Cut-off Value Research Articles

The seven-day cumulative post-esophagectomy inflammatory response predicts cancer recurrence

BackgroundThe relationship between postoperative cumulative systemic inflammation and cancer survival needs to be investigated. We developed an approach to the prognostication of postoperative esophageal cancer by establishing low and high cut-off values for the C-reactive protein (CRP) area under the curve (AUC) at 7 and 14 days after esophagectomy.MethodsOne hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients with biopsy-proven invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who underwent esophagectomies were evaluated. Postoperative CRP levels were analyzed for the first 14 days after surgery. The AUC on days 7 and 14 were calculated and compared with clinicopathological features and survival. The cut-off values for CRP at 7 days (CRP 7 d) and 14 days (CRP 14 d) were 599 mg/L and 1153 mg/L, respectively.ResultsThe patients in the low CRP 7 d group had significantly better recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), not that in the low CRP 14d group. The OS rates in the high CRP groups at PODs 1, 3, 10, and 14 were significantly lower than those in the low CRP groups. Postoperative complications were more common in the high CRP groups on PODs 3, 10, and 14. Univariate analyses revealed that pTNM stage, depth of tumor invasion, tumor location, lymph node involvement, and CRP 7 d were significant prognostic factors for both OS and RFS. The Cox proportional hazards model identified pTNM, tumor location, and CRP 7d as independent prognostic factors for the RFS and OS.ConclusionsEarly prediction of patients with postoperative complications, and adequate management will suppress the elevation of CRP 7 d and further suppress the CRP value in the late postoperative period, which may improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy.

Diagnosing myocardial ischemia of obstructive coronary artery disease using dynamic computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging: optimization of relative myocardial blood flow ratio.

To compare the diagnostic efficacy of different relative myocardial blood flow (MBF) ratios in computed tomography perfusion (CTP) for myocardial ischemia in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Between October 2020 and March 2024, patients with suspected or known obstructive CAD who underwent CTP + coronary computed tomography angiography and invasive coronary angiography/fractional flow reserve were retrospectively selected. Patients and vessels were categorized into ischemia and non-ischemia groups. The diagnostic efficacies of the three relative MBF ratios were compared in patients with obstructive CAD. This study included 48 patients (144 vessels). Notably, 34 of the 48 patients (70.83%) and 49 of the 144 vessels (34.03%) were considered to have myocardial ischemia. The area under the curve of Ratio-hi (0.944, 95% confidence interval: 0.893-0.976) was higher than those of Ratio-av, Ratio-Q3, and MBF-lowest; However, no statistical differences were found (P>0.005). The cutoff value for detecting Ratio-hi was 0.667, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 91.8%, 83.2%, 75%, 95.24%, and 86.81%, respectively. Relative MBF ratios, especially Ratio-hi, demonstrated excellent performance and exhibited greater robustness in diagnosing myocardial ischemia in patients with obstructive CAD.

12410 Intra-operative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring: Comparative Evaluation Of Sampling Sites And Assay Methods

Abstract Disclosure: R. Kwayess: None. S. Ajjour: None. M. Rahme: None. M. Assaad: None. J. Abbas: None. S. Jabbour-Khoury: None. R. Daher: None. E. Cavalier: None. O. Kreidieh: None. M. Chakhtoura: None. G. El-Hajj Fuleihan: None. Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder increasingly managed by minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) with intra-operative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring using 2nd generation parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay. Objective: Compare the use of central sampling versus peripheral sampling, and of 3rd as opposed to 2nd generation PTH assays’ performance. Methods: We collected preoperative baseline characteristics and laboratory values for consenting participants undergoing parathyroidectomy at our center. We then measured IOPTH levels from peripheral and central venous sites using 2nd and 3rd generation assays at various intraoperative time points. We calculated the maximal intraoperative PTH drop from highest baseline (pre-incision or pre-excision) at peripheral site and pre-excision at central site for participants who were normocalcemic at ≥ 6 months post-operatively. We used paired t-test to compare the mean % drop in IOPTH by 2nd vs 3rd generation assays, and peripheral vs central sampling. Results: Out of 88 participants enrolled, 63 had follow-up data at 6 months or beyond and normal serum calcium level (9.41 ± 0.43 mg/dL). Mean age was 56.16 ± 11.5 years, 77.8% females and 47.6% had osteoporosis or osteopenia. Pre-operative mean values were: serum calcium 10.94 ± 0.73 mg/dL, ionized calcium 5.6 ± 0.68 mg/dL, PTH 131.93 ± 120.1 pg/mL and creatinine 0.77 ± 0.19 mg/dL. The majority of patients underwent excision of one abnormal gland (79.4%). On average, 57.3% of patients had the highest PTH drop at 10 mins, 32.7% beyond 10 minutes, and 9.7% at 5 minutes, regardless of assay type and site. Median PTH decrements were 81% and 83.8% for 2nd generation assay, and 86.5% and 89% for 3rd generation assays, at peripheral and central sites, respectively. There was no significant difference in the PTH drop comparing central to peripheral sites using either assay. However, 3rd generation assays displayed a higher drop compared to 2nd generation assay, for both central and peripheral sites (p-value <0.001). Discussion/Conclusion: Our study shows no difference in % drop between peripheral and central sampling, using either 2nd or 3rd generation assays. Central PTH sampling is commonly used by surgeons because of ease of access, while applying the Miami criterion. However, the drop in median 3rd generation PTH level was higher compared to the 2nd generation assay, regardless of the sampling site. Our findings suggest the necessity of defining larger PTH drop cut-off values for 3rd generation PTH assay than the commonly used Miami criterion.

Comparison of a Scheimpflug imaging with other screening indices in diagnosing keratoconus and keratoconus suspect

Keratoconus (KC) is an irreversible blinding eye disease; therefore, early screening of KC suspects (KCS) is crucial for protecting patients’ quality of life. Scheimpflug imaging is a commonly used screening device in clinical practice. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of a Scheimpflug imaging device (Scansys) for KC and KCS and compared it with other Scheimpflug-based devices (Pentacam and Corvis ST). This prospective case-control study included 107 normal eyes, 72 KCS, and 57 KC. Scansys screening index Keratoconus probability (KCP) showed excellent performance in diagnosing KC at a cutoff value of 16.4 (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUROC] = 1.000), with 100% sensitivity and 98.11% specificity. KCP had a better KCS diagnostic ability at a cutoff value of 8.9 (AUROC = 0.813) than Corvis biomechanical index (CBI, AUROC = 0.764), reaching 67.61% sensitivity and 85.85% specificity. Pentacam screening index Belin/Ambrósio enhanced ectasia display deviation (BAD-D) showed the best performance with 92.96% sensitivity and 89.62% specificity at a cutoff value of 1.525 (AUROC = 0.970) in diagnosing KCS. Scansys provides accurate KCP parameters in diagnosing KC; however, the efficiency of diagnosing KCS should be further optimized.

Synthesized V7 QRS Amplitude and Oversensing Episodes in Patients With Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators.

Patients with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) experience an oversensing episode (OS) more frequently than those with transvenous ICDs. However, no established electrocardiography (ECG) parameters can accurately detect an OS. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of an OS in real-world clinical practice and the association of synthesized 18-lead ECG (syn18-ECG) parameters with an OS. We retrospectively included 21 consecutive patients who underwent S-ICD implantation and collected syn18-ECG parameters. We placed the generator in a deep posterior position and defined an OS as an inappropriate charging episode caused by cardiac or noncardiac signals. A SMART pass filter and two tachyarrhythmia zones were programed. The most frequent underlying heart disease was Brugada/J wave syndrome (n = 7). During a median follow-up period of 1188 days, an OS was observed in six patients (28.6%). The QRS amplitude in synthesized V7 lead (synV7) was significantly lower in the OS group than in the non-OS group (0.59±0.17 vs. 0.91±0.35mV, p=0.019). The optimal cutoff value of synV7 QRS amplitude was 0.61mV, with a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 83.7% for predicting an OS. Univariate logistic analysis showed that a synV7 QRS amplitude of <0.61mV was only associated with an OS (odd ratio, 20.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.66-241.72; p=0.018). In patients with S-ICDs, an OS was not a rare complication during long-term follow-up. A low synV7 QRS amplitude was associated with a high OS incidence.

7988 A Case of Spontaneous Pituitary Hemorrhage in Late Pregnancy

Abstract Disclosure: D. Poudyal: None. G.L. Prince: None. Background: Pituitary apoplexy (PA), caused by hemorrhage into the pituitary gland, is rare. The prevalence in pregnancy is also quite rare, with PA complicating 1 in 10,000 pregnancies. PA usually occurs in patients with pre-existing pituitary adenomas. Spontaneous pituitary hemorrhage (PH) causing PA in the absence of a known adenoma or other precipitating factors is less frequently described. Presenting symptoms of PA are non-specific and can pose diagnostic challenges, yet PA must be managed urgently and decisively due to the risk of life-threatening hormonal deficiencies that can ensue. Physiologic changes in pregnancy pose additional challenges in evaluating and managing patients with possible PA. Here we present a case of spontaneous PH during the third trimester of pregnancy in the absence of pre-existing pituitary pathology or known precipitants. Case presentation: A 31-year-old female, G2P1, with an uncomplicated first pregnancy, presented with acute-onset headache and vision loss at 36 weeks gestation. Her symptoms resolved spontaneously in 45 minutes. MRI brain without contrast showed hemorrhage within the left aspect of the pituitary gland, a mildly displaced infundibulum, but no mass effect on the optic chiasm. MRI brain obtained 1 year prior for headache was unremarkable. Lab work showed an 8AM cortisol of 19 ug/dL (Ref range 3.7 - 19.4 ug/dL), and a total T4 of 11.3 ug/dL (Ref 4.9 - 11.7 ug/dL). Ultimately, interpretation of her cortisol testing was limited by: elevated cortisol-binding globulin in the high-estrogen state of pregnancy, elevated cortisol production by an intact hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during the latter portion of pregnancy, and the lack of validated cutoff values for 8AM serum cortisol levels during pregnancy. In light of these factors and the risk of undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency (AI), she was treated empirically with oral hydrocortisone. Subsequently, she had an uneventful vaginal delivery, supported by stress dosing of her steroids. Postpartum, she had a normal 8AM cortisol level of 14 ug/dL, and she was noted to quickly begin breastfeeding without incident. Conclusion: PA remains a critical diagnosis that cannot be missed in patients presenting with concerning symptoms and signs, in order to identify and treat life-threatening hormonal deficiencies. Pregnancy poses unique challenges in diagnosing hormonal deficiencies such as AI due to normal physiologic changes affecting the HPA axis as well as other pituitary axes. Therefore, the benefit of empiric hydrocortisone treatment likely outweighs any associated treatment risk in cases with consistent symptomatology and radiographic findings. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Plasma procalcitonin and urine interleukin-8, neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin, and calprotectin in the diagnostic process of a urinary tract infection at the emergency department

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the usefulness of plasma procalcitonin and urine IL-8 (interleukin-8), NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin), and calprotectin for diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) at the emergency department (ED). MethodsIn adults presenting at the ED with UTI suspicion, biomarker performance was compared with that of routine diagnostics (urine dipstick, automated urinalysis). Patients with a urine catheter, leukopenia, or neither (standard) were analyzed separately. ResultsA UTI was clinically diagnosed in 91 of 196 episodes (46.4%) (standard: 29/67 [43.2%]; catheter: 46/73 [63.0%]; leukopenia: 17/60 [28.3%]; four patients had both). Procalcitonin did not discriminate between UTI and no UTI. Urinary biomarker levels were elevated in UTI episodes (median, µg/mmol creatinine: NGAL, 7.8 vs 46.3; IL-8, 6.1 vs 76.6; calprotectin, 23.9 vs 265.4); the three subgroups also had higher levels. Biomarker cut-off values (90% sensitivity) showed low specificity (range 20.8-64.9%) and moderate accuracy (58.6-75.4%). The biomarkers performed similarly to routine diagnostics, except for patients with leukopenia, who exhibited nonsignificantly higher area under the curve values. All urinary biomarkers correlated positively with urine leukocyte count. ConclusionPlasma procalcitonin could not accurately diagnose UTI. Urine IL-8, NGAL, and calprotectin showed no additional value relative to routine diagnostics, except a minor improvement in patients with leukopenia. These urine biomarkers seem to predominantly reflect leukocyturia.

8723 Glucose Metabolism Disturbances in Non-Classic Adrenal Hyperplasia (NCAH)

Abstract Disclosure: B. Domagała: None. A. Gamrat: None. A. Skalniak: None. E. Przybylik-Mazurek(†): None. M. Trofimiuk-Muldner: None. A. Hubalewska-Dydejczyk: None. Introduction: There is data reporting an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic complications in patients with NCAH. This is frequently attributed to glucocorticoid (over)use or misdosing. It seems that long-term exposure to increased androgens concentrations may also itself lead to diminished insulin sensitivity and increased risk of prediabetes and diabetes. Aim: The study aimed to assess the link between NCAH diagnosis and glucose metabolism disturbances. Material and methods: The study included 327 subjects (315 females and twelve males, median age 25 years) referred for a cosyntropin stimulation test due to the suspected NCAH. Serum 17-OH-progesterone (17-OHP) was assessed with an ELISA assay. The diagnosis of NCAH was confirmed if the initial or stimulated 17-OHP concentration exceeded 10.0 ng/mL. None of the tested subjects was treated with glucocorticoids. A history of preexisting prediabetes or diabetes was recorded. Anthropometric measurements were obtained to calculate body mass index (BMI). Fasting glucose was measured in each subject. Mann-Whitney U and Yates’ χ2 tests were used in statistical analyses, with p&amp;lt;0.05 as the cut-off value of statistical significance. Results: 62 patients (60 females, two males; median age 26 years) were diagnosed with NCAH; the rest of the tested subjects were considered the control group. Preexisting type 2 diabetes was recorded in ten subjects in the entire study group (6 of them were diagnosed with NCAH). There was no significant difference in the fasting glucose levels (p=0.08) and BMI (p=0.32) between subjects with and without NCAH diagnosis (median fasting glucose: 4.96 mmol/L and 4.86 mmol/L, respectively; median BMI: 23.82 kg/m2 and 23.26 kg/m2, respectively). Diabetes was significantly more frequent in patients with NCAH diagnosis (p = 0.004; power: 0.74). The median 17-OHP was higher in patients with diabetes compared to those without it at both 30 (12.25 ng/mL vs 3.25 ng/mL; p=0.003) and 60 minutes (14.93 ng/mL vs 3.95 ng/mL; p=0.046) after stimulation. Conclusions: NCAH seems to be linked to increased diabetes risk, even in glucocorticoid-naïve patients. It seems advisable to screen NCAH patients for glucose metabolism disorders. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Dosimetric Comparison and Selection Criteria of Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Adaptive Re-Plan in T3-4 Nasopharynx Cancer Patients.

Proton therapy requires caution when treating patients with targets near neural structures. Intuitive and quantitative guidelines are needed to support decision-making concerning the treatment modality. This study compared dosimetric profiles of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using helical tomotherapy (HT) for adaptive re-planning in cT3-4 nasopharyngeal cancer (NPCa) patients, aiming to establish criteria for selecting appropriate treatment modalities. HT and IMPT plans were generated for 28 cT3-4 NPCa patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy. Dosimetric comparisons were performed for target coverage and high-priority organs at risk (OARs). The correlation between dosimetric parameters and RT modality selection was analyzed with the target OAR distances. Target coverages were similar, while IMPT achieved better dose spillage. HT was more favorable for brainstem D1, optic chiasm Dmax, optic nerves Dmax, and p-cord D1. IMPT showed advantages for oral cavity Dmean. Actually, 14 IMPT and 14 HT plans were selected as adaptive plans, with IMPT allocated to most cT3 patients (92.9% vs. 42.9%, p = 0.013). The shortest distances from the target to neural structures were negatively correlated with OAR doses. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were carried out to discover the optimal cut-off values of the shortest distances between the target and the OARs (temporal lobes and brainstem), which were 0.75 cm (AUC = 0.908, specificity = 1.00) and 0.85 cm (AUC = 0.857, specificity = 0.929), respectively. NPCa patients with cT4 tumor or with the shortest distance between the target and critical neural structures < 0.8 cm were suboptimal candidates for IMPT adaptive re-planning. These criteria may improve resource utilization and clinical outcomes.

Rethinking cutoff values for the South OaksGambling Screen: Sex-specific insights andDSM-5 severity adjustments in Gambling Disorder assessment.

The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) is a commonly used tool for screening potential gambling problems. The SOGS score has been found to be correlated with the DSM-5 criteria for Gambling Disorder (GD). However, one of its main limitations is the high rate of false positives. Theobjective of this study was to establish more accurate cutoff points for the SOGS based on the DSM-5 criteria and severity levels, taking into account sex-specific samples. Additionally, we aimed to validate these cutoff points using external measures. The study sample comprised 4.516 patients (398women and 4,118 men) who sought treatment for GD. Of these patients, 4.203 met the DSM-5 criteria for GD, while 313 did not meet the threshold for GD diagnosis. The recommended cutoff value for the SOGS is eight for men (Sensitivity (Se): 82.9%, Specificity (Sp): 86.2%) and seven for women (Se: 85.6%, Sp: 77.4%). For moderate severity of GD, the cutoff points are nine for men (Se: 82.1%, Sp: 82.0%) and eight for women (Se: 86.3%, Sp: 73.3%), while for severe cases of GD, the cutoff point is ten for both sexes (Se: 83.0%, Sp: 56.7% for men; Se: 80.0%, Sp: 77.4% for women). These cutoff values are validated by evidence of worse psychopathological states, more dysfunctional personality traits, and risky behaviours commonly associated with GD. These findings support adjusting the reference values for the SOGS to eight in males and seven in females to enhance the classification of individuals potentially experiencing GD. The use of higher cutoff values has significant implications for clinical and research purposes, enabling a more precise assessment of the diagnosis and severity of GD.

Copeptin as an inflammatory marker in diagnosis and prognosis of neonatal sepsis

BackgroundCopeptin is an immediate biomarker of individual stress response; many life-threatening diseases are causing a high elevation of its concentration in plasma, such as myocardial infarction and cardiovascular shock. Moreover, copeptin is a promising marker in sepsis. We aimed to evaluate copeptin as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in neonatal sepsis for the early initiation of appropriate therapy and the prediction of mortality. A prospective case-control study involved 237 neonates (165 cases had neonatal sepsis, and 72 served as controls). Cases were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and followed up for symptoms and signs of sepsis confirmed by laboratory data: complete blood count (CBC), c-reactive protein (CRP), and cultures. Serum copeptin level by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was measured for all included neonates. We observed that the copeptin level was significantly higher in cases than control (3.51 ± 1.4, 1.61 ± 0.51 pmol/liter, respectively). The cut-off value of copeptin at which we can discriminate between cases and controls was above 2.065 pmol/liter. Among cases, copeptin was higher in early-onset sepsis (EOS) than late-onset sepsis (LOS) neonates, and there was a significant correlation between its level and all the following: age at admission, birth weight, gestational age, history of perinatal asphyxia, maternal chorioamnionitis, and premature rupture of membrane (PROM). Also, copeptin was strongly associated with CRP level and the poor prognosis of patients. Copeptin can predict the death of cases at a cut-off value above 2.995 pmol/liter.ConclusionSerum copeptin level can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in neonatal sepsis.

Risk factors for nonunion in femoral neck fracture patients with internal fixation: A multicenter (TRON group) retrospective study

IntroductionFemoral neck fractures (FNFs) are common in elderly individuals. When minimally displaced, they are typically treated with internal fixation. Nonunion is a complication of internal fixation of FNF, that sometimes necessitates reoperation. Radiographic parameters, including the Pauwels angle and posterior tilt angle, are risk factors for nonunion. However, these parameters are assessed solely in a two-dimensional context. We developed a novel radiographic parameter named the “Kindex.” This multicenter investigation aimed to identify risk factors for nonunion following FNF fixation and evaluate the validity of this index. MethodsThis retrospective multicenter study collected data from 939 FNF patients who underwent internal fixation between 2016 and 2020 at 11 facilities (TRON group). The following exclusion criteria were applied: age <65, insufficient data, and Garden Stage III or IV fracture. Patient data, including age, sex, BMI, ASA classification, alcohol and smoking history, and comorbidities, were recorded. Radiographic measurements of the Pauwels angle and posterior tilt angle at the time of injury were used to calculate the Kindex. Correlations between the Pauwels angle, posterior tilt angle, Kindex, and nonunion were evaluated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate independent risk factors for nonunion. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value of the Kindex, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. ResultsThe study included 594 patients (males, n = 151; females, n = 443; average age, 80.9 years). Nonunion was observed in 13 cases (2.2 %). While the Pauwels angle and posterior tilt angle did not show significant correlations, the Kindex exhibited strong correlations with both parameters. In the multivariate analysis, the Kindex and renal impairment were independent risk factors for nonunion (Kindex: OR 1.06, p = 0.015; renal impairment: OR 1.48, p = 0.021). In the ROC analysis, a Kindex of 50 was identified as the optimal cutoff value (AUC 0.72). ConclusionThe nonunion rate after internal fixation of FNF was 2.2 %. Renal impairment and the Kindex were identified as independent risk factors. The Kindex at the time of injury may serve as a novel radiographic parameter to consider when evaluating the need for internal fixation in FNF cases.

Idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting microspheres transarterial chemoembolization for intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma: safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the treatment of choice for the intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Doxorubicin remains the most used chemotherapeutic agent in TACE, although in vitro screening has demonstrated that idarubicin exhibits greater cytotoxicity against HCC. This study aimed to evaluate safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting microspheres TACE (DEMIDA-TACE) in intermediate stage HCC patients. Between September 2019 and December 2021, 31 consecutive intermediate stage HCC patients (96.8% cirrhotic) were included to this study. 2 mL of LifePearl™ microspheres (100 μm) loaded with 10 mg of 1 mg/mL idarubicin were used for treatment. The adverse events, objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), time to TACE untreatable progression (TTUP), median overall survival (mOS), and pharmacokinetics were evaluated. There were 68 TACE procedures performed. Adverse events grade ≥ 3 were noted after 29.4% procedures. The ORR was 83.9%, median PFS and TTUP were 10.5 months (95% CI: 6.8-14.3 months) and 24.6 months (95% CI: 11.6-37.6 months), respectively. Median OS was 36.0 months (95% CI: 21.1-50.9 months). Significant differences between patients achieving objective response (OR) and those with progressive disease were observed regarding idarubicinol and combined idarubicin-idarubicinol plasma concentrations at 72 hours post-procedure, higher plasma concentrations were observed in patients achieving OR (p = 0.014 and 0.014; cut-off values 1.2 and 1.29 ng/mL, respectively). DEMIDA-TACE emerges as a safe and effective method of treatment for the intermediate stage HCC with low rates of adverse events alongside high tumor response, favourable disease control and overall survival. Idarubicinol and combined idarubicin-idarubicinol plasma concentrations at 72 hours post-procedure may serve as prognostic factors for achieving OR.

Association between serum globulins and diabetes mellitus in American latent tuberculosis infection patients: A cross-sectional study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is predisposing to the development of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). An understanding of the underlying factors of LTBI-DM is important for tuberculosis prevention and control. This study aims to evaluate the association between LTBI and DM among the noninstitutionalized civilian population in the United States, focusing on the impact of serum globulins. We performed a cross-sectional study design using public data from 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, focusing on participants diagnosed with LTBI who were aged 20 and above. Weighted Wilcoxon rank-sum and weighted chi-square tests were used to compare group differences. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to assess the association between serum globulin and DM, with subgroup analyses and evaluations of nonlinear relationships. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the predictive power of the models. A total of 694 participants (512 DM and 182 nonDM) were included in our study and the incidence of DM was 22%. Higher serum globulin levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of DM, with a 21% increase in risk for each unit increase in serum globulin (odds ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [1.03, 1.43], P < .001). The relationship between serum globulin and DM was linear, and higher serum globulin levels were associated with a higher risk of DM, particularly in males (P = .043) and obese individuals (P = .019). The area under the curve for serum globulin predicting DM was 0.795, with an optimal cutoff value of 2.9. Elevated serum globulin levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of DM among individuals with LTBI, highlighting the potential role of serum globulin as a predictive biomarker for DM in this population. However, the specific mechanism between globulin and LTBI-DM needs to be further investigated.

Carbohydrate antigens Lewis a and Lewis b act as tumor markers cooperating with CA19.9 in the management of PDAC patients

BackgroundCA19.9 is the unique marker recommended for the preoperative staging and the follow-up of patients suffering from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) but up to 30% of PDAC patients maintain normal CA19.9 values and cannot be monitored in this way. Lewis a (Lea Galβ1,3[Fucα1,4]GlcNAc) and b (Leb, Fucα1,2Galβ1,3[Fucα1,4]GlcNAc) are antigens which are structurally similar to sialyl-Lewis a (Siaα2,3Galβ1,3[Fucα1,4]GlcNAc), the epitope of CA19.9. MethodsWe set an ELISA procedure determining the levels of Lea, Leb, and CA19.9 in the blood of healthy individuals or PDAC patients. Moreover, such antigens were also detected in cancer resections by immunofluorescence microscopy, and the levels of glycosyltransferase transcripts involved in Lewis antigen biosynthesis were determined by RT-qPCR. ResultsIn our cohort of 116 healthy individuals, the distribution of circulating Lea and Leb was similar to that of CA19.9, allowing us to set putative cutoff values for both antigens. In a cohort of 115 PDAC patients, the differential distribution with respect to the controls was statistically significant for both antigens (p < 0.001). Out of 37 patients presenting normal CA19.9 values, 15 patients presented Lea or Leb above the cutoffs. By immunofluorescence, Lea, Leb and CA19.9 were all detected in cancer resections and expression levels were heterogeneous among patients in terms of intensity, localization and diffusion. The levels of relevant glycosyltransferase transcripts were found to be heterogeneous between cancers of different patients and no association was detectable with the levels of any circulating antigen. ConclusionsThe concurrent quantification of Lea and Leb together with CA19.9 improves the management of PDAC patients.

Serum ACSL4 levels in prostate cancer patients and its relationship between patient prognosis: A prospective observational study.

In this prospective observational study, our objective was to investigate the serum levels of Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients and examine its association with other serum biomarkers, and the clinical outcomes of PCa patients. This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2019 to October 2021, including 103 cases of PCa patients and 101 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients who received treatment at our hospital. All patients had their serum ACSL4 levels measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before treatment. The clinical outcomes included age, body mass index, gender, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, tumor node metastasis stage, Gleason scores, and prostate volume and serum biomarkers were collected. All patients were followed up for 36 months, the overall survival and disease-free survival were recorded for all patients. All data used SPSS 26.0 for analysis. The phosphorus (P) and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in PCa patients compared to BPH patients. Furthermore, compared to the BPH patients, the serum ACSL4 and free prostate-specific antigen levels were significantly decreased while serum total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) levels were significantly elevated in PCa patients. Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between ACSL4 levels and free prostate-specific antigen levels, while a negative correlation was observed with P and tPSA levels. ACSL4 might serve as a biomarker for diagnosing PCa with the AUC was 0.747, cutoff value of 33.68 ng/mL, sensitivity of 70.3%, and specificity of 60.2%. Finally, we found that ACSL4, tPSA, and P were identified as risk factors associated with PCa patients. Our findings indicated that the serum levels of ACSL4 were significantly decreased in PCa patients compared to BPH patients. Serum ACSL4 could be used as a potential biomarker for early PCa diagnosis and prognosis.

Microarray-based evaluation of selected recombinant timothy grass allergens expressed in E. Coli and N. Benthamiana

BackgroundTimothy grass (Phleum pratense) is a significant source of allergens, and recombinant allergens are increasingly used for diagnostic purposes. However, the performance of different recombinant allergen production systems in diagnostic assays needs further investigation to optimize their use in clinical settings.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to analyze and compare the diagnostic performance of recombinant timothy grass allergens produced in E. coli and N. benthamiana using a custom-made microarray chip.MethodsRecombinant timothy grass allergens Phl p 1, Phl p 2, Phl p 5, Phl p 6, Phl p 11, and Phl p 12 were produced in E. coli and/or N. benthamiana. A total of 113 patient serum samples were tested to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, inter-assay variability, and correlation of allergen-specific IgE detection compared to commercial multiplex tests (ALEX and ISAC). Additionally, the prevalence of sIgE to these allergens was assessed.ResultsPhl p 1, Phl p 2, Phl p 5, Phl p 6 and Phl p 11 showed high or very high positive correlation in immunoreactivity with other commercial multiplex tests. Notably, Phl p 11 fused with maltose-binding protein (MBP) demonstrated high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity, with a 0.3 arbitrary cut-off value. However, a high intra-assay variation was observed. The study also assessed specific IgE prevalence to timothy grass allergens within the tested patient cohort.ConclusionsRecombinant allergens from both E. coli and N. benthamiana demonstrated strong diagnostic potential on the microarray platform, with Phl p 11 (MBP-fused) showing particularly high performance. High intra-assay variation highlights the need for further optimization in allergen formulation and microarray storage conditions. These results highlight the potential of recombinant allergens for diagnostic applications, despite challenges with allergen stability in microarray formats. Specific IgE prevalence to timothy allergens revealed a sensitization profile consistent with findings from multiple studies.Graphical

Study of blood eosinophils and plasma periostin as biomarkers for response of COPD patients to ICS/LABA treatment

BackgroundEosinophilic airway inflammation has been detected in up to 40% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients during stable periods of the disease, and increased sputum eosinophil count was associated with better lung function, more future exacerbations, and symptoms that responded better to treatment with inhaled and oral corticosteroids.The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship of blood eosinophils and plasma periostin with lung function changes related to ICS and long-acting beta2-agonist combination treatment in stable COPD patients for 3 months.MethodsThis prospective experimental study was carried out on 50 COPD patients with post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%. Patients collected from outpatient clinics of Chest Department Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta Chest Hospital, and Mansoura Chest Hospital from February 2020 to February 2022. Patients were subjected to complete history taking, and clinical examinations including general and local examinations and laboratory investigations (complete blood count to assess eosinophilic count, arterial blood gases, and plasma periostin) and spirometry were done for all patients pre- and post-treatment. All patients received 3 months of treatment with a fixed dose of combined inhalers of ICS and LABA, and then they were classified into FEV1 responder and FEV1 non-responder according to improvement in FEV1 at least 12% and 200 mL from baseline of 3 months of combined treatment with ICS/LABA.ResultsBlood eosinophil count had a significant positive correlation with smoking index (pack/year), negative correlations with FEV1% of predicted, FEV1 actual value (L), and FEV1/FVC ratio. Plasma periostin concentration had significant positive correlation with blood eosinophil count, COPD grade, and FVC actual value (L) and significant negative correlations with FEV1% of predicted, FEV1 actual value (L), and FEV1/FVC. Cutoff values of blood eosinophil count > 265 cell/µL, plasma periostin concentration > 15.747 ng/mL, and FEV1% < 40.5% were associated with posttreatment FEV1 response.ConclusionsCOPD patients with poor lung functions regarding FEV1/FVC ratio, FEV1 actual value (L), and FEV1% of predicted as well as high blood eosinophil count and high plasma periostin concentration are predicted to have FEV1 response with fixed-dose ICS/LABA combination treatment.

Rapid screening of prednisolone acetate adulterants in health foods using colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay

In this study, a rapid detection method utilizing colloidal gold immunochromatography (CG-ICA) was developed for the detection of illegally added prednisone acetate in health foods. Initially, the preparation conditions of colloidal gold solution were optimized. The optimal potassium carbonate dosage, antibody diluent type, antibody dosage, probe labeling time, blocking time and BSA dosage were determined. Technical analysis was performed to ensure that the established CG-ICA exhibited satisfactory color development and inhibition rates. Under optimized conditions, the cut-off value of CG-ICA was 250 μg/kg. The assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 100 %, a false positive rate of 8 %, and a false negative rate of 0, indicating high specificity for prednisone acetate. The results obtained from testing actual samples were consistent with those obtained using LC-MS/MS, thereby verifying the reliability of the developed method. This method offers robust support for the rapid detection of illegally added prednisone acetate in health foods.

Prognostic impact of fibrinogen in patients with resistant hypertension.

In this study, we investigated the long-term prognostic effects of fibrinogen levels in patients with resistant hypertension. A total of 266 patients with resistant hypertension who had serum fibrinogen measurements and 5 years of follow-up information were retrospectively included in the study. The patients were stratified according to their fibrinogen levels, which were then divided into tertiles. Clinical outcomes for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were assessed at 5 years. MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, a new diagnosis of heart failure, or hospitalization for heart failure and peripheral arterial disease. The incidence of MACE at 5 years in patients with resistant hypertension was higher in the highest tertile of fibrinogen. Multivariate analysis identified fibrinogen as an independent predictor of MACE in patients with resistant hypertension (odds ratio = 1.002; 95% CI: 1.001-1.004; p = 0.009). Compared to the lowest tertile, MACE was approximately 2.5 times higher in tertile 2 and approximately 6.9 times higher in the highest tertile. Fibrinogen was able to predict MACE in patients with resistant hypertension (AUC for MACE 0.662 (95% CI 0.596-0.727; p < 0.001) based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In the Kaplan-Meier curve showing follow-up without MACE (MACE-free) according to the fibrinogen cut-off value, the 5-year incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the high fibrinogen group (p < 0.001). Fibrinogen is a risk marker for MACE in patients with resistant hypertension. Antihypertensive therapy aimed at lowering fibrinogen levels may improve prognosis.