Malignant pleural effusion risk based on a novel tool using homocysteine and carcinoembryonic antigen in pleural fluid: A multicenter study.

Introduction: This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the Malignant Pleural Effusion Risk (MPER) diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between benign and malign pleural effusion.

Methods: MPER is based on pleural fluid Homocysteine (HCY) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) that were measured using three different methods. MPER was calculated by assessing a previously published probabilistic model: Probability (%) = 100× (1 + e-z)-1, where Z = 0.

A sex-dependent algorithm including kappa free light chain for multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis includes the presence of restricted oligoclonal bands (OCB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but it has several limitations, as it is an observer-dependent time-consuming technique and offers a dichotomous result. Thus kappa free light chains (KFLC) have emerged as a quantitative alternative. However, the cut-off values for KFLC have not been well established yet and it is not clear if differences between sexes exist.

Biochemical biomarkers for multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Although there is currently no definite cure for MS, new therapies have recently been developed based on a continuous search for new biomarkers.

Development: MS diagnosis relies on the integration of clinical, imaging and laboratory findings as there is still no singlepathognomonicclinical feature or diagnostic laboratory biomarker.

The diagnostic value of pleural fluid homocysteine in malignant pleural effusion.

Background: Pleural fluid homocysteine (HCY) can be useful for diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). There are no published studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of HCY with other tumour markers in pleural fluid for diagnosis of MPE. The aim was to compare the accuracy of HCY with that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen (CA) 15.

Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin as prognostic biomarker in septic shock.

Background: The aim was to ascertain the prognostic value of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), measured within 24 hours from the onset of septic shock (SS).

Methods: We performed a prospective, observational study on all patients admitted to our hospital's Intensive Care Unit with SS over a one year period from January to December 2011 to examine the outcomes in 100 consecutive SS cases. Demographic data and severity score (APACHEII and SOFA) were recorded.

Usefulness of several biomarkers in the management of septic patients: C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, presepsin and mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin.

Background: Our objective is to analyze whether the combination of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), presepsin or SCD14-ST and mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) measured in the first 24 h from ICU admission allowing a better management of septic patients (diagnostic and prognostic) both in severe sepsis (SS) and septic shock (SSh).

Methods: Cohort study of 388 patients admitted in the ICU during 12 months of whom 142 were controls. Biomarkers were measured through immunoluminometric assays in samples of serum or plasma within the first 24 h after admission.

Homocysteine: new tumor marker in pleural fluid.

There are no published studies examining the utility of total homocysteine (HCY) in pleural fluid. The aim was to measure the accuracy of pleural fluid HCY concentration for diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). We studied pleural fluids obtained by thoracocentesis in patients with pleural effusion.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase in combination with free-to-total serum prostate specific antigen ratio for diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Background: Evaluate the utility of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in combination with free-to-total serum prostate specific antigen ratio (%fPSA), for diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) with serum total prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in the intermediate range of 4 to 10 ng/mL.

Methods: The following variables were analysed: PSA, %fPSA, and LDH. Two categories of patients were included in the analysis: NOT PC and PC.

Lamellar structures of MUC2-rich mucin: a potential role in governing the barrier and lubricating functions of intestinal mucus.

Mucus is a ubiquitous feature of mammalian wet epithelial surfaces, where it lubricates and forms a selective barrier that excludes a range of particulates, including pathogens, while hosting a diverse commensal microflora. The major polymeric component of mucus is mucin, a large glycoprotein formed by several MUC gene products, with MUC2 expression dominating intestinal mucus. A satisfactory answer to the question of how these molecules build a dynamic structure capable of playing such a complex role has yet to be found, as recent reports of distinct layers of chemically identical mucin in the colon and anomalously rapid transport of nanoparticles through mucus have emphasized.