Explore the vast range of titles available.

The diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic ability of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytology, and artificial intelligence (AI) by deep learning using cyst fluid in differentiating malignant from benign cystic lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 85 patients who underwent pancreatic cyst fluid analysis of surgical specimens or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration specimens. AI using deep learning was used to construct a diagnostic algorithm. CEA, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carbohydrate antigen 125, amylase in the cyst fluid, sex, cyst location, connection of the pancreatic duct and cyst, type of cyst, and cytology were keyed into the AI algorithm, and the malignant predictive value of the output was calculated. Area under receiver-operating characteristics curves for the diagnostic ability of malignant cystic lesions were 0.719 (CEA), 0.739 (cytology), and 0.966 (AI). In the diagnostic ability of malignant cystic lesions, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of AI were 95.7%, 91.9%, and 92.9%, respectively. AI sensitivity was higher than that of CEA (60.9%, p = 0.021) and cytology (47.8%, p = 0.001). AI accuracy was also higher than CEA (71.8%, p < 0.001) and cytology (85.9%, p = 0.210). AI may improve the diagnostic ability in differentiating malignant from benign pancreatic cystic lesions.

Glycosylation changes of circulating proteins carrying the CA19-9 antigen may offer new targets for detection methods to be explored for the diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Search for assay designs for targets initially captured by a CA19-9 antigen reactive antibody from human body fluids by probing with fluorescent nanoparticles coated with lectins or antibodies to known EOC associated proteins. CA19-9 antigens were immobilized from ascites fluids, ovarian cyst fluids or serum samples using monoclonal antibody C192 followed by probing of carrier proteins using anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 and, anti STn antibodies and seven lectins, all separately coated on nanoparticles. Compared to reference CA19-9 and CA125 immunoassays, nanoparticle aided detection using MUC16, Ma695 and STn antibodies and lectin WGA provided, both separately and combined, improved discrimination of EOC and borderline cancers from benign samples when applied to 60 cyst fluid specimens. When applied to a panel of 44 serum samples (EOC N = 24, healthy and benign samples N = 20) two assays, CA19-9 Ma695 and CA19-9 MUC1 , stood out with equally superior separations (p-values < 10 –8 ) of the two groups compared to conventional CA19-9 immunoassay (p-value 0.03).Eu +3 -NP based CA19-9 MUC16 , CA19-9 Ma695 , CA19-9 STn and CA19-9 WGA show promise for improved EOC detection when applied to ascites & cyst fluids. When applied to circulation-derived samples, the two MUC1 based assays, CA19-9 Ma695 and CA19-9 Ma552 outperformed other assay constructs. Our results call for further validation in larger EOC cohorts preferentially with early stage ovarian cancers and all major histotypes against commonly occurring benign conditions.

Abstract Pediatric adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is a highly solid and cystic tumor, often causing substantial damage to critical neuroendocrine structures such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and optic apparatus. Paracrine signaling mechanisms driving tumor behavior have been hypothesized, with IL-6R overexpression identified as a potential therapeutic target. To identify potential novel therapies, we characterized inflammatory and immunomodulatory factors in ACP cyst fluid and solid tumor components. Cytometric bead analysis revealed a highly pro-inflammatory cytokine pattern in fluid from ACP compared to fluids from another cystic pediatric brain tumor, pilocytic astrocytoma. Cytokines and chemokines with particularly elevated concentrations in ACPs were IL-6, CXCL1 (GRO), CXCL8 (IL-8) and the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. These data were concordant with solid tumor compartment transcriptomic data from a larger cohort of ACPs, other pediatric brain tumors and normal brain. The majority of receptors for these cytokines and chemokines were also over-expressed in ACPs. In addition to IL-10, the established immunosuppressive factor IDO-1 was overexpressed by ACPs at the mRNA and protein levels. These data indicate that ACP cyst fluids and solid tumor components are characterized by an inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression pattern. Further study regarding selective cytokine blockade may inform novel therapeutic interventions.

Background Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disorder characterized by progressive renal cyst formation, often leading to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). In contrast to the urinary metabolome in ADPKD, the composition of renal cyst fluid remains largely unexplored. Methods We conducted a comprehensive metabolomic analysis of renal cyst fluid from 26 ADPKD patients (20 on dialysis, six with kidney transplants) using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Cysts were clustered based on metabolite profiles, and differences were analyzed across groups defined by renal function status (dialysis vs. transplant), cyst volume, and cyst fluid sodium concentrations. Results Dialysis patients and transplant recipients differed significantly in their renal cyst fluid metabolomes. The former exhibited higher concentrations of myoinositol, creatinine, sucrose, τ-methylhistidine, trigonelline, and sarcosine, while the latter showed increased levels of leucine, isoleucine, valine and alanine. Remarkably, metabolites of the immunosuppressive prodrug mycophenolate mofetil were detected in renal cyst fluids after kidney transplantation. Despite intra- and interindividual variability, cyst fluid from the same patient displayed greater homogeneity. Interestingly, metabolomic profiles were not altered by cyst size. Conclusion This first systematic metabolomic analysis of renal cyst fluid in advanced ADPKD reveals distinct metabolic signatures linked to renal function status. The data provides novel insights into the pathophysiology of ADPKD and highlight the potentials of renal cyst fluid metabolomics for identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

cyst fluid (EgCF) is a complex mixture of parasite's containing a variety of antigens. Th9 cells are a newly reported subpopulation of Th cells whose primary function is to secrete IL-9 and exert biological effects. Research on whether antigens in the vesicle fluid can evade the host immune response by increasing IL-9 secretion is limited. The effects of EgCF on lymphocyte function in mice were evaluated using CCK-8 and flow cytometry for apoptosis. The effect of EgCF on CD4 IL-9 T cell differentiation was reflected by flow cytometry. The expression of TGF-β, IL-4, PU.1, IRF4 and IL-9 was detected by WB, qRT-PCR and ELISA under the influence of varying concentrations of EgCF. Analysis of differential metabolites and genes in mouse splenic lymphocytes was stimulated by EgCF using metabolomics and transcriptomics. Different concentrations of EgCF stimulated lymphocytes, promoted cell proliferation and apoptosis, facilitated the differentiation of CD3 T cells and CD4 IL-9 T cells in splenic lymphocytes, and inhibited the differentiation of CD4 T cells. It regulated the host immune response by up-regulating Th9 cell-associated cytokines such as IL-4, TGF-β, IL-9 and related transcription factors PU.1 and IRF4. Metabolomic analysis identified 221 differential metabolites, 12 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated. These metabolites were primarily enriched in metabolic pathways such as beta-Alanine metabolism and Pyrimidine metabolism. Transcriptome analysis identified 16,694 differentially expressed genes, highlighting necroptosis and TGF-β signaling as top pathways, where Hgf and Myof were potential diagnostic markers. Metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses help identify potential candidate genes and provide diagnostic tools for future research and the discovery of new therapeutic targets. EgCF may regulates the host immune response by up-regulating Th9 cell-related cytokines such as IL-4, TGF-β and IL-9, along with related transcription factors PU.1 and IRF4. This provides a theoretical basis for understanding how modulates the host immune response and may offer new research avenues for immunoprophylaxis against .

BackgroundMore accurate diagnosis of mucinous cysts will reduce the risk of unnecessary pancreatic surgery. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and glucose in pancreatic cyst fluid (PCF) can differentiate mucinous from non-mucinous pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN). The current study assessed the value of combined CEA and glucose testing in PCF.MethodsCross-sectional validation study including prospectively collected PCF from patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and pancreatic surgery. We performed laboratory measurements for CEA and glucose and measured glucose levels by a hand glucometer. Primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy evaluated by receiver operator curves (ROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV).ResultsOverall, PCF was collected from 63 patients, including 33 (52%) with mucinous and 30 (48%) with non-mucinous PCN. Histopathology (n = 36; 57%), cytopathology (n = 2; 3%), or clinical and/or radiological diagnosis (n = 25; 40%) was used as reference standard. Combined CEA (cut-off ≥ 192 ng/ml) and laboratory glucose testing (cut-off ≤ 50 mg/dL) reached 92% specificity and 48% sensitivity, whereas either positive CEA (cut-off ≥ 20 ng/ml) or glucose testing (cut-off ≤ 50 mg/dL) showed 97% sensitivity and 50% specificity. Sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 68% for CEA ≥ 20 ng/mL versus 50% and 93% for CEA ≥ 192 ng/mL (the conventional cut-off level). Laboratory and glucometer glucose both reached 100% sensitivity and 60% and 45% specificity, respectively. None of the biomarkers and cut-offs reached a PPV exceeding 90%, whereas both glucose measurements had a NPV of 100% (i.e., high glucose excludes a mucinous cyst).ConclusionCombined CEA and glucose testing in PCF reached high specificity and sensitivity for differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous PCN. Glucose testing, whether alone or combined with the new CEA cut-off (≥ 20 ng/mL), reached > 95% sensitivity for mucinous cysts, whereas only glucose reached a NPV > 95%.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the microbiome profile in the cystic fluid of ovarian endometrioma and explore its association with the microbial communities present in the lower and upper reproductive tracts. Design A microbial analysis was conducted across multiple compartments of the reproductive tract in patients diagnosed with ovarian endometrioma. Subjects Sixteen female patients aged 25–43 years (mean age: 31.56 years) who underwent laparoscopic surgery for ovarian endometrioma at the First Hospital of Putian City between April 2023 and February 2024 were enrolled in this study. Main outcome measures 16S rDNA sequencing was employed to characterize the microbiome of ovarian endometrioma and assess its correlations with clinical symptoms, inflammatory markers, and serum CA125 levels Results Microbial communities were detected in the posterior vaginal fornix, endometrial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and cystic fluid, exhibiting distinct compositional profiles. Community diversity significantly increased along the anatomical gradient from the posterior vaginal fornix to endometrial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and cystic fluid, with the highest microbial diversity observed in the cystic fluid. Lactobacillus was the predominant genus in the posterior vaginal fornix, whereas Escherichia-Shigella was most abundant in endometrial fluid samples. Hydrogenophaga and Brevundimonas were the dominant taxa in both peritoneal and cystic fluids. Notably, the microbial composition of peritoneal fluid showed the greatest similarity to that of cystic fluid, and functional prediction analyses indicated largely overlapping biological functions between these two sites. Furthermore, Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between specific microbial taxa and certain clinical manifestations or inflammatory factors. Conclusion This study demonstrates the presence of a unique and highly diverse microbiome within the cystic fluid of ovarian endometrioma. The site-specific microbial profiles and their correlations with clinical parameters suggest a potential role of microbiota in disease pathogenesis through inflammatory and metabolic mechanisms. These findings contribute novel insights that may inform future strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian endometrioma.

Purpose Approximately 20% of pheochromocytomas are cystic in nature. However, research on the correlation between catecholamine and metanephrine fractions in cystic fluid and peripheral blood is limited. This study investigated the relationship between catecholamine fractions and their metabolites in peripheral blood and cystic fluid. Methods Five patients with pathologically diagnosed cystic pheochromocytomas were included in the analysis. Catecholamine fractions and their metabolites in the cystic fluid were measured. The relationship between phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) expression in tumor tissues and catecholamine fractions of cystic fluid was also assessed. Results The elevated patterns of catecholamine and metanephrine fractions in the cystic fluid were consistent with those observed in the peripheral blood of two patients. However, in two other patients. discordance was observed, with normetanephrine predominance in the peripheral blood despite adrenaline/metanephrine and noradrenaline/normetanephrine elevations in the cystic fluid. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PNMT expression in tumor tissues and the elevated pattern of catecholamine fractions in the peripheral blood were consistent in all patients, except for one patient with non-elevated peripheral blood catecholamines. However, in cystic fluid, the predominantly catecholamine fraction did not consistently align with PNMT expression. Conclusion In cystic pheochromocytoma, the elevation patterns of catecholamine fractions in cysts may not align with those in the peripheral blood and may differ relative to PNMT expression in tumor tissues.

Pancreatic cysts are a group of lesions with heterogeneous malignant potential. Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers to aid in cyst diagnosis and classification. The objective of this study was to identify potential microRNA (miR) biomarkers in endoscopically acquired pancreatic cyst fluid that could be used to distinguish between benign, premalignant, and malignant cysts. A list of candidate miRs was developed using a whole-genome expression array analysis of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) and nonmalignant samples overlapped with existing literature and predicted gene targets. Endoscopically acquired pancreatic cyst fluid samples were obtained from a group of 38 patients who underwent cyst fluid aspiration and surgical resection. Selected miR expression levels in cyst fluid samples were assessed by quantitative real-time-PCR. Additionally, in situ hybridization (ISH) on corresponding cyst tissue samples was performed to identify the source and validate the expression level of fluid miRs. Of the six miRs that were profiled in the study, two showed differential expression in malignant cysts. miR-221 was expressed at significantly higher levels in malignant cysts compared with benign or premalignant cysts (P=0.05). miR-21 was also expressed at significantly higher levels in malignant cysts (P<0.01). Additionally, the expression of miR-21 was significantly higher in premalignant cysts than benign cysts (P=0.03). The differential expression of miR-21 among cyst categories was confirmed by ISH. In this small single-center study, miRs are potential pancreatic cyst fluid diagnostic biomarkers. In particular, miR-21 is identified as a candidate biomarker to distinguish between benign, premalignant, and malignant cysts. Additionally miR-221 may be of use in the identification of more advanced malignant disease.

Human cysticercosis is a serious zoonosis caused by infection with larvae (cysticerci) of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium . Infection can involve the nervous system, causing chronic headache and intracranial hypertension, focal neurological deficits, epileptic seizures, and paralysis. The disease is found in developing countries, where porcine cysticercosis is prevalent and undercooked pork is habitually consumed. This study aimed to develop immunochromatography-based test (ICT) kits, using low-molecular-weight antigens purified from cyst fluids of Latin American and Asian genotypes of T. solium . To evaluate the kits, we used 164 serum samples, including 24 from proven/confirmed cysticercosis cases, 110 from cases with other parasitoses, and 30 from healthy individuals. Diagnostic performances were calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83.3% (95% CI [62.6–95.3]), 93.6% (95% CI [88.1–97.0]), and 92.1% (95% CI [86.8–95.7]), respectively for the American genotype-based ICT kit, while for the Asian genotype-based ICT kit, they were 87.5% (95% CI [67.6–97.3]), 98.6% (95% CI [94.9–99.8]), and 97.0% (95% CI [93.0–99.0]), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity did not significantly differ between the two ICT kits (exact McNemar’s test; p  > 0.05), with a concordance of 93.9%, represented by a Cohen’s kappa of 0.77 ( p  < 0.001), indicating substantial agreement. These results indicate that affinity-purified antigens from different geographical isolates can be used for the diagnosis of human cysticercosis. The diagnostic specificities were better than for a previously reported ICT kit that used crude antigen. La cysticercose humaine est une zoonose grave causée par l’infection par les larves (cysticerques) du ténia du porc, Taenia solium . L’infection peut atteindre le système nerveux et provoquer des céphalées chroniques et une hypertension intracrânienne, des déficits neurologiques focaux, des crises d’épilepsie et une paralysie. Cette maladie est présente dans les pays en développement, où la cysticercose porcine est endémique et où la consommation de porc insuffisamment cuit est courante. Cette étude visait à développer des tests immunochromatographiques (TIC) utilisant des antigènes de faible poids moléculaire purifiés à partir de liquides kystiques de génotypes latino-américain et asiatique de T. solium . Pour évaluer les kits, nous avons utilisé 164 échantillons de sérum, dont 24 provenant de cas de cysticercose confirmés, 110 de cas d’autres parasitoses et 30 de sujets sains. Les performances diagnostiques ont été calculées. La sensibilité, la spécificité et la précision étaient respectivement de 83,3 % (IC à 95 % [62,6-95,3]), 93,6 % (IC à 95 % [88,1-97,0]) et 92,1 % (IC à 95 % [86,8-95,7]) pour le kit TIC basé sur le génotype américain, et de 87,5 % (IC à 95 % [67,6-97,3]), 98,6 % (IC à 95 % [94,9-99,8]) et 97,0 % (IC à 95 % [93,0-99,0]) pour le kit TIC basé sur le génotype asiatique. La sensibilité et la spécificité ne différaient pas significativement entre les deux kits TIC (test exact de McNemar; p  > 0,05), avec une concordance de 93,9 %, représentée par un kappa de Cohen de 0,77 ( p  < 0,001), indiquant un accord substantiel. Ces résultats indiquent que les antigènes purifiés par affinité provenant d’isolats de différentes régions géographiques peuvent être utilisés pour le diagnostic de la cysticercose humaine. Les spécificités diagnostiques étaient supérieures à celles d’un kit TIC précédemment décrit utilisant un antigène brut.