Diagnostic Properties Research Articles

Classification of acid sulfate soils and soil materials in Finland and Sweden: Re-introduction of para-acid sulfate soils

Established international soil classification systems have not properly accommodated acid sulfate soils (ASS) and soil materials in Finland and Sweden because: (1) in these soils some diagnostic ASS properties are too deep to meet the depth requirements, and (2) there is a lack of defined diagnostic soil classification criteria for acidic and potentially acidic soil materials that do not completely fulfill the diagnostic pH-criterion of pH < 4.0. In this paper, two new ASS materials are introduced with the prefix “para” for parasulfuric material (oxidized material) and parahypersulfidic material (reduced material). These materials have diagnostic pH-criteria of pH 4.0–4.5 and 3.0–3.5 (field-pH for parasulfuric material and incubation-pH for parahypersulfidic material) for mineral and organic soil materials (here defined as > 20% organic matter; peat and gyttja), respectively. The term “para-acid sulfate soil (para-ASS) material” is introduced for soil materials which may have a considerable environmental impact due to mobilization of acidity and dissolved metals. Because organic acids may lower pH to values below the established pH-value of < 4.0 for ASS materials, a pH of < 3.0 is used in the Finnish-Swedish ASS classification for organic soil materials. These changes and new additions to existing diagnostic ASS materials have consequently also led to a slight modification of the required field-pH values of the existing terms “hypersulfidic material” and “sulfuric material”. The Finnish-Swedish ASS classification further includes a systematic way for classification of the entire soil profile and no depth requirements for diagnostic ASS materials are present; what matters is the current or potential environmental impact that the soil has or may have. It is proposed that the Finnish-Swedish ASS classification may serve as a framework for establishing a unified ASS classification globally and that the new diagnostic ASS materials are included in relevant international soil classification systems.

Optic nerve topography in multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria: Existing knowledge and future directions.

Current diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) do not consider the optic nerve as a typical topography for establishing the diagnosis. Recent studies have proved the utility of optic nerve magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography and visual evoked potentials in detecting optic nerve lesions during the early stages of MS. In addition, emerging evidence supports the inclusion of optic nerve topography as a fifth region to fulfil the dissemination in space criteria. Anticipating a modification in the McDonald criteria, it is crucial for neurologists to familiarize with the diagnostic properties of each test in detecting optic nerve lesions and understand how to incorporate them into the MS diagnostic process. Therefore, the objective of this article is to review the existing evidence supporting the use of these tests in the diagnostic process of MS and provide a practical algorithm that can serve as a valuable guide for clinical practice.

Screening for Dyslexia in University Students: a Standardized Procedure Based on Conditional Inference Trees.

The focus of this study is on providing tools to enable researchers and practitioners to screen for dyslexia in adults entering university. The first aim is to validate and provide diagnostic properties for a set of seven tests including a 1-min word reading test, a 2-min pseudoword reading test, a phonemic awareness test, a spelling test, the Alouette reading fluency test, a connected-text reading fluency test, and the self-report Adult Reading History Questionnaire (ARHQ). The second, more general, aim of this study was to devise a standardized and confirmatory procedure for dyslexia screening from a subset of the initial seven tests. We used conditional inference tree analysis, a supervised machine learning approach to identify the most relevant tests, cut-off scores, and optimal order of test administration. A combined sample of 60 university students with dyslexia (clinical validation group) and 65 university students without dyslexia (normative group) provided data to determine the diagnostic properties of these tests including sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off scores. Results showed that combinations of four tests (ARHQ, text reading fluency, phonemic awareness, pseudoword reading) and their relative conditional cut-off scores optimize powerful discriminatory screening procedures for dyslexia, with an overall classification accuracy of approximately 90%. The novel use of the conditional inference tree methodology explored in the present study offered a way of moving toward a more efficient screening battery using only a subset of the seven tests examined. Both clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring in parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism: a protocol for a network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (iPTH) monitoring is standard-of-care in the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism. It involves real-time determination of circulating PTH levels to guide parathyroid gland excision. There exists several iPTH monitoring criteria, such as the Miami criteria, and a lack of standardization in the timing of post-parathyroid gland excision samples. We present a protocol of a systematic review and network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy to identify the iPTH criteria and post-gland excision timepoint that best predicts surgical cure in hyperparathyroidism. The database search strategy will be developed in conjunction with a librarian specialist. We will perform a search of Medline (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), CINAHL, Cochrane Collaboration, and Web of Science from 1990-present. Studies will be eligible if they include adult patients diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism who undergo parathyroidectomy with iPTH monitoring. We will only include studies that report diagnostic test properties for iPTH criteria and/or post-excision sampling timepoints. All screening, full-text review, data extraction, and critical appraisal will be performed in duplicate. Critical appraisal will be performed using QUADAS-2 instrument. A descriptive analysis will present study and critical appraisal characteristics. We will perform evaluation of between-study heterogeneity using I2 and Cochrane Q and where applicable, we will perform sensitivity analysis. Our network meta-analysis will include Bayesian hierarchical framework with random effects using multiple models. Ethics approval is not required. This proposed systematic review will utilize a novel Bayesian network meta-analysis model to help standardize iPTH monitoring in hyperparathyroidism, thereby optimizing patient outcomes and healthcare expenditures.

Quality assessment of radiomics models in carotid plaque: a systematic review.

Although imaging techniques provide information about the morphology and stability of carotid plaque, they are operator dependent and may miss certain subtleties. A variety of radiomics models for carotid plaque have recently been proposed for identifying vulnerable plaques and predicting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The purpose of this review was to assess the risk of bias, reporting, and methodological quality of radiomics models for carotid atherosclerosis plaques. A systematic search was carried out to identify available literature published in PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to March 2023. Studies that developed and/or validated machine learning models based on radiomics data to identify and/or predict unfavorable cerebral and cardiovascular events in carotid plaque were included. The basic information of each piece of included literature was identified, and the reporting quality, risk of bias, and radiomics methodology quality were assessed according the TRIPOD (Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis) checklist, the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST), and the radiomics quality score (RQS), respectively. A total of 2,738 patients from 19 studies were included. The mean overall TRIPOD adherence rate was 66.1% (standard deviation 12.8%), with a range of 45-87%. All studies had a high overall risk of bias, with the analysis domain being the most common source of bias. The mean RQS was 9.89 (standard deviation 5.70), accounting for 27.4% of the possible maximum value of 36. The mean area under the curve for diagnostic or predictive properties of these included radiomics models was 0.876±0.09, with a range of 0.741-0.989. Radiomics models may have value in the assessment of carotid plaque, the overall scientific validity and reporting quality of current carotid plaque radiomics reports are still lacking, and many barriers must be overcome before these models can be applied in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the Predictive Role of Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Mean Platelet Volume in Preterm Deliveries: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Preterm birth is associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Identifying women at risk for preterm labour early in pregnancy may improve pregnancy outcomes. Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) can be helpful in predicting preterm labour, as infection is an important factor in early preterm deliveries, with immunity playing a key role in preterm labour. Aim: To evaluate the predictive role of the NLR and MPV in preterm deliveries. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care and research hospital from August 2022 to October 2023. Haematological and clinical data were retrieved for preterm deliveries (n=79, group I) and term deliveries (n=151, group II). The two groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, obstetric and laboratory findings, including maternal age, gravida, parity, birth weight, NLR, MPV, and haemoglobin levels. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the mean values among different groups. Categorical values were evaluated with Pearson’s Chi-square test. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic properties of the tests. Results: The two groups showed no statistical difference in terms of demographic parameters such as the mother’s age (p-value=0.611), parity (p-value=0.798), and gravida (p-value=0.583). The NLR was higher in group I (5.8±5.01) compared to group II (4.3±1.75), and this difference was statistically significant with a p-value of <0.001. MPV was observed to be lower in group II (8.7±0.96) compared to group I (8.9±1.07); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p-value=0.128). The mean baby weight and mean maternal haemoglobin in group I were significantly lower compared to group II. Conclusion: In this study, the NLR value was significantly higher in patients with preterm deliveries compared to term deliveries. This study highlights the role of NLR as an emerging predictor of preterm deliveries and emphasises that NLR, obtained from an inexpensive and routinely conducted haemogram, has the potential to be used as an early indicator of preterm deliveries.

МОНОКЛОНАЛЬНЫЕ АНТИТЕЛА ПРОТИВ Mycobacterium avium В ИССЛЕДОВАНИИ МИКОБАКТЕРИОЗА ЛЕГКИХ

We used hybridoma technology to obtain 15 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to antigens of whole-cell suspension of M. avium. The isotypes and specificity of mAbs to mycobacterial and bacterial antigens were characterized. The chemical nature of the antigens/antigenic determinant recognized by the mAbs under treatment with proteinase K and metaperiodate Na and using extracted with ethanol and benzene M. avium suspension was investigated. All mAbs were purified by affinity chromatography and used in heterologous indirect two-site ELISA to determine diagnostic properties in the study of IgG antibodies in sera of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary mycobacteriosis or healthy donors. The presented method makes it possible to individually identify and take into account non-specific “natural” IgG antibodies of each serum under study (patent for invention No. 2794855). mAbs 1B11 showed diagnostic specificity in the detection of mycobacteriosis − 62.47% and sensitivity – 74.78%, 3E12 (anti-54kDa) − 88.89% and 52.63%, and 1H7G6 − 66.81% and 83.80%, respectively.

Ferroptosis-related genes are considered as potential targets for CPAP treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common syndrome characterized by upper airway dysfunction during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most frequently utilized non-surgical treatment for OSA. Ferroptosis play a crucial role in the physiological diseases caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia, but its involvement in the development of OSA and the exact mechanisms have incompletely elucidated. GSE75097 microarray dataset was used to identify differentially expressed genes between OSA patients and CPAP-treated OSA patients. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, STRING database, and FerrDb database were conducted to analyze the biological functions of differentially expressed genes and screen ferroptosis-related genes. Finally, GSE135917 dataset employed for validation. There were 1,540 differentially expressed genes between OSA patients and CPAP-treated OSA patients. These differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the regulation of interleukin-1-mediated signaling pathway and ferroptosis-related signaling pathway. Subsequently, 13 ferroptosis-related genes (DRD5, TSC22D3, TFAP2A, STMN1, DDIT3, MYCN, ELAVL1, JUN, DUSP1, MIB1, PSAT1, LCE2C, and MIR27A) were identified from the interaction between differentially expressed genes and FerrDb database, which are regarded as the potential targets of CPAP-treated OSA. These ferroptosis-related genes were mainly involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis and MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, DRD5 and TFAP2A were downregulated in OSA patients, which showed good diagnostic properties for OSA, but these abnormal signatures are not reversed with short-term effective CPAP therapy. In summary, the identification of 13 ferroptosis-related genes as potential targets for the CPAP treatment of OSA provides valuable insights into the development of novel, reliable, and accurate therapeutic options.

Metanalysis of the Diagnostic Performance of Western Blot for the Early Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis

BACKGROUND: Congenital toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii a protozoa obligate intracellular parasite that appears after a mother´s primary infection occurs during pregnancy. The congenital infection can cause severe symptoms such as: hydrocephalus, intracranial calcifications, seizures, hepatosplenomegaly, and chorioretinitis, leading to irreversible neurological and ocular lesions. Its early diagnosis is critical to obtain good outcomes after treatment where the western blot is considered as the gold standard. Western blot discriminate antibodies for specific proteins of the microorganism enabling differentiation between antibodies transmitted by mother from those elaborated by the newborn (compared immunological profiles) and can be obtained commercially or be elaborated by the clinical laboratory test (“house made”). However, there is not metanalysis about the diagnostic properties of the test that can support evidence-based recommendations for its use. METHODS: The research terms used were: “congenital toxoplasmosis” and “western blot”. Databases for bibliographic searches were PubMed and Scopus, without restriction of date or language. Selection criteria were studies of evaluation of the diagnostic performance of western blot assay that included newborn with a definitive diagnosis of congenital infection by Toxoplasma according to the European network case definition (IgG anti-Toxoplasma persistent at 10 months of age) and controls that were defined by IgG antibodies that disappears in the serum of children in absence of treatment before six months of age. Screening and literature selection was done by the four researchers and disagreement were settled by reaching a consensus by discussion with mentor to avoid the erroneous exclusion of eligible articles. The PRISMA statement (http://www.prisma-statement.org/) was followed for quality assessment of the manuscript. The data were organized in an evidence table matrix, and sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) index were calculated. RESULTS: Of 44 articles related to the search terms were found in literature databases, 10 fulfill criteria to be included in the metanalysis. The sensitivity obtained was 93.8 (95 CI: 79.2-98.4) and the specificity of 96.6% (95 CI: 89.8-98.9). However, heterogeneity was observed between the studies. Causes for heterogeneity were the different methods to elaborate the western blot assay. Commercial methods showed better performance that homemade methods. The results suggest that better accuracy can be obtained by using standardized commercial test. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the meta-analysis supports the use of the Western Blot test as an effective method for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis in terms of sensitivity and specificity. However, further research is needed to establish more accuracy regarding sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis in different settings by using well standardized assays.

Blood pressure measurement and adverse pregnancy outcomes: A cohort study testing blood pressure variability and alternatives to 140/90 mmHg.

To examine the association with adverse pregnancy outcomes of: (1) American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association blood pressure (BP) thresholds, and (2) visit-to-visit BP variability (BPV), adjusted for BP level. An observational study. Analysis of data from the population-based UK Southampton Women's Survey (SWS). 3003 SWS participants. Generalised estimating equations were used to estimate crude and adjusted relative risks (RRs) of adverse pregnancy outcomes by BP thresholds, and by BPV (as standard deviation [SD], average real variability [ARV] and variability independent of the mean [VIM]). Likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated to evaluate diagnostic test properties, for BP at or above a threshold, compared with those below. Gestational hypertension, severe hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. A median of 11 BP measurements were included per participant. For BP at ≥20 weeks' gestation, higher BP was associated with more adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, only BP <140/90 mmHg was a good rule-out test (negative LR <0.20) for pre-eclampsia and BP ≥140/90 mmHg a good rule-in test (positive LR >8.00) for the condition. BP ≥160/110 mmHg could rule-in PTB, SGA infants and NICU admission (positive LR >5.0). Higher BPV (by SD, ARV, or VIM) was associated with gestational hypertension, severe hypertension, pre-eclampsia, PTB, SGA and NICU admission (adjusted RRs 1.05-1.39). While our findings do not support lowering the BP threshold for pregnancy hypertension, they suggest BPV could be useful to identify elevated risk of adverse outcomes.

Validation of the European Cross‐Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) for the assessment of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease in Spain

AbstractBackgroundThe Cross‐Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) is a novel comprehensive neuropsychological battery developed from a multicultural approach. We aimed to validate the CNTB in patients from the majority population with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia stages, and Parkinson’s disease with MCI (PD‐MCI).MethodsThirty patients with AD‐MCI, 30 with AD‐dementia (AD‐D), and 30 with PD‐MCI were enrolled. Each clinical group had a specific healthy control group (HC) with no differences in sex, age, or years of education. We performed intergroup comparisons, ROC analysis, and calculated the corresponding cut‐off points based on Youden’s index.ResultsAD‐MCI showed lower scores than HC in those subtests associated with episodic memory and verbal fluency, while AD‐D also scored lower in executive function and visuospatial tests with large effect sizes. Participants with PD‐MCI showed lower performance in memory and executive function, particularly on error scores, with large effect sizes, compared with HC. While AD‐MCI showed lower memory scores, PD‐MCI had a lower performance in executive functions, comparing both groups. We found evidence of convergent validity with standardized neuropsychological tests measuring the same cognitive domains. Cut‐off scores were similar to previous studies conducted in other cultures.ConclusionsThe CNTB showed appropriate diagnostic properties and convergent validity in AD and PD, including the early stages of the disease. This supports the utility of the CNTB for the early detection of cognitive impairment in AD and PD.

Plasma p‐tau 181 outperforms FDG‐PET and plasma‐NfL in the diagnosis of biological AD

AbstractBackgroundTo compare the performance of plasma p‐tau181, plasma‐NfL and FDG‐PET in the diagnosis of biological AD.MethodWe included 787 participants (cognitively unimpaired (CU, n = 251), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 412), and Alzheimer’s dementia (AD, n = 124) from the ADNI database. Participants underwent measures of plasma p‐tau181, plasma‐NfL, CSF P‐tau181, [18F]FDG‐PET, amyloid‐PET and cognitive screening tests. ROC analyses were used to determine diagnostic accuracy of plasma P‐tau181, NfL and [18F]FDG‐PET using clinical diagnosis and core AD biomarkers (amyloid‐PET and CSF P‐tau181) as reference standards. We assessed whether plasma P‐tau181 and [18F]FDG‐PET diagnostic accuracies were significantly different with a bootstrap‐based test (pROC package in R). Second, correlations of [18F]FDG‐PET, plasma‐NfL, plasma P‐tau181 with P‐tau181 CSF, Aβ‐PET, and cognitive performance were evaluated. Correlation coefficients were compared via Cocor package, a statistical framework for comparing associations between intercorrelated measurements.ResultAcross the total sample we observed that plasma P‐tau181, plasma‐NfL, and [18F]FDG‐PET were able to identify individuals with CSF evidence of AD as well as participants who are amyloid‐PET+. In the MCI group, plasma P‐tau181 outperformed [18F]FDG‐PET and plasma‐NfL in identifying AD pathophysiology measured via CSF P‐tau181 (p = 0.0007), and amyloid‐PET (p = 0.001). We also observed that both plasma P‐tau181, plasma‐NfL and [18F]FDG‐PET were associated with AD pathophysiology measured by core AD biomarkers (CSF and amyloid‐PET). However, [18F]FDG‐PET was more closely associated with cognitive outcomes than plasma P‐tau181 and plasma NfL (MoCA: p &lt; 0.0001; MMSE: p&lt; 0.0001; CDR‐SB: p &lt; 0.0001)ConclusionThis study investigated the diagnostic properties of plasma P‐tau181 and two neurodegenerative biomarkers (plasma‐NfL and [18F]FDG‐PET) as well as their to identify biological AD. While plasma P‐tau181, plasma‐NfL concentrations and [18F]FDG‐PET were associated with AD pathophysiology measured by core AD biomarkers (CSF and amyloid‐PET), plasma P‐tau181 outperformed [18F]FDG‐PET and plasma‐NfL in identifying individuals with AD pathophysiology. However, we also observed that [18F]FDG‐PET was more strongly associated with neuropsychological assessments than plasma P‐tau181 and plasma‐NfL. Taken together, our study suggests that plasma P‐tau181 may aid in the evaluation of individuals by identifying those with underlying AD pathophysiology.

Targosomes: Anti-HER2 PLGA nanocarriers for bioimaging, chemotherapy and local photothermal treatment of tumors and remote metastases

Developing combined cancer therapy strategies is of utmost importance as it can enhance treatment efficacy, overcome drug resistance, and ultimately improve patient outcomes by targeting multiple pathways and mechanisms involved in cancer growth and progression. Specifically, the potential of developing a combination chemo&photothermal therapy using targeted polymer nanoparticles as nanocarriers offers a promising approach for synergistic cancer treatment by combining the benefits of both therapies, such as targeted drug delivery and localized hyperthermia. Here, we report the first targeted anti-HER2 PLGA nanocarriers, called targosomes, that simultaneously possess photothermal, chemotherapeutic and diagnostic properties using only molecular payloads. Biocompatible poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), PLGA, nanoparticles were loaded with photosensitizer phthalocyanine, diagnostic dye Nile Blue, and chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan, which was chosen as a result of screening a panel of theragnostic nanoparticles. The targeted delivery to cell surface oncomarker HER2 was ensured by nanoparticle modification with the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, using the one-pot synthesis method without chemical conjugation. The irradiation tests revealed prominent photothermal properties of nanoparticles, namely heating by 35 °C in 10 min. Nanoparticles exhibited a 7-fold increase in binding and nearly an 18-fold increase in cytotoxicity for HER2-overexpressing cells compared to cells lacking HER2 expression. This enhancement of cytotoxicity was further amplified by >20-fold under NIR light irradiation. In vivo studies proved the efficacy of nanoparticles for bioimaging of primary tumor and metastasis sites and demonstrated 93% tumor growth inhibition, making these nanoparticles excellent candidates for translation into theragnostic applications.

Early Detection of Depression in Parkinson's Disease: Psychometrics and Diagnostics of the Spanish Version of the Beck Depression Inventory.

Depression is one of the most disabling non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and requires proper diagnosis as it negatively impacts patients' and their relatives quality of life. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric and diagnostic properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-I (BDI-I) in a Spanish PD cohort. Consecutive PD outpatients completed the Spanish version of the BDI-I and other questionnaires assessing anxiety and apathy. Patients' caregivers completed the depression/dysphoria domain of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-D). The internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity and the factorial structure of BDI-I were evaluated, and an optimal cut-off was defined by means of the Youden index. The BDI-I proved to have a good internal consistency and was underpinned by a mono-component structure. Regarding construct validity, the BDI-I was substantially related to anxiety and apathy measures in PD. Furthermore, the BDI-I overall showed good accuracy with adequate sensitivity and specificity. The optimal cut-off point was defined at 10. We provided evidence of the psychometric and diagnostic properties of the Spanish version of the BDI-I as a screening tool for depression in Spanish speaking PD patients, suggesting its usefulness in clinical research and practice.

Novel Hybrid Silver-Silica Nanoparticles Synthesized by Modifications of the Sol-Gel Method and Their Theranostic Potential in Cancer.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conventional therapies lack selectivity and suffer from toxicity and drug resistance, leading to metastasis. To overcome these limitations, a new category of nanomaterials exploiting the tumor characteristics has been developed in cancer nanotherapeutics. Among them, pH, metabolism, and the disrupted architecture of cells can be exploited for theranostic applications. Such nanomaterials can be inorganic nanoparticles with silver ones and gain high attention as diagnostic, therapeutic, and antibacterial compounds. Silver has been linked with triggering the death of cancer cells via DNA damage due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during photodynamic therapy. Thus, improvement of biocompatibility, modification with targeted agents, and drug conjugation promote the use of silver nanoparticles. In this work, we managed to synthesize hybrid Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles via a modified sol-gel method by tackling the known etching of silver caused by ammonia by employing different bases of the sol-gel reaction. The bases used in the synthetic route were diethylamine (DEA) and triethylamine (TEA) and were monitored with silver nanoparticles individually from the absorbance peak of silver in the UV-vis region, showing no etching of silver in contrast with ammonia, which is usually used in the sol-gel method. Furthermore, we synthesized biocompatible nanoparticles with anticancer and diagnostic properties toward breast cancer cells and glioblastoma cells. The nanoparticles were characterized both structurally and morphologically. Their biological evaluation suggests minor toxicity toward healthy cells and red blood cells (RBCs). Also, the diagnostic potential of the hybrid nanoparticles was exploited by optical fluorescence microscopy. Therefore, we strongly suggest the investigation of such nanostructures as a dual platform for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer.

The bioindicator role of phytonematode groups in the assessment of the state of transformation of secondary forest ecosystems

The methodology for assessing the state of terrestrial ecosystems using diagnostic properties of soil microfauna remains underestimated in contemporary Ukrainian science. We have analyzed a significant amount of foreign and domestic literature to demonstrate the importance of this aspect in the overview article concerning the monitoring of natural ecosystems. Based on our own research results, we have shown the outcomes that can be achieved by utilizing the bioindicative properties of a specific group of organisms, such as phytonematodes. The fundamental principles and methodologies that should be applied, including using the functional characteristics of phytonematode complexes, have also been described. For evaluating the state of ecosystems, the most valuable information pertains to organisms that are widely distributed over a significant territory, have high population density, play a significant role in ecosystem functioning, and can rapidly respond to environmental changes. Organisms fitting these criteria can be considered bioindicators. This group of organisms is sensitive to natural or anthropogenic environmental transformations and can respond to them by altering their population density, distribution, or specific characteristics. Therefore, the use of soil animals from specific taxonomic groups as bioindicators has a long-standing tradition. Groups of soil invertebrates are integral structural components of natural ecosystems, together providing them with stable development and resilience. Assessment of the functional role of soil fauna in the ecosystem involves establishing the structural-functional organization of different groups of soil invertebrates, which differ both morphologically and functionally in the ecosystem and their impact on soil-forming processes. The use of soil nematodes as bioindicators is promising for evaluating the sanitary condition of forest ecosystems based on the indicator of energy utilization by trophic groups of nematodes, as well as for bioindication of soil quality based on the relative ratio of persisters and colonizers. The zoological method of soil diagnostics was established as a separate scientific direction thanks to the works of M.S. Gilyarov. This method is based on the presence of certain species of invertebrates in the soil and the analysis of the structure of their communities. Later, it found practical application in the research of forest ecosystems. Therefore, nematodes are an effective model group for the indirect assessment of the zoocenosis’ state.

Cytology Versus Molecular Diagnosis of HPV for Cervical Cancer Screening. Comparison of the Diagnostic Properties of Four Tests in a Rural Community of Cuenca Ecuador

Cervical cancer (CC) is considered a threat to women’s lives, which is why the WHO launched the 90-70-90 strategy, seeking to eradicate CC by 2030. Part of the strategy involves screening with highly sensitive molecular biology tests for HPV diagnosis to replace cervical cytology. The objective of this research was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of molecular biology tests, including self-testing for HPV diagnosis with traditional cytology. Methodology: A study of diagnostic tests was conducted in a rural parish of Cuenca, Ecuador. A total of 120 women participated. Each participant self-collected a vaginal and a urine sample and then a health professional performed a standard cervical smear for HPV molecular diagnosis and cytology. The latter test was considered the gold standard. All three samples were processed with the same amplification and genomic hybridization protocol for HPV detection (Hybribio) following the manufacturer’s instructions. Cytology was processed following the standard technique. Results: The sensitivity of vaginal self-sampling for the diagnosis of HR HPV reached 100% (CI 75.7, 100.0), and specificity 94.4% (CI 88.4, 97.43). Urine self-sampling had a sensitivity of 91.6% (CI 64.61, 98.51), and a specificity of 96.435 (CI 91.18, 98.6). Cervical cytology achieved a sensitivity of 41.67% (CI 19.33, 68.5) and a specificity of 85.19% (CI 77.28, 90.67) Conclusions: This study demonstrates that vaginal self-sampling and urine self-sampling methods have similar sensitivity and specificity compared to the sample taken by the health professional for molecular diagnosis of HPV. The sensitivity of cytology (Papanicolaou) was lower in relation to molecular biology tests for primary screening of CC.&#x0D; Keywords: HPV; vaginal self-sampling; urine self-sampling; health professional sampling; cytology, sensitivity and specificity.&#x0D; Resumen &#x0D; El cáncer de cuello uterino (CC) es considerado una amenaza para la vida de las mujeres, por esta razón la OMS lanzó la estrategia 90-70-90, que busca erradicar el CC hasta el 2030. Parte de la estrategia implica el tamizaje con pruebas de biología molecular de alta sensibilidad para el diagnóstico de VPH, que sustituyan a la citología cervical. El objetivo de esta investigación, fue comparar la sensibilidad y especificidad de las pruebas de biología molecular, incluyendo la auto toma para el diagnóstico del VPH con la citología tradicional. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de pruebas diagnósticas, en una parroquia rural de Cuenca, Ecuador. Un total de 120 mujeres participaron. Cada participante recolectó por sí misma una muestra vaginal y otra de orina y luego un profesional de salud realizó una toma cervical estándar para el diagnóstico molecular de VPH y citología. Esta última prueba fue considerada como el estándar de oro. Las tres muestras fueron procesadas con el mismo protocolo de amplificación e hibridación genómica para de detección del VPH (Hybribio) siguiendo las instrucciones del fabricante. La citología fue procesada siguiendo la técnica estándar. Resultados: La sensibilidad de la auto toma vaginal para el diagnóstico del VPH AR alcanzó el 100 % (IC 75.7, 100.0), y la especificidad 94.4% (IC 88.4, 97,43). El auto muestreo de orina tuvo una sensibilidad de 91,6 % (IC 64.61, 98.51), y una especificidad de 96,435 (IC 91.18, 98.6). La citología cervical alcanzó una sensibilidad 41,67% (IC 19.33, 68.5) y una especificidad de 85,19% (IC 77.28, 90.67) Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra que los métodos de auto muestreo vaginal y auto muestreo en orina tienen una sensibilidad y especificidad similar a la comparada con la muestra tomada por el profesional de salud para el diagnóstico molecular del VPH. La sensibilidad de la citología (Papanicolaou) es inferior en relación a las pruebas de biología molecular para el tamizaje primario del CC.&#x0D; Palabras Clave: VPH; auto muestreo vaginal; auto muestreo en orina; muestreo por profesional de salud; citología, sensibilidad y especificidad.

Evaluation of a miRNA-371a-3p Assay for Predicting Final Histopathology in Patients Undergoing Primary Nerve-sparing Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy for Stage IIA/B Seminoma or Nonseminoma

Patients with marker-negative clinical stage IIA/B seminoma or nonseminoma represent a therapeutic challenge, as 20–30% might harbor nonmalignant histologies. MicroRNA 371a-3p (miR371) may represent a biomarker with diagnostic and predictive properties in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). We evaluated the predictive accuracy of this biomarker in identifying the presence or absence of lymph node metastases (LNMs) in clinical stage IIA/B TGCT. In a cohort of 24 consecutive patients with marker-negative clinical stage IIA/B TGCT (n = 15 seminoma, n = 9 nonseminoma) serum miR371 was assessed 1 d before nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Histology revealed metastatic TGCT in 22/24 patients (91.7%), with positive miR371a findings for 20 of these 22 patients with metastases (90.9%). Histology revealed no malignancy in one patient and lymphoma in another, both of whom had negative miR371a findings. One additional patient with pure teratoma and one with a microscopic seminomatous LNM had false-negative miR371a findings. The miR371 assay had sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 50%. The positive predictive value was 100.0% and the negative predictive value was 75.0%. According to the data available, miR371a represents a highly reliable, personalized tumor marker for predicting the presence of low-volume retroperitoneal LNMs in marker-negative TGCT. miR371 has potential for inclusion in the diagnostic armamentarium for men with equivocal lymph nodes to facilitate avoidance of unnecessary treatment and the associated toxicity. Patient summaryOur study demonstrates that blood tests for the biomarker miR371 are highly reliable in predicting the presence of lymph node metastases in patients with stage IIA/B testicular cancer. For patients with equivocal findings, use of this test may help in avoiding unnecessary treatment.

Development of a fibroblast activation protein-targeted PET/NIR dual-modality probe and its application in head and neck cancer.

Purpose: The combination of near-infrared (NIR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging presents an opportunity to utilize the benefits of dual-modality imaging for tumor visualization. Based on the observation that fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is upregulated in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) infiltrating all solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we developed the novel PET/NIR probe [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286-ICG. Preclinically, the specificity, biodistribution and diagnostic properties were evaluated. Methods: Cell uptake assays were completed with the U87MG cell to evaluate the specificity of the [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286-ICG. The tumor-targeting efficiency, biodistribution and optimal imaging time window of the [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286-ICG were studied in mice bearing U87MG xenografts. HNSCC tumor-bearing mice were used to evaluate the feasibility of [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286-ICG for tumor localization and guided surgical resection of HNSCC tumors. Results: The in vitro experiments confirmed that [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286-ICG showed good stability, specific targeting of the probe to FAP, and the durable retention effect in high-expressing FAP tumors U87MGcell. Good imaging properties such as good tumor uptake, high tumor-to-background ratios (5.44 ± 0.74) and specificity, and tumor contouring were confirmed in studies with mice bearing the U87MG xenograft. PET/CT imaging of the probe in head and neck cancer-bearing mice demonstrated specific uptake of the probe in the tumor with a clear background. Fluorescence imaging further validated the value of the probe in guiding surgical resection and achieving precise removal of the tumor and residual lesions. Conclusion: In a preclinical model, these attractive [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286-ICG PET/NIR imaging acquired in head and neck cancer make it a promising FAP-targeted multimodal probe for clinical translation.

Anthropometric indicators as discriminators of high body fat in children and adolescents with HIV: comparison with reference methods.

Body fat assessment is needed in individuals with HIV. The objective was to identify the discriminatory capacity of the abdominal skinfold (ASF) tricipital skinfold (TSF), subscapular fold (SSF), calf skinfold (CSF), body adiposity index (BAI), body mass index, conicity index (IC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist circumference (WC), perimeter of neck (PN) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) for high body fat in children and adolescents with HIV, compared Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Descriptive study, cross - sectional study, with 65 children and adolescents with HIV by vertical transmission. Body fat was measured by DXA and ADP. Measures were measured by international standardization. The diagnostic properties for high body fat were assessed by area under the ROC curve (AUC). For boys, having DXA as a reference for fat, ASF (AUC: 0.920), TSF (AUC: 0.792), SSF (AUC: 0.766), CSF (AUC: 0.866), BAI satisfactory discriminatory capacity. With ADP as the reference method, ASF (AUC: 0.920), TSF (AUC: 0.921), SSF (AUC: 0.766), CSF (AUC: 0.901), BAI (AUC: 0.756) and BMI (AUC: 0.699) presented satisfactory results. For girls, having DXA as a reference for fat, ASF (AUC: 0.838), TSF (AUC: 0.842), SSF (AUC: 0.840), CSF (AUC: 0.887), BAI (AUC: 0.846), and BMI (AUC: 0.859) presented satisfactory discriminatory capacity. Assuming ADP as a reference for fat, ASF (AUC [AUC: 0.799], TSF [AUC: 0.825], SSF [AUC: 0.767], CSF [AUC: 0.897], BAI 0.788), were satisfactory. The ASF, TSF, SSF, CSF, BAI and BMI anthropometric indicators may be suggested as the most suitable for the detection of high body fat in children and adolescents with HIV.