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Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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12 pages, 505 KiB  
Review
Pulmonary Hypertension and Hyperglycemia—Not a Sweet Combination
by Or Bruck and L. M. Pandit
Diagnostics 2024, 14(11), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14111119 - 28 May 2024
Viewed by 603
Abstract
Hyperglycemia and pulmonary hypertension (PH) share common pathological pathways that lead to vascular dysfunction and resultant cardiovascular complications. These shared pathologic pathways involve endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances. Individuals with hyperglycemia or pulmonary hypertension also possess shared clinical factors that [...] Read more.
Hyperglycemia and pulmonary hypertension (PH) share common pathological pathways that lead to vascular dysfunction and resultant cardiovascular complications. These shared pathologic pathways involve endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances. Individuals with hyperglycemia or pulmonary hypertension also possess shared clinical factors that contribute to increased morbidity from both diseases. This review aims to explore the relationship between PH and hyperglycemia, highlighting the mechanisms underlying their association and discussing the clinical implications. Understanding these common pathologic and clinical factors will enable early detection for those at-risk for complications from both diseases, paving the way for improved research and targeted therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hyperglycemia in Respiratory Diseases—Impact and Challenges)
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12 pages, 8735 KiB  
Article
The Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the Evaluation of Central Lung Cancer with Obstructive Atelectasis
by Ehsan Safai Zadeh, Katharina Paulina Huber, Christian Görg, Helmut Prosch and Hajo Findeisen
Diagnostics 2024, 14(10), 1051; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14101051 - 18 May 2024
Viewed by 610
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) alongside contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in evaluating central lung cancer (CLC). Materials and Methods: From 2006 to 2022, 54 patients with CLC and obstructive atelectasis (OAT) underwent standardized examinations using CEUS [...] Read more.
Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) alongside contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in evaluating central lung cancer (CLC). Materials and Methods: From 2006 to 2022, 54 patients with CLC and obstructive atelectasis (OAT) underwent standardized examinations using CEUS in addition to CECT. The ability to differentiate CLC from atelectatic tissue in CECT and CEUS was categorized as distinguishable or indistinguishable. In CEUS, in distinguishable cases, the order of enhancement (time to enhancement) (OE; categorized as either an early pulmonary arterial [PA] pattern or a delayed bronchial arterial [BA] pattern of enhancement), the extent of enhancement (EE; marked or reduced), the homogeneity of enhancement (HE; homogeneous or inhomogeneous), and the decrease in enhancement (DE; rapid washout [<120 s] or late washout [≥120 s]) were evaluated. Results: The additional use of CEUS improved the diagnostic capability of CECT from 75.9% to 92.6% in differentiating a CLC from atelectatic tissue. The majority of CLC cases exhibited a BA pattern of enhancement (89.6%), an isoechoic reduced enhancement (91.7%), and a homogeneous enhancement (91.7%). Rapid DE was observed in 79.2% of cases. Conclusions: In cases of suspected CLC with obstructive atelectasis, the application of CEUS can be helpful in differentiating tumor from atelectatic tissue and in evaluating CLC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Challenges and Perspectives of Ultrasound)
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21 pages, 4264 KiB  
Review
Diagnostic Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) of the Luminal Gastrointestinal Tract
by Giovanna Impellizzeri, Giulio Donato, Claudio De Angelis and Nico Pagano
Diagnostics 2024, 14(10), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14100996 - 11 May 2024
Viewed by 704
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to focus on the diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract. In the last decades, EUS has gained a central role in the staging of epithelial and sub-epithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. With the evolution of [...] Read more.
The purpose of this review is to focus on the diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract. In the last decades, EUS has gained a central role in the staging of epithelial and sub-epithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. With the evolution of imaging, the position of EUS in the diagnostic work-up and the staging flow-chart has continuously changed with two extreme positions: some gastroenterologists think that EUS is absolutely indispensable, and some think it is utterly useless. The truth is, as always, somewhere in between the two extremes. Analyzing the most up-to-date and strong evidence, we will try to give EUS the correct position in our daily practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) in Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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10 pages, 779 KiB  
Review
A Review of Endobronchial-Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Intranodal Forceps Biopsy and Cryobiopsy
by Michel Chalhoub, Bino Joseph and Sudeep Acharya
Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090965 - 6 May 2024
Viewed by 952
Abstract
Benign and malignant mediastinal lesions are not infrequently encountered in clinical practice. Mediastinoscopy has long been considered the gold standard in evaluating mediastinal pathology. Since its introduction into clinical practice, endobronchial-ultrasonography-guided transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has replaced mediastinoscopy as the initial procedure [...] Read more.
Benign and malignant mediastinal lesions are not infrequently encountered in clinical practice. Mediastinoscopy has long been considered the gold standard in evaluating mediastinal pathology. Since its introduction into clinical practice, endobronchial-ultrasonography-guided transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has replaced mediastinoscopy as the initial procedure of choice to evaluate mediastinal lesions and to stage lung cancer. Its diagnostic yield in benign mediastinal lesions and less common malignancies, however, has remained limited. This has led different proceduralists to investigate additional procedures to improve the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA. In recent years, different published reports concluded that the addition of EBUS-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (IFB) and transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) to EBUS-TBNA increases the diagnostic yield especially in benign mediastinal lesions and uncommon mediastinal malignancies. The purpose of this review is to describe how EBUS-IFB and EBUS-TBCB are performed, to compare their diagnostic yields, and to discuss their limitations and their potential complications. In addition, the review will conclude with a proposed algorithm on how to incorporate EBUS-IFB and EBUS-TBCB into clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Diagnostic Bronchoscopy)
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12 pages, 524 KiB  
Article
Recurrence Patterns after Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma with [(11)C]methionine Positron Emission Tomography-Guided Irradiation for Target Volume Optimization
by Zsanett Debreczeni-Máté, Imre Törő, Mihaly Simon, Kristof Gál, Marton Barabás, David Sipos and Arpad Kovács
Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090964 - 5 May 2024
Viewed by 825
Abstract
11C methionine (11C-MET) is increasingly being used in addition to contrast-enhanced MRI to plan for radiotherapy of patients with glioblastomas. This study aimed to assess the recurrence pattern quantitatively. Glioblastoma patients undergoing 11C-MET PET examination before primary radiotherapy from 2018 [...] Read more.
11C methionine (11C-MET) is increasingly being used in addition to contrast-enhanced MRI to plan for radiotherapy of patients with glioblastomas. This study aimed to assess the recurrence pattern quantitatively. Glioblastoma patients undergoing 11C-MET PET examination before primary radiotherapy from 2018 to 2023 were included in the analysis. A clinical target volume was manually created and fused with MRI-based gross tumor volumes and MET PET-based biological target volume. The recurrence was noted as an area of contrast enhancement on the first MRI scan, which showed progression. The recurrent tumor was identified on the radiological MR images in terms of recurrent tumor volume, and recurrences were classified as central, in-field, marginal, or ex-field tumors. We then compared the MET-PET-defined biological target volume with the MRI-defined recurrent tumor volume regarding spatial overlap (the Dice coefficient) and the Hausdorff distance. Most recurrences occurred locally within the primary tumor area (64.8%). The mean Hausdorff distance was 39.4 mm (SD 32.25), and the mean Dice coefficient was 0.30 (SD 0.22). In patients with glioblastoma, the analysis of the recurrence pattern has been mainly based on FET-PET. Our study confirms that the recurrence pattern after gross tumor volume-based treatment contoured by MET-PET is consistent with the FET-PET-based treatment described in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging and Theranostics)
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11 pages, 506 KiB  
Article
Molecular Characterization of Advanced-Stage Melanomas in Clinical Practice Using a Laboratory-Developed Next-Generation Sequencing Panel
by Thais Maloberti, Antonio De Leo, Sara Coluccelli, Viviana Sanza, Elisa Gruppioni, Annalisa Altimari, Francesca Comito, Barbara Melotti, Paola Valeria Marchese, Emi Dika, Federico Venturi, Barbara Corti, Giulia Ciccimarra, Crina Adriana Ciceu, Giovanni Tallini and Dario de Biase
Diagnostics 2024, 14(8), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14080800 - 11 Apr 2024
Viewed by 787
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most lethal tumors among skin cancers, characterized by complex genetic and molecular alterations that result in uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastatic spread. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables the simultaneous examination of numerous genes, making this molecular technique essential [...] Read more.
Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most lethal tumors among skin cancers, characterized by complex genetic and molecular alterations that result in uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastatic spread. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables the simultaneous examination of numerous genes, making this molecular technique essential for melanoma diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and therapy planning. Herein, we present the experience with our laboratory-designed NGS panel for the routine assessment of advanced-stage melanoma. A total of 260 specimens of advanced-stage melanomas were evaluated utilizing a laboratory-developed multi-gene NGS panel, which allowed the investigation of 229 amplicons in 25 oncogene/oncosuppressor genes. The NGS panel proved to be a reliable tool, failing to produce results in only 1.2% of the samples tested. BRAF and TERT were the two more commonly altered genes in 44.0% and 59.9% of samples, respectively. In 59.3% of the mutated cases, at least two concomitant variants were detected. In eight cases, both primary lesion and metastatic disease were analyzed by NGS. In all specimens (8/8, 100%), a perfect concordance in variants harbored by the primary and recurrence lesions was observed. Finally, this study described the validity of a laboratory-developed multi-gene NGS panel built specifically for advanced-stage melanomas in ordinary clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnosis of Skin and Superficial Tissues Disorders—“Old and Emerging” Diagnostic Tools)
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17 pages, 13600 KiB  
Article
The Doppler Perfusion Index of the Liver and the Underlying Duplex Sonography of Visceral Vessels—A Systematic and Comprehensive Evaluation of Reproducibility
by Christian Lueders, Johannes Gladitz, Georg Bauer, Christian Jenssen, Jana Belaschki, Arndt von Kirchbach, Christoph Schneider, Thomas Kiefer, Heinz Voeller and Daniel Merkel
Diagnostics 2024, 14(7), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070778 - 8 Apr 2024
Viewed by 980
Abstract
Prior to the curative resection of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the exclusion of hepatic metastasis using cross-sectional imaging is mandatory. The Doppler perfusion index (DPI) of the liver is a promising method for detecting occult liver metastases, but the [...] Read more.
Prior to the curative resection of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the exclusion of hepatic metastasis using cross-sectional imaging is mandatory. The Doppler perfusion index (DPI) of the liver is a promising method for detecting occult liver metastases, but the underlying visceral duplex sonography is critically viewed in terms of its reproducibility. The aim of this study was to investigate systematically the reproducibility of the measured variables, the calculated blood flow, and the DPI. Between February and September 2023, two examinations were performed on 80 subjects within a period of 0–30 days and at two previously defined quality levels, aligned to the German standards of the DEGUM. Correlation analyses were carried out using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The diameters, blood flow, and DPI showed a high degree of agreement (PCC of 0.9 and ICC of 0.9 for AHP). Provided that a precise standard of procedure is adhered to, the Doppler examination of AHC, AHP, and PV yields very reproducible blood flows and DPI, which is a prerequisite for a comprehensive investigation of its prognostic value for the prediction of metachronous hepatic metastasis in the context of curatively treated CRC or PDAC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abdominal Ultrasound: A Left Behind Area)
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19 pages, 16749 KiB  
Review
Imaging Considerations before and after Liver-Directed Locoregional Treatments for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
by David-Dimitris Chlorogiannis, Amgad M. Moussa, Ken Zhao, Erica S. Alexander, Constantinos T. Sofocleous and Vlasios S. Sotirchos
Diagnostics 2024, 14(7), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070772 - 5 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1015
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Liver metastases will develop in over one-third of patients with colorectal cancer and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Even though surgical resection has been considered the mainstay of treatment, only approximately [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Liver metastases will develop in over one-third of patients with colorectal cancer and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Even though surgical resection has been considered the mainstay of treatment, only approximately 20% of the patients are surgical candidates. Liver-directed locoregional therapies such as thermal ablation, Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization, and stereotactic body radiation therapy are pivotal in managing colorectal liver metastatic disease. Comprehensive pre- and post-intervention imaging, encompassing both anatomic and metabolic assessments, is invaluable for precise treatment planning, staging, treatment response assessment, and the prompt identification of local or distant tumor progression. This review outlines the value of imaging for colorectal liver metastatic disease and offers insights into imaging follow-up after locoregional liver-directed therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Imaging in Colorectal Cancer)
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16 pages, 31210 KiB  
Article
Comparison between Two Adaptive Optics Methods for Imaging of Individual Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells
by Elena Gofas-Salas, Daniel M. W. Lee, Christophe Rondeau, Kate Grieve, Ethan A. Rossi, Michel Paques and Kiyoko Gocho
Diagnostics 2024, 14(7), 768; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070768 - 4 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1850
Abstract
The Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) plays a prominent role in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, but imaging individual RPE cells is challenging due to their high absorption and low autofluorescence emission. The RPE lies beneath the highly reflective photoreceptor layer (PR) and [...] Read more.
The Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) plays a prominent role in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, but imaging individual RPE cells is challenging due to their high absorption and low autofluorescence emission. The RPE lies beneath the highly reflective photoreceptor layer (PR) and contains absorptive pigments, preventing direct backscattered light detection when the PR layer is intact. Here, we used near-infrared autofluorescence adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (NIRAF AOSLO) and transscleral flood imaging (TFI) in the same healthy eyes to cross-validate these approaches. Both methods revealed a consistent RPE mosaic pattern and appeared to reflect a distribution of fluorophores consistent with findings from histological studies. Interestingly, even in apparently healthy RPE, we observed dynamic changes over months, suggesting ongoing cellular activity or alterations in fluorophore distribution. These findings emphasize the value of NIRAF AOSLO and TFI in understanding RPE morphology and dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Resolution Retinal Imaging: Hot Topics and Recent Developments)
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12 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
Novel Biomarkers in Evaluating Cardiac Function in Patients on Hemodialysis—A Pilot Prospective Observational Cohort Study
by Lazar Chisavu, Viviana Mihaela Ivan, Adelina Mihaescu, Flavia Chisavu, Oana Schiller, Luciana Marc, Flaviu Bob and Adalbert Schiller
Diagnostics 2024, 14(6), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14060664 - 21 Mar 2024
Viewed by 877
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease patients treated by hemodialysis present a high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is an imperative need for novel biomarkers for identifying these patients and to offer possible therapeutically interventions. We performed a prospective observational cohort study on 77 patients in [...] Read more.
Chronic kidney disease patients treated by hemodialysis present a high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is an imperative need for novel biomarkers for identifying these patients and to offer possible therapeutically interventions. We performed a prospective observational cohort study on 77 patients in the period of October 2021–October 2023. We measured serum plasma levels of interleukin 1-beta, galectin 3, human suppression of tumorigenicity factor 2, bone morphogenetic protein 2 and fibroblastic growth factor 23 at the inclusion site. We evaluated the correlations of these biomarkers with cardiac function and structure evaluated by echocardiography. The mean age was 61.02 (±11.81) years, with 45 (56.2%) males and with a dialysis vintage of 4.95 (2.4–7.8) years. Median ejection fraction was 51 (43–54%), and more than two-thirds of the patients presented valvular calcifications. Overall mortality was 22%. Interleukin 1-beta was correlated positively with ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain and negatively with left atrium diameter and left ventricle telesystolic diameter. Galectin 3 values were negatively correlated with aortic valve fibrosis and mitral valve calcifications, and human suppression tumorigenicity factor 2 was negatively correlated with mitral valve calcifications. Some of these novel biomarkers could be used to better assess cardiovascular disease in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Treatment of Kidney Disease)
15 pages, 1783 KiB  
Review
The Role of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation
by Ioannis Botis, Maria-Anna Bazmpani, Stylianos Daios, Antonios Ziakas, Vasileios Kamperidis and Theodoros D. Karamitsos
Diagnostics 2024, 14(6), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14060644 - 19 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1259
Abstract
Mitral regurgitation (MR), a primary cause of valvular disease in adults, affects millions and is growing due to an ageing population. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as an essential tool, offering insights into valvular and myocardial pathology when compared to the primary [...] Read more.
Mitral regurgitation (MR), a primary cause of valvular disease in adults, affects millions and is growing due to an ageing population. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as an essential tool, offering insights into valvular and myocardial pathology when compared to the primary imaging modality, echocardiography. This review highlights CMR’s superiority in high-resolution volumetric assessment and tissue characterization, including also advanced techniques like late gadolinium enhancement imaging, parametric mapping, feature tracking and 4D flow analysis. These techniques provide a deeper understanding of MR’s pathophysiology and its effect on cardiac chambers, enabling CMR to surpass echocardiography in predicting hard clinical outcomes and left ventricular (LV) remodelling post mitral valve surgery. Despite its advantages, CMR’s application faces limitations like cost, lack of standardization, and susceptibility to arrhythmia artifacts. Nonetheless, as technological advancements continue and new evidence emerges, CMR’s role in MR assessment is set to expand, offering a more nuanced and personalized approach to cardiac care. This review emphasizes the need for further research and standardized protocols to maximize CMR’s potential in MR management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Imaging)
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14 pages, 4154 KiB  
Review
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Adult Cardiac Arrest: Clinical Review
by Federica Magon, Yaroslava Longhitano, Gabriele Savioli, Andrea Piccioni, Manfredi Tesauro, Fabio Del Duca, Gabriele Napoletano, Gianpietro Volonnino, Aniello Maiese, Raffaele La Russa, Marco Di Paolo and Christian Zanza
Diagnostics 2024, 14(4), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14040434 - 16 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3978
Abstract
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a rapid and valuable diagnostic tool available in emergency and intensive care units. In the context of cardiac arrest, POCUS application can help assess cardiac activity, identify causes of arrest that could be reversible (such as pericardial effusion or [...] Read more.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a rapid and valuable diagnostic tool available in emergency and intensive care units. In the context of cardiac arrest, POCUS application can help assess cardiac activity, identify causes of arrest that could be reversible (such as pericardial effusion or pneumothorax), guide interventions like central line placement or pericardiocentesis, and provide real-time feedback on the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts, among other critical applications. Its use, in addition to cardiovascular life support maneuvers, is advocated by all resuscitation guidelines. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the key applications of POCUS in cardiac arrest, highlighting, among others, its prognostic, diagnostic, and forensic potential. We conducted an extensive literature review utilizing PubMed by employing key search terms regarding ultrasound and its use in cardiac arrest. Apart from its numerous advantages, its limitations and challenges such as the potential for interruption of chest compressions during image acquisition and operator proficiency should be considered as well and are discussed herein. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging and Theranostics)
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19 pages, 3620 KiB  
Review
The Role of Ultrasonography in the Process of Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Patients
by Lou’i Al-Husinat, Basil Jouryyeh, Ahlam Rawashdeh, Chiara Robba, Pedro Leme Silva, Patricia Rieken Macedo Rocco and Denise Battaglini
Diagnostics 2024, 14(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14040398 - 12 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3762
Abstract
Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation (MV) is a complex process that may result in either success or failure. The use of ultrasound at the bedside to assess organs may help to identify the underlying mechanisms that could lead to weaning failure and enable [...] Read more.
Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation (MV) is a complex process that may result in either success or failure. The use of ultrasound at the bedside to assess organs may help to identify the underlying mechanisms that could lead to weaning failure and enable proactive measures to minimize extubation failure. Moreover, ultrasound could be used to accurately identify pulmonary diseases, which may be responsive to respiratory physiotherapy, as well as monitor the effectiveness of physiotherapists’ interventions. This article provides a comprehensive review of the role of ultrasonography during the weaning process in critically ill patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Care Imaging—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 690 KiB  
Article
The Role of New Morphological Parameters Provided by the BC 6800 Plus Analyzer in the Early Diagnosis of Sepsis
by Sara Sacchetti, Matteo Vidali, Teresa Esposito, Stefano Zorzi, Alessia Burgener, Lorenzo Ciccarello, Gianmaria Cammarota, Valentina Zanotti, Luca Giacomini, Mattia Bellan, Mario Pirisi, Ramon Simon Lopez, Umberto Dianzani, Rosanna Vaschetto and Roberta Rolla
Diagnostics 2024, 14(3), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14030340 - 4 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1154
Abstract
Background: Late diagnosis of sepsis is associated with adverse consequences and high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of hematologic research parameters, that reflect the cell morphology of blood cells, available on the BC 6800 plus [...] Read more.
Background: Late diagnosis of sepsis is associated with adverse consequences and high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of hematologic research parameters, that reflect the cell morphology of blood cells, available on the BC 6800 plus automated analyzer (Mindray) for the early detection of sepsis. Materials and Methods: A complete blood count (CBC) was performed by Mindray BC 6800 Plus Analyzer in 327 patients (223 with a confirmed diagnosis of sepsis following sepsis-3 criteria, 104 without sepsis), admitted at the Intensive Care Unit of the Novara’s Hospital (Italy) and in 56 patients with localized infection. Results: In univariate logistic regression, age, Hb, RDW, MO#, NMR, NeuX, NeuY, NeuZ, LymX, MonX, MonY, MonZ were associated with sepsis (p < 0.005). In multivariate analysis, only RDW, NeuX, NeuY, NeuZ, MonX and MonZ were found to be independent predictors of sepsis (p < 0.005). Morphological research parameters are confirmed to be predictors of sepsis even when analyzing the group with localized infection. Conclusions: In addition to already established biomarkers and basic CBC parameters, new morphological cell parameters can be a valuable aid in the early diagnosis of sepsis at no additional cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Useful Diagnostic Method: Blood Test)
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12 pages, 570 KiB  
Review
Mycological Methods for Routine Air Sampling and Interpretation of Results in Operating Theaters
by Rok Tomazin and Tadeja Matos
Diagnostics 2024, 14(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14030288 - 29 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1509
Abstract
Many infectious diseases are transmitted via the air and are, therefore, particularly difficult to combat. These infections include various invasive mycoses caused by molds. The usual route of infection is the inhalation of conidia. In hospitals, infection can also occur through the deposition [...] Read more.
Many infectious diseases are transmitted via the air and are, therefore, particularly difficult to combat. These infections include various invasive mycoses caused by molds. The usual route of infection is the inhalation of conidia. In hospitals, infection can also occur through the deposition of conidia in otherwise sterile anatomical sites during surgical and other invasive procedures. Therefore, knowledge of airborne mold concentrations can lead to measures to protect patients from fungal infections. The literature on this topic contains insufficient and sometimes ambiguous information. This is evidenced by the fact that there are no international recommendations or guidelines defining the methodology of air sampling and the interpretation of the results obtained. Surgical departments, intensive care units and medical mycology laboratories are, therefore, left to their own devices, leading to significant differences in the implementation of mycological surveillance in hospitals. The aim of this mini-review is to provide an overview of the current methods of air sampling and interpretation of results used in medical mycology laboratories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fungal Infections: Special Issue in Diagnostics Journal—3rd Edition)
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13 pages, 1901 KiB  
Review
Artificial Intelligence in Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Detection and Quantification
by Khaled Abdelrahman, Arthur Shiyovich, Daniel M. Huck, Adam N. Berman, Brittany Weber, Sumit Gupta, Rhanderson Cardoso and Ron Blankstein
Diagnostics 2024, 14(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14020125 - 5 Jan 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a marker of coronary atherosclerosis, and the presence and severity of CAC have been shown to be powerful predictors of future cardiovascular events. Due to its value in risk discrimination and reclassification beyond traditional risk factors, CAC has [...] Read more.
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a marker of coronary atherosclerosis, and the presence and severity of CAC have been shown to be powerful predictors of future cardiovascular events. Due to its value in risk discrimination and reclassification beyond traditional risk factors, CAC has been supported by recent guidelines, particularly for the purposes of informing shared decision-making regarding the use of preventive therapies. In addition to dedicated ECG-gated CAC scans, the presence and severity of CAC can also be accurately estimated on non-contrast chest computed tomography scans performed for other clinical indications. However, the presence of such “incidental” CAC is rarely reported. Advances in artificial intelligence have now enabled automatic CAC scoring for both cardiac and non-cardiac CT scans. Various AI approaches, from rule-based models to machine learning algorithms and deep learning, have been applied to automate CAC scoring. Convolutional neural networks, a deep learning technique, have had the most successful approach, with high agreement with manual scoring demonstrated in multiple studies. Such automated CAC measurements may enable wider and more accurate detection of CAC from non-gated CT studies, thus improving the efficiency of healthcare systems to identify and treat previously undiagnosed coronary artery disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology Diagnosis )
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0 pages, 2739 KiB  
Article
Temporal Trend of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant and RSV in the Nasal Cavity and Accuracy of the Newly Developed Antigen-Detecting Rapid Diagnostic Test
by Daisuke Tamura, Yuji Morisawa, Takashi Mato, Shin Nunomiya, Masaki Yoshihiro, Yuta Maehara, Shizuka Ito, Yasushi Ochiai, Hirokazu Yamagishi, Toshihiro Tajima, Takanori Yamagata and Hitoshi Osaka
Diagnostics 2024, 14(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14010119 - 4 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1089
Abstract
The aim of this work is to analyze the viral titers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at the anterior nasal site (ANS) and nasopharyngeal site (NS), evaluate their virological dynamics, and validate the usefulness of [...] Read more.
The aim of this work is to analyze the viral titers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at the anterior nasal site (ANS) and nasopharyngeal site (NS), evaluate their virological dynamics, and validate the usefulness of a newly developed two-antigen-detecting rapid antigen diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) that simultaneously detects SARS-CoV-2 and RSV using clinical specimens. This study included 195 asymptomatic to severely ill patients. Overall, 668 specimens were collected simultaneously from the ANS and NS. The cycle threshold (Ct) values calculated from real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze temporal changes in viral load and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Ag-RDT. The mean Ct values for SARS-CoV-2-positive, ANS, and NS specimens were 28.8, 28.9, and 28.7, respectively. The mean Ct values for RSV-positive, ANS, and NS specimens were 28.7, 28.8, and 28.6, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 and RSV showed the same trend in viral load, although the viral load of NS was higher than that of ANS. The sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed Ag-RDT were excellent in specimens collected up to 10 days after the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection and up to 6 days after the onset of RSV infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
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