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.

Compositional and structural analysis of engineered stones and inorganic particles in silicotic nodules of exposed workers.

Background: Engineered stone silicosis is an emerging disease in many countries worldwide produced by the inhalation of respirable dust of engineered stone. This silicosis has a high incidence among young workers, with a short latency period and greater aggressiveness than silicosis caused by natural materials. Although the silica content is very high and this is the key factor, it has been postulated that other constituents in engineered stones can influence the aggressiveness of the disease.

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.