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Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), the sixth most widespread malignancy in the world, accounts for 90% of all cases of oral cancer. The primary risk factors are tobacco chewing, alcohol consumption, viral infection, and genetic modifications. OSCC has a high morbidity rate due to the lack of early diagnostic methods. Nowadays, liquid biopsy plays a vital role in the initial diagnosis of oral cancer. ctNAs extracted from saliva and serum/plasma offer meaningful insights into tumor genetics and dynamics. The interplay of these elements in saliva and serum/plasma showcases their significance in advancing noninvasive, effective OSCC detection and monitoring. This review mainly focused on the role of liquid biopsy as an emerging point in the diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC and the current advancements and challenges associated with liquid biopsy. Liquid biopsy is regarded as a new, minimally invasive, real-time monitoring tool for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Many biomolecules found in bodily fluids, including ctDNA, ctRNA, CTCs, and EVs, are significant biomarkers to identify cancer in its early stages. Despite these groundbreaking strides, challenges persist. Standardization of sample collection, isolation, processing, and detection methods is imperative for ensuring result reproducibility across diverse studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP) is the second most common hospital acquired infection (HAI) after blood stream infection in the pediatric age group, accounting for about 20% of all HAIs in the pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and has a rate of 2.9-21.6 per 1000 ventilator days. VAP should be suspected in patients with a new or progressive pulmonary infiltrate on imaging plus supportive clinical findings of infection (e.g., fever, secretions, leukocytosis). The diagnosis is confirmed when lower respiratory tract sampling identifies pathogen. Aim of the Work: To assess diagnostic and prognostic value of tracheal aspirate procalcitonin level in critically ill pediatric patients with VAP. Patients and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 50 ventilated patients collected from Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Ain Shams University Children's hospital in a period of 6 months starting from June 2023 till December 2023; they were divided into two groups VAP group and non VAP group. They were 26 females (52.0%) and 24 males (48%) with age ranged from 0.17 - 7 years and with median (IQR) of 1.75 (0.56 - 3). Results: Regarding to our study procalcitonin (PCT) measured for 50 ventilated patietns at day 1 showed median IQR 269.85 pg/ml(183.7pg/ml-646.8pg/ml) with range 72.3pg/ml-2500pg/ml. At day 3 studeid patients divided into 2 groups VAP and non VAP group according to centers of disease control(CDC) criteria of VAP diagnosis and with comparing PCT level at day 3 between 2 groups showed statistically significant increase in the level of procalcitonin at day 3 in VAP group [574.9pg/ml(362pg/ml - 719pg/ml)] than non VAP group [280pg/ml(192.9pg/ml - 555pg/ml)] with p-value = 0.026 and the best cut off point for procalcitonin level at day 3 to differentiate between VAP and non VAP groups was found > 255.4pg/ml with sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 48% and area under curve (AUC) of 68.3%. Among VAP group procalcitonin level measured at Broncho alveolar lavage (BAL) and serum at the same time and incomparing two levels there was no statitically significant difference found between level of PCT in BAL and serum with p-value 0.778. PCT as a prognostic marker it showed PCT level, significantly increase at day 3 and onset of VAP in BAL and serum in died patients than discharged patients with p-value = 0.003, 0.031 and 0.005; respectively. Conclusion: This study underscores the significant diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin levels in critically ill pediatric patients with (VAP). Procalcitonin levels, especially at day 3, demonstrated good diagnostic performance in differentiating between VAP and non-VAP cases. Additionally, procalcitonin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum at the onset of VAP emerged as highly reliable markers for confirming the presence of VAP, with excellent sensitivity and specificity. These findings highlight the potential for procalcitonin to aid in the early diagnosis and management of VAP in this vulnerable patient population, ultimately contributing to improved clinical outcomes and patient care in intensive care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease IBD (Crohns disease CD, ulcerative colitis UC) immune-mediated diseases of the digestive tract of unknown etiology. The basis of the pathogenesis of IBD is a violation of the protective mechanisms of the intestinal barrier as a result of a complex interaction of environmental factors, a genetic predisposition and defects in the activation of the immune response in the lymphoid tissue of the intestinal mucosa. Three groups of antibodies are detected in the sera of IBD patients: autoantibodies, antimicrobial antibodies and antibodies to peptide antigens. In CD, the most useful diagnostic markers are ASCA; in UC patients pANCA. Antibodies are not among the diagnostic criteria for CD and UC, the diagnosis of which is traditionally made on the basis of a complex of clinical, radiological, endoscopic and histological signs, but can be used as useful additional non-invasive markers for early diagnosis, assessment of clinical phenotypes, prognosis and effectiveness of treatment of these diseases.

Abstract Background This study aimed to explore the heterogeneity of circRNA expression pattern via microarray, and further evaluate the potential of 10 specific circRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in multiple myeloma (MM). Methods In exploration stage (stage I), circRNA expression profiles were detected by the microarray in bone marrow plasma cells from 4 MM patients and 4 healthy controls (HCs), and bioinformatic analyses were performed. In validation stage (stage II), top 10 upregulated and top 10 downregulated circRNAs identified in stage I were detected in 60 MM patients and 30 HCs for further validation; the diagnostic and prognostic values of these circRNAs in MM patients were analyzed. Results In stage I, 122 upregulated and 260 downregulated circRNAs were identified in MM patients compared with HCs. GO, KEGG and pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these circRNAs were implicated in neoplastic pathways such as MAPK and VEGF signaling pathways. In stage II, circ-PTK2, circ-RNF217, circ-RERE, circ-NAGPA and circ-KCNQ5 were validated to be upregulated and circ-AFF2, circ-WWC3, circ-DNAJC5, circ-KLHL2, circ-IQGAP1 and circ-AL137655 were validated to be downregulated in MM compared with controls. Circ-PTK2 and circ-RNF217 were correlated with poor treatment response and survival, while circ-AFF2 predicted good treatment response and survival in MM patients. Conclusions This study provides valuable reference for profound understanding about circRNA expression patterns in MM, and validates that circ-PTK2, circ-RNF217 and circ-AFF2 might serve as potential prognostic biomarkers in MM.

Background: This study aimed to explore the heterogeneity of circRNA expression pattern via microarray, and further evaluate the potential of 10 specific circRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in multiple myeloma (MM).Methods: In exploration stage (stage I), circRNA expression profiles were detected by the microarray in bone marrow plasma cells from 4 MM patients and 4 healthy controls (HCs), and bioinformatic analyses were performed. In validation stage (stage II), top 10 upregulated and top 10 downregulated circRNAs identified in stage I were detected in 60 MM patients and 30 HCs for further validation; the diagnostic and prognostic values of these circRNAs in MM patients were analyzed.Results: In stage I, 122 upregulated and 260 downregulated circRNAs were identified in MM patients compared with HCs. GO, KEGG and pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these circRNAs were implicated in neoplastic pathways such as MAPK and VEGF signaling pathways. In stage II, circ-PTK2, circ-RNF217, circ-RERE, circ-NAGPA and circ-KCNQ5 were validated to be upregulated and circ-AFF2, circ-WWC3, circ-DNAJC5, circ-KLHL2, circ-IQGAP1 and circ-AL137655 were validated to be downregulated in MM compared with controls. Circ-PTK2 and circ-RNF217 were correlated with poor treatment response and survival, while circ-AFF2 predicted good treatment response and survival in MM patients.Conclusions: This study provides valuable reference for profound understanding about circRNA expression patterns in MM, and validates that circ-PTK2, circ-RNF217 and circ-AFF2 might serve as potential prognostic biomarkers in MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To externally validate the diagnostic and prognostic value of three previously identified microRNAs in emergency department patients with sepsis. Methods: Patients meeting consensus criteria for sepsis and septic shock were compared to controls. Three microRNAs (miR-150, miR-146a, and miR-223) were measured using real-time quantitative PCR, and levels of miRNAs were compared among the three cohorts. The association between miRNAs and both inflammatory markers and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were compared. To assess the prognostic value of each miRNA, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were constructed using in-hospital mortality as the dependent variable. Results: Ninety-three patients were enrolled; 24 controls, 29 with sepsis, and 40 with septic shock. We found no difference in serum plasma miR-146a or miR-223 between cohorts, and found no association among these microRNAs and either inflammatory markers or SOFA score. miR-150 demonstrated a significant correlation with SOFA score (P= 0.31, P=0.01) and IL-10 (P=0.37, P=0.001), but no IL-6 or TNF-α (P=0.046, P=0.59). Logistic regression demonstrated miR-150 to be independently associated with mortality, even after adjusting for SOFA score (P=0.003) or initial lactate (P=0.01). Conclusions: miR-146a and miR-223 demonstrated no significantly diagnostic or prognostic ability in this cohort. miR-150 was associated with inflammation, severity of illness, and mortality. Given the independent predictive value of miR-150, additional research regarding its role in sepsis is warranted.

Purpose: Urine fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has become a broadly used marker for noninvasive detection of bladder cancer (BC). However, it has been discussed whether the interpretation algorithm proposed by the manufacturer could be improved. Aim of the present study was to compare alternative evaluation strategies of FISH for detection of BC. Methods: We included 1048 patients suspicious for BC, who underwent urine FISH examination before cystoscopy (diagnostic cohort). Herefrom, we selected 122 patients (prognostic cohort) with a history of non-muscle-invasive BC who were cystoscopically tumor free and received FISH analysis ahead of a follow-up period of 24 months. FISH results were interpreted by the algorithms of UroVysion™, Bubendorf et al. and Zellweger et al. Results: In the diagnostic cohort, 228 patients (21.8%) had BC at time of evaluation; in the prognostic cohort 39 patients (32.0%) experienced tumor recurrence. Alterations in chromosome 3, 7 and 17 correlated with the presence of BC. Relative loss of 9p21 was associated with BC and higher risk for progression. The evaluation strategy proposed by Zellweger et al. showed highest accuracy of all FISH assessments. Performance of evaluation strategies differed in voided urine samples and samples obtained after mechanical manipulation. Conclusions: The performance of FISH in BC diagnosis strongly depends on the interpretation criteria. Alternative evaluation methods partly show superior diagnostic performance compared to the manufacturer's algorithm. The introduction of specific cutoffs for tetraploid cells improves specificity. Further modifications of the interpretation algorithm of the UrovysionFISH assay have the potential to positively affect the value of this test in diagnosis and surveillance of BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To externally validate the diagnostic and prognostic value of three previously identified microRNAs in emergency department patients with sepsis. Methods Patients meeting consensus criteria for sepsis and septic shock were compared to controls. Three microRNAs (miR-150, miR-146a, and miR-223) were measured using real-time quantitative PCR, and levels of miRNAs were compared among the three cohorts. The association between miRNAs and both inflammatory markers and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were compared. To assess the prognostic value of each miRNA, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were constructed using in-hospital mortality as the dependent variable. Results Ninety-three patients were enrolled; 24 controls, 29 with sepsis, and 40 with septic shock. We found no difference in serum plasma miR-146a or miR-223 between cohorts, and found no association among these microRNAs and either inflammatory markers or SOFA score. miR-150 demonstrated a significant correlation with SOFA score ( P = 0.31, P =0.01) and IL-10 ( P =0.37, P =0.001), but no IL-6 or TNF-α ( P =0.046, P =0.59). Logistic regression demonstrated miR-150 to be independently associated with mortality, even after adjusting for SOFA score ( P =0.003) or initial lactate ( P =0.01). Conclusions miR-146a and miR-223 demonstrated no significantly diagnostic or prognostic ability in this cohort. miR-150 was associated with inflammation, severity of illness, and mortality. Given the independent predictive value of miR-150, additional research regarding its role in sepsis is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a potentially fatal disease, which is often difficult to diagnose. As a non-invasive test cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has become an important tool in establishing the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of CMR in patients with suspected ARVC and to assess the long-term outcome of patients with CMR-diagnosed ARVC. Thirty-six patients with suspected ARVC (26 male, 10 female, median age 41 years) underwent non-invasive and invasive clinical tests as gold standard for ARVC diagnosis. ARVC was clinically diagnosed in 19 patients and excluded in 17 patients. Both groups underwent CMR, and diagnosis was confirmed by CMR in 16/18 patients with clinically diagnosed ARVC (sensitivity 89%), and correctly excluded in 14/17 of patients with clinically excluded ARVC (specificity 82%). This result indicates a positive predictive value of the CMR of 84%, and a negative predictive value of 88%, respectively ( p < 0.0001). Using a scoring system, multiple CMR parameters were compared in the two groups in regard of the clinical diagnosis. By univariate analysis, right ventricular fatty tissue infiltration ( p = 0.0003) was predictive for diagnosis. Compared by outcome, 37% of patients with clinically and by CMR-diagnosed ARVC had an arrhythmic event during a mean follow-up of 16 ± 11 months. These data suggest that CMR is a highly sensitive and specific method to diagnose or exclude ARVC, and thus, has an important prognostic impact on predicting arrhythmia free survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study aims to investigate and compare the diagnostic and prognostic value of cavernosography with 320-row dynamic volume computed tomography (DVCT) versus conventional cavernosography in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by venous leakage. A total of 174 patients diagnosed with ED were enrolled and received cavernosography with 320-row DVCT (DVCT group) and conventional cavernosography scans (control group) respectively. The diagnosis, complications, and prognosis of patients were evaluated. The DVCT group provided high-resolution images with less processing and testing time, as well as lowered radiological agent and contrast agent compared with the control group. In the DVCT group, 89 patients who were diagnosed with venous ED had six various venous leakage, namely superficial venous leakage, profundus venous leakage, the mixed type, cavernosal venous leakage, crural venous leakage, and also venous leakage between the penis and urethra cavernosum (9, 21, 32, 6, 18, and 3 cases respectively). Similarly, 74 patients out of the 81 who suffered from venous ED were classified to have superficial venous leakage (11), profundus venous leakage (14), the mixed type venous leakage (26), and middle venous leakage (23). Six out of 25 patients in the DVCT group, had improvements in ED while the remaining 19 achieved full erectile function recovery with no penile fibrosis and erectile pain. Cavernosography with 320-row DVCT is a reliable system that can be used to diagnose ED caused by venous leakage. This is especially useful in accurately determining the type of venous and allows for a better prognosis and direction of treatment., (© 2017 The Author(s).)