osseous structures was excellent in both MDCT and CBCT. Articular cartilage could only be assessed in contrast enhanced scans whereby MDCT showed a slightly better visualization than CBCT. Soft tissue structures were generally difficult to assess. An exception were the medial and lateral palmar intercarpal ligament, which could not be visualized in native but were well visualized in contrast enhanced scans in both MDCT and CBCT images. Discussion/conclusion: For the evaluation of osseous structures and some intraarticular ligaments after contrast enhancement, CBCT serves as a reliable diagnostic imaging modality for the equine carpal region. However, soft tissue structures and cartilage are imaged more reliably using MDCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a vibration signal analysis method to diagnose helicopter turboshaft engine defects such as bearing imbalance and wear. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the development of a comprehensive approach to diagnosing helicopter turboshaft engine defects based on the vibration signals amplitude and frequency characteristics integral analysis combined with a neural network for probabilistic defect detection. Unlike existing methods, the proposed approach uses the energy criterion for the vibration characteristics. It averages the assessment of unique signal processing algorithms, which ensures reliable defect classification under flight vibration conditions. The method is based on representing vibration signals as a sum of harmonic oscillations supplemented by noise components, which helps to identify deviations from typical values. The developed method includes a state function in which the amplitudes and frequency characteristics from nominal parameters estimate deviations. When the critical threshold is exceeded, the function signals possible malfunctions. A multilayer neural network is used to classify defect types, providing high classification accuracy (from 0.985 to 0.994). Computer experiments on the developed seminaturalistic modeling stand confirm that the method can detect increased vibration levels, which is the potential failure indicator. Comparative analysis shows the proposed method's accuracy and noise resistance superiority, emphasizing the importance of introducing modern technologies to improve aircraft operation reliability and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrity of the 12 V dc power distribution system on a vehicle is essential to guarantee continuous power supply to safety-relevant consumers. Safety-relevant consumers are critical loads, for example, electric power steering, braking systems with functionalities like Anti-Lock Braking or Electronic Stability Control, and autonomous drive systems. To prevent insufficient power supply for safety-relevant consumers due to an increased wiring harness resistance, a novel diagnostic approach is developed to determine the condition of the power distribution, especially the electrical resistance. The influence of measurement errors and bus commutation on the estimation is investigated by using a simulation. By using the diagnostic, a resistance determination in the milliohm range with a standard deviation of σ = 0.3 m Ω can be achieved under realistic conditions. This ensures that failures in the wiring harness can be identified, avoiding cascading effects and minimizing recalls. Compared to the state of the art, redundancies, costs, and weight can be saved with the proposed diagnostic system based on electrical resistance estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders is major depressive disorder (MDD), which increases the probability of suicidal ideation or untimely demise. Abnormal frontal hemodynamic changes detected by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during verbal fluency task (VFT) have the potential to be used as an objective indicator for assessing clinical symptoms. However, comprehensive quantitative and objective assessment instruments for individuals who exhibit symptoms suggestive of depression remain undeveloped. Drawing from a total of 467 samples in a large-scale dataset comprising 289 MDD patients and 178 healthy controls, fNIRS measurements were obtained throughout the VFT. To identify unique MDD biomarkers, this research introduced a data representation approach for extracting spatiotemporal features from fNIRS signals, which were subsequently utilized as potential predictors. Machine learning classifiers (e.g., Gradient Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT) and Multilayer Perceptron) were implemented to assess the ability to predict selected features. The mean and standard deviation of the cross-validation indicated that the GBDT model, when combined with the 180-feature pattern, distinguishes patients with MDD from healthy controls in the most effective manner. The accuracy of correct classification for the test set was 0.829 ± 0.053, with an AUC of 0.895 (95 % CI: 0.864–0.925) and a sensitivity of 0.914 ± 0.051. Channels that made the most important contribution to the identification of MDD were identified using Shapley Additive Explanations method, located in the frontopolar area and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, as well as pars triangularis Broca's area. Assessment of abnormal prefrontal activity during the VFT in MDD serves as an objectively measurable biomarker that could be utilized to evaluate cognitive deficits and facilitate early screening for MDD. The model suggested in this research could be applied to large-scale case-control fNIRS datasets to detect unique characteristics of MDD and offer clinicians an objective biomarker-based analytical instrument to assist in the evaluation of suspicious cases. • fNIRS during VFT has the potential to be used as an objective indicator for assessing MDD. • The study developed an interpretable machine learning framework for screening patients with MDD from healthy controls. • The classification of model for MDD diagnosis had a mean accuracy of 0.829, with an AUC of 0.895. • The model could be applied to large-scale case-control fNIRS datasets to identify neuroimaging biomarkers and offer clinicians an objective instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current methods for obtaining fecal egg counts in horses are often inaccurate and variable depending on the analyst's skill and experience. Automated digital scanning of fecal sample slides integrated with analysis by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm is a viable, emerging alternative that can mitigate operator variation compared to conventional methods in companion animal fecal parasite diagnostics. Vetscan Imagyst is a novel fecal parasite detection system that uploads the scanned image to the cloud where proprietary software analyzes captured images for diagnostic recognition by a deep learning, object detection AI algorithm. The study describes the use and validation of Vetscan Imagyst in equine parasitology. Methods: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system in terms of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in testing equine fecal samples (n = 108) for ova from two parasites that commonly infect horses, strongyles and Parascaris spp., compared to reference assays performed by expert parasitologists using a Mini-FLOTAC technique. Two different fecal flotation solutions were used to prepare the sample slides, NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solution. Results: Diagnostic sensitivity of the Vetscan Imagyst algorithm for strongyles versus the manual reference test was 99.2% for samples prepared with NaNO3 solution and 100.0% for samples prepared with Sheather's sugar solution. Sensitivity for Parascaris spp. was 88.9% and 99.9%, respectively, for samples prepared with NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solutions. Diagnostic specificity for strongyles was 91.4% and 99.9%, respectively, for samples prepared with NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solutions. Specificity for Parascaris spp. was 93.6% and 99.9%, respectively, for samples prepared with NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solutions. Lin's concordance correlation coefficients for VETSCAN IMAGYST eggs per gram counts versus those determined by the expert parasitologist were 0.924–0.978 for strongyles and 0.944–0.955 for Parascaris spp., depending on the flotation solution. Conclusions: Sensitivity and specificity results for detecting strongyles and Parascaris spp. in equine fecal samples showed that Vetscan Imagyst can consistently provide diagnostic accuracy equivalent to manual evaluations by skilled parasitologists. As an automated method driven by a deep learning AI algorithm, VETSCAN IMAGYST has the potential to avoid variations in analyst characteristics, thus providing more consistent results in a timely manner, in either clinical or laboratory settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le but du comité de cancérologie de l'Association française d'urologie est de proposer une mise à jour des recommandations dans le diagnostic et la prise en charge du cancer de la prostate (CaP) localisé. Une revue systématique de la littérature de 2022 à 2024 a été conduite par le CCAFU concernant les éléments de diagnostic et de prise en charge thérapeutique du CaP localisé, en évaluant les références avec leur niveau de preuve. Les recommandations précisent la génétique, l'épidémiologie et les moyens diagnostiques du CaP, les notions de dépistage et de détection précoce. L'IRM, examen d'imagerie de référence du cancer localisé, est recommandée avant la réalisation de biopsies prostatiques. L'imagerie moléculaire est une option pour la réalisation du bilan d'extension. La voie transpérinéale permet de réduire les risques infectieux. La surveillance active est le traitement de référence pour les tumeurs de faible risque évolutif. Les moyens thérapeutiques sont détaillés, et recommandés en fonction des situations cliniques. Cette actualisation des recommandations françaises doit contribuer à améliorer la prise en charge du CaP localisé. The aim of the Oncology Committee of the French Urology Association is to propose updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of localised prostate cancer (PCa). A systematic review of the literature from 2022 to 2024 was conducted by the CCAFU on the elements of diagnosis and therapeutic management of localised PCa, evaluating references with their level of evidence. The recommendations set out the genetics, epidemiology and diagnostic methods of PCa, as well as the concepts of screening and early detection. MRI, the reference imaging test for localised cancer, is recommended before prostate biopsies are performed. Molecular imaging is an option for extension assessment. The transperineal route reduces the risk of infection. Active surveillance is the standard treatment for tumours with a low risk of progression. Therapeutic methods are described in detail, and recommended according to the clinical situation. This update of French recommendations should help to improve the management of localised PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections has increased worldwide, attracting attention in routine diagnostic settings, particularly among patients with suspected tuberculosis. This study aimed to acquire knowledge of NTM infections in patients with suspected tuberculosis and to evaluate the genetic diversity of the strains. Methods: In this study, 230 clinical specimens were collected from suspected tuberculosis patients. Following decontamination with N-Acetyl-L-cysteine–sodium hydroxide (NALC-NaOH), the sediments of specimens were inoculated onto Löwenstein–Jensen medium and then incubated at 37°C for 8 weeks. The samples that yielded positive cultures were evaluated through the sequencing of conserved fragments of IS6110 and hsp65. For those samples that were not identified as part of the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) by IS6110 PCR, further analysis was conducted via PCR to detect fragments of the hsp65 gene. Results: Twenty-one NTM species were isolated from 230 clinical specimens (14 NTM from pulmonary specimens and 7 from extrapulmonary specimens). Among these, 12 (57.14%) were rapid-growing mycobacteria (RGM), and 9 (42.85%) were slow-growing mycobacteria (SGM). No M. avium complex (MAC) was identified in any of the specimens. Notably, the M. kansasii , M. gordonae , and M. abscessus strains presented significant genetic diversity. Conclusions: The prevalence of infections attributed to nontuberculous species surpasses that attributed to tuberculosis. These findings underscore the importance of exploring NTM species in individuals suspected of having TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, recently better recognised as Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, is the most prevalent form of chronic liver disease at present time. It is estimated to impact 32% of the world's population, hence representing a significant health burden. Aim of the work: To assess the significance of plasma Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) levels in the diagnosis and prognosis of NAFLD patients. Patients and methods: In this retrospective case–control study we recruited 102 subjects aged between 18 and 70 years. The included participants were split into two study groups. Group I: 51 NAFLD patients (61% men, 39% females) and Group II: 51 healthy controls (51% men and 49% females), for whom plasma LCN2 levels were assessed and correlated with NAFLD fibrosis score, FIB4 and fatty liver index. Results: In this study, LCN2 levels in NAFLD patients were significantly greater compared to individuals in the control group (p < 0.001), with a mean of 1893.214 ± 1002.852 ng/dL in the cases and a mean of 466.020 ± 397.699 ng/dL in the controls. This suggests the use of LCN2 as a possible diagnostic marker of NAFLD. The mean LCN2 levels in this study also significantly increased as the grade of fatty liver increased from I to III (p < 0.001). This in turn proposes the use of LCN2 as a prognostic marker for NAFLD progression. LCN2 also significantly correlated with the fatty liver index and NAFLD Fibrosis scoring systems, but not with Fib-4. With an area under the ROC of 0.906, it demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance with 84% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 89.6% PPV and 85.2% NPV for the prediction of NAFLD patients. Conclusion: Lipocalin-2 performs as a diagnostic and a possible prognostic marker for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Contexte: L'évolution de la prise en charge de la maladie de Crohn (MC) rend l'existence de recommandations pour pratique clinique en France nécessaire. Méthode: Les présentes recommandations ont été réalisées selon une méthodologie validée par la Haute Autorité de Santé, d'adaptation des recommandations pour la pratique clinique émanant des sociétés savantes internationales et des travaux de consensus français. Résultats: À l'initiative de la commission éducative du Groupe d'Etudes Thérapeutiques des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif (GETAID) et en collaboration avec des experts de l'Association Nationale des Hépato-gastroentérologues des Hôpitaux généraux (ANGH) et du Club de Réflexion des Cabinets et Groupes d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie (CREGG), des recommandations de pratique clinique ont été rédigées par 17 membres du GETAID, puis revues par 7 experts, gradées selon leur niveau d'évidence et selon le degré d'accord puis votées par 31 experts. Au cours de ces recommandations, les situations suivantes ont été abordées : définition, diagnostic, scores, examens complémentaires, induction de la rémission et traitement post-opératoire, maintien de la rémission et monitoring, MC compliquée (sténose, fistule). Conclusion: Des recommandations de pratique clinique sont désormais disponibles pour le diagnostic et la prise en charge de la MC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary incontinence is a common complaint of both general practitioners and specialists. An accurate basic diagnosis with a structured medical history and bladder diary, urine analysis, gynaecological examination including pelvic floor assessment and a full bladder cough test can be supplemented by sonography, cystoscopy and urodynamic testing. This will help to differentiate between the different types of urinary Incontinence, such as urge Incontinence, stress Incontinence and overflow incontinence. Treatment should be based on the type of urinary incontinence. Conservative treatments such as pelvic floor physiotherapy and pessaries can be supplemented by electrical stimulation for OAB and overflow incontinence, and various procedures such as TVT or bulking agents for stress Incontinence, sacral neurostimulation for OAB and overflow incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The tumor microenvironment makes the tumor difficult to treat, favoring drug resistance and the formation of metastases, resulting in death. Methods: Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles have shown great capacity to be used as a powerful strategy for cancer treatment, diagnostic, as well as theranostic. Nanocarriers are not only able to respond to internal stimuli such as oxidative stress, weakly acidic pH, high temperature, and the high expression of particular enzymes, but also to external stimuli such as light and paramagnetic characteristics to be exploited. Results: In this work, stimulus-responsive nanocarriers functionalized with arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (Arg-Gly-Asp) sequence as well as mimetic sequences with the capability to recognize integrin receptors are analyzed. Conclusions: This review highlights the progress that has been made in the development of new nanocarriers, capable of responding to endogenous and exogenous stimuli essential to combat cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The diagnostic methodology for depressive disorders, relying on symptom clusters, has inherent limitations in ensuring heterogeneity levels. Consequently, this presents a notable risk of inevitable diagnostic errors in mental health assessments. Therefore, advocating for objective diagnostic approaches through empirical testing in clinical settings becomes crucial for individuals dealing with depressive disorders. This study aims to identify the effectiveness of urine as a diagnostic support for depressive disorders using the N-Methylnicotinamide and Hippuric Acid biomarkers. Methods: This study used 13 urine samples from patients with depressive disorders and 13 normal urine samples. It used ELISA methods with observational analytic and cross-sectional designs. Results: The results showed that the N-methylnicotinamide biomarker had a relationship with depressive disorders with a correlation value of 0.867, while hippuric acid obtained a correlation value of 0.692. Besides, the N-Methylnicotinamide and Hippuric Acid biomarkers showed differences in the urine of depressive disorder and normal patients with significance values of 0.000 and 0.001 for the N-Methylnicotinamide and Hippuric Acid biomarkers, respectively. In addition, the Relative Operating Characteristics curve analysis showed that these two biomarkers had good sensitivity and specificity values in assisting the diagnosis of depressive disorders. N-methylnicotinamide has a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 100%, while hippuric acid has a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 84.6%. Conclusions: Significant differences in the biomarkers of N-methylnicotinamide and hippuric acid in the urine of depressed patients compared to normal patients. Therefore, these biomarkers can be the empirical laboratory methods to support the diagnosis of depressive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The OBJECTIVE: of this study was to analyze the use of rebound tonometry, as a noninvasive diagnostic tool, in arachnids. METHODS: 5 juvenile (yearling) female and 1 juvenile male curlyhair tarantulas (Tliltocatl albopilosus, previously Brachypelma albopilosum) were used to track estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures over a 9-month period of time. Younger, growing animals were selected as they are more likely than adults to go through multiple molts throughout the 9 months of the study length. An iCare TONOVET TV01 rebound tonometer was used to measure the estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures of the spiders. Measurements were obtained from the ventral opisthosoma, 1 of the thinnest areas of exocuticle throughout the body. Readings were obtained once per week from the ventral opisthosoma for the first 2 months, then once every 2 weeks for 1 month, then back to once per week for the remainder of the study. Additional measurements were obtained following each ecdysis, after a 2% body weight sampling of hemolymph, and at the end of the study to evaluate readings in response to induction of general anesthesia with 5% isoflurane gas and oxygen flow at 2 L/min for 10 minutes. RESULTS: The average of all estimated ventral opisthosoma pressure when spiders were not in molt was 26.19 mm Hg (SD, 3.54), with a statistically significant decrease postmolt to an average of 15.31 mm Hg (SD, 3.81), followed by a gradual increase back to premolt pressures over a 3-week period with an average of 22 days (SD, 1.93). Estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures decreased post hemolymph removal. There is not sufficient evidence that estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures changed over time following the anesthesia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates that tonometry can be used to generally assess the estimated ventral opisthosoma pressure, which could correlate with where a spider is in an ecdysis cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a frequent differential diagnostic consideration in patients with rapidly progressive dementia (RPD). Fortunately, in the last 2 decades there has been substantial cumulative improvements in sCJD biomarkers, particularly those based on imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interrogation. Brain MRI is a very frequently employed investigation in patients with RPD, often utilized quite early in the evaluation and thereby offering a potentially key role in prompting initial concerns for sCJD. Extant conventional MRI criteria for sCJD diagnosis are relatively stringent, requiring fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) or diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) high signal changes in 2 or more cortical regions (excluding frontal) or in both the caudate and putamen. Challenging these conventional criteria, a recent publication described improved sensitivity and unchanged specificity if MRI criteria were arguably less rigorous, requiring DWI high signal changes in only 1 or more of 7 discrete brain regions: frontal, parietal, occipital or temporal cortices, as well as the caudate, putamen or thalamus. The aim of the current study was to test the diagnostic performance of this proposed change in MRI criteria in the Australian context and compare it with conventional criteria, as well as 2 other stringent sets of criteria, predicting that a similar improved sensitivity with unchanged specificity would be observed when the proposed criteria were utilized. Sixty-five definite sCJD cases were compared with 63 age- and sex-matched controls. Radiological review of all MRIs applying the different sets of MRI criteria was undertaken by a blinded neuroradiologist, very experienced in CJD interpretation, with independent assessment of 71 MRIs performed by a second blinded neuroradiologist less experienced in sCJD imaging findings. Our study found the sensitivity of the recently proposed MRI criteria (92.3%) to be comparable to that originally reported (90–95%) and also equivalent to the conventional MRI diagnostic criteria (92.3%), while the specificities were also quite similar between the conventional MRI criteria (87.3%) and proposed criteria (85.7%), with the latter lower than previously reported. Negative predictive values and positive predictive values were also very similar between the conventional and proposed MRI criteria. Other MRI criteria assessed were associated with unacceptably low sensitivity for clinical use. Inter-rater reliability as assessed by intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) revealed moderate reliability for the conventional and proposed MRI criteria, modestly better in the former and when the frontal lobe was retained versus excluded in comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For patients with pneumonia, the rapid detection of pathogens is still a major global problem in clinical practice because traditional diagnostic techniques for infection are time-consuming and insensitive. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a novel technique that has the potential to improve pathogen diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the microbiological diagnostic ability of mNGS compared with conventional culture and to determine the optimal time to test patients for pneumonia. Methods: A prospective study using data from June 2020 to June 2021 was performed at a tertiary teaching hospital in China. We included 56 patients from all adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were taken for simultaneous mNGS and conventional culture testing. Results: All 56 patients underwent both conventional culture and mNGS. Of these patients, 37 were diagnosed with severe pneumonia and 17 were diagnosed with non-severe pneumonia. The top three pathogenic bacteria detected by mNGS were Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Enterococcus faecium was detected more frequently in the non-severe pneumonia group (4 vs. 0, p < 0.05). The findings revealed that the detection rate of mNGS (84%) was superior to that of conventional culture methods (48%). Notably, the percentage of mNGS-positive BALF samples (46/56, 82.14%) was significantly greater than that of blood samples (27/56, 48.21%). The etiological comparison demonstrated that mNGS-positive samples, which received clinical approval, tended to be associated with a more normalized temperature, lower PCO2 levels, and a higher SOFA score than mNGS-negative samples (p = 0.022, p = 0.0.028, and p = 0.038, respectively). Conclusions: In this study, we discovered that the etiology of lung infections frequently involves multiple pathogens. The use of mNGS in BALF is instrumental for detecting nonviral pathogens associated with lung infections. Although the rate of positive blood NGS results is significantly influenced by various clinical factors, for patients suspected of having viral, Legionella, or tsutsugamushi infections, plasma mNGS could serve as a complementary diagnostic tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is one of the most important infectious diseases and a significant cause of death in cats. While the pathology of FIP has been well documented, there is little information on the hepatic lesions. The aim of this study was to characterize the macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical patterns of the liver lesions in cats with FIP. A retrospective study was conducted on 131 cats with FIP, of which 59 had histological inflammatory lesions in the liver and were immunopositive for feline coronavirus. Four major gross patterns were defined: perihepatitis (21/59); nodular with perihepatitis (18/59); nodular multifocal (13/59); and diffuse (7/59). Four histological patterns were observed: (1) random pyogranulomas; (2) random multifocal to coalescent caseous necrosis surrounded by pyogranulomatous inflammatory infiltrate, fibrin and cellular debris; (3) perihepatitis; and (4) random multifocal to coalescent caseous necrosis surrounded by neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Most cats had more than one histological pattern. FIP virus antigen was detected in macrophages in the pyogranulomas and around the necrotic areas. The diagnosis of FIP remains challenging, especially in cats without effusion. The liver can be considered a suitable site for biopsy when feasible. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been increasingly used for the diagnostic identification of neoplasms due to its ability to visualize the microvascularization of lesions. In the study of testicular abnormalities, the appropriate use of CEUS can improve the diagnostic accuracy of conventional gray-scale ultrasound and color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS). The purpose of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic performance of CEUS in testicular space-occupying lesions. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases was conducted from the inception of each database to November 16, 2022 for relevant studies. The required data were extracted, and the methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The diagnostic value of CEUS was assessed by calculating the combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio, and a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was used to conduct this meta-analysis. A total of six studies with 354 testicular space-occupying lesions were included in the analysis. The results showed that CEUS could provide additional useful information for the diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions, with a sensitivity of 0.92 (95% CI:0.82, 0.97), specificity of 0.91 (95% CI:0.80, 0.96), diagnostic odds ratio of 114 (95% CI:25, 528), respectively, and an overall diagnostic accuracy expressed as area under the SROC curve (AUC) of 0.97 (95% CI:0.95–0.98). Significant heterogeneity was seen in the sensitivity with I2 = 82.53% (95% CI:69.44–95.61). Subgroup analysis revealed that the proportion of infertile patients selected may be the source of heterogeneity. CEUS can be used to diagnose testicular space-occupying lesions more accurately and improve diagnostic accuracy when the conventional US cannot accurately differentiate the type of lesion. In particular, CEUS should be recommended for the identification of microscopic lesions so that physicians can provide patients with more appropriate interventions to avoid unnecessary orchiectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The role of serum total bilirubin (TB) in cancer has been a subject of controversy, as has the role of its subtypes, particularly serum direct bilirubin (DB). The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum DB levels and breast cancer, as well as to assess the diagnostic utility of serum DB in breast cancer. Methods: A total of 5299 patients diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province were included in the study, and 10028 healthy physical examination subjects were included as healthy controls. Logistics regression was used to investigate the relationship between serum DB and breast cancer, and the value of serum DB in the diagnosis of breast cancer was assessed by means of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The serum DB concentration in the breast cancer group was significantly higher than the healthy controls (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression results show that serum DB was an independent risk factor for breast cancer (odds ratio [OR]=4.504, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.200– 4.831). Subjects with a serum DB concentration in the fourth quartile had a higher risk of breast cancer occurrence compared to those in the first quartile after adjusting for age (OR = 7.155, 95%CI: 6.474– 7.907). The optimal cut-off value of serum DB for diagnosing breast cancer was determined to be 2.75 μmol/L, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.712 (95% CI: 0.703– 0.722). This value exhibited good specificity (77.0%) and negative predictive value (77.8%). Conclusion: Serum DB was identified as a risk factor for breast cancer, demonstrating good diagnostic potential for the disease. These findings suggest that serum DB could serve as a promising serum molecular marker for breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Blunt cardiac injury (BCI), associated with high morbidity and mortality, involves multiple injuries. With no widely accepted gold standard diagnostic test and molecular biomarkers still in debate and far from application in clinical practice, exploring specific molecular biomarkers of BCI is of great significance. The clarification of molecular biomarkers can improve the diagnosis of BCI, leading to more precise care for victims in various situations. Areas covered: Using the search term 'Biomarker AND Blunt cardiac injury,' we carefully reviewed related papers from June 2004 to June 2024 in PubMed and CNKI. After reviewing, we included 20 papers, summarizing the biomarkers reported in previous studies, and then reviewed molecular biomarkers such as troponins, Nterminal proBtype natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP), hearttype fatty acid binding protein (hFABP), and lactate for BCI diagnosis. Finally, valuable views on future research directions for diagnostic biomarkers of BCI were presented. Expert opinion: Several advanced technologies have been introduced into clinical medicine, which have ultimately changed the research on cardiac diseases in recent years. Some biomarkers have been identified and utilized for BCI diagnosis. Herein, we summarize the latest relevant information as a reference for clinical practice and future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy in the liver and is the third cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Surveillance with abdominal ultrasound should be offered to individuals at high risk for developing HCC. Accurate diagnosis, staging, and liver function are crucial when determining the optimal therapeutic approach. The BCLC staging system is widely endorsed in Western countries. Managing this pathology requires a multidisciplinary, personalized approach, generally with a multimodal strategy. Surgery remains the only curative option, albeit local and systemic therapy may also increase survival when surgery is not suitable. In advanced disease, systemic treatment should be offered to patients with ECOG/PS 0-1 and Child–Pugh class A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newborn screening (NBS) has been one of the big innovations in public health. It has grown over the decades, especially with the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry. However, it is likely to expand significantly in the coming decades with the introduction of genomic testing. Traditionally, in NBS, there has been a pattern of repeat testing for confirmation and follow-up diagnostic testing. This follow-up is critical as NBS is a screening program. This pathway is appropriate for low-cost tests, but if public health authorities are going to invest in high-cost screening such as whole-genome sequencing, they are likely to baulk at repeating these expensive tests in a diagnostic setting. Our study investigates whether screening-grade data from NBS can be transitioned into diagnostic-grade data using a panel of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) on a diagnostic specimen. These SNVs could be used to link the diagnostic specimen with all of the provenance requirements associated with routine pathology and the NBS genomic data. This strategy has large cost benefits and opens up the rapid use of NBS genomic data should a child present in an acute care setting and a genetic diagnosis is suspected. This approach will greatly speed up the confirmation of positive NBS results and reduce family anxiety due to delayed diagnostic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have emerged as promising tools for rapidly identifying patterns in large amounts of healthcare data to help guide clinical decision making, as well as to assist with medical education and the planning of research studies. Accumulating evidence suggests AI techniques may be particularly useful for aiding the diagnosis and clinical management of traumatic brain injury (TBI)—a considerably heterogeneous neurologic condition that can be challenging to detect and treat. However, important methodological and ethical concerns with the use of AI in medicine necessitate close monitoring and regulation of these techniques as advancements continue. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide an overview of common AI techniques in medical research and describe recent studies on the possible clinical applications of AI in the context of TBI. Finally, the review describes the ethical challenges with the use of AI in medicine, as well as guidelines from the White House, the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), and other organizations on the appropriate uses of AI in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) development and progression is unclear so far. This comprehensive study delved into the intricate role of MMPs in SKCM development and progression. Methods: RT-qPCR, bisulfite sequencing, and WES analyzed MMP gene expression, promoter methylation, and mutations in SKCM cell lines. TCGA datasets validated findings. DrugBank and molecular docking identified potential regulatory drugs, and cell line experiments confirmed the role of key MMP genes in tumorigenesis. Results: Our findings unveiled significant up-regulation of MMP9, MMP12, MMP14, and MMP16, coupled with hypomethylation of their promoters in SKCM cell lines, implicating their involvement in disease progression. Mutational analysis highlighted a low frequency of mutations in these genes, indicating less involvement of mutations in the expression regulatory mechanisms. Prognostic assessments showcased a significant correlation between elevated expression of these genes and poor overall survival (OS) in SKCM patients. Additionally, functional experiments involving gene silencing revealed a potential impact on cellular proliferation, further emphasizing the significance of MMP9, MMP12, MMP14, and MMP16 in SKCM pathobiology. Conclusion: This study identifies Estradiol and Calcitriol as potential drugs for modulating MMP expression in SKCM, highlighting MMP9, MMP12, MMP14, and MMP16 as key diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]