Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Research Articles

Ultrasound-based jawbone surface quality evaluation after alveolar ridge preservation.

Bone readiness for implant placement is typically evaluated by bone quality/density on 2-dimensional radiographs and cone beam computed tomography at an arbitrary time between 3 and 6months after tooth extraction and alveolar ridge preservation (ARP). The aim of this study is to investigate if high-frequency ultrasound (US) can classify bone readiness in humans, using micro-CT as a reference standard to obtain bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume fraction (BVTV) of healed sockets receiving ARP in humans. A total of 27 bone cores were harvested during the implant surgery from 24 patients who received prior extraction with ARP. US images were taken immediately before the implant surgery at a site co-registered with the tissue biopsy collection location, made possible with a specially designed guide, and then classified into 3 tiers using B-mode image criteria (1) favorable, (2) questionable, and (3) unfavorable.Bone mineral density (hydroxyapatite) and BVTV were obtained from micro-CT as the gold standard. Hydroxyapatite and BVTV were evaluated within the projected US slice plane and thresholded to favorable (>2200mg/cm3; >0.45mm3/mm3), questionable (1500-2200mg/cm3; 0.4-0.45mm3/mm3), and unfavorable (<1500mg/cm3; <0.4mm3/mm3). The present US B-mode classification inversely scales with BMD. Regression analysis showed a significant relation between US classification and BMD as well as BVTV. T-test analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between US reader scores and the gold standard. When comparing Tier 1 with the combination of Tier 2 and 3, US achieved a significant group differentiation relative to mean BMD (p=0.004, true positive 66.7%, false positive 0%, true negative 100%, false negative 33.3%, specificity 100%, sensitivity 66.7%, receiver operating characteristics area under the curve 0.86). Similar results were found between US-derived tiers and BVTV. Preliminary data suggest US could classify jawbone surface quality that correlates with BMD/BVTV and serve as the basis for future development of US-based socket healing evaluation after ARP.

The Lipid Accumulation Product Index (LAP) and the Cardiometabolic Index (CMI) Are Useful for Predicting the Presence and Severity of Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Patients with Obesity

Background: The concomitant occurrence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) causes a significant worsening of a patient’s clinical condition. Indexes that employ anthropometric measurements alone or associated with blood parameters have been investigated for their ability to identify MetS. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of three of these indexes, the body adiposity index (BAI), the lipid accumulation product index (LAP), and the cardiometabolic index (CMI), in a cohort of 1912 adult subjects with obesity. Methods and Results: MetS was found in 62.3% of the enrolled subjects, with a higher prevalence in males (72.5%) than females (60.9%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to define which index performed better. The BAI was found to be the lowest-performing index, with an ROC area of 0.50, a sensitivity of 30.31%, a specificity of 74.48%, and a likelihood ratio of 1.19. On the contrary, the LAP and the CMI showed a comparable ROC area of 0.82. The LAP had a sensitivity of 63.06%, a specificity of 86.55%, and a likelihood ratio of 4.69, while the CMI had a sensitivity of 67.59%, specificity of 81.55%, and a likelihood ratio of 3.66. The analysis was also performed in the group divided into males and females, with overlapping results. Conclusions: The LAP and the CMI performed better than the BAI in detecting MetS both in the general population with obesity and in the male/female subgroups. In the future, it will be important to validate these useful diagnostic tools in order to employ them in clinical practices.

Increased [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in the Left Pallidum in Military Veterans with Blast-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Potential as an Imaging Biomarker and Mediation with Executive Dysfunction and Cognitive Impairment.

Blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (blast-mTBI) can result in a spectrum of persistent symptoms leading to substantial functional impairment and reduced quality of life. Clinical evaluation and discernment from other conditions common to military service can be challenging and subject to patient recall bias and the limitations of available assessment measures. The need for objective biomarkers to facilitate accurate diagnosis, not just for symptom management and rehabilitation but for prognostication and disability compensation purposes is clear. Toward this end, we compared regional brain [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET) intensity-scaled uptake measurements and motor, neuropsychological, and behavioral assessments in 79 combat Veterans with retrospectively recalled blast-mTBI with 41 control participants having no lifetime history of TBI. Using an agnostic and unbiased approach, we found significantly increased left pallidum [18F]FDG-uptake in Veterans with blast-mTBI versus control participants, p < 0.0001; q = 3.29 × 10-9 [Cohen's d, 1.38, 95% confidence interval (0.96, 1.79)]. The degree of left pallidum [18F]FDG-uptake correlated with the number of self-reported blast-mTBIs, r2 = 0.22; p < 0.0001. Greater [18F]FDG-uptake in the left pallidum provided excellent discrimination between Veterans with blast-mTBI and controls, with a receiver operator characteristic area under the curve of 0.859 (p < 0.0001) and likelihood ratio of 21.19 (threshold:SUVR ≥ 0.895). Deficits in executive function assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Global Executive Composite T-score were identified in Veterans with blast-mTBI compared with controls, p < 0.0001. Regression-based mediation analyses determined that in Veterans with blast-mTBI, increased [18F]FDG-uptake in the left pallidum-mediated executive function impairments, adjusted causal mediation estimate p = 0.021; total effect estimate, p = 0.039. Measures of working and prospective memory (Auditory Consonant Trigrams test and Memory for Intentions Test, respectively) were negatively correlated with left pallidum [18F]FDG-uptake, p < 0.0001, with mTBI as a covariate. Increased left pallidum [18F]FDG-uptake in Veterans with blast-mTBI compared with controls did not covary with dominant handedness or with motor activity assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Localized increased [18F]FDG-uptake in the left pallidum may reflect a compensatory response to functional deficits following blast-mTBI. Limited imaging resolution does not allow us to distinguish subregions of the pallidum; however, the significant correlation of our data with behavioral but not motor outcomes suggests involvement of the ventral pallidum, which is known to regulate motivation, behavior, and emotions through basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits. Increased [18F]FDG-uptake in the left pallidum in blast-mTBI versus control participants was consistently identified using two different PET scanners, supporting the generalizability of this finding. Although confirmation of our results by single-subject-to-cohort analyses will be required before clinical deployment, this study provides proof of concept that [18F]FDG-PET bears promise as a readily available noninvasive biomarker for blast-mTBI. Further, our findings support a causative relationship between executive dysfunction and increased [18F]FDG-uptake in the left pallidum.

Narrow interval dual phase 18F-FDG PET/CT: A practical approach for distinguishing tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis in brain metastasis.

Purpose of our research is to demonstrate efficacy of narrow interval dual phase [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging in distinguishing tumor recurrence (TR) from radiation necrosis (RN) in patients treated for brain metastases. 35 consecutive patients (22 female, 13 male) with various cancer subtypes, lesion size > 1.0 cm3, and suspected recurrence on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) underwent narrow interval dual phase FDG-PET/CT (30 and 90 min after tracer injection). Clinical outcome was determined via sequential MRIs or pathology reports. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of lesion (L), gray matter (GM), and white matter (WM) was measured on early (1) and delayed (2) imaging. Analyzed variables include % change, late phase, and early phase for L uptake, L/GM uptake, and L/WM uptake. Statistical analysis (P < .01), receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) cutoff values were obtained. Change in L/GM ratio of > -2% was 95% sensitive, 91% specific, and 93% accurate (P < .001, AUC = 0.99) in distinguishing TR from RN. Change in SUVmax of lesion alone was the second-best indicator (P < .001, AUC = 0.94) with an ROC cutoff > 30.5% yielding 86% sensitivity, 83% specificity, and 84% accuracy. Other variables (L alone or L/GM ratios in early or late phase, all L/WM ratios) were significantly less accurate. Utilizing narrow interval dual phase FDG-PET/CT in patients with brain metastasis treated with radiation therapy provides a practical approach to distinguish TR from RN. Narrow time interval allows for better patient comfort, greater efficiency of PET/CT scanner, and lower disruption of workflow.

Femoral Neck Shaft Angle Measurement for Differentiating Femoral Head Stress Fracture from Avascular Necrosis

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate whether the measurement of Femoral Neck Shaft Angle (FNSA) can be helpful in differentiating femoral head Stress Fracture (SF) from Avascular Necrosis (AVN). Methods: From September 2019 to April 2022, sixty-four patients [median age 32.0 years, interquartile range (IQR) 23.0–39.0 years] who underwent both hip radiograph and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and diagnosed as femoral head SF or AVN were included in our retrospective study. Patients were divided into as having either femoral head SF (n = 34) or AVN (n = 30). The FNSA was measured in anteroposterior hip radiography. Continuous values were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The assessment of the predictive value of FNSA for femoral head SF was performed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The FNSA was significantly higher in patients with SF (median 133.5°, IQR 128.0–136.7°) than those with AVN (median 127.5°, IQR 124.0–132.0°) (p = 0.001). In addition, the FNSA was significantly higher in SF femurs (median 134.8°, IQR 129.2–137.4°) than in contralateral normal femurs (median 127.1°, IQR 124.3–132.5°) in patients with unilateral femoral head SF (n = 30) (p &lt; 0.001). In ROC analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and Area Under the Curve (AUC) for predicting the femoral head SF were 77.3%, 63.3%, and 0.785 (95% confidence interval: 0.666–0.905), respectively, at a cutoff of 130.2°. Conclusion: Increased FNSA was associated with femoral head SF; thus, measurement of FNSA could be helpful for differentiating femoral head SF from AVN.

Prognostic value of creatine kinase (CK)-MB to total-CK ratio in colorectal cancer patients after curative resection.

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of postoperative Creatine Kinase type M and B (CK-MB) to total Creatine Kinase (CK) ratio (CK-MB/CK) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after radical resection. This was a single-center retrospective cohort analysis. Subjects were stage I-III CRC patients hospitalized in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to May 2021. Patients were divided into abnormal group and normal group according to whether the CK-MB/CK ratio was abnormal after surgery. Through a comparative analysis of clinical data, laboratory test results, and prognosis differences between the two groups, we aimed to uncover the potential relationship between abnormal CK-MB > CK results and CRC patients. To gauge the impact of CK-MB/CK on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), we employed the multivariable COX regression and LASSO regression analysis. Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis, logistic regression, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were conducted to assess the predictive value of the CK-MB/CK ratio for postoperative liver metastasis. Cox regression analysis revealed that the CK-MB/CK ratio was a stable risk factors for OS (HR = 3.82, p < 0.001) and DFS (HR = 2.31, p < 0.001). To distinguish hepatic metastases after surgery, the ROC area under the curve of CK-MB/CK was 0.697 (p < 0.001), and the optimal cut-off value determined by the Youden index was 0.347. Postoperative abnormal CK-MB/CK ratio predicts worse prognosis in CRC patients after radical resection and serves as a useful biomarker for detecting postoperative liver metastasis.

Mean computed tomography value to predict spread through air spaces in clinical N0 lung adenocarcinoma

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the ability of radiologic factors such as mean computed tomography (mCT) value, consolidation/tumor ratio (C/T ratio), solid tumor size, and the maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) value by F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography to predict the presence of spread through air spaces (STAS) of lung adenocarcinoma.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 118 patients those diagnosed with clinically without lymph node metastasis and having a pathological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma after undergoing surgery. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to assess the ability to use mCT value, C/T ratio, tumor size, and SUVmax value to predict STAS. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent variables for the prediction of STAS.ResultsForty-one lesions (34.7%) were positive for STAS and 77 lesions were negative for STAS. The STAS positive group was strongly associated with a high mCT value, high C/T ratio, large solid tumor size, large tumor size and high SUVmax value. The mCT values were − 324.9 ± 19.3 HU for STAS negative group and − 173.0 ± 26.3 HU for STAS positive group (p < 0.0001). The ROC area under the curve of the mCT value was the highest (0.738), followed by SUVmax value (0.720), C/T ratio (0.665), solid tumor size (0.649). Multiple logistic regression analyses using the preoperatively determined variables revealed that mCT value (p = 0.015) was independent predictive factors of predicting STAS. The maximum sensitivity and specificity were obtained at a cutoff value of − 251.8 HU.ConclusionsThe evaluation of mCT value has a possibility to predict STAS and may potentially contribute to the selection of suitable treatment strategies.

Biomarker Predictors of Clinical Efficacy of the Anti-IgE Biologic, Omalizumab, in Severe Asthma in Adults: Results of the SoMOSA Study.

The anti-IgE monoclonal, omalizumab, is widely used for severe asthma. This study aimed to identify biomarkers that predict clinical improvement during one year of omalizumab treatment. 1-year, open-label, Study of Mechanisms of action of Omalizumab in Severe Asthma (SoMOSA) involving 216 severe (GINA step 4/5) uncontrolled atopic asthmatics (≥2 severe exacerbations in previous year) on high-dose inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting β-agonists, ± mOCS. It had two phases: 0-16 weeks, to assess early clinical improvement by Global Evaluation of Therapeutic Effectiveness (GETE), and 16-52 weeks, to assess late responses by ≥50% reduction in exacerbations or dose of maintenance oral corticosteroids (mOCS). All participants provided samples (exhaled breath, blood, sputum, urine) before and after 16 weeks of omalizumab treatment. 191 patients completed phase 1; 63% had early improvement. Of 173 who completed phase 2, 69% had reduced exacerbations by ≥50%, while 57% (37/65) on mOCS reduced their dose by ≥50%. The primary outcome 2, 3-dinor-11-β-PGF2α, GETE and standard clinical biomarkers (blood and sputum eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide, serum IgE) did not predict either clinical response. Five breathomics (GC-MS) and 5 plasma lipid biomarkers strongly predicted the ≥50% reduction in exacerbations (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC): 0.780 and 0.922, respectively) and early responses (AUC:0.835 and 0.949, respectively). In independent cohorts, the GC-MS biomarkers differentiated between severe and mild asthma. Conclusions This is the first discovery of omics biomarkers that predict improvement to a biologic for asthma. Their prospective validation and development for clinical use is justified.

Serum Levels of miR-122-5p and miR-125a-5p Predict Hepatotoxicity Occurrence in Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Hepatic complications are an acknowledged cause of mortality and morbidity among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role in the prediction of liver injury of five selected microRNAs (miRNAs)-miR-122-5p, miR-122-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-99b-5p, and miR-125a-5p-in the setting of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). A total of 66 patients were included in the study: 50 patients (75.8%) with multiple myeloma (MM) and 16 (24.2%) with lymphoma. Blood samples were collected after the administration of the conditioning regimen, on the day of transplant (day 0). The expression levels of selected miRNAs were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) using the miRCURY LNA miRNA Custom PCR Panels (QIAGEN). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and the administered conditioning regimen, two miRNAs, hsa-miR-122-5p (odds ratio, OR 2.10, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.29-3.42, p = 0.0029) and hsa-miR-125a-5p (OR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.11-0.71, p = 0.0079), were independent for hepatic toxicity occurrence during the 14 days after transplant. Our model in 10-fold cross-validation preserved its diagnostic potential with a receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (ROC AUC) of 0.75, 95% CI: 0.63-0.88 and at optimal cut-off reached 72.0% sensitivity and 74.4% specificity. An elevated serum level of miR-122-5p and decreased level of miR-125a-5p on day 0 are independent risk factors for hepatotoxicity in ASCT recipients, showing promise in accurately predicting post-ASCT complications. Identifying patients susceptible to complications has the potential to reduce procedure costs and optimize the selection of inpatient or outpatient procedures.

Imaging Outcomes of Emergency MR Imaging in Dizziness and Vertigo: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Patients exhibiting acute dizziness or vertigo often represent a diagnostic challenge, and many undergo neuroimaging for stroke detection. We aimed to demonstrate the imaging outcomes of first-line emergency MR imaging among patients with acute dizziness or vertigo and to determine the clinical risk factors for stroke and other acute pathology. This retrospective study included consecutive patients with acute dizziness or vertigo referred for emergency MR imaging in a tertiary hospital during 5 years. We recorded and analyzed patient characteristics, relevant clinical information, and imaging outcomes. Risk score models were derived to predict which patients were more likely to present with positive MR imaging findings. A total of 1169 patients were included. Acute stroke was found in 17%; other clinically significant pathology, in 8% of patients. In 75% of the patients, emergency MR imaging showed no significant abnormalities. Risk factors for acute stroke included older age, male sex, and a prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and neurologic signs. Isolated dizziness had no discriminative power on imaging outcomes, and 14% of these patients showed acute stroke. Risk scores had only moderate performance in predicting acute ischemic stroke (receiver operating characteristic area under curve = 0.75) or any significant pathology (receiver operating characteristic area under curve = 0.70). Acute dizziness and vertigo remain challenging even when emergency MR imaging is readily available. One in 4 patients had acute pathology on MR imaging. Predictors for acute pathology (older age, male sex, cardiovascular risk factors, and neurologic signs) may aid in patient selection for MR imaging, optimizing the yield and clinical impact of emergency neuroimaging. Low diagnostic yields of CT and internal acoustic canal MR imaging may offer an opportunity to reduce health care expenditures in the future.

Potential shared pathogenic mechanisms between endometriosis and inflammatory bowel disease indicate a strong initial effect of immune factors.

Over the past decades, immune dysregulation has been consistently demonstrated being common charactoristics of endometriosis (EM) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in numerous studies. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, bioinformatics techniques were used to screen large-scale gene expression data for plausible correlations at the molecular level in order to identify common pathogenic pathways between EM and IBD. Based on the EM transcriptomic datasets GSE7305 and GSE23339, as well as the IBD transcriptomic datasets GSE87466 and GSE126124, differential gene analysis was performed using the limma package in the R environment. Co-expressed differentially expressed genes were identified, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for the differentially expressed genes was constructed using the 11.5 version of the STRING database. The MCODE tool in Cytoscape facilitated filtering out protein interaction subnetworks. Key genes in the PPI network were identified through two topological analysis algorithms (MCC and Degree) from the CytoHubba plugin. Upset was used for visualization of these key genes. The diagnostic value of gene expression levels for these key genes was assessed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and Area Under the Curve (AUC) The CIBERSORT algorithm determined the infiltration status of 22 immune cell subtypes, exploring differences between EM and IBD patients in both control and disease groups. Finally, different gene expression trends shared by EM and IBD were input into CMap to identify small molecule compounds with potential therapeutic effects. 113 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were co-expressed in EM and IBD have been identified, comprising 28 down-regulated genes and 86 up-regulated genes. The co-expression differential gene of EM and IBD in the functional enrichment analyses focused on immune response activation, circulating immunoglobulin-mediated humoral immune response and humoral immune response. Five hub genes (SERPING1、VCAM1、CLU、C3、CD55) were identified through the Protein-protein Interaction network and MCODE.High Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves for 5hub genes indicate the predictive ability for disease occurrence.These hub genes could be used as potential biomarkers for the development of EM and IBD. Furthermore, the CMap database identified a total of 9 small molecule compounds (TTNPB、CAY-10577、PD-0325901 etc.) targeting therapeutic genes for EM and IBD. Our research revealed common pathogenic mechanisms between EM and IBD, particularly emphasizing immune regulation and cell signalling, indicating the significance of immune factors in the occurence and progression of both diseases. By elucidating shared mechanisms, our study provides novel avenues for the prevention and treatment of EM and IBD.

Influential factors on disease activity in Crohn’s disease and their Roc curve evaluation: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the factors influencing disease activity in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and provide insights and references for the management and prevention of CD.MethodsWe recruited CD patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from November 2022 to June 2023. Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the factors affecting disease activity in CD patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to assess the predictive value of these factors for disease activity.ResultsA total of 268 CD participants aged 18 to 65 were included in the study, with over 68% of them in remission or experiencing mild disease activity, indicating relatively good disease control. The results of the generalized linear mixed models showed that older age, absence of diabetes, high levels of physical activity, and a low dietary inflammatory index (DII) were protective factors for lower disease activity in CD patients (p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that physical activity level, age, and DII all had ROC areas greater than 0.6 in predicting disease activity in CD patients (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe factors influencing the disease activity of CD patients are numerous and should be given attention. CD patients who are younger, have low levels of physical activity, high DII, and have diabetes are at a higher risk of increased disease activity. By reducing or avoiding the mentioned risk factors and leveraging protective factors, it is possible to mitigate the disease activity of CD to some extent.

Evaluation of cycloplegic and noncycloplegic performance of spot vision screener in detection of amblyopia risk factors using 2021 AAPOS guidelines

PurposeThis research evaluates the effectiveness of the Spot Vision Screener (SVS) before and after cycloplegia to detect amblyogenic refractive errors in children. MethodsChildren ages 3 to 10 years old were screened by the SVS before and after cycloplegia. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, paired t-test, Bland-Altman plot and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve were evaluated by comparing the results of the SVS (v3.0.05) measurements with the results of the cycloplegic Topcon autorefractometer according to the 2021 guidelines of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. ResultsBoth eyes of 211 patients aged 3 to 10 years old were included. Regarding the amblyopia risk factors, the noncycloplegic SVS had 65.7 % sensitivity, 94.9 % specificity, 81.2 % positive predictive value and 89.3 % negative predictive value. The SVS's sensitivity increased from 65.7 % to 81.9 % with cycloplegia compared to noncycloplegic SVS results. The sensitivity detection of hyperopia was improved from 4.2 % to 100 % after cycloplegia. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve for noncycloplegic SVS and cycloplegic SVS were 0.506 (95 % CI, 0.395 to 0.646, p = 0737) and 0.905 (95 % CI, 0.915 to 0.971, p < 0.001) for hyperopia, respectively. Using the +1.64 D revised cutoff criteria for hyperopia increased sensitivity from 4.2 % to 78 %. ConclusionNoncycloplegic SVS measurements showed relatively high specificity in detecting amblyopia risk factors. The fact that noncycloplegic measurements have a very low sensitivity for hyperopia is an important weakness of the SVS, especially because hyperopia is the most frequently encountered refractive error in very young children. It should be noted that amblyogenic hyperopia may be overlooked by an SVS without cycloplegia.

Development and validation of a risk assessment tool for uncontrolled type 2 diabetes among patients in South Karnataka, India

IntroductionDiabetes is a chronic medical condition with severe complications mainly caused due to unhealthy lifestyles in genetically susceptible individuals. This study attempts to develop a non-invasive risk assessment tool to...

Landslide Susceptibility Zoning: Integrating Multiple Intelligent Models with SHAP Analysis

In this study, we aim to delineate landslide susceptibility zones within Dien Bien province, Vietnam, leveraging the capabilities of various machine learning models including Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Gradient Boosting (GB). Harnessing a dataset comprising 665 data points and encompassing 14 influential factors such as slope, aspect, curvature, elevation, geological composition, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and proximity to geological features like faults, rivers, and roads, a comprehensive database for landslide modeling was constructed. The analysis entailed rigorous evaluation and comparison of model accuracy employing established statistical metrics, notably Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and Area Under the Curve (AUC). The findings underscore the efficacy of the Light Gradient Boosting Machine model, exhibiting superior performance with an AUC score of 0.85, surpassing both the Gradient Boosting model (AUC = 0.81) and the K-Nearest Neighbors model (AUC = 0.79). Notably, the Light Gradient Boosting Machine model emerges as a promising tool for precise landslide prediction within the study area, offering significant potential for the creation of a robust landslide susceptibility map. The resulting spatial forecast map for Dien Bien province holds considerable utility for informing land use planning initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of landslide disasters in the region. Moreover, the application of SHAP (Shapley Additive explanation) values to quantify the contribution of each factor to landslide susceptibility prediction, offering novel insights into model interpretation and feature importance. The resulting spatial forecast map holds significant implications for land use planning and disaster mitigation efforts in Dien Bien province, showcasing the potential of advanced machine learning techniques in enhancing landslide risk management strategies.

Exploring gene biomarkers and targeted drugs for ferroptosis and cuproptosis in osteosarcoma: A bioinformatic approach.

Osteosarcoma predominantly affects adolescents and young adults and is characterized as a malignant bone tumor. In recent decades, substantial advancements have been achieved in both diagnosing and treating osteosarcoma. Resulting in enhanced survival rates. Despite these advancements, the intricate relationship between ferroptosis and cuproptosis genes in osteosarcoma remains inadequately understood. Leveraging TARGET and GEO datasets, we conducted Cox regression analysis to select prognostic genes from a cohort of 71 candidates. Subsequently, a novel prognostic model was engineered using the LASSO algorithm. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients stratified as low risk had a substantially better prognosis compared with their high-risk counterparts. The model's validity was corroborated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Additionally, we ascertained independent prognostic indicators, including clinical presentation, metastatic status, and risk scores, and crafted a clinical scoring system via nomograms. The tumor immune microenvironment was appraised through ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. Gene expression within the model was authenticated through PCR validation. The prognostic model, refined by Cox regression and the LASSO algorithm, comprised two risk genes. Kaplan-Meier curves confirmed a significantly improved prognosis for the low-risk group in contrast to those identified as high-risk. For the training set, the ROC area under the curve (AUC) values stood at 0.636, 0.695, and 0.729 for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year checkpoints, respectively. Although validation set AUCs were 0.738, 0.668, and 0.596, respectively. Immune microenvironmental analysis indicated potential immune deficiencies in high-risk patients. Additionally, sensitivity to three small molecule drugs was investigated in the high-risk cohort, informing potential immunotherapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma. PCR analysis showed increased mRNA levels of the genes FDX1 and SQLE in osteosarcoma tissues. This study elucidates the interaction of ferroptosis and cuproptosis genes in osteosarcoma and paves the way for more targeted immunotherapy.

Diagnostic value of dual-source, dual-energy computed tomography combined with the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio for discriminating gastric signet ring cell from mixed signet ring cell and non-signet ring cell carcinomas.

To explore the diagnostic value of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for differentiating gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) from mixed SRC (mSRC) and non-SRC (nSRC). This retrospective study included patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent DSCT between August 2019 and June 2021 at our Hospital. The iodine concentration in the venous phase (ICvp), standardized iodine concentration (NICVP), and the slope of the energy spectrum curve (kVP) were extracted from DSCT data. NLR was determined from laboratory results. DSCT (including ICVP, NICVP, and kVP) and combination (including DSCT model and NLR) models were established based on the multinomial logistic regression analysis. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic value. A total of 155 patients (SRC [n = 45, aged 61.22 ± 11.4 years], mSRC [n = 60, aged 61.09 ± 12.7 years], and nSRC [n = 50, aged 67.66 ± 8.76 years]) were included. There were significant differences in NLR, ICVP, NICVP, and kVP among the SRC, mSRC, and nSRC groups (all P < 0.001). The AUC of the combination model for SRC vs. mSRC + nSRC was 0.964 (95% CI: 0.923-1.000), with a sensitivity of 98.3% and a specificity of 86.7%, higher than with DSCT (AUC: 0.959, 95% CI: 0.919-0.998, sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 89.9%) or NLR (AUC: 0.670, 95% CI: 0.577-0.768, sensitivity: 62.2%, specificity: 61.8%). DSCT combined with NLR showed high diagnostic efficacy in differentiating SRC from mSRC and nSRC.

Comparison of IWATE, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, and Southampton Laparoscopic Liver Resection Difficulty Scoring Systems for Predicting Intra and Postoperative Outcomes in Robotic Hepatectomy.

IWATE, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (IMM), and Southampton are established difficulty scoring systems (DSS) for laparoscopic hepatectomy, yet none specifically address robotic hepatectomy. Our study evaluates these 3 DSS for predicting perioperative outcomes in robotic hepatectomy. With IRB approval, we prospectively followed 359 consecutive patients undergoing robotic hepatectomies, assessing categorical metrics like conversions to open, intra/postoperative issues, Clavien-Dindo Score (≥III), 30 and 90-day mortality, and 30-day readmissions using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and Area Under the Curve (AUC) to determine efficacy in predicting their occurrence for each DSS. Continuous metrics such as operative duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay, and total cost were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and regression. Predictive strength was significant with an AUC or correlation ≥.700 and P-value ≤.05. IMM had highest predictive accuracy for conversions to open (AUC = .705) and postoperative complications (AUC = .481). Southampton was most accurate in predicting Clavien Dindo ≥ III complications (AUC = .506). IWATE excelled in predicting 30-day mortality (AUC = .552), intraoperative issues (AUC = .798), In-hospital mortality (AUC = .450), 90-day mortality (AUC = .596), and readmissions (AUC = .572). Regression showed significant relationships between operative duration, EBL, and hospital cost with increasing scores for all DSS (P ≤ .05). Statistical analysis of the 3 DSS indicates that each has specific strengths that can best predict intra- and/or postoperative outcomes. However, all showed inaccuracies and conflicting relationships with the variables, indicating lack of substantial hierarchy between DSS. Given these inconsistencies, a dedicated comprehensive DSS should be created for robotic hepatectomy.

PSA-density, DRE, and PI-RADS 5: potential surrogates for omitting biopsy?

ObjectiveIn contrast to other malignancies, histologic confirmation prior treatment in patients with a high suspicion of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCA) is common. To analyze the impact of extracapsular extension (ECE), cT-stage defined by digital rectal examination (DRE), and PSA-density (PSA-D) on detection of csPCA in patients with at least one PI-RADS 5 lesion (hereinafter, “PI-RADS 5 patients”).Materials and methodsPI-RADS 5 patients who underwent MRI/Ultrasound fusion biopsy (Bx) between 2016 and 2020 were identified in our institutional database. Uni- and multivariable logistic-regression models were used to identify predictors of csPCA-detection (GGG ≥ 2). Risk models were adjusted for ECE, PSA-D, and cT-stage. Corresponding Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated.ResultsAmong 493 consecutive PI-RADS 5 patients, the median age and PSA was 69 years (IQR 63–74) and 8.9 ng/ml (IQR 6.0–13.7), respectively. CsPCA (GGG ≥ 2) was detected in 405/493 (82%); 36/493 patients (7%) had no cancer. When tabulating for PSA-D of > 0.2 ng/ml/cc and > 0.5 ng/ml/cc, csPCA was found in 228/253 (90%, PI-RADS5 + PSA-D > 0.2 ng/ml/cc) and 54/54 (100%, PI-RADS5 + PSA-D > 0.5 ng/ml/cc). Finally, a model incorporating PSA-D and cT-stage achieved an AUC of 0.79 (CI 0.74–0.83).ConclusionIn PI-RADS 5 patients, PSA-D and cT-stage emerged as strong predictors of csPCA at biopsy. Moreover, when adding the threshold of PSA-D > 0,5 ng/ml/cc, all PI-RADS 5 patients were diagnosed with csPCA. Therefore, straight treatment for PCA can be considered, especially if risk-factors for biopsy-related complications such as obligatory dual platelet inhibition are present.

Evaluating Hymenoptera Venom Allergy Severity: A Data-Centric Comparison of Grading Instruments.

While a consensus seems to have been reached with regard to the definition of anaphylaxis, there is no universal instrument for scoring allergic reaction severity despite more than 30 having been proposed by the time of writing. This severely hampers comparison of data between studies. While scales have been compared with regard to their utility in grading food-related reactions, no such comparisons have been made for Hymenoptera venom-associated reactions. The study conducted a retrospective analysis to compare the severity of Hymenoptera venom allergy reactions in 104 participants with suspected Hymenoptera venom allergy. The study applied six grading instruments to each reaction, also evaluating them against the NIAID/FAAN anaphylaxis criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) for identifying anaphylaxis were calculated. Severity scales were simplified into "mild," "moderate," and "severe" categories. The most common severity grade across the five scales was determined using a custom function to establish a consensus severity grade. The most common culprit insects were honeybees (49.0%). Among the 88 participants with generalized reactions, the highest proportion had involvement of four organ systems. The scales showed high specificity for detecting anaphylaxis, especially when using higher grades of the Mueller, WAO, and Dribin scales. The diagnostic yields (AUC) varied, with the WAO scale having the highest AUC (0.94) for grades 3, 4, and 5. Spearman correlation analysis showed the strongest correlations seen between the Brown and Dribin, Ring and Messmer and Dribin, and Ring and Messmer and Reisman scales. The lowest correlations were observed with the Mueller scale when paired with the WAO, Reisman, and Dribin scales. An inter-rater reliability analysis showed substantial agreement between scales with the same number of grading levels. The agreement was highest for the Brown and Dribin scales, indicating a strong consistency in reaction severity classification across different instruments. While all instruments were effective in stratifying reactions, they showed limitations in differentiating milder phenotypes. The Brown and Dribin scales stood out for their high agreement with the consensus score and sensitivity in identifying anaphylaxis. Our findings suggest that adopting either of these scales could significantly unify the reporting of allergic reactions. We believe the format of an instrument should be tailored to its intended purpose, with clinical decision aids being simpler and research tools being more detailed.