The importance of being external. methodological insights for the external validation of machine learning models in medicine.

Unlabelled: Background and Objective Medical machine learning (ML) models tend to perform better on data from the same cohort than on new data, often due to overfitting, or co-variate shifts. For these reasons, external validation (EV) is a necessary practice in the evaluation of medical ML. However, there is still a gap in the literature on how to interpret EV results and hence assess the robustness of ML models.

Deep learning with robustness to missing data: A novel approach to the detection of COVID-19.

In the context of the current global pandemic and the limitations of the RT-PCR test, we propose a novel deep learning architecture, DFCN (Denoising Fully Connected Network). Since medical facilities around the world differ enormously in what laboratory tests or chest imaging may be available, DFCN is designed to be robust to missing input data. An ablation study extensively evaluates the performance benefits of the DFCN as well as its robustness to missing inputs.

Mildly Increased Renin Expression in the Absence of Kidney Injury in the Murine Transverse Aortic Constriction Model.

Cardiorenal syndrome type 2 is characterized by kidney failure as a consequence of heart failure that affects >50% of heart failure patients. Murine transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is a heart failure model, where pressure overload is induced on the heart without any systemic hypertension or its consequences. Whether renal function is altered in this model is debated, and if so, at which time post-TAC renal dysfunction starts to contribute to worsening of cardiac function.

Inflammatory microRNAs in gastric mucosa are modulated by Helicobacter pylori infection and proton-pump inhibitors but not by aspirin or NSAIDs.

Gastric carcinogenesis is associated with alterations of microRNAs (miRNAs) and reversal of these alterations may be a crucial element in cancer prevention. Here we evaluate the influence of H. pylori eradication, low-dose aspirin (LDA), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) on modification of inflammatory mucosal miRNAs miR-155 and miR-223 in Helicobacter pylori-infected and non-infected subjects.

Distribution and determinants of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in Ethiopian population.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important inflammatory marker associated with different disease conditions, and its concentration differs among ethnicity. This study aimed to determine the distribution and determinants of serum high-sensitive method CRP (hsCRP) that can measure the typically low concentrations, among the Ethiopian population, for which there is no data.

Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in April-June 2015.

Antenatal iron supplementation, FGF23, and bone metabolism in Kenyan women and their offspring: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) regulates body phosphate homeostasis primarily by increasing phosphaturia. It also acts as a vitamin D-regulating hormone. Maternal iron deficiency is associated with perturbed expression and/or regulation of FGF23 and hence might be implicated in the pathogenesis of hypophosphatemia-driven rickets in their offspring.

Estimated Prevalence of Harmful Alcohol Consumption in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women in Saxony-Anhalt (NorthEast Germany) Using Biomarkers.

Background: Alcohol consumption is commonly accepted in Western societies and is a known risk factor in pregnancy, which could lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is mostly unknown. Prevalence estimates in publications based on questionnaires are limited by possible underreporting due to social stigmatization.

Health Economic Evidence of Point-of-Care Testing: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Point-of-care testing (POCT) has become an essential diagnostic technology for optimal patient care. Its implementation, however, still falls behind. This paper reviews the available evidence on the health economic impact of introducing POCT to assess if poor POCT uptake may be related to lacking evidence.

Serum albumin measurement in nephrology: room for improvement.

Serum albumin is a widely used biomarker in clinical nephrology. Serum albumin cut-off values are used to define disease, to predict outcome and to guide patient care. The available commercial assays to measure serum albumin rely on different analytical principles, all with their own (analytical) specifications.

Early Detection of Renal Impairment Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Through Evaluation of Serum Cystatin C in Comparison with Serum Creatinine Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease caused by diabetes has progressively increased during the last few decades. Serum creatinine level is the most commonly used biochemical parameter to estimate GFR in routine practice. However, 50% of GFR can be lost before significant elevation of serum creatinine.

Prevalence and incidence of vertebral fractures: a 7-year follow-up study in institutionalized adults with refractory epilepsy and intellectual disability.

Objective: The main objective of this cohort study is to determine the prevalence and incidence of morphometric vertebral fractures (VFs) over 7 years follow-up, in institutionalized adults with refractory epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID).

Methods: Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) were performed in 2009 and 2016. Vertebrae T4-L4 were assessed using quantitative morphometry.

Big data and reference intervals: rationale, current practices, harmonization and standardization prerequisites and future perspectives of indirect determination of reference intervals using routine data.

Reference intervals are commonly used as a decision-making tool. In this review, we provide an overview on "big data" and reference intervals, describing the rationale, current practices including statistical methods, essential prerequisites concerning data quality, including harmonization and standardization, and future perspectives of the indirect determination of reference intervals using routine laboratory data.

Preventing overuse of laboratory diagnostics: a case study into diagnosing anaemia in Dutch general practice.

Background: More information is often thought to improve medical decision-making, which may lead to test overuse. This study assesses which out of 15 laboratory tests contribute to diagnosing the underlying cause of anaemia by general practitioners (GPs) and determines a potentially more efficient subset of tests for setting the correct diagnosis.

Methods: Logistic regression was performed to determine the impact of individual tests on the (correct) diagnosis.

Rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients at the emergency department using routine testing.

Objectives: The novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, spreads rapidly across the world. The exponential increase in the number of cases has resulted in overcrowding of emergency departments (ED). Detection of SARS-CoV-2 is based on an RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab material.

Growth differentiation factor 15 in adverse cardiac remodelling: from biomarker to causal player.

Heart failure is a growing health issue as a negative consequence of improved survival upon myocardial infarction, unhealthy lifestyle, and the ageing of our population. The large and complex pathology underlying heart failure makes diagnosis and especially treatment very difficult. There is an urgent demand for discriminative biomarkers to aid disease management of heart failure.

Prevalence of Hyperhomocysteinaemia and Associated Factors among Ethiopian Adult Population in a 2015 National Survey.

Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor for major cardiovascular diseases, but data on the prevalence and predictors of HHcy in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia are scant. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HHcy and associated risk factors in the Ethiopian adult population. A cross-sectional survey on risks of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) using the STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey was conducted between April and June 2015.

Colloid osmotic pressure of contemporary and novel transfusion products.

Background And Objectives: Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) is a principal determinant of intravascular fluid homeostasis and a pillar of fluid therapy and transfusion. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is a leading complication of transfusion, and COP could be responsible for recruiting additional fluid. Study objective was to measure COP of blood products as well as investigate the effects of product concentration and storage lesion on COP.

Synovial neutrophilic gelatinase-associated lipocalin in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most serious complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the diagnosis remains a challenge for clinicians. In 2011, the muscoskeletal infection society (MSIS) criteria provided a consensus which has been updated in 2013, but these criteria are complex and contain tests that are time-consuming.