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Challenges in diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonitis addressed in latest guidelines

The American Thoracic Society and its collaborators have developed new clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a condition that manifests as interstitial lung disease. The guidelines aim to standardize clinical care and facilitate research by providing a framework for clinicians to make accurate diagno...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 3, 2020

Testing with combined biopsy method improves prostate cancer diagnosis in NIH study

A new testing method combining systematic biopsy with MRI-targeted biopsy leads to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients. The study found that combined biopsy provided more accurate diagnoses than MRI-targeted biopsies alone, reducing the risk of overtreatment and undertreatment.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2020

Imaging can guide whether liquid biopsy will benefit individual glioblastoma patients

A new Penn study found that imaging techniques, such as MRI, may help identify which glioblastoma patients are best candidates for liquid biopsies. The research showed a correlation between the blood-brain barrier and macrophage density with circulating DNA levels, suggesting the potential for personalized treatment decisions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNeuro-Oncology Advances·DateFeb 27, 2020

Hybrid microscope could bring digital biopsy to the clinic

Researchers developed a hybrid microscope that combines optical and infrared measurements with machine learning algorithms to create digital biopsies. The hybrid microscope closely correlates with traditional pathology techniques and outperforms state-of-the-art infrared microscopes in terms of resolution, consistency, and coverage.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 12, 2020

Kidney structural features from living donors predict transplant failure in recipients

Research found subtle structural features of donated kidneys, such as scarring and hardening of vessels, are associated with shorter kidney lifespan after transplantation. These findings may help clinicians evaluate organ quality at time of donation and identify potential predictors of transplant failure.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 23, 2020

Ultrasound yields similar cancer detection rates after digital mammography, tomosynthesis

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that ultrasound screening after digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis yielded no significant difference in additional cancer detection rate. The findings suggest that DBT does not obviate additional US screening for women with dense breast tissue.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateSep 27, 2019

Artificial intelligence approaches may improve diagnostics of kidney disease

Researchers used machine learning algorithms to classify kidney biopsy samples, achieving substantial agreement with pathologists' standard classifications. The methods may augment traditional diagnostics of kidney disease by automating and enhancing accuracy, potentially improving organ survival for transplant patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 5, 2019

Non-invasive imaging method spots cancer at the molecular level

Researchers developed a technique combining multiphoton microscopy with automated image analysis to distinguish between healthy and metastatic tissue without invasive biopsies or contrast dyes. The approach identified unique textural features in tissue that reflect cancer metastasis, allowing for early detection and improved treatment.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateAug 6, 2019

MSI detection via liquid biopsy shows high concordance with results from tissue samples

A liquid biopsy assay demonstrated high accuracy in detecting microsatellite instability (MSI) status in cancer patients, with an overall accuracy of 98.4%. The study showed that the assay could identify MSI-high tumors and predict clinical outcomes, offering potential benefits for personalized treatment planning.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateAug 5, 2019

UVA scientists use machine learning to improve gut disease diagnosis

Researchers at UVA are using machine learning algorithms on biopsy images to diagnose environmental enteric dysfunction, a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. The technology has the potential to provide insights that evade human eyes, validate pathologists' diagnoses and shorten treatment times.

Men who choose active surveillance for early prostate cancer often don't follow monitoring rules

A study found that only 15% of men in North Carolina with low or intermediate-risk prostate cancer who chose active surveillance followed recommended monitoring guidelines. This suggests that patients may not be adhering to the guidelines, which include regular PSA tests and biopsies. The study's authors call for further research into ...

Oral cancer detection by dentists is significantly on the rise

A significant rise in oral cancer and pre-cancerous lesion detection by dentists in Ontario is reported, with a nearly doubling of cancers detected between 2005 and 2015. The study suggests that comprehensive training and continuing education programs for oral health professionals may be behind the dramatic increase in detection rates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto - Faculty of Dentistry·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateApr 29, 2019

Fluorescing urine signals organ transplant rejection, could replace needle biopsies

A new screening method using sensor particles and a urine test can catch organ rejection earlier and more comprehensively than traditional biopsies. The test detects T cell attacks on transplanted organs through fluorescent signals in the urine, allowing for early detection and potential adjustments to immunosuppressant medications.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateFeb 19, 2019

Helping make brain surgery safer

A biopsy needle with a tiny fiber-optic camera has been tested in humans to help surgeons identify and avoid blood vessels in the brain during surgery. The device detected blood vessels with high accuracy (91.2% sensitivity and 97.7% specificity), reducing the risk of brain bleeds.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 19, 2018

Study shows potential to develop brain tumor liquid biopsies

Researchers have successfully detected brain tumor DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using a cheap and widely available technique, opening up new possibilities for monitoring and treating brain tumors. The test has the potential to increase detection rates and provide more tailored treatment approaches for patients with brain tumors.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateNov 6, 2018

Method for determining donor kidneys' suitability for transplantation may be flawed

A recent study found that procurement biopsies taken when kidneys are procured from donors were not reliable for determining suitability for transplantation. This lack of reliability may result in unnecessary kidney discard and reduced organ utilization, prompting a need to re-examine the role of such biopsies in organ allocation.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 25, 2018

Blood test biopsy for kids with brain tumors is simple, safe way to see if treatment is working

A new blood test offers a safer approach than surgical biopsies and allows doctors to monitor treatment effectiveness even before changes are identified on scans. The study found that circulating tumor DNA in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid can reveal a driver mutation in 42 of 48 patients, indicating the tumor's genetic signature.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateOct 15, 2018