Enhancing the differential diagnosis of small pulmonary nodules: a comprehensive model integrating plasma methylation, protein biomarkers, and LDCT imaging features.

Background: Accurate differentiation between malignant and benign pulmonary nodules, especially those measuring 5-10 mm in diameter, continues to pose a significant diagnostic challenge. This study introduces a novel, precise approach by integrating circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation patterns, protein profiling, and computed tomography (CT) imaging features to enhance the classification of pulmonary nodules.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 419 participants diagnosed with pulmonary nodules ranging from 5 to 30 mm in size, before any disease-altering procedures such as treatment or surgical intervention.

Genome wide identification of novel DNA methylation driven prognostic markers in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as a major contributor to cancer-related fatalities within China. There is an urgent need to identify accurate biomarkers for recurrence predicting in CRC. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was used to perform a comparative analysis of methylation profiles in tissue samples from 30 recurrence to 30 non-recurrence patients with CRC.

Blood leukocytes as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for thyroid nodules: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Thyroid nodule (TN) patients in China are subject to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The implementation of existing technologies such as thyroid ultrasonography has indeed contributed to the improved diagnostic accuracy of TNs. However, a significant issue persists, where many patients undergo unnecessary biopsies, and patients with malignant thyroid nodules (MTNs) are advised to undergo surgery therapy.

MeIS: DNA Methylation-Based Immune Response Signatures for Thyroid Nodule Diagnostics.

Context: Accurately distinguishing between benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) and papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) with current conventional methods poses a significant challenge.

Objective: We identify DNA methylation markers of immune response-related genes for distinguishing BTNs and PTCs.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed a public reduced representative bisulfite sequencing dataset and revealed distinct methylation patterns associated with immune signals in PTCs and BTNs.

A diagnostic model based on DNA methylation haplotype block characteristics for identifying papillary thyroid carcinoma from thyroid adenoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most prevalent form of thyroid cancer. Methylation of some genes plays a crucial role in the tendency to malignancy as well as poor prognosis of thyroid cancer, suggesting that methylation features can serve as complementary markers for molecular diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a diagnostic model for PTC based on DNA methylation markers.

OsSPL13 controls grain size in cultivated rice.

Although genetic diversity has a cardinal role in domestication, abundant natural allelic variations across the rice genome that cause agronomically important differences between diverse varieties have not been fully explored. Here we implement an approach integrating genome-wide association testing with functional analysis on grain size in a diverse rice population. We report that a major quantitative trait locus, GLW7, encoding the plant-specific transcription factor OsSPL13, positively regulates cell size in the grain hull, resulting in enhanced rice grain length and yield.