Specific Pathological Features Research Articles

Relação entre a exposição ocupacional a Radiação Ionizante em Trabalhadores da Saúde e o desenvolvimento de Cancro de Mama

Introduction Every year more than 2.3 million cases of breast cancer are registered, making it the most common type of cancer among adults. The association between breast cancer and occupational factors is an issue that has been studied in the literature since the beginning of the 18th century. Technological developments have allowed a more in-depth study of the relationship between breast cancer and occupational factors such as exposure to chemicals, pesticides, metals and also sources of exposure to ionising and non-ionising radiation.The aim of the present literature review is to complete an update on the scientific knowledge about the relationship between occupational exposure to ionising radiation in healthcare workers and the development of breast cancer. Methodology A research was carried using Medline with the PubMed search engine and Elsevier with the Science Direct search engine. The search words used were a combination of breast cancer, occupational exposure, ionizing radiation and healthcare workers. A research was also carried out in the Revista Portuguesa de Saúde Ocupacional, using the terms “Breast Cancer” and “Ionizing Radiation”. Discussion/Conclusions Current literature is not unanimous about the specific clinical and pathological features of breast cancer possibly linked to occupational settings. Healthcare professionals such as radiology technicians, nurses, orthopaedic surgeons and interventional cardiologists are especially vulnerable to this type of exposure, particularly to ionising radiation. However, some studies have pointed to a difficulty in establishing a causal relationship between these factors due to the number of variables involved, such as the duration and intensity of exposure and the influence of other risk factors. Changes in equipment, procedures and protective measures have resulted in lower doses in recent years, which means that the risk of breast cancer is low at current levels of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. Keywords: breast cancer, occupational exposure, ionizing radiation, healthcare workers, occupational medicine and occupational safety.

Hypertrophy of the inferior olivary nucleus in corticobasal degeneration: A neuropathological study.

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder. The status of the inferior olivary nucleus (ION) in CBD has been inadequately investigated. In this study, we conducted a pathological investigation of the ION in CBD. We reviewed the data of Japanese patients with pathologically confirmed CBD who underwent consecutive autopsies between 1985 and 2020 at our institute. We retrospectively examined clinical data from medical records and clinicopathological conferences and semi-quantitatively assessed the ION, central tegmental tract, superior cerebellar peduncle, and dentate nucleus. Of the 32 patients included, 14 (43.8%) had hypertrophy of the ION (HION), of whom 6 showed laterality. In the 14 HION cases, with or without laterality, except in 1 unevaluable case, atrophy/myelin pallor of the central tegmental tract was observed on the same side as the hypertrophy. Ten patients with HION, with or without laterality, had atrophy/myelin pallor of the superior cerebellar peduncle on the contralateral side to the hypertrophy. The ION presents with hypertrophic changes in CBD. The lesion is a primary degeneration in CBD and is related to the degeneration of the Guillain-Mollaret triangle. This finding contributes to the elucidation of the specific pathological characteristics of CBD.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools in Hypothermia-Related Fatalities-A Pathological Perspective.

Although classical gross features are known in hypothermia victims, they lack specific diagnosis features. The aim of our study was to reveal specific brain and lung pathological features in a group of hypothermia-related fatalities. The study group comprised 107 cases from our files associated with hypothermia. Routine hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and postmortem immunohistochemistry were performed. The microscopic cerebral exam revealed diffuse perineuronal and perivascular edema, gliosis, mononuclear cell infiltration, acute brain injuries, focal neuronal ischemia, lacunar infarction, and variable hemorrhages. Variable alveolar edema, pulmonary emphysema, intra-alveolar and/or pleural hemorrhage, and bronchopneumonia, as well as other pre-existing lesions, were identified in lung tissue samples. Glial cells displayed S100β expression, while neurons showed moderate Hsp70 immunopositivity. Alveolar basal membranes exhibited diffuse ICAM-1 positive expression, while ICAM-1 and AQP-1 positivity was observed in the alveolar septum vascular endothelium. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between S100β and Hps70 immunoexpression and cerebral pathological features, between ICAM-1 immunoexpression and alveolar edema and pulmonary emphysema, and between AQP-1 immunoexpression and pulmonary emphysema. Our results add supplementary data to brain and lung pathological findings in hypothermia-related fatalities, with potential therapeutic value in hypothermia patients.

Papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity: an observational study of histology, immunophenotypes, and molecular variation.

Papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity (PRNRP) is a novel entity with unique clinicopathological characteristics, and only a small number of patients with PRNRP have been described. We retrospectively analyzed the data for nine patients with PRNRP and evaluated differences in the clinical, histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features; prognosis; and differential diagnosis of PRNRP from other renal tumors with papillary structure. There were six males and three females aged 36 to 74 years (mean: 62.33 years; median: 68 years). All the tumors were solitary and ranged from 1 to 3.7 cm (mean: 2.17 cm; median: 2 cm), with three and six tumors arose in the left and right renal tract, respectively. Pathologically, PRNRP is a small, well-circumscribed neoplasm with predominant papillary formations. The lining epithelium is composed of a monolayer of cuboidal to low-columnar cells with low-grade nuclei arranged against the apical pole of the tumor cells. Edema, mucinous degeneration, and hyaline degeneration are found in the fibrovascular cores. Foamy macrophages, psammoma bodies, hemosiderin deposition, and infiltrative tumor boundaries were present in some patients. Immunohistochemically, all tumors showed diffuse positive staining for GATA3. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of KRAS mutation in seven patients. All patients had a good prognosis after surgery and were relapse free. Positive staining for GATA3 and negative staining for vimentin were the most significant markers for differentiating PRNRP from other renal tumors with analogous structure. These findings suggested that PRNRP is a distinctive subtype of renal tumor with specific pathological features and indolent behaviors that should be distinguished from other renal tumors, especially papillary renal cell carcinoma. A monolayer of tumor cells with an inverted nuclear pattern, positive staining for GATA3, and KRAS mutation are essential for pathological diagnosis. Owing to its satisfactory prognosis, the surveillance and follow-up of patients with PRNRP should be additionally formulated.

Pathological and imaging features, treatment, and prognosis of primary intraventricular lymphoma: A review of cases from a single center

PurposeThe purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the imaging and pathological features, treatment, and prognosis of patients with primary intraventricular lymphomas (PIL) in order to enhance physicians' understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of PIL. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 13 cases of PIL that were hospitalized in our institution. Clinical and imaging data of the patients were collected and compared with the pathology data to summarize and analyze the qualitative diagnostic value of magnetic resonance (MR) features. ResultsAmong the enrolled patients, there were nine males and four females, with an average age of (56 ± 9.0) years. The major clinical features observed in PIL patients were headache and dizziness. All 13 patients underwent plain and contrast-enhanced MR scans, revealing multiple foci in 7 cases and single foci in 6 cases. The lesions were located in the lateral ventricle in 10 cases, the third ventricle in 4 cases, and the fourth ventricle in 4 cases. Plain MR scans demonstrated an isointense or slightly hypointense signal on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and an isointense or slightly hyperintense signal on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). Contrast-enhanced scans showed uniform and consistent enhancement of the tumors. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients, and postoperative pathology confirmed the presence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. ConclusionsPIL exhibits specific imaging and pathological features, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma being the main pathological type. Pathological examination and immunophenotype analysis serve as the gold standards for PIL diagnosis.

PEGylated Chitosan Biodegradable Nanoparticles Delivery of Salvia officinalis and Melissa officinalis for Enhanced Brain Targeting

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by the gradual decline of cognitive abilities, primarily caused by impairments in the cholinergic system. AD is diagnosed based on the presence of specific pathological features, in-cluding senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and the loss of neurons and synapses. Despite on-going efforts, the etiology of AD remains unclear, and there is a significant lack of effective treatments to meet the medical needs of affected individuals. The complex nature of AD, involv-ing multiple factors, presents challenges in the development of potential therapies. Numerous ob-stacles hinder the achievement of optimal pharmacological concentration of promising molecules for AD treatment. These obstacles include the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts the entry of therapeutic agents into the brain, as well as issues related to poor bioavaila-bility and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles. Unfortunately, many therapeutically promising compounds have failed to overcome these hurdles and demonstrate efficacy in treating AD. Methods: The PEGylated chitosan nanoconjugate was developed and evaluated for delivery of anti-Alzheimer natural extract of Salvia officinalis and Melissa officinalis to the brain. The nano-conjugates (S-PCN and M-PCN) were developed by ionic gelation technique. Result: The nanoconjugates (S-PCN and M-PCN) were evaluated for various optical and in-vitro parameters. MTT assay on UCSD229i-SAD1-1 human astrocytoma cells indicated IC50 values of 0.42, 0.49, 0.67, and 0.75 μM for S-PCN, M-PCN formulations, and free Salvia officinalis and Melissa officinalis extracts, respectively. The In vitro assessments using cell lines have confirmed the improved uptake and distribution of nanoconjugates compared to free extracts. These findings were validated through confocal microscopy and apoptosis assays, revealing a substantial in-crease in the accumulation of nanoconjugates within the brain. The targeting potential OF M- PCN over S-PCN was found to be 2-fold significant. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be inferred that biodegradable PEGylated chitosan nanoconjugates hold promise as effective nano-targeting agents for delivering anti-Alzheimer drugs to the brain. The incorporation of PEGylated chitosan nanoparticles in this approach demonstrates enhanced delivery capabilities, ultimately leading to improved therapeutic out-comes.

Clear-cell papillary renal cell tumour: New insights into clinicopathological features and molecular landscape after renaming by 5th WHO classification

ObjectiveClear cell papillary renal cell tumour (CCPRCT) is a kind of renal epithelial cell tumor, and was renamed by the 5th WHO due to its specific epidemiology and clinicopathological characteristics. However, the biological mechanism and molecular basis of CCPRCT still need to be further clarified. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics of CCPRCC, and particularly compare it with other more prevalent subtypes of renal cell carcinoma. Methods12 cases of CCPRCT were collected for analyzing the clinicopathological characteristics. Then, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was employed to reveal the genetic profiles, followed by comparison with the molecular genetic alterations identified in ccRCC (341) and pRCC (200) datasets obtained from the TCGA database. ResultsOf the 12 CCPRCT cases, the male-to-female ratio was 4:1 with a mean age of 49.5 years (48.5 ± 10.5) at diagnosis. All patients were diagnosed accidentally during routine physical examinations. All tumors (12/12, 100%）had a solid-cystic appearance with a well-defined fibrous capsule. The median size of the tumors was 3 cm (2.98 ± 1.2). Histologically, the cystic papillary structures were considered to be prominent, lined with cuboidal tumor cells away from basement membrane. The tumor cells were moderately atypia equivalent to grade 1 or grade 2 according to the ISUP nuclear grading system. Typically, the tumor cell diffusely positive for CK7 and CAIX in a “cup-like” pattern. The results of WES revealed recurrent gene alterations (mainly missense mutation) of TTN and FLT in 4 cases (4/12, 33.3%), respectively, of which, the alteration of FLT was not observed in ccRCC and pRCC of the TCGA database. Other gene alterations including POTEC (1 cases), PRADC1 (1 cases), ZZZ3 (1 case) and PTPRZ1 (1 case), etc. Moreover, all of the CCPRCT cases displayed a lower tumor mutation burden (TMB) compared to ccRCC and pRCC with median TMB of 1.04 (range: 1.94 ± 2.74). None of the patients experienced tumor metastasis, recurrence, or tumor-related deaths. ConclusionCCPRCT is a renal epithelial cell tumor characterized by specific clinical and pathological features. Our study provides additional evidence supporting the favorable prognosis of CCPRCT. Furthermore, the potential molecular alterations were uncovered by this study in CCPRCT such as the FLT family and TTN. However, due to the limited sample size, larger studies are required to validate these findings.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease: a complicated yet unique relationship.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare liver disorder characterized by biliary ducts inflammation, fibrosis and consequently chronic cholestasis, which progressively lead to liver cirrhosis. The main feature of PSC is the frequent association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with an estimated prevalence of around 70% of the cases. This strong relationship seems due to the presence of shared pathogenetic mechanisms, which seem to involve the intestinal barrier function, the human gut microbiota and the immune innated and adaptative response to antigens derived from the bowel. Of relevance, PSC-IBD have specific clinical and pathological features that differ from PSC and IBD as separate entities, explaining the diversity in outcomes among these categories, and therefore the distinct clinical management that is required. The aim of this review is to present recent data regarding the epidemiology, pathobiology and clinical features of PSC-IBD.

Pathological features and molecular signatures of early olfactory dysfunction in 3xTg-AD model mice.

Olfactory dysfunction is known to be an early manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanism, particularly the specific molecular events that occur during the early stages of olfactory disorders, remains unclear. In this study, we utilized transcriptomic sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and biochemical detection to investigate the specific pathological and molecular characteristics of the olfactory bulb (OB) in 4-month-old male triple transgenic 3xTg-AD mice (PS1M146V/APPSwe/TauP301L). Initially, during the early stages of olfactory impairment, no significant learning and memory deficits were observed. Correspondingly, we observed significant accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and Tau pathology specifically in the OB, but not in the hippocampus. In addition, significant axonal morphological defects were detected in the olfactory bulb, cortex, and hippocampal brain regions of 3xTg-AD mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of neuroinflammation-related genes, accompanied by a significant decrease in neuronal activity-related genes in the OB. Moreover, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting demonstrated an activation of glial cell biomarkers Iba1 and GFAP, along with a reduction in the expression levels of neuronal activity-related molecules Nr4a2 and FosB, as well as olfaction-related marker OMP. In sum, the early accumulation of Aβ and Tau pathology induces neuroinflammation, which subsequently leads to a decrease in neuronal activity within the OB, causing axonal transport deficits that contribute to olfactory disorders. Nr4a2 and FosB appear to be promising targets for intervention aimed at improving early olfactory impairment in AD.

Soft-Tissue Sarcomas of the Genitourinary Tract with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

Genitourinary tract soft-tissue sarcomas are rare neoplasms with varied pathologic and clinical features. While some of these tumors may be aggressive high-grade malignancies, others are low grade with a relatively better prognosis. Given that the grade and extent of the disease are important prognostic factors in these tumors, timely diagnosis is crucial. Unfortunately, most imaging features of these malignancies are not pathognomonic, and various histologic subtypes do not manifest with typical classic imaging features. Therefore, reliable differentiation of the various histologic tumor types is not always possible based solely on the radiologic manifestations. Imaging findings need to be considered in the context of clinical history in corroboration with radiologic-pathologic correlation. The authors discuss the specific imaging and pathologic characteristics of various genitourinary tract soft-tissue sarcomas, emphasizing diagnostic difficulties and differential diagnoses. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Gastric acid-responsive deformable sodium alginate/Bletilla striata polysaccharide in situ gel for the protection and treatment of alcohol-induced peptic ulcers

First-line drugs for peptic ulcer (PU) treatment are typically limited by poor targeting and adverse effects associated with long-term use. Despite recent advancements in novel therapeutic approaches for PU, the development of sustained-release delivery systems tailored to specific pathological characteristics remains challenging. Persistent inflammation, particularly gastric inflammatory microenvironment imbalance, characterizes the PU. In this study, we prepared an in situ gel composed of sodium alginate, deacetylated gellan gum, calcium citrate, and Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) to achieve sustained release of BSP. The BSP in situ gel demonstrated favorable fluidity in vitro and completed self-assembly in vivo in response to the acidic milieu at a pH of 1.5. Furthermore, the shear, extrusion, and deformation properties increased by 26.4 %, 103.7 %, and 46.3 %, respectively, with long-term gastric retention (4 h) and mucosal adaptation. Animal experiments confirmed that the BSP in situ gel could attenuate necrotic injury and inflammatory cell infiltration, maintain mucosal barrier integrity, regulate cytokine imbalance and inflammation-associated hyperapoptosis, thus effectively alleviate the inflammatory microenvironmental imbalance in PU without significant side effects. Overall, our findings demonstrated that the BSP in situ gel is a promising therapeutic strategy for PU and opens avenues for developing self-assembled formulations targeting the pathological features of PUs.

An Insight into the Prospects and Drawbacks of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries: Ongoing Trials and Future Directions.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder that has a substantial detrimental impact on a person's quality of life. The estimated global incidence of SCI is 40 to 80 cases per million people and around 90% of cases are traumatic. Various etiologies can be recognized for SCI, and post-traumatic SCI represents the most common of these. Patients worldwide with SCI suffer from a persistent loss of motor and sensory function, which affects every aspect of their personal and social lives. Given the lack of effective treatments, many efforts have been made to seek a cure for this condition. In recent years, thanks to their ability to regenerate tissue and repair lost or damaged cells, much attention has been directed toward the use of stem cells (embryonic, induced pluripotent, mesenchymal, hematopoietic), aimed at restoring the functional integrity of the damaged spinal cord and improving a functional recovery including sensory and motor function. In this paper, we offer an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of stem cell therapy for SCI based on clinical evidence. This report also addresses the characteristics of various stem cell treatments, as well as the field's likely future. Each cell type targets specific pathological characteristics associated with SCI and demonstrates therapeutic effects via cell replacement, nutritional support, scaffolds, and immunomodulation pathways. SCI accompanied by complex pathological processes cannot be resolved by single treatment measures. Stem cells are associated with the adjustment of the expression of neurotrophic factors that help to achieve better nutrition to damaged tissue. Single-cell treatments have been shown in some studies to provide very minor benefits for SCI in multiple preclinical studies and a growing number of clinical trials. However, SCI damage is complex, and many studies are increasingly recognizing a combination approach such as physical therapy, electrical stimulation, or medication therapy to treatment.

Specific Pathology Features Enrich Selection of Endometrial Carcinomas for POLE Testing.

Identification of ultramutated/ POLE -mutated endometrial carcinomas ( POLEM ECs) has important implications given its association with better prognosis. However, POLE mutation testing is not widely available. Our objective was to evaluate POLEM ECs versus POLE wild-type ( POLEWT ) ECs, within a cohort of consultation cases with features suggestive of an ultramutated phenotype. Consultation cases of EC that had undergone POLE hotspot mutation testing over a 3.5-year period were included. Tumor morphology and immunohistochemistry were reviewed for both groups. Chi-square test and t test were used for statistical analysis. Of 25 consultation cases, 12 harbored a POLE mutation (48%) and 13 were wild-type (52%). Patients with POLEM ECs were younger (59 vs. 71.3y; P =0.01). Ambiguous histomorphology (5/12 vs. 1/13; P =0.04) and the presence of more than rare bizarre nuclei (8/12 vs. 2/12; P =0.01) differed significantly between POLEM and POLEWT ECs, respectively. In the POLEM group, one case (1/12) demonstrated PMS2 loss, and one (1/12) showed subclonal MLH1/PMS2 loss. Among POLEWT ECs, 3/13 (23%) showed MLH1/PMS2 loss. p53 was subclonally overexpressed in 4/10 POLEM and 1/13 POLEWT cases ( P =0.06). Mutant p53 patterns were seen in 1/10 POLEM versus 6/13 of POLEWT ECs, respectively ( P =0.06). Within our cohort, the specificity of ambiguous histomorphology, bizarre nuclei, subclonal biomarker expression, and marked tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for POLEM EC was 83%, 80%, 80%, and 71%, respectively. Where universal POLE testing is not available, these data suggest that morphologic screening (particularly ambiguous histomorphology and the presence of more than rare bizarre nuclei) can be useful for selective enrichment of ECs for POLE testing.

Single-cell analysis reveals diversity of tumor-associated macrophages and their interactions with T lymphocytes in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary CNS malignancy and clinical outcomes have remained stagnant despite introduction of new treatments. Understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) interact with T cells has been of great interest. Although previous studies examining TAMs in GBM have shown that certain TAMs are associated with specific clinical and/or pathologic features, these studies used an outdated M1/M2 paradigm of macrophage polarization and failed to include the continuum of TAM states in GBM. Perhaps most significantly, the interactions of TAMs with T cells have yet to be fully explored. Our study uses single-cell RNA sequencing data from adult IDH-wildtype GBM, with the primary aim of deciphering the cellular interactions of the 7 TAM subtypes with T cells in the GBM TME. Furthermore, the interactions discovered herein are compared to IDH-mutant astrocytoma, allowing for focus on the cellular ecosystem unique to GBM. The resulting ligand-receptor interactions, signaling sources, and global communication patterns discovered provide a framework for future studies to explore methods of leveraging the immune system for treating GBM.

Correlation Analysis of Macrophage Distribution and Pathological Features of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque

Macrophages play a crucial role in sustaining chronic inflammation in atherosclerosis (AS) and are a hallmark of atherosclerotic plaques. They undergo differentiation into distinct subpopulations under the influence of oxidized lipids and cytokines, exerting various functions in plaque formation and progression. To examine the variations in the quantity and distribution of different macrophage subpopulations surrounding distinct pathological features of carotid plaques in human AS. Based on these findings, we seek to explore the potential correlations between specific macrophage subpopulations and AS pathological characteristics. Initially, we analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) data obtained from the GEO DataSets (GSE159677). The results revealed a significant infiltration of macrophages in AS, categorizing them into distinct subpopulations with diverse transcriptional features and functions. Furthermore, in different regions of AS (i.e., calcified AS core vs. proximal adjacent areas), both the total number of macrophages and the subpopulation ratios exhibited variations. Subsequently, we examined the distribution differences of macrophage subpopulations within 61 surgically resected AS plaques using marker staining techniques such as CD68, iNOS, Arg-1, CD163, and HO-1. The findings demonstrated that macrophages predominantly localized in specific pathological lesions, including necrosis, fibrous tissue degeneration, and cholesterol crystallization. Moreover, distinct subpopulations exhibited differential distribution patterns within these lesions. This study provides confirmation of extensive macrophage infiltration within atherosclerotic plaques, highlighting the presence of subtypes that exhibit variability across different pathological lesions. These results suggest that various macrophage subpopulations may contribute differently to distinct pathological lesions in AS.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTIONAL RELEVANCE OF FGFR1 AND FGFR2 EXPRESSION FOR GLIOBLASTOMA TUMOUR INVASION

Abstract AIMS Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common brain tumour in adults. The GBM microenvironment is made up of heterogeneous GBM cell populations, but how microenvironmental signalling pathways contribute to GBM het- erogeneity and specific GBM pathological features remains incompletely understood. Here, we compare expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) within the tumour core and the invasion front, specifically investigating the functional relevance of FGFR1 and FGFR2 for in GBM invasion in vitro and in vivo. METHOD Quantification of the relative expression levels of FGFR1 and FGFR2 was determined in GBM primary patient- derived cell lines and xenograft models. Additional transcriptional profiling using RNA sequencing identified potential gene-regulatory networks involved in FGFR1-driven GBM tumour invasion. RESULTS We found FGFR1 distributed across the tumour mass and expressed in invasive GBM cells, while FGFR2 expression is confined to the tumour mass only. Loss of FGFR1, but not FGFR2, significantly reduced cell migration in vitro and tumour invasion in human GBM xenografts. Comparative analysis of RNA-sequencing data of FGFR1 and FGFR2 knockdown GBM cells revealed a FGFR1-specific gene regulatory network associated with tumour invasion. CONCLUSIONS Differential expression of FGFR1 and FGFR2 on invasive GBM cells identified FGFR1 is functionally relevant for tumour invasion in GBM. New gene candidates linked to FGFR1-mediated GBM invasion have been revealed and warrant further investigation to identify how FGFR1 regulates GBM invasion.

Generating Functional Multicellular Organoids from Human Placenta Villi.

The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air-liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self-renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO-based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta-originated diseases.

Coordinatized lesion location analysis empowering ROI-based radiomics diagnosis on brain gliomas.

To assess the value of coordinatized lesion location analysis (CLLA), in empowering ROI-based imaging diagnosis of gliomas by improving accuracy and generalization performances. In this retrospective study, pre-operative contrasted T1-weighted and T2-weighted MR images were obtained from patients with gliomas from three centers: Jinling Hospital, Tiantan Hospital, and the Cancer Genome Atlas Program. Based on CLLA and ROI-based radiomic analyses, a fusion location-radiomics model was constructed to predict tumor grades, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status, and overall survival (OS). An inter-site cross-validation strategy was used for assessing the performances of the fusion model on accuracy and generalization with the value of area under the curve (AUC) and delta accuracy (ACC) (ACCtesting-ACCtraining). Comparisons of diagnostic performances were performed between the fusion model and the other two models constructed with location and radiomics analysis using DeLong's test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. A total of 679 patients (mean age, 50years ± 14 [standard deviation]; 388 men) were enrolled. Based on tumor location probabilistic maps, fusion location-radiomics models (averaged AUC values of grade/IDH/OS: 0.756/0.748/0.768) showed the highest accuracy in contrast to radiomics models (0.731/0.686/0.716) and location models (0.706/0.712/0.740). Notably, fusion models ([median Delta ACC: - 0.125, interquartile range: 0.130]) demonstrated improved generalization than that of radiomics model ([- 0.200, 0.195], p = 0.018). CLLA could empower ROI-based radiomics diagnosis of gliomas by improving the accuracy and generalization of the models. This study proposed a coordinatized lesion location analysis for glioma diagnosis, which could improve the performances of the conventional ROI-based radiomics model in accuracy and generalization. • Using coordinatized lesion location analysis, we mapped anatomic distribution patterns of gliomas with specific pathological and clinical features and constructed glioma prediction models. • We integrated coordinatized lesion location analysis into ROI-based analysis of radiomics to propose new fusion location-radiomics models. • Fusion location-radiomics models, with the advantages of being less influenced by variabilities, improved accuracy, and generalization performances of ROI-based radiomics models on predicting the diagnosis of gliomas.

Experimental Models for Rare Melanoma Research—The Niche That Needs to Be Addressed

Melanoma, the tumor arising from the malignant transformation of pigment-producing cells—the melanocytes—represents one of the most severe cancer types. Despite their rarity compared to cutaneous melanoma, the extracutaneous subtypes such as uveal melanoma (UM), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and mucosal melanoma (MM) stand out due to their increased aggressiveness and mortality rate, demanding continuous research to elucidate their specific pathological features and develop efficient therapies. Driven by the emerging progresses made in the preclinical modeling of melanoma, the current paper covers the most relevant in vitro, in vivo, and in ovo systems, providing a deeper understanding of these rare melanoma subtypes. However, the preclinical models for UM, ALM, and MM that were developed so far remain scarce, and none of them is able to completely simulate the complexity that is characteristic to these melanomas; thus, a continuous expansion of the existing library of experimental models is pivotal for driving advancements in this research field. An overview of the applicability of precision medicine in the management of rare melanoma subtypes is also provided.

The importance of chest CT severity score and lung CT patterns in risk assessment in COVID-19-associated pneumonia: a comparative study.

Chest computed tomography (CT) is suitable to assess morphological changes in the lungs. Chest CT scoring systems (CCTS) have been developed and use in order to quantify the severity of pulmonary involvement in COVID-19. CCTS has also been correlated with clinical outcomes. Here we wished to use a validated, relatively simple CTSS to assess chest CT patterns and to correlate CTSS with clinical outcomes in COVID-19. Altogether 227 COVID-19 cases underwent chest CT scanning using a 128 multi-detector CT scanner (SOMATOM Go Top, Siemens Healthineers, Germany). Specific pathological features, such as ground-glass opacity (GGO), crazy-paving pattern, consolidation, fibrosis, subpleural lines, pleural effusion, lymphadenopathy and pulmonary embolism were evaluated. CTSS developed by Pan et al. (CTSS-Pan) was applied. CTSS and specific pathologies were correlated with demographic, clinical and laboratory data, A-DROP scores, as well as outcome measures. We compared CTSS-Pan to two other CT scoring systems. The mean CTSS-Pan in the 227 COVID-19 patients was 14.6 ± 6.7. The need for ICU admission (p < 0.001) and death (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher CTSS. With respect to chest CT patterns, crazy-paving pattern was significantly associated with ICU admission. Subpleural lines exerted significant inverse associations with ICU admission and ventilation. Lymphadenopathy was associated with all three outcome parameters. Pulmonary embolism led to ICU admission. In the ROC analysis, CTSS>18.5 significantly predicted admission to ICU (p = 0.026) and CTSS>19.5 was the cutoff for increased mortality (p < 0.001). CTSS-Pan and the two other CTSS systems exerted similar performance. With respect to clinical outcomes, CTSS-Pan might have the best performance. CTSS may be suitable to assess severity and prognosis of COVID-19-associated pneumonia. CTSS and specific chest CT patterns may predict the need for ventilation, as well as mortality in COVID-19. This can help the physician to guide treatment strategies in COVID-19, as well as other pulmonary infections.