Diagnostic Value Research Articles

Does amide proton transfer-weighted MRI have diagnostic and differential value in ovarian cystic and predominantly cystic lesion?

This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging in distinguishing cystic or predominantly cystic ovarian lesions. 49 patients underwent APTw imaging at 3T-MR before surgery, with 20 volunteers serving as the control group. Participants were divided into the following groups: solid components of normal ovaries (Group A, n = 29), solid components of malignant lesions (Group B, n = 7), cystic fluid of follicles (Group C, n = 31), cystic fluid of benign lesions (Group D, n = 46), functional cysts (Group d1, n = 8), endometriomas (Group d2, n = 28), cystadenomas (Group d3, n = 10), and cystic fluid of malignant lesions (Group E, n = 12). Independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests and one-way ANOVA were used to compare group differences. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing between different lesions. For solid components, significant differences in MTRasym values were observed between Groups A and B (P < 0.001). For cystic components, significant differences were found between Groups C and D, C and E, d1 and d2, d2 and d3, d1 and d3, C and d2, C and d3, E and d1, and E and d2 (all P < 0.01). ROC analysis of these results showed high AUC values (ranging from 0.813 to 1.0), all P < 0.05. APTw can reveal differences in MTRasym values between normal and diseased ovarian tissues, demonstrating high clinical value in differentiating functional cysts, endometriomas, and cystadenomas, as well as distinguishing benign lesions (functional cysts or endometriomas) from malignant tumors.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare CMR imaging biomarkers between SLE patients and matched controls. Electronic databases were systematically searched from inception until November 2023. All studies reporting CMR imaging data in SLE patients were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. CMR findings of SLE patients were compared to that of matched controls. Clinical features associated with CMR biomarkers were collected in a qualitative analysis. A total of 64 studies were included in the systematic review pooling 3304 individuals including 1870 SLE patients. Of these, 19 case-control studies were included in the comparative meta-analysis (1576 individuals, including 884 SLE patients). Compared to controls, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (62% vs. 64%, p = 0.001) and indexed end-diastolic volume (77 vs. 72 mL/m2, p = 0.006) were significantly altered in SLE patients. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) extent was higher in SLE patients (LGE mass/total LV mass: 3.5% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.009). Native T1 and T2 relaxation times were significantly higher in SLE patients (native T1 [1.5 T]: 1005 vs. 982 ms, p = 0.02; native T1 [3 T]: 1267 vs. 1140 ms, p < 0.001; T2 [all fields]: 58 vs. 51 ms, p < 0.001). Three studies found an association between disease activity and increased T2 relaxation times. Two studies identified an association between clinical outcomes and CMR parameters. While CMR-assessed ventricular function and volumes only slightly differed in SLE patients when compared to controls, myocardial tissue characterization parameters were significantly modified and associated with disease activity. Question What are the diagnostic and prognostic values of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) quantitative parameters in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients? Findings Myocardial tissue characterization parameters are significantly altered in SLE patients and associated with disease activity. Clinical relevance CMR imaging demonstrates subclinical cardiac alterations in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Additional studies are required to further demonstrate the prognostic value of CMR in SLE.

Exploring and analyzing two aging related genes FPR1 and UCHL1 and their potential molecular mechanisms in aggravating lumbar disc herniation

The aim of this research was to investigate dysregulated pivotal genes in individuals with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and treatment targets for LDH. Key aging-related genes in LDH were identified through multiple methods. Two dysregulated key genes (FPR1 and UCHL1) were finally identified, showing high diagnostic value in both training and external validation cohorts. Dysregulated expression of these hub genes established a detrimental cycle in LDH by promoting inflammatory response, immune infiltration, and aging progression. This highlights significant pathological alterations caused by these hub genes in LDH pathogenesis. The current study developed a novel genetic signature associated with aging that accurately diagnoses LDH while characterizing biological alterations in patients with this condition. And this genetic signature holds promise as an indicator to assist clinical decision-making. Moreover, identification of FPR1 and UCHL1 as pivotal genes presents potential prospects for targeted therapeutic interventions for LDH.

Role of serum procalcitonin in differentiating disease flare and systemic bacterial infection among febrile children with known chronic rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional study

Objectives. To evaluate the role of serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic tool to differentiate bacterial sepsis from flare-ups during febrile episodes in children with known rheumatic disorders compared to other inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Methods. Previously diagnosed patients with known rheumatic disorders presenting in emergency or outpatient departments with febrile episodes were included in the study. Blood samples were collected upon admission to test for signs of infection, including serum PCT levels with routine laboratory and radiological tests. Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were stratified using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-27) and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) respectively. Patients without bacterial focus with high disease activity were included in the flare-up group and the rest in the sepsis cohort. The diagnostic value of PCT was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results. In the study (N=73), 41 (56.2%) patients were previously diagnosed with JIA and 28 (38.3%) had SLE. 38 patients had definite evidence of sepsis and 35 had disease flare-ups as per respective disease activity scores. There was a significant difference in PCT and CRP among the flare-up and sepsis groups. For detecting sepsis, the area under curve (0.959), sensitivity (94.7%), and specificity (74.3%) of PCT at a cut-off of 0.275 ng/mL were significantly better than those of CRP. Conclusion. PCT is a better diagnostic test than CRP or ESR during febrile episodes in differentiating flare-ups from infection and PCT &gt;0.275 ng/mL indicates bacterial infection with good specificity and sensitivity in children with low disease activity.

Diagnostic value of multi-tumor-associated autoantibody expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and correlation of clinical features

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of 7-tumor associated autoantibodies (7-TAAB) and to evaluate the relationship between 7-TAAB and clinical features in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which can be used to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment and achieve its clinical value.Methods(1) Blood specimens were collected from patients with ESCC who had not previously received antitumor therapy (ESCC group) and those who had normal medical check-ups in the hospital during the same period (control group). The concentrations of 7-TAAB (P53, PGP9.5, SOX2, GAGE7, GBU4-5, MAGE A1, and CAGE) in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of 7-TAAB were compared between the ESCC and control groups, and the positive rate of 7-TAAB was calculated to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 7-TAAB. The diagnostic value of 7-TAAB was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. (2) The clinical data of patients with ESCC were collected and the correlation between the rate of 7-TAAB and clinical features was analyzed.Results(1) The serum levels and positivity rates of five antibodies (PGP9.5, SOX2, GBU4-5, MAGE-A1, and CAGE) were higher in the ESCC group than in the control group (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and the positive expression rate of the combined serum 7-TAAB in the ESCC group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). (2) The sensitivity of single antibody detection was 4.20%–17.65%, with a specificity of 96.49%–100%, and accuracy of 51.07%–57.94%. The sensitivity of 7-TAAB combined detection was 49.58%, the specificity was 92.98%, and the accuracy was 70.81%. (3) The ROC curve showed that the 7-TAAB combined test had a certain diagnostic value for ESCC and that its diagnostic efficacy was significantly higher than that of the single autoantibody tests. The diagnostic efficacy of the combined test with the remaining five antibodies (PGP9.5, SOX2, GBU4-5, MAGE-A1, and CAGE) was similar to that of the 7-TAAB combined test after eliminating the two antibodies with low expression rates. (4) Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in the positive expression rates of the 7-TAAB combination test in terms of age, hemoglobin level, albumin level, tumor location, tumor length, lymph node stage, and tumor clinical stage (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and multivariate analysis revealed that age and lymph node stage were independent factors affecting antibody expression.ConclusionThe multi-tumor-associated autoantibody combination test not only has a good auxiliary diagnostic value but also closely correlates with the clinical features of ESCC.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of heparin-binding protein in cerebrospinal fluid for patients with intracranial infections

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of heparin-binding protein (HBP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for patients with intracranial infections.MethodsThis study included 211 subjects, of whom 138 were diagnosed with intracranial infections, 20 were patients with non-infectious inflammatory encephalopathies, and 53 controls who were eventually excluded from intracranial infections and inflammatory encephalopathies. The levels of HBP and procalcitonin (PCT) in CSF were detected in the subjects, and the diagnostic value of CSF HBP and PCT for intracranial infections was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In addition, CSF HBP levels in patients with intracranial infections were dynamically monitored on days 1, 5, and 9 post-treatment.ResultsThe levels of HBP in CSF were significantly higher in the infection group compared to both the non-infectious inflammatory encephalopathy group and the control group. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CSF HBP in diagnosing intracranial infection was 0.916 (95% CI 0.870-0.950), which was significantly higher than that of CSF PCT (AUC: 0.543, 95% CI 0.474-0.612). Furthermore, the combination of CSF HBP and white blood cell (WBC) counts exhibited a significantly higher AUC of 0.957 (95% CI 0.920-0.980) compared to HBP alone (P<0.05). The AUC for the combination of CSF HBP and PCT was 0.920 (95% CI 0.875-0.953). In addition, elevated concentrations of CSF HBP were observed in patients with bacterial infections and positive microbiological results (P<0.05). Following treatment, CSF HBP levels in patients with intracranial infections showed a significant decrease from day 1 to day 9.ConclusionsThe level of HBP in CSF serves as a reliable diagnostic marker for identifying intracranial infections, particularly aiding in the identification of bacterial infections. In addition, they can be used as a valuable tool for monitoring the severity and prognosis of intracranial infection.

Machine learning reveals CAT gene as a novel potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents one of the most prevalent forms of lung cancer, with a five-year survival rate of 21.7%. There is an urgent need to identify pertinent biomarkers to inform the diagnosis and prognosis of tumors, particularly those that can be applied to different age groups. Herein, we would apply machine learning methods to specifically analyze the issue of biomarker applicability across different age groups in NSCLC.MethodsStudies have shown a higher incidence of NSCLC in people over 40 years of age, and due to the limitations of data set, studies of individuals under 40 years of age were not included in this study. To simulate the human aging model as closely as possible, we gathered corresponding non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples from the UCSC Xena database based on patient age information. These samples were then categorized into three groups: 40–60, 60–80, and over 80 years old. Subsequently, we employed four machine learning methods—Random Forest, LASSO regression analysis, XGBoost, and GBM—to identify gene sets with significant diagnostic value for each age group. By taking the intersection of these sets, we identified the optimal gene and assessed its prognostic significance in NSCLC. Then, the diagnostic value of CAT gene was validated using global public databases, including the GSE32863, GSE43458, GSE68571, GSE10072, and GSE63459 datasets from the Americas, the GSE30219 and GSE102511 datasets from Europe, and the GSE31210 and GSE19804 datasets from Asia. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining was performed in an independent cohort from a tissue microarray. Additionally, cell culture and RT-qPCR were employed for external validation.ResultsThrough the implementation of machine learning methods, we successfully identified the catalase (CAT) gene. Our analysis revealed that individuals with high expression of the CAT gene experienced improved survival rates. Additionally, these individuals exhibited elevated immune scores. We further discovered that the CAT gene synergizes with multiple components of neutrophils, including TLRs, FcRn, and the selective GEF of Rho-family GTPases. In addition, we identified a potential immune checkpoint, TNFSF15, which is applicable to the human aging model. Finally, we validated the CAT gene's diagnostic value using databases encompassing the Americas, Europe, and Asia regions. Through external RT-qPCR validation, we verified that CAT expression in BEAS-2B was higher than that of A549. In an independent human cohort, we also verified that CAT is lowly expressed in lung cancer tissues. In addition, higher CAT levels were associated with improved survival in the 40–60 and 60–80 age groups.ConclusionsIn our analysis of the NSCLC database, we pinpointed the CAT gene, which holds promise for potential diagnostic and prognostic applications in the context of human aging. Furthermore, it may offer insights into addressing age-related heterogeneity of NSCLC.

Diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound combined with magnetic resonance in different clinical stages of frozen shoulder: A retrospective cohort study

Background Frozen shoulder (FS) is a common musculoskeletal disease. Imaging plays an active role in the clinical diagnosis and staging of FS. Objective This study is undertaken to assess the application value of high-frequency ultrasound (HFU) combined with magnetic resonance (MR) in clinical staging diagnosis of FS. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. The medical records of FS patients (from January 2021 to February 2022, n = 100) were collected. Patients were categorized into stage I (n = 30), stage II (n = 35) and stage III (n = 35) groups. The diagnostic value of HFU-related and MR-related indicators was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The correlation between HFU/MR indicator and passive range of motion-related indicators was analyzed by Spearman rank method. Results There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, height, weight, and affected shoulder (left: right) among the three groups at different stages ( p &gt; 0.05). HFU and MR in combination had a higher diagnostic coincidence rate when compared to their single use (96.00% vs. 91.00% or 93.00%). There was high diagnostic value for inferior capsule thickness (ICT) (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.914, p &lt; 0.001, 95% CI (0.836–0.992)), glenohumeral distance (GHD) (AUC = 0.999, p &lt; 0.001, 95% CI (0.996–1.000)) and articular capsule thickness (ACT) (AUC = 1.000, p &lt; 0.001, 95% CI (0.998–1.000)) in stage I FS, for ICT (AUC = 0.947, p &lt; 0.001, 95% CI (0.885–1.000)) and GHD (AUC = 0.974, p &lt; 0.001, 95% CI (0.949–0.999)) in stage II FS, and for ACT (AUC = 0.989, p &lt; 0.001, 95% CI (0.975–1.000)) in stage III FS. ICT/ACT positively correlated with internal rotation (IR), and negatively correlated with external rotation (ER)/extension (EX)/flexion (FL)/abduction (AB). GHD had a negative correlation with IR, and a positive correlation with ER/EX/FL/AB. Conclusion High-frequency ultrasound combined with magnetic resonance can improve the accuracy in clinical diagnosis of FS, promote better staging of FS, and provide a more reliable basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment of FS.

Cardiac deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity have diagnostic value in patients with vasovagal syncope regardless of age

BackgroundDeceleration capacity (DC) and acceleration capacity (AC) are used to characterize autonomic regulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the autonomic nervous function in patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS) and to evaluate the diagnostic value of DC and AC for VVS.MethodsA total of 94 consecutive patients with VVS [51.0 (38.0–60.0) years; 48 males] and 76 healthy subjects [53.0 (44.3–62.8) years; 46 males] were recruited as controls. The study compared DC, AC, and heart rate variability (HRV) in 24-h ECG, echocardiogram, and biochemical examinations between the two groups.ResultsDC was significantly higher (9.3 ± 2.1 vs. 7.4 ± 1.4 ms, p &amp;lt; .001) and AC was lower (−9.3 ± 2.1 vs. −7.3 ± 1.3 ms, p &amp;lt; .001) in the syncope group compared to the control group. HRV indicators were higher in the syncope group. In multivariable analyses, DC [odds ratio = 1.746 (95% CI, 1.389–2.195); p &amp;lt; .001], AC [odds ratio = 0.553 (95% CI, 0.435–0.702); p &amp;lt; .001] were independently associated with syncope. Mean HR was associated with syncope only in patients &amp;lt;60 years of age. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves showed areas under curve (AUC) of DC/AC for predicting syncope are 0.755/0.765 with sensitivity of 56.4%/60.6% and specificity of 93.4%/88.2%.ConclusionPatients with VVS exhibit higher DC and lower AC. Both DC and AC are independently correlated with syncope. A DC value &amp;gt;9.0 ms and an AC value −9.0 ms could potentially be valuable indicators for monitoring cardiac autonomic nervous dysfunction.

Integrating bioinformatics and machine learning to unravel shared mechanisms and biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are on the rise. While there is evidence of a link between the two diseases, the pathophysiological mechanisms they share are not fully understood. In this study, the co-expressed genes of COPD and T2DM in Gene Expression Omnibus database were identified by bioinformatics method, and the functional enrichment analysis was performed. Machine learning algorithms were used to identify biomarkers. The diagnostic value of these biomarkers was assessed by receiver operating characteristic analysis, and their relationship to immune cells was investigated by immunoinfiltration analysis. Finally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed. A total of five overlapping genes were obtained, focusing on pathways associated with insulin resistance and inflammatory mediators. The machine learning method identified three biomarkers: matrix metalloproteinase 9, laminin α4, and differentially expressed in normal cells and neoplasia domain containing 4 C, all of which were shown to have high diagnostic values by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Immunoinfiltration analysis showed that it was associated with a variety of immune cells. In addition, the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results confirmed agreement with our bioinformatics analysis. Our study sheds light on the common pathogenesis and biomarkers of both diseases, and these findings have potential implications for the development of new diagnostic and treatment strategies for COPD and T2DM. Key message What is already known on this topic? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often coexist as comorbidities. However, the exact mechanistic link between the two diseases remains complex, multifactorial, and not fully understood. What this study adds? Three biomarkers, including matrix metalloproteinase, laminin α4, and differentially expressed in normal cells and neoplasia domain containing 4 C, were identified as key co-expression hub genes in COPD and T2DM. How this study might affect research, practice or policy? Future studies may benefit from incorporating a larger sample set to further explore and validate the diagnostic and therapeutic effects of these core genes.

Use of Whooley Questions and GAD-2 Tools in Screening for Perinatal Mental Health: Current Expert Considerations

Background/Objectives: Mental health screening of perinatal women is recommended as an essential element of routine maternity health care. Knowledge of screening conditions in healthcare settings as indicated by NICE is limited. This scoping review examines current expert considerations in the scientific literature on the use of Whooley questions and GAD-2 tools in screening for women’s perinatal mental health. Methods: The search included literature in English published prior to April 2023. Searches in PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Scilit, and Google Scholar used the terms “Whooley questions” and “GAD-2”. Results: A total of 9 articles on studies using both of these tools were included. During pregnancy, rapid screening instruments permit the identification of women at increased risk for postpartum depression. They also detect continuity between depressive or anxious symptoms during pregnancy and depressive symptoms after delivery. Effectiveness compares favorably to that of some lengthier screening instruments. Rapid self-report tools appear to be most suitable for initial screening. They are indicative only of perinatal mental health and have no diagnostic value. In the individual studies considered in this review, the reliability and sensitivity of the Whooley questions and GAD-2 are unclear. Because of their self-reporting nature, outcomes may be subject to recall bias. Conclusions: Future evaluation of the instruments’ performance over the perinatal period is needed.

The potential utility of synovial C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and presepsin in diagnostics of periprosthetic joint infection

Background. Diagnostics of infectious complications in joint replacement surgery remains a significant challenge, particularly when microbiological analysis of biological material fails to reveal pathogen growth. The aim of the study was to determine threshold values for C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and presepsin levels, and to assess their diagnostic value in detecting periprosthetic joint infection. Methods. A prospective cohort single-center blinded study was conducted involving cases of revision arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and aseptic prosthetic loosening. The study included 66 patients divided into two groups: Group I (n = 17), with confirmed PJI using the 2018 ICM criteria, and Group II (n = 49), with aseptic prosthetic loosening. Synovial fluid samples were subjected to bacteriological and cytological analysis, measuring levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), presepsin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). ROC analysis, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and threshold values were determined for laboratory data. Results. The highest diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between PJI and aseptic loosening was observed in the leukocyte count in synovial fluid (AUC 0.928; 95% CI: 0.837-0.977, p0.0001). Elevated synovial CRP levels were associated with infection, with an AUC of 0.776 (95% CI: 0.656-0.870, p = 0.0004), and IL-6 had an AUC of 0.712 (95% CI: 0.583-0.820; p = 0.0048). Presepsin levels, however, showed no significant difference between groups (AUC 0.582; 95% CI: 0.453-0.703; p = 0.3344). Threshold values were set at 5.6 mg/l for CRP, 1212.0 pg/ml for presepsin, and 988.5 pg/ml for IL-6. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for PJI diagnosis were determined for CRP at 62.5%, 85.7%, and 80.0%; for IL-6 at 87.5%, 63.0%, and 69.4%; and for presepsin at 43.8%, 79.6%, and 70.8%, respectively. Conclusion. In cases where synovial leukocyte counts are at borderline levels, the additional assessment of synovial fluid cellular composition and simple, cost-effective markers such as synovial CRP and IL-6 may be recommended to confirm PJI.

The Balance of Ketoacids α-Ketoglutarate and α-Ketoglutaramate Reflects the Degree of the Development of Hepatoencephalopathy in Rats

Hepatoencephalopathy (HE) is a liver disease that can lead to brain pathology and the impairment of human cognitive abilities. The objective assessment of HE disease severity is difficult due to the lack of reliable diagnostic markers. This paper examines the background to the emergence of HE markers and provides a brief overview of research results indicating the diagnostic value of potential markers isolated from a wide range of metabolites analyzed. It has been suggested that metabolites of the glutamate–glutamine (Glu-Gln) cycle, α-ketoglutarate (αKG), and α-ketoglutaramate (αKGM) can act as such markers of HE. The informative value of these markers was revealed during a comparative analysis of the distribution of αKG and αKGM in samples of the blood plasma and tissues (liver, kidneys, and brain) of rats exposed to the strong hepatotoxin thioacetamide (TAA). A comparative analysis of the balance of αKG and αKGM, as well as their ratio (αKG/αKGM) in the examined samples of blood plasma and animal tissues in these models, revealed their diagnostic value for assessing the severity of HE and/or monitoring the recovery process.

Pan-canceranalysis reveals the prognostic and immunomodulatory potential of super-enhancer-induced ANGPT2 and experimental validation in colorectal cancer.

ANGPT2 plays important roles in cancer development. However, there is still no systematic analysis of ANGPT2 in pan-cancer. In this paper, we conducted a pan-cancer analysis to investigate the characteristics of ANGPT2. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors on ANGPT2 expression by bioinformatics and assays. By several TCGA and GEO databases, we identified elevated expression of ANGPT2 in various tumor types. Besides, high expression of ANGPT2 induced poor prognosis of patients in multiple tumors. Through enrichment analysis, we found that ANGPT2 participated in various biological processes, including angiogenesis and immunity. Various immune analyses indicated that high expression of ANGPT2 might suggest a propensity towards a hot tumor microenvironment, but its impact on immunotherapy was negative. Bioinformatics analysis and experiments confirmed that genetic and epigenetic factors explained part of the mechanism behind ANGPT2 abnormal expression. Finally, we screened candidate drugs targeting the ANGPT2 protein by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. ANGPT2 has diagnostic and prognostic values in multiple tumor types. Though with a hot tumor microenvironment, ANGPT2 high expression patients are not suitable for immunotherapy because of its proangiogenic function, contributing to selecting the exact patients for immunotherapy. Both genetic and epigenetic factors influenced ANGPT2 expression, with the influence of super-enhancer being more pronounced. This paper for the first time did the systematic analysis of ANGPT2 and showed its characteristic in pan-cancer. We summarized the biomarker role of ANGPT2 on tumor diagnosis and prognosis, as well as its target role on tumor immunotherapy.

Diagnostic value of thromboelastogram and thrombus molecular markers in early detection of deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower extremity fracture

BackgroundDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an obstructive disease with a hindering venous reflux mechanism. The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with traumatic lower extremity fractures and assess the diagnostic value of thromboelastogram (TEG) and thrombus molecular markers.MethodsReviewed patients with lower extremity fractures were admitted from October 2022 to September 2023. DVT was screened using color Doppler ultrasonography postoperation. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with DVT (n = 61) and those without (n = 191). Logistic regression was utilized to analyze DVT risk factors in these patients, and the diagnostic effectiveness of each marker was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve).ResultsSignificant differences were found in the incidence of hip (44.8%), and tibia (16.4%) fractures in the DVT groups (P < 0.001). Elevated levels of tPAIC, PIC, sTM, TAT, APTT, and TEG parameters (angle, MA, and CI) were observed in the DVT group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that PIC, sTM, TAT, angle, MA, CI, Caprini score, and hip fracture were significant risk factors for DVT.ConclusionsPatients with hip fractures showed a higher incidence of perioperative DVT. Factors such as PIC, sTM, TAT, angle, MA, CI, Caprini score, and hip fracture significantly contributed to the risk of DVT in traumatic lower limb fractures. Both thromboelastogram and thrombus molecular markers demonstrated strong diagnostic capabilities in the early detection of DVT, with comparable diagnostic efficiency.

The role of CEUS in diagnosing tuberculous abscess of the right diaphragm

PurposeTo evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in detecting tuberculous diaphragmatic abscess (TDA) of the right diaphragm and provide a reference for its clinical diagnosis.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 patients with right TDA confirmed via surgery and biopsy. The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS and routine ultrasound for detecting right TDA was compared.ResultsAmong the 33 right TDA cases, the lesions primarily exhibited mixed and low echogenicity, with an orientation parallel to the diaphragmatic surface. Eighteen patients (54.5%) demonstrated the characteristic “crocodile mouth sign.” Heterogeneous enhancement was observed in most cases (24 patients) compared to homogeneous or no enhancement. The diagnostic accuracy of routine ultrasound for right TDA was 54.50% (18/33), whereas CEUS demonstrated a significantly higher accuracy of 78.78% (26/33) (χ2 = 4.364, P = 0.037).ConclusionCEUS provides valuable insights into the vascular characteristics of right TDA, with most cases showing mixed echogenicity and heterogeneous enhancement. The “crocodile mouth sign” was a distinctive feature, highlighting the utility of CEUS in improving diagnostic accuracy for right TDA.

Identification of hub programmed cell death-related genes and immune infiltration in Crohn’s disease using bioinformatics

BackgroundCrohn’s disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by immune cell infiltration that induces persistent chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of CD. This study identified vital PCD-related genes in CD based on immune infiltration using bioinformatic analysis.MethodsWe obtained two CD datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and examined immune cell infiltration to investigate immune cell dysregulation in CD. PCD-related genes were retrieved from the GeneCards database. Based on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and PCD gene sets, PCD-related DEGs were identified. Candidate hub genes were identified using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and their diagnostic effectiveness was predicted using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Functional enrichment and immune infiltration analyses were used to assess the distinct roles of the hub genes. Finally, the miRWalk and ENCORI databases were used to predict which microRNAs (miRNAs) regulated the hub genes and to verify gene expression in CD colonic tissues via transcriptome sequencing.ResultsA total of 335 PCD-related DEGs and 3 hub genes (MMP1, SAA1, and PLAU) were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional analyses indicated the enrichment of these genes in the immune response. Infiltration analysis of immune cells showed abundant endothelial cells, plasma cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes in the CD samples. Based on the correlation analysis, the three hub genes were positively correlated with monocytes and negatively correlated with CD8 naïve T-cells. MMP1, SAA1, and PLAU correlated with the pathogenicity of CD and had good diagnostic value for CD. The three hub genes were highly expressed in the CD tissues, as confirmed using transcriptome sequencing.ConclusionThis study identified MMP1, SAA1, and PLAU as hub genes involved in PCD in patients with CD. These genes regulate immune cell function and their expression levels are closely related to immune cell infiltration. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying CD pathogenesis. The identified PCD genes and regulatory miRNAs are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CD.

Value of Serum MACC-1 as a New Diagnostic Biomarker in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death among females. The current study is one of the initial studies to evaluate the diagnostic value of novel serum metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1 (MACC-1) markers in BC patients. Various other serum biomarkers have been used for the diagnosis of BC but this marker proved a good sensitivity and/or specificity. This cross-sectional study included 48 BC patients (Group-I) and 48 normal healthy controls (Group-II). Study subjects demographic, pathologic, and clinical information were recorded. Random blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein after aseptic precaution with 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate. About 4.0 mL of venous blood was collected into a red screw-capped tube. Serum MACC-1 was assessed by a double-antibody sandwich ELISA method by using the commercially available kit in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. In this study, serum MACC-1 levels were significantly elevated (P&lt;0.0001) in BC patients compared to the control group. The mean serum MACC- 1 was elevated in BC patients (55.21±14.75 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (38.19±11.42 pg/mL) (P&lt;0.0001). Also, the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98, signifying a good discriminatory ability of serum MACC-1 marker for BC patients. At the cut-off value of optimal cut-off value (38.35 pg/mL), the sensitivity and the specificity of serum MACC-1 were 96.7% and 92.5%, respectively. The median age was 46.3 years in BC patients and 40.2±8.4 years in the control group (P&lt;0.0001). Therefore, this study showed that serum MACC-1 can be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of BC. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 6(1): 169-174, 2024

Evaluation of Reproducibility of Measurements of Peripapillary Blood Flow with Laser Speckle Flowgraphy in Healthy and POAG Subjects.

Peripapillary blood flow is of diagnostic value in glaucoma. We investigated the reproducibility of peripapillary blood flow measurements in healthy individuals and in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients with the Nidek laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG)-NAVI system. Blood flow was calculated as the mean of vascular area (MV), mean of tissue area (MT), and mean of overall flow (MA). Intra-rater, inter-session, and inter-rater reproducibility were assessed by determining the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variance (COV). There were 28 healthy subjects and 16 patients with OAG who participated in this prospective single-center trial. ICC and COV of intra-rater reproducibility were assessed in MV as 0.901; 6.424, MT as 0.909; 4.025, and MA as 0.965; 4.168. Inter-session reproducibility yielded ICC and COV values of MV (0.834; 9.223), MT (0.904; 6.215), MA (0.909; 7.069). Inter-rater reproducibility was computed for MV as 0.78; 9.758, MT as 0.890; 7.210, and MA as 0.888; 6.942. There was a significant difference in MA (p = 0.0184) between the healthy individuals (mean 36.299) and the OAG group (mean 24.944), which was not observed for MV (p = 0.0735) or MT (p = 0.1351). High reproducibility of measurements of peripapillary blood flow with the LSFG system was demonstrated in both groups. There is a difference in peripapillary blood flow between healthy controls and OAG patients.

Long Non-Coding RNAs as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ischemic stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease, highlighting the urgent need for reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis. Recent reports suggest that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be potential biomarkers for ischemic stroke. Therefore, our study seeks to investigate the potential diagnostic value of lncRNAs for ischemic stroke by analyzing existing research. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and Web of Science databases for articles published up to July 10, 2024. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 17.0 software to calculate pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and area under the curve (AUC). Heterogeneity was explored with the Cochran-Q test and the I2 statistical test, and publication bias was assessed with Deeks’ funnel plot. A total of 44 articles were included, involving 4302 ischemic stroke patients and 3725 healthy controls. Results demonstrated that lncRNAs H19, GAS5, PVT1, TUG1, and MALAT1 exhibited consistent trends across multiple studies. The pooled sensitivity of lncRNAs in the diagnosis of ischemic stroke was 79% (95% CI: 73–84%), specificity was 88% (95% CI: 77–94%), PLR was 6.63 (95% CI: 3.11–14.15), NLR was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.16–0.33), DOR was 28.5 (95% CI: 9.88–82.21), and AUC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85–0.90). Furthermore, the results of subgroup analysis indicated that lncRNA H19 had superior diagnostic performance. LncRNAs demonstrated strong diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing ischemic stroke patients from healthy controls, underscoring their potential as reliable biomarkers. Because most of the articles included in this study originate from China, large-scale, high-quality, multi-country prospective studies are required to further validate the reliability of lncRNAs as biomarkers for ischemic stroke.