Early Detection Strategies Research Articles

Early detection of Alzheimer's disease using the MEMORIES mnemonic

AbstractThe rising incidence and death rates linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) highlight an urgent issue. Genetic screening is celebrated as a significant advancement for its early detection capabilities, pinpointing those at risk before the emergence of symptoms. Yet, the limited availability of these technologies highlights a critical gap in widespread application. This review pivots to the potential of presymptomatic clinical assessments as a readily available, economical, and simple strategy for early detection. Traditionally, AD diagnosis relies on the late‐stage identification of cognitive deterioration, functional impairments, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, coinciding with advanced brain degeneration. Conversely, emerging research identifies early indicators preceding significant degeneration, manifesting years before clinical symptoms. We introduce a mnemonic, MEMORIES, to categorize these prodromal: Metabolism changes, Eye/visual impairments, March (refer to gait disturbances), Olfactory dysfunction, Rhythm (blood pressure and heart rate), Insensitivity of the tongue, Ears (hearing loss), and Stool alterations. Recognizing these prodromal through clinical examinations provides a valuable strategy for initiating preventative actions against brain degeneration. This approach advocates for broadening the screening lens beyond genetic screening to encompass clinical evaluations, enhancing early detection and intervention opportunities for AD.

Survival Analysis, Clinical Characteristics, and Predictors of Cerebral Metastases in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. While liver metastasis is common, brain metastasis (BM) is rare, occurring in 0.1% to 14% of cases. Risk factors for BM include lung metastasis at diagnosis, rectal cancer, and mutations in RAS and KRAS genes. Due to its rarity, guidelines for BM screening and treatment are limited. The aim of this study is to identify the clinical characteristics and predictors of BM at the time of the initial diagnosis of CRC. We evaluated patients ≥18 years old with metastatic colorectal cancer and brain metastases at diagnosis from the SEER database (2010-2021). A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze overall survival and predictive factors for brain metastasis, utilizing multivariate logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards models, with p-values < 0.05 considered significant. Out of 24,703 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), 228 (0.92%) had brain metastasis (BM) at diagnosis. BM was more prevalent in average-onset mCRC (≥50 years) compared to early-onset (<50 years) (1% vs. 0.55%, p = 0.004). Certain factors, such as older age and adenocarcinoma subtype, were associated with BM. Additionally, Asians/Pacific-Islanders (HR 1.83 CI: 1.01-3-33, p = 0.045) and American Indians/Alaska Natives (HR 4.79 CI 1.15-19.97, p = 0.032) had higher mortality rates, while surgical treatment and chemotherapy were linked to decreased mortality. Patients with BM had significantly worse overall survival (6 months vs. 21 months, p < 0.001). BM in mCRC is uncommon, but it is associated with significantly worse outcomes, including markedly reduced overall survival. Our study highlights several critical factors associated with the presence of BM, such as older age and specific racial/ethnic groups, which may inform risk stratification and early-detection strategies. Our findings emphasize the need for heightened awareness and screening for BM in high-risk mCRC patients, as well as the inclusion of these patients in clinical trials to explore tailored therapeutic approaches aimed at improving survival and quality of life.

Temporal and Potential Predictive Relationships between Sleep Spindle Density and Spike-and-Wave Discharges.

Spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) and sleep spindles are characteristic electroencephalographic (EEG) hallmarks of absence seizures and nonrapid eye movement sleep, respectively. They are commonly generated by the cortico-thalamo-cortical network including the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). It has been reported that SWD development is accompanied by a decrease in sleep spindle density in absence seizure patients and animal models. However, whether the decrease in sleep spindle density precedes, coincides with, or follows, the SWD development remains unknown. To clarify this, we exploited Pvalb-tetracycline transactivator (tTA)::tetO-ArchT (PV-ArchT) double-transgenic mouse, which can induce an absence seizure phenotype in a time-controllable manner by expressing ArchT in PV neurons of the TRN. In these mice, EEG recordings demonstrated that a decrease in sleep spindle density occurred 1 week before the onset of typical SWDs, with the expression of ArchT. To confirm such temporal relationship observed in these genetic model mice, we used a gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) pharmacological model of SWDs. Prior to GBL administration, we administered caffeine to wild-type mice for 3 consecutive days to induce a decrease in sleep spindle density. We then administered low-dose GBL, which cannot induce SWDs in normally conditioned mice but led to the occurrence of SWDs in caffeine-conditioned mice. These findings indicate a temporal relationship in which the decrease in sleep spindle density consistently precedes SWD development. Furthermore, the decrease in sleep spindle activity may have a role in facilitating the development of SWDs. Our findings suggest that sleep spindle reductions could serve as early indicators of seizure susceptibility.

Maternal perceptions and awareness regarding developmental dysplasia of the hip in children among mothers and pregnant women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a spectrum of disorders that develop in utero, involving the femoral head and acetabular cup development, ranging from dysplasia to dislocation. The prevalence of DDH in Saudi Arabia is 10.46 per 1000 live births. However, the late presentation of DDH in Saudi Arabia is around 30%, believed to be significantly due to a lack of awareness of the disease among mothers and pregnant women. This study aimed to measure maternal perceptions and awareness regarding DDH in children among mothers and pregnant women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. In total, 406 women participated in an electronic survey. The survey questions were adapted from previously published research, and the questionnaire was available in Arabic. The age distribution of the participants ranged from below 20 to over 50 years, with the largest group being 31-40 years old. Most of the participants had a university-level education (61.1%). The overall assessment showed a predominance of poor knowledge (41.1%), followed by good knowledge (34.7%), and then medium knowledge (24.1%). The present study revealed significant knowledge gaps and barriers to the early detection and intervention of DDH among Makkah City mothers and pregnant women. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational campaigns, increased access to screening programs, and heightened healthcare provider knowledge to improve DDH's perception and awareness. Future interventions should focus on addressing these gaps and promoting early detection and intervention strategies to minimize the long-term consequences of DDH.

Emerging Trends in Lung Cancer Presentation at a Leading Tertiary Oncology Center and the Need for Lung Cancer Screening in Pakistan.

Background Lung cancer is a significant global health concern, with Pakistan lacking a national cancer registry. Methods A retrospective study analyzed 345 lung cancer patients at Shifa International Hospital from 2018 to 2020. Demographics, symptoms, cancer stage, site, and histological types were assessed using descriptive statistics and Pearson'schi-square test. Results Most patients were male (267, 77.4%) with a mean age of 45-75 years. Common symptoms included patients with cough (168, 49%), blood in sputum (114, 33%), and chest pain (120, 35%). Most cases presented at advanced stages (81% at stage 4). Adenocarcinoma (131, 38%) was the most common histological type, with significant differences noted between smokers and non-smokers. Conclusion Gender disparities exist in lung cancer incidence, with a higher proportion of male patients. Both smokers and non-smokers are affected, emphasizing the need for comprehensive screening. Early detection and intervention strategies are crucial, especially considering the advanced stage of presentation. Tailored approaches considering histological types are essential for effective management. This study underscores the urgency of implementing screening programs and raising awareness to mitigate the burden of lung cancer in Pakistan.

Population screening for cirrhosis.

In response to the growing health crisis of liver-related morbidity and mortality, screening for liver cirrhosis has emerged as a promising strategy for early detection and timely intervention. By identifying individuals with severe fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis, screening holds the promise of enhancing treatment outcomes, delaying disease progression, and ultimately improving the quality of life of affected individuals. Clinical practice guidelines from international scientific societies currently recommend targeted screening strategies, investigating high-risk populations with known risk factors of liver disease. While there is good evidence that screening increases case finding in the population, and a growing number of studies indicate that screening may motivate beneficial lifestyle changes in patients with steatotic liver disease, there are major gaps in knowledge in need of clarification before screening programs of cirrhosis are implemented. Foremost, randomized trials are needed to ensure that screening leads to improved liver-related morbidity and mortality. If not, screening for cirrhosis could be unethical due to overdiagnosis, overtreatment, increased health care costs, negative psychological consequences of screening, and futile invasive investigations. Moreover, the tests used for screening need to be optimized toward lower false positive rates than the currently used FIB-4 while retaining few false negatives. Finally, barriers to adherence to screening and implementation of screening programs need to be elucidated. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of screening strategies for liver cirrhosis and the promises and pitfalls of current methods for early cirrhosis detection.

Addressing the Global Challenge: Strategies for Cervical Prevention and Early Detection within WHO's 90-70-90 Framework

Cervical cancer represents a substantial global health issue, standing as the third most prevalent cancer globally and the principal cause of cancer-associated mortality in women, with an uneven burden shouldered by less developed countries. Despite being the most preventable malignancy, with nearly all cases attributed to HPV infection, which has a lifetime cumulative risk of 80% through sexual transmission, cervical cancer remains a pressing issue. National cervical cytology screening programs have been implemented to identify cervical abnormalities, lesions, and early malignancies in eligible women. However, the utilization of screening techniques is declining, and due to resource constraints, screening schemes have not been adopted in less-developed economies. Several nations have embraced alternative screening techniques, such as Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), which have shown impacts on mortality and morbidity rates. With the rising accessibility of efficacious HPV screening and self-testing, there will be a necessity to reconfigure existing cervical screening programs. Furthermore, preventative HPV vaccination is an integral part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Strategy to Expedite the Eradication of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Issue, necessitating the restructuring of vaccination endeavors. This review article evaluates potential techniques for detecting precancerous lesions within the context of the WHO's 90-70-90 global policy for cervical cancer prevention and early diagnosis. The incidence and mortality rates are examined, highlighting the effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention efforts.

Depression in older adults and its associations with sleep and synaptic density

BackgroundDepression among older adults is a global concern, contributing to disability and overall illness burden. Understanding its trajectory, associated risk factors, and implications for mortality is essential for effective intervention. Moreover, the relationship between depression, sleep disturbances, and synaptic density in the ageing brain remains complex and poorly understood. MethodsUsing data from the University of Manchester Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Normal Healthy Old Age cohort, comprising 6375 participants, we conducted comprehensive assessments of depression trajectories using generalized linear mixed models and mortality risks using Cox mixed-effects models. Generalized structural equation modelling was performed to explore longitudinal associations between sleep duration and depression. Lastly, associations between post-mortem synaptic density and depression were investigated. ResultsOur findings revealed that depression rates declined until age 80 before increasing again. Depression was associated with a 10 % increased risk of mortality in older adults. Reduced sleep was correlated with depression, and depression measured early in the study predicted future reduced sleep. Post-mortem analysis showed a global reduction in synaptic density associated with depression, particularly pronounced in the frontal lobe. LimitationsLimitations include recall bias, limiting generalizability due to dominantly including White British participants and difficulty in establishing causation between synaptic density and depression. ConclusionOur study underscores the significance of addressing depression in older adults, not only for mental health but also for mortality risk and neurobiological health. Early detection and intervention strategies are crucial for improving outcomes in elderly populations, potentially mitigating adverse effects on sleep, synaptic density, cognitive health, and longevity.

Multiplex-PCR Detection of Clostridium tyrobutyricum, Clostridium butyricum, and Clostridium sporogenes in Raw Milk for Cheesemaking.

Late blowing defects in semi-hard and hard cheeses caused by spore-forming clostridia (e.g., Clostridium tyrobutyricum, Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium sporogenes) pose a major issue for the dairy industry. With this study, we applied a multiplex PCR for the rapid and simultaneous detection of clostridia in raw milk for cheese production. Spore detection in milk usually relies on culture-dependent methods, among which the most probable number (MPN) technique is sensitive but time-consuming and nonspecific. We tested two PCR-based protocols: the one entailed direct milk analysis with results obtained within 24 h; the other included an enrichment step and gave results within 72 h. The second protocol was found to be more sensitive; it detected concentrations as low as 100 cells/L for C. sporogenes and C. butyricum and 800 cells/L for C. tyrobutyricum. Both protocols were applied to field samples (211 samples underwent protocol no. 1; 117 samples underwent protocol no. 2) collected from four dairy processing plants in Piedmont. The prevalence of C. butyricum (protocol no. 1: 9.5%; protocol no. 2: 23%) was higher than either C. sporogenes (0%; 9.4%) or C. tyrobutyricum (0%; 6.8%). Protocol no. 2 detected multiple targets in eight samples, indicating that more than one microorganism was present. Our findings underscore the importance of implementing preventive measures and early detection strategies to mitigate the risk of cheese spoilage due to clostridial contamination.

Factors related to blood pressure assessment during pregnancy in Ethiopia: Multilevel analysis using the 2019 mini demographic and health survey data.

Blood pressure assessment is an essential strategy for early detection and treatment of hypertension and hypotension. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are major public health problems resulting in a significant burden of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, among pregnancies complicated by HDP, 25% end up with perinatal death. Perinatal and maternal mortality related to HDP were found to be higher in Ethiopia compared to high-income and most of the low- and middle-income countries. Despite its importance, there is limited evidence on blood pressure assessment during pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of blood pressure assessment during pregnancy and its associated factors in Ethiopia. This study was based on the 2019 Mini Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. A total weighted sample of 2923 women who had a live birth five years before the survey were included and Stata version 16 software was used for statistical analysis. To identify associated factors, a multilevel robust Poisson regression model was fitted since the prevalence of blood pressure assessment was higher than 10%. Variables with p-value < 0.2 in the bi-variable analysis were exported to the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, the adjusted prevalence ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used to declare a statistically significant association. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of blood pressure assessment during pregnancy was 88.1% (95% CI: 86.9%, 89.2%). In the multivariable multilevel robust Poisson analysis, primary education and secondary education, grand-multiparity, initiation of antenatal care before three months and 3-6 months, four and above antenatal care visits, being counselled by a health professional, being from richer and richest households, residing in Afar and Amhara regions were significantly associated with BP assessment during pregnancy in Ethiopia. To reduce the high burden of mortality related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the country, blood pressure assessment should be improved. Therefore, policymakers should design interventions that empower women in terms of education and economy, promoting early initiation of antenatal care visits and prenatal counselling could improve blood pressure assessment.

Delayed diagnosis, disease and secondary prevention, especially in young patients with colorectal cancer.

&lt;b&gt;Introduction:&lt;/b&gt; Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second cause of death. Its incidence rate decreased by about 3% per year between 2011 and 2015, and mortality by 35% between 1990 and 2007. This improvement is a result of cancer prevention and early detection strategies through screening. The decline in cancer rates may have been due to a growing awareness of colorectal cancer in the Polish population. There was a discernible improvement in the quality of surgical treatment with time.&lt;b&gt;Aim:&lt;/b&gt; The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between colonoscopy and the incidence of CRC, the incidence and family history of cancer and other intestinal diseases, as well as between the stage and time from first symptoms to the start of treatment.&lt;b&gt;Materials and methods:&lt;/b&gt; A retrospective analysis of the records of patients with CRC treated surgically between 1995 and 2005 at the Department of General, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Surgery in Krakow and a diagnostic survey method were used.&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; There was a statistically significant relationship between the performance of colonoscopy and the incidence of CRC (P&lt;0.001). There was no correlation between CRC and the incidence of cancer and other bowel diseases in the family, or between the stage and the time from first symptoms to the start of treatment. The length of time was long, usually up to 6 months, 1-3 years, and in some cases longer than 6 years.&lt;b&gt;Discussion:&lt;/b&gt; Unfortunately, the incidence of CRC in young people under 50 years (EOCRC) has increased. Screening is of proven importance in reducing the incidence and mortality of CRC and every effort should be made to carry out as many of these screenings as possible. The time between diagnosis and treatment should also be kept as short as possible. Recommendations for the timeframe from diagnosis to treatment of cancer exist in many countries. In Australia, guidelines for an optimal care pathway suggest a timeframe of up to 7-9 weeks, similar to the National Health Service UK guidelines in the UK. Timeliness of treatment is an important factor in cancer care, to assess the consequences of delays and disruptions in oncology care.&lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; The incidence of CRC was lowest among those who had prophylactic examinations - colonoscopies. Studies on secondary prevention have confirmed that there was poor diagnosis in this area, even though there were cases of CRC in the immediate family, so it is worth educating the public and encouraging them to have colonoscopies and take care of their health. The long time between the appearance of the first clinical symptoms and the start of treatment, which was presented in the study, is unfortunately associated with a worse prognosis, as any delay in starting treatment for oncology patients is unfavorable.&lt;b&gt;Significance of the research for the development of the field:&lt;/b&gt; The role of secondary prevention in the prevention of CRC and the need to educate the public to catch the first worrying signs of cancer and to consult a doctor are emphasized.

Extraction of Substance Use Information From Clinical Notes: Generative Pretrained Transformer-Based Investigation.

Understanding the multifaceted nature of health outcomes requires a comprehensive examination of the social, economic, and environmental determinants that shape individual well-being. Among these determinants, behavioral factors play a crucial role, particularly the consumption patterns of psychoactive substances, which have important implications on public health. The Global Burden of Disease Study shows a growing impact in disability-adjusted life years due to substance use. The successful identification of patients' substance use information equips clinical care teams to address substance-related issues more effectively, enabling targeted support and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Traditional natural language processing methods face limitations in accurately parsing diverse clinical language associated with substance use. Large language models offer promise in overcoming these challenges by adapting to diverse language patterns. This study investigates the application of the generative pretrained transformer (GPT) model in specific GPT-3.5 for extracting tobacco, alcohol, and substance use information from patient discharge summaries in zero-shot and few-shot learning settings. This study contributes to the evolving landscape of health care informatics by showcasing the potential of advanced language models in extracting nuanced information critical for enhancing patient care. The main data source for analysis in this paper is Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III data set. Among all notes in this data set, we focused on discharge summaries. Prompt engineering was undertaken, involving an iterative exploration of diverse prompts. Leveraging carefully curated examples and refined prompts, we investigate the model's proficiency through zero-shot as well as few-shot prompting strategies. Results show GPT's varying effectiveness in identifying mentions of tobacco, alcohol, and substance use across learning scenarios. Zero-shot learning showed high accuracy in identifying substance use, whereas few-shot learning reduced accuracy but improved in identifying substance use status, enhancing recall and F1-score at the expense of lower precision. Excellence of zero-shot learning in precisely extracting text span mentioning substance use demonstrates its effectiveness in situations in which comprehensive recall is important. Conversely, few-shot learning offers advantages when accurately determining the status of substance use is the primary focus, even if it involves a trade-off in precision. The results contribute to enhancement of early detection and intervention strategies, tailor treatment plans with greater precision, and ultimately, contribute to a holistic understanding of patient health profiles. By integrating these artificial intelligence-driven methods into electronic health record systems, clinicians can gain immediate, comprehensive insights into substance use that results in shaping interventions that are not only timely but also more personalized and effective.

Adenomyosis-A Call for Awareness, Early Detection, and Effective Treatment Strategies: A Narrative Review.

To provide a brief summary of the high incidence, symptomatology, different types, and diagnosis of adenomyosis and to explore various aspects of the disease, with the primary aim of raising awareness among gynecologists for appropriate and early detection. Adenomyosis, a benign gynecological condition characterized by the infiltration of endometrial tissue into the myometrium, poses significant challenges to women's reproductive health. A narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases and offering a non-systematic summary and critical analysis of current knowledge on the impact of adenomyosis on women's health. Articles published in the English language up to May 2023, including original scientific papers, clinical trials, meta-analyses, and reviews focusing on various aspects of adenomyosis, were included in the synthesis of this review. Approximately 20% of women are affected by adenomyosis, which manifests with various subtypes, distinct epidemiological profiles, symptomatology, and treatment responses. Despite its clinical significance, adenomyosis remains understudied, resulting in a significant disparity in research and the literature compared to other gynecological conditions. The severity of adenomyosis is compounded when coexisting with endometriosis, particularly deep-infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), leading to exacerbated fertility issues and severe symptomatology. The wide range of symptoms, including adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, highlights its wider impact and emphasizes the need for increased awareness of the condition. Adenomyosis is frequently associated with treatment failure in endometriosis, contributing to dienogest resistance, elevated discontinuation rates, and persistent pain post-endometriosis surgery. Additionally, the lack of specific treatments tailored to adenomyosis poses a considerable challenge in clinical management.

Comprehensive analysis of hyperspectral features for monitoring canopy maize leaf spot disease

Accurate quantification of hyperspectral features altered by plant disease infection is pivotal for effective disease management. However, the sensitivity of hyperspectral features to plant disease progression remains elusive, primarily because these features are often influenced by plant growth and environmental factors in addition to the specific disease. This study explores the sensitivity of biophysical and spectral features as indicators for maize adaptation to leaf spot disease. Using high-resolution UAV hyperspectral imaging, we captured maize adaptation dynamics over 30 days post-infection. We evaluated the sensitivity and importance of hyperspectral features for disease monitoring, including biophysical parameters retrieved by the PROSAIL model, and spectral features, including spectral reflectance, vegetation indices (VIs), and wavelet features (WFs). Our findings reveal that WFs first indicate disease response as early as 6 days after infection (DAI), followed by VIs at DAI 8, and variations in chlorophyll content (Cab) become apparent by DAI 10. The Cab, plant senescence reflectance index (PSRI), and normalized photosynthetic reflectance index (NPRI) are determined to be important features at the early stage of the disease. Our experimental results show that the different feature sets are complementary at the early and severe stages of the disease. Our classification models integrating Cab, VIs, and WFs showed higher overall accuracy than models using only spectral features or VIs, with a maximum improvement of 9.36 %. However, these feature sets are redundant in the mild and initial severe disease stages, where models using only spectral features achieve the highest overall accuracy of 86.21 %. This study underscores the novel insights by offering an understanding of plant responses to disease infection and enhancing early detection strategies.

An Unsupervised Framework Based on Dual-Domain Contrastive Learning and Tri-Indicator Joint Alarm Strategy for Early Fault Detection of Bearing

An Unsupervised Framework Based on Dual-Domain Contrastive Learning and Tri-Indicator Joint Alarm Strategy for Early Fault Detection of Bearing

Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer: How to put “early detection” into effect?

This editorial comments on the article by Qu et al in a recent edition of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology , focusing on the importance of early diagnosis in managing esophageal cancer and strategies for achieving “early detection”. The five-year age-standardized net survival for esophageal cancer patients falls short of expectations. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are critical strategies for improving the treatment outcomes of esophageal cancer. While advancements in endoscopic technology have been significant, there seems to be an excessive emphasis on the latest high-end endoscopic devices and various endoscopic resection techniques. Therefore, it is imperative to redirect focus towards proactive early detection strategies for esophageal cancer, investigate the most cost-effective screening methods suitable for different regions, and persistently explore practical solutions to improve the five-year survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer.

Advancements in Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review.

Celiac disease, a chronic autoimmune condition, manifests in those genetically prone to it through damage to the small intestine upon gluten consumption. This condition is estimated to affect approximately one in every hundred individuals worldwide, though it often goes undiagnosed. The early and accurate diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) is critical to preventing severe health complications, with computer-aided diagnostic approaches showing significant promise. However, there is a shortage of review literature that encapsulates the field's current state and offers a perspective on future advancements. Therefore, this review critically assesses the literature on the role of imaging techniques, biomarker analysis, and computer models in improving CD diagnosis. We highlight the diagnostic strengths of advanced imaging and the non-invasive appeal of biomarker analyses, while also addressing ongoing challenges in standardization and integration into clinical practice. Our analysis stresses the importance of computer-aided diagnostics in fast-tracking the diagnosis of CD, highlighting the necessity for ongoing research to refine these approaches for effective implementation in clinical settings. Future research in the field will focus on standardizing CAD protocols for broader clinical use and exploring the integration of genetic and protein data to enhance early detection and personalize treatment strategies. These advancements promise significant improvements in patient outcomes and broader implications for managing autoimmune diseases.

Early Detection Strategy of BK Polyoma Virus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Early Detection Strategy of BK Polyoma Virus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Association of Methylated DNA Markers with High-Risk HPV Infections in Oral Site and Precancer Anal Lesions in HIV-Positive MSM.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to several cancers, including anal and oral cancers. The incidence of anal cancer is particularly high among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). DNA methylation markers have shown promise as biomarkers for identifying precancerous lesions and cancer in HPV-infected individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of DNA methylation with HPV infection in oral samples and the correlation of DNA methylation with lesion degree in the anal samples of HIV-positive MSM. This study investigated DNA methylation in oral and anal samples from HIV-positive MSM at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) in Rome, Italy. Exfoliated oral epithelial cells and anal samples were collected and analyzed for 28 HPV genotypes using the Allplex 28 HPV assay. DNA methylation was assessed with the PrecursorM+ kit for oral samples and the AnoGyn kit for anal samples, focusing on the promoter regions of specific genes. The study included 63 participants, with a median age of 49 and a median CD4+ count of 705 cells/µL. The oral samples showed HPV16 as the most common type, with 22% testing positive for DNA methylation. The anal samples exhibited HPV-related methylation changes linked to cytological lesions, with a 30% increase in the observed ddCt ratio. Significant differences were found in both ASCL1 and ZNF582 genes, particularly for HSILvsNILM and HSILvsLSIL lesions. Of the samples with an increased ddCt ratio, 80% were from patients over 35 years old, and multiple HPV infections were common. DNA methylation markers could be valuable in identifying high-risk HPV infections in oral samples and detecting potential precancerous lesions in anal samples. These markers may enhance the early detection and prevention strategies for HPV-related cancers in high-risk populations, with follow-up data indicating potential for monitoring lesion progression.

Advancements in Early Detection and Screening Strategies for Pancreatic Cancer: From Genetic Susceptibility to Novel Biomarkers.

Pancreatic cancer is a rare but lethal cancer due to its biologically aggressive nature, advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, and poor response to oncologic therapies. The risk of pancreatic cancer is significantly higher to 5% in certain high-risk individuals with inherited genetic susceptibility. Screening for pancreatic cancer in these individuals from high-risk groups can help with the early detection of pancreatic cancer as well as the detection of precursor lesions leading to early surgical resection and improved overall outcomes. The advancements in radiological imaging as well as advanced endoscopic procedures has made a significant impact on the early diagnosis, surveillance, and staging of pancreatic cancer. There is also a significant advancement in the development of biomarkers for the early detection of pancreatic cancer, which has also led to the development of liquid biopsy, allowing for microRNA detection in serum and circulating tumor cells. Various societies and organizations have provided guidelines for pancreatic cancer screening and surveillance in high-risk individuals. In this review, we aim to discuss the hereditary risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer, summarize the screening recommendations by different societies, and discuss the development of novel biomarkers and areas for future research in pancreatic cancer screening for high-risk individuals.